For the Whole Nine Months... and Beyond

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YouIsr eatingit safe, exercise? & beauty questions answ Cindy's new-mom z o; workout secrets to ower foods bouncing back Great nutrition for you and your baby

How to stay close for the next 9 months D7 (page 128)

$3.99 US/$4.99 Can April/May 2000 Disp/oyunti//Vloy23, 05> Kelly Preston in rare form o" 71435 18776 5 kvww.f/tpregnancy. com S IA. ^^-». *-J . i^^ months of ^areumy ending to )ur •owing elly, then >erhaps .ours of life- .tering abor, you ;et a big •rize to take lome: a 3aby to urture and Icherish. But he benefits on't stop :here. Here |are 10 ways Tegnancy lanci motherhood lean reward /ou (physically mentally and emotionally for years to come. 1. A body image After experiencing and 4. A lower cancer risk By having been pregnant, studies , you may regard your body with a more for- show, you'll reduce your lifetime risk of ovarian and breast giving eye. "I no longer think, 'My thighs don't look right, cancer. "The theory is that fewer ovulations somehow help my feet are kind of ugly, and my pores are too big,'" says protect against ovarian cancer," says Susan Haas, M.D., Heather Sullivan, 28, the Oxford, Miss., mother of 2-year- chief of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, a division of old Fiona. "Pregnancy helped me look at myself as a whole OB/GYN at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. person rather than a collection of sometimes-flawed parts." (You don't ovulate when you're pregnant.) "I have a new appreciation for fuller breasts and a In the case of breast cancer, it's thought that pregnancy padded hip," says Tanya Tabachnikoff, a 35-year-old media causes breast tissue to become "fully matured," according relations director from Brattleboro, Vt. "There's something to Celia Byrne, Ph.D., an instructor of medicine at Har- about knowing the flesh and warmth of my body is the vard Medical School. "Until breast tissue reaches this stage, most secure and comfortable place it may be more susceptible to poten- in the world for my child [1 -year- tial cancer-causing insults from the old Chaya]." environment," Byrne says. Thus, the 2. A broader world view "Having younger you are when you become children gives you a whole new pregnant, the sooner you'll receive capacity for feeling," says Genevieve this pregnancy-related protection. Belfiglio, 44, a mother of three in 5. Stronger bones It's possible that West Windsor, N.J. Suddenly, the look at mysei the added pounds of pregnancy may evening news hits home. Seeing as a whole increase your bone density and men and women go off to war, for reduce your risk of developing bone- example, is difficult to ignore. "You weakening osteoporosis later in life, think, 'They're somebody's chil- especially if you also take part in dren.'" Likewise, a school shooting :hana weight-bearing activities such as reported in the national media walking, Haas says. One caveat: Be makes you want to get involved to collection of sure to get plenty of calcium (at least prevent similar tragedies from hap- 1,000 milligrams a day) and vitamin pening in your area. sometimes- D (400 international units per day) "I have more interest in what's throughout your pregnancy. going on around me," says Sue flawed parts. 6. An enduring commitment to Reddy, 39, a public relations con- healthiul habits While you're preg- sultant in Plantation, Fla., and nant, you pay extra attention to your mother of a 6-year-old. "It's my home and my son's home, diet. You shun alcohol and caffeine, exercise moderately and and I care about what it looks like and how it functions regularly, take prenatal vitamins religiously and nap when and what businesses are near the school," she says. "Before, you can. But as soon as you give birth, it's time to go right I never paid attention." back to your old, not-so-healthful ways, right? No way! 3. A new career perspective Juggling motherhood and For some women, like Jane Kornbluh, 41, a childbirth work is a constant struggle for many women. But ulti- educator and owner of Body by Baby, an infant/mother exer- mately, one can benefit the other. "Having children helped cise company in Brooklyn, N.Y., such healthful habits turn me in my business because I'm more understanding and out to have staying power. "I smoked for 20 years, but as flexible with my employees," says Beth LaBreche, 34, soon as I got pregnant, I was thunderstruck with the owner of a Minneapolis public relations firm and mom to absolute ridiculousness of it," says Kornbluh, mother of 3-year-old Sam. "I can also relate on a new level with my 5-year-old Matteo. "I would never dream of smoking again." clients, most of whom are parents." 7. Closer family connections Having children can make Because you're not dependent on your career for your you more empathetic toward your parents. "You suddenly whole identity, becoming a mother can give you a deeper see what they gave up to raise you," says therapist Fidell. feeling of job fulfillment. By becoming a mother, you often "I never realized how much my parents loved me until I gain a sense of balance, explains Shellie Fidell, M.S.W., had children myself," says Kia Yelinek, 35, manager of a L.C.S.W., a therapist with Women's Health Care Partner- printing company in the Chicago area and mother of ship in St. Louis. 3-year-old Alexander and 1-year-old Victoria. "Likewise, You'll also learn how to juggle many tasks simultaneously I'm so much more patient with my in-laws," she says. Their and fine-tune your time-management skills. "Before I had unsolicited financial advice, for example, no longer bothers children, I went into tizzies about work," says Debbie Lum, Yelinek because she now understands the concern behind 36, a marketing director in Tampa, Fla., and mother of two. their comments. "Before I became a parent, I thought, "Now, my children are my first priority. I maximize my time 'Mind your own business,'" she says. so I don't bring work home unless I have to. It's amazing — Motherhood can also change your relationships with other when you slow down, everything still gets done." family members — particularly those who've given birth

