Morning Sickness During Pregnancy And How To Reduce Your Symptoms

90% of pregnant women suffer from the dreaded "morning sickness". This is one of the least pleasant aspects of being pregnant and is characterized by extreme nausea and vomiting. Contrary to the name, "morning sickness" doesn’t just strike in the morning, but can happen at any time of day. Why "morning sickness" occurs is a bit of a mystery. The medical experts don’t really know why the majority of pregnant women suffer from this condition. There are, however, several ways to minimize the symptoms of "morning sickness". Here are a few tips (more tips on pregnancy and conception can be found at http://www.freepregnancytips.com):

1) Keep your liquid levels up by frequently sipping liquids like water, tea or soup. This helps to keep your body hydrated which is important as when vomiting, your body is constantly losing fluids. Also the fluids help to fill the stomach. It is much more unpleasant to vomit when your stomach is empty than when there is actually something to bring up.

2) Eat carbohydrates such as rice, bread or pasta as they are not as easily vomited up and they keep you from feeling hungry.

3) Try to eat little snacks interspersed regularly throughout the day rather a few large, heavy meals.

4) If eating makes you feel queasy and causes you to vomit, then don’t eat! You are not going to get any nutritional gain if you bring up the food that you’ve eaten.5) Avoid fatty, spicy or fried foods and foods that have strong smells as these can make you feel queasy and cause you to vomit.

6) Some studies have shown that a dosage of approximately 10 - 25mg of vitamin B6 three times per day can help to reduce symptoms of nausea. First ask your healthcare practitioner whether you can take vitamin B6.

7) There are also foods rich in vitamin B6 that you can eat such as cereal grains, legumes, eggs, fish, chicken, nuts and avocados.

8) Ginger is a natural antispasmodic which can also help with nausea. It can be used in tea or chewed raw. Chewing itself has a beneficial effect on nausea. Always use fresh ginger as dried ginger is not as effective.

Exactly how long "morning sickness" lasts varies from woman to woman. Hopefully by following the above tips, it will reduce your symptoms. Just hang in there! It will eventually pass. Best of luck with your pregnancy.

Note to Publishers: You may freely republish this article as is, without editing or modification, and all links must be kept live. The author, Gregory De Villiers, writes on a variety of health and wellness topics. See http://www.freepregnancytips.com for more tips on pregnancy and conception.

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Press Release For Expectant and New Parents!

I wanted to inform you of a brand new “fresh-faced” resource for expectant and new parents! It’s a huge website, packed with information about pregnancy, labor, relaxation, delivering your baby, products for baby, breastfeeding – you name it, it’s probably in this site. It’s written by Claire-Marie Alvarez, an Award-Winning British-Trained Midwife – she’s an RN in the US - who has twenty years of experience in this field of expertise and it’s called: http://www.reallifemidwife.com/

Its taken months of hard work and years of experience to put this together, and now it’s available for you to go and seek out the information you need to help you have a healthy pregnancy, happy delivery and take the best care of your baby!

Written by an established expert in the field of birthing and caring for babies, this resource has much to offer. It is a membership site, so you join the club – for less than a couple of cups of coffee a month – then you can go and find all kinds of things that you might be interested in!

You can download free reports about anything ranging from how to find out you’re pregnant, to what to do if you have a baby that’s very premature, to top tips for breast feeding your baby.

Do you have concerns about how to exercise when you’re pregnant?

Do you want to know about the best ways to relax when you’re in labor?

Are you worried about diabetes and pregnancy?

Do you have concerns about feeding your baby?

Do you want to have a water birth?

Are you worried that your toddler isn’t developing the way (s)he should?

What about feeling disconnected from your teenager?

Are you worried about drugs and your child?

Do you just know that without help, you’ll scream your way through labor and delivery?

Natural or epidural? Or something in between?

This resource is written with humor, stories and lots of pictures to help you get the point! If you like the free reports, you can go back and buy a book related to the same thing for much less than you’d pay in stores.

Go and check out this wonderful resource – it’s like having a personal advisor right next to you all the time! http://www.reallifemidwife.com/

I do hope that you enjoy all of the things offered on my site!

Claire-Marie Alvarez,Real Life Midwife
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Organic and Eco Babies

When babies are born they are unable to make decisions for themselves and the young lives in our care deserve the best that we can provide and it is our responsibility to ensure that we give them a natural and healthy environment to grow in. The author looks at things that can make all the difference to an eco baby and eco family.

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Food

Organic baby food has been around for decades and fairtrade baby food has only recently been launched. Why feed your baby with chemicals, additives and possibly genetically modified ingredients when you can feed them fresh, organic and healthier food? By buying fairtrade it also enables you to put something back into local communities where the ingredients originated from, so that they can look after their families better due to being paid a fair price for their food and hence they are able to reinvest the funds into their community and families.

Organic and Eco Friendly Baby Care

Babies have extremely sensitive skin that requires a mild and gentle touch - which is why it makes sense to treat them with products made from the purest ingredients. The skin is the largest part of the babies body and is often prone to sores and nappy rash in the early days. Minimise the amount of chemicals coming into contact with the babies skin by buying organic or natural baby care products.

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Clothing

A babys skin is thinner than that of an adult, so make sure the clothes against their bodies are free from harmful pesticides and chemicals by buying clothing which are made from organic or hemp fibres which are made with the minimum or no chemicals in the production and processing. By buying Fairtrade or ethical baby clothes from companies such as HUG ensures that other babies in developing countries may benefit as well from the clothes that you buy. Cheap, brand new clothes from supermarkets etc. are often made in China in low cost production facilities where workers are paid the minimum wage and where the term sweatshops originated from. Buying second hand or using donated clothes is the ultimate form of recycling and is cheaper too at this expensive time of life.

Environmentally Friendly Cloth Nappies

Cloth nappies can be washed and reused hundreds of times. Millions of disposable nappies are used throughout your country and you can imagine what size of landfill is needed to bury them all! Cloth nappies can reduce nappy rash and have no suspect chemicals. By washing them with your normal clothes, you again minimise your babies impact on the environment.

Breast feeding

Breast milk is very economical, constantly available at the right temperature and if your diet is organic then so is your milk which is therefore better for your baby. If you have to buy formula we wary of buying Nestle as an International Nestle Boycott is in effect in 20 countries. The boycott will continue until Nestle ends its irresponsible marketing of breast milk substitutes world-wide and abides by the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent Resolutions in policy and practice.

Looking for more information on things for babies then see GuideMeGreen.com.
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How to tell your boss your expecting!

HOW TO TELL YOUR BOSS YOUR EXPECTING!By Roxanna Ward

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Great news, you're having a baby! Not everybody will find he news sogreat. Eventually you are going to start glowing and people aroundyou are going to notice that you are pregnant. So, before it becomesa rumor, tell your direct supervisor. Don't tell him in a letter oremail. Do it in person. Then you can tell your other co-workers.Set up a meeting with your boss to review the upcoming changes. Youshould discuss your pending maternity leave. Who will cover for youand will you be given plenty of time to train the right person. Howdoes your company deal with unexpected difficulties like unplannedbedrest or hospitalization? How long will you be away from work anddo you plan on returning? Do they offer work from homeopportunities? Find out your companies policies as far as your howyour seniority will be affected by a leave of absence. Will yourtime away affect your next pay increase? Find out from other co-workers what they have negotiated in the past so you will have aguideline to go by. Prepare a proposal of your needs and desires sothat you are preparred for the meeting. But be flexable to get whatyou want.

After you know your companies policies, know your rights. Find outwhat federal rights you are entitled to after giving birth. Is athere a time limit? Are there a number of required hours you musthave been employed? Your local government branch should have someinformation for you. If at any time you feel you have beendiscriminated against due to your pregnancy, contact legal advise.

Remain open minded and not paranoid. Just because your boss is asuccessful single person without children, does not mean that he isupset over your news. Being open and honest early on in yourpregnancy, can lead to a stree free working enviroment. Chances arethat your co-workers are going to be thrilled to celebrate thisoccasion with you and the rest of your family.

