Harem pants are a huge spring/summer trend. But let's be honest: They're a little on the terrifying side of the fashion spectrum.

It takes a certain amount of confidence to carry them off in the best of circumstances. Ninety percent of CafeMoms said harem pants are a don't. But ten percent said it depends.

Here's what I would argue: When you're pregnant, you can get away with them.

Your body shape is already a little strange. You have a ton to feel confident about (you're making a baby, for crying out loud!). So why not take an out-there, envelope-pushing style risk? At least this is what I told myself when I bought these black pants from Express.

They're a modified harem pant -- not too big, not too crazy. They have a wide, stretchy waistband that fits over my pregnant belly, no problem, and they also have a nice, narrow hem which makes your calves look slim. They're insanely comfortable.

They look super cute with a simple tank top and gladiator sandals. And they're currently on sale for $7.99, plus an extra 20 percent off -- practically free!

I love them; the women in my office love them. So what if my husband starts singing Can't Touch This whenever he sees me? What does he know, anyway?

So...would you ever, ever wear harem pants? 

Photo by YoMama2005

If I'd waited for my husband to agree that it was time to start a family, I'd still be waiting today. Then again, Mr. Procrastination also waited five years after we started dating to produce an engagement ring, so it was none to surprising or out of character for him.

So seven years ago around this time of year, I took the initiative and he reluctantly agreed. He would have liked to be a bit more "settled." Our house was still being fixed up (and still is) and our bank account was quite small (and still is). But today he's glad we had our kids when we did, so for me being pushy worked out.

Sometimes, women who want to get pregnant for the first time are up against much greater resistance.

laurenleblanc and her hubby just can't agree on the best time to start their family.

"My urge to mother has shot through the roof. We thought we were pregnant back in January, and he was excited and happy, but nervous too," lauren says. We'd just gotten married and he wanted to be a little more financially sound. I understand where he's coming from, but every time we agree on a date (like when my birth control is up) and I remind him, he completely whips around and changes his mind."

Should she do what I did and take charge? Is that really the best strategy or should both parents be 100 percent on board?

"I think he is only agreeing because he wants to make you happy," heather.darin advises laurenleblanc in Answers. "But he probably isn't ready. I would stop bringing it up for a while."

amy31308 adds: "You want him to WANT one. When he's ready, he'll let you know. It's hard being patient, especially being on CafeMom, but it will well be worth the wait."

"Most men don't want to have babies right away; they need a little more time than women to be open to the idea," says Sillylins. "There's just no point in pressuring your husband. He will come around, just give him some time."

Did your SO agree that it's time to get pregnant? Or are you making the decision for him (one way or another)?

Photo from Earth Mama Angel Baby

Nausea? Check. Heartburn? Yep. Crazy mind, can't sleep, crazy dreams? Oh yes.

Sigh. Pregnancy is supposed to be beautiful. And yes, it absolutely is. But I would get to enjoy it a bit more if this mama was a little happier.

How about a cup of tea to the rescue?

I'm sitting here typing and sipping on Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics' Mama-to-Be Tea Sampler's Morning Wellness. It's an organic herbal caffeine-free tea great to ease nausea and safe to drink, with a light blend of organic ginger, spearmint, chamomile, orange, lemon, and peppermint -- very soothing and smooth. Yum!

In this 16 tea bag sampler ($5.07 on sale now), there is also Peaceful Mama Tea made with lemon, chamomile, red raspberry, oatstraw, and orange to help ease your mind and have a good night's sleep. Heartburn Tea will bring some needed relief with marshmallow, spearmint, chamomile, and more in the blend. And the Third Trimester Tea, with rosehips, alfalfa, and other organic herbs nurtures you in your final months of pregnancy.

What I love about Earth Mama Angel Baby, beside the great name, is that it was founded by a mama who is also a nurse and herbalist. You can also buy the teas separately.

I also have to say, there is nothing like a hot cup of tea when I'm feeling cranky.

What do you think? Tea to the rescue?

You can certainly go to an amusement park. My friend (pregnant with twins) just brought her three-year-old to Disney World and they had a great time.

The real question is: Can you go on the rides?

