Pregnancy can be uncomfortable, even in the best circumstances. Add sweltering heat and high humidity, and it can become almost unbearable. If your due date falls during the summer or early fall you’ll likely encounter some additional pregnancy “challenges” related to the heat.

Becoming a new parent is stressful in itself. Your body changes rapidly, new responsibilities pop up overnight, life changes completely for you in an instant and its easy to get overwhelmed by everything hitting you all at once. Some times our minds and bodies have a hard time processing all the rapid changes and this could lead to postpartum depression.

It is true that babies need a lot of stuff, and that a baby shower is a great way for an expectant parent to acquire a lot of the “stuff” they will need for their new little bundle of joy. Increasingly, though, friends and family members of the expectant parents are giving gifts that are untraditional - gifts geared toward the needs of the parents.

Whether you’ll need a pregnancy pillow varies from mother to mother and from pregnancy to pregnancy. It will depend on the amount of weight gained, the size and position of the baby, and whether you’re at risk or suffering any complications. Comfort will also be a driving force regardless.

It’s true that a lot of women are starting their families a bit later in life. Meeting the right partner, establishing a career, and achieving financial stability can take time. And some women are simply not in motherhood mode in their 20s or even their early 30s.

Unless your doctor has advised against activity, which is rare, then the answer is an emphatic yes. Exercise during pregnancy is highly beneficial for you and the baby. Even if you were sedentary prior to becoming pregnant and suddenly have the strong desire to take better care of yourself (which isn’t unusual) - exercise is still a good idea. And if you were already a fan of exercise, you can continue on, with probably only a few adjustments over the course of your pregnancy.

Ever since Pinterest was born woman have been sharing ideas for recipes, craft ideas, home projects. Another growing thing they have been sharing are beautiful maternity photo shoots and it seems more and more women are giving in to celebrate and commemorate their bodies during this special time in their lives.