Showing posts with label prenatal health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prenatal health. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Ectopic Pregnancy - An Ectopic Pregnancy May Prove Fatal!

Pregnancy by itself can be a very stressful time for the mother-to-be. Add to that, all the complications that can occur during the gestation period, and it all becomes too much to handle! One complex situation that can arise is an "ectopic pregnancy" or a "tubal pregnancy", which if left untreated for long, can prove to be a life-and-death situation for the mother with child.

Neither of the couple is responsible for the ectopic pregnancy; it is just a mysterious quirk of nature. The pregnancy has to be terminated and this news brings grief to all concerned - the parents-to-be, other family members, relatives and friends. All the same, it is important that proper care is taken to ensure that the woman continues to remain healthy and fertile.

But before we go into the details of uncommon symptoms to watch out for, let us define an ectopic pregnancy, at least for the benefit of first-time pregnant women. When the egg is fertilized, it has to naturally implant itself in the uterus. In this case, it gets implanted either in the cervix or ovaries or fallopian tubes. The commonest 'outside place' for the fertilized ovum is the fallopian tubes; hence, another name for ectopic pregnancy is "tubal pregnancy".

This unusual condition can herald problems even before the woman is aware that she is carrying a child. For instance, she can experience such intense abdominal pain that she has to rush to a doctor for treatment. Other signs she can present with are low back pain, dizziness, and breakthrough bleeding or spotting. A sample of her urine is therefore taken to test for different hormones and chemicals present in the body. This is sufficient to reveal a positive pregnancy.

Now that the doctors know that the woman is pregnant, they have to look for the cause of her present symptoms. A pelvic exam is in the offing. An ultrasound can only be attempted after one and a half months or after six weeks. Of course, once the doctors suspect an ectopic pregnancy, the patient is put under close surveillance for they are well aware that the mother-to-be could lose her life if she is not careful, or possibly lose her fertility. A live birth is simply not possible! It is therefore imperative that close family members and friends understand the mother's agony and treat her with utmost respect.

As far as treatments go, the advancement of medical science has made ectopic pregnancy easier to deal with. Depending on how far advanced the pregnancy is, a suitable method of treatment is chosen.

If the problem is detected early, an injection is given to dissolve the fertilized egg; it is then reabsorbed into the woman's body. The reproductive organs are neither harmed nor scarred, ensuring that fertility is left intact. Surgery may be warranted for a long-term problem. Laser treatment is popular today as it can lessen the damage caused to the pregnant woman's body. Even after treatment, the patient's hormone levels are monitored for at least 3 months to ensure that no signs of an ectopic pregnancy have remained.

Abhishek has seen many childbirths in his huge family! Visit www.Childbirth-Guru.com and Download Abhishek's FREE Report "How To Dress And Look Your Best During Pregnancy!". If you are an expecting mother, or have just delivered, you can get some very valuable information about Pregnancy and Childbirth. But hurry, only limited Free copies available! www.Childbirth-Guru.com

Understanding Pregnancy Labor Stages

There are four Pregnancy labor stages in the childbirth process depending upon the changes in the uterus and cervix.

Stage 1

Starts with the beginning of labor, till the time when the cervix is 100 percent effaced and dilated to 10 centimeters.
Time period for first time mothers ranges from 10-14 hours.

Stage 2

Starts when the cervix is fully effaced and ends with the birth of the baby.
Time period for first time mothers ranges from 1-2 hours.

Stage 3

Starts with the birth of the baby till the placenta is delivered.
Time period for all vaginal deliveries range from 5-15 minutes.

Stage 4

Starts with the delivery of the placenta till 1-2 hours after delivery.
Prodomal Labor or Early Labor Pains- A Part Of The Pregnancy Labor Stages
These early pains can last from a few hours to several days. During this stage the cervix softens and the baby settles in the cervix. You may have false pains, which are irregular, strong or mild at times. This is just a way for the body to prepare itself for the childbirth process. So don't worry, relax, eat well and get all the rest you can get. Be confident of your body, it knows what it's doing.

What Happens In The Pregnancy Labor Stages?

The baby moves through the pelvis and the birth canal, which can take from 15 minutes to several hours.

The urge to push gets stronger as the baby moves further in the birth canal.
You may feel a stretching, burning, stinging feeling near the vaginal opening just before the baby is born. This is a sure shot sign- you are there.
When the baby's head emerges out, it turns to one side to accommodate the shoulders and the rest of the body slips out.

What Can Be Done To Help?

Just go with the flow and do what feels right. Taking deep breaths help through the contractions.
Make sounds according to what you feel helps.

It is important for the partner or family to be encouraging, quiet and supportive. Shouting will only make things worse.

Changing positions such as squatting, side pushing help if the progress is slow.
Warm compresses on your abdomen may help. It helps in relieving tension in the perineum.
It is very natural to have labor pains in pregnancy. They guide you through the labor. It always better to be equipped with knowledge so reading, researching a bit on the pregnancy labor stages will definitely help.

The childbirth process includes four pregnancy labor stages. It is very natural to have labor pains in pregnancy. There can also be false labor pains or early labor pains sometimes. Going with the flow of your body helps during the labor stage pains.For more information visit pregnancy.

Early Pregnancy Back Pain

Normal and short-term phenomenon

Early pregnancy back pain is a normal phenomenon in early pregnancy. Most of the expectant mothers witness some degree of back pain during the early phase of pregnancy and this pain generally subsides after about 20 weeks. Back pain or spasm, which is reflected by stretching of muscles or burning pain in the left or the right side of the quadrant, is normally the result of the softening of the supporting ligaments and disks due to an increase in the progesterone hormone during the early phase of pregnancy. In some cases, urinary infection during pregnancy can also result in back pain amongst pregnant women. The extra weight of a pregnant women's body and the change in her centre of gravity also result in backaches and back pain.

