Huge Pregnant Belly

Mother Surprised by Baby's Birth.

Pregnant Baby Belly

Dad Listening to Baby Kicking


Toddler holding stethoscope against her pregnant mother's stomach


Toddler Touching Mother's Belly

Fat Pregnant Belly

Pregnant Belly Fat - How to Lose Weight After Having a Baby

After you have a baby most moms want to lose pregnant belly fat quickly. The problem is, it took 9 months to put it on, it's going to take some time to take it off. You must understand that losing weight after having a baby takes discipline and desire. If you put a goal in front of you, such as losing ten pounds before you visit the grandparents this summer, it will make losing the weight much more urgent.

So, how do you lose that pregnant belly fat? Exercise and proper nutrition are key. By combining the two, you will be off to a great start. You must get the ok from your doctor, and this can depend on wether you've had a vaginal or cesarean birth. Also, if you are breast feeding the amount of calories differs from a non-nursing mother. Eating right is important for proper milk production.

What exercises are good to start with when trying to lose that pregnant belly fat?

Light exercise is good in the beginning, such as walking or even swimming. You can then move on to more advanced exercise such as Squats, Dumbbell Swings, Lunges and V-ups. The most important thing is not to push yourself too much in the beginning. Do not expect results overnight and do not force yourself to do more than what you can.

What should I being eating to lose pregnant belly fat?

There are lots of fat fighting foods that are good for you and help boost your metabolism. Burning the fat on your belly will be quicker if you eat right along with exercise. Some great foods to start with are:

Berries - grapes, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries

Fruits - include citrus fruits, along with apples, pears, peaches, plums and mangoes

Vegetables - like cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus and celery

Lean Meats & Seafood - such as turkey, skinless chicken, trout, salmon and flounder

Green Tea - has been found to have fat burning capabilities

Water - the life source of all good diet habits. Keeps you hydrated.

Trying to lose pregnant belly fat is not impossible, it just takes time. Aside from caring for yourself, you now have a baby to care for as well. I should know, I have three kids and struggled with losing weight after having a baby. If you would like to see a review of an excellent program that was designed by a mom, for moms, to learn how to lose pregnant belly fat and also receive a free download of "Fitting Exercise into a Busy Schedule" please visit Lose Post-Pregnancy Weight Best of wishes for you and your baby!

Pregnant Belly Costume

Cyndi Lauper at Howard Kaplan Antiques on Halloween. She is pregnant, wearing a belly dancer costume.

Pregnant Belly Stories

Ten Tips for Surviving an Overdue Pregnancy

Your belly is huge, your due date has passed, and yet little Susie or Johnny has shown no interest in moving out of his or her cozy home. Your due date is calculated by counting forward 280 days from the start of your last menstrual period. Your due date is only an estimate of when your baby should come and is often off by a number of days. It is very common to deliver past your due date particularly if you are a first time mom. Knowing that it is common provides little comfort when you are the one overdue. Below are our best tips for surviving an overdue pregnancy.

1. Talk to your doctor.

Women have varying opinions on labor and childbirth. Some prefer a natural, wait and see approach, while others are very anxious and eagerly interested in induction. In our mother's generation it was not uncommon to deliver at 42 or even 43 weeks. Presently many doctors will induce at 40 or 41 weeks if your cervix is favorable. If you would prefer the wait and see approach, or your cervix is unfavorable for induction, your doctor or midwife will monitor you and baby closely. You will likely have a non stress test or biophysical profile done once or even twice a week if you are overdue. By 42 weeks your doctor will most likely choose to induce regardless of whether you cervix is favorable or not.

2. Get lots of rest.

The last month of pregnancy is exhausting. You may not be sleeping well due to discomfort and anxiety about your approaching labor. Remember to keep taking your prenatal vitamins and rest as much as you can. Lack of sleep and fatigue can war on your mood. Use a body pillow at night to help you sleep. Take an afternoon nap if you are not sleeping well or just rest with you feet up if sleep is not possible.

