Baby Care

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

What can you say about a woman who does need to work on her body after giving birth to her child? Lucky! But these cases, unfortunately, are very rare. Most of the lucky moms have to mobilize all forces to lose weight after giving birth, or at least not gain weight even more. Such changes in the female body, of course, happen due to the change of hormonal background: lactation may contribute to a strong increase in weight, although there are cases when a woman, on the contrary, becomes much thinner during the period of lactation.
Naturally, the influence of so many factors, not everyone can, and will want to resist. That is why there is a large percentage of these young mothers, who, waving their hand at their own body, blissfully relax for a while on maternity leave. How does this usually end? With an empty wardrobe by the time to work. Dislike for her own reflection in the mirror. Remorse. IN order to prevent this, let’s begin to take care of our own body immediately after birth.

Haste – makes waste.
The first thing to remember on the path of self-improvement for women after childbirth: in this matter it is not necessary to hurry. Accept an axiom that reliably for a long time and irrevocably overweight takes only slowly and gradually. All that is quickly dropped can quickly return, often in double quantities. Young mothers have nowhere to hurry – the whole maternity leave is ahead – so you can go to the ideal body with small but consistent steps. There are two things that mothers in no case should not be allowed: the physical and nervous exhaustion. After the first few days the results of your efforts, of course, will not be visible. But this is quite a natural thing, so be prepared beforehand.

Drop can hew the stone.
Do you know why the drop hews the stone? Because it is stubborn and constant in its actions. And if you follow the example of the wise drop very soon you will realize that the regular and permanent occupation will give stunning results. If you already decided to do physical exercises, then make them permanent. If you limit yourself in some products, you do not need to organize so-called “boot day”, allowing yourself all at once, and a lot. Everything should be – regular and constant.
The main thing is both victory and participation.
Getting started to weight loss after pregnancy, you should tune in just for a positive result. You can not argue with olympic point of view, where “the main thing – do not win, but to participate. For us the main thing is both.

Starting the process of self-improvement, you must clearly understand what you are doing in order to get the result. And if next time standing up on the scales you visit frustration and a desire to stop all this weight loss, burn, saying that it is a blue flame, just remember how much effort was expended to ensure that. You can get a photo album with those pictures where you had the best body, and look at what you can do. And then all the doubts will go away.

And now – let’s start.

Step One, gym.

We start with the exercise. Women after childbirth are particularly concerned about the state of their breasts, which can lose shape, abdomen and thighs and buttocks, which are distributed after the birth, which is understandable when you consider what processes had just occurred in women during their most active participation.

You can save the former form of the chest, as well as make it even more beautiful very easily: First, do not skimp on underwear. Bra, which enjoys mummy after birth during breastfeeding, should be above reproach. This includes the addition of bra that is designed specifically for feeding. Pay attention to the fact that it had strong and broad straps, as the chest, full of milk, is quite heavy, but it must keep, as they say, “at the height! Make sure also that the bra is equally well-supported chest from different angles.

Second, keep a few secrets, which, according to experts, will help you maintain the shape of the breast. Breastfeed your baby in a prone position. Do not press on the chest. Always check to see that the baby was in an awkward position. Keep the breast away from cooling and drafts.

If you consider it necessary, use special creams that prevent stretch marks. But before you buy any of them, ask, whether it contains an element that is incompatible with breastfeeding. And, of course, buy these kind of creams only in specialized pharmacies.

Forget about cosmetic surgery. The effect of breast surgery can not be compared with those complications that can occur after few years. Plastic surgery is not our method.

As for the stomach, the changes in its size and general appearance are quite a natural phenomenon, though it affects us woefully. This does not mean that you can do nothing. Never! Abdomen, more than anything now needs your attention.

Exercise your press, but only after a few months after birth. Raise the head and chest while lying with bent knees, lift the legs bent at the knees. Try an exercise program, which is offered by Cindy Crawford, the famous and very beautiful young mummy. Another young mommy Jennifer Lopez offers exercise, in which you turn left and right, while sitting cross-legged with the clutch behind the head with your hands. Do not forget to pay attention to your hips. The best thing is a belly dance. Latin American dances are also efficient, which, moreover, will add a cheer and merry mood.

Step two, gastronomic.

As for diet, the lactating mothers should not abide by them. Child should receive the full range of necessary nutrients, so do not try to limit yourself to anything. Another thing that is important to review your diet, make it maximum stable, uniform and consistent, and most importantly, healthy. You will see that a normal healthy meal is a sure way to lose extra pounds. Fatty or salted, smoked or flour – all this can not be called healthy, so you can cut yourself in all these goodies.

As you see, to become not only very good, but the most beautiful mom in the world for your child is not so difficult. It is only necessary, as they say in the good old movie, “To see the goal, believe in yourself and ignore the obstacles.” Take Action! Good luck, success and patience!

