Archive for the ‘Pregnancy and Baby Care’ Category
Training for New Mummys: The Nappy Change
Changing a soiled nappy may not come naturally to a new mummy, but practice does make perfect! By following these tips, you will soon be changing nappies like an expert.
First, gather all the supplies you need. Make sure you have a new, clean nappy, wipes and rash ointment if needed.
Wash your hands and lay the baby on the changing surface with your supplies nearby. You may want to have a rattle or toy handy to entertain the baby in case he or she begins to fuss.
Unfasten the soiled diaper and dispose of it. Then, carefully lift the baby’s ankles to allow easy access while cleaning. Gently cleanse the baby from front to back. Wiping this way will ensure that dangerous bacteria will not infect your baby’s urinary tract. If the mess is too great to clean with just wipes, you may use a gentle soap specifically formulated for a baby’s sensitive skin. Most of the time this will be unnecessary and wipes will do the job well.
After ensuring that your baby’s skin is clean, apply a thin layer of ointment or petroleum jelly to prevent your baby from getting a rash. Rashes are common when a nappy is wet or too tight. Small red bumps may appear, but applying cream or jelly will soothe your baby’s skin and prevent future rashes from developing.
Place an open, clean nappy under your baby’s bottom and carefully lower him or her onto the lower half. Gently lift the top portion between the baby’s legs and secure. Some nappies use tapes that secure the sides together, others use safety pins. Always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions. Make sure the nappy is tight enough to prevent leaks but loose enough to keep your baby comfortable.
Be sure to put all nappy change supplies back in a secure holding place when you are finished. Wash your hands again and enjoy having a clean, dry baby for a few hours until nature strikes again!
Discover New Method to Reduce the Risk of Preeclampsia
Many know that during pregnancy the mothers are exposed to various inconveniences, and for that reason researchers are working to ensure that women have no major concerns during pregnancy. Among the most important issues should be mentioned that preeclampsia.
This disease is the constant rise in blood pressure in the mother, which can lead to serious problems for both the woman and the child who is in her womb. But recently in the United Kingdom concluded that it can reduce the risk of preeclampsia from food.
Through the provision of antioxidant vitamins and L-arginine, an amino acid, mothers are less likely to have preeclampsia during the nine months of gestation. However, experts recommend that all pregnant women undergo periodic measurements of blood pressure to discuss the possibility of having the complication mentioned above.
Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy
That’s what several media outlets published a result of investigations made public in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and conducted at the universities of Auckland and Arizona.
Benefits of exercise during pregnancy
This study showed that pregnant women who performed regular physical exercise sessions significantly reduce the risk that the infant is overweight. And now an increasing number of pregnant women with overweight or obese, which can pose a problem of long-term health of the child.
Experts have recommended a workout during pregnancy and also with this research has shown that their practice does not alter in any way normal embryo development.
Travel During Pregnancy
Now that summer arrives, many of us are thinking about vacations. Travel, tours, trips … anything to get out of the ordinary. Being pregnant does not mean to do any of these things. With a few precautions before starting the journey, the women who are pregnant can make you think necessary movements.
The recommended mode of transport is the train, as it not only could travel if the trip was lying down at night, but they can stand if necessary. The bus, on the contrary, it should be used only for short trips and preferably sitting. However, the second trimester is the most suitable and safe for travel. In the third, when pregnancy is advanced, it is recommended that the displacements are not too long.
The precautions are even more important when we travel abroad. You must know if you need some previous vaccines, especially in the case of pregnancy, and we cannot forget to inform us about the availability of medical care that we have in our destiny. Many airlines do not stop riding on its planes to women in their last weeks of gestation. If you need to travel by plane in those days and you cannot help, check the airline regulations.
Parents Also Experience Hormonal Changes II
At birth a child, in the brains of the parents increased the levels of hormones, especially oxytocin, which helps women during childbirth the uterus to contract and respond to the demands of the newborn, and prolactin, essential for stimulating breastfeeding, according to research published by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
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It is likely that, as it increases the time parents spend with their child and progresses the child’s ability to interact with them, prolactin and oxytocin increase in women and men to respond to the needs of newcomer the world, said Dr Feldman.
What happens
When parents have their small arms, your body increases production of oxytocin and prolactin, which act on the amygdala, associated with emotions, and helps establish the emotional relationship, which influences their feelings and thoughts about the baby.
The study
For their research, the neurologist Ruth Feldman found hormone levels of 43 parents during the six months following the birth of children, during which time they discussed their ability to reassure them, play with them and understand their needs, which was greater in those with higher hormone levels.
Parents Also Experience Hormonal Changes
The secretions of the endocrine glands not only alter the biological function of women as mothers. It may also alter the men at unexpected moments like parenthood. This is due to rising levels of oxytocin and prolactin, which facilitates relationships.
It has been found that when children come to within a couple, hormones not only revolutionize the mother’s body. Also affect those of the father, although this has not been in her womb the infant.
Maria Esther de la Paz, Ph.D., an expert in natural medicine, explains that the changes in moods, which range from sadness, apathy and euphoria, alterations in sleep and eating habits. Read the rest of this entry »
The Dental Health of Children
What should moms?
