 |
 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 51 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 108684 |
| Visitors Out: 392 |
| Total Visitors Out: 392 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| Birth Ball - Making Labor More Comfortable |
| 2007-12-01 09:05:00 |
Birth ball, you say, what the heck is that!Actually it is a standard physiotherapy ball used in physical therapy departments all over the world. Many physical therapists seem to be drawn to the labor and birth arena, and some how someone got the idea of letting pregnant women sit on the ball, and eventually its use also expanded to include labor and birth.These balls are great for relieving discomfort during pregnancy. It provides a firm, yet soft place to sit. It also forces good posture, allowing for decreased straining of your muscles.When moms are learning to squat the birth ball can help them achieve this without the need for a partner. Simply by placing the birth ball on the wall and then leaning with it against your s...
|
| |
|
| When Will Your Baby Be Born |
| 2007-11-29 08:36:00 |
Pregnancy Due DatesDetermining your due date can seem like a maze these days. How do you do it and what does it all mean?Let's take a look at the history of determining due dates and how it affects when your baby will be born.Dr. Naegele, circa 1850, determined that the average length of human gestation was approximately 266 days from conception. He assumed that the average woman had cycles that lasted 28 days and that she ovulated on Day 14 of her cycle. He used his data to come up with a mathematical calculation for due dates:((LMP + 7 days) - 3 months) = Due DateEX: ((January 1, 1996 + 7 days) - 3 months) = October 8, 1996However, Dr. Naegele did not consider certain factors in his calculation. For example: Not every woman ovulates on Day 14. Other situations that he did not factor in w...
|
| |
|
| Weird Pregnancy Dreams |
| 2007-11-29 08:31:00 |
It wouldn't take a dream interrupter to explain to me that the above dream was caused from my prenatal insurance being canceled because of glitch - namely that I was the daughter of my husband! Obviously it was a mistake, but not one that my hormones and subconscious were going to quickly let me forget. "I kept on hearing a crying baby, I tried to follow that crying but it was so dark that I was stumbling on bushes and rocks and the baby's crying seemed to have been coming from all around me, so it was impossible to reach it, I started screaming and calling for help, but only heard my echo and the baby still cried..." The dreams that we have in pregnancy are tainted with the worries and joys of pregnancy and the chan...
|
| |
|
| Sex While Pregnant Questions |
| 2007-11-28 08:26:00 |
Sex during pregnancy can be a touchy subject between couples. The rule is to follow your desires and really open the lines of communication. Over the course of the years, I've been asked many personal questions about sex during pregnancy, here are some of the questions with answers. Q. Now that I'm pregnant can I still have sex, and if so, for how long into my pregnancy? A. Sex in pregnancy is wonderful! You can continue to have sex as far into pregnancy, right up until birth, as you and your partner are comfortable. This includes orgasms. There are a few reasons why you shouldn't have sex during certain periods during pregnancy. These include: Bleeding Preterm Labor Sexually Transmitted Disease (you or your par...
|
| |
|
| How To Shave Your Legs While Pregnant |
| 2007-11-28 08:15:00 |
Shaving your legs while very pregnant can be hazardous to your health! Humorous but practical, here's the how to for those who dare...Difficulty: HardTime Required: 30+ minutesHere's How:Make sure you really need to shave your legs before even considering this option. If it's winter maybe you can just wear long pants!If you do need to shave, consider a mini-shave, say from the mid-calf down. Also great for winter shaving techniques!Get something to shave with like a shaving lotion or soap, something smooth enough to shave with, but thick enough not to run down your legs too quickly.I prefer the "sit on the edge of the tub" method. It saves your balance and provides the best view of all areas.I usually place a towel under ...
|
| |
|
| Chorionic Villus Sampling |
| 2007-11-28 08:13:00 |
Why the test is done:This test can be used to determine if your baby has a chromosomal disorder.How the test is done:A small needle/catheter is placed either through the abdomen or through the vagina near the uterus to collect a small sample of villi. Ultrasound is used to guide the needle/catheter away from the baby and the placenta.When the test is done:Genetic disorders testing can be done as early as 8 weeks.How the results are given:Depends on the results. Usually the genetic defect is identified or a normal baby is identified, including gender.Risks involved:There was a 3-5% miscarriage rate associated with this test, though recent studies are saying that the risk of CVS is more in line with the 1-2% from amniocentesis. This may vary by practitioner, mainly due to experience levels. ...