Remedies for Pregnancy Back Pain

The most important and safe remedy for the treatment of early pregnancy back pain is exercising. This is mainly because certain medications for back pain are contraindicated during early pregnancy. Walking, pelvic rocking, bridging (done by lying down on the floor, bending your knees and lifting your buttocks into air), mini-crunches (done by lying down on the floor), bending your knees and lifting your head on exhalation, are good exercises for relief from pack pain during early pregnancy. Pregnant women do these exercises on their own relieve back pain during their pregnancy.

The right body posture and good body mechanics also play an important role in keeping one free of early pregnancy back pain. The right posture for prevention of back pain early pregnancy is standing straight and tall. However, the importance for correct postures is as essential in early pregnancy as before that. However, in late pregnancy, as the uterus becomes big, one tends to pull back her shoulders to offset the additional weight, which results in a back strain. You can reduce back pain during later stages of pregnancy in such a position by frequently changing your sitting position and avoiding standing for long periods.

Adequate rest and sleep are also essential for avoiding or eliminating early pregnancy back pain. You should take proper rest and avoid strenuous activities to avoid back pain during your pregnancy. You can also do normal yoga exercises to eliminate minor back pain. However, if the back pain persists you should consult your doctor and take proper medication for relief from back pain during pregnancy. In some cases of back pain during pregnancy, doctors may prescribe physiotherapy for back pain relief. Massages and use of special mattresses are also effective for back pain relief during pregnancy.

Signs of pregnancy are a signal of joy for a couple. Pregnancy back pain is a most common pregnancy symptom.For more on early symptoms of pregnancy and other pregnancy problems information, visit, Pregnancy-Period.Com

First Month Pregnancy Symptoms - Will You Survive Them?

Although it's best to know that you are pregnant at the earliest possible time, particularly because you'll be able to nourish the baby better during this critical stage, not knowing that you are pregnant until after eight or so weeks could strangely be a boon as you would have gotten over the first month pregnancy symptoms without even knowing what they are.

As they say, what you don't know won't hurt you - and this applies to women who become so traumatized with first month pregnancy symptoms. Actually, they can be tolerable if you know which things to avoid and if you learn how to condition yourself to ignore them.

How to get through the first month pregnancy symptoms

Pregnancy doesn't have to be a frightening experience. Once you know what the nature of the first month pregnancy symptoms are and how long they would last, you will be able to better cope with them and welcome the newcomer in your womb more warmly.

One of the first month pregnancy symptoms is nausea or intermittent dizziness. A majority of pregnant women experience the so-called "morning sickness" which is characterized by a queasy feeling in the stomach often accompanied by vomiting. Although it most often occurs as soon as you wake up in the morning, nausea can be experienced any time of the day.

This first month pregnancy symptom can be neutralized by sucking sour candy or sniffing smelling salts or ammonia. Nausea can be triggered by various smells which are unpleasant for the pregnant woman. Mild headaches can be relieved by drinking cold water. Although there are safe paracetamol medications, you should always consult your doctor before taking any medication while you are pregnant.

Morning sickness last until around your third month of pregnancy until it disappears completely. Most first month pregnancy symptoms are brought about by the hormonal changes that simultaneously happen due to your delicate condition.

Having tender breasts, or experiencing soreness and heaviness, is another first month pregnancy symptom, as is experiencing pain in the lower part of your abdomen. These symptoms, though, are also present during PMS, so many pregnant women confuse them as signs of an upcoming menstrual period.

Mood swings are also common first month pregnancy symptoms. You easily get irritated and the little things that you used to brush off now become magnified. Again, these are brought on by the secretion of pregnancy-related hormones in your body.

In terms of weight, not all women experience an increase in girth around the midsection. A few, in fact, even lose weight - probably because another first month pregnancy symptom is loss of appetite. After a few months, however, your appetite will return and you will undoubtedly be eating much more than your regular intake in order to nourish the developing baby.
You can also find more info on pregnancy and birth and pregnancy clothes.

Pregnancyhelpblog.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about pregnancy.

Exercise During Pregnancy Helps You Keep Healthy

If you pregnant, it is natural that you will have several questions in your mind about pregnancy symptoms, exercise, diet and what to do and what not to do while pregnant. Moreover, the first thing that comes to your mind is whether it is safe to exercise during pregnancy, as you want to stay fit and in shape but without compromising on the health of your unborn baby.

Myth Broken

It is a myth that exercises can be harmful to the unborn as well as the mother. In fact, physical movements are beneficial for both the mother and the child, as it not only reduces physical discomfort, but also reduces stress and labor length. Here is a list of general frequently asked questions with answers about exercise during pregnancy:

Is It Safe To Do Workouts?

Working out while being pregnant is not only safe but also healthy, provided you do not have any complications during the pregnancy period. However, it is recommended to consult your doctor or mid-wives and take their approval.

Why Is Exercise Necessary?

As per a research, working out or mild exercise during pregnancy helps in reducing backaches and swelling of ankles, and constipation, which are some of the most common problems faced by pregnant women. In addition, it also gives energy and makes you feel fresh.

Does Exercise Help During Pregnancy?

The answer is 'Yes'. Exercising promotes muscles, strength, and endurance, thereby, helping the mother to carry the weight gained during this period.

I Do A Rigorous Workout. Is It Safe?

