Latest Pregnancy Articles

Baby Shower Games and Memories

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:35:06 -0400

Being pregnant some women do not take pleasure in; the sudden odd cravings, the addition of a few pounds, the morning sickness, and the unforgettable back aches. The celebration of a new life, on the other hand, is something that every soon to be mother and friends love to enjoy. Bringing loved ones together to share a miraculous process and event can create lasting bonds. The gathering for a new additional member to the family with the festivities of a baby shower is essential. But what is a baby shower without the games? It is the key ingredient to any baby shower.

When one is hosting a baby shower event, guests are expecting to be entertained and engaged with the new bundle of joy to come. Baby shower games will create a lasting impression during any shower. The games will generate memories and amusement for all attendees. Emotions will fly high with laughter, excitement, and a bit of competition to keep guests on their toes.

The beauties of planning for a baby shower event are the vast different games selections to choose from. Some game ideas range anywhere from "My Water Just Broke" to a classic favorite "Measuring Mom's Waist/Stomach." Or for those with creative minds may come up with a new and unique game. Whichever the game selection route may be, the games provide a creative ice breaker to bring guests closer together. Not only this, but the games will provide a means of delight to retain the interests of guests; and perhaps, to avoid dull small talk such as weather and politics.

Prizes may be awarded to create friendly competition amongst guests, which will always add entertainment to any festivity. Depending on the host, prizes may retain the baby theme or can be gag gifts to keep the comedic atmosphere alive during a shower.

Expectant mothers cherish every lasting memory with their child during their nine months of pregnancy. And to know that loved ones can be entertained and joyful during a precious moment, such as a baby shower, will create the start of many photo opportunities to come. The memories created will be everlasting.

Baby Shower Favors: Bringing It Back To Our Childhood

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:41:13 -0400

Remember when you were a kid and you used to get those really cool little gift bags at birthday parties? You know what I'm talking about: those bags filled with party favors like tiny hair brushes, Chinese finger traps, paddle balls and maybe a little bit of candy? Yeah, it was awesome how those little 2 cent pieces of plastic would make you smile.

Unfortunately, when we grow older we eliminate the gift bags from our parties and replace it with promises of free beer and wine. And while that has its pluses, sometimes you just sort of pine for the simplicity of tiny party favors that you used to receive. Luckily for all of us, the idea of party favors have not totally gone the way of the buffalo as grow older. Party favors are still alive and well at baby showers.

While baby shower favors are not a new thing, they have hit a bit of a renaissance in the past few years. The expansion of internet purchasing habits in has led to full sites dedicated to nothing but baby shower supplies and gift. If you go to these sites you'll see pages upon pages full of baby shower favors. And here's the shocking thing: they are things you will actually like and use. Let's be honest, as much as we thought those gift bags were cool, did we ever really use those paddleballs or temporary tattoos? No, they just went into some draw and were thrown out during spring cleaning. Baby shower gifts, on the other hand, are actually things you'll like and use, like candy, candles, lip balm and soap. Plus, they won't break it three seconds like the birthday favors.

Did I mention that these baby shower gifts are darn cute too? Oh yeah, because us women love the idea of cute things baby shower sites are stocked with the cutest gifts you could imagine. Love owls, monkeys and frogs? Well, good news: there are favors just for you. I even found a cute little soap bar that is shaped like a giraffe.

The best part about all of the baby shower gifts is that they can be personalized. You can get names and personalized messages printed on everything from the soaps to the candy. I know it seems like a small thing, but like the old 2 cent pieces of plastics, these baby shower favors will surely bring a smile to your friends faces.

Colostrum During Pregnancy

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:39:26 -0400

The most common change that a woman experience during her pregnancy, is the enlargement of her breasts. The nipples become darker; and colostrum, a thick fluid may leak from the breasts. These are all normal; and the recommended action, is to wear a bra that will fit your enlarged breasts. It is important so that you may not feel discomfort.

