Monday, March 28, 2011

Some basic tips for New born Baby Clothes

Some basic tips for Newborn Baby Clothes
Congratulations! It must be very exciting to buy newborn baby clothes.If you are planning to buy new born baby cloths please make sure you have this points before making a final decision.It's a fun activity! Everything is so teeny tiny and you can't help but pile your shopping cart to the brim! While this special event can be a blast, there a few important things that you should know before you take the plunge into your favorite baby store. I am going to give you some great tips to be aware of when you are shopping for your baby's brand new wardrobe. In this article, we will discuss pre-washed baby clothing, organic vs. non-organic, materials, tags vs. tag-less, zipper guards, buttons, prices, and more. You can jot these down in shorthand so that you can them readily available on your shopping spree.

Think back to the last time you bought yourself something new to wear. Do you remember that itchy feeling that you got from the too-stiff new clothing item? Many babies are quite sensitive to the starchy feeling. It might make you feel really great to dress your baby in a new outfit straight from the store, however, it will feel awfully scratchy to him. Many brands pre-wash their clothing. Not only do the clothes have that soft, comfy touch to them, but you can also rest assured that the clothes won't fade during the first wash from a bright and lively color to a dull look.



Organic Baby Clothes

Buying organic clothes is a great way to introduce your child to a greener lifestyle at a young age. You can start by providing your baby’s essentials with earth friendly organic clothing. Each small step we make provides a healthier lifestyle for our children as well as improving the global community for their future. Your baby probably won't notice if he is wearing something made of organic materials or not, but it is still a great way to get started in making this your lifestyle.

Materials

You have to be really careful when you are choosing newborn baby clothes, as well as any clothing, while we are at it. Many of the cheaper clothing out there is made of cheaper materials. That's not always a bad thing, but it definitely comes into play regarding flame resistant materials. If the clothing is not flame resistant (usually polyester and the like) you have to be sure that the clothes are well fitted on your baby's body. Loose fitting garments are more likely to catch fire. Cotton is a great material for clothing. It is breathable and comfortable for the baby's skin. Some types of cottons are flame-resistant as well.

Clothes Tags

Tags are another important thing to know about. A lot of babies find that tag on the back of their necks very irritating and bothersome. One solution is to remove the tags from your newborn's clothing. When doing so, instead of cutting it, which will leave some itchy remnants behind, remove the tags from the seam so that nothing will be left. Another option is to buy tagless clothes. To avoid the problem altogether, many companies have chosen to inscribe the important information, such as the brand name, size, materials, etc. directly onto the clothing itself. You can find the information in the same place as the tag, which is usually on the inside back near the neck.

Zipper Gaurd

Another great thing that is an amazing addition to newborn baby clothes is the zipper guard. Can you recall any time that you accidentally zippered your skin? Ouch! A zipper guard is a piece of cloth that is attached to clothing between the zipper and skin in order to protect the skin from getting caught in the zipper. Be sure to look for clothing with full-length zipper guards.

Buttons

:- Be cautious of buttons on baby clothing. These cute little ornaments are actually a very dangerous choking hazard. If they are on areas of the clothing that are out of your baby's reach, be sure that they are securely fastened. (It is a good idea to check every so often as time goes on.) Ditch the clothes that have real buttons near the mouth.
Don't overspend. It's the worst thing you can do to yourself. As cute as that $75 something may look on your adorable newborn, it's not worth it. Babies outgrow their clothing so quickly that it's just not worth it to spend a fortune on their clothes. Shop the clearance racks dry and hit the malls during the major sales. Use coupons and order online. If there is something that you just can't pass up, check online first. It may be cheaper there. These are all great ways to save on your baby's clothing.

Now you have these great tips to keep handy while shopping for newborn baby clothes. Congratulations again and happy shopping! 

