Even when hypertension is not a factor, pregnancy can be an extremely difficult and demanding time, both physically and emotionally. The ups and downs of surging hormones are well known, as well as the many physical discomforts of carrying. On top of all the usual stress, many women feel guilty over their painful emotions because they fear that their baby feels everything they do.

So anything that can genuinely lower blood pressure and relieve stress during pregnancy could be a godsend for many mothers-to-be. And slow breathing with music may be just the thing.

The secret behind the effectiveness of this new technique is the combination of the two therapeutic tools it’s known by. Simple relaxation tapes using soothing music or nature sounds have been around for ages but these offer a passive listening experience only.

By contrast, slow breathing with music integrates a guided breathing soundtrack with relaxing music. The breathing pattern and rate is clinically proven to lower high blood pressure. The listener simply synchronizes her breathing with the soundtrack, eliminating the distraction created by counting or following some other timekeeper. This happens naturally and effortlessly and allows for total relaxation with the music.

Of course breathing has special significance for both the mother and her baby in the womb. Special breathing exercises have long been taught for both stress relief and relaxation during pregnancy as well as for helping to ease the way in childbirth.

For the baby, the sound and rhythm of mother’s breathing forms a central part of her universe. Like being rocked by the waves of a primordial sea, the gentle rise and fall of its mother’s breathing is an eternal comfort. By contrast, rapid breathing may be cause for alarm, especially if accompanied by other stressful signals.

This makes slow breathing with music an ideal aide to turn to during pregnancy and after at any time of stress and/or high blood pressure. Within minutes of starting, the soothing music will have its effect and your rapid breathing will synchronize with the slow rhythm of the soundtrack. As the calming effects transfer to your baby you become as one. In fact, why not place an extra headset on your belly and let your baby listen too?

Both slow breathing and relaxing music have benefits of their own but together they become much more than just the sum of two parts. Fifteen minutes a day is proven to lower blood pressure while the combined benefits could be a lifesaver in a difficult pregnancy.

As your hormone levels rise, your production of oil in your pores increase, leading to oily skin. Oily skin leads to acne acne, spots, pimples or whatever you want to call them. You may find that those pimples are also on your body, not just your face.

You can do some things to help keep your face and body acne free while pregnant. You should wash your face two to three times a day with an oil-free mild cleanser. Many natural skin care products avoid both oil and irritating soaps in their products. After cleansing, rinse your face thoroughly. Drink lots of water and avoid poping or picking at your pimples, this will only promote their spreading and may leave acne scars. As for drugs, even over-the-counter treatments should be avoided until you have spoken with your GP about which are safe to use during pregnancy.

After pregnancy it may take some time for your skin to return to normal. Women often experience a hormone surge shortly after having their baby. It takes some time for hormone levels to return to normal, in the meantime enjoy not being pregnant : )

Once the lists are complete, both parents should sit down and eliminate any names that either parent objects to. Even if only a couple of names remain between the two lists, this is a good start.

The next step, after this brainstorming session, is to define some agreed upon parameters for your baby names. Think about and discuss your preferences for cultural backgrounds, family names and number of syllables. You can also narrow it down to include only names starting with specific letters. Make sure that you keep plenty of paper handy and be aware when you are out and about. Listen for potential names when you’re in the grocery store, listening to the radio and walking through a park. You’ll be surprised at how tuned in you become.

Make sure to use the Internet when hunting for baby names. So much of the work is already done for you. Using any search engine, type in the phrase ‘baby names’ and a huge amount of websites will appear, handling all facets of the subject. You can narrow down your search any way you wish. There are even forums where you can browse other people’s name ideas and post your own to get unbiased feedback as you work through your choices.

As you start to narrow down your list, pay special attention to the potential for teasing. Think of any negative words that may rhyme with or sound like the names you are considering. Also, look out for undesirable letter combinations formed by the initials of any baby names that have made it on your list.

Try writing out the names that you come up with and make sure to say them out loud, to ensure that they roll of the tongue with ease. Again, be aware of any similarities to negative words or phrases that may be formed by certain name combinations.