Roxanna Ward, Community leader and staff writer forhttp://www.babyuniversity.com,/ lives in Georgia with her husband andher three children. As a published freelance writer the focus of herwriting is concentrated on sharing household tips, her experiencewith her frugal lifestyle as well as the phenomenal process ofbreastfeeding, child rearing related issues and romanticrelationships. She is also currently the Editor of three newsletters:What's New at BabyU?, Intimate Encounters and At Home with BabyUniversity. Roxanna can be contacted at Roxanna30135@...

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Ectopic Pregnancy – What Every Woman Needs To Know

Ectopic pregnancies are far more common than people think. On average this condition affects one in a hundred pregnancies. Here we discuss the symptoms and the effects this condition has on women.

What Is An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Put simply an Ectopic Pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes, cervix or ovary. It usually happens when the fallopian tube is damaged or blocked and prevents the fertilised egg from reaching its correct destination and therefore it implants itself in the fallopian tube.

What Are The Symptoms Of An Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic Pregnancies are usually discovered between the fourth and tenth week of pregnancy when the expectant mother will have experienced some of the following symptoms.

• Pain when urinating or opening her bowels


• Vaginal bleeding, which is darker and more watery than a normal period bleed


• Diarrhoea, fainting, vomiting and general pain.


• Persistent pain on one side of the abdomen


• Pain in the shoulder

Can It Affect Any Expectant Mother?

Affecting one in a hundred pregnancies makes this condition a lot more common than most women realise. However there are certain factors, which could make a woman more at risk of an Ectopic Pregnancy.

• If they have had Chlamydia in the past, their chances of having an Ectopic Pregnancy are increased


• If they are over 35


• If they have had a previous Ectopic Pregnancy


• If they have previously had a caesarean section


• If they have a contraceptive coil fitted. Although this prevents womb pregnancies it does not prevent a pregnancy developing in the fallopian tube


• Taking the mini contraceptive pill can slightly increase their chances


• If they have tubal endometriosis.

The Treatment Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

Unfortunately an Ectopic Pregnancy cannot survive. If a pregnant woman experiences any of the above symptoms they should inform their doctor immediately. Treatment will take place at a hospital where they will confirm the pregnancy is Ectopic and then it will be removed. Although this seems very harsh, there is no way the pregnancy can survive and if the fallopian tube ruptures it can prove fatal for the woman.

Life After An Ectopic Pregnancy

Many Ectopic Pregnancies are caught in the early stages before there is any damage to the fallopian tubes. In this case 6 out of 10 women can go onto to conceive naturally. However if the fallopian tube was ruptured or became badly damaged the woman can be left infertile.

Women who have suffered a previous Ectopic Pregnancy face an increased risk of having another one in the future. Unfortunately there is very little they can do to prevent another one. Women who fall into this category would need to ensure they visit their doctor very early on in their next pregnancy to ensure the egg is developing in the correct place.

It is recommended that women who have had an Ectopic Pregnancy wait a few months before trying to conceive again. Obviously this may well depend on what treatment was administered and how severe the Ectopic Pregnancy was.

Many women find an Ectopic Pregnancy difficult to come to terms with and can seek advice from the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust at this difficult time.

Lisa Mills is an author based in Essex. She writes for websites and magazines. She also runs a baby gift box website. http://www.newbabygiftboxes.co.uk/ is a site offering a baby gift box service and other baby gifts.

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Pregnancy, Diabetes and Your Feet

There are so many changes the body undergoes duringpregnancy that it becomes easy to ignore the changes in thefeet. During pregnancy the body releases hormones that allowthe ligaments to relax in the birth canal. The ligaments in the feetalso relax, causing the foot to lengthen and widen. Many willcomplain of a shoe size increase by one or two sizes. In mostcircumstances, this flattening and widening of the foot is benignand no problems result. In the diabetic, this change in foot sizeis important to recognize. Despite the increase in foot size, manymoms will continue to wear the same size shoes. As a diabetic,properly fitting shoes are of utmost importance. Increasedpressure on the foot can cause areas of rub or irritation andpotentially result in ulceration. Once there is an ulceration, one isat risk for infection, delayed healing and further diabetic footcomplications.

Diabetic neuropathy is the single greatest risk factor fordeveloping foot ulcerations. Neuropathy is the loss of sensationin the feet commonly caused by diabetes. Many individuals willdevelop neuropathy before they are diagnosed with diabetes.Others will develop neuropathy years after being diagnosed withdiabetes. Luckily, gestational diabetes is not typically associatedwith neuropathy. Unfortunately, type I diabetics developneuropathy much earlier than type II diabetics and may haveneuropathy during their pregnancy. Regardless of the type ofdiabetes, it is still extremely important to have the feet evaluatedto assess the status of the nerves. Even mild neuropathyincreases the risk of ulceration. Wearing shoes which are toosmall causes an increase in friction and an increased risk ofskin breakdown.

Wearing properly fitting shoes during and after pregnancy is ofparticular importance. Although the ligaments relax in the footduring pregnancy, they do not stay relaxed. The post-pregnancyfoot is at higher risk for developing foot problems. There aremultiple reasons contributing to the increased risk. The flattenedfoot places excess stress on the ligament that holds up the arch.The weight gain from pregnancy places excess stress on thefeet. Moms are also carrying their baby, added weight whichtransmits to the feet. Moms are staying at home more often andwalking around in slippers and flexible shoes which aregenerally not supportive.

To decrease your chances of foot problems during and afterpregnancy follow these steps:

1. Check your feet everyday: This is an absolute necessity if youare a type I diabetic or if you have diagnosed neuropathy. It is agood habit to practice. Look for cuts, sores, bruises, openings orareas of irritation. Remember, if your nerves are not functioningproperly, then you may not feel everything in your feet. If youcannot reach your feet, have a family member check your feet orplace a mirror on the floor and put your feet over it.

2. Check your shoes before you put your foot in them.

3. Don't walk around barefoot: Wear a supportive shoe, one thathas a rigid sole and bends only where the foot bends (at thetoes). If a shoe seems too confined, find a slipper which has asemi-rigid sole, or try a clog or slip-in shoe with a more rigidsole. The remaining aspect of the shoe can be soft and flexibleand allow for swelling, but the sole should be rigid from the heelto the ball of the foot.

4. Buy shoes that fit your feet: Be aware of the changes your feetare going through. The feet are most likely widening andlengthening. Make sure the shoes don't cramp the toes. Yourfeet will not shrink after the birth.

5. Watch out for folds in your socks: A simple fold can cause rubor irritation on your feet. Swelling will be greater by the end ofthe day and the small crease that didn't bother you in themorning can rub an open sore or blister on the toes. Seriousconsequences in diabetics can include ulceration and infection.

6. Dry your feet and between toes after showers: Increasedmoisture between your toes can lead to skin breakdown andeventual ulceration.

7. Don't be a victim of fashion: Most moms will avoid highfashion during pregnancy, but many try squeezing into thatstrappy heel after. Wearing high heeled shoes puts excessstress on the ball of the foot, cramps the toes and increases thechances of ankle sprains. Tight shoes will increase the chanceof ulceration for those with neuropathy.

8. Test the bath water before stepping in: If you have neuropathy,you will not recognize when the temperature is too hot. Check thewater by inserting your hand into the water to wrist depth.

9. Don't use a heating pad on your feet: Although the idea of heaton your feet may sound soothing after a long day, the heat willincrease swelling and inflammation. Sore feet respond better toice. Roll your foot over a frozen sports water bottle to help easethe achiness in the arch. Wear a sock while doing this and don'tput ice directly on your feet. The heating pad can cause burns inthose who have neuropathy.

10. Don't use any medication on the skin: Be careful of topicalmedications during pregnancy and during breast-feeding.Consult your doctor before use. Don't use medicated corn padsfrom the local drug stores if you have neuropathy.

11. Visit your podiatrist: At the first sign of a problem, make anappointment with your podiatrist. Prevention is much easier thantreatment.

