Ask a Groovy Gal (Bump Watch)

ASK A GROOVY GAL
TFG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JILLIAN SWARTZ ANSWERS YOUR PREGNANCY QUESTIONS

I am pregnant and tempted to buy one of those delicious-looking chocolate bars every time I see them at Whole Foods. What's the latest on chocolate-consumption while pregnant?—Ellen, Newton, MA

I ate chocolate like it was going out of style while pregnant. I did my best to buy bars with higher cacao content; loaded with antioxidants, they are considered healthier for you. I felt like I had a free pass to indulge because a study had just come out about the benefits of eating chocolate while preggers—lucky me! According to this 2004 Finnish study, babies born to women who had been eating chocolate daily during pregnancy were more active and positively reactive, a measurement that includes such traits as smiling and laughter than the babies whose mommies abstained. The researchers couldn't rule out the possibility that the babies' behaviors might be linked to other factors; but they suspect that babies of the chocolate-munching moms experienced a similar rise in serotonin, a known chemical reaction in the brain caused by chocolate consumption, as did their moms. As with anything health-related, you should ask your doctor for his/her stance on chocolate consumption before over-indulging in the sweet treat.

If you're looking for a great chocolatier, we love Charles Chocolates (www.charleschocolates.com). They've got great chocolate clubs that make for a unique and tasty baby shower gift (it's expensive, but you could split it with some of your friends) or super indulgent gift-to-self.

What are the hot maternity jeans this summer?—Stacey, Miami, FL
Maternity jeans seem to be the latest badge of pregnancy cool. It seems like every month, there's a new brand vying for top honors as the denims to dig. Right now the hot, hot, hottest ones are any style by Serfontaine (pictured: Serfontaine Low Pro Boot Cut Jean, $196) and Habitual (pictured: Habitual Knocked Up Jeans, $185). I also love these Black Skinny Rocker Jeans by Momzee ($129). The price is right and the look is sizzling this summer. (All jeans available on www.unbuttonedmaternity.com)

Does THE FAMILY GROOVE have a favorite baby how-to book?—Laura, Fort Lauderdale, FL

There are so many baby's first year guides on the market today. Most tell you, more or less, what you already know instinctively, but are too dang sleep deprived to recall. I quite like the The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips and Advice on First-Year Maintenance ($14.95. www.shopintuition.com) by pediatrician Louis Borgenicht, MD, and his son, Joe Borgenict because it was chock-full of need-to-know info presented in an easy-to-follow, non-daunting manner.

A dear friend of mine loaned me her copy recently, just as an FYI. It was interesting to read it after the fact (since Scarlett is the ripe, old age of two now), especially since I don't remember what I read when I was in the new baby trenches. As I mentioned, the manual was very informative, answering most of the common and not-so-common new parent panic-stricken questions. Good info aside, I liked it because it was funny, self-aware and slightly ironic. Humor is the next best thing to sleep when it comes to mustering the ability to weather the biggest change of your life: changing diapers.

Click here to read about Jillian's life in the 'hood—motherhood.