A miracle happened: a tiny creature lives inside you! Perhaps you yourself still have no idea about this, but very soon massive changes will begin in your life.

The first sign of pregnancy can be disorders concerning menstrual cycle. However, sometimes this may be due to other causes, such as inflammatory processes, stressful experiences, a change of climate, etc. In order to determine pregnancy, you can use rapid tests. The level of the hormone in the urine in morning and evening hours vary, so while buying test in a drugstore, ask for what time of the day it is suitable. Pregnancy can also be identified with such characteristics: the swelling chest, some have breast tenderness, mood changes, appetite, etc.

This invisible show
At this time rapid and dramatic events happen in the body. A day after conception, gaining strength and energy the fertilized egg (zygote) begins to share. Every day their number is doubled. Divided egg cell, transformed into a fetal egg, moves through the fallopian tubes and striving to achieve the ultimate goal of his journey get into the uterus and find here a comfortable “home”. On the seventh day the trip is over: the egg membranes as they are screwed into the uterine lining are plunging deeper and deeper. This process is called implantation.

The first critical period
It begins with the seventh day of pregnancy and lasts one to two weeks, until the egg is fixed in the membranes lining of the uterus. At this super-early period, mother’s organism may refuse to take the embryo. This may happen, for example, due to mucosal injury caused by the recent abortion because of severe stress, heavy exercise, under the influence of adverse external factors (taking certain medications), fetal genetic abnormalities, etc.

Like a grape core
If implantation is successful, the tiny embryo begins to grow rapidly. Fetal egg is covered with villus, they extract from the mother’s blood necessary food for future baby. Later villus remain only on the side of the egg membranes, which is directly adjacent to the uterine wall. Here villus grows, formed by the placenta (afterbirth), connected with the fetus umbilical cord. This is a major organ, which also belongs to a mother and an unborn child.

Fetus receives nutrients and oxygen through the placenta, get rid of their waste. In addition, this body provides immune protection, missing maternal antibodies to the child. And finally, the placenta synthesizes hormones.

At the same time the so-called germinal layers of which will be formed all the organs and tissues of the child are formed. From the outside – the nervous system, cells of sensory organs, skin, hair, nails, from the middle – the heart, internal organs, bones, blood vessels, muscle system, sex glands, from the inner – the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, digestive and endocrine glands .

In the second week the embryo’s heart is stating to develop. By the end of the first month the embryo forms a neuraltube, begins to form the main internal organs, and is surrounded by amniotic fluid and three shells. There are all conditions for the future child to grow and develop normally.
Do not risk and win

During early pregnancy, rubella virus, which causes fetal heart, sight and hearing disease is particularly dangerous for the child. Therefore, if you have not been ill with rubella or been vaccinated against it, you need to pass a blood test as soon as possible. If you find that you do not have immunity against rubella, you’d better avoid communicating with children who has not been ill or they have not done vaccinations. Especially be careful in spring and autumn, when the infection is most active.

Severe malformations of the unborn child can cause infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, ureplazmoz, mycoplasmosis) and TORCH-infections: Toxoplasma, herpes virus, cytomegalovirus.

In our country, these viruses infected almost two-thirds of the population, but if the immunity is not weakened, the body suppresses them. Do a survey of these infections. Ideally, this should be before pregnancy. Do not delay it! In order to prevent relapse, strengthen immunity with the help of special therapy.

You are waiting for a baby! When the joy and emotion on this are a little bit over, you start to think about in which hospital you would like to give birth, what medical and related legal issues you will encounter …

Your rights

The Constitution provides health right, regardless of gender, race, nationality and residence. Therefore, every pregnant woman has the right of having medical care and supervision in state and municipal health facilities free of charge at the expense of the relevant budget, insurance contributions and other income. Recently pregnant women were discharged so-called birth certificate, which is intended to provide additional funding for counseling and maternity house. This document confirms the fact that the woman should receive free medical care throughout pregnancy and during childbirth.

The certificate has two parts – one includes free supervising physician, the collection of mandatory tests, surveys during pregnancy, and the second – to pay for the maternity house. To obtain the certificate, the expectant mother must bring her passport in consultation, the policy of compulsory medical insurance card and the state pension insurance.

The important thing is that the certificate is issued 30 weeks earlier. Women don’t receive money as the price can differ depending on medical equipment of the medical establishment and paying the staff. So it turns out that the expectant mother, giving preference to certain prenatal consultation and maternity hospital, herself defines the medical institution, which receives support from the state.

Of course, in principle, the quality of service in the consultation does not affect the transfer of public money from the certificate, and in case of violation of women’s rights, pregnant may file a complaint with the agency or go to court. Nevertheless, these institutions appeared to be a better incentive than others, there is healthy competition, and beneficial to themselves, and a woman who purchased the latest equipment and medicines, improved terms of being a woman in a medical facility.