It is common for expectant mothers suffering from gum to tooth decay and extractions during pregnancy or shortly thereafter. This is NOT “normal” can and should be prevented. NO unborn kid does a tooth. DO NOT remove calcium from the mother’s teeth.
Three factors contribute to this erroneous thinking:
First, there are hormonal changes that predispose to diseases of the gums, but inconclusive.
Second, pregnant women tend to eat more food more often and sweet treats. This is what causes tooth decay by the time they are those sugars in the mouth and not the alleged deprivation of calcium.
If the pregnancy is planned or in the earliest times, consult your dentist to take all preventive measures directed. Care must be care of personal oral hygiene.
If for lack of prevention estuvieranmuy swollen gums, may agree to wait at the end of pregnancy because the situation is improving, not cure, past the hormonal changes.
How to clean baby’s teeth?
Dental hygiene should start with the first tooth. Or even before, by cleaning gum, after dinner, with the finger wrapped in gauze. The mother can perform the cleaning of the first little teeth with a small brush and soft. You should consult a specialist in dentistry for children before one year of age.
What is dentistry for children?
It is a branch of dentistry (dentistry, pedodontics) which deals with the prevention and treatment of the child from birth through adolescence, with respect for their special needs. A general dentist can exercise if scientific and practically prepared to do so.
Signs of Anemia on Women
Many women do not realize when developing anemia. It would be unusual for women who suffer from a mild illness or even noticed any outward signs may indicate that they would suffer from iron deficiency. However, among the typical signs of anemia can include the following:
Fatigue, dizziness or vertigo, and weakness.
* Pale skin, more evident in the area of the lips, nails and the area that lies under the eyelid.
* Difficulty breathing normally.
* Difficulties to concentrate.
* Palpitations.
* Cardiac arrhythmias.
Severe iron deficiency has been linked many times – taking into account a number of studies carried out to investigate the issue, with the pike. If you find that you have food cravings or strange things, such as clay or dust, it would be best to make an appointment with your doctor to try to resolve this issue so special.
Determining if you suffer from Iron Deficiency
Because many women with low levels of iron stores in your body, it has become too common a practice that during their first medical consultation was carried out a series of tests to determine if you are anemic. During these consultations, you will have two blood tests. The first, to verify the counting of the volume of hematocrit, which measured the percentage of red cells in their blood system, while the second will be a specially developed analysis to measure levels of hemoglobin, which measured the quantity in grams of hemoglobin per 100 milliliters of blood. These tests shall be performed again between weeks twenty-fourth and twenty-sixth of her pregnancy, as it is very normal for many pregnant women develop anemia in the final stages of her pregnancy.
Anemia During Pregnancy II
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a disease whereby the body lacks the ability to produce the proper amount of hemoglobin, or red blood cells. Red blood cells are a major component of your body’s blood system, because these are responsible for transporting oxygen from one cell to another. Possession of red blood cells means your body must work harder to obtain and transport the necessary oxygen to organs and tissues. That is why because of the extra effort, you will probably feel more irritable and tired.
The function that represents the Iron When you suffer from anemia
Anemia can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people may suffer some genetic disease, for example, sickle cell anemia, which could be the cause that these people suffered this ailment, while others may develop anemia after experiencing frequent loss of blood. However, the most common form of anemia is caused by deficiency of vitamins and nutrients in their organimo. Known as nutritional anemia, lack of iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 can result in women (indeed, anyone else) suffer from anemia. For most people who suffer from nutritional anemia, the main cause of it is iron deficiency.
Are you at some hazard classes?
In addition to low levels of iron stores in your body, the risk for anemia during pregnancy may be increased if you:
* Been vomiting often caused by morning sickness.
* I would have had two pregnancies closely spaced together.
* It might be pregnant with twins or higher-order multiples (multiple pregnancy).
* I would have had a period with much blood loss before becoming pregnant.
Anemia During Pregnancy
During pregnancy is extremely important to make sure to be consuming the recommended daily intake of iron, since your baby will need extracting iron from its reserves. A diet deficient in iron can result in anemia, which could threaten both her life as her baby.
Unfortunately, most women have low iron stores even before becoming pregnant. That is why, even if you eat a properly balanced diet during pregnancy, it would be very difficult to obtain by itself the 27 mgs. of iron per day recommended, as even the most nutritious diet will only provide about 12 mgs or 14 mgs of iron consumption per day. That is why in order to prevent iron deficiency in your body, it is usually necessary for pregnant women to ingest iron supplements, which will provide adequate amounts to enable them to enjoy optimal health. Fortunately, most prenatal vitamins contain at least 30 mgs. iron, therefore, be sure to take your prenatal vitamins Diaren to feel healthy and enjoy your pregnancy!.
Normally, the RDA for iron for an adult woman is 18 mgs. per day. During the course of pregnancy, the dose should be increased up to 27 mgs. per day due to increased maternal blood volume (almost 50% higher than it had before becoming pregnant.) Also, your baby will be taking the iron needs of its reserves in order to procure and develop the necessary levels of iron for your body to function properly, which will be used in the first months of life.