The Pregnancy Health Guru says this, via Marsha Silberstein, M.D.:

"If you choose to go to an amusement park while you’re pregnant, you may find that you have quite a few limitations. Although most rides are not a good idea, there are some, like bumper cars, that are particularly dangerous when you’re expecting. Repeat collisions against the steering wheel could result in bleeding or placental abruption, making a bumper car ride dangerous indeed."

The bottom line: Go to the amusement park. Skip the rides.

What do you think? Would you go on an amusement park ride while pregnant? Which one?

Photo from Yesstyle

Guest blog from Lucky magazine editor and CafeMom Meredith Rollins. She has a

A couple months back, Lucky's brilliant Style Steals blogger Elise Loehnen turned me on to the Korea-based fashion site Yesstyle. The clothes are ridiculously affordable, stylish, and super-cute. And there are literally over a thousand different options priced UNDER $25.

But it took me til yesterday to realize that they have a maternity section. Prices are still nice and low, and the clothes are about as chic as any maternity line I've ever seen -- anywhere. Truly amazing stuff.

It's impossible to boil it down, but here are my favorites, all under $50.

Stripes! As discussed, I am obsessed. This Momnuri Stripe Maternity Knit Dress ($45, seen above) sums up summer weekends to me.

Cropped skinny pants. They're the ideal counterpoint to a maternity top, but I haven't been able to find a designer stateside who makes these -- Momnuri Cropped Maternity Skinny Pants ($31.50) -- for pregnant women. (Admission: I had my tailor make me a pair, and I'm kicking myself now.)

In the same vein, denim "tights" -- the Momnuri Denim Tights ($30) could be the perfect skinny jean, with that great, cool look and none of the stiffness.

And finally, Momnuri Maternity Dress ($48), a really on-trend, really beautiful bohemian-print minidress.

Which one is your must-have?

Photo by wntg1grl

Meet Kim (aka wntg1grl), a 34-year-old stay-at-home mom of three who's expecting twins next January. Since Brittany (bam61907) is now officially a new mama, we're hopping on Kim's bump-to-babies journey at her 9th week.

I knew my body. It had been 28 days since my last period. So I called my sister-in-law, and she brought over a dollar store pregnancy test. I didn't think it would be positive because I had just missed AF by ONE day, but BAM! Dark as night was the line. I cried, laughed, and cried. 

I had severe morning sickness at five weeks. I threw up probably 30 times a day. I went to the ER, I was so dehydrated. They gave me fluids and I went home, and went on Zofran, a nausea medicine, the next day. About 10 days later, I was back in urgent care. I was still vomiting several times a day. They ordered me to the ER for tests.

The nurse there says, "We need to rule out a twin pregnancy." I laughed at her. There are no twins in my family or my husband's, I said, so you go ahead and check. The tech puts the ultrasound thingie on my tummy. I see something strange -- TWO big bubbles! I said, "That looks like two." She nods, smiles and tells me I shouldn't be able to read an ultrasound.

But she warns me it could just be a shadow, and proceeds with an internal. The two bubbles are still there. Then I see there are two heartbeats! OMG TWINS! I must have said that a million times. I was spinning, all kinds of thoughts going through my head ... Donnie is not going to believe me ...  Donnie is going to divorce me ... five kids?!

I called Donnie a while later to break the news.

"You know that thing they sent me to the ER to check?" I said, reminding him of our earlier conversation about ruling out twins.

"Yeah?" he said.

"Well, YEAH!"

Then I could hear that weird smile on him. It was a priceless day.

Catch up with what's happening with our prior calendar mama Brittany, aka bam61907, in her Weekly Pregnancy Calendar.

And check back next week for Kim's latest developments ...

Photo from Shutterfly

I love parties -- I love throwing, attending, and planning them. I took care of my sister's wedding and baby shower and couldn't have been happier planning it all. And I told my sister, for my baby shower, I want to work with her to plan it. This makes her happy -- she doesn't love it like I do.

I made invitations for my sister's shower, but if you aren't feeling crafty, I found these really cute invites at really great prices.

I love the silhouette of the baby bump on this Expecting Soon Blue invite from Shutterfly.

Oooh rubber duckies -- love them! How adorable is the baby in the Bottle & Binky Pink Baby Shower Invitation from Shutterfly?

Animals are always a great theme and for the mama-to-be (or parents-to-be if it's a co-ed shower) who hasn't learned the sex of the baby yet, the Bath Buddies Baby Shower Invitation from Shutterfly is perfect.

