When I was pregnant I had one skirt that was comfortable to wear. I had skirts that had an elastic waist, but it was the small elastic so it wasn't comfortable with my growing belly. I kept looking for fun maternity dresses and skirts, but since I am so tall, everything was just a little too short. I finally found one skirt that worked and I wore that all the time.

If you have been looking for some good maternity skirts, I found a great tutorial for you on See Mommy Sew for how to make a maternity skirt.

Since she recommends using the 3 inch elastic, I think it would be extremely comfortable. If you like the little "pouch" on maternity bottoms, I would recommend making the knit fabric longer and attaching it to the skirt the same way. Then the knit creates that little pouch, and you can fold it over if you feel like it. - Trisha

Yes, as bad as that pun is, it was totally intended! If you’re pregnant this Mother’s Day your “honey do” list should have a line item that reads: “Order Honeydew A Leg Up foot lotion for wife in time for Mother’s Day.”

Honeydew is a line of skin care products created specifically for expecting moms. The company steers clear of parabens, petrolatum, sulfates, synthetic colors, dyes and perfumes, doesn’t test on animals and uses ingredients such as natural botanicals. A Leg Up is a lightweight lotion that cools and detoxifies tired and swollen pregnancy feet. I don’t know about you, but when I’m pregnant my last trimester heralds the onset of swollen, achy feet on a daily basis. I wish A Leg Up had existed 12 years ago!

Honeydew’s A Leg Up is formulated with cucumber, aloe and mint. The lightweight lotion is absorbed quickly and the cooling sensation helps relieve your tired feet. All-natural plant extracts like cucumber, aloe leaf, macademia seed oil and horsetail help reduce swelling, encourage fluid drainage and stimulate circulation. I could use this on my non-pregnancy feet during the hot summer months - I get slightly uncomfortable, swollen ankles due to the heat and an especially salty meal the night before!

Elevating your feet helps but sometimes you need to throw in a little something to really get that circulation moving and the swelling down. You - or your
honey - can order A Leg Up for $22 from Honeydew’s site (currently out of stock) or from Nordstrom.com. - Emily H.

With all the hormone changes that occur when we are pregnant, our skin can go through some pretty drastic changes as well. Some pregnant women are blessed with the "glowing" skin, while others are blessed with acne like they had when they are teenagers. As a licensed master esthetician, I thought I would share some tips to help your skin look and feel its best while pregnant.

If you have acne:

• Avoid salicylic acid and retinoids. Salicylic acid is made from the same thing that aspirin is made of, that's why it's not safe to use. Retinol products can enter your bloodstream and may cause birth defects.


• Exfoliate the skin lightly at least once a week, but do not overdo it. You can make your skin raw and worse if you exfoliate too much. You can use dried oatmeal as an exfoliant, then add a little water or milk to it and make a paste to put on your face. The oatmeal mask will calm down the irritation and help soothe the skin.


• Use an oil free moisturizer.

For dry itchy skin and itchy bellies:

• Exfoliate to slough off the dead skin. You can use dried oatmeal as spoken of above, or try making your own sugar scrub using olive oil and sugar. The oil will help soothe the skin, and the sugar will help exfoliate.


• Bathe the itchy area in warm milk.


• Use an oatmeal mask to help calm and soothe extremely itchy areas.


• Use a lotion that contains Shea butter or coco butter for best results.


• Drink a lot of water.


• Try eating foods that are high in fatty acids.

To avoid pregnancy mask:

• Use sunscreen daily! Pregnancy mask is the darkening of the skin around the mouth area that is cause by hormones and sun expose. The only way to avoid this or stop it from getting darker is to use a good strong sunscreen. I recommend using a sunblock that contains physical sun blockers such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

- Trisha

A new mom soon discovers that the joy of motherhood often comes with sleepless nights, all-too-frequent feedings and constant clothing changes (including yours). Humor goes a long way when you’re in the middle of this post-partum period, and Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s Post Partum Cards dispense it in just the right dose.

“If you’re a new mom, you’re probably too delirious with joy (read: sleep deprivation) to spend much time writing notes, Here is a set of postcards designed to help you stay in touch with the outside world, even if you’re too exhausted to finish your own sentences.” (I couldn’t have said it better so I let Random House do it!) This wonderfully funny set of cards includes one that reads “Lost! My waist. Last seen ________” and my other favorite, “Party at my house! B.Y.O.B. (bring your own baby). I’ll supply the wipes!”

During those first few weeks - and sometimes months - after labor and delivery a new mom might find herself a hermit without the energy to reach out to the outside world. (I found this even truer after the births of my third and fourth.) A little humor can go a really long way, and Post Partum Cards are the perfect tongue-in-cheek-but-oh-so-true shower gift for the new mom. You can purchase a 32-pack of her cards for $8.95 from Amazon.com.

Rosenthal is also the author of Duck! Rabbit!, a great new kids' book published by Chronicle Books and being given away by ZRecs in their ZRecs Newsletter Giveaway tomorrow. Head to Punnybop to read a review of the book, or sign up for our network's newsletter and a chance to win. - Emily H.

I have seen some fashionable birthing apparel like the product line from Binsi but as cute as those skirts are I could never justify the price. And I didn’t think such a thing as a stylish hospital gown existed so I always stuck with the standard-issue gown, a very pale blue with “decorative” hospital logo. (I bet inventory loss isn’t a problem when it comes to those gowns.) Had I known about LaborLooks and their line of designer gowns I’d have enjoyed those post-delivery photos a lot more.

LaborLooks hospital gowns are specifically for pregnant moms who plan to give birth in a birthing center or hospital facility. Designed by a labor and delivery nurse and a certified nurse midwife, the features on these gowns meet both the needs of both moms and hospital providers. Each gown is made with a high-quality 100% cotton designer fabric and coordinating border trim, which in turn coordinates with the grosgrain ribbon trim found at the neck and waist. While the cute grosgrain ribbon ties look great on Mom, they also allow for epidural access and ease of movement when sitting on a birthing ball or laying in bed. (Let’s hope you’re not laying in bed for long!)

Along with stylish prints and grosgrain ties these gowns also have a pocket in front perfect for a camera or cell phone and shoulder snaps for breastfeeding. I love the fact that these gowns come in ten different styles (my favorite is the Kylee Powder) and cost under $50. You can purchase your own LaborLooks hospital gown for $48 from LaborLooks.com. - Emily H.