by Wendy Bulawa

Created on: April 27, 2010

After news of her pregnancy is made public, the pregnant gal undergoes a major transformation. The woman that previously held down a steady job, kept her finger on the pulse of local events, and volunteered at the local food pantry suddenly becomes overlooked in lieu of the precious cargo she carries.  She waves goodbye to her stiletto heels and designer garb—trading both in for flats and prego gear. Where did the woman underneath the pregnancy go? The reality is that she’s still very much the same gal—but one in need of much deserved TLC whether the pregnancy be her first, second, third, or last. For anyone that knows a pregnant gal, we offer a few ideas to celebrate her:

(1) Make her a drink! Straight from the grocery store shelves to her high ball glass are drinks concocted with nothing more than juice, soda, dairy products, fresh herbs and spices resulting in a Raging Hormone, Materni-tini, Chocolate Crave or Preggatini. Two recipe books: Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be and Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Mom-to-Be both retail from Amazon.com for under $12. Newton, Mass. resident Alyssa Gusenoff, the aptly named ‘Margarita Mama,’ and ‘Liquid Muse’ Natalie Bovis-Nelsen have both created unique, sometimes frozen, mocktails for mom-to-be so that she can enjoy the cocktail party minus the alcohol—but never know its missing.

(2) Give that woman some chocolate! Seriously, what woman could ever turn down chocolate? Granted, it carries with it a teeny level of caffeine, but the pleasure it brings upon digestion certainly outweighs caffeine concerns. Perfect for the lady with a ‘bon bon’ in the oven are South n’ France bon bons which blend Southern flavors (Café’ au Lait, Peanut Buttah, Cookies ‘n Crème, among others) within handmade and hand-dipped French bon bons. A perfect sized portion (8 bon bons) retails for $15.50. Or, for a jolt of sugar that makes her look better, gift your gal pal Hot Chocolate Sugar Scrub by Giovanni Organic Body Care. Known as the leader in all-natural body care, Giovanni creates an irresistible recipe of organic botanicals and essential oils in a scrub that exfoliates and soothes the skin. With an aroma of candied cocoa, the sugar scrub is guilt-free and nourishes the skin leaving it regenerated, refreshed and glowing. Hot Chocolate Sugar Scrub retails for $13.95 at www.giovannicosmetics.com.

(3) Order her Mom Calling

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