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Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and the author of ThoseAching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment ofCommon Foot Problems. To learn more about Dr. Dobrowolskiand her book visit http://www.skipublishing.com/ or athttp://www.northcoastfootcare.com./

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Breastfeeding Nutrition

So you’ve decided to breastfeed your baby! You’ll want to make sure that both you and your little one are getting all of the nutrients you need to stay healthy and strong. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nursing mothers need to eat about 300 calories more each day than they normally would and at least 1500 calories every day. Your daily food consumption should consist of a variety of healthy foods with extra protein, calcium-rich foods and plenty of water. In addition to these general guidelines, you should also:

1. Pay attention to feelings of hunger. Eat until you’re satisfied and consume plenty of nutrient dense foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

2. Monitor your baby’s reactions. If you notice that he or she is consistently colicky or develops gas after you eat certain foods, then you may want to decrease your intake of those foods or eliminate them entirely while breastfeeding.

3. Expect that you may be especially thirsty during the first few days after delivery as your body sheds excess fluid accumulated during pregnancy. Increase your consumption of fluid that isn’t filled with empty calories in order to prevent dehydration.

4. Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages as they may make your baby jittery or irritable and even make it difficult for him or her to get to sleep. Consider drinking caffeinated beverages right after you nurse in order to minimize negative effects on the baby.

5. Continue taking your prenatal vitamins unless otherwise directed by your physician.

6. Make sure to eat foods that are rich in zinc as it enhances a baby’s ability to produce antibodies. Some food sources of zinc are hamburger, chicken breast and whole wheat bread.

7. Limit your consumption of wine to 2 or fewer glasses per week.

8. Be aware of food sensitivities that can result from common allergens such as cow’s milk, eggs, shellfish, wheat, nuts and peanuts. Some signs of food sensitivity are diaper rash, skin rashes, chronic runny nose, diarrhea and excessive fussiness.

Unless you are severely malnourished, your milk will provide all of the nutrients your baby needs, so if there is something lacking in your diet it will most likely be you and not Baby that suffers. For your own well-being, do your best to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. That’s the best way to ensure that you have the stamina and strength you’ll need to be the best mom you can be!

Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed. is a teacher, mother and business owner. Jacqueline has authored numerous articles on topics of childcare, natural health, parenting and pregnancy. She is also the co-developer of Colic Calm, a natural remedy for acid reflux in babies which also helps alleviate the symptoms of intestinal colic. More information can be found at http://www.coliccalm.com/ or contact us if you have questions.

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Sore Nipples - Weaning Baby Off The Nipple Tipple - Auto Recovery

Sore nipples are a condition that is the cause behind discomfort and stress for most women and especially more so for the mother who has a baby that enjoys a tipple from mummy's nipple. Babies love their mums to nestle - and not wrestle with them at feeding times.

In the early days of breastfeeding sore nipples is sometimes unavoidable. What you need to remember at this stage is the difference between the meaning of sore and painful. Pain at feed times could be a sign that you need to make changes so that feeding sessions is more comfortable for both you and your new born baby.

Babies have an unbelievable strong suction - which therefore can result in the nipple area becoming tender. When baby comes in contact with the nipple it stretches the breast tissue. Experience from this may feel like a pulling sensation which evidently points to why the discomfort. When the infant sucks and the milk begins to flow, breastfeeding becomes more bearable i.e. easing the sore nipples. You may notice after time (2-4 days) breast soreness will ease. If the baby is not positioned right during his or her feed then this can be the cause of the discomfort. Help and advice is available for those unsure as what is the correct way for breastfeeding.

Pain felt at feed time that persists longer than seven days or more can indicate another problem other than what would be expected from the way the infant is latching-on or sucking. Do not ignore this condition because nipple soreness can worsen where the nipple develops painful cracks. Breastfeeding is an experience you should look forward to - not one you dread.Do not suffer in silence talk to your midwife or doctor about your concerns. Thinking about weaning your baby off the breast, if so, then it is good idea to test baby formulas to see which one your baby is satisfied and content with. If you are counting the pennies why not collect free baby samples of baby formula from the free baby products being offered online. Find out what baby freebies are up for grabs below.

Success in breast feeding results in more content babies. Sore nipples do not normally have to relate to breastfeeding. Persisting symptoms that continue to go beyond the early weeks or develop after months of pain-free breastfeeding can be the result of something other than that of the baby not positioned comfortably. Another known cause for sore breast nipples is the Candida infection. A good way to help prevent sore nipples is to pay more attention to how your new born baby takes to the breast. Babies can develop poor nursing habits if this matter is not corrected.

When you nestle (position) you're baby onto the nipple - double check on how the infant is latching on. If this is correctly done then you will feel the sucking pressure of his or her tongue/gums is on the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple), rather than on the sensitive nipple itself. There is also a possibility that your baby is not getting enough breast tissue into his or her mouth if not comfortable. Certain signs that show the nipples are not far enough back in the baby's mouth during sucking is that of a horizontal red stripe across the tip of the nipple or a temporary indentation at the base.

Babies are too young to let you know if their bellies are filled. What you do not want is the baby's gums chomping at the base of the nipple instead of on the areola over the milk sinuses because they may have difficulty in getting enough milk. Try feeding baby on the side that is least tender. If you need to release the breast that is painful then switch the infant over to that nipple after you have had a milk-ejection reflex. Women say the pain eases after the milk is flowing. Sore nipples do not last forever. Remember by varying the positions from one feeding to the next - changes the distribution of pressure on the areola and nipple during sucking - therefore leaving you bonding with a well fed content baby.

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Tips to Prevent Heartburn in Pregnancy

During pregnancy, common everyday ailments tend to feel worse, especially during the first and third trimesters. Heartburn is no different. Heartburn is a common ailment, and during pregnancy it tends to surface even more. Most women experience heartburn in pregnancy at some point during their nine-month journey. However, some can be affected worse than others. Fret not -- there are things you can do to limit the severity of heartburn during your pregnancy.

During the third trimester the baby grows big enough to put pressure on your stomach. This causes the acid in the stomach to reflux. This can be easily avoided, however by avoiding binging and by eating small meals. This will keep acid reflux at bay. Instead of eating three large meals, try to eat five to six smaller meals spread throughout the day.

Your sleeping position can also cause acid to reflux. Sleep with your head and torso elevated to keep the food down in your stomach. Keep yourself comfortable by putting a pillow under your head and your back. Also, try to avoid going to bed within two hours of eating. Wait at least two hours before lying down to give your body some time to digest the food. As a general rule, go to bed two to three hours after you eat to mitigate heartburn in pregnancy.

Watching your posture can help prevent heartburn from occurring. Putting pressure on your stomach can cause heartburn in pregnancy. When you sit, do so in an upright position to keep the pressure off your stomach. When you stand or walk, keep your posture erect for the same reason.

A less common way to alleviate heartburn is to wear loose clothing. (Though you probably do this already.) This will also ease the pressure in your stomach. Wearing tight clothing puts unnecessary strain on your stomach and can encourage acid to come up into your espohagus, causing heartburn in pregnancy.

Perhaps the best way to avoid heartburn all together is to stay away from foods that are known to cause heartburn. For obvious reasons, alcohol should be avoided at all costs during pregnancy. Also on the restricted list are chocolate, citrus fruits, tomato-based foods, soft drinks, coffee and acidic juices.

Sipping water throughout your daily activities as opposed to chugging it occasionally can also help. Avoid fried food, food rich in fat and vinegar as well. Large quantities of water can actually increase heartburn in pregnancy. By eliminating these foods from your daily diet, you can alleviate the symptoms of heartburn in pregnancy.

For other tips on how to get rid of heartburn visit http://www.stopheartburntoday.com We'll help you find relief from your heartburn symptoms through medications for acid reflux and natural remedies as well.

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Teens pregnancy Today's major Problem

According to a survey Seven hundred and fifty thousand teen girls get pregnant each year and thirty one percent young women get pregnant before 20. The birthrate for young teenagers aged 15-17 fell 8 percent from 2000 to 2001, reaching 25.3 births per 1,000 teenagers. So teen’s pregnancy is one of the major problems. This is the one problem when teens did not decide what to do. They could not talk to their parents.

One of the main causes of teen’s pregnancy is that they can’t have full knowledge about sex. They do not have safe sex, and get pregnant.

The evidence documenting the unfavorable consequences of unintended teenage pregnancy and teenage parenthood. There is an unmistakable and dramatic trend away from teenagers giving their children up for adoption.