It is also a good idea, to ask friends and family for their thoughts and ideas. But beware! Your parents are from another generation and they may be stuck in a rut when it comes to good baby name choices. Too, siblings can be very opinionated and may try to take over the naming process. Just remember, that getting opinions on your baby names can be helpful, but at the end of the day, what you name your baby is up to you and your partner. You have the final say! If certain people have an aversion to a name that is high on your list, stick to your guns! Once people get to know your baby and form an affectionate bond, you will find that they quickly forget any negative connotation they may have had with the name, and come to love the baby, name and all!!

So remember, choosing a name for your baby is a big job, but it can be a lot of fun and it’s a good way to get your mind off the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. Going over baby names is something you can do with your partner, and it allows them to play an active role in the baby’s life even before the actual birth. So rather than waiting to the last minute, take the time to go through the process, and you’ll be sure to select a name that is perfect for your baby and lasts a lifetime!

The fact of the matter is that most parents have very good instincts. Sure, you might change a diaper differently than your mother-in-law, but your baby isn’t going to end up in the hospital because of it! Trust yourself. You know what is best for your baby, not other people.

Many parents are prepared to be challenged in their more controversial decisions, such as co-sleeping, bottle or breast feeding, staying home or going back to work, etc. However, you will be amazed at the little things people will criticize. Walking down the street, someone is bound to let you know that your baby should have socks on. If you put socks on her, someone else will comment on how your poor baby is too hot! There is no way to win the baby wars and you shouldn’t even try! Just do what you think is best.

So, what do you say to these self-appointed advisers? That really depends on your personality and who you are talking to. If you are responding to your own mother, you will be more at ease and probably feel more comfortable telling her to back off.

However, on the street, it can be a bit more tricky. Many parents are of the opinion that it is no one else’s business whether their baby wears shoes or not! You can simply ignore these people, if you have no idea who they are. Or, if you wish to be polite, just nod and say, “Thank you.” Then continue on your way and do as you wish.

Friends are probably the most difficult. They mean well, but might not understand that you have different ideas about raising children. If they have their own kids, they might be a bit more sympathetic, but don’t count on it. We had a friend who was a fanatic of swaddling and couldn’t believe that we didn’t do it with our child. Every time we put our daughter down when she was around, she scolded us about not wrapping and told us how great it was. She simply didn’t get why we couldn’t do things the same way.

With friends, you might have to be firm, but nice. Try something like, “I get that you think that is the best way, but we’ve chosen to go with . . . .” If that doesn’t work, you might need to be a bit stronger. Remind them that you don’t criticize their parenting decisions (or lack thereof if they aren’t parents yet) and ask for the same respect in return.

It can be difficult to deal with people trying to tell you how to raise your children, but you can do it. Stick to what you believe is the right thing for your kids and you will all be happier in the end.

It is important to remember that the best prenatal vitamins are supplements. They do not replace a balanced diet. It is not good practice to rely on vitamins for all of your nutritional needs. It is more important to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet than it is to take pills, no matter how beneficial they are. The vitamins also work better when they are taken with a healthy diet. Some of the nutrients in the foods help to absorb the vitamins.

Not every prenatal vitamin is the same; in fact some may not benefit the expectant mother as much as they claim. Recent studies show that a pregnant woman’s body does not necessarily absorb all of the nutrients provided by the vitamins, especially folate. Folate is extremely important in the baby’s prenatal development. The vitamin helps prevent birth defects like spina-bifida. Only three out of nine vitamins on average actually provide the amount of folate labeled on the bottle. This is not to suggest that the supplements do not have the vitamin, it just is not absorbed by the woman’s body.

Calcium is another extremely important element in a pregnant woman’s diet. Even the best prenatal vitamins do not have the recommended daily allowance of calcium for an expecting mother. Prenatal vitamins have about 250 milligrams of calcium but an expectant mother requires between 1,200 and 1,500 milligrams of calcium each day to assure that the baby will develop properly.

Finding the right prenatal vitamin may take a little research, but the benefits are great. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor when deciding which prenatal vitamin is best for you. It is also important to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. There is no supplement that can replace good nutrition.