Whether a woman is trying to get pregnant, already is pregnant, or just gave birth, there are two things on her mind: The first is her baby, and the second is her body.

Women everywhere fret about how pregnancy affects the way her body looks, feels, moves and recovers from those long 40 weeks and the grueling sprint to the “finish line.” For some, pregnancy is a license to relax and indulge. For others, it’s a battle of insecurity as the numbers on the scale go up and her energy levels go down.

The old assumption that pregnant women are too fragile for a real fitness routine is not true, says personal trainer Ian Hart, owner of EarthFIT in Beaufort. Hart shared with us some insight into the best ways a woman should approach fitness before, during and after pregnancy.

Emily Campbell of Bluffton and her husband, Lewis, spent their entire marriage preparing for her to take the role of stay-at-home mom.

Most parents have at least nine months to emotionally and financially prepare for the reality of their new addition. But the Campbells' story is a little different. They adopted a little girl, and had less than a month to prepare when the adoption was approved.

As much fun as it is to point that registry gun at your favorite store, how do you know you're selecting the items you'll really need and use? For first-time moms or for those who have been out of the game for awhile, it’s important to seek guidance from other moms to discover which tools of the trade are the most important. As I’ve learned from trial and error, there is no right or wrong when it comes to baby items but some just work better than others. And there are those must-needed items that no mom should be without.

As a new mother, taking time to develop a workout routine might seem impossible. But building up an exercise regimen before and after baby will get you looking like your pre-pregnancy self and help you feel like the person you were before swollen ankles and lower back pain took over.

Always check with your doctor before working out, but most say it is safe to continue working out while you’re pregnant if it’s already part of your routine and to get back into a workout routine at least six weeks post-partum. Here are some tips to help you get started.

 Congratulations, you are about to embark on an amazing journey. It is a journey in which you will learn more things about the female body than you ever (likely) wanted to know.
I advise you to keep that to yourself.

Yes, be disgusted and silent. Be awe-stricken and steady. Be shocked and stoic. For as the partner of a pregnant woman your mission is clear: Shut up and thank God that you are man, and for the love of God don’t say that out loud.

When our moms were pregnant, their nursery décor decisions consisted of pink, blue or yellow and elephants or Teddy bears. For modern parents, designing the nursery can take more time, thought and effort than any other room in the house.

Often, the nursery comes to mean more than the place where your precious bundle of joy will sleep. It reflects your parenting style. Are you trendy or traditional? Do you want to incorporate the latest finds in furniture and color or do you prefer nostalgia?