About 62 percent of sexually active teenagers who have never used a method have experienced a premarital pregnancy, compared to 30 percent of those who have used a method inconsistently

Symptoms There are many pregnancy early signs for teens.

A missed period

Nausea or vomiting

Frequent urination

Tenderness and fullness of breasts

Fatigue

Changes in appetite

Pregnancy Test There are so many kits available in the market to test yourself at home. If the test is positive then go to the doctor and get right treatment.

The solution must come from many elements of society: parents, the churches, the schools, state and local legislatures and government agencies. Very few come to a clinic in anticipation of initiating sexual intercourse, and many come because they fear—often correctly—that they are pregnant.

Working with boys and young men- This approach can be used to intervene in contraceptive use among teenagers. Because contraceptive action involves a preventive health decision followed by correct and consistent use.

Parents and Sex Education they communicate with their children about sex and sexual values nonverbally. This is also true when the subject is sex. Research shows that positive communication between parents and their children can help young people establish individual values and make healthy decisions. Some parents may be afraid they do not know the right answers or feel confused about the proper amount of information to offer.

The real smart move on your part is to take the help and don't get pushed into doing something you can't take back. So to reduce the problem of teen’s pregnancy parents are advice to talk to teens frankly on sex education, so the can not do something wrong in future.

For help go to following:

http://www.troubledteens4jesus.com/

http://www.abundantlifeacademy.info/

http://www.abundantlifeacademy.us/

Troubled Teens Directory is the most honest and integral Internet-based educational consulting service available and designed to serve parents who are need of guidance in regard to their troubled teen and Restoring Troubled Teens is a Directory Listing of Schools and Articles specifically designed to support the parents of Troubled Teens.

About Author: Harry Johnson

For listings please visit http://www.troubledteens4jesus.com/ Home Education For Troubled teenyou can also visit http://www.abundantlifeacademy.info for Parent Coaching - Restoring Troubled Families.

And http://www.abundantlifeacademy.us/ for Online High Schools.

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Weekly Pregnancy Calendar- An Important Record

Pregnancy is a miracle of nature that brings a mother at par with the creator. It is the happiest and a most exciting moment in the life of a woman. Of course the sign of pregnancy causes scary and nervous feelings too since you don’t know what is happening in side your body. It is always better to have knowledge of pregnancy and ways to make it better and healthier. Weekly pregnancy calendar can be fine guide on your journey to motherhood. There are many websites that offer pregnancy calendars for free offloading. They offer a precise knowledge of how the baby grows inside a mother’s womb and developing baby’s weekly milestones.

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

A weekly pregnancy calendar is a chronological record of the changes a woman and her fetus will undergo during the course of her pregnancy. It describes at length the growth and development of growing baby and expected changes in the mother’s body with advancing pregnancy, on a weekly basis. At the early sign of pregnancy, print out one such web weekly pregnancy calendar and put it on a spot where you can see it daily for monitoring your pregnancy progress.

Importance of a weekly pregnancy calendar

A visit to a doctor after experiencing the early signs of pregnancy will confirm your pregnancy. The doctor will calculate your probable due date of delivery. This date is usually about forty weeks from the first day of your last menstruation. A very small number of babies are actually born on their exact due date. Most are born two weeks earlier or two weeks later than the expected due date. This is where the weekly pregnancy calendar becomes important. It helps in keeping the dates of conception, expected due date, track of baby’s development through various stages of growth per week and monitors mother’s health by telling of body changes you will experience every week.

A full term of pregnancy is separated and divided into three trimesters.

First trimester. First week to twelfth week.

Second trimester. Thirteenth week to twenty- sixth weeks.

Third trimester. Twenty seventh week till the date of baby’s delivery.

As the delivery date draws nearer, there will be more pressure on the pregnancy. In last two weeks the baby takes birthing position and pushes down in the cervical canal resulting in woman experiencing change in balance while walking. During this time a mother provides antibodies to baby for fighting off infections. A mother may experience discomfort and pronounced contractions or false labor. A weekly pregnancy calendar is of utmost importance at this time as it keeps a track of her and her baby’s progressive developments. It helps in explaining when to contact doctor and when to sleep off the discomfort. Breaking of amniotic sac is the time for notifying medical health care provider for it signifies the end of pregnancy.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.
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Sign of Pregnancy – the Unmistakable Symptoms

The classic early sign of pregnancy is nausea that refuses to subside, the missed periods and achy feeling all over. Some women start feeling very hungry while some baulk at the sight of food. There is no checklist to determine the early sign of pregnancy as all the pregnancies differ from one to another. If you look closely your body tells you all signs of pregnancy long before the medical pregnancy tests confirms it.

Sign of pregnancy

There are several symptoms and signs of pregnancy experienced fairly early, even before the missed periods stage. Nearly all women go through it. Some women may overlook it, as they are not able to distinguish the early signs of pregnancy from similar health problems. While some women immediately sense the abrupt change in their body and take precaution. Some of these early signs of pregnancy are:

General fatigue: You may notice that you feel tired, fatigued and lack of energy. A feeling of laziness engulfs with no apparent cause. This fatigue is the result of change in hormones and body chemistry as it prepares it self to welcome a new life. The fatigue starts soon after conception and is generally the first and foremost sign of pregnancy. Do not resort to pep pills but instead get into the bed and sleep till later. Work off fatigue with short naps and relaxation as and when you feel low.

Tenderness of breasts: Raging hormones cause tenderness in the breasts, swelling and soreness soon after conception. Many women ignore this symptom associating it with PMS syndrome. Change in the breast is one of the early sign of pregnancy and stays till end of the pregnancy. It is the nature’s way to prepare a woman for impending motherhood and nurturing of the baby.

Slight spotting before periods: It is a rare but important sign of pregnancy and happens before your due period date. This spotting or light bleeding or a pink vaginal discharge occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus.

While nausea, missed periods and general aches and pains are the sure signs of pregnancy in early stages. It is best to record these body changes and early signs of pregnancy in a pregnancy journal. The journal records your experiences, feelings and thoughts that can be shared with family or friends either for their benefit or for enjoying your happy moments. A pregnancy journal has a way of taking away your attention from general pains and aches to make you a happier person.

Once the pregnancy is confirmed maintain a weekly pregnancy calendar to record the growth and progress of the embryo to babyhood. This also helps in keeping track of your due date, baby’s development and mother’s health starting from the day you discover the first sign of pregnancy.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.
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Pregnancy Health – Maintaining Yourself

Pregnancy brings in joy with the ever-increasing waistline, pains and aches. The body undergoes a tremendous change due to shifting of hormones. The skin changes, there are stretch marks and dark patches on the facial skin. Weight gain results in sleeping troubles, poor digestion, frequent urination, constipation etc. These are just a few symptoms of pregnancy. Since these changes take place gradually, one starts adjusting to them in anticipation of the joy it will bring after nine months. It is very important to maintain the pregnancy health and go through the process with a relaxed and happy state of mind.

Maintaining Pregnancy Health

With the onset of early signs of pregnancy, prepare yourself for the new changes in your life. Stay happy and comfortable. Consult your doctor for any problems and adjust your lifestyle to surmount the initial irritating body changes with more rest and relaxation. Follow a few tips for better pregnancy health.

Tender breasts: Wear a soft, comfortable maternity or nursing bra with extra support. Apply heavy moisturizing cream to cracked nipples after washing with water only.

Dizziness: Expanding uterus puts pressure on blood vessels, plus the nausea and vomiting can make one feel dizzy or light headed. To overcome this problem, maintain pregnancy health with frequent but small meals. Avoid standing or sitting in one position for long, lay down on your left side to relax, stand up slowly and do not let your body get over heated.

Hemorrhoids: They too are caused due to increasing pressure on the rectal veins and constipation. To prevent hemorrhoids drink lots of fluids, take fiber rich food and do not strain the bowel while evacuating.

Leg cramps: As the body weight increases and change in metabolization takes place, the pressure on legs and feet increases. Eat low-fat calcium rich food, go for short walks, stretch and flex leg and foot muscles, use heating pads to ease the leg cramps.

