Do
you crave for a hot mug of coffee after a day of hard work? If yes,
then you are not alone. Coffee is a known stimulant and many people
prefer drinking coffee regularly. Juggling home and work, and many other
stresses are often the triggering factors, which contribute to the urge
to drink coffee.
During pregnancy, many women are faced with a
dilemma- to have or not to have coffee. While they do not want any harm
to their growing babies, they also find it difficult to give up their
daily coffee fix.
Let’s check out the fears associated with drinking coffee during pregnancy and learn how to handle them.
Why is It Harmful To Have Coffee During Pregnancy?
Coffee contains two major compounds that are toxic to growing foetuses.
1. Caffeine:
Caffeine is the major component of coffee which can cause cardiovascular toxicity as well as being carcinogenic in high amounts.
2. Polyphenols:
Polyphenols interfere with the body’s capacity to absorb iron from food leading to anaemia.
In pregnancy, these two can compound problems leading to-
Miscarriage – High amount of coffee intake can cause miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy.
Growth Retardation – High coffee intake can lead to low birth weight of baby in the later stages of pregnancy.
Anaemia –
Consumption of caffeine during pregnancy is linked to anaemia, which
itself is a causative agent for many health risks and complications
associated with pregnancy.
Can sleeping problems cause harm to pregnancy? Yes it does!
From
sleepless nights to the constant urge to pee, you’re tackling the highs
and lows of pregnancy patiently, and you’re doing it beautifully. While
it may already be hard to cope with the fluctuating hormonal levels and
body changes during pregnancy, you may now be facing problems catching enough ‘shut eye action’, which may leave you feeling exhausted and tired.
Remember
that your body is working hard to make the baby, and you need some
extra sleep during this crucial period to make sure your body gets
enough rest and gears up for its work. Facing sleeping problems during
pregnancy is tough, and that’s exactly what we’re here to decode.
Common Sleep Problems During Pregnancy:
There
may be many reasons why you could be finding it difficult to sleep
properly during your pregnancy, but let’s look at the most common
reasons:
Your body is undergoing
changes, and as your baby grows bigger, you may be finding it hard to
find a comfortable position to sleep.
During pregnancy, your heart rate increases, this may make it difficult for you to sleep.
Your
urine output also increases during the pregnancy period, which may
cause you to rush to the washroom often, which may be responsible for
sleep disturbances.
Your baby is going to be taking up a lot of
space in your tummy, which may often result in shortness of breath,
which may create sleep disturbances.
Pain in the legs thanks to
the extra weight you may have piled up will also cause you to have
sleeping problem during pregnancy.
Yet another major cause of
insomnia among pregnant women is heartburn, which is common during
pregnancy, which occurs due to the slowing down of the digestive system.
To add to that, as a new to-be-mom, you may be under a lot of stress, which may affect your sleep.
With
the number of social networking sites on the rise, it is important to
make sure that the safety of your child is not at stake.
If you
have kids or teenagers at home, it is important that you teach them few
basic rules of online safety as soon as they begin to use the Internet.
Teaching internet safety to kids is must as your children might feel
threatened or upset, if they face any rude behavior or view some
disturbing content. The following simple tips would help you to make
sure that your kids are safe and secure while they browse the Internet.
Importance Of Internet Safety For Kids:
These
days, teenagers and kids who are on the verge of reaching their teenage
stage, are much interested to use the Internet as there are zillions of
information available for them at their fingertips. Even though, it is
good for them as in educational point of view, the Internet also has
some explicit contents which are not ideal for your kids. Hence, it is
essential for you to make sure that your kids don’t fall prey to the
‘predators’ of the Internet. Here in this post we are going to
share information about internet safety for kids and essential tips
to follow to protect them.
10 Must Know Internet Safety Tips For Kids
1. Placing The Computer:
Never
have a computer in your kid’s room. Place the computer in the living
room or a common study room, as it would help you to see what your kid
is browsing. Also, this tactic would lower the risk of your kids
accessing those websites that have unsuitable materials. This setup
would also help prevent your kids from having any unknown friends
online, who might be from a criminal background.
Does your child have bed wetting problems? If yes, then stop worrying as this problem is very common among teenagers.
