Encouragement for Pregnancy Archives

Our Favorite Maternity Swimsuits for 2018

Summer is here and there is only one thing to do: get your bump to the pool. Check out our picks for our favorite maternity swimsuits.

You don’t have to choose a skin tight or belly bearing bikini to show style. We love this blouse top from Gap. The straps are removable, and the drawstring at the bottom helps the top to fit to your bump’s size.

The swimsuit we most want to come in a dress option, too. PinkBlush does maternity right. Check out all of their styles; it’s hard to choose.

Macy’s has a diverse online selection of swimsuits. This suit is going to hold your girls in, so if you have older kids who want to play at the pool or beach, you can join right in without fidgeting with your swimsuit.

Nordstrom has a lot of classic looks. We love this print, cut, and tankini style because you know pregnant mamas have to go to the bathroom…a lot.

Target has come a long way in their swimwear department. Women united and said we need more suits for more body types and they just keep getting better and better.

Zoom in on this Seraphine Maternity print because we think it is so pretty. We love the soft colors and the interesting and flattering pattern.

Motherhood made our favorite graphic swimsuit this year. Eat Beach Sleep Repeat is our summer motto…even if we live in inland Texas.

5 Ways to Treat Mom this Valentine’s Day

If you have a mom in your life whether your wife, your daughter or your own mom, you are probably looking for a way to show her your love this Valentine’s Day. As moms, we would love any of these. There is definitely one for you.

A necklace with her kids’ names – I know this is kind of Mother’s Day-y, but if you’re buying for a new mom, her heart will melt over this thoughtful piece of jewelry by Layered and Long.

Flowers – I know roses are classic and they are beautiful, but let me recommend a bouquet of peonies. You don’t have to add any greenery or filler to them, so if you can’t splurge on this Neiman Marcus arrangement, just buy a short, square vase and scout out peonies at your local florist or grocery florist.

Chocolate – The good stuff. If you’re a novice chocolate buyer, just know the higher the percentage, the less sweet it is because there’s more pure cacao in it. SRSLY chocolate is one of our most favorite Austin companies because good chocolate is one of our most favorite things.

A pretty dress – My mother-in-law frequently gifts me clothes and I feel so special. Of course this one requires you to know the mom’s size and style, but gifting a dress makes her feel pretty and fresh and ready to receive compliments. (Everyone compliments a lovely dress.) If she’s expecting, this is an especially thoughtful gift because she might be less inclined to make many clothing purchases. Dresses featured can be found here, here, and here.

Of course we’re Mama Bird Box. Our favorite way to show a mom or mom-to-be how fabulous she is is to give her the pregnancy subscription box, Mama Bird Box. This month’s box has pampering items galore to help her feel all the love. It’s also a gift that can keep giving each month, so share the love again and again well beyond Valentine’s Day. Check out with the coupon code LOVE to get 15% off any order. Coupon expires at the end of the month.

7 Truly Helpful Ways to Help Your Pregnant Wife

Husbands and partners feel useless 99% of the time when caring for their pregnant wife. I honestly do not remember all the things that my husband did for me when I was pregnant. I know he didn’t grocery shop like I wanted him, and I probably sounded ungrateful. However going through pregnancy without him would have been a misery so I accepted that he was going to buy anything the sample person was selling. He’s just a nice guy.

We’ve collected 10 ways that husbands can help their wives while her body is changing and she is growing a whole person inside her. The truth is, she might not notice these things, but you will know that your small things are truly making her life easier, and that’s all you want, right? No glory seekers here.

Case in point…

Keep the toilet clean.
She feels gross and may be consistently throwing up. Wouldn’t it be so nice of you to make sure she’s throwing up in a clean toilet. While you’re at it, you can give the tub a good scrub, too.
You remember what you need from the store and you do the shopping.
This Knock Knock notepad is a lifesaver if you’re not the usual grocery shopper of the family. Actually, it’s a lifesaver even if you are. If this outing is new to you, ask her to fill it out once with your weekly staples, and you take it from there.
On a similar note, you do the cooking.
Find out what she’s craving and make it in plenty. And get a good idea of the foods she can’t have like soft cheeses and cold deli meat. If you’re eating out, her favorite place and dish will change on a whim so ask what sounds good for that day. And she’s not sharing.
Give her as much of the bed as she wants.
Several things can make a pregnant woman uncomfortable at night time. There’s the obvious: the growing belly, making back and stomach sleeping a no-no. Also, her mind won’t stop racing. She could feel hungry or thirsty. And her body temperature is warmer than it used to be meaning she might not want to spoon or snuggle or be touched even by your pinky toe. Give her some space to spread out.
Take a walk with her.
See all of these free things we’re giving you? Walking as exercise is so good for your mama-to-be, especially during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Get that baby locked and loaded. She may want to be alone, but offer to go along. You can talk or not talk. Quiet days will be hard to come by soon so either way, it’s going to be quality.
You remember important dates.
Pregnant women are fully capable, competent people and should not be patronized. But if there is something that isn’t on your daily or weekly calendar, you remember it, take care if it, or gently remind. Your older kid’s preschool class needs forks for the party? You do it. It’s her mom’s birthday? Remind her.
Know what’s going on with her.
Go to the doctor’s appointments if you can or stay with your older kids while she goes. Read a pregnancy book. Download an app. No woman wants to feel alone in pregnancy. Show that you’re there for her by being there for her. Ask questions. Be informed. Be a partner.

Let us know what your helpful tips are!

*All images are from Photo by Betsy.