According to a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, healthy, well-conditioned women who exercised before pregnancy may continue to do so throughout pregnancy, without compromising their baby's health or development.

For How Long Should I Exercise?

The workout should be approximately 45 minutes long and should include warm-ups, the actual workout and cool downs.

What Precautions Do I Need To Take While Exercising, As I Had Never Worked Out Before?
Talk to doctor or midwife, and as far as you have the permission to proceed from them, you can engage yourself in mild exercise, like walking or swimming.

Immediately After The Birth Of My Child, What Exercises Can I Do To Regain My Shape?
Make sure you are physically ready before you start with the process of regaining you shape. Once you think you are fit to start with the exercise, begin with stretching and firming exercises and then gradually adding to the second set of exercises.
Just remember that you need to follow normal exercise safety aspects like, drinking lots of water, stopping immediately if you feel any pain etc. Most importantly, remember to speak to your doctor before starting any exercise regime.

Under the supervision of a doctor, exercise during pregnancy can be highly beneficial. The unwanted pregnancy symptoms can be greatly overcome if pregnant women opt to exercise. For more information please visit pregnancy

Pregnancy Issues - 3 Unmistakable Signs And Symptoms

A long while before pregnancy is confirmed through medical pregnancy test(s), the body of most women show major signs of pregnancy like missing periods, sensitive skin, continuous nausea, vomiting or a bigger appetite. These are just a few of the many symptoms of early pregnancy, however these signs differ from woman to woman. Outlined below are 3 unmistakable early signs of pregnancy.

1. General fatigue: Some of the early signs of pregnancy may not be immediately noticed in some women because of the similar changes that take place in a woman during her monthly cycles. Body weakness or fatigue, a great loss of energy and a lack of desire to do anything that demands too much effort. These signs of pregnancy are caused by the change of body chemistry and hormones in the body as it prepares to welcome a new life. A number of women who do notice these signs early enough take the necessary precautions prescribed by their doctor.


2. Tenderness of breasts: Nature has its own way of preparing a woman for nurturing her baby and for motherhood by causing a change in the breasts. These changes could also be found with the PMS syndrome but the difference is that this tenderness in the breasts last till the baby's delivery. Swelling and soreness in the breasts is caused by the uncontrollable hormonal changes taking place in the body which are also early signs of pregnancy.

3. Slight spotting before periods: When the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine wall, there is a slight bleeding or a pinkish discharge from the vagina. This is a rare but important sign of pregnancy and it happens before the due period date.

This is known as spotting.

Well, there you have it. Just remember though: Once the pregnancy is confirmed maintain a weekly pregnancy calendar to record the growth and progress of the embryo to babyhood. This also helps in keeping track of your due date, baby's development and mother's health starting from the day you discover the first sign of pregnancy.

When the early signs of pregnancy has been discovered, it is advisable to start keeping a weekly pregnancy calendar that will have information about the changes in your body and how close you are to your due date and ultimately what is happening to your baby.

To your successful delivery!

Visit our website today for extra resources and Information on Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms. Here are just a few of the many important things you 'll learn when you visit: Discover the signs of ovulation and the most fertile time in your cycle; Find out what to do when you want to get pregnant; Learn the very best ways to test at home to see if you're pregnant; Learn how to date your pregnancy And a whole lot more!

Maternity Wear - Trendy Maternity Wear For The Fashion-Conscious Woman!

The doctor gives you the good news - "a bundle of joy is about to arrive!" It is definitely a cause for celebration. But just a little later, just like any other woman, your thoughts turn to the clothes you will have to wear for the entire length of your pregnancy! And that is when apprehensions sets in, for you have never seen maternity wear that is attractive or stylish till now!

But don't lose heart! A number of fashion designers took note of the dismal scene and felt the need to bring out trendy clothes for a mother-to-be. They did go ahead with their plans and have succeeded in giving a whole new meaning to the concept of maternity wear! The year of unfolding their banner is 2007.

Not only is maternity wear available at local malls, but it is also being presented on the World Wide Web. Plenty of web sites have devoted themselves to the cause of displaying colorful patterns and styles. So the choice is vast!

The early months of pregnancy are not so difficult and do not really need any special kind of maternity clothes. The former skirts and tops can still be worn comfortably. If necessary, pants and jeans can become a part of your new wardrobe. Pants do give more room at the waist! In fact, designers like Seven For Mankind and Citizen of Humanity have come up with eye-catching maternity jeans for people like you (if you have a soft corner for jeans and would love to wear them most of the time).

While shopping for jeans and tops, bear in mind that it is not considered fashionable for the pregnant woman to be exhibiting too much of flesh! Low-cut jeans or midriff tops are unacceptable. Modesty receives a high ranking.

If you are a working woman, you may wish to continue to work till you reach an advanced stage of pregnancy. The best maternity wear for you is therefore the maternity suit. There is a large variety available, stitched in various patterns and using different fabrics. The suit should be roomy enough to allow further growth during pregnancy, but at the same time should not be oversized.

Even if you are far advanced into your pregnancy, there is maternity wear with more consideration for enlarging waistlines. The designer, Anna Sui, has brought out baby-doll dresses for this purpose. A yoke dress flatters the silhouette. So do ponchos.

Unlike yesteryears where the woman tended to feel a little shy about her pregnant status being noticed, today's women flaunt it openly! And this includes Hollywood stars! And so, to help you show off your changing shape to the best advantage, modern maternity wear has come to your rescue!

