Interesting Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels in Pregnant Women and Language Issues in Children

We all know that sitting outside and absorbing some Vitamin D on a sunny day can go a long way for a depleted body. There’s no doubt that this type of “natural vitamin D” can do wonders for people’s moods and energy levels, but now, there may be more to Vitamin D than we previously thought.

An interesting study was released from Australia, connecting low vitamin D levels in pregnant women to language impairments of the children born to the mothers.

The lead author of the study, Andrew Whitehouse, says that fetal development requires Vitamin D, however “the effects of lower maternal vitamin D levels on the developing offspring is not fully understood.” 

Lack of Vitamin D in Pregnancy

Previous studies, according to Whitehouse, have revealed links between low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy and weaker bones, poor growth, and asthma in the children. With this information in mind, Whitehouse and his colleagues, who conduct their studies at the University of Western Australia, started delving into a project that focused on low vitamin D levels in pregnant moms and the children that were the product. They were interested in finding out if vitamin D – or the lack thereof – during pregnancy led to any behavioral or language development problems in the children.

Lisa Bodnar, University of Pittsburgh professor, (who was not part of the study) says that although the study definitely suggests a correlation between the two concepts, the results do not actually prove that a mother’s lack of vitamin D during pregnancy leads to language development issues later in her child’s life. “They point to a very plausible association that warrants more attention,” Bodnar announced.

The Study

The study started 20 years ago, with over 700 women who had progressed about halfway through their pregnancy. Researchers measured the levels of vitamin D in these pregnant women, and then tested the children that were the products of the pregnancies between 5 and 10 years later. Tests included assessments on language skills and behavioral and emotional development.

Findings

Moms were categorized into four groups based on their vitamin D levels. A vocabulary test given to the children determined whether or not they had language impairments. Ultimately, the risk of having a child with behavioral or emotional issues came out the same in each group.

However, researchers found that the women in the category with the lowest amounts of vitamin D during pregnancy were more likely to have a child with a language impairment than the mothers who fell into the category with the highest levels of vitamin D. While only 8% of the children with mothers in the highest groups had language issues, 18% of the children whose moms had the lowest levels of vitamin D during pregnancy had language problems.

Whitehouse’s Conclusion

"The logical thought is that maternal Vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy is affecting the normal course of brain development," Whitehouse told Reuters Health in an email.

"If vitamin D insufficiency during prenatal life is a cause of childhood language difficulties -- and this still needs to be determined conclusively -- then Vitamin D supplementation of pregnant women may be an important next step," he concluded.

The study was published in Pediatrics, and Whitehouse stands firm that, at this point in time, it does not show a cause-and-effect relationship between language problems and insufficient amounts of vitamin D during pregnancy, and obesity should be factored into the studies.

"We know that obesity before pregnancy is associated with poor vitamin D status in pregnancy, and we know that obese moms are more likely to have children with developmental delays and cognitive impairments," Bodner mentioned.

Whitehouse Challenges Other Researchers

At this point in time, Whitehouse says he would be interested in someone replicating his study. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists doesn’t recommend that OBGYNs screen pregnant women for vitamin D levels, nor do they think it is necessary for these women to take supplements for vitamin D, unless a medical provider has decided that there is an issue.

Pregnant women should intake 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D each day, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Bringing Home the Baby Meals

When we lived down in the "dirty" South, we had two of our children...Dylan and Dakoda, now 4 and 2, respectively. After Dakoda was born, we were blessed with a big surprise. Members of our church set up three weeks of home-cooked meals. Well, there was a night of Domino's Pizza and another of KFC...both of them, we loved! The whole point was that people brought us meals that were ready to eat, relieving us from the burden of planning and cooking a meal. 


Just recently, we were blessed with the same gesture - people bringing ready-made meals for the family - after having Chase. (Our children's school has a Sunshine Committee and they do special things for families...some families are experiencing tragedy while others are welcoming new additions.)