3. Finish up preparations for baby.

Now is a good time to finish up those last minute things you need for baby. You may have packed your hospital bag weeks earlier and finished the nursery what seems like ages ago, so here are a few ideas you might not have thought of to keep yourself busy. Install your car seat and have it checked for safety. Many hospitals and insurance companies will do car seat safety checks. Purchase a lullaby CD and set up a rocking chair nearby to rock your baby to sleep. Lastly, if you haven't already now is a good time to buy your husband or partner to bring to work after baby's birth. It's a little old fashioned, but hey some men still do it.

4. Try relaxation and meditation.

If you've never done relaxation exercises or meditation this probably sounds a bit corny, but it can't hurt to try it. Purchase a CD if you don't have one already with relaxing music or sounds from the rainforest or beach. Try slow deep breaths relaxing your muscles one at a time. Alternatively, you can purchase a CD or video that gives specific instructions on relaxation exercises. Now would also be a good time to practice relaxation and breathing exercises form your child birth class.

5. Try natural labor inducers.

There are a few things you can try to induce labor naturally. Foods such as pineapple and eggplant have been suggested as labor inducers. Cooked in a yummy recipe, it's certainly worth a shot. Cinnamon tea made from cinnamon sticks steeped in hot water is another thing you can try. Walking is something else you can try. The verdict is still out as to whether walking actually helps, but a little exercise is good for the body and soul regardless of effectiveness in inducing labor. There are many other tips, tricks, and old wives tales you can try naturally induce labor. Check with your doctor or midwife before trying anything to naturally induce labor.

6. Check fetal movements.

It is very important when you are overdue to keep a close eye on fetal movements. There are variations on how to keep track of fetal kick counts, so talk to your doctor about how to track and monitor your baby's movements. If you notice a decrease or change in your baby's activity call your doctor.

7. Observe for signs of labor.

For some women keeping track of signs of labor will bring comfort and others it is plain out discouraging. As you pregnancy comes to an end your body will show sings or readiness for labor. Increasing Braxton Hicks contractions, pelvic achiness, backache, and increasing vaginal secretions are all early signs or labor. Early labor symptoms can begin weeks before labor, but all these signs are reassuring that your body is indeed getting ready for birth.

8. Keep busy.

Keeping busy will help keep your mind off of things. Here are a few suggestions to keep yourself busy. Take this time to freeze up a few meals for after baby's birth. This will allow you a little extra time and rest when baby is home. Make a belly cast of your pregnant tummy to commemorate your pregnancy. Start a scrapbook album for your baby. You can include mementos from your pregnancy and prepare pages for after baby's birth. Knitting, crocheting, or other hobbies can also be distracting.

9. Ask for help.

If you are having a hard time physically or emotionally ask for support from your family, friends, or health care provider. You may be shouting from the inside, but unless you tell someone they may not know how you feel. If you are having feelings of anxiety or depression talk to your doctor.

10. Do something nice for yourself.

A massage, manicure, or trip to the hair salon are all good ideas to treat yourself at the end of pregnancy. If you can't convince baby to come out and play, at least mommy should have a good time.

Teresa Redmond is a wife and mother to 6 children. She is the co-owner of Justmommies.com.

Pregnant Belly Triplets

This medical exhibit pictures three twenty-four (24) week old triplets in utero from an anterior (front) cut-away view.

25 Weeks Pregnant Belly

Bare Belly of Pregnant Woman.

5 Months Pregnant Belly

Pregnant woman using mobile phone on bed.

Expanding Pregnant Belly

Girl Touching Pregnant Mother's Belly.

Swollen Pregnant Belly

Pregnant Woman, Mid Section.

39 Weeks Pregnant Belly

A woman 39 weeks pregnant has her hands across her belly.

9 Month Pregnant Belly

Human embryology, showing a nine (9) week fetus in-utero within a lateral female figure. The lumbar spine, pelvic bones, and pubic symphysis are also shown. The uterus, chorionic villi, and chorionic sac are cut to allow visualization of the amniotic sac and fetal development.