Possible benefits for you a recent evaluation of research on breastfeeding and breast cancer showed that the more months a woman breastfeeds the less likely she is to develop breast cancer. Researchers estimated that women in countries like the U.S. could reduce their risk of breast cancer by 4.3% for each 12 months spent breastfeeding.

The benefits of colostrum were first documented in India and reached the western world in 1950s, when a group of scientists depicted the method to isolate the anti-polio substance from cow's milk. Polio was a major disease in the west at that time making this a major breakthrough. In 1969, a paper published in "Natural History", revealed that colostrum contains up to 40 times the amount of immunoglobulin G, one of the body's most effective immune protectors, than human breast milk.

Side effects like abdominal discomfort and/or diarrhea may also occur when the colostrum consumption is too high and too fast. In strict medical terms, abdominal discomfort and/or diarrhea is not a side effect but the process where the body gets rid of the toxins accumulated during the illness. In any case, you must consult your doctor before consuming colostrum on a regular basis. If you are allergic to milk and milk products, you may experience headache, muscle aches, or stomach distress.

Colostrum is the first milk your body makes. It will provide your baby with everything he or she needs to start life, including a dose of immunities and protection from jaundice. Towards the end of pregnancy some women may find that their breasts leak this golden color fluid. Or you may notice that your nipples have a film or caked substance, this is all colostrum. You can use a breast pad if it becomes noticeable or if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Pregnancy week 32 is still a good time to decide for the mode of birth. Aside from having the thought of vaginal or caesarian operation in mind, take some time to enjoy knowing that your baby is now 19 inches in length and weighs 4 pounds. This time, the volume of blood that is in the woman's body is approximately 40 times more than what she is normally containing. Pain is still dominating during pregnancy week 32. Back pains and pelvic pains throughout the buttocks are usually the complaints of most pregnant mothers.

Pregnancy Massage Tips

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:03:01 -0400

Pregnancy is a very special time for a mother to bond with the child she is carrying and no doubt it will always be remembered as a unique experience. It is also however a time of great physical change as the mother's body adapts to include the growth of another human inside her. Along with the physical changes come the emotional changes and fluctuations as her body undergoes radical physiological modifications.

The secret is this: You don't have to "just live with it" or accept that "it will go away when the baby comes" as some people might tell you. The fact is, if you see a skilled pregnancy massage therapist trained in the application of therapeutic pregnancy massage, your discomforts can be relieved. This is not the sort of massage that you enjoy for the moment that fades away by tomorrow. A skilled prenatal massage therapist will educate you on what you can do at home to keep the effects of the massage lasting on for weeks and weeks.

The major difference between pregnancy massage and regular massage is that the person receiving the massage is pregnant. An obvious point to state perhaps, but nevertheless very important.When massage a pregnant woman it is very important that the practitioner have knowledge of pregnancy and the anatomy, as positioning during a massage is a critical factor to the safety of both mother and baby.

Prenatal massage is known to do a number of things in easing the discomfort of pregnancy. It can relieve stress, decrease some of the swelling and water retention that accompanies pregnancy, reduce pain in muscles and joints, and increase circulation. Many women find that turning to massage is a preferable alternative to taking medication, which is carried over to the fetus and may have harmful side effects.

As with any massage service, the massage therapist should be alerted to any prescient health issues. This is especially important during pregnancy. Circumstances in which pregnancy massage should not be performed include high blood pressure, diabetes, fever, unusual abdominal pain or vomiting, or any malignant condition. Varicose veins and swelling are other conditions the therapist should be made aware of prior to the massage, though the service can still be safely performed in spite of these. Some standard precautions the therapist will take include abstaining from deep pressure and avoiding heat so as not to take blood away from the fetus.

