Deliveries are accompanied by profound emotional and, above all, physical stress. Therefore, future mothers should take most comfortable position, so as not to be distracted by discomfort in the most inopportune moment. Choosing the position, just think that you need to help your baby. Deliveries for him are not easy too. Lie down, sit, recline. Choose a convenient place – bed, couch, maternity chair. Calm down, take it easy. When it starts, keep your back straight. The doctor and obstetrician are always near. They will help you mentally, give the right advice. Most importantly do as they say. Between contractions breathe properly. This will help to calm down, and will also facilitate relaxation of the pelvis, rectum and anus.

At a time when the baby’s head appears in the vagina, you need to calm down. This moment is called discovery. Now it is very important to follow the advice of a doctor. He/she will tell you when you need to push and when to relax. If you do not get nervous, but quietly comply with the physician, you can avoid gaps in vagina. Once the head appears further process will go much easier.

Sometimes, at first birth, or because of incorrect disposition of the child episiotomy happens. The idea is to cut between the vagina and anus. As a result, conditions for easier passage of the head of the child are created. Before doing episiotomy, the doctor must obtain the consent of women. During this anesthesia is done. Fabrics vagina relax and the process becomes easier. After the release of the child, followed by the placenta, the incision is stitched.

The appearance of the head is the most difficult moment, as it is the widest part of the baby. Since its inception, thephysician sees that the umbilical cord is not wound around the neck. Over time he/she cleans the mouth and throat of the child from the liquid. Then the doctor will turn, with contractions, the child’s shoulders so that they open the vagina. The rest of the body slips out itself, under pressure from uterine contractions. And now you will feel an incredible relief. Now your kid screams, letting the world know about his/her appearance. But not everyone starts screaming. Some kids just whine, other just breathe.

Finally, this fairy-tale moment came. You can take your little miracle in your hands. He/she claps eyes and looks at you without understanding what happened. But now he/she feels your care. He/she knows that you can protect him/her. These moments are worth all the difficulties and hardships, through which you had to go. You are still physically inseparable. At the time of cutting umbilical cord, attach the child to your heart. Let him/her feel your breath, and the beat of your heart, your velvet skin, your endless love for him/her. Enjoy this time. You will never forget it. Now you are a mother. Life of this little creature depends on you.

- Let’s talk about modern and scientifically sound principles for feeding infants.

- In recent years, the nutritional status of children of the first year of life has changed. In particular, the dates of the introduction of complementary food have been changed. Let me explain that research supported by the recommendations on this issue is provided only in the territory of the former Union institutions – Institute of Nutrition of RAMS. So, if even a few years ago, pediatricians recommended to give infants fruit juices from a month, but today it is considered to be done not earlier than three or four months.

- Why?

- First, a drop of juice gives the baby’s body a miser amount of vitamins and minerals, while significantly increasing the risk of allergic reactions. Secondly, some children have dyspeptic disorders. The digestive system of a baby is not ready for processing anything more than milk, and the early introduction of juice brings much more harm than use. According to the latest recommendations of the Institute of Nutrition of RAMS, the baby is ready to absorb fruit juice and puree only in the third or fourth month of its life.

- Why they have overestimated?

- Previously, we recommended giving children cow’s milk from eight months. Today it turns out that cow’s milk and yogurt cause diapedesic intestinal bleeding, which is often the reason for the reduction of hemoglobin and anemia. So now we recommend adapted milk formula with the number “2″ – so-called “Follow”.

Greatly has changed attitude to the curds. Previously, pediatricians were encouraged to give it to children from five-six months. Today, however, if the child is healthy, you can give him/her curds from a year. Cheese has much protein product, and the child takes enough protein from mother’s milk or infant formula. After all, if the protein in the diet is too much, there is a big burden on the kidneys. Of course, this does not always lead to the development of kidney disease, but nevertheless there is nothing good.

- Young mothers usually can not wait and introduce solid food early. What is wrong with the early introduction of “adult” products?

- Meat, eggs, fish, cheese, whole milk are also protein products, and including them into the baby’s diet should be done slowly. And since there is no universal advice, including complementary food and dishes is better to discuss with the pediatrician. After all, if, for example, a child grows weak or sick often (and in such cases, the body requires much more protein), the diet is calculated individually and completely different than a healthy child’s. Perhaps the doctor will recommend meat, cheese and other products.

What is wrong with the early introduction of complementary foods for a healthy baby? Suppose you decided to give the baby meat or cheese in three or four months. At this time, his/her gastrointestinal tract is not yet fully formed. However, the earliest solid food provokes its rapid development to the detriment of other systems. According to the natural maturation of the child program in three or four months are formed the cardiovascular, but not the digestive system. And once the program is broken, then, sooner or later the child will have heart problems.