If you are looking for a different way to help a family, whether they are experiencing hardship, sickness or death or welcoming home a new baby, a home cooked meal will always be enjoyed. I can't tell you how much it helped us! Nights of no sleep with a new baby, getting the household back on track with a new little person (especially with 6 kids already!)...and trying to keep things as "normal" as possible...

My husband is wonderful enough to get the older kids up, ready and headed out for school, then I had to orchestrate breakfast for Dakoda and Dylan and keep them and Chase happy all morning...make lunch, more entertainment for the afternoon...the hurricane comes in when the 4 older children come home from school at 3, then it's signing papers and making sure everyone gets their homework done while keeping the 3 younger guys happy. By dinnertime...I'm about flat out tired! Honestly, the last thing I wanted to do was cook dinner.

Having night after night lined up of dinners was probably one of the best gifts I could have received. And, I WILL "pass it on" in the future, because it's such a heartfelt gesture when you cook a meal and deliver it to someone!

Here are some of the meals that we received, just to give you an idea of how easy you can put together a meal for someone:

A frozen lazagna, french bread, a quick salad

Meat loaf, salad, french bread, potatoes, corn

A broccoli, chicken and rice casserole with (you guessed it!) french bread and Halloween cupcakes

Of course, if you aren't big on cooking and would prefer to bring some pizza or KFC, I'm sure that it will be eaten! In our house, we would never turn down a home cooked meal...or fast food, for that matter!

Designer Hospital Gowns - Labor & Delivery In Style: dearjohnnies Review

It was two weeks before my due date when I received the email from dearjohnnies about working together on a review of their designer hospital gowns...but little did I know that I would be wearing it within hours of getting it in the mail!

If you read the birth story of my seventh child, you will realize that it all came as a surprise. Well, the baby didn't come as a surprise...we knew he was coming! But, his timing was a huge surprise! As I frantically packed my hospital bag a little less than two weeks before the due date, I realized that my dearjohnnies designer hospital gown had yet to arrive in the mail...I was extremely upset...and terribly worried that the representative from the company would be upset, too!

The hospital provided me with what I jokingly referred to as "my sexy off-the-shoulder gown", as only one button out of five on the top of the sleeve worked. Grrr! But, to be quite honest with you, I'm glad that I didn't have my brand new dearjohnnies hospital gown, because childbirth can get unbelievably messy - and I would hate to mess up the pretty gown!

So, did my designer hospital gown come in time?

It just so happened that my dearjohnnies hospital gown arrived in the mail on Saturday - the same day that I gave birth to our precious new addition, Chase. My husband had brought it with him when he came to be with me at the hospital for the delivery (how very thoughtful of him, huh? Not only was he gracefully handling the six children that we already have, cooking, cleaning and everything else that comes along with our household, but he remembered to bring me the package that arrived just in time!)

At first, I had no idea what it was, as it came in a nifty matching bag, in the same fabric as the gown. To my surprise, my gown HAD arrived!

So, after the delivery of our 4 lb 15 ounce, baby Chase, I was able to get out of that wretched "sexy off-the-shoulder" hospital-issued gown and slip into my new dearjohnnies, chic and stylish gown that had all of the buttons that it was supposed to have, as well as buttons down the back, which is so much better than four simple strings that tie on the hospital-issued gown.

The nurses admired the gown, asking where I got it and noting the unique design on the fabric. Some of the nurses had never seen a designer gown before...others had, but regardless, my gown by dearjohnnies caught their attention!

Here I am with newborn baby Chase, only hours after delivery. I had enough time to change into my dearjohnnie gown and move into a new room. (Excuse the lack of face in the pics...I'd prefer to keep the after-delivery "look" private)

You can see that the dearjohnnies hospital gown is a lot more  aesthetically pleasing than the hospital-issued gowns. It is also a lot more comfortable - and the buttons down the back cover the parts that you don't want everyone seeing when you are walking around after giving birth.

You can also purchase a matching robe to compliment and wear over your gown.


Labor and Delivery Like A Celeb!