Abhishek has seen many childbirths in his huge family! Visit www.Childbirth-Guru.com and Download Abhishek's FREE Report "How To Dress And Look Your Best During Pregnancy!". If you are an expecting mother, or have just delivered, you can get some very valuable information about Pregnancy and Childbirth. But hurry, only limited Free copies available! www.Childbirth-Guru.com

Pregnancy and Foot Care

Pregnancy is one of the best feeling a woman experience in her life, however there are some changes in body leads to some symptoms like morning sickness, loss of sleep, heartburn, eructation, constipation hemorrhoids, backache, edema on leg etc. Some of these symptoms and conditions are minor and do not require any treatment they can be alleviated with appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes. Commonly ignored problem during pregnancy regarding foot care sometime become very troublesome for mother.
As woman enjoy watching the bump grow week from week, month to month, but sometimes it comes with weight gain and water retention, which leads to the discomfort on her feet. Healthy weight gain during pregnancy can alter a woman's centre of gravity. This causes a new weight-bearing stance and adds pressure on feet and knees and that needs more attention while lifting anything, walking etc.
Common foot problems experienced by pregnant woman are over-pronation or flattening of the arch, and edema. These problems can lead to pain at the heel, arch, or the ball of the foot. Many women may also experience cramps in leg, lower back pain, and varicose veins due to weight gain.
There are many easy steps pregnant woman can adopt to treat her feet complaint
• Drink a lot of water. Swelling increases when dehydrated. • Limit salt intake. Foods high in salt can cause water retention• Eat a well-balanced diet and include foods high in protein, such as beans, cheese, fish, and meat, chicken.• Keep watch on weight. Gaining more weight than recommended in pregnancy can increase swelling on feet.• Try to avoid standing for long periods of time. If you need to stand for prolonged periods, be sure to take a break whenever possible to sit and put your feet up. • Elevate your feet as often as possible if there is swelling on feet.• Sleep on your side, not your back. This relieves pressure on the vena cava, the largest vein that leads to your heart. Otherwise, the pressure slows the blood returning from the lower body.• Wear shoes and socks that are spacious and do not constrict the feet. Avoid high heel shoes
Thus by making few changes foot complaints during pregnancy are alleviated.
Dr.Tabassum Patel
(Homoeopath)
http://moinhealthcare.com

Pregnancy Weight Gain - How Much Should You Really Gain?

Pregnancy weight gain is essential during pregnancy. It is critical to the health of your baby that you gain the appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy. Different people need to gain different amount. I am going to break it down as best as I can so that you don't have to guess when it comes to pregnancy weight gain.
Weight gain really differs from person to person. If you start out at a healthy weight when you get pregnant, you should look at gaining anywhere from 20-30 pounds throughout your entire pregnancy. If you are under weight, you should look at gaining a little more, usually in the 35 pounds range. And, if you are overweight when you get pregnant, your goal should be around 10-15 pounds gained throughout your pregnancy.
Pregnancy is not an excuse to eat anything that you want and gain weight just because you are pregnant. It is really important that you eat healthy and gain weight in the right areas of the body. This will involve exercise and healthy eating throughout each trimester. If you do not watch your weight, you can expect to gain double the amount that is recommended making labor harder and losing weight after labor really hard.
You should gain around 5 pounds during your first trimester, and around 1 pound per week during your second and third trimester. If you are underweight, you should try to gain around 8 pounds during the first trimester, and a little over a pound per week for the second and third trimesters. If you are overweight, you should gain around 3 pounds the first trimester and around 1 pound every other week during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
A lot of women like to use the excuse that just because they are pregnant, they can eat what they want. This is very bad and can cause problems down the road and after labor. If you eat healthy and exercise during pregnancy, you can expect to have an easier labor and be able to lose your pregnancy weight faster after delivery. You will be down to your normal weight before you know it.
Some things to keep an eye on are either gaining too much weight too fast, or not gaining enough weight. If you find that you have gained over 5 pounds in one week and you are eating right, you need to get checked by the doctor. This could be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a very serious disease.
On the other side of the table, if you are not gaining any weight at all, make sure that you get checked out by a doctor. Weight gain is essential during pregnancy. It could be normal, however, to not gain any weight one week, but gain 2 pounds the next. This is still normal, but you will want to keep your doctor informed of what is going on.
Did you know that it is really easy to stay within your ideal birth weight? Get a copy of the Pregnancy Weight Guide. It is full of great info, and best of all, it is free. Good luck and congrats on the pregnancy.

Pregnancy Test - This Technique Will Help You Instantly Discover If You Are Pregnant!

Pregnancy Test: The Initial assessment.
There is a hormone that is produced in your body almost a week after your periods or a few days after the fertilized egg has been rooted in the wall of your uterus, this hormone is called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG).

The human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone is detected by a Pregnancy test. This test is taken to measure the amount of the hormone HCG in your blood or urine which in turn determines whether you are pregnant. This step is necessary to confirm that you are pregnant and your symptoms are a result of that pregnancy.

Pregnancy Test: The Kit.

There are many ways to use a pregnancy kit but improper use of these kits can cause negative results especially when there is a baby in the womb. It is advisable that care is taken to ensure that you consult with your doctor and do regular check ups to confirm the state of your body. There are a number of pregnancy kits available today with different easy-to-use methods but one of the basic criteria used to determine accuracy and give you the desired result, is to collect a urine sample early in the morning when the HCG in the body is still pure.

The pregnancy kit contains a little strip that you dip into the urine you've collected and depending on the kit you buy the results will either show a positive sign (+), a purple or pinkish line showing that your results are positive or a negative sign (-). In any case, make sure you get medical advice from a qualified personnel if in doubt.

