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How to Encourage Your Baby's First Words: Practical Tips for Parent

The first-time parents just can’t wait to see their baby coo or babble, once they have seen their baby achieve the rest of their milestones – crawling, walking, holding, smiling, etc. 

Of course, by the time the baby turns 1, they will become an unstoppable chatterbox. In around 15 months of your baby’s life, they will start saying “up”, “more”, etc. 

The babies’ language development starts by the time they are 1 year old, as they are exposed to a lot of sounds, and speech patterns. 

At the same time, as first-time parents – there are ways that you can use to encourage your baby to talk. 

Pay heed to their cries: During the initial days of your baby’s life, crying is the only way of communication, when they need anything. They cry even when they are in trouble or they have hurt themselves. As first-time parents, it is your responsibility, to understand the baby’s crying cues. 

Talk in a high-pitched tone: Since communicating with your baby is essential, it is always advisable for you to talk to your baby with extra love, care, and excitement. It is always better for you to talk in a high-pitched tone. The reason is, most of the time the new parents baby-talk, and the babies seem to respond well. Sometimes they can elongate various words and letters to make them understand easily. 

Repetition of a few words: Since the babies' brains are still developing, they are actively engaged in taking in as much information as possible. Only by repeating a few words, while you’re speaking to your baby like saying “mamma”, “come come”, etc will you be able to make your baby’s brain functional.

Focus on small words: Since your baby isn’t mature enough to understand full sentences and grammar, so try and focus on small and simple words and use actions along with it. Gradually, your baby will start understanding.  Include stories and songs while communicating with your baby: Storytelling has a major role to play. You can use storybooks while communicating with your little one, and talk to the baby by showing images. The main aim is to make the brain connect to the words and sounds you’re using. Moreover, voice modulation and sound effects have a great impact on the child. 

At a nascent stage, communicating with your newborn baby is absolutely essential. 

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Plan Baby Shower Gift Ideas for Your Friend

Just a few years back, you were invited to your best friend’s wedding, a few months ago, you came to know that she’s pregnant and you’ll soon be attending her baby shower. That’s such a wow feeling! Isn’t it?

Now, you’re getting to plan a range of baby shower gifts for your pregnant friend.  

So, the list goes like this:  

A Cute Diaper Bag: Your friend is 7 or 8 months pregnant doesn’t mean that, she doesn’t have the right to carry herself fashionably. Gift a fashionable but very cute diaper bag to her. Make sure that, it is big enough to carry your baby’s different-sized diapers. You can also carry the wipes here.

Baby’s blanket: Gift your friend the most cute-looking baby blanket – could be pink, blue, or red in colour. It could be just a plain blanket, or it can have a bunny or bear ears to it.

Lots of toys: Babies and toys go hand in hand, creating valuable sensory experiences for little ones. Colorful, interactive toys are essential for fostering development and joyful play. You can decide what kind of toys –it may be soft toys, sound toys, building blocks, etc.

Baby-proofing kits: A basket full of baby-proofing necessities, such as furniture mounts, cabinet locks, and rugs, would be an amazing baby shower gift idea for your friend. Every expectant mother would appreciate the thought of keeping her baby safe once he or she is home. It's a practical and thoughtful gift that shows you care about the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby.

Rocking chair: Simply by sitting on a rocking chair and breastfeeding the little one your friend can enhance the bond with her newborn.

A combination of postpartum skin care products: During pregnancy, your friend's skin will go through several changes – stretch marks, dark spots, blemishes, and more. Giving her a combination of lip scrub, balm, face wash, etc can help her address these changes.

Don’t forget to share the knowledge of cord blood banking and advise her to keep it in her birth plan. After all, cord blood has all the essential blood-forming stem cells to treat life-threatening diseases – like cancer, sickle cell anaemia, as well as thalassaemia.

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Uterine Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Natural Remedies

Physical changes in pregnancy like feeling swollen, achy, gaining weight, etc are common symptoms. Amidst this, pregnancy pain including - pelvic pain, ligament pain, cramping, etc is one of the biggest challenges.

The uterine pain happens to be the most common one.

The fluctuating hormones may be one of the causes, but there are several other causes involved too.

