Shopping While Pregnant

Nobody prepares you for the emotions you experience when you first become pregnant. I knew that. What took me by surprise were the emotions I experienced the first time I went shopping for maternity clothes.

I had accepted the fact that I was going to wear pants with paneling, skirts with elastic waistbands and some "tunic style" tops. But when I walked into my first maternity store, it was as if I had stepped onto another planet, a planet where none of the clothes seemed anything like me. Planet Pregnancy.

I left the planet immediately. But when I was about four months pregnant, the selection of my jeans and skirts I could squeeze into was becoming quite limited. My T-shirts were becoming "Britney Spears" tight, and my jeans were
cutting off my circulation.

So I took a deep breath, ate a cookie, ate another cookie and then braced myself for feeling lost in space. The store was huge and there were not just clothes. There was a maternity spa. There was a maternity accessories shop. (And by accessories, I don't mean cute shoes and handbags. I mean baby carriers and "boppies." If you don't know what a boppy is, don't worry about it ‑- I still don't.)

There were an abundance of loud flower prints and baggy T-shirts. Now, I don't wear loud flower prints on a normal day, and I don't think many women do. Who is the genius who thought we would want to wear them when we were double our size? And what's with the tiny bows at the collar? Do we have to dress like babies when we're having babies? And these clothes are really expensive too. Don't get me wrong ‑- expensive clothes that are fashionable, no problem. Dopey and expensive: problem.

I couldn't ask my friends with children. I was one of the last of my close friends to get pregnant, and they had already imparted their words of wisdom to me about everything from baby nurses to diaper purses. They had all told me how comfortable maternity clothing is. But I'm not exactly a freak about comfort. I like things that are pretty... and sexy... and cute. Comfort doesn't need to be there. I mean, I've bought shoes that were two sizes too small because they were cute and on sale.

As I stood in the store, the reality of being forced to dress in a way that didn't feel like me swept over me. Evidently I was not the only woman to have walked into the store with a look of dismay on her face, because before I had the chance to ask for help, help came to me. A very sweet saleswoman rescued me and walked me through the store. She helped guide me through the tents and pastels and large floral prints. In short order I found a pretty wrap sweater, cool jeans, a peasant top and halter tops that were actually sexy and wearable for my new-and-improved larger bustline.

In fact, I hesitate to confess, it turned out to be a pleasurable experience. When I tried on my first pair of maternity jeans, I couldn't believe how comfortable they were. No longer would I constantly need to tug at low-slung pants to prevent my butt from hanging out. In these I could eat a meal without unbuttoning afterward.

The saleswoman who helped me find clothes I could relate to also inadvertently helped me understand that things are not just about me anymore. There is someone else to consider. Life is different now. So what if my feet will be too swollen to squeeze into my stilettos? So what if my pants have a pouch? If I'm lucky, pretty soon my silly stilettos will have spit-up on them, and my skinny, costly pre-pregnancy pants will be accessorized with mashed peas. Everything shifts on Planet Pregnancy. I'm having a baby and I'm thrilled about it. And I'm... comfortable.

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

Specific spinal adjustments are the hallmark of chiropractic care. An adjustment is a gentle force introduced into the spine intended to release a vertebral segment from its abnormal motion and/or position thereby reducing the vertebral subluxation.

The adjustment can consist of a light comfortable dynamic thrust, as in Diversified technique, to several ounces of sustained pressure, as found with the Toftness system. There are more than 20 adjusting systems utilized in chiropractic today. Each system has a specific adjusting rationale to restore the spine to normal function. This reduces the negative neurologic impact, and returns the body to more normal efficiency. Spinal adjustments, regardless of which system is utilized, are tailored to the patient's age and spinal condition.

Chiropractic analysis utilizes x-ray examination for visual assessment of the subluxated spine, to detect any possible contraindications to spinal adjustments, and to rule out bone disease or spinal pathologies. Other technologies used in subluxation detection include heat measuring, or thermographic, instruments. Since blood flow and subsequent skin temperature are indirect measures of autonomic nervous system function, abnormal temperature patterns measured along the spine can be a sign of autonomic nerve dysfunction. Non-invasive testing, such as surface EMG, is an up-and-coming technology that is being utilized in chiropractic to better analyze the impact subluxation has on spinal muscle function. The chiropractor may utilize these technologies in addition to traditional spinal palpation, motion palpation and orthopedic and neurological examinations.

How early should prenatal care begin?