Enuresis
or bedwetting is a common problem that many children face during their
teenage phase. You may wonder how your child, who is like every normal
teen, spells a different story when night ensues. For your teen, the
worst part might be suffering through this in silence. He must be afraid
of what his friends and even parents might think of him.
The
first step for you is to assure him that it is nothing to be embarrassed
about. Next, you need to help him cope with this problem in a healthy
way. To help you in this phase we have compiled an expert article for
you, have a look.
What Causes Bed Wetting In Teenagers?
For
most teens, bed wetting is an inevitable part of growing up and can be
extremely traumatic. You will be surprised to know that majority of bed
wetting is hereditary. It means that one of you parents have suffered
this experience too as a child.
Here are some of the most common causes:
1. Hormonal Problems:
A
hormone present in our bodies known as ADH or Antidiuretic hormone
reduces urine formation at night. Your teenager might be producing less
of this hormone. It in turn causes him to produce more than the usual
amount of urine while he is sleeping.
2. Small Bladder:
Having
a small bladder might be causing him to not be able to hold in his
urine. Excessive amount of muscle spasms might also cause this problem.
3. Deep Sleepers:
Your
teenager might be a very deep sleeper. He may be unable to send a
signal to his brain when his bladder is full, causing him to wet the
bed.
4. Psychological Problems:
Often,
too much stress during teenage years, such as peer pressure, societal
pressures, parental divorce or death in the family, can cause stress.
These often trigger the problem of bed wetting.
How Can You Treat It?
Like
every other problem that your teenager will face during this stressful
phase of his life, this problem too can be treated. In case you have
suffered from this problem when you were his age, it would be advisable
to share your experiences with him to put him at ease.
Here are a few ways you can help your teenager:
1. Take Care Of What He Eats Before Bed:
The first most obvious way to treat this problem would be to help him reduce the amount of fluid he intakes before bed.
Teach your teenager to try and avoid foods that can irritate the bladder, such as caffeine, tea and chocolates.
Do a thorough research on foods that cause one to urinate more and prevent your teenager from having those before bed.
2. Use Positive Imagery:
Positive imagery application is a technique you can teach your teenager, which involves imagining himself dry when he wakes up.
This technique is often seen to have positive results.
Your teenager might need some assistance for using this technique.
It might take time to show results but encourage him to keep at it and be patient.
3. Have An Open Discussion:
Never allow your teenager to feel ashamed, embarrassed or conscious by this problem.
Talk it out openly and be kind, compassionate and understanding.
Having an open discussion will help your teenager seek some comfort in you and come to you for help.
4. Using Bed Wetting Alarms:
Try and encourage your teen to use a bed wetting alarm.
In a bed wetting alarm, a small buzz or alarm goes off as soon as your teenager starts to wet the bed.
Alarms will allow him to wake up, go to the toilet and relieve himself before he wets the bed any further.
If
your teenager is unable to wake up on his own on account of being a
heavy sleeper, help him out by waking him up and taking him to the
toilet.
Remember:
The key to help your teenager with his bed wetting problem, is to be patient.
Always be open and understanding as he may be suffering through this in shame.
You can assure your teenager that many others of his age suffer from this problem too.
The
best part about this problem is that it will most probably go away on
its own. So be kind and help your teenager through this tough time.
We
hope this information has benefited you. Please share this article with
other mothers whose teenagers might be suffering from the same problem.
If you have any tips to share, do write in the comments box.
Entered your 7th week
of pregnancy? Congratulations, you are moving past the first half of
your 1st trimester. This might be the best time to go for an ultrasound
scan and announce to the world about the good news. But some couples
prefer to declare the grand event to friends and family at the earliest,
whereas others wait till the end of the first trimester. It’s
completely your choice!
Even if you don’t, more often the
pregnancy symptoms like frequent urination and morning sickness will let
the cat out of the bag. If you are eager to have a look at some
external signs of pregnancy showing on your tummy, get ready to be
disappointed. There is nothing much happening on that front as yet.
Though your uterus has doubled up in its size by week 7, you cannot see
any signs of growing uterus or baby from outside. All you can do is
stand in front of the mirror and puff your tummy a bit to see how it
will look in another few months time.