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Post Pregnancy:- Stem cell, secure your baby with stem cell preservation

Post Pregnancy:- Stem cell, secure your baby with stem cell preservation
some important points to keep in mind about stem cell preservation:-
  • The storage of umbilical cord blood stem cell is an assurance that whenever need a potentially life-saving cord blood transplant for your child or any family member, your child's cord blood is readily available.
  • The umbilical cord blood is rich with stem cell that can differentiate into blood and immune system as well as heart, brain, spinal, pancreatic tissue etc.
  • Stem cells have the power to regenerate, repair or replace damaged cells in the body.
  • stem cells protect your child and family from incurable disease like leukemia, thalassemia and trails are in progress in Alzheimer's disease, cartilage regeneration, diabetes, heart disease , liver disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, stroke etc.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Pregnancy: What is Antenatal check up?

An antenatal check-up is a routine check up done by your doctor during pregnancy.
Initially it is done quarterly ( if the case is seems to be normal and baby growth and position seems normal in ultrasound), Then on last 3 months it is done after every 15 days gap to check the baby
position and growth.


Breast Feeding:Do I need to prepare my brests for breast-feeding?




During pregnancy, Apply a cream on the areola and nipples to make sure that the skin remains soft and not dry.make sure your bras provide enough support so that they do not sag later, as they will be heavy because of milk. wash your breast with warm water only. soap, lotions and alcohol might be irritating and should
not be used.

Breast-feeding: Do I need to take extra care of my breast while breast-feeding?


By the 3rd and 4th day your milk will look more like skim milk. Your breast will also feel firm rather than soft. if your nipple leak, use a nursing pad or a clean folded handkerchief inside your bra to catch leaking milk.

Take care not to overtly feed from one breast and avoid using the other.when you breast-feed, alternate
between which breast you offer first.

Breast feeding:-What should I take of the baby while feeding?

Please take care of the following points while feeding the baby:-
  • Spitting is a common reaction of infants during or ofter feeding. there is usually no need to be concerned when your baby spits.
  • Avoid interruptions, bright lights, sudden noises and other distractions while feeding the baby.
  • Burp the baby well after feeding.
  • Put the baby in an upright position after feeding.
  • Do not play with the baby vigorously after feeding.
  • If the baby repeatedly vomits, especially in a forceful manner, consult the pediatrician.

    Post pregnancy: when should i visit my doctor again after pregnancy?

    Call you Doctor if :-
    • You have a fever over 100.4 deg F(38 deg Celsius)
    • You have unusual abdominal or genital pain.
    • you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or discharge from an edisiotomy or c-section cuts
    • you are bleeding through more than 1 pad per hour.
    • the discharge from you vagina smells bad.
    • you pass clots the size of a plum or larger.
    • your breast are red or warm, or there is an unusual discharge from the nipples.
    • you are unable to empty your bladder, or you feel a burning pain when you urinate.
    • your legs are tender or red.
    • you have felt depressed for more than 2 to 3 days.
    • or any-kind of discomfort that is troubling you.


    Post Pregnancy: When will i return to my normal weight?

    During birth, you lose weight. however, there may still be some scope for weight loss, depending on how much weight you gained during pregnancy.the extra fab will be removed by good life style followed by you.
    losing this weight takes time. it takes most mothers 8 to 12 months to return to their normal weight.
    losing the weight slowly is healthy and natural.the key is to eat healthy and exercise regularly. If you
    are breast-feeding, you should make sure you are still eating at-least 1800 Calories a day.

    Post pregnancy: When can i have sex again after pregnancy?

    The number of weeks you should wait before having sex depends on your specific situation. because it takes approximately 6 weeks for your uterus to return to normal size, many doctors recommends that all
    mothers wait a full 6 weeks.
    it is normal to feel uncomfortable at first when you start having sex again after childbirth.

    talk to your doctor about methods of birth control you can use after the birth of your baby. it may not
    happen until after the first 6 months of breast-feeding, but it could happen earlier.
    to be in safer side use protection till you are ready for a family planning.




    Post pregnancy: When will my period start?