Pregnancy can be a time of stress. You are constantly worrying about the act of giving birth, your body, your child's health, being a parent, etc. The last thing you need to deal with is a sore back. Going for a massage during pregnancy will help you get your mind off things and de-stress. If you are still early on in your pregnancy, you may want to go visit a spa with your girlfriends. For those who are over four or five months pregnant, you will have to enlist the aid of a professional pregnancy and postpartum masseuse. These professionals are well trained and should be qualified to perform massages for expectant mothers.

Another care to be taken while giving the massage is your position. Since you cannot lie on your stomach, you will most often be laid on your side with pillows for support. While there are special tables designed to allow room for a pregnant belly, most therapists prefer to have you rest on your side. Pregnant mothers are very sensitive and masseurs will need to be careful when giving massages as to not harm the baby in any way. To ensure this result intensity of the massage is also very important.

Trying to Track It Down, Drama Free

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:49:08 -0400

Sometimes I feel like, as a woman, drama is something that I just have to deal with, no matter what. In my years on this earth I've learned that no matter what the situation, no matter who the players, drama is just going to find a way to slip into just about any situation and make it, well, dramatic. Never fails, trust me. It doesn't matter if something has been planned so meticulously that there is a 99% chance it will go off without a hitch, that 1% will find a way to produce at least some drama.

With that said, there are a few times, very few and far between, where, for some reason, everything just sort of works out drama free. When this occurs it's the most shocking thing in the world. You can't really enjoy it, though, because the entire time you expect it to fall apart. It's not until afterwards where you can bask in the beautiful, drama-free experience that just occurred.

For example, a few weeks ago I was put in charge of finding some baby shower favors for my friends' upcoming baby shower. Personally, I hate being put in charge of getting stuff for other people's parties because, like clockwork, something always happens to make the process that much harder. Typically it happens like this: about halfway through my search friend either changes her mind or decides that her original idea needs expanding on. This usually leads to either more work on my end or some hurt feelings.

So when I was able to track down and purchase baby shower favors quickly and get instant approval from my friend about what I was about to purchase, you can believe that I was still mildly skeptical. I assume it's like how Chicago Cubs fans feel when their team is going to the playoffs. You want to believe that everything is going to go ok, but frankly you fee l in your heart of hearts that it's all going to fall apart.

So it wasn't until after the baby shower that I finally felt secure that the favors I picked out would work. They did, everyone loved them, especially my friend. She loves owls so I was able to track down some awesome owl themed favors which were met by oooo's and awes during the event. When I got into bed that night and thought back I realized I did the impossible: I got through an event without drama. If I could bottle and sell that feeling I would.

Time-Proven Techniques Ensure Breastfeeding Success

Sun, 23 May 2010 13:39:49 -0400

Artists and scientists throughout the ages might agree there's nothing to compare with breastfeeding an infant. Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers nurse their infants for the first year due to the ideal proportions of over 200 ingredients in human milk - not duplicated in formula.

Mothers nursing a little one for the first time may need access to time-proven techniques their great-grandmothers took for granted in order to be successful, says Dr. Robert Rodriguez, founder of Buddy Boutique, a supplier of healthy, organic, and easy-to-use breastfeeding and baby products.

Dr. Rodriguez, who has studied the behaviors of first-time parents since 1970, publishes and lectures extensively, providing expectant and new parents with ways to have happy, enduring families. He believes practice and persistence characterize successful nursing mothers.

"Of course, plenty of mothers find breastfeeding to be the easiest thing in the world. Others, however, consider quitting before they've given themselves and their babies a chance to master the skills needed for nursing."

Nursing the Newborn

Babies are born with unique reflexes predisposing them toward breast-feeding. A newborn baby turns toward the mother's breast and opens his mouth as though rooting. Then, when the nipple touches the roof of the baby's mouth, s/he begins to suckle, obtaining healthful colostrum. Sounds simple, right?