|
| |
|
| Sunbathing While Pregnant |
| 2007-11-26 11:18:00 |
Having a tan is considered a healthy look. However, nothing could be further from the truth. When you add pregnancy to the mixture it can become even more dangerous. In addition to the risks of regular sunbathing (sun burn, skin cancer, etc.), pregnancy adds a whole new dimension. Exposure to the sun can increase the core temperature of the pregnant woman, this in turn can elevate the temperature of the fetus, which can cause brain damage if raised high enough or long enough. While pregnant the hormones, mainly estrogen, in your body actually can increase the risk of cholasma or mask of pregnancy when exposed to the sun. These darkened spots, usually on the forehead and across the nose, may or may not retreat after pregnancy. The simple answer for t...
|
| |
|
| 10 Tips for Dads to Make the Most of Pregnancy |
| 2007-11-24 21:26:00 |
Rub her feet. Doing a hand or foot massage can help relieve a lot of tension and give you some quiet time to talk. I prefer using a mint lotion on my feet to help invigorate myself. Ask her what he preference is for lotion. Clean the bathroom. This might sound like something that is very low priority but who wants to throw up in a dirty toilet? This is one of the best things my husband does for me! Show interest. Yes, you're discussing baby names for the umpteenth time, but it's important to her and ultimately you. Go to appointments when you can, if you have trouble getting away be sure to make it to the big ones like the first heartbeat and the ultrasounds. Take her out to dinner. Don't forget date night! Sometimes it seems like your fetus has taken over your life mo...
|
| |
|
| How To Tell Your Husband That You Are Pregnant |
| 2007-11-24 08:44:00 |
For our first pregnancy, we told my husband's family in an interesting way. It was after supper, and the whole family had been over at my husband's parent's place. We were all sitting in the family room, and my husband, Greg, said that he had something important to ask mom and dad. He hummed and hawed a little, and said that he needed to ask to borrow something. Greg's brother was getting impatient, and he said, "Just spit it out, Greg." Then my husband asked his parents if we could borrow the family cradle, one that had been in the family for over 20 years. The family just stared at us with their mouth open, and we all started laughing and crying at the same time. It was a great way to share our news. For our second pregnancy, we were all on...
|
| |
|
| Early Pregnancy Checklist |
| 2007-11-23 08:10:00 |
Congratulations, you're pregnant! Although it may seem early, there are plenty of things you'll need to do during your first trimester -- like eating well and getting lots of sleep.Schedule your first prenatal visit with your practitioner when you're about nine weeks along. Plan on seeing your practitioner every four weeks.Avoid alcohol, drugs and cigarettes.If your immunizations are not up to date, let your practitioner know.Drink lots of fluids, especially water (8 to 10 glasses a day).Stick to a diet naturally high in folic acid (oranges, melons and dark green vegetables).Eat plenty of iron-rich foods (whole grains, beans, raisins and nuts).Keep your blood sugar level elevated by eating lots of high-protein and high-carbohydrate foods such as breads, brown rice, potatoes and cheese.As a...
|
| |
|
| Avoiding Food Hazards in Pregnancy |
| 2007-11-22 08:16:00 |
It seems like every time you turn around someone is telling pregnant women to avoid something. Unfortunately food preparation is included in the list of cautions. However, with a few simple rules you can have a carefree and safe pregnancy.Most pregnant women know that they are to avoid or minimize things that have little or no nutritional value, like caffeine, sweets, processed foods, etc.. However, there are some things that also need to be watched for in general:SalmonellaThis is usually traceable to eggs and chicken meat. This means no more licking the cake batter spoon! You should always ensure that your eggs and meats are cooked thoroughly. When using a cutting board for chicken be sure to wash it prior to using it f...
|
| |
|
| Hypnosis for Labor |
| 2007-11-21 08:17:00 |
Mind Over MatterWhen you say the word hypnosis most people think of a hypnotic trance where the woman is completely asleep or unaware of what is going on with her body while she gives birth. This is far from the truth."(Most people believe) that it is some New Age-y bizarre class where the mom goes into a TV trance at the beginning of labor and comes out after the baby is born. It's so much simpler and normal than that. So many clients have noted how the techniques learned in class can be used in all sorts of life situations, well beyond the birth of the baby," explains Kristen Olberz, RN, HBCE, an educator and labor and delivery nurse.The techniques used were frequently mind numbing and altering, and that's if you were awake. Much of the work behind hypnob...