    If you are not breast-feeding you baby, you may start having menstrual period 3 to 10 weeks
    after delivery.
    If you are Breast-feeding, there is no specific time when your periods will start again. it may not happen until after the first 6 months of breast-feeding, but it could happen earlier.If you are planning to have sex, please wait for 6 weeks and use precaution  to save yourself  from conceiving again.


    Post Pregnancy: When can i start doing normal activities?

    If you had a normal delivery without any problems, you can get back to doing most of your normal activities right away. you should still take it easy and avoid heavy lifting, vacuuming, and a lot of stair climbing for the first couple of weeks. if you have had a caesarean section( c section), you will need to avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks. exercise is one of the best ways to lose weight, get more energy, relieve stress, and build your strength. unless you had a c-section, difficult birth, or other pregnancy problem, you can usually start exercising as soon as you feel up to it. if you have had a c section, you can usually start exercising in 6 weeks.

    Post pregnancy:- Is there any special care i will need to take after delivery?

    Soft belly:- It is normal for your belly to be soft and loose.it will tighten up with exercise.
    Rest:-you will need extra rest. however with caring for and feeding a new baby, there is not much time to rest. because you must feed the baby day and night, you may need to change your sleeping schedule to get enough rest.

    Try sleeping while the baby sleeps. morning and afternoon naps can be very helpful.

    Pain relief:- if you delivered the bay normally through the birth canal, pain is the area between rectum
    and vagina is common.
    To relieve the pain and prevent infection, you can sit in a warm bath, put cold packs on the pain area, or put warm water on the area with squirt bottle or warm pad, sponge etc.

    It is also important to wipe yourself from the front to back after a bowel movement to prevent infection.
    if sitting is uncomfortable, you may want to buy a doughnut shaped cushion to help ease the pressure when sitting.
    Bleeding and discharge:- You will have a vaginal discharge for 2 to 6 weeks after the delivery. sometimes it may last longer. it may come out in gushes or more evenly like a menstrual period.
    The discharge will start out red and slowly change to pink and finally a yellow white color.

    Do not use tampons for the first 6 weeks after delivery.

    you will need to use pads because tampons may bring bacteria into your body while it is still healing and cause infection.
    Constipation and haemorrhoids: it is common to be constipated or have discomfort from haemorrhoid after delivery.
    For constipation, try eating food rich in fiber and drinking lots of liquids. do not use any medicines to loosen your bowel movements without first asking your doctor.
    Breast soreness:- your milk will come in about 2 to 4 days after your child is born. this may make breast very large, hard. and sore. this will get better once you start breast feeding routine.
    To help with pain and discomfort, wear a well-fitting support bra and put ice packs on your breasts.

    Hair loss: once the baby is born, hair loss increases, don't worry about it as it will settle down soon.




























    Post pregnancy: What is postpartum means in Pregnancy?

    Postpartum is the period of time after the birth of your baby when your body is changing back to normal. it last about  6 weeks or until your uterus returns to its normal size.

    The recovery time for body depends on the lifestyle of the mother and the support she gets from her family.
     
    Some lady recover to normal within 6 months by taking healthy food and doing regular exercise to loose the fab gained after pregnancy.



    Pregnancy :-Caesarean delivery

    In a normal delivery , the baby is delivered vaginally. At times despite the efforts that you make, labour might not progress as anticipated. in these cases, your doctor might help delivery using special tools like forceps or vacuum.
    Now a days, doctor are using drugs to give artificial pain in pregnancy along with using tools mention above, which is kind of normal.In some cases, when it is not possible to deliver vaginally, the baby is delivered by an
      operation which involves cutting of abdomen.
    following the delivery and then the abdomen is sutured. your doctor will decide if you require a cesarean section.


    Pregnancy :-Forceps or vacuum delivery

    At times despite the efforts that you make, labour might not progress as anticipated. in these cases, your doctor might help delivery using special tools like forceps or vacuum.



    Now a days, doctor are using drugs to give artificial pain in pregnancy along with using tools mention above, which is kind of normal.


    How does labour happen in pregnancy?