J.Lo packed up four sets of dearjohnnies when she went to the hospital to deliver.

Bethenny Frankel adorned the Lucy version when she was in labor.

And, you can see even more celebrities who have enjoyed dearjohnnies while in labor here.

So, if you want to feel like a celebrity - and bring a bit of couture to the delivery room, make sure you get yourself a dearjohnnies hospital gown. Also, if you know someone who is expecting, this would be the perfect gift for the mom-to-be! What better way than to make her feel special? Give her the gift of modesty, fashion and comfort all in one!


I was sent a lovely dearjohnnies gown for this review. No compensation was received. All opinions, as usual, are my own and uninfluenced.

Labor & Delivery: What I Packed In My Hospital Bag

I didn't have a whole lot of time to pack my hospital bag! Normally, I wait until I am in labor to start packing my hospital bag, however a routine ultrasound turned into a "we need to delivery this baby" and a rush-home-to-pack and then turn around and get back to the hospital - so I didn't have too much time to think, either. (you can read about the birth story here). But, I knew ahead of time the necessities that I wanted to pack.

So, what did I pack in my hospital bag???

Well, let's start off with the fact that I planned to pack my dearjohnnies designer hospital gown...but it had not come in the mail yet. :(

I was able to pack:

• Neiman Marcus silk pajamas that my mother-in-law sent me
• my laptop
• my digital camera (I forgot the card reader, however my husband remembered to bring it later on)
• socks (you can certainly wear the hospital-issued sockies, but I like to bring my own)
• a change of clothes (comfy and elastic waste) to go home in
• a set of clothes to bring the baby home in (I brought two sets, just in case)
• my L'uvalla balancing cream (you will want to feel pretty after delivery!)
• my make-up bag
• toothbrush, toothpaste and hairbrush
• my purse, of course, which included my photo ID and insurance cards
• my Certain-Dri antiperspirant

And, that is all that I packed...short and sweet and simple...and it seemed to be enough! 

Surgery Update

Just a quick update on little Dylan's surgery: it went very well, he recovered like a champ and is at home now, just like his normal self. I am in awe of his strength and resilience!

Pregnancy update: Nurse called today to tell me that blood results revealed that I am iron deficient...nothing new, as this happens every pregnancy. Hello, Iron Pills. :( At least it's only for another 16 days...or less!

Weather update: After a very beautiful last few weeks, the cooler, fall weather, accompanied with clouds and rain, have approached us. A nasty storm front hit the Ohio Valley area, all the way up through Western NY, so we saw some strange weather this past weekend, too, with thunderstorms and winds that were close to tropical storm winds. It's now passed through, but the clouds and rain have not. I guess that's good news for my flowers....they needed some rain. :)

Have a great rest of the day! I'm going to get some much-needed rest!

Braxton Hicks Contractions

With everything that is on my plate right now, including finding a new domicile, moving, 6 kids at home from school for the summer, and a husband - bless his heart - who is working 6 days a week, 12 hours per day, the Braxton Hicks contractions have kicked in. I don't think that the summer heat is helping the situation, either.

It's not unusual for them to start around week 20-30, but they are really coming in now. Of course, this is not something that I get worried about anymore...I've been through pregnancy enough to know how regular labor pains feel - and these are nowhere near that type of pain.

I'm talking about the uncomfortable feeling of contracting in the lower abdomen. No pain yet, just discomfort. For those of you who have never experienced them before or are pregnant for the first time, they may come as a source of nerve-wracking "oh-no's!", but for someone who knows all about the annoying Braxton Hicks contractions, I just take them in stride.

Because, I know that they are just the beginning of a long string of contractions that will finally lead to the real deal. They're doing their job to get that uterus ready for the birth of one of the most beautiful boys in this world. Oh, yes, I am one of those mothers who think my children are top-of-the-line products from some awesome DNA gene pools. Not to brag too much, but the nurses at the hospital usually drool over my babies. Okay, enough about the bragging...I try to make sure that my blog posts have some usefulness to readers, so...