7th Week Pregnancy Ultrasound Scans: An Overview
When you are 7 weeks pregnant, having a scan is very essential. Check out our guide for your Ultrasound Scans:
1. Right Time for Ultrasound Scan:
The
7th week is considered to be an ideal time for getting your first
ultrasound scan. The sonographer can do an accurate assessment of your
pregnancy to predict gestational age of the embryo growing in your womb.
At this stage the embryo is going through the defining characteristics
of development which is unique to the specific week.
At
fetal stage, it is not that easy to guess the gestational age of the
fetus since by then, individual genetics would have taken over the
growth which may differ from one individual to other. The early dating
scan can get you the most accurate gestational period of your pregnancy.
Apart from predicting the due date, a scan in 7th week of pregnancy can
reveal certain things about your pregnancy which you should know. An
ultrasound scan in early stage of pregnancy can
Confirm your pregnancy
Accurately predict the gestational age of the embryo
Can identify source of blood loss in case it is present
Confirms that your uterus , ovaries and fallopian tubes are in good shape
Rules out ectopic pregnancy
Checks out whether the embryo is having proper development and growth
Allows
you to see the heartbeat of your baby with high-resolution ultrasound
scan where it is seen as a regular flutter in the embryo
Don’t
let your expectations and hope run high, as there is very little you
can see during the first early stages of pregnancy. The embryo and the
pregnancy sac are too tiny to make any sense to your unprofessional
Before
you enjoy the sweet moments of becoming a mother and enjoy your child’s
first breath, there are definitely some sweet pains you, as a to-be
mother, may have to undergo. It is assuring to know that, it is not just
you who are undergoing this, but every mother out there who is
nourishing her baby in the womb is facing similar highs and lows as you
are!
Why breast pain during pregnancy? Breast pain is in fact, one
of the very earliest possible indicators of pregnancy and is not
abnormal. It usually occurs during menstrual cycle for some women, but
is prominently observed in the first three months during pregnancy.
During this phase, your breasts feel tender swollen, sore or sensitive.
It generally starts from the fifth to sixth week of the pregnancy, but
it is relieving to know that most women who are expecting a baby observe
that the breast pain decreases or almost disappears in the latter half
of their pregnancy.
Of course, body type varies in women! Some are
seen experiencing continuous breast pain as long as they are carrying
their baby, while some others hardly experience any pain whatsoever. In
this article, we present you some of the most common reasons for which
expectant mothers experience pain in breast during pregnancy.
4 Common Reasons Of Breast Pain In Pregnancy
1. Breast Changes which are Fibrocystic:
This
is seen as the most common cause of pain in breast during pregnancy. In
fibrocystic breast changes, tiny cysts form in the fibrous tissue of
the breast, get filled with fluid and swell, and lead to pain.
2. Imbalance in the Hormone Levels:
During
pregnancy, it is very natural that the body prepares itself to undergo
many stages of the development of a baby. This results in a quick change
in different hormonal levels, particularly an imbalance in the estrogen
levels that mostly results in breast pain.
3. Breasts which Leak:
One
of the most common complaints from many expectant mothers is that their
breasts leak and this is seen mostly in the second or third trimester
of pregnancy. Breast leaks usually occur because your breasts actually
start producing colostrums. This is a thick-fluid that nourishes
your new-born baby in the first couple of days, before your breasts
actually start producing milk.
This liquid is secreted from the
breast due to a massage or even when you are sexually aroused and is one
of the major causes of breast pain especially in the later stages of
pregnancy. Using a nursing pad is a very good remedy to this problem.
4. Changes in the Breast:
The
most important function of your breasts is to feed your baby after
delivery. For this reason, your breasts are gradually prepared by your
body during the pregnancy period. During pregnancy, milk-producing cells
and milk-ducts are formed. This eventually causes an increase in the
size of your breasts. It may be scary to know that more and more layers
of fat begin to accumulate beneath your breasts as you progress into
your pregnancy stage. Due to this, you will see a very visible change in
both the size and shape of your breasts.
Surprisingly, your
breasts continue this process of growing to about a cup size in the
initial three months of maternity. These combined factors ultimately
cause a pain in the breast.
How to Reduce Breast Pain?