    Labour takes place in three distinct phases:-
    1. Dilation of cervix
    2. Delivery of baby
    3. Delivery of placenta
    Dilation of cervix :-
    in the early phase, you may see a little blood tinged mucus and experience mild contractions which will be 15 - 20 minutes apart, lasting for 15-20 seconds. Gradually these contractions will become more regular, frequent and longer. During this time, you should take a walk, rest and relax. you should spend your time at home and proceed to hospital once contractions are 10 to 15 minutes apart.

    In the later stage, your contraction will become stronger and as often as 3 minutes apart lasting for 15 seconds each. you may bleed from vagina and feel the urge to push. you should be in hospital during this phase. with your doctor's advice, you may walk if feel like.

    Pass urine as often as possible. focus on breathing during contractions. try to relax in between contractions. if you feel like lying down, lie an your side. tell your doctor if you feel the urge to push.

    2) Delivery of baby :-
    this is the stage when the baby comes out. contractions become much stranger- 2-5 minutes apart,
    lasting for 50-60 seconds. you will feel the urge to push harder and bear down. listen and follow your nurse and doctor's instructions. push during contraction (when you feel the urge and when told to ) and rest in between the contractions. yo0ur doctor will helps guide the baby through the birth canal.

    3) Delivery of placenta:-
    contractions will continue in this period though less painful. push when you feel teh urge to and when told. ask fora blanket if you are feeling cold.









    how to know labour pain in pregnancy?

    There are some sign that your body is preparing for labour:-
    1. Passage of a small amount of blood-tinged mucus from the birth canal(vagina). this discharge is called show or mucus plug. it may occur 1 day to several weeks before labour actually begins or it may happen after a vaginal exam.
    2. a trickle or gush of water from the birth canal. this is caused by a breaking of the bag of water which surrounds your baby.  If your bag of waters breaks, contact your doctor right away and go to the hospital.

    while the two signs above are clear warning signs that labour is about to begin. the sign that labour has began is regular, strong contractions that :-
    • Are 2 to 3 minutes apart
    • Last 30 seconds or longer
    • Cause the cervix to start to thin and open

    What is labour in pregnancy?

    You are in labour when the muscles of your uterus contract so that your baby can be born.
    During labour , the uterine muscles tighten and the opening of the uterus( the cervix) thins and opens.
    the baby moves down the birth canal and is born. after delivery of the baby, the placenta alos comes out of the uterus.this is the last part of labour.



    if you have sign of labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy, the labour is considered preterm.You should call your doctor right away if you have any sign or symptoms of labour before 37 weeks.

    Medicine during pregnancy

    Check with your doctor before taking any medicine, including aspirin. Even medicine that you buy 
    without prescription can cause birth defects, especially if it's taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
    If you have thyroid and take medicine daily to keep it in control, please discuss it with doctor if you need to chnage the dosage or stop the medicine after some time.


    Taking any additional supplement in pregnancy?

    you should take 400 mcg(0.4 mg ) of folic acid every day for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy.
    Folic acid can help prevent problems your baby's brain and spinal cord.


    It is best to start taking folic before you get pregnant. your doctor might want you to take a prenatal vitamin. if you do take a prenatal supplement, make sure you are not taking any other vitamin or mineral supplement along with it unless your doctor recommends it.


    Does diagnosed with twin pregnancy be differnet than other pregnancy?

    You will need to take extra care during a twin pregnancy. You will gain more weight during pregnancy. Increase your dietary intake:
    additional protiens, calaries,calcium,and whole grain servings. adhere to the appointment schedule with your doctor. you may also require additional/ frequent doctor visits and ultrasound examinations. take proper rest as your baby will be working twice as hard :)
    Ensure proper sleep of at least 8 hours at night.

    Sign in pregnancy that need to communicate immediately to your doctor

    Tell your doctor immediately if you have the following problems:-

    1. Blood or fluid coming from your vagina.
    2. Sudden or extreme swelling of your face or fingers.
    3. Headaches that are severe or won't go away.
    4. No baby movement for more than 12 hours ( a single movement is enough withing 12 hours)
    5. nausea and vomiting that won't go away.
    6. Dizziness
    7. Dim or blurry vision
    8. Pain or cramps in your lower abdomen.
    9. chills or fever
    10. less urine or burning when you urinate.
    11. any illness or infection
    12. anything else that bothers you.