The Reasons Behind Uterine Pain During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, pelvic pain can start as early as the first trimester and become more pronounced as you approach your due date. There are several reasons behind this discomfort. The reasons include:

Round ligament Pain: The uterus is growing to accommodate the baby inside you. The ligament supports it. That’s when the round ligament pain starts. Round ligament pain is an uncomfortable sensation in the abdomen, hips, and groin during pregnancy. Such a pain occurs without a warning, and it is a stabbing pain. You may feel the pain when you stand from a sitting position.  

Pelvic Floor Pain: Due to the uterus stretching from the first to third trimester, the relaxin hormone rises and the tension goes to the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic pain often worsens in the third trimester as the baby drops and takes the head-down position, which puts a lot of strain on it.

Cramping: In the first and third trimesters, cramping occurs due to the expanding uterus and the soaring hormones.    

The Natural Remedies for Uterine Pain

It is important to remember that treatment for uterine pain during early pregnancy primarily focuses on managing the discomfort rather than eliminating it. Here are some measures that may provide relief:

Resting and taking it easy. Maintaining a good posture with supportive pillows while lying down

Using a heating pad on a low setting

Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation

Taking a warm bath

Using over-the-counter pain relief medication, with a doctor's approval

With proper care, you can sail through this challenging phase of your pregnancy, while ensuring the health and well-being of your pregnancy and your baby. In spite of the care, if you notice vaginal bleeding, severe pain and fever, you may need medical help.

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Breastfeeding Benefits for both the New Mom and Newborn

Holding the little one in your arms after going through the nine-month-long challenging pregnancy journey, is rewarding. The newborn is the reward for all your compromises and sacrifices. 

From this moment, your little one’s health is your highest priority. Taken the newborn baby’s health into consideration, breastfeeding can be challenging, and fulfilling. 

The experts from the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommend a new mom breastfeed the newborn exclusively for 6 months, and continue breastfeeding till such time that the little one turns one.  

Breast milk is full of health and nutrition for your baby and breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for the new mom.  

Benefits of breastfeeding your baby 

Breastmilk has everything – minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins that’s needed for a newborn baby’s development. Breastmilk helps in developing the baby’s health for several reasons: 

Breastmilk is the ideal nutrition for your little one. After the first few days of your baby’s birth, your breast will produce a yellowish-thick fluid known as colostrum. The breasts start producing milk in large amounts, thus helping the baby’s stomach to grow.

Breastmilk is smooth for your little one’s immature stomach, and your little one can digest it easily.

The antibodies present in the breast milk can keep both of you and your newborn baby safe against infection.

Continue breastfeeding to reduce your little one cold, gut, respiratory, diabetes, and childhood leukaemia.

The leptin present in the breastmilk is the key hormone for regulating appetite and fat storage of the baby. It thus helps in promoting your newborn’s healthy weight. 

The breastmilk can make a child smarter. 

Benefits of breastfeeding for you 

Breastfeeding not only helps the newborn, but it also helps the new mom well. How? Here’s how:  

The close physical contact, skin-to-skin touch, and eye contact all contribute to fostering a strong bond between you and your baby, helping them feel safe and secure.

Breastfeeding helps in burning calories and further helps in bringing pregnancy-sized uteruses back in shape.

Additionally, breastfeeding reduces your risk of breast, and ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis. 

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of postpartum depression, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.

Breastfeeding sessions produce oxytocin hormones to help in uterus contraction, thus helping in quick recovery of your body, and it further helps in reducing weight.

Breastfeeding forms a special connection, and trust between you and the newborn baby.

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7 Safe and Best Fertility Tests for Women: Enhance the Reproductive Health

You have already waited too long to get a career growth, to be financially stable, and to start family. Maybe you’ve already crossed your fertility age and both you and your partner have been trying for a baby for the past 6 to 12 months and you’ve been unsuccessful. It’s time that you visit the doctor and he or she advices you to take a few fertility tests and of course take care of your health and lifestyle. 

Although both of you need to get tested together, it’s always ladies first. 

So, some of the best fertility tests for women to enhance their reproductive health include:  

Pap Smear Test: A pap smear is used to check the abnormal cells around the cervix. This test ensures whether you have cervical cancer or any sexually transmitted disease. As such problems can come in the way of your pregnancy. 