Now
that we have seen the various reasons and causes for the breast pain,
let us check out how this pain can actually be tackled! Here are some
simple ways to help you:
1. During your pregnancy, make sure you
carefully choose your inner garments, especially your bra to make sure
that they support your breasts properly. Keep a track of your breast
size as you may see significant changes and accordingly get a new bra
every time you feel the need for one. Some people even wear more than
one bra, if they think that one is not sufficient. It all depends on how
comfortable you are. If you avoid wearing a bra, be ready to face the
worst pain which ultimately affects your breast shape too!
2. If
your breasts are too heavy or voluminous, try wearing a sports or a
padded bra. They are generally most suitable and comfortable for women
with heavy breasts during pregnancy.
3. Believe it or not, cutting
short on the intake of salt greatly helps in reducing the pain in your
breasts. This is because salt retains water, due to which your breasts
become heavier resulting in acute pain.
4. Water is another
soothing option. Do drink plenty of water during your entire pregnancy
period. It not only helps in flushing out excess of waste fluids, but
also makes you feel lighter and fresher.
5. Women generally tend
to take a lot of bed rest during and after pregnancy, but the magic is
being active! It is very important to keep yourself physically active in
small ways. They can be walking for about half an hour daily, doing
some light household chores etc. This will keep you active by giving you
a good blood circulation and make you feel lighter.
6. Sometimes
the pain may be too intense that none of the above precautions may
provide relief; in this case, consult your gynaecologist for other
remedial measures. It is very important to avoid self-medication so as
to avoid complications.
7. Ice pads or warming pads provide comfort to some women. Before you use it continuously, test to see what suits you the best!
8.
Exercises like meditation and yoga are said to keep the mind and body
calm and relaxed. This will eventually help you in tolerating the breast
pain during pregnancy.
Though breast pain during pregnancy is
embarrassing, uncomfortable and painful, you should realize that it is
absolutely normal and nothing to worry about. It a good practice to keep
consulting your gynecologist just to ensure that there are no
complications associated with this pregnancy symptom. Good luck!
Do
you want to relish a slice of pizza during your pregnancy and wondering
if it is okay or not? Well, you are not alone, then, many would be moms
think the same before ordering pizzas. So what’s the truth? Is it
harmful?
A tasty, delicious and easily available Italian delicacy
that is a favourite of people in every corner of the globe is pizza.
However, when it comes to consumption by expecting mothers, even the
safest foods need to be consumed with caution. Pizza sometimes contains
ingredients that are potential carriers of harmful microbes which, on
consumption, may affect you and your baby’s the health.
Problems with Pizza During Pregnancy:
The
otherwise safe-to-eat pizza can sometimes pose health issues during
pregnancy. You should be aware of the kind of pizzas that are safe and
carefully choose your toppings. A few concerns associated with pizza
ingredients are:
1. Cheese:
The generous
layer of cheese over the pizza, which is a prime reason behind its
wonderful taste can be a cause of concern to eat pizza during
pregnancy.Mould ripened cheese such as soft wind rind cheese like brie,
chevre, and camembert are unhealthy to consume while pregnant. Also soft
blue veined cheese like gorgonzola Danish blue, gorgonzola and
Roquefort should be avoided.
Soft cheese contains more moisture than
hard cheese. These conditions of soft cheese make it the ideal ground
for harmful bacteria like Listeria to grow in. Listeria rarely causes
infection otherwise, but may prove harmful and cause Listeriosis in
fragile would be moms. However, even the slightest form of illness in
you can be dangerous directly causing harm to your foetus.
2. Raw, Uncooked and Cold Meat:
Pizza
containing rare, undercooked or cold meat, like Parma ham, salami,
pepperoni, chorizo etc., in their toppings can lead to toxoplasmosis.
This is an infectious disease which is caused by parasites present in
soil, untreated water and meat. If you during your pregnancy get
infected with any of these parasites, it can cause severe damage to your
baby. There are no identifiable symptoms of toxoplasmosis but when
suspected, you should immediately consult a gynaecologist and seek
treatment.
3. Shell Fish:
Pizzas
containing shell fish toppings like prawns, scallops and mussels, if not
cooked thoroughly, can cause bacterial and viral infections. Expecting
moms should refrain from consuming such shell fish containing uncooked
pizzas in order to avoid harming your baby.