All $1.39 - $2.09 each depending on quantity and they come in other colors, too.

Photo from Shutterfly

Photo from Shutterfly

Humor is always good -- it's better to be laughing than crying with all these hormones raging inside me, and I love this baby drawing, Blue Screaming Baby Shower Invitation (99 cents to $1.99 each depending on quantity), from Tiny Prints. Reminds me when my mom used to say, "Open wide, airplane coming in!" when she was feeding me. 

Photo from Tiny Prints

And how cool is this one? Love Grows $1.19 - $2.39 each depending on quantity) shows your sonogram picture. All you have to do is upload it to Tiny Prints' site and they fit it into your invite.

Both invitations come in other color themes as well.

Photo from Tiny Prints

Which one is your favorite?

Photo from First Response

Between last year and until March this year, I had bought so many pregnancy tests I should have taken stock in First Response. And even though I am a full grown woman, I always felt weird in the pregnancy test aisle. Silly, I know, but it's the same thing as buying tampons or maxi pads. Kind of embarrassing.

llmom1921 brought up this subject in The Newcomers Club and felt the same way when a young kid was trying not to laugh as he rang up her Midol, tampons, and toilet paper.

AMarineLovesMe's story made me giggle. "A few months back I bought an ovulation tracker, pregnancy tests, and two thongs along with my groceries," she wrote. "After scanning the first items, [the clerk] grabbed the whipped cream and the bananas -- we both about died laughing!"

The worst is when you purchase and the bag is see-through. I don't need everyone on the NYC subway system to know my business. So I would always buy something else even if I didn't really need it. Loofah, shampoo, soap...put the pregnancy test in the middle of the bag to hide it. 

Another funny thing...Cafe Cynthia's funny article on what you did when you were waiting those few minutes for the results of the pregnancy test? For me the positive line showed up right away. Then I left the room, poured myself a water, and stared at the clock until it was officially time.

Were you uncomfortable when you bought a pregnancy test? Did you buy other things to hide it in the bag like I did?

Photo from Lancome

Guest blog from Lucky magazine editor and CafeMom Meredith Rollins. She has a two-year-old son and is pregnant with her second, due in September.

It's finally super-hot in New York, so I'm living in short skirts and cropped pants...which means my legs are on display after many months of hibernation. If I weren't pregnant, I would have immediately reached for the self-tanner by now. But since I am, I've been a little hesitant.

Is improving the appearance of my pale, spotty, vein-riddled legs worth coating myself with another chemical-based cosmetic?

So I asked Lucky's beauty director, Jean Godfrey June -- who happens to be a total skincare expert and a truly dedicated, health-minded mom (she gave birth at home! she's hardcore!). She said: "I self-tanned furiously through both pregnancies. Self tanning just dyes your very top layer of skin cells, which are of course, dead."

Plus, as she points out, "It's especially good if people have stopped commenting on your gorgeous pregnant glow. It starts the whole thing right back up!"

So I'm going to be using Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Leg Gel ($29.50) from Lancome, Jean's favorite and therefore mine.

What do you think? Are you self-tanning while pregnant?

Photo from Jogging Stroller

Like a lot of baby gear, choosing a stroller is difficult. You can't truly know what you're going to like and what's going to work for you until you actually try it out with your new baby, but most strollers are so expensive it's not like you can just get another one if your first choice doesn't work out.

I thought about getting a jogging stroller, but haven't yet—I wanted to wait until my baby was at least six months old and then it just didn't seem necessary. But I've heard a lot of good things about BOB Strollers and I'm reconsidering. I'd love to hear what you all think.

Item: BOB Sport Utility Stroller (SUS)

Cost: $299.99

What it does: It's a long-lasting, reliable stroller that allows mom to exercise—walk, run, rollerblade—while her baby stays comfy.

Pros: It's good on all kinds of terrain—bumpy trails, the beach, rocks, and more.

Cons: It's difficult to store, hard to travel with, and if it's the only stroller you have, it can be difficult to maneuver in supermarket aisles. It's expensive.

What do you think?

See this poll at CafeMom.

At the time of her question, she was 38 weeks pregnant and experiencing sharp lower back pain.