It should be noted that such a state program is intended only to state institutions, and it does not apply to private clinics and maternity hospitals.

If you have chosen to give childbirth at private maternity house…

Often a woman chooses paid medical center or a private clinic. To do this, you must enclose with the agency an agreement for the provision of paid services. In this case you are acting as a consumer and, therefore, such relations are governed by the laws on consumer protection. First of all, check for certificate and license for the selected type of activity, and what the features of working with clients. The contract should be concluded between you and the medical center; it must be prescribed by the terms and delays in obtaining medical services, payment arrangements, rights, duties and responsibilities of the parties. Read carefully and specify all details of the contract before you sign it. Payment for the provision of paid services should be done at medical institution with the use of cash machines (you must issue a receipt confirming and Proof of payment through cash). As consumers, patients in private clinics and hospitals have the right to make claims for damages caused by failure or improper performance of contract, damages in the event of injury to life and health, as well as compensation for moral damage.

Troubleshooting

However, in practice, not everything is so simple. In any case, remember that you can always consult a doctor, regardless the residence. The exceptions are small cities and towns, where the choice or transfer from one consultation to another is impossible, simply because a doctor serves a certain number of patients by law can not simply take someone else, and a woman herself cannot travel to neighboring village which may be far enough.

The main consulting physician is usually appointed by the head of the medical institution or by the choice of women, but again, provided that the desired doctor has not fixed the maximum number of services for patients, although it is necessary to write a statement and present to the chief physician the reasons why you prefer the specific physician.

According to the legislation on health care, everyone has the right to receive information about his/her health. As we have seen from the above, this applies to all, including to the future mother. Unfortunately, doctors often ignore the natural and legitimate desire of women to know what happens with them in a particular period of pregnancy, for which she needs to take prescribed medications and vitamins.

However, a woman can get the available information about her condition, including information about the surveyresults, the presence or absence of disease-related or not related to pregnancy, the diagnosis, methods of treatment, on possible options for medical intervention and its consequences.

If necessary, or if there is any doubt about the diagnosis (for example, a woman suspected medical error because of lack of haste and carelessness in the treatment of clinical data and laboratory tests) she can consult with another physician or other specialized professionals.

A woman must be provided with copies of medical records (outpatient maps, surveys, tests, ultrasonic). If the doctor suggests a medical intervention or sends her to the hospital to identify the threat of termination of pregnancy, she can waive, although the patient should be explained the possible consequences. Such a refusal is made in the medical record documents, i.e. in the map (along with explaining the implications), and signed by women and health workers. In this case, the whole responsibility falls on your shoulders. The doctor will only continue to monitor your condition and if necessary, again ask you to go to hospital.

All information relating to pregnancy is a medical secret, and its disclosure is not permitted without the consent of the woman. That exception is, firstly, if the expectant mother is a minor in order to notify her parents or other legal representatives, because due to her age and inexperience, she can not and should not take a decision on retention or termination of pregnancy, and secondly, whether there are grounds for believing that the pregnancy is a result of rape, and thirdly, by request of investigative bodies, and, finally, while examining and treating women who are not able to express their will, for example when there are distinct signs of mental disorder.

In conclusion, I would say that we can and must enjoy our legitimate rights (in this case, of course, not abusing them) and be able to defend our interests – and then everything will be well.

Future mother often hears chilling stories about the entwining of child’s umbilical cord. What is it? Is it dangerous? How to avoid it? Is it possible to identify this pathology in advance? You can find answers to these questions in our article.

What is it?

In 14 th week of pregnancy, the placenta and the umbilical cord are finally formed. This is a structure that carries out the function of exchanging between a mother and a child. After birth, when cutting the umbilical cord, the child begins to live independently, and only navel recalls his close relationship with his mother.

Umbilical cord is a long “rope” (from 40 to 60 cm and a thickness of 2 cm), consisting of connective tissue, inside which there is an umbilical vein and two arteries. Single umbilical vein, leaving the placenta, enters the abdominal cavity of the fetus through the umbilical ring and carries oxygenated blood, nutrients and drugs that have passed the placental barrier. The blood of waste products of the baby enters the artery and then through the placenta – the mother’s body. In case of the length of vessels (usually this depends on the genes), we can face the problem of “long cord” (70 cm), one of the complications of the fetus and the formation of knots to overgrow.

Why the entwining of umbilical cord happens?

Myths:

Among pregnant women there is a belief: during pregnancy they mustn’t knit or weave, it is fraught with the umbilical cord entwine around the neck of the fetus. This belief emerged long ago, when the birth was taken by midwives. Women in those days were busy mainly with handicrafts: sewing, weaving lace knitting. Children with entwined umbilical cord around the neck were often dying – mostly due to the lack of proper experience of midwives. So only knitting was to be blamed. In fact, knitting is a great way to calm nerves, and simultaneously prepare nice and warm “clothes” for a future baby.