Swelling: A significant weight gain during pregnancy can result in swelling and puffiness. It could be a sign of high blood pressure or toxemia, consult the doctor immediately. To avoid swelling and to maintain a good pregnancy health, avoid salty foods and caffeine. Rest with your feet elevated and drink at least eight glasses of water to keep your body hydrated.

Teeth and gum problems: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth regularly; avoid eating sweets and take high calcium diet. Oral bacteria due to gum disease can harm the fetus and result in either low-birth weight baby or premature delivery.

Similarly take all natural preventive measures to combat the various other changes in the body due to the pregnancy. Feel free to call your doctor in an event of vaginal discharge, bleeding, fever or chills, pain in abdomen or any abnormal discomfort. Good pregnancy health results in a happier you and healthier baby.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.

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Pregnancy week by week - Progress

The early signs of pregnancy create a mixed feeling of joy, fear, and nervousness. It is the lack of knowledge of what happens to your body during pregnancy till delivering of the baby that scares you the most. A pregnancy week-by-week guide will help you to overcome your apprehensions and wait for nature’s miracle to behold in flesh and bones after the completion of the pregnancy.

Pregnancy week by week developments:

Week one to fourDuring this period the sperm forming a zygote –the basic form of life, fertilizes the egg.

Week five to eight

A woman exhibits the early signs of pregnancy that is confirmed by the medical tests. By sixth week the baby’s heart starts to beat and by eighth week the fetus develops rudimentary limbs.

Week nine to twelve

During this period your body starts expanding to accommodate the growing fetus with growing body parts. It is also a time of subsiding nausea or morning sickness.

Week thirteen to sixteen

The baby’s bones begin to harden and it starts moving in the womb. You can hear the baby’s heartbeat during your visit to the doctor.

Week seventeen to twenty

The baby’s internal organs start developing rapidly. The fetus gets covered with soft fine hair called lanugo. This is the time when accurate gender of the baby can be checked.

Week twenty-one to twenty four

At this stage you will feel slight contractions as the uterus starts preparing for the delivery. Baby begins to practice breathing to be prepared for it at time of birth. The baby also develops fat deposits in order to regulate body temperature at the time of birth.

Week twenty-four to twenty eight

The baby hears muffled outside sounds and sense light at this stage. The baby’s movement starts slowing due to lack of space in the uterus.

Week twenty-nine to thirty two

The baby’s head grows rapidly in proportion to the rest of the body. The brain and eyes are almost fully developed, only the lungs need development.

Week thirty-three to thirty six

The baby grows to the length of sixteen inches and weighs four pounds at this stage. It can open-close its eyes, the fingernails too start growing at this stage.

Week thirty-seven to forty

The baby’s major organs are fully developed by now and lungs too grow to prepare for breathing outside the womb. The baby will drop to birthing stage in the pelvis. The actual delivery time could be two weeks before or after the expected due date. Be prepared for the arrival of your bundle of joy.

Maintain a pregnancy weekly calendar to note down all the developments and other relevant information provided by your doctor to monitor the growth of your baby. Good pregnancy health is vital during the progressing pregnancy week by week.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.
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Pregnancy Symptom – the Classic Symptoms

The first reaction to early sign of pregnancy is disbelief, joy followed by a feeling of uncertainty. A visit to the doctor and a blood test is the only way to confirm your pregnancy. Early pregnancy tests are very reliable and even show the accurate results of a 2-week-old embryo. Before the visit to a doctor for the confirmation of pregnancy, it is very important to watch out for pregnancy symptoms. The precautions taken during early sign of pregnancy is very important for embryo’s health and well being. Some of the most recognizable signs of pregnancy are as follows.

Classic pregnancy symptoms

These pregnancy symptoms appear soon after fertilization, within 8-10 days after conception. Some of the pregnancy symptoms stay with you for the entire period of gestation, while some pregnancy symptoms disappear as the pregnancy advances. They stop troubling you as your body starts getting used to change in hormones and settles to the imminent body changes. A few temporary early signs of pregnancy are:

Missed periods or less bleeding at the onset of periods. The absence of periods during the duration of pregnancy is because now the uterine lining need not be shed but used for implantation of the embryo.

Lower abdominal cramps, which begin soon after the implantation of embryo, disappear within a week or two. Headaches caused by rising levels of hormones in the first few days of pregnancy too disappear once the body accepts the change in hormonal levels.

The pregnancy symptoms that last the entire period of pregnancy are: Nausea and vomiting are the early signs of pregnancy starting in the second week itself. The degree in which you feel sick varies from full fledged to none as the pregnancy advances. It is fairly controlled during the third trimester, making you feel more relaxed and happy.

Tender and swollen breasts appear soon after conception and stays with you till the entire period. It is the nature’s way to make the breast ready for baby’s breastfeeding. In the last trimester the breasts secrete a liquid called colostrums, which provides immunity to the baby.

Enlarging and darkening of areola is the first sign of pregnancy, and lasts throughout.Frequent urination and constipation is early sign of pregnancy and increases with the advancing pregnancy due to the pressure of the growing embryo on the surrounding body organs.

Exhaustion and tiredness occurs from initial stages of pregnancy and stay the entire duration of the gestation.

Food cravings for a particular type of food are still an unsolved mystery. Some doctors feel this is the way the body acquires the adequate minerals required by the growing embryo. This pregnancy symptom is an early sign of pregnancy and stays on till the end.

Increased sense of smell and taste too varies in all stages of pregnancy.

If you experience these pregnancy symptoms then take care of your health. Avoid harmful products; start taking balanced diet and some extra folic acid for happy and healthy pregnancy.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.

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Pregnancy Journal – A Family Memoir

The body, if you monitor carefully, helps you know the moment you are pregnant. The most common early sign of pregnancy can be deciphered even before you realize that you have missed the period or doing a pregnancy test on the home pregnancy kit. Pregnancy is one of the happiest moments for any woman, a moment when she feels blessed and part of creation. She wants to share this joy with her family and friends. What better way can be there for sharing this experience? A pregnancy journal or a personal diary is the best way to record your feelings, experiences to share this experience with your near and dear ones.

Your personal pregnancy journal

Your journal or a diary is the place where you express and record all the important things experienced by you in the course of your pregnancy. It keeps track of all your feelings, moments of joys or pain. It is your best friend, with whom you share your thoughts, hopes and dreams of the future. It keeps a record of your day-to-day happenings. You learn more about the world that surrounds you; every mundane experience too becomes a moment of learning.

If you maintain the pregnancy journal consistently, you will learn to get more focused on your condition and getting comfortable with long wait of nine months before you get to see and touch your baby. It helps you in bonding and developing strong maternal bonds with the baby, who is still a mass of cells, gradually taking shape of your dreams. The cheerfulness and brightness that a pregnancy journal manages to generate becomes contagious with everything and everyone. Being happy and enjoying the moments of pregnancy is the best medicine for all the annoying changes happening within your body.

Pregnancy journal brings about a subtle change in your perspective. You view the world in a positive manner and respond accordingly. It helps you overcome the irritability, short temperedness due to fluctuating hormones. It helps you in overcoming low esteem due to heavy body weight and frumpy figure. Pregnancy journal increases the knowledge of self and helps in creativity. It simplifies the days, making you patient and less anxious for the ‘big day’.

Fill up your pregnancy journal with the recordings of the most common earliest pregnancy symptoms such as:

Change of basal body temperature through ovulation and through the expected date of next periods.

Light spotting, bleeding and yellowish vaginal discharge. It takes place 4-5 days after conception, when the embryo implants itself to the uterine wall.

Frequent urination

Fatigue during the early stages of pregnancy as hormone levels change.

A missed period dates and discovery of the first pregnancy.

All these recordings become archive material and are a handy help for recognizing signs of pregnancy during subsequent pregnancies. It is a valuable tool of incredible information and feelings experienced in your first pregnancy.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.
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Pregnancy –Maintaining your Health

Couples trying for a baby are overjoyed on discovering the pregnancy. It is one of the happiest times for a woman to feel a part of creation; one cannot thank heaven enough for the blessings. Creating life is a miraculous feeling; one must develop a happy and positive outlook towards life and enjoy every moment of the pregnancy. It not only brings with it an expanding waistline but also many other body changes. To enjoy the fruits of motherhood one must take these changes in the stride and maintain good health and a happy attitude for the well being of both the mother and the baby.

