Posts Tagged ‘baby’

Things We’ve Read – Week of December 2nd

Pregnancy

Prenatal Depression: What I Didn’t Expect When I Was Expecting (NYTimes): An enlightening recounting of sadness during pregnancy. Sometimes, placenta doesn’t produce enough progesterone; this offset causes symptoms of depression.

Fertility Doctors Aim To Lower Rate Of Twin Births (NPR): Big multiple births (like Octomom) have decreased but the twin rate is stagnant. Doctors want to lower the rate of twin births and increase the rate of healthy, live births.

The Toxins That Affected Your Great-Grandparents Could Be In Your Genes (Smithsonian): An interesting study of the staying power of toxins finds evidence of hardy and insidious chemicals 4 generations after exposure.

Breathe easy by avoiding chemicals in home items (Philly.com): Is your house off-gassing? Probably. That’s what happens when chemical substances evaporate and get into the indoor air.Screen Shot 2013-12-08 at 2.51.18 PM

Dandruff Shampoo could Mess up Waterways (Scientific American): A study has detected fungicides from anti-dandruff shampoos in the water. They retard the growth of larger plants which offsets the ecosystem and deprives marine animals of food.

Best Winter Movies! Whether you have to - or Just Want to - Stay in Bed

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We love a good cozy winter day, when the weather outside is frightful. And, when you’re pregnant, let’s face it - all you really want is to be on the couch in a snuggie (yes, we went there). So we don’t blame you – whether you’re pregnant or not – for foregoing a night out with friends to snuggle under a blanket and indulge in one or a few delightful winter flicks.

This winter season, Nine Naturals has put together our own list of great movies to watch while keeping warm at home. These are top pregnancy and baby movie picks, as well as a few great, cozy, romance movies that we just had to include.

Friends with Kids. It’s a group of friends everyone can relate to and a scenario we’re all familiar with – what happens to friend dynamics when kids enter the picture? In this move, two of the friends confront it with humor and genius.

Nine Months. Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore smolder in this heartwarming romantic comedy that’s perfect for a pregnant date night. Robin Williams pops in and out of the film making one hilarious crack after another.

The Kids Are All Right. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening create an amazing onscreen couple in this delightful comedy-drama. Bening in particular stands out for her character’s moving arc.

Love Actually. This is one of the best Christmas movies in our book. Think London during the holidays. This movie follows a gamut of characters and scenarios whose stories, mixed as they are, all make you feel that love actually is all around …

Away We Go. This underappreciated comedic gem will tug at your heartstrings. It stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph engaged on a journey to find the perfect place to raise their upcoming family.

Juno. When it comes to movies about pregnancy, this one nearly tops the list. Ellen Page’s portrayal of an independent teen dealing with an unplanned pregnancy is hilarious and riveting.

The Incredibles. Is this not Pixar’s finest film? If you disagree, you’ve probably forgotten about Holly Hunter’s super mom character, called “Elastigirl.” Her fight to give a normal life to her family, using her superhuman strength, is inspiring. Among the best mom movies around.

Waitress. This exceptional comedy-drama might just end up as one of your favorite movies about pregnancy. Keri Russell plays the titular server who creates tasty pies and grapples with an unwanted unborn child.

Four Christmases. This stands out as one of the best Christmas movies for its hilarious concept that’s not unrealistic — a couple (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) navigating a day of four very hectic yuletide celebrations in a row.

Junebug. Amy Adams earned an Oscar nomination for her breakout role in this, one of the sweeter movies about pregnancy. She plays a pregnant young wife who may have married her husband a bit too quickly. What’s your favorite movie to curl up with in wintertime? Let us know in the comments below.

Things We’ve Read – Week of November 11th

Pregnant woman

Pregnant mothers who exercise boost babies’ brains, claim researchers (The Guardian): The babies born to mothers who were physically active during pregnancy are found to have more mature cerebral activation as early as 12 days after birth.

Staying in the Game (WellRounded NY): Thinking of leaving your job once the baby arrives? Here are 3 great tips for staying relevant while out of the workforce.

BPA may affect sperm quality (Environmental Health News): BPA is a family issue. Men with higher BPA levels were more likely to have poorer sperm quality.

Extreme Chemical Sensitivity Makes Sufferers Allergic to Life (Discover Magazine): Ever heard of TILT? Interesting article about about chemical sensitivity and the disorders we might develop due to extreme chemical exposure.

Don’t Ever Apologize for being a Good Parent (Fast Company): Read about this important lesson, as well as more advice from the author for hard-working women.

The Reluctant Father by Phillip Toledano

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We didn’t know of Phillip Toledano before this week but what little we now know we like very much. He is an artist and author whose latest book, The Reluctant Father, will be released early next year.

Checkout his site for the book. What a funny, honest, touching and beautifully portrayed story of one man’s experience with becoming a father. It is also a warm portrayal of the awkwardness and hesitation that many of us experience as we become parents for the first time.

We look forward to the book!

Things We’ve Read – Week of September 30th

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Uncertain Inheritance: Transgenerational Effects of Environmental Exposures (Environmental Health Perspectives): Scientists are studying the effects chemical exposures can have over multiple generations.

Longer Maternity Leave Not So Great for Women After All (Time Magazine): Turns out women in those Nordic countries with luxurious maternity leaves get mommy-tracked when they go back to work

Breast-Feeding Services Lag Behind the Law (NYTimes): Despite laws under the Affordable Care Act implemented to support breastfeeding mothers, many new mothers have found it nearly impossible to get timely help for breast-feeding problems since Jan. 1, when health insurers began updating their coverage.

Ah, There’s Nothing Like New Baby Smell (NYTimes): The smell of a newborn has the same dopamine effects on a woman’s brain as doing coke.

Consumption of fish may have little effect on mercury levels in pregnant women (CBS News): A new study finds that fish consumption by pregnant women may only contribute to 7% of their blood mercury levels.

Fourth Trimester Bodies Project (Co.Create): These photos show what women really look like after pregnancy