Urine test: Through the urine test the healthcare practitioner will check luteinizing hormone, or LH. This hormone soars just before you begin ovulating.

Thyroid test: Your healthcare practitioner runs you through a thyroid test. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland near the neck. It affects the body's metabolism, heart rate, and immunity. Your thyroid should be under control to produce hormones.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A tubogram is a series of X-rays taken of the fallopian tubes and uterus. After injecting liquid dye through the vagina, your doctor takes X-rays. Next saline and air is used instead of dye and an ultrasound. An HSG can help you determine if your fallopian tubes are blocked or if your uterus has any defects. This test is done just after the menstrual period.

Transvaginal ultrasound: The healthcare practitioner puts an ultrasound “wand” in the vagina, and then the pelvic organ closes. By using sound waves the images of the ovaries and uterus will show up. The ovarian and uterine problems will also be crystal clear.

Hysteroscopy: The healthcare practitioner inserts a thin and flexible tube with a camera at the end. It passes through the cervix and then goes inside the uterus. Sample images are taken in this way to check the problems. 

Laparoscopy: The healthcare practitioner makes a small cut at the belly and puts a tool along with a camera. This is like a surgery through which the doctor can examine the whole pelvis region and tend to rectify any problem occurring. 

Through such tests, you will get a clear idea as to why you’re finding it troublesome to get pregnant.

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Sleep Well in These Positions in Pregnancy

Those peaceful “zzzs” are your far-off dream in your pregnancy, with all the changes and conditions. It’s your baby bump, the active baby inside you, the nightmares, stress and anxiety, frequent bathroom trips, leg cramps, and heartburn and constipation. The fault is not in you, dear mom-to-be, it’s in your hormones, and the baby’ slow development inside you. 

Find out the best sleeping positions during your pregnancy, and the tips to get comfortable sleeping positions:  

The Best Sleeping Positions During Positions 

Experts believe that lying on your stomach is not quite comfortable past the first trimester. Hence some of the best sleeping positions in your pregnancy are:  

Sleeping on your back during your pregnancy: In your second and third trimesters, when your baby's weight is growing on the uterus, it’s good to lie on your back. The intestines and the vena cava are the main veins, carrying blood from the lower part of the body to the heart.

Sleeping on the left or right side in pregnancy: With the progression of your pregnancy, the uterus also expands. So, lying on your stomach or back wouldn’t be comfortable. Sleeping on your left or right side would always be better.

Tips to find comfortable sleeping positions in pregnancy 

If you are habituated to sleeping on your back or your back, taking side-sleeping position may be difficult for you. So, here are a few strategies to welcome a good night’s sleep: 

Use pillows: You can use a full-body pillow, designed especially while you’re sleeping. This will support your lower back or place beneath the abdomen. Try crossing one of your legs over the other, while you put another pillow behind your back. 

Keep your body elevated: If you’re suffering from heartburn, keep your head raised on your mattress or bed, thus relieving the symptoms. 

Keep your knees bent while sleeping: Sleeping on your side with one or both knees bent is indeed recommended by healthcare providers as it can help support your back during pregnancy. This position can help alleviate discomfort and pressure on your lower back. 

Use relaxation techniques to manage stress: Stress–relieving activities such as prenatal yoga, stretching and pelvic floor exercises can keep your body calm and can make you ready for sleep. 

Avoid caffeine intake, consider including prenatal vitamins, and don’t forget to consult your healthcare practitioner. Sleeping properly and peacefully can help reset your body, keep your immune, and refresh your brain. 

After using all the above-mentioned tips, if you still have trouble sleeping, consult your healthcare practitioner immediately. 

Pregnancy is a good feeling, which is also filled with challenges. Pregnancy insomnia is just one such challenge. With the right kind of solutions, you go through a healthy pregnancy.

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Baby’s Position in the Womb at the Time of Delivery: Here’s What You Discover

During your pregnancy, you may have to undergo several tests and scans to see the position of your baby inside your womb. After all, before your due date, the baby will go down into the pelvis region, and before you’re due, they will toss, turn, and keep changing their positions. 

Anterior Position

That’s the position of your baby, between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy. In this position, the baby’s chin may be more outward than towards the chest. The arms would be facing the canal.   