Basics of a healthy pregnancy

Some of the early signs of a pregnancy are nausea and vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, over sensitivity in taste and smell towards common foodstuffs, backaches, headaches and general pains, fatigue and tiredness, swelling and soreness of breasts, change in body and complexion, and sleeping trouble.

As the body undergoes hormonal changes to accommodate a new life, a woman may feel initially feel uncomfortable. Try to overcome them by making some changes in your life pattern. Do not resort to over the counter medicines without consulting your doctor. Try a few simple methods to help you feel better:

Eat small meals at frequent intervals

Lie down and rest when tired

Apply heat to ease aches and pains

Avoid alcohol and smoking

Avoid strenuous exercises

Take small walks in fresh air

Wear loose and comfortable clothes

Call your doctor if the problems persist for professional help.

The emotional and mental changes are a part of pregnancy, along with the massive changes in the body. Do not get overly alarmed, but maintain good pregnancy health with proper nutrition, exercise and positive outlook towards life. Listen to the body signs and remain happy. Do not let irritability and mood swings disturb the life. The body’s metabolism and the growing baby in the uterus can interfere with leading a normal life and disturb sleep patterns. Find ways to relax and get over these problems for a happier outlook during the pregnancy.

Do not hesitate to call your gynecologist, doctor or a midwife if there are any signs of problems or something is bothering you. Any abnormal vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, fever, swelling of body, persistent pains and cramps or changes in baby’s movements call for immediate attention by a doctor. Remedial measures in time leads to a happy and enjoyable pregnancy.

Keeping a pregnancy journal is another great idea, to keep a record of the happenings and feelings experienced by you during your pregnancy. It is a way of focusing on a your successes or changes to pave the way towards positive outlook and change in perspective during pregnancy. It also serves as means of sharing your personal experiences during pregnancy with other people, friends or family. Pregnancy journal can be reference record for your subsequent pregnancies too.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.

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Early Sign of Pregnancy – Tracking the Symptoms

The earliest and most recognizable sign of pregnancy is missed periods. Woe to the women who do not keep a track of their periods or have an irregular menstrual cycle, for it will take a while for them to register their pregnancy. Nausea or morning sickness is another early sign of pregnancy. Increase in hunger or total loss of appetite follows the missed period and nausea pregnancy symptoms. These signs may vary and swing either way with each passing day, as the body prepares itself to welcome a new life. Every woman, rather every pregnancy, differs in pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Symptoms

There is no standard checklist for determining pregnancy. Different women have different symptoms. It is very important to listen to what your body tells you and recognize any untoward signs. This way you can even recognize early signs of pregnancy much before any testing takes place. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within weeks of conception, some may have no symptoms other than missed or delayed periods. Some of the most common pregnancy symptoms are listed below.

Nausea or morning sickness: Most well known early sign of pregnancy are experienced between 2-8 weeks after conception. This queasy feeling is due to the changes in the hormone levels the body experiences as it prepares for embryo implantation.

Delayed or missed periods: It is the classic early sign of pregnancy. The uterine lining need not be shed anymore so as to embed the embryo for growth.

Fatigue or tiredness: This pregnancy symptom starts as early as first week after conception.

Swollen or tender breasts: Within a week or two of conception, some women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to touch, sore or swollen due to hormonal imbalance.

Darkening of areolas: The skin around the nipples darkens as the pregnancy advances in weeks, to prepare for the baby.

Backaches: Lower backache is also an early sign of pregnancy, though a dull backache remains throughout the pregnancy due to the increasing weight of the fetus.

Headache: Some women experience headaches early in the pregnancy due to sudden rise of hormones.

Frequent urination: Around 5-8 weeks as the growing uterus presses against the urinary bladder, one needs to make frequent trips to bathroom to evacuate urine.

Food cravings: This is a very classic early sign of pregnancy and lasts throughout the entire pregnancy. Some women crave for sweets and ice creams, while other may want salty food or pickles. According to pregnancy journal, this is one way of the body to take in the missing nutrients or augment poor diet due to nausea.

Implantation bleeding: About 6-12 days after conception the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some blood spotting or cramping may take place at this moment of time. This is also an early sign of pregnancy to be watched out for.

Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource www.earlysignofpregnancy.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. Early Sign of Pregnancy.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early sign of pregnancy but the other aspects of pregnancy too.
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Mommy Whisperer

By Dr. Linda MilesUsing simple techniques Moms can learn how easily they can whisper relaxing phrases to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum.

Dr. Linda Miles, inspires and instructs Moms, using a practical, proven effective method, which calms both the child and Mom, while building a stronger emotional and physical bond between the two. And Dads can join in, too. When Moms are anxious, babies feel that anxiety.

Research has shown that a stressed Mom creates a stressed baby, causing the fetus’ heart to beat faster. When levels of stress hormones are too high for extended periods of time, both Mom and the baby’s mental and physical health suffer. In 1973 Dr. Miles used natural childbirth with her son, Christopher Brett. She found Lamaze helpful, but after that pregnancy she wanted an even more stress free birth. She wanted less stress for both her and her child. Quickly, she realized the tremendous benefit listening with headphones to individually recorded, soothing music with a familiar voice would have.

Here was a simple way to remind her to relax. When she was a bundle of nerves, there was an easy comfort with just the flip of a switch. Then, she could share, gently whispering, what she heard with her baby. To her surprise the relaxation practice brought deep calm not only to her, but to baby Brett, too.With her initial personal success as a Mommy Whisperer, Dr. Miles studied and has used these relaxation techniques successfully for over 30 years with her clients and friends. After the stress of the pregnancy with her first child, a client of Dr. Miles used the Mommy Whisperer technique for her second child with entirely different results. She was calm throughout the experience, with less stress on her. Therefore, there was less stress on her child. She had a peaceful pregnancy and delivery. Because Mommy Whisperer's reduce stress on themselves and their child, they can enhance the mother-child bond after the baby is born. Using simple relaxation strategies, parents actually affect the physical structure of the baby's developing brain. The patterns we learn, affect how we cope with stress and with life. While soothing her baby, Mom is actually teaching her child to self-soothe. When you soothe your baby with whispers, they may develop a pattern of self-soothing that works under stress. And the opposite happens too.

If Mom or anyone is loud and reactive under stress, the child develops that pattern and responds that way to stress. The brain loves the familiar, so how we train our children, becomes their coping strategy.So, whisper to your child, "I am so happy you are here." “I love you so much.” “You are so beautiful.” “Everything is okay.” This gives them safety to learn and explore.Copyright 2005 Linda Miles Ph.D Author, Dr. Linda Miles, is deeply committed to helping individuals and couples achieve rewarding relationships. She is an expert witha Doctorate in Counseling Psychology, and has worked in the mental health field for over thirty years. She has been interviewed extensively on radio, TV, and in newspapers and magazines. Find more relationship ideas and relaxation techniques on her web site and in the award-winning book she co-authored, The New Marriage: Transcending the Happily-Ever-After Myth, and on CD, Train Your Brain: For a Peaceful Pregnancy & Delivery. http://DrLindaMiles.com
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How Is Cord Blood Banking Done

If you are an expecting parent, it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to bank your baby's cord blood. This blood is rich in stem cells that could potentially save your child or other family members from serious diseases and conditions. Stem cells can develop into any type of organ or tissue such as liver, heart and neural cells. They can also repair tissue and organs damaged in strokes and heart attacks. There are more than 70 diseases and disorders that have been successfully treated with cord blood stem cells. With the advancement of stem cell research, the future of stem cells look promising as more of its uses are discovered.