During pregnancy, women often hear that raising arms can lead to entwining of the umbilical cord around the body of the child. The same is said about the active gym. In fact, you should know that raising hands for a short period of time is not dangerous for your baby as well as correctly selected gymnastic complexes.

Reality:

At present, predisposing factors are the intrauterine fetal hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), mother’s frequent stress (elevated levels of adrenaline in the blood), which leads to excessive mobility of the child, and the presence of polyhydramnios gives him/her the ability to perform a greater range of motion. Therefore, future mothers should not be alarmed if their baby’s umbilical cord is entwined. The most important aspect of this problem is the child’s condition – he/she suffers from hypoxia or not.

How to recognize the existence of entwined cord?

Diagnostic algorithm for establishing entwined cord is as follows. First pregnancy, fetal CTG study, during which the likely symptoms of umbilical cord entwining are identified: in this case reveals the characteristic shape of the curve CTG with periodic deceleration of heart rate during movements of the fetus. Using only this method it is already possible to identify signs of hypoxia. Next, the ECG investigation – ultrasound (in many hospitals there is ultrasound without CTG). This manipulation is informative already in the second trimester. The most accurate method in the study of utero-placental and fetus-placental blood flow is Doppler – definition of mathematical indices of blood flow (the speed, etc.). If you suspect the hypoxia problem in a health of a fetus, all these studies should be repeated for several times, as the baby constantly moves before birth and the entwining can disappear.

How the entwining of the umbilical cord can affect the childbirth?

Entwining of the umbilical cord can be single and multiple, loose and tight, isolated and combined (around the neck and limbs of the fetus). The most common kind of entwine is isolated, single, loose entwining around the neck of the baby, that usually does not pose danger to it.

If entwined cord at the time of birth is confirmed, depending on its type, an obstetrician-gynecologist chooses the optimal tactics for giving a birth to the child. The heartbeat of the fetus is monitored on average every half hour during labor and after each attempt. If the heart rate of the baby does not correspond to normal, the doctor may apply stimulation to speed up birth. Immediately after birth the head obstetrician relieves neck of the loop cord, thus preventing its strong tension and disturbance of blood flow through it.

Only a dual or multiple entwining of the umbilical cord van be hazardous. Such case during pregnancy is considered to be a sign of a fetal hypoxia. In case of a tight entwining and the emergence of shortening of the umbilical cord during the second stage of labor there is tension, narrowing the vascular lumen, leading to a sharp decrease in blood supply to the tissues of the Child (acute hypoxia and asphyxia). Also, the tension of the umbilical cord during birth is fraught with premature detachment of the placenta. Therefore, the period after 37 weeks in the presence of such entwine often produce elective caesarean section, and if the fetus is the menacing advance of that date, the operation can be done earlier.

Is it possible to avoid the entwining of the umbilical cord?

In order to avoid this complication, future mother is recommended to minimize stressful situations, often to be in the open air, do gymnastics and do not forget about breathing exercises. All these aim to ensure that the child will not have lack of oxygen, ie hypoxia, which causes increased motor activity of the fetus. In addition, you must promptly and accurately implement all the doctor appointments, take the survey – this will allow to suspect a problem and to prevent undesirable consequences.

Why is it important to be engaged in sports during pregnancy? What is recommended and what should be avoided? What do you need to eat and in what quantity?

During pregnancy, various changes occur in the body. Sports and nutrition should be given an important place in maintaining the health of the expectant mother and her child.

What happens to the body during pregnancy?
Pregnancy requires huge strength. During this period the body has to deal with increased metabolism and with increasing needs for nutrients. Fortunately, the body has several mechanisms that help to save energy in favor of the developing fetus. One of the mechanisms is a change in appetite and taste. Typically, a woman eats more and selects certain foods. The second mechanism is an increasing absorption of food in the intestinal wall.
Additional mechanisms are the decreased rate of accumulation of fat and reduced physical activity. The physiological mechanism gives a woman signals to reduce the load. If you do not listen to it, the intense stress can harm the health of a mother and the developing fetus.

What is important to change in the diet during pregnancy?
The most common problem among pregnant women is the number of calories eaten per day. The answer variesdepending on the duration of pregnancy. From 1 st to 15 th week, there is no need to change the usual amount. From 15 th to 28 th week it is recommended to consume 25-30 calories for every 1 kg of your weight. From 29 th to 42 th week it is recommended to consume 30-35 calories per 1 kg of your weight. These recommendations are perfectly suited to women who do moderate exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. But if training is given more attention, you need to add the missing calories.

