Coming Soon- Herbal Supplements and Unplanned Pregnancy

What do you do if you think you might be pregnant and you regularly take herbal supplements? Have you already harmed your developing baby?

There is not much reliable research about herbal use in pregnancy. Most medical information available refers to studies with pregnant animals, because it would not be ethical to use human subjects. Also, some non-medical information has been passed down to women by women through the years and this "folk wisdom" is also sometimes hard to evaluate.

However, coming soon- a series of articles about what reliable information we DO have, so you can evaluate if what you're already taking can or already has perhaps hurt your developing baby.

In the mean time, if you have any questions about your pregnancy or whether or not you might be pregnant, come and visit us-

1st Way
1667 High Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401
Call 541.687.8651
or 1-800-848-LOVE

E-mail: firstwayeugene@gmail.com

Am I having "Morning Sickness?"

Throwing up first thing in the morning? Wondering if you're pregnant? 

If you are throwing up first thing in the morning or any other time of day, it's a good idea to check with your doctor. You could have the flu, food poisoning or any variety of problems. However, nausea and vomiting is accompanied by other symptoms of pregnancy, you may want to get a pregnancy test as well.

Why do they call it morning sickness when I feel nauseated all day long?

"Morning sickness" is just an expression. "Nausea and vomiting" is a real symptom of pregnancy, and it can happen any time of day. Many women experience nausea, with or without vomiting, early in the day and as the day goes on, it lessens.

However, not all experiences are typical. Nausea and vomiting can happen in any phase of pregnancy, even though it usually occurs (3/4 of the time) in the first fourteen weeks and then subsides. If this is not the case with you, this does not necessarily mean anything is wrong with you, but you should see your doctor to make sure.

What causes nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy?

Nausea and vomiting can be caused by increase in hormones, such as estrogen and hCG, increased sensitivity to odors, or merely a stomach that is sensitive to the process of pregnancy.

If you are concerned that you might be pregnant, come in and visit us at 1st Way!

1667 High Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401

Call 541.687.8651
or 1-800-848-LOVE

E-mail: firstwayeugene@gmail.com

We'll be happy to help!

Resource- http://www.babycenter.com/morning-sickness

Too much dizziness lately! Is this a normal part of pregnancy?

Dizzy? Worried you might be pregnant? Pregnant? Worried pregnancy might not be normal?

Look no further!

"Dizziness or feeling faint is a normal symptom during pregnancy. It is more common in the first trimester, but it may also be prevalent throughout your pregnancy."
 American Pregnancy Association

Contact your healthcare provider immediately IF
... your dizziness is accompanied by vaginal bleeding and/or pain in your abdomen. This could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, a low-lying placenta, or placental abruption.
You should also contact your health care provider immediately if you have persistent dizziness or dizziness accompanied by blurred vision, headaches, or palpitations; this may be a symptom of severe anemia or some other illness that could have a negative effect on your pregnancy.

More Info About Dizziness- 
Don't stand up too fast. Lie on your back. Drink more water.  Stay cool. Manage stress and anxiety. 

Warning symptoms that you might pass out if you don't lie down immediately-
Besides light headedness, a feeling of warmth, paleness, sweating, nausea, yawning, and hyperventilation.

More details here:
 BabyCenter. com

If you are worried you might be pregnant and would like to talk, come visit us at our Pregnancy Resource Center on 1667 High Street in Eugene. Also, visit our website at 1st-way.org or call 541.687.8651. We offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds. We'll be happy to help you!

Some of the Best College Scholarship Programs for Moms

Did you know that there are lots of college scholarship plans that young mothers may be eligible for?

(1) Soroptimist Award
"The Women’s Opportunity Awards program assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Each year, more than $1.5 million in education grants are awarded to more than 1,000 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence and/or drug and alcohol abuse. Women’s Opportunity Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation.

(2) Scholarships for Moms
'This $10,000 scholarship is an initiative to help all moms who want to complete their education, but don't have the time, money or the support to meet their goal. Whether you're a new mom, single mom or working mother, our scholarship could help you get ahead."

(3) PEO International
 "The P.E.O. Sisterhood is passionate about its mission: promoting educational opportunities for women."