Pregnancy Test: Chemical Pregnancy

There is a hormonal imbalance that takes place in your body that suppresses the normal development of an embryo due to an abnormal increase in the level of HCG in the body. When a Pregnancy test is taken it will show a high level of HCG in urine. This is known as Chemical Pregnancy in which a fertilized egg produces HCG but fails to develop further.

None of these pregnancy test kits are 100% accurate so it is very important to get a doctor to confirm the pregnancy and do the tests recommended to you. Never hesitate to ask questions to clear your doubts and your fears because although this stage in a woman's life is an awesome experience it can be short lived if not properly attended to.

Ensure that you do all in your power to be ready and as prepared as possible for pregnancy.
URGENT!!! Discover these secrets now!

The early stages of pregnancy. Prenatal Testing. Find a detailed example of a typical birth plan questionnaire. The hidden facts about having sex during pregnancy and when to avoid it. Can you still fly and travel? How to deal with Premature labor. The truth about an epidural, Will it cause you to have back problems later? Your baby has jaundice, how would you deal with that? ALL these and more when you visit our website today.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Are Parents Killing Their Infants Unaware?

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) has been a worry on every new parent’s mind for a long time and its cause has been a mystery for just as long. Scientists all over the world claim that SIDS can happen to any infant, anywhere, any time, and there is absolutely nothing the parents can do to stop it. Most parents simply resign themselves to this and say that there is nothing that they can do to stop SIDS from occurring, but the fact is that a new study out of New Zealand claims to know the cause of it.

The answer lies within the crib the child sleeps in! The chemicals of arsenic, phosphorus, and antimony were first manufactured into crib mattresses back in the mid 1900’s and these chemicals are required by law to be in mattresses as a fire retardant. But, it is not just the mattress alone that causes the crib death, the study says. It is only when mold finds its way into the mattress that you begin to have a problem. When Scopulariopsis brevicaulis gets into one of these mattresses that has these chemicals in it, it begins to feed on them and releases them back into the air as toxic fumes or nerve gases. It is activated by heat and so when the baby sleeps on it (or especially when it has a fever), the mold begins to grow more quickly and lets the gases out into the air.

While the gas disperses almost immediately, it is still dangerous for infants to sleep on the mattresses because they are breathing too close to the surface of it. They are breathing these gases while they are still potent and this is what causes crib death.

So, what can you do? Do not use anything in the crib that contains these chemicals and wrap the mattress in plastic to keep these dangerous gases from escaping. It’s best to do this when the mattress is brand new so you know there isn’t any mold in it and if you have an old mattress that was given to you by friends or relatives to use, throw it away. There are special baby mattress wraps that you can use to wrap up your baby’s mattress, but are only available from New Zealand.

Also, use only materials such as 100% Egyptian cotton blankets for your baby to sleep on. Do not use sheepskin, polyester, anything that is quilted, padded, or filled, pillows or cushions. 100% cotton is the best thing to use.

Learn More about mold From the Experts at Mold Remediation U.S.A.

Wives Tales and Pregnancy

It's all great to hear advice during your pregnancy, especially unwelcome advice. I'm sure you've been told by one person or another how to live. Am I right? It only gets worse the further along in your pregnancy you are. Someone will want to tell you that you shouldn't bend, or walk a certain way, not to pick up a baby in case you hurt the one in your stomach or put yourself in labor. As the pregnancy gets closer to the due date you'll be told many different home remedies of how to put yourself in labor. Got a headache? Someone can tell you exactly what to drink to get rid of it without any medication, remember it is important to ask a doctor before trying to take something you've never tried before doing it. But the most fun I have during the course of the 9-10 months stretch is hearing all the wives tales, also known as myths.

I'm pretty sure you aren't going to even care at this point what sex the baby is, all you want is for the morning sickness to stop. You may even be counting down the days until the first trimester is over. Chances are if you morning sickness someone is bound to tell you what sex of the baby is. One wives tale is if you are having severe morning sickness is a sign you are having a girl.

Here's a wives tale that is a lot of fun and you can test it on everyone in your household. Take a thin piece of string or your hair, slide your ring down it, hold it above your belly and let the ring dangle above it. If the rings spins in a circle it is a boy, but if it goes from one side to the other, it is a girl. Once you've tried it out on your tummy, get someone in your house and do it above their hand. Does the ring spin in a circle above your husband's hand? Hmm, is it really and old wives tale or is there really something to it?

Many women claim to suffer from bouts of heartburn during the pregnancy, according to the old wives tell this would mean your baby will be born with a head full of hair.

Right before the end of your first trimester your doctor will listen to your baby's heart rate, this is to make sure the baby is doing alright. The wives tale goes, if the heart rate is high it is a girl and a low one is a boy.

Ever have someone tell you that you are carrying high or low and wonder what that really means? Basically if you are carrying your baby low it is closer to your abdomen, a high baby is closer to your chest. Look at yourself in the mirror. How is your baby sitting? The old tale says that if you are carrying high it is a girl, carrying low is a boy.

Wives tales can be a lot of fun but keep in mind these aren’t fact. Don’t go preparing your child’s room just because one of these told you, you were going to have a girl.

Pregnancy’s Beautiful Stretch Marks

The minute you find out you are pregnant you know things are going to be changing, from your waist size to those little stretch marks that pop up. Stretch marks are exactly that, red or purple marks left in your skin because it has stretched. The most common areas for it to appear is the buttocks, thighs, stomach, breasts and even arms. 90 percent of all pregnant women will get them, whether they get a lot or a few depends on the body and how they are preventing them.

