Water is an unsung hero throughout the duration of one’s pregnancy. Not only does it help to build new tissue & carry nutrients to your baby, it also keeps your baby floating in its cushion of amniotic fluid and prevents the uterus from contracting before its time. This, along with several other reasons, is why it is so ever important to make sure you intake in the purest water possible.

While several people live in new construction residences, many, especially city dwellers reside in buildings which have old pluming lines. One can look at their governmental water rating systems and see statements which claim their drinking water is pure and/or enhanced with fluoride or chlorine, and one could be alarmed after hearing about traces of pharmaceuticals in our water. At the end of the day, aside from the condition of the water, the water still has to be transported through your building’s pluming and that process can contaminate your water even further. The point I am trying to make is that it is very important to take action and do our part to grab hold of the reigns to our overall health by taking a few extra steps.

There are several ways to filter our drinking water and transport that filtered water around. From over the counter mounted filters, to below, there are various effective products within several price ranges on the market. Do make sure you do your research for certain filter & systems can leach bacteria in the water if its instructions aren’t followed carefully. A bit of background research is highly suggested, or consulting a consultant about such purchases is suggested as well. After you have your filtered water, take it with you to your office, the gym, or just on the go with one of these eco-friendly containers.

All of these tips are for everyone and can easily be incorporated into the lives of infants to retirees, but especially for women with child, clean water is essential for a healthy pregnancy.

“The digital embryo is like Google Earth for embryonic development,” Jochen Wittbrodt of the University of Heidelberg said in a release. “It gives an overview of everything that happens in the first 24 hours and allows you to zoom in on all cellular and even subcellular details.”

Though the clip above shows the embryo of a zebrafish, it is still quite fasinating to see a single cell grow into 20,000 cells in 24 hours. For more information on this scientific development visit Wired

First off, I have to applaud Angelina for gracing the cover of the new W magazine while breastfeeding. The photographer just so happened to be Brad Pitt. Angelina is inspirational because she has confidently taken a stand and is sending a message loud and clear. Women who are mothers are naturally beautiful and breastfeeding is a normal natural phenomenon that should be accepted as a social norm. Though the cover picture is just a simple black and white photo, and there were no fancy film crews in their home, still remains evident a beautiful halo of motherhood. Breastfeeding is healthy and super beneficial for mother and child. It is unfortunate that over the years, breastfeeding has been given a taboo cloak. Because of these tainted views, many women aren’t given the freedom, encouragement and support that they need to give nutrients to their child, build their immune systems, reduce a their own risk of certain types of cancer, and more. With this cover, a dialogue can begin again.

And secondly, Brad Pitt has collaborated with beauty brand Kiehl’s to create the first ever Cradle-to-Cradle certified beauty product (environmentally safe, healthy , designed for material reutilization,etc.) The Aloe Vera Liquid Body Cleanser that Brad helped design and developed the scent, debuts this month. He also wrote a little message on the label to inform everyone where proceeds from their purchase will go:

These two people are amazing and inspirational.

Throughout pregnancy, not only is music beneficial and relaxing for your baby, but for you the mother, it is beneficial as well. Music serves several functions for the childbirth process including centering one’s awareness, distraction from pain, stimulating pleasure responses, focusing onthe breath, and as well it is a conditioned stimulus for relaxation.

If you think about it, whenever we go to our favorite cardio class, the instructor introduces a moderate level of music to get everyone’s body awake. As the pace begins to increase, we encourage ourselves to keep it going. Just at that moment when we begin to doubt our ability, an incredible song comes on that we love and a sudden jolt of energy and excitement flows and sustains us with energy beyond our peak. At the end of the class, a peaceful serene pace of music comes on to relax and ground us after our workout.

Of course labor is not the same as an hour long cardio class, but the principles of matching the types of music to the workout is rooted in the same school of thought of selecting music for your birth experience. Now when it comes to selecting one’s Labor Playlist, it is all based upon a mother’s individual preference. Sure, we all have some overlapping favorites and listen to the same top 40 hits. Atthe end of the day though, the music you select should be the sonic creations that make you want to sing at the top of your lungs with a smile and make you feel centered, grounded, and at peace. An Ipod and Ihome are perfect modern day gadgets to make this personalized playlist come to life. During your preparation period, categorize your selected music into 3 playlist folders based on the information below. Have your doula, partner, or support be in charge of monitoring to the playlist as you progress.

