Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘Pregnancy’

Summer pregnancy practically does not differ from winter or autumn. This is from the viewpoint of the processes in the future mother’s organism: she continues to gain weight and a child is developing. Rapidly the street temperature is rising up, bright sun, and sultriness create additional stress on the future mothers’ body. But if the pregnancy proceeds without complications without suffering toxemia, there is no threat to abortion; she can afford all the flavors of summer holidays, of course, within reasonable limits.

Pregnancy is not a reason to abandon the dream of beautiful sunburn. Moreover, child likes lying in the sun (starting from 16 weeks of pregnancy, a pipsqueak already sees the light and feels the warm). And sunlight contributes the vitamin D, which regulates the exchange of trace elements in the body – calcium, magnesium, phosphorus. The main question is when and how much to take sun baths. The experts unanimously consider the first term the most important one- at that time organs and systems of a little man are formed, so do not sunbathe under the direct rays of the sun. The second and third trimester regime is softened: you can enjoy sunrays, but just from 11.00 to 17.00. Afternoon hours are «dangerous» for pregnant women.

Research proved that the overdose of ultraviolet radiation reduces immunity, resulting the increased risk of intestinal infections (dysentery, dysbacteriosis). Playing with the sun may have more rapid effects: cause sunburn, fainting, and premature delivery. To avoid burns, you can use sunscreen. While choosing the «protection» pay attention, whether it is permitted to pregnant women. If, despite precautions, the skin is red, take immediate actions:

Apply cream with chamomile, mixed with 5-6 drops of mint oil.
The product has cooling and anti-inflammatory properties.

Make a cold compress with milk, kefir or sour cream.

Put used boiled tea bags on the skin. Tannin acid contained in the black and green teas helps to remove the redness and burning.

Summer spots

It happens when in response to the sun the pregnant skin covers with pigment spots. Their appearance depends on the individual characteristics of the skin, which in turn depends on the liver and the quantity of pigment. In sunny days it is better to wear wide-brimmed hat or take an umbrella. Be cautious in the selection of bleaching creams, designed to deal with such issues: as a rule, they contain mercury. You need only products of vegetable origin. Ideally, these creams should be applied to the skin for about 2 hours before they undergo the sun. And then use it after bathing.

Without fanaticism

Some future mothers lying on the beach, prefer to «hide» their tummy from heat in cool sand. Experts consider it unnecessary, and even somewhat dangerous. First, it will not save the child from overheating, and secondly, it’s more useful if all parts of the body are in the same microclimate.

Ultrasound showed that you will become a parent of twins. You can feel happy – you will have double joy and double trouble.
Few simple tips will help you to cope better with suddenly increased happiness.
Do your best to teach kids to eat at the same time. If you are breastfeeding a child, first attach one to the chest, then the second. Normally, twins develop, and weigh the same, but there are exceptions. If you see that one child weighs less, then give him/her extra food.

The second important point is to make children sleep at the same time. If you see that children are restless without any reason, it’s worth a try to put them to sleep together. During 9 months of pregnancy they are much accustomed to the neighborhood of each other, and at first they can miss this. In the future, they will learn to sleep separate from each other.

Kids love when they are carried on the hands. Of course it will be more difficult to hold both kids at the same time. But you should not deprive kids of this endearment. Try to hold them in your arms while sitting on a chair, preferably on a rocking chair.

Baby bathing is one of the most important procedures. But you cannot do this alone, you will need a help from your husband, relatives or friends.
After 6 months children learn to sit and crawl, allowing you to relax a bit. Certainly they will find something to do. But here arises another trouble – it is very difficult to follow two children who are running in different directions.

Despite the fact that twins are very similar, be sure, that very soon you will start to differ them. Always remember that they are two different individuals. There is no need to buy them exactly the same thing and make the same hairstyle. You raise two different kids, who will certainly bring you a double portion of happiness.

Effect of herbs on pregnancy. I called the article herbs, but herbs are not only the traditional means of treatment of disease and drugs such as dill! So if you are planning pregnancy or already pregnant, be sure what you can eat and what you can not. Sometimes even the doctor can not give definite answer how herbs affect pregnancy. In this case it is better just not to make experiments.