There are a ton of lotions out there that claim to help prevent stretch marks, such as scar serum, cocoa butter or Maderma. Make sure your skin is always moist, this helps in stretching the skin and not tearing it. There are new discoveries every day, ask your doctor what he/she recommends. Try them out yourself first and see if they work for you. This isn’t something you just put on one time during your pregnancy, you’ll have to make this a daily effort in order for it to work. That’s where most women fail, they just stop doing it.

During your pregnancy try to eat healthy and stay in shape. This can help to keep off any access weight. The recommended weight gain for the average, 25-35 healthy pregnancy is 25-35 pounds. Make sure you drink plenty of water, staying hydrated helps keep the skin healthy. The moment your skin dries out you can begin getting stretch marks.

If you’ve had one or more children your chances of getting more stretch marks will increase. Your skin has already been stretched out and you are about to do it again. Large babies and multiple babies can increase your chances of getting stretch marks too. Begin using preventing creams and lotions with vitamins A and E in them, as soon as you find out your are pregnant and try to lessen your chances of getting them.

After the pregnancy if you have any stretch marks you may still have a few stretch marks, even after all the care you took. These do fade over time, so don’t worry about the way you look. If they are unbearable to you and you’ve waited a while, you can choose to have a tummy tuck or laser removal. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to see what he/she has to tell you. You may discover that you can live with them after all.

Besides caring for your skin daily and eating right, there isn’t much you can do to prevent these beautiful pregnancy marks, however this doesn’t mean you don’t have to try. Take comfort in knowing that half the woman you know that have been pregnant probably have a mark or two, they may even have a little road map. Think about it as you’ve just been initiated into the gang of motherhood. No woman should ever feel ashamed of her stretch marks, they may not be the prettiest thing in the world but they do represent one thing…your child. Remember that the next time you are getting disgusted by them.

Staying Fit During Your Pregnancy

Keeping fit during your pregnancy is great for you, not only will it help you keep your body toned but it also can help when it comes time to push that baby out. Every pregnant woman wants to be able to go back to her pre-pregnancy weight after the baby is born, but the only way to do that is to make sure you can. By excising or working out every day you are making sure you don’t add fat to your body. During labor it’ll be much easier to push the baby if you’ve been strengthening your leg and stomach muscles. Who knows, it may even make labor a little bit shorter. Isn’t that what we all want?

Plus when you are tired and just feeling a little blue, just by exercising you actually increase your energy.

Here are a few quick things you can do to stay fit during pregnancy, without really having to break out a sweat. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of yoga, this is a very good thing for you to practice, especially if you haven’t always been in the best of shape. Not to worry, there are beginning levels here, you don’t have to jump into the human pretzel right away. Try purchasing a set of small weights that you can use throughout the house, like hand weights or wrist weights that can use while walking. Instead of just laying on the couch while you rest you can be lifting small weights.

Get a chair and try doing a couple crunches, 5 to 10 in the beginning to make sure you don’t pull anything. Don’t worry you can always add to it as the weeks go on.

Try running, walking or jogging outside. Not only will this boost up your energy but it’ll also help get your spirits up, especially if you’ve been inside all day. Remember, if you are going for a walk to always bring a drink with you. You don’t want to dehydrate out there. Always make sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes, before you leave the house. If you didn’t always run, ask your doctor if you can. Sometimes a doctor may suggest you walk around the block at first and increase it from there, if you didn’t always do it before you were pregnant.

If you can you may want to try going for a swim or try bicycling. However, if you find that you are accident prone you may want to stay away from the bike. A bike accident is something that can easily happen, even when you’ve always road a bike. Swimming can help you relax and stay cool. Take a dip in the pool near you, they may even have a swim class for pregnant women in your area. This would be a great way to meet other moms.

Whenever you are doing exercises, make sure you aren’t overdoing it. If you believe you could be stop immediately and take a break. You never want to do anything that’ll harm the pregnancy.

Concerns During Pregnancy

There is nothing more stressful than to have something go wrong during pregnancy. It doesn’t matter if it is your first time being pregnant or your fourth. There are many things to be concerned about during your pregnancy and it is easier when you know what they are.

Vaginal bleeding- This may also known as spotting, but make sure that is what is going on. There is a difference between actively bleeding and spotting. Spotting is lightly bleeding kind of like your period, the blood can be red, pink or even brown. If you are bleeding actively with any pain call your doctor, if you can’t get a hold of him go immediately to the emergency room. Bleeding can be a number of things from implantation, ectopic pregnancy, labor, infection or even miscarriage. Always let your doctor know, so everything can be ruled out, you’ll feel better too.

Stomach pain or cramping- During the pregnancy it may be hard to decipher the difference between a growing pain and an actual stomach pain/cramping. However, if you do get a pain of any sort rest. After a few minutes if it doesn’t subside, call your doctor and describe the pain to him. Don’t worry about it if you find out you only had gas or were having Braxton hicks contractions, at least you know everything is okay with pregnancy.

Gush of liquid- This could mean you are in labor and that your water broke, however if it isn’t close to the time of birth it can be something else. Call your doctor immediately and head for the emergency room.

Dehydration- While you are pregnant it is easy to become dehydrated, especially if you have morning sickness or just don’t drink those 8 glasses of water. If you find yourself pale, dry mouth or dizzy, you could be dehydrated and should be seen by a doctor. Dehydration can cause premature labor and/or distress on the pregnancy.