"None of this matters if s/he doesn't grasp the breast correctly," says Rodriguez. To make certain, the mother gets the baby to open its mouth really wide by stroking the nipple across its lip. Then, she "moves the baby quickly onto the breast."
Mothers check to see that the baby's mouth covers most of the areola, and that baby's lips are turned out. The baby begins a deep, rhythmic sucking and pausing patter, says Rodriguez.

"Allow baby to nurse about 10 minutes on the first breast, then switch to the other and continue until s/he is done," says Rodriguez. If the baby doesn't release and drop off, the nursing mother should just slide her little finger into the corner of his mouth before removing him from the nipple. Alternating sides helps make certain each breast is properly drained, so Rodriguez recommends attaching a safety pin to one's bra to keep track.

Nursing on Rotation

Around the third or fourth day, the mother's milk comes in. Nursing frequently for the 24-48 hours is recommended to alleviate the discomfort of full, tender, swollen breasts - a circumstance known as engorgement.

"At first, that may mean feeding baby as frequently as every two hours," says Rodriguez, "but gradually spreading out to every three or four hours is realistic."
Parents will know their baby is getting enough to eat if s/he nurses frequently, latches well, sucks vigorously, wets six to eight diapers daily, has several yellow bowel movements, and gains wait consistently, he says.

Incorrect Latching and Other Concerns

"Perhaps Mom hears clicking noises instead of swallowing or feels pain while nursing," says Rodriguez. "Or maybe baby falls off the breast repeatedly."

In the event this happens, mothers can repeat the latching procedure until the little one is correctly positioned, ensuring baby gets enough to eat and protecting the mother's nipples.

Nursing problems are easily corrected if approached early, says Rodriguez, who recommends a doctor or lactation consultant to address concerns.

Nursing in public or in front of baby's grandparents may make new mothers feel uncomfortable as well, says Rodriguez. Many nursing mothers want the privacy of organic, natural, hypoallergenic baby products with a safe design based on proven health concepts, such as the Organic Buddy Nursing Cover-Up.

"The Buddy is a premiere cover-up. It doesn't leave the baby in the dark. It doesn't suffocate the baby or impede respiration in any way," says Dr. Rodriguez. "There's wonderful eye contact. When it comes to the privacy issue, many mothers feel it's a ‘perfect answer.'"

For more information, visit:
http://buddyboutique.com

Pregnancy books

Mon, 17 May 2010 03:27:47 -0400

Books are a man's best friend. Pregnancy books are no different. These books are written to cover a variety of topics including pregnancy symptoms, warning signs, breastfeeding, labor and childbirth, and childcare. Expecting mothers can find a lot of valuable information on each and every aspect of pregnancy. These books are one of the best pregnancy resources that a pregnant woman can find.

Visit Your Local Library
You could also search their online catalog. The point here is to get a feel of what kinds of books exist on the topic and what sorts of books might be of interest to you. While a few of these might be worth purchasing, you might want to save some money by borrowing those ones that are worth reading only once from the library.

The best bet if you do have a medically related question is to ask you Doctor. You can ask your friends but if you do believe that something could be wrong with you or the baby that you are carrying it never hurts to ask. A lot of people don't want to "bother" their OB, trust me that is what they are there for and they probably have heard of everything you are about to ask. Some questions refer more to the changes in your body is experiencing; pregnancy books and articles are great to have these questions answered.

2. Fear. Everyone experiences fear of some sort. The unfortunate thing about fear is it usually is self induced by our personal lack of confidence in something and our thoughts. I remember being scared to death to be a parent and I wasn't going to have children because of how I was raised as a child. Thankfully I did - it's been the BEST learning and rewarding experience in my life. And there lies why it's important to understand where your fears come from, why you should understand and learn from them.

The diagnoses based on the above description are done using blood tests for HCG and vaginal ultrasound. If the HCG levels are positive, pregnancy is confirmed, but there is no information about the site of the pregnancy. Only a vaginal ultrasound can help the doctor locate the gestational sac. However, the sac cannot be seen clearly in cases of Ectopic. If the HCG levels are more than 2000mIU/ml, the doctor will be able to see the sac and in cases where he cannot, the diagnosis is an Ectopic pregnancy.