Why is it important to be engaged in sports during pregnancy?
Sport during pregnancy has several positive aspects. For example, it controls weight, reduces the risk of high blood pressure, controls blood sugar and reduces the risk of diabetes, maintaining strength in the muscles and ligaments, improving the general well-being. Some studies has shown that sport during pregnancy shortens labor, reduces the risk of caesarean section and shortens post-partum recovery. However, this is very important that women do not use sports as a means to reduce weight, because at this stage of their life this is not a priority.

What load should future mothers take?
Modern medicine recommends continuing fitness activities before pregnancy, but in accordance with the terms they exclude certain exercises. Women, who do not have certain medical problems, can start with moderate intensity 30 minutes a day 3-4 times a week. You can do walking at a moderate pace, to participate in yoga class. Women with experience in the classroom in the gym may continue but reduce the load in accordance with the changes in the body.

Can we start doing it during pregnancy?
Moderate and regular load will only be beneficial. It is important not to begin with an intensive workload, and work smoothly.

What load should be avoided?
Expectant mothers should avoid sport activities, in which there is full contact – kick boxing and various forms of struggle. So it is necessary to give up extreme sports – rock climbing, scuba diving, etc. After the first trimester, it is important to avoid stress, which occurs in the supine position or stomach.

Can I use weight training?
Yes. This helps to maintain good muscle tone. You can perform one approach every 2-3 times a week. Between workouts there should always be a holiday in at least 24 hours.
Using weight during exercise will strengthen joints and ligaments, which will help to protect them from injury. But a dumbbell weight of 1-3 kg should be fine for exercising the muscles of the hands.

Why is it important to use vitamins and minerals?
Pregnant woman involved in fitness should be sufficient to monitor the use of vitamins and minerals. For example, calcium is needed to prevent the appearance of convulsions. Iron will keep the normal hemoglobin level, which in turn will ensure the delivery of oxygen to the muscles. It is recommended to eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals.

What should pregnant women do before classes?
Any woman sports must consume enough carbohydrates (whole wheat bread, buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, etc.) 2-2,5 hours before. Immediately before beginning you need to eat another small portion of carbohydrates – fruit, a slice of whole meal bread, energy bars, etc. If during the trainings you feel reduction in blood glucose levels, you can use sweet drinks. These quickly raise the level of glucose.

Fluid intake during exercise
The temperature in the cavity of the uterus is one degree above the temperature of mother’s body. During exercise the body temperature rises. In this connection it is necessary to strictly ensure that the temperature does not greatly exceed (maximum allowed – 38 º). The water helps to cool and prevent the emergence of fluid loss in the body. General recommendation on the use of the liquid: 1-2 glasses of water just before the start of the training and 2-3 glasses of water for every hour.

How many calories should be added in case of daily training?
Despite the fact that at the later stages of pregnancy the intensity of training decreases, the number of burnt calories during exercise increases due to body weight and changes in metabolism. Studies has shown that pedestrian walk at a moderate pace during pregnancy burns 20% more calories than the same trip before pregnancy. A walk up the stairs burns 22-25% more. From this it follows that even if the intensity of training does not increase, you will still need enough to compensate for the loss of calories. Approximate calculations suggest additional 350-400 calories per training day for each hour of exercises during pregnancy. More accurate calculations are made by a specialist in accordance with the load, weight, duration of training of the woman.

Every pregnant woman looks forward to her unborn baby’s first kick. It’s exciting, tangible evidence that you really do have a baby growing inside you and a reassuring sign that your pregnancy is going well.

The early weeks

Although you won’t feel it, your baby is already quite active by 12 weeks. Her body moves and jerks, she hiccups and exercises her tiny arms and legs. By 16 weeks, her movements are stronger and more complicated. She can punch, kick, squirm, do somersaults and even suck her tiny, fully formed fingers.

Those first kicks

At around 16 weeks, experienced mums-to-be realize that the fluttery sensation in their tummy isn’t wind, but their baby. Women describe this feeling as being like air bubbles, butterfly wings or pinging elastic bands. As first-time mums don’t know what to expect, most won’t recognize these sensations until 20 weeks or later.

Your baby’s private gym

From around 22 weeks, your baby’s movements will become stronger and more frequent. He’s now on her very own exercise regime; bending, stretching and wriggling to strengthen his muscles and bones and develop his motor ability. You may feel a short jab as he kicks the wall of your womb (uterus) or a squirm as he shifts into a more comfy position. There may be a regular pattern to this as babies tend to settle in certain positions. Before 34 weeks, a large proportion of babies will be in the breech position, so you may get some forceful kicks to your bladder or the top of your cervix.

Getting familiar

As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll begin to recognize certain moves: you may feel a series of small jerks as your baby has an attack of hiccups. A sudden noise may make her jump, or she may become active and excitable if you’re angry or frightened, as the hormone adrenaline passes to her via the placenta. Many expectant mums complain their babies are most active when they sit down or when they go to bed – this may be because when you are still and quiet, you are able to identify the kicks more easily.