Back labor happens when the baby's head puts pressure on your back, causing pain. Some women feel it during contractions.

Mama040609 had it when she was in labor.

Dr. Roger W. Harms, obstetrician from The Mayo Clinic, says that back labor can also occur if the baby is in an awkward position when he or she enters the birth canal. Some women, though, feel more pain in their back during labor and delivery.

Aside from getting an epidural, Harms suggests three natural ways to help back labor pains.

• changing positions
• getting a back rub
• warm water spray from shower
• applying hot or cold packs to your lower back

Have you heard of back labor before?

Photo by 23andMe

Thanks to the today's science and technology, parents can know practically what their child looks like before they're born (sometimes even going as far as designing their own baby). Here are some genetic links I found interesting:

With the #399 pricetag, I'd personally rather wait and see, but this genetic testing kit goes as far as revealing the genetic likelihood of hair color, eye color, etc. — Lil Sugar

Is your child destined to be an all-star quarterback or would he be better at swimming? Apparently, you can find out with this genetic test. — Parent Dish

Want a blonde hair, blue-eyed babe that's funny? You can design your baby through inheritable genetic modification. — Baby Buzz

Sometimes I get stressed out easily, and, according to this article, my poor kids are destined to share this personality trait. — Cookie

Other than for health benefits, would you try any of these genetic tests?

Photo from Casting Keepsakes

Some people do the belly cast, but I really want to do the henna belly. I have tattoos, but none on my tummy. My friend Jenny has a large tattoo on her belly and I have to say it looked beautiful even as her baby grew. And it still looks good even after -- she moisturized...a lot.

I found this chemical-free, all natural Pregnancy Henna Art Kit ($21.95) that I really want. Think about how great the belly shots will look?

My husband thinks it's kind of weird, but I'm into it. I love henna art -- I have a henna-inspired tattoo on my right forearm. People wonder if it's real because it's the same color as henna.

What I also like about henna is that when used during pregnancy, this ancient practice is said to be soothing and calming, and is believed to help bring about an easy birth and healthy child.

This kit is natural, but be sure to check ingredients if using another kit or going to a henna artist. Only natural henna, sugar, lemon juice, and lavender oil are recommended for use during pregnancy. Avoid if you are anemic and if you have any concerns, of course, ask your doctor first.

Would you henna your belly?

The other night I had an odd one -- I was at my parents house in the middle of the night we all woke up because a car was doing donuts outside. The phone rang and it was the kid who was driving that car's mom. She kept asking me for Steve. I was afraid the car was going to drive into the house. Weird. 

I've also been having some sexual dreams.

In these sex dreams, I have no idea what I was doing but I wake up really turned on like something super sexy was happening. I know we can sometimes feel more sexual during our second trimester, but in our sleep? Kinky. I like it. So does my husband.

CafeMom klg25 is also having very vivid dreams and asked other mamas-to-be about it in the Pregnancy group.

eeyoremom84 had some incredible sounding dreams. She had one where a gorilla ate her cat and another where one of the doctors from Grey's Anatomy delivered one of her babies and then she walked down the hall to go to the bathroom and delivered another in the toilet.

Have you had strange pregnancy dreams? Share!

Photo by manhattanmomof2

You know the saying: Hindsight is always 20/20. Which is why this list of things moms wish they had done differently when pregnant is like gold to those of us who are moms-to-be right now.

Do I want my babies to know they had me nauseous every day of the first trimester, and still into the second? Maybe not every detail. But it's a once in a lifetime experience and some want to remember.

My sister, who has a two year old, says she sometimes misses being pregnant with her daughter. Not sure if I am going to feel the same way -- it's been a rough go for me so far -- but I still want the memories.

Here are some things to do when pregnant....

• Take belly shots. Sure, it's easy to feel too yucky to be in a photo, but that's what those photo editing sites are for! I use Picnik -- it can make anyone look good. I took pinup style ones and overexposed the image so it looks artsy. Love it!

• Take time to enjoy the pregnancy. I've been a cranky pregnant lady so far (nausea, pimples, heartburn, you name it), but I'm trying to enjoy it more and also rub my belly and tell my babies I love them. That instantly makes me feel happy.