(4) Women's Independence Scholarship Program
"WISP is designed to help women obtain the money they need to attend college and earn a higher education degree. The program is suited for survivors of domestic abuse from an intimate partner such as a spouse or a boyfriend. The program prefers to award scholarship funds to those enrolled state community colleges, state colleges or universities, and technical or vocational schools. Those enrolled in other programs may also apply."

 (5) Lifetime Foundation 
A very unique scholarship fund- They offer educational scholarships in deep appreciation to birth mothers who have chosen adoption for their children. They have enabled others to experience the joy of becoming parents and created futures, not only for those families, but also for their children, for a lifetime.

(6) In Oregon, check out this website of resources for our state!

If you are unexpectedly pregnant and wondering if you will be able to go to or finish college, come by our office at 1st Way and we can tell you more about resources that can help you stay in school!

1667 High Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401

Call 541.687.8651
or 1-800-848-LOVE

Come Visit Our Local 1st Way Center!

Take a look at our local First Way Center! 

We're located at 1667 High St, near downtown and the University of Oregon. 

Walk-Ins Are Welcome!

 First Way is a comfortable place for a woman to go when she needs someone to talk to when she's wondering if she's pregnant.

We offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasound. 


Come in and see us!

Call  541.687.8651.

Unplanned Pregnancies- Successful Moms

Wonderful stories to share today!

Watch or read this powerful interview with Ashlee Bush-
"I felt like I was in movie or a bad dream.  I started to pray, and I kept thinking to myself that this cannot be happening!"
 http://pregnantoncampus.studentsforlife.org/2013/02/12/you-are-not-alone-ashlees-story/

UK Magazine- Ask a Mum-
Real Life Experiences with Unplanned Pregnancies
http://www.askamum.co.uk/Pregnancy/Search-Results/Real-life-experiences/Unplanned-pregnancies-/

What to Expect- Forum for Unplanned Pregnancy
 http://www.whattoexpect.com/forums/young-moms/archives/22-yrs-old-unplanned-pregnancy-story.html

Improving Friendships During Pregnancy

I did a little research around the web today about how to be a better friend when one of you has an unplanned pregnancy.

What should you do if a good friend is suddenly and unexpectedly pregnant? Do you know how to help and support her? This video and article comes from the UK.

http://www.videojug.com/film/what-to-do-when-your-friend-gets-pregnant

What should you do if you become unexpectedly pregnant and your old friends start to avoid you?

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/ask-heidi/week-29/friendships.aspx

How do friends often feel when they find out you're pregnant? (The author feels betrayed and abandoned and she has a hard time dealing with her feelings.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/claire-bidwell-smith/pregnancy-friend-pregnant_b_1542191.html

Understanding what your friend is going through, whether you or she becomes pregnant, is a foundational step in keeping your friendships strong during the time you need them most- especially during the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy.

Great Web Resources for Young Moms

It's more trendy lately to wait until later in life to have children, in order to get a head start on a career or to build financial stability, but sometimes life has a whole new idea- You have an unplanned pregnancy while in college or in your early twenties.

Check out some great things that have been created by other young women, when life threw them a surprise. These are some impressive ladies!

Picture above is from tinybluelines.com

Early Mama

This website, "Early Mama" is for those women who choose to have their babies earlier. The website offers support and inspiration for mothers both married and single. The site is run by Michelle Horton, a 26-year-old mother, wife, and optimist.  she now spends her days as a work-from-home writer. She writes daily for Babble.com, Disney Baby, and mom.me, and she has a weekly column with Parenting Magazine.She's also been published at The Huffington Post, CNN.com,  SELF Magazine, Yahoo! Shine, The Stir, the Etsy blog, and several book anthologies. She was named a Cision Most Influential Mama in 2012, Café Mom named Early Mama one of the “10 Blogs That Will Change the Way You Look at Motherhood,” and Early Mama has been cited in The Huffington Post and Psychology Today.

http://www.earlymama.com/

The Young Mommy Life

Here's another great one, very similar to "Early Mama." It's called, "The Young Mommy Life."