90 SHAPE PRESENTS FIT PREGNANCY April/May 2000 themselves, says Ann F. Caron, Ed.D., a psychologist in Havi1112 do hit it off, the baby- Greenwich, Conn. Once your baby is born, don't be sur- inspired friendships you prised if you feel more emotionally connected to your children develop now could end up grandmother, as well as to aunts and cousins who are being lifelong. mothers. "There's a bond that de- gives you 9. An increased capacity velops, something special between lor selflessness A baby's women who've experienced having a a whole 24/7 demands can make you child," Caron says. feel like a doctor on call. But 8. Lasting friendships Having a new capacity for having to think of someone baby can help you meet people you else's needs besides your own otherwise wouldn't have met, feeling. Suddenly can make you a more re- whether you're at a mommy/baby sponsible and well-rounded exercise class, the supermarket or a the evening news person. "The birth of my son playground. "I've met so many other definitely made me less moms I've ended up developing hits home, seeing selfish," says Terry Gibbens, relationships with," says Sallie 35, a San Rafael, Calif., stay- Delaney, a 33-year-old public rela- men go off to at-home mother who, before tions executive from Newton having a baby, was accus- Centre, Mass., who still meets with war, ror example, tomed to spending weekends her new-mothers mountain biking and partici- group more than trulv affects you. pating in sailing regattas with two years after the her husband. Although the birth of daughter tbu think, couple have found ways to keep doing what they enjoy, Sophia. Granted, their 18-month-old son's needs now clearly come first. you still have to They're "We take him with us in his bike seat on smooth trails, click with fellow and he's been day-sailing on the bay during nice parents. But if you (continued on page 126) hildren.' SEE YOURSELF IN 10 perks (continuedfrom page 92) You can appear in Fit Pregnancy. afternoons," says Gibbens. "We try to Apply for one of the two programs include him in most things we like to that feature our readers. do, but we always make sure we adjust for his comfort level." Be a Model of Fitness Tell Your Birth Story 10. A stronger marriage The Occasionally, Fit Pregnancy stars a Fit Pregnancy publishes Birth Stories of demands of a new baby, combined healthy expectant reader in an exercise women who faced challenges during with sleep deprivation, can test the article. If you'd like to be a fit Pregnancy their pregnancy, labor, delivery and strength of any relationship. "After reader model, send a clear, 5-by-7-inch postpartum months and who emerged our daughter was born, we had some photo of your face and and one of your stronger than before. of the most stressful times since we full body (pregnant if possible) in work- To readers whose stories are printed, made our wedding plans," says out wear (include your name, address Fit Pregnancy awards special prizes, media relations director Tabachnikoff. and phone number on the back of each including a Shape Fitness Music audio- The unexpected payoff? "Having a photo), along with a description of cassette. Send us clear, uncut, full-body child has brought us closer," she says. yourself, your workout schedule and color photos of yourself while pregnant the completed model release (below). and after (no Polaroids). Include your No payment is offered. Each model will name, address and phone number on ur marriage receive a Shape Fitness Music audio- the back of each. Also complete and cassette, a video and a T-shirt. Expenses return the model release form (below). has taken on for travel and accommodations are the Tell us your story in 600 words (type- responsibility of the reader model. written and double-spaced). Describe in a whole new detail your pregnancy and/or birth chal- lenge, how you felt while you faced it, dimension. and how your friends and family reacted. If your story involves changes in your It's not just diet or exercise routine, include three maintenance tips, as well as a description a marriage of your prenatal and postpartum work- out schedule. anymore; fit Pregnancy recommends modera- tion in your exercise and diet programs, it's a family. especially during and immediately after "I feel much more secure in the mar- pregnancy. riage. We have a permanent bond." We will not return photos or stories. Indeed, after the new-baby adjust- Please do not phone us to ask about ment phase, many women report that your story. they feel emotionally closer to their partners. "We often see marriages Fit Pregnancy Reader Model or Birth Story Release grow a lot deeper and become more TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY rewarding," says Fidell. "Especially NAME TO BE PUBLISH HD: when people come from two different career tracks, they can be very focused ADDRESS: on themselves as individuals." But having a child together creates a sense CITY: STATE: ZIP: of shared responsibility. SOCIAL SECURITY PHONE: NUMBER: "Our marriage has taken on a whole new dimension," says Teresa TODAYS DATE: FOR READER MODELS: WHAT IS YOUR DUE DATE? Horner, 37, a St. Louis stay-at-home mother of five. "It's not just a mar- BIRTH DATE: HEIGHT: SHOE SIZE: riage anymore — it's a family." • I understand that any material I submit becomes the sole property of Weider Publications Inc. and shall constitute an irrevocable grant to the use of my name, likeness and story in any way Sandra Gordon is the co-author of 30 deemed necessary. Secrets of the World's Healthiest Cuisines SIGNATURE: (John Wiley 6- Sons, 2000) and the mother Mail to fit Pregnancy Reader Model/Birth Story, 21 100 Erwin St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367. of 8-month-old Rebecca.

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