Halfway through our hike around Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin’s scenic state park of the same name, I was ready to pick a bench and crash. I had hiked this trail many times before, but this time I simply did not have the energy to finish. While the rest of my group finished the trek up the hill and over the boulders, I headed back to the campsite with my husband and passed out in the tent for two hours. Several times during our camping trip, I stumbled to the tent and fell asleep, napping for 2-3 hours at a time. I was exhausted. I attributed it to simply needing to catch up on sleep. A few days later, however, the reason for my fatigue presented itself in the form of two pink lines. I was pregnant! (This also explained why I was eating so many s’mores!)

Fatigue is common in pregnancy. It can wax and wane from week to week. Managing your energy and to-do list during pregnancy is not unlike making a budget with an irregular income. You have to conserve when energy levels are low and do as much as you can when you are able. Never be afraid to ask for help, either.

Keep a list handy of things you want to get done, such as laundering layette items or organizing your baby’s toys. Whenever you feel up to doing something, check something off the list. On the other hand, realize that it’s okay to leave the list on the fridge for a while if you are tired. Listen to your body’s cues. If you have the opportunity to rest, you should take it. If you have kids, have dad or grandma take them to the park and burn off some energy while you take a nap. An hour could do wonders and have a big impact on your mood as well.

You can maximize your energy by eating complex carbohydrates, lean protein, sticking to a regular sleep schedule and drinking plenty of water. Avoid the use of excessive caffeine or sugar. The short burst of energy you will receive will soon be followed by a crash, leaving you more tired than you were before. Give yourself a curfew and stick to it. Most people, especially women who have been pregnant before, will be very understanding if you excuse yourself from a party or gathering a little early.

It’s easy enough to go to a maternity clothing store and pick up a pair of jeans, but you’re limited to the brands they offer and you’ll end up paying the higher price. With basic sewing skills, a favorite pair of jeans and a stretch camisole, you can create your own maternity jeans for a fraction of the cost.

You will need a sewing machine, a pair of jeans, scissors and a camisole you don’t mind ruining. Pick a pair of jeans that fit when the fly is open. Remember that your hips might spread a little bit during your pregnancy, so give yourself some room to grow. You can use an old pair that you already own or you can pick up a pair at your local thrift shop for a few dollars.

Remove the zipper and sew the fly shut. Cut the top of the waist off so the jeans fit comfortably below your baby bump. You must cut the jeans low enough so that you can pull them on because there is no longer a zipper opening. You may have to cut slightly into the back pockets, depending on the style of the jeans. Low rise jeans will work the best for this project. If you’re not sure where to cut, put the jeans on and mark where you’d like the hem to be with pins or a special fabric marker. You may want to have a friend assist you.

Choose a camisole that fits snugly around your belly and is very elastic. Cut the top off, just below the bust. Leaving the jeans right side out, turn the camisole inside out and pull it over the jeans, lining up the freshly cut edges. (The camisole should look like a skirt layered over the jeans.) Using a tight zig zag stitch on your sewing machine, sew the camisole to the jeans about a quarter inch from the edge. The zig zag will allow for the natural stretch of the material and will help prevent the seam from ripping once you put stress on it. You may have to pin it in place first if a little stretching is required to fit the width of the jeans.

After you stitch the two pieces together, you should be able to flip the camisole back up and see the right side facing out. The original bottom hem is now the top of your panel. You can fold it back down over the waist or wear it pulled all the way up depending on your preference. The stretch panel will help hide your belly button and will keep your jeans from falling down without pinching your waist. This style of maternity panel is similar to the Secret Fit Belly, which is offered by A Pea In The Pod.

For a tighter fit, fold the panel down a few more times in smaller increments. If you plan on wearing it folded down, you can use a camisole with lace trim on the bottom so it will look like your shirts are just layered if it peeks through. If you do this, do not turn the camisole inside out to sew it. That way, when you fold it down, the right side of the lace will show. If you’re really crafty, you could always sew lace to your plain camisole.

You can use this method to transform any pair of jeans, slacks, skirts or shorts. You can use a variety of colors and patterns for the stretch panel, though I would recommend using something that matches most of your wardrobe in case it shows.

Your baby’s birth will be a whirlwind of activity. From the moment she enters the world, time will seem to speed up and she’ll grow up right before your eyes. In the first few days of life, a baby’s appearance changes dramatically. Everything from her skin tone, to the shape of her nose, to the curve of her tiny head, morphs as she recovers and adjusts to her new surroundings. After all, she was crammed in a pretty tight space for nine months; she’s bound to have some serious bedhead, among other things. In all the hustle and bustle, you’ll look back and realize your memories, though powerful and packed with emotions, are lacking a few visual details. The face you look upon in the recovery room will be the one you remember. Capturing the first few moments becomes vital. Suddenly, for the photographer (most likely dad) the pressure is on to record the memories you’ll treasure forever. Making a list of pictures you want ahead of time can prevent scrapbooking anxiety later. Which pictures should make it onto your list? Here are a few suggestions:

1. The new family. Even if you have to ask a nurse to take the camera, make sure you get a picture of mom and dad with the new baby right after she’s born. You want to capture mom’s relief and dad’s awe. Those expressions will soon be lost to happy contentment, and later, complete exhaustion.

2. Baby on the scale. This picture is adorable because you’ll have a visual record of her size and weight. You’ll be able to see her stretched out on the scale, arms flailing and mouth wide open in a newborn shriek. You’ll also be able to read her weight in digital red beneath her.

3. Mom and dad admiring the new baby. This photo, taken from the new parents’ profile while baby rests in mom’s arms, will show just how much they love their new addition.