During Early Stages of Labor
In this stage of labor you will most likely want to relax and slowly blossom open while gaining your strength. Calm, peaceful, joyful, and serene music (however that fits your description) is ideal for this time.

Examples:
1. Classical Music
2. Nature Sounds
3. Artist who are accompanied by guitar or piano

During Active Labor and Transition
Music is proven to have a remarkable ability to raise endorphins within your system which can be a great tool during contractions. Those songs that make you feel powerful, warrioress like, are great for this stage of labor for it requires endurance and perseverance. Music can aide as your protective sustaining cocoon. Its supportive and grounding nature can prove wonders especially if you experience early labor at home and enter a hospital in active labor. Music will assist in creating a supportive and warm personal space in a hospital atmosphere. As you near transitioning, a time where you need emotional and spiritual support most, the sounds and music that grounds and empowers you most is ideal.

Examples:
1. Rhymic Tones
2. Drums
3. Music with Riffs and Melonic Pitches

After Birth
Soft gentle relaxing music is ideal for after the birth. It creates a soothing environment for mother & baby and allows them to recover into one another’s new found love and share that with their family and friends.

Examples:
1. Classical Music
2. Nature Sounds
3. No words

There are endless selections of songs you can choose from your exsiting CD collection, Itune downloads, or even friends’ music. As well there are several premade Childbirth soundtracks which can accentuate your playlist and contribute to your sonic memories.

For those mothers who are in transition between their pre-pregnancy clothes and a maternity wardrobe, check out these comfortable and chic belly bands by Baby Be Mine Maternity. These bamboo bands come in a variety of colors and can be used in any stage of pregnancy whether you are just showing a little, your EDD is around the corner, or you just delivered your little bundle. The great thing about the Bamboo collection is that it is naturally breathable, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, it is anti-static, anti-bacterial/anit-fungal 98% UV protective, made from naturally grown bamboo (no pesticides and fertilizers), and is biodegradable! Lucky for shoppers, Baby Be Mine also carries organic tees as well.

The site is currently holding to great specials. You can buy two bamboo bands for $44.99 and free shipping for the US and Canada ends October 12.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the team at Renew Physical Therapy. Located in mid-town Manhattan , Renew specializes in orthopedics and women’s health issues. Using state of the art technology as well as having a passionate and talented staff, Renew-PT empowers, strengthens, and heals amazing women who are experiencing sciatica, low back pain, abdominal diastasis-recti, c-section or episiotomy scar pain, painful sex and more . Just check out the video testimonials on their website and you’ll hear & fell the enthusiasm for their services.

What I really admire about Renew-PT is the center’s unique approach to women’s wellbeing. You come first. The private treatment rooms have spa-like atmospheres and incorporate custom pregnancy tables to accommodate your beautiful growing belly. The treatment sessions are up to 1 hour long and when applicable incorporate innovative biofeedback technology or the magical power of the hands using Arvigo Mayan Abdominal Massage. The team works with your doctor by providing them a written note within 24 Hours of your evaluation, detailing their findings so that your doctor can make well-timed changes to your medical care if necessary.

You can also get one-on-one training at Renew-PT to strengthen your core and pelvic wall in your pre and post natal state among other services. Isa Herrera, Clinical Director of Renew, also has a book out entitled, The Pregnant Couple’s Guide to Working Out Together. It is filled with many techniques and tips for you and your partner staying in shape and preparing for childbirth.

Renew Physical Therapy truly is an empowering and healing oasis. In a world and culture that does not necessarily allow women to have a safe and comfortable platform to discuss our health issues and concerns, it truly is inspiring to know that such a center exists for women. We are all entitled to the power to reclaim our health, live a pain free life, and be embraced and supported. Renew-PT helps to bring you to that realization. They do accept insurance (certain rules may apply) and offer flexible payment plans. Do check out and explore their website for further information.
**(they also provide physical therapy services for men to support pelvic and bladder health).