• Eat better. I read that even though you are pregnant, you aren't really eating for two. Yes, you are eating a bit more (about 300 calories more is recommended) and also trying to make healthier choices, but gaining too much weight isn't good for the baby or you.

• Keep a pregnancy journal. I started a blog and I also write a lot here on CafeMom. Take some time each night to write in a notebook or even in a Journal post.

• Seek out information beforehand. Lots of moms wish they had known more about breastfeeding so they were better prepared. Knowledge in a lot of parenting areas are good, too. It decreases stress as does a strong support system -- like CafeMom!

Special thanks to all the moms in the Stay at Home Moms group (private, must be member to view) who shared their thoughts!

Have anything else to add? Please share!

Photo from Sailor Pink Vintage

I've talked about my friend Melody before -- she's supermodel gorgeous and is getting married on July 10th! (I made her famous by showing her ugly sweater party outfit.)

I couldn't be more excited for her. I've fantasized about what I would wear to her wedding since her engagement. She wants it to be Hollywood glam, everyone dressed up, super stylish, if not slightly outrageous.

All of this I was really into, until now. I will be 15 weeks pregnant with twins -- I'm showing a lot -- and well it's July in NYC...it's HOT. And I'm a sweaty pregnant lady. Plus my ankles are tree trunks and I'm so cranky about what to wear.

Guest blogger and Lucky editor Meredith offered up this really pretty white dress to wear to a wedding. But with Melody's theme, it's not going to work.

So instead of spending $400 dress from Foley + Corinna (which I really wanted to do originally -- they have the most amazing dresses), I went vintage.

Photo from Forever 21

I bought this 70s Teal Town Dress for $40 from Sailor Pink Vintage. It has room for my baby bump and will hide my cankles. And it isn't black like all my other fancy dresses! Yay!

I'm going to wear it with either my fancy gold wedge sandals or these Miu Miu shoes I scored from my friend Leila at my swap party. They are strappy and are a faux snakeskin teal and black combo.

I may even wear a big flower with feathers in my hair. I bought something like this (seen at right) from Forever 21 for about $5 and love it.

Anyone else pregnant and going to a wedding? What are you wearing?

The short answer is no. When a pregnant woman is exposed to secondhand smoke, the nicotine she ingests is passed on to her unborn baby, and here's what could happen.

Women who are exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy:

1. Have a higher rate of miscarriages and stillbirth

2. Have an increased risk of low birth weight infants

3. Have children born with decreased lung function

4. Have children with greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

5. May have children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other conduct disorders

What can you do to avoid secondhand smoke? Here are some ideas.

1. Ask anyone who lives with you to quit

2. Ask family and friends not to smoke around you

3. If they insist on smoking, have them smoke outside

4. Leave the room or go outside

5. Don't go to places where you know there will be smoke that you can't avoid

Does someone close to you and your baby-to-be smoke? Are you worried about it? What precautions, if any, are you taking to avoid secondhand smoke?

Photo by angellovebug

My husband and I had a name for a boy that we've loved even before we got married. It's a palindrome -- a word that can be read the same way frontwards or backwards. I'm not telling you the name because people can be mean and at mention of this name in other arenas the response is sometimes less than favorable. It's one of those names you love or hate. And it's not off the table for us, so....

Anyway, with twins on the way my husband is convinced it's two boys. So the name is being thrown around again. But here's the thing...we learned about a man who has the same name -- he is my husband's college sweetheart's husband. 

Are you following me?

And he's a ventriloquist. Which is besides the point, but I'm throwing that in for effect.

So now my hubs and I are unsure. Names do carry personality if attached to people in our lives in some way. For example, the name Heather is a beautiful name, but I had three ex-boyfriends who dated Heathers before me, so I would never name my child that since I have that association. I also love the name Parker, but that was the last name of an ex of mine.

It gets complicated.

Have you ever had to avoid a name because of association?

Photo from Forever 21

Photo from Forever 21

Guest blog from Lucky magazine editor and CafeMom Meredith Rollins. She has a two-year-old son and is pregnant with her second, due in September.

As you already know, I'm a huge fan of the tight, bump-hugging top as maternity wear. But there's a downside: they'll highlight every back-fat bulge and ill-fitting bra-strap you've got. And at this point in my pregnancy, I've got them all.

Here's my solution: Vests.