|
| |
|
| Pregnancy Dos and Don'ts - The Do's |
| 2007-11-17 10:45:00 |
Follow these helpful hints to ensure your spouse a healthy pregnancy:Get all her essential vitamins and minerals every day. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, women need a lot more iron when pregnant. And sometimes it's hard to get enough by eating alone. Ask your doctor if your spouse should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin or multivitamin. Get 400 micrograms (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily in her diet. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, getting enough folic acid (or folate) reduces the chances of some birth defects. Some women eat lots of certain foods and others take multivitamins to get enough folic acid during pregnancy. Eat a healthy diet. Load her up on fruits, vegetables, and wh...
|
| |
|
| Pregnancy Dos and Don'ts - The Don'ts |
| 2007-11-17 10:43:00 |
Help your spouse steer clear of these pregnancy no-nos to help keep her and the baby safe and healthy: Avoid fish with lots of mercury in her diet. Get correct information from your dietician on what fish to eat and what fish to avoid when she is pregnant. Don't disregard food borne illness. Eat, cook, handle and clean food safely! According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, food borne illness can cause serious health problems - or even death for both mother and baby. Protect her from using chemicals. Products including herbicides, pesticides, paint, stains, and some cleaning solutions may be harmful to your baby. If she must use these things, make sure she wears gloves, a mask, and keeps the room well-ventilated. Don't let ...
|
| |
|
| How long does it take to get pregnant? |
| 2007-11-06 08:58:00 |
How long does it take to get pregnant?Once you discontinue the use of birth control, and try to become pregnant: 25% in the first month60% in six months75% in nine months80% in twelve months90% in eighteen monthsWhen it takes a year or longer of actively trying to conceive, it is generally recommended that you see your practitioner for advice. Infertility can be the reason you have not conceived. Approximately 30% of infertility is caused by male factors, 30% to female factors, and the rest is either a combination or the cause hasn't been found. About.com...
|
| |
|
| How Folate Can Help Prevent Birth Defects |
| 2007-11-06 08:57:00 |
How Folate Can Help Prevent Birth Defectsby Paula Kurtzweil If you plan to have children some day, here's important information for the future mother-to-be: Think folate now. Folate is a B vitamin found in a variety of foods and added to many vitamin and mineral supplements as folic acid, a synthetic form of folate. Folate is needed both before and in the first weeks of pregnancy and can help reduce the risk of certain serious and common birth defects called neural tube defects, which affect the brain and spinal cord. The tricky part is that neural tube defects can occur in an embryo before a woman realizes she's pregnant. That's why it's important for all women of childbearing age (15 to 45) to include folate in their diets: If they get pregnant, i...
|
| |
|
| The Myth of a Vaginal Exam |
| 2007-11-05 08:55:00 |
The Myth of a Vaginal ExamVaginal exams. I don't know a single woman who likes them.However, there is a myth perpetuated in our society that vaginal exams at the end of pregnancy are beneficial. The common belief is that by doing a vaginal exam one can tell that labor will begin soon. This is not the case.Most practitioners will do an initial vaginal exam at the beginning of pregnancy to do a pap smear, and other testing. Then they don't do any until about the 36 week mark, unless complications arise that call for further testing or to assess the cervix. If your practitioner wants to do a vaginal exam at every visit, you should probably question them as to why.Vaginal exams can measure certain things:Dilation: How far your cer...
|
| |
|
| Couvade Syndrome |
| 2007-11-05 08:52:00 |
Couvade SyndromeDads, have you ever noticed that you were gaining weight along with your partner's pregnancy? Do you find yourself feel queasy at certain times of the day? Have you experienced appetite changes? Then you may be experiencing Couvade Syndrome.Couvade comes from the french word couvee meaning "to hatch". It has come to mean a man having a "sympathetic pregnancy." Yes, ladies, this means that your partner could start to vomit, gain weight, and have many of the "joys" associated with pregnancy.Generally, couvade syndrome begins in the end of the first trimester and increases in severity until the third trimester. The only known cure for couvade is -- birth.Some people have doubted the reality of couvade syndrome. These doubters say that the we...
|
| |
|
| Fetal Kick Counts |
| 2007-11-02 09:22:00 |
Fetal Kick CountsIs my baby okay?One of the most frequently asked questions is that of the baby's health and well-being. While a window into the womb is a great idea, it just doesn't work that way. However, we have found a simple fetal monitoring technique that you can use at home to help alleviate some of your fears.Fetal Kick Counts are becoming very popular among practitioners everywhere. They are simple, free, and anyone can do. While all babies move in different amounts and different times, most healthy babies will move frequently in your uterus. It is also a great way to notice decreased fetal movements.The Fetal Kick Count is done in many ways. This is but one of the ways of counting and recording your baby's movement.The first thing you want to do is pick your babies most active ti...