Cord blood banking is non-invasive and not harmful to the mother or baby. The cord blood collection process is safe, painless, simple and fast. There are two ways it can be done, either of which can be decided upon by your doctor. There are in utero and ex utero. The difference is in where the placenta and umbilical cord are during the collection process. The first collection method, in utero, takes place when the umbilical cord and the placenta are still inside the mother. After the baby is born, there is about five to ten minutes before the placenta is discharged from the mother. The cord blood is collected while waiting for the placenta to deliver naturally. In ex utero, cord blood collection takes place after the placenta has been discharged and placed in a sterile container.In order for a cord blood transplant to work, there needs to be at least 75 mL of blood collected. This amount of blood ensures that there are enough stems cells available for the transplantation process to happen. The next step comes in storage of the cord blood. Since it is a biological material, it will be tested to ensure that there are no diseases such as HIV or hepatitis and other problems. Once this is done, the storage process can take place through cryopreservation. A cryopreservant is added to the blood, which will allow the blood to slowly begin to freeze. The slow process is needed to keep the cells alive throughout the process. Once it is cooled to -90 degrees celsius, it can then be added to liquid nitrogen tanks that will keep it frozen at -196 degrees celsius. It is important to learn the facts about cord blood banking to help you make an informed decision. Speak with your doctor, ask questions, research on various cord blood banks and assess the financial costs involved. Whether you decide to bank your baby's cord blood or not is a personal decision. Bear in mind that there is only one opportunity to do so for each child. More revealing facts and resources on cord blood banking are available athttp://www.storingcordblood.com/as-done
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Common problems during pregnancy and some tips to alleviate them

Being pregnant should be one of the happiest times of your life with all the expectations and dreams for the future. However, there are a number of some symptoms of pregnancy that can make this time quite uncomfortable.

Here are a few of the more common:Morning sickness affects up to 70% of pregnant women. This includes nausea, and sometimes vomiting, especially in the morning (hence its name). You might go off certain foods because the smell makes you feel queasy. The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, but it is thought to be hormonal in nature. The good news is that the symptoms tend to disappear after the first three months.

Up to 50% of pregnant women will suffer from constipation. Increases in the level of progesterone, plus increased absorption of water in the colon are to blame for this. Again this problem is more likely to occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy, though constipation can be a problem at any time. You doctor will likely supply you with fibre supplements, but consider taking a mild laxative like milk of magnesia (consult your doctor first about this). Also, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids, as this will help alleviate the constipation.

Backache is obviously going to be a major problem. With a developing baby pushing your abdomen out, and forward, greater stresses are placed on your spine. An increase in the hollow at the base of the spine as the baby develops also causes problems. Try avoid lifting heavy weights during pregnancy, and also make sure you have good support from your mattress. You can buy a support belt that lifts the abdomen and encourages better posture. These belts are safe, and can eliminate back pain.

Another common problem is fatigue. Its not surprising really considering the enormous stress you are putting on your circulatory system to ensure your developing baby gets the nutrients it needs to grow. The best advice for fatigue is to get plenty of rest. Take naps, and go to bed early.

Another problem affecting over 50% of pregnant women is heartburn. This is caused by acid in your stomach travelling back up your oesophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach). Although hormones can cause heartburn, as pregnancy develops, your uterus enlarges and pushes your stomach out of position. This is then thought to contribute to heartburn. The best advice to help with this problem is eat smaller meals more often (so your stomach is never really full), and drink plenty of fluids. Also avoid coffee.

Another problem that can affect pregnant women is pre-eclampsia.

To read more about his serious problem, and how to spot it, read out pre-eclampsia during pregnancy article.
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Postpartum Depression!

Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioural changes that occur in a mother after giving birth. It is a serious condition, affecting 10% of new mothers. Symptoms range from mild to severe depression and may appear within days of delivery or gradually, perhaps up to a year later. Symptoms may last from a few weeks to a year.

Baby blues

'Baby' or maternity blues are a mild and transitory form of 'moodiness' suffered by up to 80% of postpartum women. Symptoms typically last from a few hours to several days, and include tearfulness, irritability, hypochondriasis, sleeplessness, impairment of concentration, and headache. The maternity blues are not considered a postpartum depressive disorder.

Diagnosis

The diagnostic criteria for postpartum depression (PPD) are the same as for major depression, except that to distinguish PPD from the mild, transitory baby (maternity) blues, the symptoms must be present one month postpartum. Depression can also occur during pregnancy (ante-natal depression).There are other types of postpartum distress that do not involve depression. For example, the mother may present with postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD (including pure-O OCD). Symptoms of post-partum OCD include recurring intrusive thoughts, obsessive thoughts, avoidance behaviour, fears, anxiety, and depression.

Causes

While not all causes of PPD are known, several factors have been identified. Beck (2001) has conducted a meta-analysis of predictors of PPD. She found that the following 13 factors were significant predictors of PPD (effect size in parentheses -- larger values indicate larger effects):

Prenatal depression, i.e., during pregnancy (.44 to .46)

Low self esteem (.45 to.47)

Childcare stress (.45 to .46)

Prenatal anxiety (.41 to .45)

Life stress (.38 to .40)

Low social support (.36 to .41)

Poor marital relationship (.38 to .39)

History of previous depression (.38 to.39)

Infant temperament problems/colic (.33 to .34)

Maternity blues (.25 to .31)

Single parent (.21 to .35)

Low socioeconomic status (.19 to .22)

Unplanned/unwanted pregnancy (.14 to .17)

These factors are known to correlate with PPD. That means that, for example, high levels of prenatal depression are associated with high levels of postpartum depression, and low levels of prenatal depression are associated with low levels of postpartum depression. But this does not mean the prenatal depression causes postpartum depression -- they might both be caused by some third factor. In contrast, some factors, such as lack of social support, almost certainly cause postpartum depression. (The causal role of lack of social support in PPD is strongly suggested by several studies, including O'Hara 1985, Field et al. 1985; and Gotlib et al. 1991.)

Although profound hormonal changes after childbirth are often claimed to cause PPD, there is little evidence that variation in pregnancy hormone levels is correlated with variation in PPD levels: Studies that have examined pregnancy hormone levels and PPD have usually failed to find a relationship (see Harris 1994; O'Hara 1995). Further, fathers, who are not undergoing profound hormonal changes, suffer PPD at relatively high rates (e.g., Goodman 2004).

Finally, all mothers experience these hormonal changes, yet only about 10-15% suffer PPD. This does not mean, however, that hormones do not play a role in PPD. Block et. al. (2000), for example, found that, in women with a history of PPD , a hormone treatment simulating pregnancy and parturition caused these women to suffer mood symptoms.

The same treatment, however, did not cause mood symptoms in women with no history of PPD. One interpretation of these results is that there is a subgroup of women who are vulnerable to hormone changes during pregnancy. Another interpretation is that simulating a pregnancy will trigger PPD in women who are vulnerable to PPD for any of the reasons indicated by Beck's meta-analysis (summarized above).Profound lifestyle changes brought about by caring for the infant are also frequently claimed to cause PPD, but, again, there is little evidence for this hypothesis. Mothers who have had several previous children without suffering PPD can nonetheless suffer it with their latest child (Nielsen Forman et al. 2000). Plus, most women experience profound lifestyle changes with their first pregnancy, yet most do not suffer PPD.

In severe cases, postpartum psychosis (also known as puerperal psychosis) can develop, characterized by hallucinations and delusions. This happens in about 0.1 - 0.2% of all women after having given birth. In some cases, postpartum psychosis can develop independent of postpartum depression. Sometimes a pre-existing mental illness can be brought to the forefront through a postpartum depression.

Get a free e-book - 'Vitamins - The Truth'. ALL you need know about family health.Evolutionary psychological hypothesisEvolutionary approaches to parental care (e.g., Trivers 1972) suggest that parents (human and non-human) will not automatically invest in all offspring, and will reduce or eliminate investment in their offspring when the costs outweigh the benefits. Reduced care, abandonment, and killing of offspring have been documented in a wide range of species. In many bird species, for example, both pre- and post-hatching abandonment of broods is common (Ackerman et al. 2003; Cezilly 1993; Gendron and Clark 2000).

Human infants require an extraordinary degree of parental care. Lack of support from fathers and/or other family member will increase the costs borne by mothers, whereas infant health problems will reduce the evolutionary benefits to be gained (Hagen 1999). If ancestral mothers did not receive enough support from fathers or other family members, they may not have been able to "afford" raising the new infant without harming any existing children, or damaging their own health (nursing depletes mothers' nutritional stores, placing the health of poorly nourished women in jeopardy).For mothers suffering inadequate social support or other costly and stressful circumstances, negative emotions directed towards a new infant could serve an important evolved function by causing the mother to reduce her investment in the infant, thereby reducing her costs. Numerous studies support the correlation between postpartum depression and lack of social support or other childcare stressors (Beck 2001; Hagen 1999).