Attention! During the first three months of pregnancy you should not be treated with any medicinal herbs except chamomile and ginger. Ginger improves blood circulation and relieves nausea. By the way, the herbs are also drugs, only natural. Medicinal herbs can cause miscarriage or dead pregnancy may cause a reduction in the uterus, or may affect the pressure, the heart, the bowels and stomach!

Herbs that can not be used during pregnancy:
Barberry (added to the pilaf), Chinese aralia, origan, Crocus, nutmeg (this spice is very popular now), Juniper (like herringbone), pennyroyal (there is a lot of controversy about mint, some people say that it is useful,while others think that it can be harmful. But it is exact that mint is not recommended for children under 3 years old, so I would not drink mint during pregnancy, at least in large quantities. White mistletoe, male fern, tansy, wormwood bitter, pyrethrum, wormwood to medication, broom, common wormwood, celandine (this is a poison and using it is advised only under the supervision of a doctor!)
Even such popular folk herbal treatments as gingko, ginseng and garlic are not recommended during pregnancy.

Do not eat the leaves of raspberry in the last 2 months of pregnancy because they can cause premature birth. The same applies to the arrowwood, which helps to reduce the uterus. The same can be said about fennel, dill and anise. Of course if you add the fennel in salad nothing will happen. The same goes for garlic. It is useful only in small quantities.

What can you use during pregnancy:
Chamomile. Chamomile is an excellent medicinal plant benefiting both children and the grown-ups, and it is recommended not only to treat people but also for everyday use. Chamomile is recommended for use not more than 2 cups a day.
Cabbage. Cabbage helps to fight edema. You can eat cabbage as well as use them outwardly to the swelling in the legs.
Rosehip. Tea of the rosehips is a beautiful natural vitamin drink useful to everyone. Moreover, it perfectly removes pain in joints and is a diuretic.

The pregnancy and childbirth is behind. Best Mom understands that she has everything to be happy with, and a correction of the figure, which breaks moods of many people each day, is a matter of time. After birth the irreversible changes in the figure are taken as a normal fact, but you can and must fight with extra soft centimeters! At first you need positive mood, health feeding and physical activity.

Pregnancy, childbirth and the complexity of the figure. During the first days after birth a woman is going through a duality of feelings. On the one hand, they become accustomed to their round shape, and it is so quite naturally that she feels like flock. On the other hand, its obvious, all acquired problems. And when the old trousers’ fitting begins, the actual panic starts. Stop! A little correction of the figure is still required, but its effectiveness depends primarily on the willingness and efforts of the strong-willed woman.

At the initial stage you must simply bring the situation under complete control. After giving birth, in a few months with normal diet you will have a natural weight loss, maybe you will not have your previous forms, but the weight loss will come for sure. There is nothing unexpected to happen: woman’s body should have a reserve of energy for the normal development of the child and his birth. Alas, the human body can store energy in the form of extra kilos!

Of course, every woman is unique. But there are rules which are equally applicable to all. First – no panic, all is retrievable! The following relates to nutrition. Ideally, the mother feeding the baby with her breast, giving him the most delicious and healthy foods in the world. Her food must be healthy, of high quality and balanced, without the excesses and double servings. Women who, for various reasons do not apply breastfeeding, good nutrition is also needed for recuperation. Organism, during all nine months of has been working very hard, and fasting and trendy diets can be disastrous for him. All this kinds of things, like the time constraints of physical activity should be determined only by physician.

The third rule is the movement. You will need to accelerate weight loss through exercise s and active lifestyle. Swimming pool is ideal for correcting the figure. Note that the waist is the most affected area. Many women prefer Thai massage to effectively reduce its volume. It is wrong to count on a quick result: someone returns her normal figure in two months, someone in a year.

After learning about the pregnancy, a woman often panic and do not know whether it should completely change the habitual diet and move exclusively to a healthy and beneficial food. Well, there is truth – a balanced diet will benefit any woman, and if you adhere to a healthy diet before pregnancy, you need only make some minor changes.

First of all, we recommend that all women who are planning to conceive a child, regularly take folic acid supplement. Diet low in folic acid increases the risk of birth defects, child development, in particular, neural tube defects, i.e. defects of the spine and brain.  Pregnant woman should start taking folic acid at least one month before conception and continue to receive during the first three months of pregnancy. Another tip: drink more fluids, not waiting until you want to drink. In addition, you should not forget to take a sufficient quantity of minerals such as iron and calcium.