|
| |
|
| Preterm Labor Signs and Symptoms |
| 2007-11-01 15:50:00 |
Preterm Labor Signs and Symptoms Premature labor, also known as preterm labor, is a very serious complication of pregnancy. This is defined as labor that begins prior to 37 weeks gestation. Unfortunately, many women do not understand the signs of premature labor. Early detection can help prevent premature birth and possibly enable you to carry your pregnancy to term or to give your baby a better chance of survival. Signs of Premature Labor Call your practitioner if you have any of the following: Contractions or cramps, more than 5 in one hour Bright red blood from your vagina Swelling or puffiness of the face or hands, a sign of preeclampsia Pain during urination, possible urinary tr...
|
| |
|
| Fainting and Dizziness in Pregnancy |
| 2007-11-01 15:49:00 |
Fainting is common during pregnancy. The blood may pool in the lower body and the brain may become temporarily deprived of oxygen, causing fainting or dizziness. Suggestions:Avoid standing for long periods of time While standing practice contracting and relaxing your leg and buttocks muscles to help blood return to your head When resting lay on your side as opposed to your back When sitting return to standing slowly Don't get out of a hot bath too quickly Keep cool in hot weather If you feel faint, sit to avoid injury and place your head lower than your body, kneeling on all fours works too Make sure you blood sugar isn't low, eat small protein rich snacks throughout the day Shiatsu points Lung 9 (LU9) and Heart 7 (HT7) together, if done by so...
|
| |
|
| Ectopic Pregnancy |
| 2007-10-27 09:54:00 |
Ectopic PregnancyEctopic pregnancy is the number one cause of death of women in the first trimester of pregnancy. With the numbers of ectopic pregnancies on the rise, it is important to understand more about ectopic pregnancies.Some FactsWhen we think of the term ectopic pregnancy we frequently imagine a pregnancy that has occurred in the fallopian tube. This is an accurate representation about 95% of the time. The other forms of ectopic pregnancy are: abdominal, ovarian, cornual, and cervical.While we don't always know the cause of an ectopic pregnancy there are certain risk factors that we can notice:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or SalpingitisInfertilityPrevious Ectopic PregnanciesPrevious pelvic or abdominal surgeryEndometriosisPrevious Tubal Li...
|
| |
|
| Sleeping like a baby |
| 2007-10-27 09:54:00 |
Sleeping like a babyDuring my first pregnancy, as morning sickness and the reality of of the exhaustion set in, I couldn't stay awake. I would literally get up at 9 AM, work for 2 hours, and come home and go back to sleep until early evening. Eat dinner and hit the hay for the night.The second trimester brought some relief to both the exhaustion and the morning sickness, but presented new problems, namely aches and pains. However, at this stage it wasn't anything that a few pillows couldn't cure.At the end of my pregnancy our bed looked like a pillow factory; my husband could rarely fit in our bed with me and the pillows, and I would lie awake at night for long periods of time.These scenarios aren't very different for pregnant women any where, though there are different types of problems w...
|
| |
|
| Telling the Gender with Ultrasound |
| 2007-10-27 09:28:00 |
Telling the Gender with Ultrasound Many families rely on ultrasound to tell the gender or sex of their new baby. How accurate that report is will depend on many factors including the age of the baby, the equipment used, the technician, and the cooperation of the baby. One of my pet peeves is that people take ultrasound for granted when it comes to gender determination. Not only can ultrasound be inaccurate, but there is also what I call the "Absence of Penis = Girl" theory. This theory states that if the ultrasound technician fails to find a penis the baby is automagically a girl. Here are some ultrasound of different "parts" for your viewing. You will see that clearly a girl is more than the absence of a penis.E...
|
| |
|
| 10 Tips for Dads to Make the Most of Pregnancy |
| 2007-10-26 09:16:00 |
10 Tips for Dads to Make the Most of PregnancyRub her feet. Doing a hand or foot massage can help relieve a lot of tension and give you some quiet time to talk. I prefer using a mint lotion on my feet to help invigorate myself. Ask her what he preference is for lotion.Clean the bathroom. This might sound like something that is very low priority but who wants to throw up in a dirty toilet? This is one of the best things my husband does for me!Show interest. Yes, you're discussing baby names for the umpteenth time, but it's important to her and ultimately you. Go to appointments when you can, if you have trouble getting away be sure to make it to the big ones like the first heartbeat and the ultrasounds.Take her out to dinn...
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
|
 |
