OK, so DH and I have officially decided that I am going off the pill and we are going to "see what happens". I have been on the pill since I was 18 (I am 26 now). We have been married for almost 3 years and we are ready to start trying. I have been HOUNDING my mommy friends with questions because I am one of those knowledge hounds that wants to know EVERYTHING! For the mommies out there, can you reccomend some good pregnancy/baby websites that have a lot of info and advice? Thanks!!
It all depends on what you are looking for in a website. There are a lot of approaches to pregnancy, birthing, and parenting. I personally take a much more natural approach so most of the websites I will list are going to be geared towards more natural, holistic approaches. Ivillage is probably the only mainstream website I visit, and that is because it has a wealth of information on ALL sides of pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
Ivillage.com is a great place to start because there is a lot of information on all sides; you can learn about a medical model approach to your pregnancy, as well as a midwife model approach, and even information on going unassisted(http://parenting.ivillage.com/stages/0,,pregnancy_7,00.html). Yeah, they really cover the gammot there. Ivillage also has a lot of forums specific to pregnancy, birth, and rearing and you can really learn a lot from the moms in cyberspace about all the different approaches, it is kinda fascinating how many different pregnancy and parenting styles that are practiced(http://parenting.ivillage.com/messageboards/).
Fitpregnancy.com is a pregnancy website that takes a more natural approach, it is really good for nutrition information and exercises that are safe for pregnancy (http://www.fitpregnancy.com/). You can also track your daily eating habits on this site to help yourself ensure you are getting adequite nutrition, plus they have suggested meal plans and recipes.
Blueribbonbaby.org is a site devoted to the work of Dr. Brewer who basically spent his life's work on studying nutrition in pregnant woman(http://www.blueribbonbaby.org/healthy-pregnancy/brewer-diet-for-healthy-pregnancy/). The diet information on this website is really good for expecting moms trying to avoid a host of pregnancy complications. It really drives home the importance of nutrition for a healthy pregnancy and baby. I am on the Brewer diet and can tell you that it really made a huge difference in how I feel. The main thing that helps me in doing the Brewer diet is that it really forces me to focus on getting the right foods for proper nutrition. I didn't realize how little vegetables I used to eat before compared to how much I eat now.
Finally, if you really want to take a very natural approach mothering magazine has the best website (http://www.mothering.com/). It may be a little crunchy for most, but again if you are into natural living it is a wealth of information.
If you ever want/need to get more serious about trying to conceive you can do the Fertility Awareness Method (http://www.tcoyf.com/). I used it to conceive and will use it as a natural birth control post-pregnancy. I bought the book, but you can research the method online too if you are interested.
I'm sure others can provide you with additional resources. Congratulations and lotsa baby dust for you!!!
I started going to www.twoweekwait.com and www.peeonastick.com when I was trying and when I was first preggo. Some good info, but the girls aren't as cool as here.
Here are a bunch of sites I've bookmarked in my baby prep. We're also trying. I went off the pill 1 month ago after 11 years and just had my prd so now we're really really trying. It's an exciting time!!!
Drew and MissMee, thanks for your sites as well. I will definitely check them out.
FANTASTIC!!! Thank you so much for all the websites Jestillman! Since you have been to so many sites have you or anyone else come across any pink/leopard print/pastel decor? I am getting really ahead of myself, but if and when we get pregnant and if we have a girl, I want to decorate the nursery in a similar style to MissMee. But, instead of the zebra print, I want to use a pastel type of leopard print and shades of pink and chocolate brown. All the stuff that is leopard print for a nursery that I have seen so far are more "safari" themed. Thanks for all the great sites everyone!
I belong to Babyfit.com. It was great because they had a "trying to conceive" group and we all discussed things and I learned a lot! Then when I became pregnant I joined a February 07 Mommy group and it was awesome to have the ladies to talk to and ask questions with others who were experiencing the same things at the same time. We still chat on there now about our little ones. It was and is great for me. When I was worried about something, I'd ask a question and see that there were other going through the same things. It's awesome!
FANTASTIC!!! Thank you so much for all the websites Jestillman! Since you have been to so many sites have you or anyone else come across any pink/leopard print/pastel decor? I am getting really ahead of myself, but if and when we get pregnant and if we have a girl, I want to decorate the nursery in a similar style to MissMee. But, instead of the zebra print, I want to use a pastel type of leopard print and shades of pink and chocolate brown. All the stuff that is leopard print for a nursery that I have seen so far are more "safari" themed. Thanks for all the great sites everyone!