Rebonding
your hair to make it look straight and sleek is in vogue now a days. In
spite of being expensive and a permanent hair treatment, re-bonding
gives your hair a makeover in just a day. But you need to take special
care if you decide to have this procedure done while expecting.
Is It Safe To Do Hair Rebonding During Pregnancy?
Each
type of hair is considered to have a natural bond, such as, some are
curly whereas some are wavy which gives the hair its physical quality.
Re-bonding breaks your hair structure with the use of cream softeners or
relaxant. Then a neutralizer is used which bonds the structure again
making your hair look straight.
In simple words, re-bonding
treatment modifies your natural hair structure and restructures it. Is
it safe to have this chemical hair treatment done when you are carrying?
The following pros and cons might be helpful.
Pros:
Hair
treatments are not completely dangerous. Health experts recommend, any
chemical treatment during pregnancy must be administered with proper
guidance and care.
Yes,
it is true that any chemical used for hair re-bonding is absorbed by
your body through her skin. Your scalp absorbs a minimal amount and this
minimal amount does not create a problem for your baby. Though the
fixation solutions may irritate your scalp, but it will not affect the
other areas of your body.
According to the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), hair dyes are probably safe to
use during pregnancy because very small amount of dye is absorbed
through the skin. However, it is still important to be cautious;
therefore, many health care providers recommend that you may not use
permanent hair dyes during the second trimester.
Permanent hair
dyes include ammonia, that has a strong chemical fume, which can be
harmful for your growing baby. Hence, it is recommended to avoid the use
of any hair treatment with ammonia.
During
your pregnancy period, you may find yourself getting overly conscious
and concerned about everything you do. Starting from the food that you
eat, the way you sleep and even the clothes that you wear. This is
completely reasonable as your body is now undergoing rapid changes to
accommodate the growing baby, and your clothing needs are bound to
change as you cross your first trimester.
Do
you frequently suffer from sinus problems? And worried whether it is
safe during your pregnancy? It is true that some people are more
susceptible to sinus problems. If you are one of those, you probably are
anxious to know about sinusitis during pregnancy. First things first,
you must be extra careful not to get infections while you are pregnant, as
these increases several health issues for you and your growing baby.
For your ease we present a detailed and informative piece for you to
understand what is sinus and how to deal with it during your special
nine months.
Experiencing
fear and phobias during pregnancy are common. In this article, you will
know about the various kinds of phobias a pregnant woman might develop
and tips on overcoming them.
‘Tokophobia’ is the term used for
fear experienced in the pregnancy period. This is a psychological issue
that occurs in some women the moment they know about their pregnancy.
These fears are not restricted to first-time moms, women who are in
their second or third pregnancy may feel as well. Sometimes, these get
so worse that may lead the woman to opt for an abortion.
Most consider flu as one of the simplest ailments, but very few people know that it can be extremely dangerous during pregnancy.
A
would be mommy’s is more susceptible to infections; because her child
shares her blood supply, resulting in weakening of the immune system.
Moreover, it is difficult to treat the infections using common drugs
because they may cause serious impact to her fetal health.
There
is also a high probability of the infection getting complicated and
converted into pneumonia or a severe lung infection. There are many
cases where pregnant women get through with Flu without any
complication. However, it is always better to safeguard would-be mom’s
from all sorts of infection!
Difference Between Cold and Flu During Pregnancy :
Are
you expecting? Then it is crucial that you and your close ones should
stay watchful about the symptoms. Though a few symptoms (e.g., sneezing,
runny nose, sore throat and cough) are common between Flu and common
cough and cold, a few distinctly identify the former one.
You should be observant for vomiting sensation, nausea or diarrhea. In the majority of the cases, it gets diagnosed as Flu.
Fever,
body ache and fatigue are other prominent symptoms of flu in
pregnancy . Especially if you turn blue, then it is a big alert.
Check the color of sputum. If it is red or brown, then seek immediate medical help.
Dizzy, unconsciousness or confused state of mind is very important signs.
Any
kind of pain in the chest or upper abdominal area should not be
ignored. It may be a symptom of severe infection in your lungs.