Trust me on this. They're everywhere this season. They're cheap. They're trendy (but not too trendy). They're super-easy to throw on with a simple tank and jeans, yet they look like you've actually made an effort-which is no small thing if you're like me and you've got the energy level of a 78-year-old man.

Best of all, they instantly make you look slimmer. Worn open over a body-conscious top, they create a nice lean line from your shoulders to your hips, which streamlines your silhouette. And what could be better than that?

I've found two great options at my favorite source for inexpensive trends, Forever 21. The first (seen in purple) is the Racerback Sweater Cardigan ($15.80). It's lightweight, bright (though it comes in neutrals, too), and classic enough to go with almost anything.

Or if you're feeling a little more downtown, art-gallery-owner cool, the Open Front Pointelle Cardigan ($19.80) in grey has a drapey shape and a gorgeous texture: Great over a black tank.

What is your must-have piece of clothing you wear during pregnancy?

Advanced maternal age is what they call any woman over 35 having a baby for the first time. It used to be called elderly primigravida, but they phased that phrase out. Jeez, I sound ancient.

I did a lot of things later than "the norm." I went to college for eight years. Not for failing though -- OK I failed piano class and my dreams of being like Tori Amos were ruined. I just was so eager to learn lots of things. I started off at community college majoring in math and science. Then took English and French for two more years. Then I was off to a university where I majored in English and French and took classes in creative writing and journalism. I graduated when I was 25. Then took Masters classes in secondary education. Phew. Tired of thinking of all of that.

I started my career after college, got married at 35, and here I am pregnant for the first time with twins. The way my life went, I was destined to be an old mom.

I feel I did what I needed to do before I settled down. Like I said before, this is me -- my life. I would never judge what others choose to do; I hope people don't judge me.

So here's the thing -- being an old mom-to-be of twins makes some doctors want to test me for every little thing. I've seen specialists who offer totally different opinions. Some want me to have an ultrasound every two weeks. Others insist on prodding me with needles. And it's gotten to the point where I want to scream. Do we have too many tests when pregnant?

I know I have my age against me. But I have lived a drug-free lifestyle, am in good shape, and I'm a healthy eater -- I am rarely sick and even when I am, I've avoided taking prescription medicine (unless absolutely necessary). I even took vitamins and folic acid while TTC. So yeah, my eggs are 36 years old, but they lived in an ideal environment. At least I'd like to think so.

I know modern medicine is amazing. And believe me, I am thankful for it. But there has come a time when this mama bear has had enough -- that time is now.

I have my first official meeting with my doula on Friday. She is a friend of mine and we've talked casually about my pregnancy, but we are going to sit down and talk a lot of things over. I can't wait.

I might even do some prenatal yoga tonight. One doctor told me not to, but another doctor said it was fine. I know, I'm a rebel. I'm even going to see Wilco in a few weeks, I wear skinny jeans and heels (well the skinny jeans won't button anymore since pregnancy), and I do brunch with friends quite often. I can't be old old, right?

I feel like my babies are telling me that everything is going to be OK, no matter what.

Are you an old mom, too? Have you ever felt like your head was spinning after hearing differing opinions from doctors during pregnancy?

Photo by bam61907

We're following a first-time pregnant mom, Brittany (

On Friday and Monday I had appointments for fetal monitoring -- an non-stress test for the heartbeat (NST) and fetal ultrasound to measure amniotic fluid (AFI). My blood pressure is still really high, but since we scheduled the induction, the doctors weren't too worried. They believe that once I have the baby, my blood pressure will go back to normal.

On Friday I was contracting a minute apart, and the nurse asked if I was in any pain or uncomfortable, and if I was even feeling the contractions. I felt some, but not every minute and it wasn't painful.

On Monday I wasn't contracting as frequently, about every five minutes or so. Most of the time when the contractions were showing up on the monitor, I wasn't even feeling them. The nurse wonders if I have a high tolerance for pain, but I think the reason is that I'm not even halfway dilated (as of Monday I was only 1 cm) and Aubrey wasn't in the birth canal yet.

I am sure when she is on the way down the canal, I will be begging for the epidural.

The AFI showed that I had a good amount of amniotic fluid, and the nurse said, "If your water breaks, you will definitely know it, Hon."

So one way or another, finally she will be here!