The moment a positive result emerges and the pregnancy is confirmed, a woman may wish to find out everything connected with pregnancy, the changes that occur in her body and the things she needs to watch out for. In most situations, her partner, too would prefer to know all he can. Besides, one's near and dear ones too, would be very much interested in knowing the details of the pregnancy. Well, there are lots of books available that deal with the different pregnancy stages. These books can embrace issues that may well be beyond a woman's realm of imagination.

Male pregnancy

Mon, 17 May 2010 03:11:40 -0400

There are many theories out there as to the reasons for infertility. Is it the pesticides and hormones in the foods we eat, is it the soy formula that babies drink or maybe a combination of all the above? Well, a recent study from Brunel University, the Universities of Exeter and Reading and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in the UK has published research that may be another piece of the overall fertility puzzle.

In general, Clomid acts on the receptors that are responsible for the producing and releasing estrogen. Aside from estrogen, Clomid also works on the Follicle Stimulating Hormone, the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone, and the Luteinizing Hormone. These three hormones play important roles in the ovulation process of females. These hormones are also responsible for pregnancy. When a female takes Clomid, it signals the brain that the estrogen levels are low. Thus, the brain would then trigger the production of the three important hormones mentioned a while ago. Mature egg cells are then produced by the ovaries with the help of the three hormones.

The first thing one must understand is how pregnancy affects the body of the woman. Pregnancy occurs when the male sperm fertilizes the egg cell of the female. This fertilized egg is called as the embryo, which gets implanted in the uterus. Pregnancy brings about a host of changes in the woman, the first of them being the pause in the menstrual cycles. The embryo develops into the fetus. In order to protect the fetus, the amniotic cavity develops around it. The amniotic cavity is a fluid filled cavity meant for supplying the fetus with all the nutrients it requires for its development. At the same time, in order to prevent further fertilizations, the uterus opening, i.e. the cervix, is blocked off by a layer of mucus.

It is better to see your doctor when you're just thinking about getting pregnant. You can talk about your diet, bowel habits, lifestyle, weight control and any concerns that you have. Try to visit your doctor in the year before you want to get pregnant. A thorough physical examination performed at this time may reveal unknown factors in your health that might have a significant effect on your ability to fall pregnant or successfully carry a child through to birth. High blood pressure, diabetes, back disease and gynecological problems are examples of some that can be found. A Pap smear test should be performed if you are due for one.

Causes of Infertility among Men

There are a lot of causes for infertility among men and these would include:

· Varicocele is a condition wherein the veins in the scrotum are dilated. This causes blockage in the flow of blood, leading to formation of immature sperm cells. Varicocele can be resolved through medical procedures.

· Infertility can be caused by a low sperm production, production of immature and abnormal sperms and even no production of sperms.

· Premature ejaculation can cause infertility because sperms are released at a faster rate thus production will also be at an increased rate, producing poor quality sperms. Premature ejaculation happens because of the weakening of the muscles due to nervous system dysfunction or other diseases.

Men are often shocked to discover that difficulties in having a baby are due to reproductive problems on the male side also.

Round Cribs Safer by Design!

Sat, 08 May 2010 03:30:25 -0400

OK, so a round crib is naturally safer for you baby then a rectangular crib but did you know that for the same amount of space used in a room the round crib has more space for your baby in the crib and you can put your baby in from any angle as well, just a couple more bonuses to this shape of crib.

Back to the point of this article though, there are many other factors to how safe a baby crib is to your babies health. You see most people do not realize that most cribs you can buy on the market today are imported from china and other countries to get the price down, but there is a price to pay for these lower prices.