A home test indicated I was pregnant, but I haven't yet been to a doctor. A couple of midwives in my area said that a prenatal exam wasn't necessary until 10 to 12 weeks. However, I know my family physician would see me right away, and I thought there were important tests to be done early on. I'm also concerned because this is my first pregnancy and I feel as though it hasn't been validated by anyone in the health profession.

I couldn't agree with you more. It is not so much the testing, but the education about what is good for babies and what is harmful, that mothers miss when they don't get the earliest possible care.

Folic acid should be begun as soon as possible. Diet is vitally important right from the beginning, as is education about about drugs, alcohol, smoking, infections, sexuality, family changes and much more. Paps, blood work, etc., could be done safely at 10 to 12 weeks, unless you have a history of complications or a family history of an inherited trait that should be screened for right away. However, it is important to verify dates as early in the pregnancy as possible.

I would look for another care provider who is more compatible with your preventive philosophy.

10 questions to ask when choosing a pediatrician

Many parents-to-be have discovered it's a good idea to interview possible baby doctors before the baby is born. And though today's health care plans have perhaps severely limited your choice of doctors, most plans still do have some choices. Physicians usually welcome these appointments and do not charge for prenatal interviews, but occasionally some do.

Ask if there will be a fee when you call to make the appointment. Also, ask how much time you'll have with the physician, so that you can pace your questions. Have your questions written down, and take someone with you -- your partner or a friend. One of you needs to take notes. When grandparents live nearby, some parents-to-be bring along their mom or dad, especially if this person will be seeing a lot of the grandchild.

Here's a list of common questions. Ask what is most important to you first.

1. What is your philosophy about child rearing? Do your homework and know your issues before you have this conversation. For example: Do many of the mothers in your practice breastfeed their babies successfully? Do you think children should be fed on a schedule? Sleep in the same bed with their parents? Wean at a particular time? What is your usual recommendation for babies who cry when they're put to sleep at night? What is your philosophy about antibiotics or other medication for children who have colds or other ailments? What is your opinion about infant vaccinations or circumcision?

   You'll think of other questions over time as your baby grows up, but it's important to get some sense in advance of how much a baby doctor and you agree on child rearing. Otherwise, if you disagree often, you'll probably change baby doctors later anyway, or you'll avoid discussing those issues on which you disagree and you won't get the benefit of a professional opinion sometime when you'd like to have it.

Does a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) work in your office? A PNP is a nurse, often already with a masters degree, who with additional training becomes the pediatric equivalent of the certified nurse midwife in an obstetrician's office. (American Nurses Association News Release, 11 July 1995, p.2) A PNP can handle "well-child" checks and minor illnesses, and consults with the pediatrician as needed. Many parents like to work with PNPs, as they often spend more time with them, and their fees are lower than a doctor's.

Do you charge for phone calls? Most physicians do not charge for these calls, but some do. Typically, most parents of firstborn children call frequently.

Do you return every call? Some doctors make every callback. Others have office personnel return the calls. Occasionally, the nurse who hand les your phone call may not have the same attitude about the issue in question (breastfeeding or sleeping habits, for example) that you or your doctor have. If you find that the person who's handling your phone call is not on your wavelength, request that the doctor call you back instead.

What is the scheduled length of your appointments? The closer her appointments are (10 to 15 minutes apart, rather than 20 or 30 minutes, for instance), the more likely it is you'll do some waiting, as well as be rushed through your appointment when you do see your health care provider.

How often do you want to see the baby in the first year? Why? Pediatricians more than family practitioners will schedule several "well-child" visits for your child. Pediatricians believe this to be a form of preventive care and an opportunity for parent education. Feel free to discuss in advance with your doctor or nurse the purpose of these "well-child" visits, so that you can decide what's appropriate for your child's care. We all need encouragement as parents, but you decide if it's always worth an office-visit fee to find out how much your baby, especially if it's not your first child, weighs and the fact that your doctor thinks your baby is doing well.

Do you have a "sick-child" waiting room? Some doctors try to avoid mixing the well children and the sick children in the same reception area. Young children are very susceptible to contagious diseases.

If you share a practice, will I always see you? Not likely. If you are scheduling an exam well in advance, it's easy to ask for a day that your doctor will be in the office. However, if you have a sick child, you'll get whomever is in the office or on call. If it's important to you, arrange to meet all the doctors who might cover for your baby's doctor in an emergency, or when you're in the hospital.

Do you have evening or Saturday hours? Although daytime hours are still the rule, a growing number of doctors are accommodating working parents.