I won't get to talk to you till after the birth, but I'll give you the play-by-play of the delivery as soon as I can!

What's Happening with Baby:

It's crowded in here. I want out. The umbilical cord that's my lifeline to you, Mom, is about 20 inches long and about a half-inch thick. BTW, it doesn't have any nerve endings, so you and I won't feel pain when the doc cuts it. All of my organs, including my lungs, are fully developed now, and my immune system is gaining strength every day. See you in a few!

Question of the Week from Answers:

Did you have an epidural? -- whispers2005

longonevs: "I asked for mine the minute I walked into the hospital. I asked for an attending physician, though, and not a resident. It took a little longer for him to get there, but it was a good thing because it took him three tries to get it right. It was the best thing I did. I had no side effects and no other drugs."

gdiamante: "Oh, yeah. It worked. But I wouldn't do one again. I wouldn't do any of the interventions again; they set us up for a sleepy baby who would not eat. Relief from a brief period of pain was NOT worth the weeks of struggles we had after birth. Plus, I actually remember next to nothing of the birth."

Past weeks:

Week 38

Week 37

Photo from Ann Taylor LOFT

Guest blog from Lucky magazine editor and CafeMom Meredith Rollins. She has a

I've got a toddler-free night with my husband coming up, so I've been looking for something to wear something that makes me feel alluring: Something quietly sexy, not cut-down-to-there vampy.

But I was having trouble finding an (affordable) maternity dress that hits the mark. So I decided to give up: I feel sexy, so I don't need to look sexy, right?

But then I was clicking my way through the "100 Websites Under $100" feature from Lucky's July issue -- where every single thing costs under $100, by the way -- and I found this Sleeveless Dress with Crossover V-Neck from Ann Taylor Loft.

I love the sweetheart neckline and the deep-but-sultry red. It doesn't scream "this is a maternity dress!" but it's stretchy and roomy enough to accommodate my bump. Best of all, it's $44.

A little perfume, some candlelight, and I might be able to forget that I don't get to drink any champagne....

What do you wear for a romantic night out?

Photo from Baby Earth

When my baby was a few months old, a friend offered to loan me her Bumbo Baby Seat. She swore it would help my baby sit up faster. I declined her offer. I wasn't in any rush for my baby to sit up or reach any of her other milestones. I knew she'd get there in her own sweet time.

Since then, I've been to three baby showers and all three of the women registered for a Bumbo so it seems to be a pretty hot commodity. I'm still not sold.

Item: Bumbo Baby Seat

Cost: $38.95

What it does: The Bumpo supports your baby so she can sit up independently. It's made for babies ages 3 months to about 14 months depending on the child's development.

Pros: It's lightweight, portable, and easy to clean. It's a place to sit your baby while you get things done.

Cons: Big babies may have a hard time fitting it, there are no straps and some babies lean forward, it's expensive.

What do you think?

See this poll at CafeMom.

I know a woman who dated when she was pregnant. She is successful, smart, and beautiful. While I don't know all the details of her story, I do know when she was pregnant with her twins she was single...and dating.

We live in NYC and it's hard enough to date here when you are 21 and drop-dead gorgeous. Well, she managed to do it while pregnant, and showing, and in her 30s -- all while supporting herself and managing a high profile, high level career. 

She's my hero because she shows that women can do it all. 

Her kids are now teens and she is happily married.

What do you think of single pregnant woman dating?

And even though it's not a necessity, having a labor soundtrack helps make the experience more enjoyable for some moms.

lilmomma92706 wants to make one and asked for some suggestions. Here's what some moms said:

ANewPerspective: I'm going to make one but mine will be unlike some of the ones I've heard of. Normally people put a bunch of relaxing music on them, but I'm going to put upbeat stuff because I think that'll distract me better. I"ll definitely have Katy Perry, Seether, Britney Spears, and Nickelback.

Chick: I used "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" by The Dixie Chicks. I was having a boy so it was perfect and still makes me cry. It's very relaxing and sweet no matter what you are having. "Little Wonder" by Rob Thomas would also be great.

lanceandhailey: "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw and "Fly To Your Heart" by Selena Gomez.

Lil Sugar also has some great suggestions. They have a huge list of labor songs but here are their top five:

Did you or will you have a labor soundtrack? What's on yours?