Preparing for b-day

At around 34 weeks, your baby’s movements will start to get less pronounced because he’s got less space to move around. By this stage, most babies are spending a lot of time in the head-down position, so you may get the odd painful kick in the ribs. Take comfort in the fact that this means he’s getting ready for birth. You’ll soon be meeting a baby whose movements and habits you already know so well.

If the kicks stop

If your baby’s pattern of kicking changes or you don’t feel any movements for a while, it isn’t necessarily a cause for worry. Sometimes, when a baby changes position, his movements may be harder to be recognized or perhaps he’s sleeping while you’re awake.

However, you know your baby better, so if you’re at all concerned about his movements, or lack of them, see your midwife or GP straightaway. The doctor or midwife will listen to his heartbeat to make sure that all is going well. Your midwife can also give you a kick chart, which helps you count your baby’s first 10 movements each day. As long as these 10 kicks happen by roughly the same time each day, you should have nothing to worry about.
By 32 week, your baby will be moving about 375 times a day!

At the end, I want to remind future mothers: the first movement of the small baby is not only an indicator of its condition, but also the unique experience that a woman may have only in this short, but happy period of his life.

Contact your doctor immediately if:

fetal motor activity is ceased for 12 hours or more;
excessive movements in the intensity increase for several hours and does not stop when you change posture.

Determining the gender of a child before his/her birth is the main problem, which interests 99, 9% of future parents. Method of ultrasonic diagnosis to determine the sex of the child has been invented recently. Before this method people used many methods and ways to find out the sex of the child. All of them are based on observations, and very often help to know the child’s sex without ultrasound before birth. Some of them, the most famous and popular ones, we will share with you.
There is a common expression known to many of us “Only real men have daughter”. In this case, such men are called “Jewelers”.
The fact is that very often fathers of both boy and girl are called “bunglers”. It depends on whom the family is waiting for. In fact, the sex of the child is not the most important thing for parents and a baby himself.
The main thing here is the baby’s health and the possibilities to live in a happy and quiet family.

PLANNING CHILD’S SEX
There are a number of folk beliefs that will to help to find out who is going to be born: a boy or a girl?
1. For example, a very common superstition if the pregnant’s belly looks like a “Cucumber” – a boy, and if it is located in the area of the former waist and is seen “from behind” – a girl.
2. When the belly sticks out more to the right – a boy, left – a girl.
3. If the areolas around the nipples have bright colors it means you are going to have a son, in case of dark colors – a little daughter.
4. If you have toxemia and nausea in the morning during pregnancy – and it’s a frequent phenomenon, you will have a girl. If not – a boy.
5. If during pregnancy you prefer sweets, you will have a girl, if meat dishes – a boy.
6. If superfluous hairs on the belly of the pregnant appears– will be a boy, if pigmentation – a girl.
7. Listening to the heartbeat of your fetus, you can determine who will be: if the heart beating is faster will be a girl, if slower – a boy.
8. You can determine the sex of the child with the help of a ring. You need to keep a ring on a long thread on the left hand. If it moves in a circle you will have a girl, if back and forth – a boy.
9. According to Japanese legends you can identify the sex of the child through father’s and mother’s age. Mother’s age must be divided into three, father’s age – into four. The child will be a girl or a boy according to the results. If mother’s age is more than father’s then you’ll have a girl, if less – vice versa.

Rational nutrition is one of the main factors determining the physical health of everyone. And for the future mother’s nutrition is a necessary condition for normal fetal development, adequate course of pregnancy, health and wellness.
Diet for pregnant women
Pregnant women and then nursing mothers tastes and desires can change quite frequently. But long-term scientific observations allowed identifying common standards of nutrition in pregnancy, necessary for normal fetal development. A pregnant woman can satisfy all the nutritional needs only with the help of a balanced diet. Excessive or unbalanced diet during pregnancy causes a serious threat to the baby’s well-being.

Pregnant woman’s healthy diet: eat “live” food; eat more fruits, vegetables, herbs, edible wild herbs, nuts, germinated cereals. It is also important to exclude or limit the usage of fried food, which irritates the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, as well as salt. Don’t forget to monitor weight, blood and urine pressure. Development of a newborn depends on how a mother eats during pregnancy.

FEATURES of PREGNANCY DIET

Every day a pregnant woman needs proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber and other important substances. Therefore, the diet of a pregnant woman should include all main food groups:
- Meat (preferably beef, lean, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, rabbit, but not sausages or hot dogs);
- Fish and fish products (preferably low-fat varieties – cod, hake, etc.);
- Milk and dairy products (including yogurt, cheese, sour cream, curds, etc.);
- Bread (preferably from rye flour or bran) and bakery products;
- Cereals (preferably oatmeal and buckwheat), and pasta;
- Dietary fat (20-40 g butter and 15-20 g vegetable fat – sunflower, corn, soy, olive oil).