Occipito-Posterior Position

This position is also known as the face-up position. If you give birth to your baby in this position instead of the head of the baby, the labour would extend a little longer, with C-section delivery necessitated. 

Breech position

Unlike a “normal” pregnancy in which your baby’s head is near the birth canal and ready to move out of the womb, in a breech position, the little one inside you has their feet or buttock or both to the birth canal. There can be complete, incomplete, and frank breech. 

Transverse lie

The head-down position in the pelvis region is the most common one at the time of labour as well as delivery. If your baby lies sideways across the womb that means they are in the transverse position.  

How will you feel about the position of your baby?

You can either undergo ultrasound scans or feel the position of the baby inside your womb. 

Feel the baby’s movements

You may have to feel the movements with your hands and feel some of the strong movements like pushes, and kicks 

Look for hardness

Feeling around for hardness that resembles a spherical round shape is a good way to determine the position of your baby inside your womb. If you gently push on a certain part and it moves, that's probably the baby's head. On the other hand, if the entire baby seems to move, then that's possibly the baby's buttocks. It's also possible to undergo ultrasound scans to see the position of the baby.

Feel your baby’s back

Once you’ve found the baby’s head or buttock, you can now feel the area that’s no longer smooth. Press gently. 

Try to listen to your baby’s heartbeat

The baby's heartbeats can be heard from its back. If you can hear the heartbeats at a higher position in your stomach, it might indicate that the baby is in a breech position. On the other hand, if the heartbeats seem to emerge from below your belly button, then the baby's head may be facing downwards. 

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Late Pregnancy Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

Most of you give birth to your baby within the date of delivery. But, there are many expectant mummies, who’d experience their pregnancy just a little longer than the expectant due date. 

Going deeper, you’d have to find out the reasons and symptoms of late pregnancy. 

What are the reasons behind Late Pregnancy? 

Late pregnancy or post-term pregnancy is when you’re carrying your baby between 41 weeks and 6 days. If you have to bear the baby inside you beyond 42 weeks, the pregnancy is post-term and the reasons behind it are: 

Your healthcare practitioner must have calculated your due date wrongly, as there was confusion about the menstrual cycle.

You had a baby boy in your earlier pregnancy. 

If you’re plus-size or your body weight is over 30. 

As for late or post-term pregnancy, genetics or heredity has a very big role to play. 

Along with this, there might be pregnancy complications related to foetal development or placental development problems.  

This is the stage when labour may start at any time. If the baby is too stubborn to come out, labour would have to be induced, and look forward to some of the serious late–pregnancy warning signs.  

What are the late pregnancy warning signs? 

Feeling uncomfortable is a part of the pregnancy and late pregnancy journey. So, be aware of the urgent late maternal warning signs including: 

Change in baby’s movement  

Blurred vision 

Dizziness or fainting

Headache that doesn’t want to go away 

Chest pain, or fast-beating 

Chills  

Pain 

Swelling in your face, hands, and fingers 

Pain or burning while urinating 

Vaginal bleeding  

Leaking of the amniotic fluid 

Increase in the vaginal discharge 

How to monitor late pregnancy? 

Visiting your health practitioner is a necessity at this stage, once you’ve gone past one week of your due date. 

The doctor will give you medicines for cervix ripening 

The healthcare practitioner may suggest a procedure called membrane sweeping, where they use a gloved finger to separate the amniotic sac from the cervix and lower uterine wall. This can help to stimulate labor and avoid potential complications from a post-term pregnancy. 

The healthcare provider may suggest a procedure called membrane sweeping, where they use a gloved finger to sweep the amniotic sac from the cervix and lower uterine wall to stimulate labor and avoid potential complications from a post-term pregnancy. 

if the amniotic sac is still intact, the doctor may need to create an opening with a plastic hook to break the water and induce labor. 

They may suggest medicines or procedures like cervix ripening, membrane sweeping or breaking the amniotic sac to stimulate labor and avoid potential complications from a post-term pregnancy. 

Eat right, stay active, brush and floss daily, and take daily prenatal vitamins.