Braxton Hicks Contractions

You may not notice them, but Braxton Hicks contractions actually occur throughout pregnancy...I usually start feeling them, as I said, around the 20th week and onward. They are irregular and painless - two signs that you are not in labor. (Because, as you most likely already know, labor contractions will be regular and painful!)

Stopping the Contractions

I have found, through my pregnancies, that Braxton Hicks contractions can be slowed, reduced or stopped completely by drinking water, moving around, or possibly even laying down for a while. A warm bath and breathing exercises can also help to reduce or eliminate the contractions. Do not underestimate the power of dehydration - regardless of the time of year. Dehydration has been the culprit for my contractions in past pregnancies...and stress has been an issue, too.

Contact Your Doctor

If you are experiencing contractions that are regular, at about four per hour, have lower back pain, you are bleeding or spotting or you see increased vaginal discharge, call your doctor. It may be just another teaser, but it's better to be safe than sorry, right?

In the meantime, I will run to drink some more water and get to some breathing exercises. If I'm lucky, the kids will let me rest for a bit this afternoon. :)

Take care!

Backpain During Pregnancy

I was conversing with a cousin on Facebook who was complaining about his back pain and thought, "Oh! I could write a book about back pain!" Back pain during pregnancy is part of the "norm" for me, especially the past few pregnancies and during the last trimester. Even when I am not pregnant, I still experience back pain, but pregnancy definitely exacerbates it.

I blame some of the pain and discomfort on having a handful of epidurals and even sitting at the computer, because I am normally active (with 6 kids, how can I not be?) and am on the thinner side of the spectrum, so it's not due to being overweight or lack of exercise.

Some days, I can barely move....other days, it's just hard to bend down and pick things off of the floor.

1) One of the things that helped me tremendously was visiting the chiropractor, however not everyone has the ability to enjoy that "luxury". I was fortunate enough to find a chiropractor that would not accept insurance, but only charged a $20 fee for each visit - Advanced Chiropractic, if any of you are in York, South Carolina. I recommend that you call around to chiropractors in your area to see what "deals" they can provide if you don't have insurance or have to pay high premiums.

2) The chiropractor was adamant about using ice, rather than heat. Now, I love my heating pad and will keep it plugged in and ready to go during the last few months of pregnancy...ice just doesn't feel as soothing. There are definitely mixed opinions on the heat versus ice topic...so, it will depend on you and what makes you more comfy.

3) A hot bath is always a great back pain reliever! (especially ours - we currently live in a house with a jacuzzi tub!)

4) On really uncomfortable days, I will sit in the "criss-cross applesauce" (my kids taught me that), otherwise known as the "Indian style" (what I called it when I was a kid) position and stretch my arms straight above my head. Keep your back tall and straight and stretch! I also like to reach my arms over my head to the sides to get an extra little stretch. You can twist your body to the right and place your hands on the floor (with straight arms) behind your right leg - and then turn to the left and do the same. Remember to keep your back tall and straight. Stretching those muscles, believe it or not, is really good for the body!

5) The "cat stretch" is one of my favorites, too. Get on the floor on your hands and knees like you're a cat (on all "fours") and curl your back up for 15 second and then relax. Repeat as much as you like.

6) Arm circles help to "stretch it out", too.

7) Practice good posture. Don't slump...bla, bla, bla...we all know what good posture is...and it's essential for everyone, but even more important for those of us who experience back pain.

8) Exercise - yes, exercise! It gets that blood circulating to the muscles...and, of course, it's good for you!

You will find that not only are some of these ideas great for your back, they are also excellent for relieving stress. :) Hot baths, good posture, stretching (yoga) and a chiropractor...now, tell me those things won't relieve some stress too!

What have you done to relieve your back pain? I'd love to add some more ideas to my regimen!

Top 10 Mistakes Women Make When Pregnant!

