If you’ve ever been pregnant, dreamt about being pregnant, or been slightly terrified about what to expect while being pregnant, then the film “What to Expect While You’re Expecting,” is a must see for you.
With a star-studded cast with such famous names as Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Brooklyn Decker, Dennis Quaid and Chris Rock, this film is sure to be a big hit.
Surprisingly, it’s based on the best-selling book ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting,’ which at first glance seems like a traditional guide to pregnancy. But film producers have managed to bring the pages to life and even poke a little fun at the experience from the standpoint of both mothers- and fathers-to be.
In anticipation of the film’s nationwide release today, we’ve compiled a list of lessons learned from the film with some of our expert knowledge on the topic, starting with one of the most uncommon topics among pregnancy circles: How pregnancy affects fathers.
Fathers’ involvement during pregnancy: Perhaps one way fathers don’t want to get involved is in the weight gain department. Several studies have shown that men can gain weight during pregnancy just as easily as women, and even experience increased testosterone and cortisol levels. This is likely because they’re around their partner who’s having strange cravings and consuming more calories. But guys who keep this in mind before going into a pregnancy can battle the bulge with a little mindfulness and self control.
Proper nutrition during pregnancy: Weight gain during pregnancy is totally fine and healthy, even though it can be one of the most difficult aspects of the experience for health-conscious moms. But moms-to-be can control their weight by limiting their extra intake to 150-200 calories in the first few months, and then upping that to 300 calories during the last trimester. It’s also important for moms to consider the nutritional value of their foods, and shoot for as many fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins as possible.
Effects on a woman’s body during pregnancy: It’s no surprise that pregnancy can do a number on the female body, including stretch marks, varicose veins, postpartum depression and exhaustion. But as we expect the movie to portray, all of these things seem like a small price to pay for the gift of a child and the amazing experience that motherhood brings.
The benefits of breast feeding: We talked about this recently in our attachment parenting and breastfeeding article, which in short states that breastfeeding is incredibly beneficial for both mom and baby. Breastfeeding is a not only a great way to nurture the baby in its first months of development, but also to lose the post-pregnancy weight as breastfeeding can burn up to 650 calories a day.
How to lose the baby weight: There are a ton of ways out there for women to lose weight post-pregnancy. Besides doing everyday activities like breastfeeding, walking or completing household chores, two of our favorite fitness DVDS include Tracy Anderson’s Post-Pregnancy Workout, and Mega-Fit Momma.
Class dismissed! Now get out there and see the movie. And if you’re an expectant mother (or father) we hope you learned a little from our list of takeaways, and that you enjoy the new film as much as we’re expecting to – no pun intended.
Also Read:
8 Tips for Post Pregnancy Weight Loss for Moms
The Benefits of Breastfeeding and the Controversy of Attachment Parenting