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Tips to Clean Your Baby’s Stuffy Nose: Natural Ways Out for New Moms

From the first day onwards of your parenting journey is both a joy and a challenge – you might have to be always conscious as to when your child is feeling hungry or needs a diaper change. You might also have to notice when your little one is falling sick – as your child may be more prone to seasonal flu. It’s also natural for you to feel a little weary when you see your cute and cuddly one snort, breathe noisily, breathe through their mouth, and feel irritable due to a stuffy nose or congestion in the nose.  

You might have to visit the paediatrician with the baby, to get medical attention for your little one. Along with medical needs, the doctor might give you some natural way out to deal with your baby’s nose blockage or congestion.  

So, here are a few natural or home remedies curated for you.

Focus on feeding your baby

You started making a beautiful connection with your baby, while the baby is growing up inside you. The moment you hold the little one in your arms, you’d make another deep connection with your baby, by breastfeeding. Making eye contact, and skin-to-skin with your baby while breastfeeding develops and enhances the emotional connection with the little one. This aside, breast milk has all the essential nutrients the baby would require, and builds up the baby’s immunity by combating their cold and cough.  

Try a session of steaming

Steam would be very effective for your baby's dry rot in the nose. So, taking the baby to the bathroom and getting the baby a steam bath by turning on the hot shower will be beneficial. All you need to do is create a steamy atmosphere inside the bathroom. 

Try the nasal spray

Well! This turns out to be one of the easiest ways to clear the nose of your baby. The nasal sprays help in making the mucus inside the nose thin. However, if you can’t visit the store along with the baby, try making the homemade spray. Take a cup of lukewarm water, a little bit of filter, and half a teaspoon of salt and mix it well. But, before you give it to the baby, ensure that the mixture is cooled down. Also, keep your baby’s head tilted as you squeeze just a few drops inside the nose. Follow it up with some tummy time. You’ll slowly notice the mucus draining out. 

Keep a humidifier in the baby’s room

Humidifier helps. Fill it up and keep it in the baby’s room near the crib. The moisture in the humidifier allows your baby to breathe easily while they are sleeping. 

A gentle mustard oil massage

This is an ancient method. Take some mustard oil, crushed garlic, and fenugreek seeds, and warm it up. Take it on your palm and apply it on your baby’s chest, forehead, nose bridge, forehead, cheekbones, etc.  

Besides these, give your baby some probiotics with the baby food (probiotics boost the baby’s immunity), don’t forget to keep your baby hydrated and their head in an elevated position. Slowly inhaling fresh air will clear the passage in the nose. Learn how to keep your baby healthy, when the baby is congested, with the tips mentioned above.    

Give the best care to your baby and keep the baby healthy. 

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Is Salmon Fish a Good Option for Meeting a Would-Be-Mom’s DHA Requirements?

During pregnancy, it’s essential to consider your nutritional needs carefully. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which is essential for fetal development and can fulfill the DHA requirements of a would-be-mom.

The importance of DHA for expectant mothers

DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that plays a pivotal role in developing a baby’s brain and eyes during pregnancy. As the body doesn’t naturally produce DHA in significant amounts, obtaining it through dietary sources becomes essential. Salmon, known for its high omega-3 content, is a promising option for expectant mothers looking to enrich their diet with this vital nutrient.

Salmon’s DHA content

Salmon is renowned for being a fatty fish, a positive attribute when meeting DHA requirements. Salmon contains 0.04 grams of ALA, 0.63 grams of DHA, and 0.28 grams of EPA per serving.[1]

Consuming salmon can provide a substantial dose of DHA, supporting the neurological and visual development of the unborn child. Salmon is also rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin D and selenium.

Choosing the right salmon

When considering the DHA content of salmon, it is important to choose wild-caught varieties. Wild-caught salmon is known to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to its farm-raised counterparts. It is also crucial to be mindful of mercury levels, especially during pregnancy. Salmon is generally safe for expectant mothers when consumed in moderation due to its relatively low mercury content.

Incorporating salmon into the diet

Including salmon in the diet can be a delightful experience, given its versatility. Grilled, baked, or poached—there are numerous ways to prepare salmon that suit various palates. Incorporating this fish into a well-balanced diet ensures a diverse range of nutrients, including the much-needed DHA.