1. Eating for two – You don’t need to eat for two! When pregnant you do need extra calories, though this figure is around 200 extra calories. This is about the same amount of calories as a small sandwich! Make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet which contains protein, vitamins, and minerals that you need to keep your and baby healthy.

2. Missing out pre-birth classes – even if you plan to have an epidural. Pre birth classes have been shown to reduce stress before and during labor. They give you an insight into what will happen and things that may go wrong during birth. This can lead to a much less stressful birth! It’s also a good opportunity to meet other couples in the same position as you.

3. Leaving child care to after baby is born. Many nurseries have long waiting lists, and the process of choosing the right one can take time. You need to visit the premises, check references. This is a huge decision so make sure you don’t rush the process. Choosing a good nursery will you’re your child the best start in life.

4. Not planning how to manage your finances before baby is born. Who is going to look after the baby? Can you afford for you or your partner to give up work? So many questions that its best to work out before baby comes. These questions can difficult problems for both you and your partner. These are much better sorted out before pregnancy so they don’t become a worry during pregnancy.

5. Not getting enough sleep – Not getting enough sleep is a very common complaint during pregnancy. At some time during your pregnancy you will probably suffer from the lack of sleep. In the first trimester, elevated progesterone levels cause fatigue. If you work part-time or don’t work take a nap during the day. This is more difficult if you work full-time but you can always close your eyes for a while during your lunch break. The second trimester is generally the easiest time to sleep during pregnancy, hormones are changing a you may need to urinate less, which helps sleep when you don’t need to visit the toilet several times during the night! In the third trimester babies increasing size starts to get in the way of sleep. Baby puts pressure on your bladder making visits to the bathroom increase during the night – limiting liquids a few hours before bedtime is recommended.

6. Not getting regular exercise – you need to stay fit and flexible for the labor! Exercise can also relive problems like excess weight gain, swelling of hands and feet, leg cramps, varicose veins, insomnia, fatigue and constipation. It also help mood and self image, exercise encourages your brain to release endorphins which helps keep you happy and gives your skin a glow.

7. Getting stressed during pregnancy – Stress is part and parcel of pregnancy however finding ways to relieve stress is important as it can be harmful to your baby. Studies show that stress can lead to low birth weight or preterm birth. If work is getting too stressful then don’t be scared to talk to your boss, many will be happy to help. Try to make friends with other pregnant mothers, giving you somebody who really understands what you are going through. Visit your local health centre or community hall, many run classes that give you the opportunity to meet other pregnant women.

8. Stopping medication for pre existing conditions. If you have a pre existing condition consult your doctor as soon as possible. Many medications you can continue with however it’s always better to air on the side of caution.

9. Not belting up in the car. Many pregnant women find it uncomfortable sitting in the car with the seat belt on. Remember that you seatbelt is a life safer – for both you and your unborn baby. Position your seat belt as low as possible below your belly and keep it directly across your hips not over your belly.

10. Not preparing for breastfeeding – breastfeeding does not always come naturally. It can be difficult to first learn the position best for baby and then to get the baby to latch on. With the different generations of midwives comes different views on how best to train baby. This can lead to conflicting advice depending on which midwife is on duty. There is so much information promoting breastfeeding with good cause however, it’s not always an easy task. Neither is it always the best option for your baby.

 Nicola when not looking after her two children is a writer for a baby names site. The site also offer quality article on baby health, toddlers and pregnancy week by week.

Thank you, Nicola, for your contribution to Mommy Rantings!!! If you have anything else to add to the pregnancy no-no list, please feel free to leave a comment!

Pam Socolow's Family Facts Pregnancy Planner Review: Organize Your Pregnancy!

While I'm on the pregnancy kick - and finally back to blogging for the time being, I want to make sure that I get a long-awaited post up for an item that has added so much organization to my life!

Pam  Socolow's Family Facts Pregnancy Organizer and Planner

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/2009-Family-Facts-Pregnancy-Planner-Calendar/Pam-Socolow/e/9781402760488

I love this planner/organizer! It's a compact, three-ring binder, so to speak, chock full of everything that you need to plan out your entire pregnancy! The three-ring binder aspect allows you to add/take out pages that you want/do not want (you can also purchase more pages, if you want to continue to use it even after your pregnancy).