Notice
your body movements, especially during the second or third trimester.
If there is a noteworthy drop, then seek a physician’s help immediately.
How to Cure Flu During Pregnancy:
The
best remedy is to avoid the infection. But failing that and finding
yourself infected, you should immediately consult your doctor. He will
start treatment after looking at the investigation results and minimize
the risk.
Pregnant women are treated slightly differently, than a normal person suffering from Flu. Controlling high fever is the first priority. Doctors assess the severity of infection and prescribe antiviral drugs.
It
is important to know the type of infection before prescribing any drug.
Medicines control the outbreak of a virus within 48 hours, but would-be
moms may have to spend a longer time in the hospital as compared to
others.
Preventive Measures:
As
your gynaeac must have already told you, any kind of infection is
problematic during pregnancy. Following tips would help you greatly in
avoiding the Flu:
Vaccination is the best way. Ask your
doctor if you need any special shots, or check your medical record to
see if you are up to date with the necessary shots.
It is
important to maintain a high level of cleanliness in your home. Floors,
furniture, and handles should regularly be wiped with a mild
disinfectant solution.
Pregnant women must avoid contact with people suffering from any kind of infection, minor or major.
Wash your hands before and after you eat, handle food items during cooking, housework, gardening, or go to the bathroom.
Take special care while traveling. Carry a liquid sanitizer in your handbag or purse, at all time and take it with you.
Avoid public contact as much as possible, especially during outbursts of infections.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth while travelling. It multiplies the probability of infection.
You
will have to visit the hospital at least twice a month, for checkups,
scans, etc. Always wash your hands after returning from the hospital.
Pregnancy
is an important phase of life and there should be enough precaution
taken to avoid medical complications. Avoiding excessive public contact
reduces the risk greatly. Balanced diet, moderate exercise and overall
physical fitness improve the immunity level and reduce chances of
infection. We wish you a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Share your experiences of how to cure flu during pregnancy with us.
It
is believed that the first trimester of pregnancy is often the toughest
period, especially if it is a first pregnancy. Your body experiences a
whirlwind to adjust to hormonal and physical changes of pregnancy. You
may find yourself rushing to the washroom frequently, craving unusual
foods all of a sudden and also feeling the urge to puke at the strangest
of times.
Well, if you are a mom-to-be, you may have successfully
handled all symptoms a first trimester holds. Now everything that you
do will have an impact on your baby. The food that you eat, the way you
sleep, your physical activities, your mental attitude and other things
you didn’t care about until now. Still concerns about finding the
correct sleeping position during pregnancy second trimester are there.
Let us help you sail through this.
Dealing With Sleep Problems:
While
your second trimester may be the honeymoon phase of pregnancy, you’re
bound to have a few minor sleep issues. Commonly, you may find issues
like congestion, snoring, sleep apnea, vivid dreams, cramps and restless
leg syndrome. If you’re facing any of these, it’s best to consult your
doctor and seek advice.
Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy Second Trimester:
It
is often advised that pregnant women should avoid sleeping on their
back or their front during pregnancy, especially during the first
trimester. Sleeping on the front tends to block the supply of blood and
nutrients to the baby, and sleeping on the back could make you feel
nauseous and more likely to be affected by morning sickness. Sleeping on
the sides, in general, is the best during all the trimesters of
pregnancy.
Sleeping Better:
While
it’s very rare that you may experience sleep problems during the second
trimester, here are some tips to help you sleep better at this time.
1. Regular Bedtime:
Maintain a regular sleep time this in turn will help you sleep well. Schedule your daily routine accordingly.
2. Avoid Watching TV Right Before Sleep:
Studies
have found that such habits tend to interfere with sleep schedules and
make you more likely to be affected by sleeping problems, especially
insomnia.
3. Relax Before Sleeping:
Best
way to handle this is to try relaxation techniques before
sleeping.Listen to soothing music or have a warm bath. This will help
your body get into a calm state and help you sleep.
4. Avoid Spicy Foods:
Eating spicy foods every day will increase your risk of being affected by heartburn. This may lead to sleepless nights.
5. Consume Light Dinner:
It
is always better to have a light and healthy dinner, minus fried or
fatty foods. Overeating is a strict no-no during all stages of
pregnancy.