Mothers with postpartum depression can unconsciously exhibit fewer positive emotions and more negative emotions toward their children, are less responsive and less sensitive to infant cues, less emotionally available, have a less successful maternal role attainment, and have infants that are less securely attached; and in more extreme cases, some women may have thoughts of harming their children (Beck 1995, 1996b; Cohn et al. 1990, 1991; Field et al. 1985; Fowles 1996; Hoffman and Drotar 1991; Jennings et al. 1999; Murray 1991; Murray and Cooper 1996). In other words, most mothers with PPD are suffering some kind of cost, like inadequate social support, and consequently are mothering less.

On this view, mothers with PPD do not have a mental illness, but instead need more social support, more resources, etc; with treatment focusing on helping mothers get what they need. (See Hagen 1999 and Hagen and Barrett, n.d.).Effects on the parent-infant relationshipPost-partum depression may lead mothers to be inconsistent with childcare. They may not respond quickly or positively or at all to the infant's cues. This can affect development of a secure attachment. If a mother (or other caregiver) does not respond consistently in a warm, caring way -- holding, rocking, cooing, stroking, or talking softly -- the baby may have trouble feeling safe, secure and trusting. An insecure infant may have trouble interacting with the caregiver -- rejecting them or becoming upset when with them. The infant may be withdrawn, passive or have trouble reaching milestones on target.

Older children may also develop attachment issues. They may be less independent and less likely to interact with other people. They may have discipline, behaviour and aggression issues. Some children with these issues have a higher risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Maternal depression reduces consistent and readable communication between mother and child, and as a result poor language development may occur, with vocabulary deficits still present at early school age.

Treatments

Treatments for PPD are largely the same as for clinical depression in general. If the cause of PPD can be identified, treatment should be aimed at the root cause of the problem.Post-partum psychosis (Not to be confused with PPD)Post-partum psychosis or PPP, (also called Post-natal Psychosis or PNP and puerperal psychosis (PP) in the UK) is a mental illness, which involves a complete break with reality. Although correctly termed as a postnatal stress disorder or postpartum depressive reaction, Post-partum psychosis is different from Post-partum depression. The majority of PPP occurs within the first two weeks after childbirth with a classic 10-14 day meltdown, likely caused by the radical hormonal changes combined with neurotransmitter over activity. When correctly diagnosed at the earliest signs and immediately treated with anti-psychotic medication, the illness is recoverable within a few weeks. If undiagnosed, even for just a few days, it can take the woman months to recover. In cases of PPP, the sufferer is often unaware that she is unwell. [1]

Psychosis can also take place in combination with an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, or undiagnosed depression. In some women, a part-partum psychosis is the only psychotic episode they will ever experience, but, for others, it is just the first indication of a psychiatric disorder. Only 1 to 2 women per 1,000 births develop post-partum psychosis. [1] It is a rare condition, and often treatable. However, much media coverage of post-partum depression has focused on psychosis, especially following the Andrea Yates case. Whilst postpartum/puerperal psychosis is a serious psychiatric illness, the risks of a mother suffering this illness harming her baby are low: infanticide rates are estimated at 4%, and suicide rates in postpartum/puerperal psychosis are estimated at 5%.

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Andrea Yates case

Main article: Andrea Yates

After the National Organization for Women (NOW) insisted that Andrea Yates had postpartum depression, the Individualist Feminists of Ifeminist.com pointed out that postpartum depression is quite common and that most sufferers do not murder their children. In fact, Yates suffered from postpartum psychosis. After Ifeminist.com pointed out that this stigmatized a large number of mothers and made them less likely to seek professional help, NOW removed their claims from their official website. Some believe that Yates' fundamentalist church bears some responsibility for the murder, as the church allegedly urged her to ignore her psychiatrist's orders. Yates methodically drowned her children in a bathtub in her Clear Lake City, Houston, Texas house on June 20, 2001.

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Books and other resources:Morning Star?by Danna Hobart is an honest account of one woman's experience with postpartum depression/psychosis.ReferencesAckerman, J. T., Eadie, J. M., Yarris, G. S., Loughman, D. L., & Mclandress R. M. (2003) Cues for investment: nest desertion in response to partial clutch depredation in dabbling ducks. Animal Behavior, 66, 871-883.Beck, C.T. The effects of postpartum depression on maternal-infant interaction: a meta-analysis. Nursing Research 44:298-304, 1995.Beck, C.T. A meta-analysis of predictions of postpartum depression. Nursing Research 45:297-303, 1996a.Beck, C.T. A meta-analysis of the relationship between postpartum depression and infant temperament. Nursing research 45:225-230, 1996b.Bect, C.T. (2001) Predictors of Postpartum Depression: An Update. Nursing Research, 50, 275-285.Canadian Pediatric Society. "Depression in Pregnant Women and Mothers: How Children are affected." October 2004. Accessed 22 November 2005 at http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/babies/Depression.htm.Cezilly, F. (1993) Nest desertion in the greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber roseus. Animal Behavior, 45, 1038-1040.Cohn, J.F., Campbell, S.B., Matias, R., and Hopkins, J. Face-to-face interactions of postpartum depressed and non-depressed mother-infant pairs at 2 months. Developmental Psychology 26:15-23, 1990.Cohn, J.F., Campbell, S.B., and Ross, S. Infant response in the still-face paradigm at 6 months predicts avoidant and secure attachment at 12 months. Special Issue: Attachment and developmental psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology 3:367-376, 1991.Field, T., Sandburg, S., Garcia, R., Vega-Lahr, N., Goldstein, S., and Guy, L. Pregnancy problems, postpartum depression, and early mother-infant interactions. Developmental Psychology 21:1152- 1156, 1985.Fowles, E.R. Relationships among prenatal maternal attachment, presence of postnatal depressive symptoms, and maternal role attainment. Journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses 1:75-82, 1996.Gendron, M. & Clark, R. G. (2000) Factors affecting brood abandonment in gadwalls (Anas strepera). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 78, 327-331.Gotlib, I.H., Whiffen, V.E., Wallace, P.M., and Mount, J.H. Prospective investigation of postpartum depression: factors involved in onset and recovery. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 100:122- 132, 1991.Goodman J.H. (2004) Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and implications for family health. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 45, 26-35.Harris, B. Biological and hormonal aspects of postpartum depressed mood: working towards strategies for prophylaxis and treatment. Special Issue: Depression. British Journal of Psychiatry 164:288-292, 1994.Hoffman, Y., and Drotar, D. The impact of postpartum depressed mood on mother-infant interaction: like mother like baby? Infant Mental Health Journal 12:65-80, 1991.Jennings, K.D., Ross, S., Popper, S., and Elmore, M. Thoughts of harming infants in depressed and nondepressed mothers. Journal of Affective Disorders, 1999.Murray, L. Intersubjectivity, object relations theory, and empirical evidence from mother-infant interactions. Special Issue: The effects of relationships on relationships. Infant Mental Health Journal 12:219-232, 1991.Murray, L., and Cooper, P.J. The impact of postpartum depression on child development. International Review of Psychiatry 8:55-63, 1996.Nielsen Forman D, Videbech P, Hedegaard M, Dalby Salvig J, Secher NJ (2000) Postpartum depression: identification of women at risk. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 107, 1210-7.O'Hara, M.W. Depression and marital adjustment during pregnancy and after delivery. American Journal of Family Therapy 13:49-55, 1985.O'Hara, M.W. Postpartum Depression: Causes and Consequences. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1995.O'Hara, M.W., and Swain A.M. Rates and risk of postpartum depression - A meta-analysis. International Review of Psychiatry 8:37-54, 1996.Trivers, R. L. (1972) Parental investment and sexual selection. In B. Campbell (Ed.), Sexual Selection and the Descent of Man (pp. 136-179). London: Heinemann.??Fray, Kathy: "Oh Baby...Birth, Babies & Motherhood Uncensored", pages 364-381, Random House NZ, 2005

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