Pages

The undated weekly calendar has plenty of space on each day to "plan" out your entire day - appointments, reminders, etc and there is a notes section at the bottom of the second page for each week. I like how this is made, because you can start the weekly calendar on whichever day of the year you purchase your planner. In addition, there are perforations on the bottom of the calendar pages that can be easily torn out, so when you are in a hurry at the doctor's office, with children fussing and ready to go home, you can quickly find the page that you need to write your next appointment on.

Where to start now? There are so many different sections in this organizer, it's hard to find a place to start...

There are pages to list your contacts, a health section where you can list your individual appointments and the stats of your appointment (blood pressure, weight, test results, etc.), a baby registry, a place to list what you need for the baby, a place for your hospital (delivery day) bag list, a place for questions to ask doctor (in case those pregnancy hormones overwhelm your brain), a place to list potential names for the baby...the list goes on and on.

Stickers

I think my favorite part of the whole planner is the stickers. :) There are a ton of "appointment" stickers that you can put on the dates when your appointments are - and these are probably my most favorite, because I have appointments for not only me to keep track of, but also for all of my children. (see the pages of stickers in the pic above? There are tons of stickers!)

Then, there are the fabulous "Week 1", "Week 2" and so on stickers and the "1st trimester", "2nd trimester", etc stickers so you can easily keep track of exactly where you are in your pregnancy. How long have you spent in the past counting backward or forward through the weeks to keep track of the week/trimester you are in? With these stickers, you just put them in the planner one time....no more counting!

Then, the are birthday stickers and anniversary stickers, the baby shower sticker, the due date sticker....the list goes on and on. And, they are easy to peel off and change to another page, if necessary (I've had to do it!) If you're a planner/organizer, you will love the stickers, too.

XTras

In the back, you will find plastic holders for business cards (like your doctor's office cards) and another plastic, zip-lock-closed pocket to put other things in...

And then, you get the cute pink pen that you see in the pic above and a happily organized pregnancy. :)

Memorabilia

If you're one of those save-and-pass on mommies, you can plan to save this organizer for when your baby is grown up and moved out...wouldn't that be a wonderful gift one day to give to your child? I think it would certainly let them know how much they mean to you!

Order It

You can order your own copy of Pam Socolow's Family Facts Pregnancy Planner here.

Thank you for helping us pregnant (and, often absentminded) mothers and mothers-to-be get organized, Pam Socolow! (and, thank you for being so patient with me!)

I received one of Pam Socolow's Family Facts Pregnancy Planners for review. I did not received compensation for this post.

Baby Gender Predictor: Truth or Myth?

Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Are gender predictors truth or myth?

Being pregnant with my seventh child, I have once again had the privilege of guessing which gender the baby will be. I actually find it quite hilarious, some of the things people do to "predict" the gender of their unborn child...how far would you go to predict the gender of your unborn baby?

The Baking Soda Gender Predictor

One method suggests that you "pee in a cup" and add a teaspoon of baking soda. If the mixture fizzes, you're having a boy and if it doesn't...well, you should have a girl! I haven't tried this one, but I might just do it, to see if it works.

The Chinese Birth Calendar

Lots of women swear by this one! First, find the age that the mother will be when she gives birth to the baby...and then find the month that she conceived. The letter, of course, that is in the corresponding box is "M" for make and "F" for female...the gender of the baby.

Now, to test it for my current pregnancy, I will be 34 (Ugh! That's hard to admit!) when the baby is born and HE was conceived in December, with no question. But, the corresponding letter is..."F"! And, I had a very clear ultrasound a few weeks ago...Hmmmmm....

http://www.webwomb.com/chinesechart.htm

The Drano Gender Predictor

Take your morning pee (just about 2-3 oz - and you may want to wear safety glasses) and then add the same amount of Drano. If it turns into a brownish color and stinky, it's a boy! And, if it does absolutely nothing for about 15-20 seconds, you're having a baby girl! Again, I haven't tried this method before...so I can't vouch for how well it works.