Painful urination - Could be a urinary tract infection, also known as UTI. This can be easily treated with medication or by drinking lots of fluids and cranberry juice. A urinary tract infection isn’t something to be embarrassed about, it is very common amongst pregnant women. The growing belly pushes against your ureters and makes it harder for it to flow through. Which of course can cause infection. Another way to find out if you have it is if you have a foul odor when you pee.

Pregnancies can be scary enough, there’s no reason to add to it. If you are ever in doubt or have a concern talk with your doctor. It is common that first time moms are worried about many pains that they feel. Never fear calling because you are afraid of waking the doctor up or because you feel silly. Being silly might just save the baby. While you are worrying, you are only causing stress on you and the baby, find out what’s wrong and relieve your anxiety.

Picking a Name Before Your Pregnancy Ends

Choosing a name is one of the most important things you'll have to decide on during your pregnancy. Pick a name that your child is going to love, not something he/she will hate or be made fun of. There are a lot of things to consider when naming your child.

Origin
The origin of a name can help you pick out what name you like best, this also adds a piece of history to your child. Giving your son/daughter an Italian name because their great grandfather originally came over from Sicily will mean a lot to the family. Not to mention your child will always know they’re Italian. This doesn’t mean you can only choose names that go with your heritage, there may be a name out there that belongs to your child that isn’t.

The Sound of the Name:
Names can be hard to pronounce sometimes, not just for other people but for your child as well. Don’t choose a name you have a hard enough time saying, imagine how hard it’ll be for your own child to learn. The spelling can also be a cause for concern. Your child must learn how to spell his/her name, you don’t want a name that has over 20 letters long. Do you think you’d be able to learn to spell that in kindergarten? Think about your child first, sure the name might sound great but make sure it isn’t something that is going to be really hard. This doesn’t mean don’t choose a name that is unique, that is what makes your child stand out. But make sure that is what you really want.

Meaning
Meaning can be another factor when choosing a name, learn what that name means before you pick it. You might want something that means something dear to you. My daughter’s name means pure hope, I thought it was a lovely gesture and it sounded beautiful. Think about choosing a positive meaning for your child, this is the first thing that will be associated with him/her the moment he/she is born.

Gender names
Gender naming is another important issue. Think about if the name sounds like a boy’s name or a girl’s name. There are names that can go either way such as Sam, Erin or Angel.


Nicknames
When picking out a name, don’t forget that your child may end up being called by a nickname because of the name you have chosen. If this is something you don’t want, try picking a name that can’t be shortened. But don’t be surprised if it happens anyways. If you don’t mind, try picking out a name that’ll have a nickname you enjoy.

Last but certainly not least, remember children can be cruel think about the initials your child will have. You don’t want something that it’s initials mean something else. You want your child to be proud of his/her name. Not everyone is going to like the name you have chosen for your child, but as long as it is something you like, your child will like it too.

Morning Sickness During Pregnancy

Morning sickness can be one of your first signs that you are pregnant. This doesn’t always mean that you’ll get sick only in the morning. This can happen, morning, noon or night. It will normally occur in the first trimester or your pregnancy and end by the second, this isn’t the case in all pregnancies though. Some women will continue with it until the very end of term.

Nausea can happen immediately or you may get lucky and have no morning sickness at all. No one is for certain what causes morning sickness, it is a change in the body that happens during pregnancy. Many women seem to get sick after taking the prenatal pill, try taking it later in the day. Your doctor may even advise you to take some other form of vitamin instead of the pill. Always find out first with your doctor before taking anything new or taking yourself off medication, even prenatal pills.

There are a few ways to minimize the sickness, but they don’t work for everyone. Try keeping crackers on hand, I prefer saltines for some reason. Try drinking some ginger ale, it calms the stomach down. Dry cereal is another good thing to eat, your stomach may just be a little bit hungry and trying to tell you. Remember to take small portions, this way you know if it is all going to come up or not. Sleeping is another good way to avoid it, however it will wake you up. Keep yourself hydrated, not only can this make your sickness come but you can become dehydrated and need to go to the emergency room if you aren’t careful.

Smells is another thing that seems to cause morning sickness. Imagine walking into a restaurant and the first thing you smell is grease. Yes, this can easily set it off. Bad smells and even certain tastes, get the feel for your body during the pregnancy and figure out just what sets it off. Knowing how to avoid it, can make a world of difference.

A few reasons you should go to your doctor would be if you begin losing weight because you are constantly sick. If you become dehydrated, faint, look pale, confused or throw up more than four times in a day. Your doctor may be able to prescribe something that will stop it.

Try slowing down a bit, sometimes your body is just exhausted from all the errands you are running and it tries to give you a break. Listen to your body, take a nap, relax and watch a television show…take some time off. If you are looking for remedies for your morning sickness, you may try buying some pregnancy pops. Or if you’d prefer to stay away from the sweets you can wear a bracelet designed to stop morning sickness, they are just like the motion sickness bracelets. They don’t work for everyone but they could work for you.

Stress Free Holidays During Your Pregnancy

Holidays can already be a stressful time, and mix that with pregnancy and hormones and you can be asking for trouble. I’m not meaning for just the pregnant woman either, anyone and everyone in her path. Women already feel the pressure of having that perfect holiday for her family, which is probably why she decides to do 100 things at a time...stressing herself out in the end. However, she doesn’t have to have a stressful holiday. There are five ways to make your holidays something to remember.

Mark the Dates
Go out and buy yourself a calendar for the holidays. Post it up on the wall and start marking dates. You won’t need to stress out because you won’t be double booking yourself. This can also help you in preplanning, mark the day you should send out the holiday cards or buy certain items.