First the build quality is not that great so they can come apart fairly easy and can become a danger to your baby with risk of entrapment or parts coming off that can be choked on if a baby was to swallow them. Secondly Many of the imported brands use formaldehyde and other toxic paints and stains that can be very harmful for your babies health.

I am not sure if your aware, but there have been more then a few deaths linked to unsafe baby cribs that did not pass all standards and regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. All of the cribs with lawsuits against them where imported cribs mainly from china and because of entrapment of the baby as the cribs come apart to easy.

Also when you look at all the chemicals that some of these cribs are constructed of as I said with the formaldehyde and toxic paints and stains that can do damage to your babies mental and physical development it is unsafe to choose these cribs for your new born baby would you not agree.

This article is to let people be aware and be more selective when searching for that perfect crib for there baby and also let you know that round cribs are naturally the safer choice. When you combine a well built round crib with no toxic materials you have one of the safest cribs you can buy for your baby on the market.

The only problem is there are only a couple of manufacturers on the market who make round cribs and only one of them that is 100% built and constructed in American with only materials from the USA. This company is the original round crib company that created them. They have been around over 16 years and where the FIRST baby website on the internet. They have passed and exceeded all JPMA and government requirements of the Consumer Products Safety Commission and have not once had a lawsuit filled against them.

This is one reason why most celebrities choose this brand of baby cribs over all others not just because of there beauty and luxurious look but because of there unbeatable safety for there baby. Thank you for reading and I hope this helps in your search for that perfect crib for your baby.

pregnancy week 32

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:44:47 -0400

Pregnancy week 32 is still a good time to decide for the mode of birth. Aside from having the thought of vaginal or caesarian operation in mind, take some time to enjoy knowing that your baby is now 19 inches in length and weighs 4 pounds. This time, the volume of blood that is in the woman's body is approximately 40 times more than

what she is normally containing. Pain is still dominating during pregnancy week 32. Back pains and pelvic pains throughout the buttocks are usually the complaints of most pregnant mothers. This happens because you and your body are gaining extra weight which your body is responsible of carrying over until your due date.

How To Determine First Week Of Pregnancy

Now many women wonder how to calculate their pregnancy. Which is the first day of their nine months course of pregnancy? Usually, the first day of the last menstrual period commences the nine months duration of pregnancy. That means the day on which the last normal menstrual period ends is the day when you have become pregnant.

The second trimester is that stage of pregnancy by when you will become accustomed to some of the changes. With butterfly kicks fluttering inside you, you would actually feel the little one nesting in you. The sickness bit would have mostly ended and you will find that you are eager to discuss your pregnancy with others, so that views can be exchanged and new insights explored.

Your baby is starting to pick up weight by this week. Women, who are 34 weeks pregnant, will find that their baby is now up to about five pounds. He or she is getting longer and stronger. In the next few weeks, this baby will be on the scene.Preparing for delivery is one of the most common thoughts that pregnant women during this phase focus on. Many have already picked out a name and decorated their nursery. The only thing missing is the baby, who is excitedly awaited.

It seems as though pregnancy week by week gets harder and harder on the expecting mother. Surprisingly, the first week of your pregnancy you aren't even pregnant yet! Instead, it starts with the first day of your last menstrual cycle. This is only true when you're counting with the gestational age method, which most doctors and pregnancy counters do. To help get pregnant, there are many things you need to do. First, stop smoking and drinking. Once you've done that, make sure to begin your pregnancy diet by eating tons of fruits and veggies.

Remedy:

You can suck on candies or lozenges that are intended to relieve nausea and queasiness. These lozenges are usually made of B-6 and sugar. You can choose among ginger, cherry and sour apple flavored candies. If candies don't work their magic on you, look for an aroma therapy spray or inhaler with essential oils.

2.) Heartburn- your pregnancy week to week won't be complete without heartburn. This is very common among pregnant women because of the production increase of stomach acids. A lot of women experience heartburn as a burning sensation around the chest area or as sharp chest pains.