Wives Tales & Quizzes

There has to be a hundred old wives tales that predict the gender of a baby...are you carrying high or low? Which kind of cravings are you having - sweets or sours? Is the hair on your legs growing slower than normal? (how the heck can I tell? LOL) Are you carrying in the front or are you getting thick around the waistline, hips, etc? Is the fetal heart rate fast (over 140 beats per minute) or under 130? Do you have morning sickness just in the morning or all day long?

My pregnancies have all carried similarly, with the same issues and cravings throughout, so do I really believe in the old wives tales? Well, not really, but there's nothing wrong with playing prediction games!

If you like the old wives tales theories and want to take a quick quiz to find out the gender of your baby, there is a short gender prediction quiz at Justmommies.com.

Other Gender Prediction Methods

Then, there are gender prediction kits and DNA prenatal gender tests...to be quite honest, by the time I REALLY wanted to know what the sex of my unborn children were, I was lucky enough to have had an ultrasound...and all of my children were very cooperative! But, for those who have not had the chance to have a "telling" ultrasound or who just want to stay in the dark and keep "predicting" throughout the pregnancy...well, there are a myriad of ways to do it with!


Obviously, I haven't been able to cover all of the different gender prediction methods that are out there...so, which ones have you heard of/used and how well did they work?

Trying to Find Trendy Maternity Clothes for Cheap?

It's been a long time since I've blogged. Cray life, crazy kids...and a new baby on the way! So, now, with 6 children - five boys and one girl - we will be adding yet another boy! And, to be quite honest, I'm ecstatic! What could be better than 6 grown men and a daughter - when they are all grown and moved out, of course - to take care of you when you are old and (re)tired? 


So, with that said, the due date is September 22 and I have a feeling that it will come faster than I am ready for the whole newborn stage again...

In the meantime, the question has popped up: Where does a mom of 6 find economically priced, cute and trendy maternity clothing???

So, I've been on the hunt for trendy maternity clothing that doesn't hurt the wallet...and I found the perfect place! And, this can work BOTH ways for moms-to-be!

eBay!

Yay for eBay! Not only does it give people who are looking for bargain basement/thrift store prices on name-brand and designer clothing, without having to leave the house, but it also provides a forum for new moms to re-sell the clothing once they have had the baby. I have seriously found trendy, adorable tops and pants for 99 cents and up.

Shipping Costs

Yes, of course, you have to pay close attention to the shipping cost of the items...some people ship at a very low rate, while others will charge $10 and up to ship just one item. Keep in mind, while you are crying about the shipping costs, that people have to take into consideration the packaging materials, like envelops and bubble wrap, ink and labels for the shipping labels, gas costs if they are taking the items to the post office and the shipping costs, too.

Tricks

There are tricks to bidding on eBay...and, I'm not aware of them all, as I am a newbie to the whole thing, but you can add items to your "watch list" and wait until last minute to place a bid. If you really want that item, bid the highest amount that you are willing to pay for that item. You most likely won't pay that much, but it will give you the best edge for winning, just in case someone else placed a "maximum bid". eBay won't show the maximum bid amount....they will just show the winning bid amount at that point in time.

For example: An item can show a winning bid amount of $2.39, but that particular bidder might have placed a "maximum bid" amount of $5, which means that when someone else bids on it, they will have to bid all the way up to $5.01 to actually win the item. That is why I say that if you want to win an item, put in your "maximum bid" amount...if all you want to pay for that item is $5.00 and you are outbid, then that's okay, because you didn't want to pay more than that anyways. If other bidders placed bids lower than $5, then you will win the item at a few cents more than the highest bidder, not necessarily the $5 that you bid.


Do you know about any other places to acquire cheap, but nice and trendy maternity clothes?