    Traveling in Pregnancy

    Air travel cannot directly cause a miscarriage.however any associated stress, dehydration and inattention to possible warning sign could be a problem. Also, please check with your doctor before planning for such a trip.
    Please keep these points in mind before traveling :-


    • If doing a road trip, make sure that the route has a good road conditions, any sudden jump or burp can be dangerous for you and your baby.
    • If doing a air trip, please check with your doctor before planning.besides, airlines also have a rule regarding traveling during pregnancy, and may not allow you to travel beyond 32 weeks.
    • If commuting on public transport always lookout for pregnant lady reserved seat so that traveling is smooth for you.



      Having sex during pregnancy


      • It is better to avoid intercourse after 36 weeks of pregnancy.
      • Intercourse should be avoided if advised by your doctor to do so.
      • Intercourse should also be avoided if the bag of water is ruptured or is leaking. 
      • If a women is at high risk of preterm labor, intercourse should be avoided.
      • Foul play and Oral sex can be done with proper precautions

      Working in pregnancy

      This depends on whether you have any problem with your pregnancy, what kind of work you do and if you are exposed to anything at work that could harm your baby. for instance, lifting heavy object or standing for long period can be hard on you. radiation, lead and other heavy metals, such as copper and mercury could be damaging to the baby.

      If you go for work, try to take a power nap for 15 to 30 min if your office working environment allows
      you to.
      a pwer nap is good for you and your baby :)

      Exercise during pregnancy

      You cannot do all exercise during pregnancy. whoever, some exercise can be done safely. exercise might help you feel better and maintain you normal body blood flow which is good for the baby.
      If you have no serious medical problems and you have an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's probably safe for you to do some exercising

      How should I start exercising?
      Its best to check with the doctor before starting any exercise program. you may have a medical condition that could make exercising harmful to you or your baby. If your doctor approves, you can start exercising at a level that does not cause pain, shortness of breath or excessive tiredness. you may then slowly increase your activity. if you feel comfortable, short of breath or very tired, you should reduce your exercise level. if you haven't exercised before, you need to start very slowly.

      What should I be careful about?
       avoid activities that increase your risk of falls or injury, such as contact sports or vigorous sports. Even mild
      injuries to the tummy area can be serious when you're pregnant. after the first 3 month of pregnancy, it'best to avoid exercising while lying on your back, since the weight of the baby may interfere with blood circulation.
        also avoid long periods of standing. when the weather is hot,exercise in the early morning or late evening
      . If you are exercising indoors,m make sure the room has enough ventilation. consider using a fan to help yourself cool.
      Drink lot of fluid even if you don't feel thirsty. make sure that you are eating a well balanced diet.
      normally , pregnancy increases your food requirements by 300 calories a day, even without exercise.

      What type of exercise are best when i pregnant?
      The most comfortable exercise are those that don't require your body to bear extra weight. Swimming and stationary cycling ( with your doctor recommendation) can be continued throughout pregnancy.

      After the first 3 months of pregnancy, it's best to avoid exercising while lying on your back, since the weight of the  weight of the baby may interfere with blood circulation.