Conclusion

Salmon is a great choice for expectant mothers to meet their DHA requirements. It has a rich nutritional profile that supports fetal development and maternal well-being. However, moderation and mindful consumption are key; consult a healthcare professional before making dietary changes. Add a serving of salmon to your menu and enjoy the benefits it brings to your journey into motherhood.

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Can You Give Birth with Half Uterus?

When a woman has a half uterus, it is called a unicornuate uterus, making them more susceptible to pregnancy complications. A unicornuate uterus is a congenital anomaly with only one functioning fallopian tube, resulting in a smaller uterine cavity. This condition resembles an upside-down pear with horn-like fallopian tubes. About 75% of individuals with a unicornuate uterus may also have a rudimentary horn.[1] Miscarriages and preterm deliveries may occur, and pelvic pain may be a symptom. Other terms used for a unicornuate uterus are single-horned uterus or a uterus with one horn.

Pregnancy Complications from Half Uterus

Unicornuate uterus can impact your fertility and pregnancy. A woman with half a uterus will need more care than others. She may suffer from the following complications:

Miscarriage

Preterm birth

Stillbirth

Ectopic pregnancy

Breech position

Increased risk of placenta previa and placental abruption

Intrauterine growth restriction

Premature membrane rupture

C-section delivery

How to Manage Pregnancy Challenges with a Unicornuate Uterus?

Having a unicornuate uterus can influence your pregnancy journey. The good news is that despite a higher risk of miscarriage and preterm birth, you can still have a baby. Sometimes, people discover they have a unicornuate uterus after experiencing difficulty getting pregnant or having repeat miscarriages. However, with an efficient medical team and proper care, it is possible to become a parent despite a unicornuate uterus.

If you have a unicornuate uterus, your doctor will closely monitor you and your baby throughout pregnancy. This typically involves more frequent appointments and additional ultrasound scans. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to lower the risk of preterm delivery.

The limited space within the uterus often results in the baby assuming a breech position, where their feet or bottom are positioned first in the uterus instead of their head. Therefore, women with a unicornuate uterus are more likely to undergo a Caesarean section (c-section) during childbirth.

Struggling to conceive or experiencing miscarriage due to a unicornuate uterus can be tough, but it's not your fault. While this condition makes it more challenging, having a baby is still possible.

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Tips to Deal With Heel Pain During Pregnancy

As your body adjusts to the demands of pregnancy, your feet may experience discomfort. If you are grappling with heel pain, consider these practical tips to help alleviate the discomfort and ensure a more well-suited pregnancy experience.

Supportive Footwear

Invest in well-fitting shoes with cushioned soles and proper arch support to alleviate heel pain during pregnancy. Avoid high heels and flat shoes without adequate cushioning, and choose shoes with extra room to accommodate swelling.

Orthotic Inserts

Orthotic shoe inserts can help with heel pain and provide extra arch support and cushioning. Consult a podiatrist or healthcare professional to determine the best type for your needs. These inserts distribute weight evenly, offering relief for heel pain.

Gentle Exercises

Stretch your calf muscles daily to prevent tightness in the Achilles tendon and alleviate heel discomfort. Engage in gentle exercises like swimming or prenatal yoga, promoting overall body strength and flexibility without putting excessive strain on your feet.

Ice and Rest

Apply ice for 15-20 minutes to reduce inflammation and pain. Elevate feet to decrease swelling and relieve pressure on heels. Rest often to support your body during pregnancy.

Foot Massage

Massage your feet regularly to improve circulation, reduce tension, and ease heel pain. Use a massage ball or ask your partner for a gentle foot massage to relax and relieve discomfort.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight can put additional strain on your feet and exacerbate heel pain. Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and safe exercise can reduce the stress on your feet and help manage heel pain.

Stay Hydrated

Stay hydrated to reduce swelling and ease heel pain. Drink enough water daily to support your body.

Consult a Healthcare Professional

See a healthcare provider or podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment options if your heel hurts for a long time or gets worse.

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Benefits of drinking water during pregnancy

During your pregnancy, it is essential that you minutely take care of what you eat. You would have to include everything nutritious. After all, your baby inside you is having whatever you’re having and growing. But, don’t forget to drink water in the right amount. A would-be-mom should remain well-hydrated. Water is an essential carrier of oxygen and other nutrients aiding during your pregnancy and your baby’s healthy growth inside you. In addition to this, water happens to be breast milk booster.