During pregnancy, adequate consumption of vegetables (300-500 grams a day) and fruit (preferably not less than 200 g per day) is very necessary during pregnancy. Sugar and confectionery products (preferably marshmallows, candy, low-fat cakes) should be consumed in limited quantities (up to 60-80 grams per day).

Particularly useful vegetables are: carrots, beets, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, dill, celery, and it is better to limit the usage of potatoes, cabbage. From fruit are recommended apples, pears, apricot, plum, cherry, peach, banana, they should be more attentive with citrus, kiwi, grapefruit, mango.

Pregnant women must get the right amount of vitamins and multielements, they also need extra multivitamins which are made especially for pregnant women and contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements. 3-6 months before planning pregnancy, a woman with her husband should take folic acid (100 mcg 4 times a day for the prevention of malformations of the nervous system of the fetus and continue using it in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) or a complex of vitamins for pregnant women with folic acid. Multivitamins also must be taken in the period of pregnancy and breast-feeding.

PREGNANCY DIET AND MULTIELEMENTS

Calcium and iron are very important. Calcium is necessary for the formation of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus. When there is insufficient flow of calcium from food this can lead to lower bone density (osteoporosis).

The main sources of calcium are milk and dairy products: yogurt, curds, especially cheese.
Insufficiency of dietary iron is the main cause of widespread anemia among pregnant women, and later among infants. Therefore, pregnant women should receive adequate amount of iron that is derived mainly from meat, fish, liver, apples and other fruit, cereals. Women in the second half of pregnancy need to receive 30 mg of dietary iron. Therefore they need additional oral iron or iron-containing vitamin-mineral complexes.

Iodine is a part of the thyroid hormones. It is required from the third month of pregnancy. Sources of iodine are: iodized salt, sea kale, sea fish.

Endocrinologists recommend pregnant women to take drugs which contain iodine.

Zinc is involved in the formation of fetal bones, and with its lack, a child may be born too small. Sources of zinc: fish oil, nuts, onion, pumpkin seeds, peas and beans.

PREGNANCY DIET: WHAT AND HOW?

Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy should gain 300 grams of vitamins per week, and for the entire period of pregnancy should it should reach 10-12 kg.
Pregnant women must use cereals (wheat, buckwheat, oats), whole-grain bread, various vegetables (beets, carrot), fruit and berries (especially cherry, apple, plum), dried fruits in order to get sufficient number of dietary fiber.

As we have already said pregnant women should limit salt (up to 7-8 grams per day).

Just like during pregnancy, during breast-feeding mothers should limit or completely exclude certain food from their diet. This is especially important if a child is only breastfed, there are adverse reactions such as unstable stool, frequent regurgitation, bloating, skin rashes. These products are chocolate, coffee, whole milk, citrus fruit. In addition, some products (onion, garlic, spices) can give unusual smell and taste to milk, because of which the child can refuse the breast. During the entire period of breastfeeding, women should continue taking additional specialized vitamin and mineral complexes and products mentioned above.

In conclusion, it must be said that good food and rest are key components of mother’s and child’s health.

The date of the appearance of the child into the world is very close, and you increasingly think about what you will feel. Your anxiety and mixed feelings are natural. But usually there is an unknown fear of something. And you are already well prepared for childbirth and meeting the child. Do not hold the emotion in yourself. Talk to your child how much you have to wait for his/her birth, his/her name, describe the room where he/she will live. Very soon your baby will be with you.

1) The first signal.
You are afraid that everything will begin at night and you will not have time to get to the hospital? Do not worry. It’s even better if, at the time of labor pains, you can get some sleep. You’ll need some power. Just tell yourself: “I will have a healthy physiological childbirth. And try to sleep. But be aware of the fact that the beginning of the birth may be different: sometimes a few days before the event the cork goes out (a small lump of mucus). In any case, look at the color and amount and be sure to tell the doctor everything. Remember the important rule: once the water started to move away, the child should not be in pain more than 6 hours (maximum 12 hours). So you should be in the maternity hospital, do not delay.

2) The path-way.
Something is pulling at the bottom of your stomach? Contractions are repeated every 10 minutes? So, it’s time to give birth. Explain to your husband, what happens to you, let him help and support. While your husband prepares something to eat, take a shower. Water removes the pain and helps to relax.
Do not forget: your bag, your passport and the exchange of maps.
If you go on your own, it is better to sit in the back seat and relax!

3) Procedures.
In the reception at hospital record your data, measure the pressure and weight. Better pre-shave at home, but if youdid not have time don’t worry, you’ll be shaved in the maternity hospital.