4. Proud Grandparents. Make sure to get a photo of each grandparent holding their new grandchild. They will treasure this moment forever.

5. Individual mom and dad poses. Get a shot of the new mom cradling her little one, then switch so dad can have his turn. Get a few close ups as well. If there are any siblings, take a picture of them admiring their new baby brother or sister as well.

6. Baby feet and hands. Take a few close ups of those tiny fingers and toes. You will not believe how quickly they change.

What is your favorite newborn photo?

Yesterday I shared ways that you can alter your recipes to make them fit your gestational diabetes needs a little better. Eating a balanced diet is always important during pregnancy, but when you have gestational diabetes, it is more important than ever. Not adhering to your diet can lead to your baby gaining too much weight, which could lead to birth complications. Sticking to your diet is never easy, but you do have more control when you are eating at home. Things get complicated when you’re invited to a party and no longer have any control over the menu. Imagine how frustrating it must be for a pregnant woman with gestational diabetes during the holidays, attending a string of parties that offer so many foods she cannot touch. You don’t have to stay home, but you do need to plan ahead.

One option is to call up the hostess and offer to bring a dish to pass. If she agrees (and she most likely will), bring a dish that fits into your diet plan. This way, if you arrive and the buffet table looks like a carbohydrate parade, you won’t have a panic attack. Eat what you brought and enjoy some of the other items in moderation.

If you are attending an event that is catered, you may want to find out ahead of time what will be on the menu. Most of the time there will be something that you can eat, but if your options are limited, opt to eat a small meal before you arrive, then snack on some of the healthier options available. Do not be tempted to fast all day so you can splurge at the party. That is a recipe for disaster and will surely cause your blood sugar levels to spike dramatically.

Most parties have a veggie platter, as well as a meat and cheese tray, on the hors d’oeuvres table. Pass on the potato chips and mini hot dogs drenched in sugary barbeque sauce, and enjoy a plate of veggies (especially cucumbers and celery), meat and some cheese. Veggies and protein are your friend when you have gestational diabetes. Also feel free to enjoy unsweetened dill pickles, sugar-free Jell-O, coffee or tea without guilt.

Remember, the key is moderation.

A gestational diabetes diagnosis can really throw a wrench into an otherwise happy pregnancy. Suddenly you’re no longer allowed to gleefully succumb to your cravings. Instead you’re trapped by a strict diet plan. Writing up your grocery list becomes even more of a chore than it was before because you’re trying to count carbs. You doubt your usual dinner repertoire is going to work this week and you struggle to come up with a new meal plan. When your family doesn’t want to eat what’s on your menu, it becomes even more frustrating. You’re on a diet you didn’t sign up for, and yet your health and your baby’s health depends on it.

Fortunately there plenty of diabetic friendly recipes available that won’t cause your blood sugar to spike or your family to strike. Websites like DiabeticRecipes.com offer plenty of meal options for diabetics. Also, many of your favorite recipes can be altered to make them healthier for you and your baby.

One of the easiest ways to alter a recipe to make it healthier is to increase the servings without increasing the total recipe, which in turn makes the serving size smaller. You can still enjoy your favorite foods when you have gestational diabetes if you limit your portions.

When your recipe calls for pasta or rice, use low carb and high fiber varieties. Whole grain pasta is better than the original. Brown rice is better than white. Some brands are offering healthier versions, like Barilla Plus.

One trick that I use when I’m trying to eat healthier is to fill up my plate with vegetables. I season them with herbs and spices and make sure to eat them first. I’m less likely to eat too much of the other foods on my plate that might not be as healthy. You can’t go wrong when the bulk of your meal is veggies. The upside to this plan of attack is your family members are not required to take as many servings of vegetables as you.

Swapping healthy, lean cuts of meat for higher fat meats like ground beef or sausage is also a good way to make your favorite meals healthier. Most of the time, it will not affect the flavor of the recipe. Some people swear that tofu, if prepared correctly, can taste just like chicken. Personally, I love veggie burgers.

Finally, learn about herbs and seasonings. These don’t affect how healthy your meal is, but they definitely add a lot of impact. Using more of these allows you to cut back on things like butter or salt.

There are tons of pregnancy books out there, and I have even reviewed a few on this blog, but does a woman really need to buy a book when there is so much information available online? Well… yes and no.

In my opinion, both internet resources and traditional pregnancy books have value. The internet is full of information, most of which is free, and is easily searched for specific answers. The sheer volume of pregnancy resources online is also its pitfall, however, since it is so full of duplicate and inaccurate information, which can be a pain to sift through. One of the biggest advantages to using a book is the fact that it has been carefully edited and screened by the publisher. It is unlikely you will find unreliable information in a book like the classic, “What To Expect When You Are Expecting.”

The most important information you should get directly from your doctor. If you are experiencing unusual pain, don’t turn to a forum for your answer, just call your doctor right away. When you want reliable and extensive information about birthing techniques, pick up a book. Your doctor won’t have time to explain these types of things in great detail and it’s unlikely you’ll find anything comprehensive online; a book can be a great resource for learning more about interventions, pain relief methods, and birthing positions, as well as other non-emergency type topics. The best way to utilize the internet during your pregnancy is for casual research or recreation. First hand accounts of labor and pregnancy symptoms can be both assuring and helpful for the pregnant woman who is wondering what a contraction really feels like or a mucous plug looks like. The internet is also a great place to learn about pregnancy trends and news.

What are some of your favorite pregnancy resources? Do you have a favorite pregnancy book?