There are a few more benefits of drinking water during your pregnancy. They are as follows:

Water supports your body in every possible way

Yes! That’s true! Whether it is your digestion, or spreading nutrients and oxygen across your body, drinking water in pregnancy is necessary. Along with this, it removes the waste material from your body.

Water helps in the foetal development

While water helps in maintaining your body’s hydration, drinking water during pregnancy can support general fluids like amnio fluid, as well as higher volumes of blood.

Water helps in reducing pregnancy swelling

Due to water retention in your body, pregnancy swelling is common. But, if you keep yourself hydrated with the right glasses of water, you can keep pregnancy swelling - swelling of feet and ankles at bay.  

Water helps in reducing constipation and haemorrhoids  

Constipation is common during pregnancy and haemorrhoids or piles come along with it. The soaring hormones, growing foetus, and less active lifestyle may increase your feeling gassy, bloated, indigested, and constipated. Drinking a good amount of water can make you feel better. 

Water helps in reducing the risk of urinary tract infection

Due to hormonal fluctuations, and bladder inflammation, urinary tract infection is not uncommon during pregnancy.  With the growth of the uterus there is blockage from the bladder causing infection in the area. Drinking water and juices on a regular basis can prevent urinary tract infections.  

Drinking water during pregnancy can keep the cramps, headaches, nausea, as well as fatigue away. Therefore, drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water during pregnancy. Include milk, beverages, and juices along with water.

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Tips to Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss

Postpartum hair loss is also known as postpartum telogen effluvium. It is a common condition that affects many new moms after giving birth. Excessive hair shedding can be distressing. Thankfully, this is a natural and temporary phase. 

Here are some tips to help you cope with postpartum hair loss.

Tips to reduce postpartum hair loss

Postpartum hair loss is a natural process. There is not much that you can do to prevent it entirely. However, these tips will help you restrict the severity.

Diet: Consume foods high in biotin, zinc, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E to hair growth and reduce the risk of excessive shedding. Incorporate foods like eggs, nuts, leafy greens, fish, and fruits into your diet.

Water: Drink plenty of water. It helps to keep the scalp hydrated, which promotes hair growth and prevents excessive hair loss.

Hair care: Be gentle with your hair during the postpartum period. Avoid styling your hair in tight buns or ponytails. Avoid excessive brushing and harsh chemicals. Use a wide-toothed comb and choose hair care products free from sulfates and parabens.

Scalp massage: Massage your scalp regularly to improve blood circulation and promote hair growth. Use gentle circular motions with your fingertips to stimulate the hair follicles.

Vitamins: Consult your healthcare provider about taking postnatal vitamins specifically formulated to support your nutritional needs after childbirth. These vitamins often contain essential nutrients for hair health.

Stress management: High levels of stress can contribute to hair loss. Find ways to manage stress, such as practising yoga, meditation, or engaging in hobbies you enjoy.

Hormone regulation: Hormonal fluctuations after childbirth can trigger hair loss. Consult with your healthcare provider about hormonal regulation options if you suspect imbalances.

Sleep well: Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, including hair health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support your body's healing processes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, postpartum hair loss is a common and temporary occurrence for many new mothers. By following these tips and adopting a healthy hair care routine, you can minimize excessive shedding and support healthy hair regrowth. Remember to be patient and gentle with yourself during this postpartum period, as it's a time of adjustment and change.

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10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Doctor During Your Pregnancy?

Once you get pregnant, you will be visiting your doctor once every month in the first two trimesters. The visits will become more frequent in the third trimester. After 32 weeks, your doctor may ask you to visit once a week. The checkups are more frequent if you have a high-risk pregnancy. Remember, your doctor is your best friend during your pregnancy. Do not hesitate to ask any questions during your visits. Keep a pen and notepad handy, or keep a tab open if you are more comfortable using the smartphone. Write down questions as and when you think of them to ask your doctor.

Here are 10 essential questions you may ask your doctor during pregnancy.

What prenatal vitamins should I take, and are there any specific recommendations based on my medical history?