4) Help.
Cervix is gradually revealed, fights are intense, and the intervals between them are reduced. If the pain becomes intolerable, doctors may suggest anesthesia. Do not rush to accept. Think about the upcoming battle, unpleasant pain. Try to focus on the kid: talk with him/her, put your hand on belly (baby has much more pain than you and you should always remember that and try not to hold breath, and it is difficult for him/her to breathe). Encourage your child!

5) A comfortable posture.
To reduce the pain, you can move, take any convenient position. Relax! Try not to stretch the muscles of the face. First, the drawing of muscles near the eye may affect the eyesight. Secondly, because of this red dots may appear on the face. Contractions will be easier, if you walk. Try to swing with the hips. This dance relaxes perineum muscles and helps to open the uterus. Then lie for a couple of minutes and relax, but then rise – movement is very important. Experienced nurses will tell you how to breathe correctly. You should listen carefully and faithfully follow their advice! This is very important!

6) In a difficult moment.
You have heard about gap and cut? It is not necessary that this happens to you. But even if it happens, do not worry. The doctor gently and quickly makes the necessary incision. You do not feel it. And after birth, when the baby is peacefully snuffling in your abdomen, the doctor will apply sutures. There is nothing to be afraid of.

7) Now you are a mother.
Finally, the head appeared! So the most difficult part is over. Soon it should be born! Look how handsome he/she is! After the usual procedures of weighing, measuring growth, examination of a pediatrician, the baby will be put on your stomach and you will be able to hug your miracle. It is a reward for your work! That’s it! Congratulations!

Having twins is not a rare fact, but three, four or more babies who are born at the same time – this is really rare. Many people say that it’s a game of nature. Despite the external attractiveness (birth of two at once – this is great!) the pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and children. Therefore, a woman with a multiple pregnancy should punctually comply with all the requirements of a doctor.

What is a multiple pregnancy?
Multiple pregnancy occurs with the development of two or more fetuses. The heredity is among the main causes of multiple pregnancy: there are families, where from generation to generation twins and triplets were born.
Multiple pregnancies can happen with the fertilization of two (three, etc.) eggs, and then develop twins of different fetuses. But sometimes a single fertilized egg develops two fetuses.
Fetal egg and its structure
Twins can share one egg with one common membrane (amnion) or a separate membrane for each fetus.
The examination of placenta can show whether twins were one-egg or two. For two-egg twins the presence of individual or contact placenta is characterizing, the septum between amnions has four leaves. For one egg twins a common placenta is characterizing, and the septum consists of two sheets.

Multiple pregnancy can proceed normally, but can often be complicated with miscarriage, premature delivery and toxicity. Even sometimes the following may appear: fatigue, breath shortness, rapid urination, constipation – all of this is due to the significant increase in the size of the uterus.
Development of the fetus is usually the same; the difference in their weight is low. But sometimes there may appear the unevenness of development associated with the presence of anatomizes (bridges) between the vessels of the fetus placenta. With various cardiac intensity the blood supply of one of them is better and because of that the second one will be less developed and may even die. Sometimes such fetus in the form of amorphous is called “paper” fetus.
Location of the fetuses in the uterus may be different, but mostly they both are in the longitudinal position (head down). There are also other options.

Multiple pregnancy diagnosis
Nowadays such a diagnosis is not difficult because the ultrasound lets us clearly hear the heartbeat of each fetus in the 2.5 weeks of pregnancy.

Multiple pregnancy births
Multiple pregnancy births usually occur through natural delivery. But sometimes there occur difficulties during childbirth: weak clan forces due to hyperextension of uterus, hypoxia (insufficient supply of oxygen to tissues)of the fetus, premature detachment of placenta after the birth of a second fetus, late breaking hulls of the second fetus, bleeding.

Assistance during multiple pregnancy childbirth
To control the activities of the uterus and to ease the childbirth anesthesia drugs, removing spasm of smooth muscles of internal organs including the uterus are used.

The fetal bladder of the first fetus is opened, gently and slowly releasing amniotic waters. The period of the expulsion of the first fetus is done in the natural way. But in case there are any complications from the mother or fetus they accelerate the process by using various techniques (e.g., overlaying obstetrical forceps).
After 10-20 minutes after the birth of the first fetus doctors usually reveal the second fetal bladder and give birth to the child and, if necessary, apply special obstetric techniques.
Then they carefully examine to determine their integrity (in the remaining piece of the uterus may bleed) and to determine their one-or two egg origin.

Prevention of multiple pregnancy complications
Multiple pregnant women require careful observation in a clinic. While there are any complications during pregnancy (e.g., toxicity or threat of miscarriage), a woman should be directed to the department of pathology in Maternity Hospital for receiving necessary treatment.