Diet during pregnancy: calorie foods

A healthy diet includes a variety of products with high content of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats. Pregnant woman is required to take 300 calories more  daily than usual. Moreover, the woman who bears twins, will have to switch to more calorie diet.

Typically, women with normal weight need to dial 12-16 kilograms during pregnancy. Thin woman will increase in weight for 13 – 19 kilograms. Even a fat  woman will have to complete a few extra kilos – a minimum of 7 – 11.

Forget about hot dogs

Of course, everyone knows that there are products that pregnant should now eat. First of all, it is alcohol, some drugs (discuss with your doctor, and gynecologist), and illegal drugs. Also, pregnant women should be excluded from the diet, some fish, such as fillet of shark, swordfish, barracudas and mackerel royal. This fish contains a large amount of mercury that can harm the child development. Mercury in large quantities may also contain canned tuna – Albacore. However, the fillet of tuna, which often can be found in stores, also contains high levels of mercury, but in small quantities, which is quite safe.

Do not drink unpasteurized milk, do not eat soft cheeses on the basis of unpasteurized milk, hot dogs, smoked meats and smoked seafood. Those women who still can not do without hot dogs and abandon smoked food, should make sure to warm up the food, because they may contain bacteria, dangerous both for the woman herself, and for the fetus.

Caffeine in reasonable quantities (for example, one – two cups of coffee) does not threaten the future health of mother and baby.

If you’re a smoker, you’ve probably been planning for some time to quit. You know you need to stop, you’ve just been waiting for the right time–and for the willpower to stop.  Now that you’re pregnant, this not only is a great time to stop–it is a critical time.  Not only will you find more energy to get you through the pregnancy, but you will also greatly diminish the risks of health problems for yourself and for your unborn child.  True, stopping will be difficult. Some people say it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done.  And for the pregnant woman, who has enough stress already, it might be even more of a challenge. However, you’ll be glad to know that there are some tips that will make this easier for you, and there are numerous resources that will assist you as well.

When you smoke, poisons from tobacco smoke pass through your lungs and into your blood stream. They are carried around your body and interfere with the way it works. Every puff you take on a cigarette increases the carbon monoxide in your bloodstream which takes the place of oxygen in your blood. The nicotine in the smoke immediately increases your heart rate and blood pressure. It causes your blood vessels to narrow, reducing blood flow. The combination of these causes great stress to your body, especially your heart.

If you smoke when you are pregnant the combination of carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes makes it harder for your baby to get the oxygen and nourishment it needs.
Your baby smokes the same cigarette you do.  As you inhale the poisons that tobacco contains (such as carbon monoxide and nicotine) these same poisons infiltrate into your placenta.  This then sends those poisons, along with the oxygen and nutrients that the placenta is supposed to send, directly to the baby.

Pregnancy smoking is sometimes a cause of pre-term labor, low-birth weight, and even death of the baby.  Here’s a sobering number for you: Studies show that somewhere between 20 to 30% of low-weight babies got that way because of the mother’s smoking. What’s more, about 10% of all early infant deaths is attributed to smoking by the mother.

Smoking during pregnancy by a mother is a major cause of sudden infant death syndrome. It also has the following effects:

• Increases the risk of miscarriage
• Increases the risk of complications during the birth
• Increases the likelihood of having a low-weight baby who is more vulnerable to infection and other health problems
• Increases the chances of the baby dying at or shortly after birth.

Some people think it a waste of time and money to think about stylish maternity clothes during the early phase of pregnancy. But as we proceed towards the last phases of pregnancy and have to deal with expensive hospital bills and numerous expenses, it becomes difficult for us to meet these expenses. Stylish maternity clothes are very important for you to look good and feel great. You should care about yourself and do some shopping.

Some people think it’s a waste of time and money to think about stylish maternity clothes during the early phase of pregnancy. But as we proceed towards the last phases of pregnancy and have to deal with expensive hospital bills and numerous expenses, it becomes difficult for us to meet these expenses. Stylish maternity clothes are very important for you to look good and feel great. You should care about yourself and do some shopping.

Shopping for maternity clothes can be just as much fun as shopping for regular clothes. With the huge variety of maternity clothes available, and following our few simple tips, you can be guaranteed to look great in your maternity clothes.