Are there any medications or over-the-counter drugs that I should avoid during pregnancy?

What foods should I include or avoid to ensure a healthy pregnancy?

How much weight gain is considered healthy during pregnancy, and what is the best way to achieve and maintain it?

Are any exercises or physical activities safe for me during pregnancy?

What are the warning signs or symptoms I should watch out for and report to you immediately?

What prenatal tests are recommended for me, and what information can they provide about my baby's health?

What are the potential risks and complications associated with my specific medical conditions or circumstances?

What are my options for pain management during labor and delivery, and what are the benefits and risks of each option?

Do you recommend any childbirth classes or educational resources to help me prepare for labor, delivery, and postpartum care?

These questions are a starting point, and you should feel free to ask any additional questions or express any concerns you may have during your appointments with your doctor. Do not hesitate to ask about any mental health concerns. Pregnancy is a stage when hormones can cause havoc. If you are feeling mood swings or depression, discuss it with your doctor.

[prapttichauhan]

How to Protect Your Unborn Baby from Gonorrhea and Chlamydia

Unprotected sex is always a cause for concern concerning sexually transmitted diseases or STDs, especially if your partner is not very well known to you. During pregnancy, you must be extra careful in this regard. STDs, especially the most common ones like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, can affect you and the unborn baby.

How does Chlamydia or Gonorrhea affect the fetus?

STDs can complicate your pregnancy and childbirth, apart from having undesirable consequences for the child that can also escalate to mortality. Research shows that a baby born to mothers with untreated chlamydia has a 20-60% chance of pneumonia or conjunctivitis. Some of these STDs can also pass on through breast milk post-delivery. Gonorrhea can cause miscarriage or rupture of membranes. 

Studies show that an oral dose of azithromycin is effective for both these infections. However, these medications should only be taken under your doctor's advice. The best thing is to prevent these STDs.

How to prevent them?

Here are some tips:

Avoid unprotected sex and use reliable quality protection

Avoid lubricants during pregnancy

A monogamous physical relationship with a partner who is tested and found clear of these infections is the ideal

Get regular screenings done at intervals during pregnancy as per doctor's advice. 

Learn about the symptoms of these STDs and get screened regularly

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can have serious consequences for your unborn baby. Do not ignore the risks. Preventing these infections is the best thing for you and your baby. Follow the tips mentioned above to keep these diseases away.

[prapttichauhan]

Is the Immunity During Pregnancy High or Low? Find Out

Pregnancy is the time when your body goes through various changes. Everyone will ask you to be extra careful during pregnancy. It is believed that the immunity of a woman gets compromised during pregnancy. However, recent research proves that immune suppression during pregnancy is probably a myth. On the contrary, a woman's immunity may become stronger during pregnancy. Being pregnant is an important period when the woman's body would want to protect the offspring at any cost, and therefore the body may build a more robust immune system. In fact, the immune system gets complex during pregnancy. While some parts of your immune system become stronger to protect the baby, others may weaken. Let us find out the changes your immune system goes throughout pregnancy.

How Your Immune System Changes During Pregnancy

Your immune system starts changing the moment you get pregnant. The moment the embryo implants, the immunity changes to adapt in a way so that the body doesn't consider the embryo as an intruder and rejects it. The maternal immune system's main concern now becomes protecting the implanted embryo. For example, cervical mucus increases to protect the uterus from infection. At the same time, your body becomes more susceptible to falling sick severely from influenza and COVID-19 virus. There are certain infections that a pregnant woman is more susceptible to. 

Due to increased pressure on the bladder, urinary tract infections are common among pregnant women

Due to increased fluid and pressure in the lungs, the risk of lung infections, including pneumonia, is higher

Hormonal changes can cause changes in the vagina and make you prone to yeast and candida infection and vaginosis

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of falling severely ill due to COVID-19 and other viral infections

Pregnancy can make you prone to inflammation

Conclusion

In general, immunity does not get suppressed during pregnancy; rather, it gets overactive to protect the embryo. The immunity is functional, active, and carefully controlled to protect the fetus at the implantation site. It is better to describe immunity during pregnancy as a unique condition that is modulated but not weak or suppressed. However, there is a need for more research to understand the immunity situation during pregnancy completely.