The most important is to avoid the universal advice: each child requires individual attention. Choosing the best for your baby timetable for the introduction of complementary food will help a qualified pediatrician. A rough scheme is as follows. If the child is healthy, from birth to four months, he does not need anything except breast milk. In the absence of aggravated heredity for allergy from four months you can begin the introduction of juices. However, if there is an allergic reaction or any disorder, stop it up to six months. Give just a few drops of juice for the first time gradually increasing the quantity and eventually bringing it up to 10hn, where n is the child’s age in months. If in the process of introducing juice still appears mild allergic reaction, you must do two-week break, and then begin with a different juice, watching its portability.

In five months, first you can give your baby vegetable puree. We usually suggest you start with squash or potatoes.Gradually increasing the amount, two weeks later it is brought to 150-180 g. In the puree you can add vegetable oil.

Preparing vegetable purée you need to preserve vitamins.

A month after this comes second complementary food – porridge. Here we recommend rice, buckwheat.

- There is a huge variety of cereals. Which one we should choose? Or is it better to cook ourselves?

- It’s up to you. It is very convenient to use instant, soluble ones which do not require cooking – their preparation takes just a few minutes. In porridge should be added some butter. The recommended amount of cereal in the six to seven months is 150 grams, from eight months to a year – 180-200 g. The mixed porridge of a few grains you can give your child when he/she becomes accustomed to each grain separately.

After six months, you can start feeding your child with meat, fish, hard-boiled egg yolk, curds.

Do you plan to use diapers?

I think that this is one of the main important things for the baby. Even if you are opposed to diapers, you may need them in situations where they are simply indispensable. For example, you will not make it in time to wash soiled nappies. When my son was born, I had to change diapers at night every half an hour. After a sleepless week, I realized that the diaper at night is my salvation. We will not argue about the benefits and harms of diapers, let everyone decide for herself.
Someone has to wash 20-30 diapers a day, someone will be convenient to use disposable diapers for a walk, not to disguise the baby on the street.

If you choose the option without the use of diapers, there is a counter-question: Will you swaddle a newborn or just dress him/her in sliders?

Previously, children in compulsory were swaddled up to 2-3 months, but now many babies are dressed in shirts with the sliders. I think it is difficult to decide which option is better. Even if you do not want to swaddle the baby, you can put it under the child, when he/she lies on the changing table, in a stroller, on your bed or sofa.

At what time of year your baby is born?

In the cold season, the portfolio is slightly different (warm jackets, pants, hats).

Clothing:

1) diapers – On average (again, it all depends on the season, from that, will you wash them once or twice a day) you will need 10-15 warm diapers, 10-15 thin and a minimum 20 gauze diapers.
2) vests, shirts – 4 thin, 4 warm. The first one will be comfortable with the closed-sleeved vests for baby not to scratch itself. You might also like T-shirts. They should be fitted with clasp at the shoulder.
3) Romper – 4-6 thin and thick. It’s better to choose the model, fastened on the shoulders with two levels of buttons.
4) cap, hat – I bought 3 cap. When my son was born, I was surprised how quickly they became small. In the first month of each week I had to change the cap. So prepare 2-3 caps of several sizes. Depending on the time of year take warm or thin cap for a walk.
5) socks – a pair of warm and a pair of thin socks will be enough.
6) panties – In summer kids will feel comfortable wearing panties, putting them in gauze diapers. In general, newborns should not use clothing with elastic bands on the tummy, but the 2.3 month kids conveniently record gauze diaper with pants.
8), blouse, pants – thin for summer, warm for winter.
9) bib

Medicine chest:

1) Thermometer – for water.
2) Cotton wool, cotton sticks – to clean the nose and ears.
3) Baby wipes – they are convenient to use during a walk and a visit.
4) Febrifuge – will help not only in the event of illness, but after vaccination, if the temperature of newborns rises. It is better to use this medicine in the form of candles.
5) Medicine from colic, gas formation – Up to three months, babies are often plagued by gas, colic and cramps. Most moms use “Espumizan”, “smectic” or simply dill water.
6) Permanganic acid, hydrogen peroxide, – potassium permanganate is added to water for bathing, and peroxide is applied to navel of the newborn.
7) Baby oil – They are used during the massage.
Pipette

Other accessories:

1) Oilcloth – One big – in bed, a smaller one – in the stroller and changing table.
2) Bottle, brush – for washing.
3) Pacifier – And here opinions vary: someone flatly refuses to teach the crumbs to the nipple, someone successfully uses it to soothe a crying baby and put to bed. In any case, one nipple will not be difficult to buy.
4) Bathroom accessories – bath and towels. You can buy a small tub; you can bathe in a regular bath, with less water. From a small bath baby will grow quickly. But its advantages are that the child can swim in the children’s room, next to the changing table. It is better to have a large towel for swimming (120×120).
5) Baby soap – for bathing.