You should figure out the best way to purchase outfits for your pregnancy wardrobe so that it completes with minimum expenditure. For working women, career wear is also required along with casual wear. If you want to keep a watch on your budget then you should purchase only those outfits that are necessary for you.

Don’t fall into the trap of buying a few outfits and then living in them for the next nine months. This will simply make you feel dowdy and unattractive.

When it’s spring you shop for your spring wardrobe, when it’s summer you shop for your summer wardrobe, now you’re pregnant, shop for your maternity wardrobe.

It is necessary to purchase plenty of maternity tops and tees to add to your stylish maternity clothes. You can mix and match these with numerous outfits. This would give you a good range of choices. Maternity undergarments are very important. Maternity bra that you purchase should be comfortable and not restrict your movement in any respect. Bra should have a good breathing space as your breasts would grow when milk arrives in them. Few pairs of panties of a larger size or two than your normal size should be bought.

Follow these simple tips guaranteed to make you look like a hot mama!

• You know you’re getting bigger but this is no excuse to hide under a tent. Maternity clothes are designed with extra room around the bust and belly area so stick to your size! It is not necessary to look for larger sizes as maternity clothes have been created with your bump in mind.
• If you are of childbearing age, the chances are your friends are too. Give them a call and see what little gems they may have stashed away from their own pregnancy days. Don’t take anything you don’t like, there’s no point in letting their unwanted clothing becoming your unwanted clothing.
• Invest in a pair of maternity jeans which will look great for casual wear and can also be dressed up with a pretty shirt and funky jewelry for a less formal social occasion.
• Choose long a-line floaty sweaters and tops that flow down from the neck and over the hips. These look great with evening pants or a long feminine skirt.
• Soft and feminine looks are very fashionable at the moment and with maternity clothes being more versatile than ever, if you shop well some of your investments can be worn post pregnancy.
• If you are someone that has been stick thin all her life, make the most of your womanly curves and choose maternity clothes that draw attention to the parts of your body that you do want to highlight.

Remember that now you are not alone. There is someone who’s life depends on the nourishment and love you have for him or her. But this does not mean that you would not take care of yourself as your baby is dependent on you. These stylish maternity clothes would help you to be in fashion during all of your pregnancy period. So, you should not hesitate but search for the stylish maternity clothes for yourself or your pregnant friend.

Stretch marks occur when expanding skin is stretched to its limit and tiny tears appear in the supporting layers of skin. Stretch marks are quite common in pregnancy; about 50-90% of women will get stretch marks on their abdomen, breasts, thighs or buttocks during pregnancy. However, there are ways to get rid of those stretch marks.

When you first notice stretch marks they will be red or purple lines, however these lines soon fade. The skin that is affected by your stretch marks will feel empty or extremely soft. Please do not worry about your stretch marks, as they pose no detrimental risk to your health.

Your chances of getting pregnancy stretch marks depend on a number of factors. Family history makes a difference-if your mother got stretch marks, chances are you’ll have them too. Ethnicity is another matter – women with darker skin are less likely to get stretch marks. Weight gain and weight loss can also change the magnitude of your marks. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated, as this will help your skin stretch.

Mothers who have just given birth are slimming down and noticing the results of being bloated like a hot air balloon. People like that guy from those Subway commercials are seeing the same thing, parallel lines that form on the stomach, the butt, the thighs, arms, and breasts—the symptoms of stretch marks caused by stretching the skin too far, or stretching the skin just fast enough that the body couldn’t keep up, and now it’s trying to grow back to normal. But the lines are faded and damn do those stretch marks stand out!

Apply cocoa butter to your stretch marks. Cocoa butter helps skin to regain some of its elasticity, meaning it can more easily return to its pre-pregnancy state. If you apply cocoa butter while pregnant, it can also help to prevent stretch marks.

Massage your stretch marks. Use circulation motions to gently massage the marks. As massage improves circulation, blood and nutrients can more readily reach the stretch marks, helping them to heal more quickly. Massage the marks for about 90 seconds three to four times per day.

Use a scar treatment cream on your stretch marks. Such creams are available over-the-counter in most drug stores. Generally, you’ll need to apply the cream twice a day for 8 to 12 weeks before you see results.