Choosing Your Activities
During the holiday season you are sure to be invited to a couple of parties. It isn’t necessary to attend every one of them. Decide which ones you’ll enjoy the most, maybe two or three and explain to the rest you’ll miss going but need some rest.

Choose Where You’ll Go
Whether you want to stay home for the holidays with your own family or go across country to be with the entire family the decision should be yours. Don’t feel guilty telling them you won’t be making it this year, explain you need rest and traveling isn’t very helpful. You may even want to extend an invitation for the family to come to your house instead.

Designating Jobs
If you’ve decided to have the holidays at your house you can still have a good time. Don’t forget that asking for help is okay. No one expects you to do it all on your own. Do you really have to cook the ham, bake the potatoes, make a cake, clean the house and set up the tree all by yourself? Designate others to help, they'll feel happy you’ve given them something to do instead of sit around waiting while they watch you do it all.

Shopping Time
Shopping during the holiday season can be a nightmare that you don’t need to attempt while pregnant. It’s safer to just stay home during some of those sales. Instead you may want to try shopping online, not only will you be home but you can relax. The only thing you’ll need is a credit card and let your fingers do the work. You can even do all your holiday shopping early and have it delivered right to your front door. All you need to do is wrap it up and hide it in the closet.

Remember the holiday season is all about making memories that’ll last. You may be pregnant but you don’t have to sit at home the whole time stressed out, instead you can actually enjoy yourself with these helpful tips. Don’t forget to take a little time off to do something just for you, after all you deserve it.

A Guide To Your Pregnancy

The first step of your pregnancy, after seeing the little positive stick should to have it confirmed. Call immediately to have a pregnancy test done with your local doctor, you may be in luck and get in that same day or have to wait about a week or two. Patience will become your best friend during this time or your worst enemy, waiting can become a very hard thing when you want to know for sure whether you are or aren't pregnant. More than likely you'll get a phone call a few days later to confirm it.

Set up an appointment to see your OB/GYN or midwife as soon as possible, chances are you'll be meeting his/her staff before you ever meet them. This is the first appointment where your doctor/midwife will want to know all your medical history. If you’ve been pregnant, what types of sicknesses run in your family, etc. If you can, try making sure you know all of this ahead of time, maybe even have it all down on paper so when he/she asks you are prepared. During the days or weeks leading up to this meeting you may have concerns, write them down and ask them. Believe it or not doctors are there to help you, and they’ve been asked every question you can possibly think of. Before leaving your doctor may even give you a bag full of goodies all about being pregnant. Read these, they may prove beneficial and not to mention they’ve got coupons. Your doctor will either give you another appointment or have you set one up before leaving. There are some great books out there if you are really worried about what will happen next or how birth is going to be, check them out at your local library.

Make sure that you get your prenatal vitamins, they are very important during pregnancy. If for some reason you can’t take them, talk with your doctor he/she may be able to prescribe a lower dosage or something else. You’ll get your first ultrasound, also known as US around week 20, this is normally when you find out what sex the baby is. However some doctors like to call it safe and give you an ultrasound around 10-12 weeks just to make sure the baby is in the proper location and all is going well. You will also be asked to take an orange drink that you must drink in five minutes. You’ll wait around for an hour to three hours, at which point your blood gets drawn and you can go home. The test determines if you have or have a chance of getting gestational diabetes.

At first your appointments will be about 4 weeks apart until you hit the 36 week and at that point it’ll be two weeks later and a week later after that until the baby is born. By now you should be preparing to have the baby. Yes, I’m sure you’ll have some anxiety towards the end of your pregnancy. You’ve went this far, it’s time you see your reward.

Fun Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy

Whether you just found out you’re pregnant or you’ve known for a few months, announcing your pregnancy to family and friends can be a lot of fun. Some may want to wait until a certain time during their pregnancy, while others want to call everyone immediately after finding out themselves.

Telling The Father
Have a romantic dinner for two with candle lights, it may be your last time for a while, between morning sickness and raising your little one. Serve up baby carrots, baby back ribs and anything else you can think as baby. At the end, pour apple juice instead of wine and hand him a present. Inside you can have a tiny baby bib that says, “I heart My Daddy”
or a pair of baby booties.

If you can’t tell the father right away because he’s away on business, or deployed try sending him a care package. Inside the box place a few baby items, everything in blue and pink and a baby naming book in the center. Place a note on top of the book with, “I need a name soon, I’ll be here by June.” Or whenever the baby is due.

You can also see how long it takes him to figure it out. Go to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of small baby items, a bib, rattle, bottle, booties, etc. For a week, leave an item laying around the house where he is bound to find them. At the end of the week if he hasn’t figured it out yet, prepare the big gift. Have a large teddy bear sitting at the dinner table in the seat beside him, make sure there is a bib wrapped around him and maybe a sign that says Hi Daddy.

Telling Family and Friends
Show up to a family gathering wearing a shirt that announces your state. These days there are a ton of shirts out there with clever sayings, “Baby on Board,” “A Bun in the Oven,” or something related to the pregnancy. The moment you walk in or take off your jacket everyone will figure it out without you ever having to say a word. Now, get ready for the tears and excitement. You’ll be answering a ton of questions.

If you already have children you may want to call the grandparents up and tell them that the next Christmas they may want to add one more to the list.

If this is the first grandchild, you may want to get a bracelet link for your mom that reads, “#1 Grandma” or grandparent t-shirts. This will not only be a great present for them but something they will cherish and love forever.

No matter when you spread the news it can be a lot of fun, just think creative and let the pieces fall. You may even want to try catching all of it on video, so think ahead and prepare for the BIG moment, and I’m not meaning the birth.