When choosing clothes try to buy the ones made of natural fabrics. Coveralls, t-shirts and blouses are better to be a little bit larger.

You can buy a changing table, and can turn the usual coffee table into a changing table, covering it with an old blanket and oilcloth.

Here is a sample list of things for a newborn. It can be changed depending on your viewpoints. Someone prefers T-shirts, some diapers and vest, someone will actively use children’s cosmetics, soap and baby oil. In any case, the main choice is yours. We wish you and your future baby health!

Drop can hew the stone.

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!

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.

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.

Now many of them go to work and not just because of our difficult times of earning a living, but also because the representatives of weak sex have the talent and the ability to make a career. And even after giving birth, women do not want to leave their profession and seek to quickly return to the workplace. How not to feel guilty for an “abandoned” baby?

All the women, who a few months after giving birth, return to work, feel a bit guilty for their children. It is absolutely clear: the child is still very small, and they fear that they deprive their child of their love and care. Therefore, before going to work, try to solve all the problems worrying you.

The kid loves you more than anybody

Mothers need to know that returning to work does not mean that you should stop breastfeeding your child: it is possible to transfer a child to the mixed-feeding or decant the milk and put it in the fridge.
It is understandable that you inhibit the very idea that perhaps you do not see how your baby will say its first words, but do not get upset because of this. Studies have shown that a child’s achievement becomes “real” only after demonstrating it to his mom and she will evaluate it and rejoice with him. So you will still be playing a primary role for your child’s. And it is precisely because of this inextricable link, you will always be the most beloved for him/her, despite the fact that he/she spends most of the day with grandma, nanny or kindergartener.
 
There is no need to get upset when after returning home from work your child will not talk to you. Your task is to explain the child why you working and that you will always come back to him/her and give him/her having all your free time. So gradually the child will get used to the fact that you are away for a part of the day.

Sometimes, working mothers feel that if they stay at home with their baby, he will develop faster. But this is a totally groundless fear.
In relation to children the most important is not quantity but quality of these relationships: it is important how close you are to your child, whether you understand each other etc. Therefore, if one day you come tired from work, and you cannot force a long time to play with your child and give him affection and attention, as usually, do not blame yourself. If your house has an atmosphere of love and if your child feels your care and understanding, he/she quickly forgets this little episode. 

If baby stays with people who he loves, he will get used quickly to your temporary absence, and in the future this experience will help him/her be more independent.

You can go to work, if your child …

Is already three months. He is sleeping and taking meals at about the same time, allows strange people to take him in their hands, and it is easy to placate.
Six months. He is sleeping, expresses displeasure when he/she does not like something, and smiles as he/she is pleased.
Nine months. He knows how to play alone; he/she holds a bottle and actively researches all he/she sees with his hands.
Year. He/she understands most of what you say to him, knows how to pronounce some words, and shows finger on things that you show him/her.

Before birth:
Pain in the back very often appears during pregnancy (as well as during breastfeeding). To facilitate such a pain you should do massage of back, neck, legs and feet, massage stomach with very soft movements. Many pregnant women have difficulties in circulation of fluids, this condition can be corrected with the help of general body massage that will stimulate and improve the movement of blood. Feet massage will help to relax, relieve the pain in legs and reduce swelling. During this massage, avoid areas with veins varicose (if there is any). 

Those women who have problems with sleep, relaxing effects of massage will help them calm down and relax. Some pregnant women say that the soft abdominal massage helps to ensure that the child calms down and falls asleep too.
Massage relaxes and soothes, and helps to alleviate the unpleasant physical sensations, as well as enables your partner or children to help you and take part in your pregnancy.
Consult a doctor before you begin a massage. If the doctor does not recommend a stomach and back massage, you can conduct face, neck, feet and hands massage, this massage will help the body to relax very well.

When and how to massage:
While some schools of massage do not recommend holding it in the first three months of pregnancy, many women think that a light massage throughout pregnancy is very useful. When you massage a pregnant woman, all movements should be very soft and accurate, especially in the abdomen and waist. Do not use a strong press and strikes.
You can add a few drops of aromatic oils in your massage oil.
During massage it is recommended to use the following aromatic oils: Mandarin, ylang-ylang, Geranium, lemon, sandalwood, tea tree.
Aromatic oils, which are not recommended: anise, arnica, basil, mint, cypress, fennel, jasmine, juniper and marjoram.