Consume a healthy diet. Aim to get plenty of Vitamin A, Vitamin D and zinc. All these nutrients are essential to good skin health. Without proper nutrition, your scarred skin will not be able to adequately heal itself.

There are several surgical procedures available to dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons that will get rid of stretch marks. The first and increasingly more popular choice is laser assisted scar removal. Since stretch marks are, technically, a sort of scar tissue, laser surgery can removal the top layers of skin to allow newer skin to take its place. Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion work in very much the same manner as the laser option, but they use a fine blade (like an electric razor) to scrape away the upper layers of skin, promoting new skin cell growth.

Everybody knows about the harmful effects of alcohol to uterus and postnatal development of the organism of the child. Thus, even in ancient times it was believed that Hephaestus – the only cripple among the Olympian gods – was conceived by Zeus when he was drunk. Aristotle described drinking as a voluntary madness. He claimed that constantly bibulous or feeble-minded women, in most cases, have children with similar defects. Helios thought that if the drunk man has a child, it is unlikely that the baby «will have a good head». Carthage and Sparta had laws prohibiting married couples to consume alcohol before they are 30 years old. This was done to avoid conception while intoxicated.

Future parents should be aware that in certain periods of pregnancy effects of alcohol is especially dangerous for the body of the child. The period of extra-uterine development (7-8 days after fertilization)is the most vulnerable, as the impact of negative factors, including alcohol, can cause serious injury to eggs. In the early period (from 3 to 6 weeks of intrauterine development) the development of organs and systems of the embryo takes place. And each system is developed in a strictly defined period of time. For example, a 17-38th day after fertilization occurs the development of heart, at the 18th day – the nervous system, a 36-180th day – the genitals, etc. Use of alcohol or other toxic substances during the active formation of systems and organs of the developing embryo may contribute to abnormal deviations in those organs and systems.

Alcohol syndrome fetus and Pregnancy

Prolonged effects of alcohol leads to oxygen starvation in the developing organs of the body. As a result of late development of the brain, its mass decreases, pathologic changes occur in the liver, the skeleton of the head, activity of blood-forming organs and a number of enzymes is reduced. There are many changes on the part of almost all organs and systems of the fetus. With chronic use of alcohol during pregnancy in the future the newborn will have some combination of defects of physical and mental development, which in medical practice is known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

The main cause of the fetal alcohol syndrome, as demonstrated by scientific evidence, is a violation of chromosome – the damage of genetic structures of cells. They are not inherited from parents, but may appear under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol fetal syndrome is characterized by four groups of disorders: pre-and post dystrophy, craniofacial disorders, abnormalities of organs and systems, leading to various deformities, and damage to the various divisions of the brain.

Please note an important fact: the safe dose of alcohol for pregnant women does not exist! That is why every woman should know that only a complete abstinence from any alcohol during pregnancy (no matter whether it is beer, alcohol is considered an easy or natural grape wine) can guarantee the birth of a healthy baby!

Drinking coffee during pregnancy increases the risk of birth with faint lip.

A joint study by American and Norwegian scientists showed that the consumption of coffee during pregnancy increases the risk of the a child birth with cleft upper lip or palate (harelip or cleft palate).

Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect fetal heart rate and respiration, so limit your consumption. Up to 300mg of caffeine a day (an 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 150mg, a 12-ounce can of soda has 35 to 50mg, and an 8-ounce cup of black tea has abut 40mg) is okay.

Children of women, who drink three cups of coffee a day during the first trimester of pregnancy, are born with congenital pathology of the upper lip or palate 1.39 times more than the women do not use coffee. The probability of the birth of a child with such defects for women who drank more than three cups of coffee during the first three months of pregnancy, increased 1.59 times.

According to the doctors, the increase of the birth of a child with a faint lip or «cleft palate» is not due to caffeine, as well as among women who use tea during pregnancy, it was below normal. Researchers believe that this happens because the majority of women who drink coffee are smokers.

Experts say caffeine may damage the DNA of babies in the womb, making them more susceptible to leukemia, the most common cancer in children.

The probability child birth with the pathology of the upper lip or palate is small: for 600-800 healthy children, one child is born with such defects. Doctors also say that women planning to have children and pregnant women should focus on lifestyle: mostly stop smoking and to comply with diet.