Tara Pringle Jefferson is the founder and editor of TheYoungMommyLife.com, one of the first websites created specifically for young mothers’ concerns. She is an author, social media consultant and young parent advocate. Created in 2008, The Young Mommy Life has been featured on Sirius XM, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Ebony magazine, WhatToExpect.com, and BlackAmericaWeb.com for its realistic portrayal of young motherhood and all it entails. With readers logging on from South Africa to London to Brazil, The Young Mommy Life is a global movement for changing how young mothers are perceived in the media, by policymakers, and in our communities.

http://www.theyoungmommylife.com/

Tiny Blue Lines

This next site, "Tiny Blue Lines," is impressive too. The site is by Chaunie, a freelance writer, speaker, labor and delivery nurse, and an advocate for women facing unexpected pregnancy. She's the mom to two little girls and one "adorably chunky little man." And she's writing the book on young motherhood.

http://www.tinybluelines.com/

I Didn't Plan this Pregnancy- What Should I do?

Every day in America...

• 16,438 women become pregnant
• 8,219 women experience an unplanned pregnancy

As you can see, if you didn't plan your pregnancy, you are definitely not alone. About half of all pregnancies in America aren't planned. 

But, sometimes the best things in life happen when we're making other plans! The situation you're in might not be ideal, but what is? 

Here are some good resources to check out right now on the web-

How To Plan for an Unplanned Pregnancy

Help from Women's Health.gov

Parenting.com Unplanned Pregnancy Forum

Most people struggle with what to do in unplanned pregnancy because of financial worries. Ask yourself whether you would want to give birth if you could afford it?

There ARE ways to afford it. There are people who want to help you.

First Way of Eugene, Oregon is a great place to go to find out about the resources in our community that can help make sure your needs and the baby's needs are well taken care of. Also, take a look at our resource page!

Come and visit First Way
 1667 High Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401

Call 541.687.8651 

Hours: M-Th 10-4 and Fri 11-2

Here's some other information for people struggling with financial issues

Statistics from-
American Pregnancy Association
 http://americanpregnancy.org/about

Unplanned Pregnancy? You need emotional support!

Pregnant? Wondering what to do? Have a friend that is in that situation? We have lots of resources here on the website for you to look at and review.

Send an email: talk2agoodfriend@gmail.com

Interesting- Did you know that if you google "friendship" and "pregnancy," about 70% of the links that come up are about losing friends when women become pregnant? Many of the articles are about how to keep and retain those friends. We at "Talk to a Friend" hope to help you make new friendships as well as maintain those you already have. 

During an unplanned pregnancy, you need intense emotional support from friends. Looking for suggestions? Tips? Follow our blog as we address these concerns over the next few weeks.

Here are a few articles about women who were completely taken off guard by unplanned pregnancy, worked through the emotional chaos and confusion and their lives are even better as a result.

How I Unexpectedly Had Four Kids!

http://moms.popsugar.com/How-I-Unexpectedly-Had-4-Kids-27333211?ref=25506583

Unplanned Pregnancy Announcements- How do family and friends respond?
http://pregnancy.about.com/u/ua/announcingyourpregnancy/Your-Family-And-Friends-Reaction-To-Your-Pregnancy-Announcement.htm

Check back regularly for more news, articles, information, friendship and support!

Give us a call at 541.687.8651 if you live in Eugene, Oregon and would like to come in for a pregnancy test or ultrasound or just to talk about what's going on.

Unplanned Pregnancy? Here's some inspiration!

 First finding out you're pregnant when you didn't plan to be can be a really scary thing! You may ask yourself, "What will happen to my career? Relationships? World?"

For those freaking out or who just want some comfort, here are a few inspirational quotes!

A grand adventure is about to begin." - Winnie the Pooh

"We have a secret in our culture, it's not that birth is painful, it's that women are strong." - Laura Stavoe Harm

"Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again every time a child is born." - George Bernard Shaw

"All the time we wondered and wondered, who is this person coming, growing, turning, floating, swimming deep, deep inside." - Crescent Dragonwagon

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone." - Author Unknown

 "Anything I've ever done that ultimately was worthwhile…initially scared me to death." - Betty Bender

 More Quotes Here:
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/blogs/a/Quotes-For-Pregnancy.htm