      Pregnancy - Breathing Exercises
      Their objective: improving chest and lung ventilation, thereby facilitating blood oxygenation, teach you to control your breathing, in order to comply with certain rhythms during labor, and coordinate the breath and muscular effort, in anticipation of the moment expulsion.
      1. The positionIdeally, the sleeping position that we have described above. However, nothing precludes then sitting exercises.
      2. Awareness of breathingLying on your back, place a hand on her belly and one on the upper chest.Follow the directions of the instructor, and the difference between:
      - Abdominal breathing, which takes place through the movement of the diaphragm, the belly swells with each breath;
      - Chest breathing, by Rostad movements, the chest rises with each breath;
      - Full breath, which combines two mechanisms.
      The exercises themselvesMost are made using chest breathing. Regular breathing control: 15 breaths per minute.
      - Slow inspiration through the nose.
      - Retention of air (5 or 10 seconds at the beginning).
      - Exhale slowly through your mouth.
      - Another pause. And back again.
      Blocked breathing  After a number of normal respiratory movements, making a deep breath, keep locked chest in a position of inspiration as long as possible, empty the lungs and to resume normal breathing.
      Obviously, the period of voluntary apnea should be reduced at first, gradually increasing up to 30 seconds, 0 even if the training is carried out thoroughly.
      Shallow breathing. This exercise can only take place where it dominates the mechanism of chest breathing.After a number of normal respiratory movements (in chest breathing), it progressively accelerate the respiratory rate, mouth open, and make minor respiratory movements located in the upper chest (up to 25 or 30 minutes).
      Wheezing. With his mouth wide open (possibly by removing the language), further accelerate the pace of shallow breathing, to about 40 breaths per minute.













      Is it natural to have specific likings for certain foods?

      yes it is very natural for a women to develop carvings for certain kinds of food. however, some women may not experience such a craving at all.either case it is normal

      Most common craving are for pickles, ice cream.chocolate,cakes,sweets, spicy food etc.
      also some women may have carving for things which are generally not eaten like chalk,mud,pencil lead,
      ash etc. It is absolutely normal to develop such carving but make sure you don't eat such things :)

      Friday, March 11, 2011

      what kind of food should i eat during preganacy?

      eat foods high in iron and vitamin c ( vitamin c helps your body absorb iron). often, food that are high
      in iron are also good sources of folic acid. foods that are rich in iron include liver, kidney, and red meat, dried beans, leafy green vegetables, dried fruits such as raisin, prunes and apricots, prune juice, bread, pasta , cereal, and other foods made from fortified enriched, or whole grains.
      Calcium is one of the most important minerals you will need during pregnancy. special attention should be given to eating foods rich in calcium. an increase in dairy products such as milk , cheese , paneer and yogurt is an easy way to consume lots of calcium.
      Other sources of calcium are, almonds, broccoli, figs, bananas and beans.
      folic acid is another essential nutrients during pregnancy and helps the development of the baby's brain and spine. some excellent source of folic acid are dried beans, tofu and peanuts.
      protein intake must also be increased during pregnancy.



      Precautions while eating during pregnancy

      one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your baby is eat a balanced diet. there are a foods that you should be more careful about eating while you are pregnant.

      Meat , eggs and fish that are not fully cooked could put you at risk for an infection.
      do not eat 2 or 3 servings of fish per week. these fish sometimes have high levels of mercury, which could hurt your baby.
      Wash all fruit and vegetables. keep cutting boards and dishes clean. eat 3 to 4 servings of dairy foods each day.

      this will give you enough calcium for you and your baby. do not drink unpasteurized milk products. soft cheeses such as brie,feta , Camembert and Mexican queso fresco may have bacteria that can couse infections.
      If you drink coffee or other drinks with caffeine , do not have more than 1 or 2 cups each day.


      What are the routine investigation which need to be done in pregnancy?

      You will require routine investigations during your pregnancy which will be advised by your doctor. these will include routine blood investigation, routine urine examination( first trimester i.e the first 12 weeks)

      some special investigation might be advised for rubella and screening for hepatitis B virus.Triple tests might be advised by your doctor to be done at 16-18 weeks to detect any neural tube defects, down's syndrome or  any other genetic abnormality.Pregnancy: What is Antenatal check up?

      ultrasound examination will be advised repeatedly by your doctor to monitor the growth of the baby, any congential anomaly of the baby

      What kind of examination should i expect during the antenatal check-up?


      The check-up will include :-
      1. A detailed history
      2. Physical examination including weight and blood pressure.
      3. Pelvic examination( an internal examination)
      4. In later stages of pregnancy, an abdominal examination also will be done to note baby's position and growth