6. Lie Down On A Clean Bed:
Studies
have revealed how sleeping on clean surroundings and surfaces can
improve the quality of sleep and makes it easier to doze off. So ensure
your bed is made as per your comfort everyday for you to relax and enjoy
a good sleep.
How Exercise Can Help?
Yes,
it’s true! Exercise can actually help you sleep better. If you haven’t
been exercising already, now’s the time to start with out. Exercising is
believed to boost both physical and mental health, which helps you get a
good night’s sleep. But do exercise in the morning or evening, not just
before you go to bed!
Also make sure you avoid drinking
caffeinated beverages right before you sleep as this can get you all
energetic and leave you feeling active and restless – not an ideal
combination for shut-eye time! Getting yourself enrolled for a pregnancy
exercise class is a good idea; a professional trainer will help you
exercise in a way that benefits both you and your baby. Hope this
article has given you a valuable information on how to sleep during
pregnancy second trimester.
Share your sleeping positions during pregnancy second trimester ideas with us in the comment section given below:
Congrats on getting to the third trimester – the final phase of your pregnancy journey!
Your
body will now find ways to deal with the plethora of changes happening
internally. Though you don’t experience any vivid symptoms, you may find
it uncomfortable to sleep, especially if you’re a first-time mom.
You
may be intrigued to know, that your sleeping position during pregnancy
third trimester is actually very crucial; mostly because your tummy is
now growing larger to accommodate your growing baby. Below, we’ve
decoded the exact positions that could help you sleep comfortably and
ensure that your baby is safe too.
Understanding Best Sleeping Positions During Third Trimester:
It
is believed that during throughout your pregnancy, sleeping on your
left side is probably the best. It allows perfect passage of blood and
nutrients to your baby. At the same time, this position also keeps you
from feeling all the undesirable symptoms of pregnancy.
Sleeping
on your back tends to cause nausea and morning sickness, and also
affects the supply of blood and nutrients to your baby.
While sleeping on your front… well, that’s not exactly going to be possible now, is it!
If
you are not comfortable sleeping on your left side, it’s always better
to start the habit while you are trying to conceive so as to avoid the
uneasiness later.
Common Sleep Disturbances:
Obviously,
the most common sleep issue concern during the third trimester is your
baby bump, which is probably too big to allow you to sleep comfortably.
Plus, just like your early pregnancy days, you will now need to rush to
the loo several times, since your growing baby’s putting some pressure
on your bladder, decreasing its capacity.
Apart from these issues, other “nightly” niggles may get in the way of a good sleep during third trimester, such as:
Leg cramps
Vivid dreams
Snoring
Backache
Restless leg syndrome
Itching
Heartburn
Movements of your baby
Tips To Sleep Well:
While
the above-mentioned symptoms are temporary and will nag you only for
the last trimester of your pregnancy, you can still tackle most of them
by yourself and get a good night’s sleep. Follow these simple tips to
avoid sleeping position during pregnancy third trimester.
Use
pillows and cushions to get into a comfortable position during sleep.
If possible, invest in a curved pregnancy pillow that is available in
leading maternity stores.
Try sleeping on your left side and wedging pillows between your legs and behind your back for some extra support.
Slip
into loose, comfortable nightwear and avoid tight clothing. Stick to
breathable cotton fabrics that get you all comfortable and in the
‘feeling’ of sleep.
Lying down on the bed may not exactly be
comfortable during the third trimester. If you find yourself cozier on a
comfy chair or a sofa, go ahead and doze off.
Consume light food at dinner. Avoid spicy foods since they tend to cause heartburn that usually aggravates during the night.
Try
some light exercise, under the supervision of a trainer of course. This
will relax you and give your body a good supply of oxygen, which will
help you sleep better.
About 15 minutes before getting into bed,
try and get away from all distractions and allow your mind to relax.
Stick to positive thoughts and you’ll find it easier to doze off.
Congratulations mommy! Your little bundle of joy is now right in your arms!
While motherhood is a feeling that can best be experienced, it does come with its own share of concerns and frustrations.
One
very common issue that most new moms face is trying to help their baby
latch on successfully, in order to feed. Breastfeeding is a natural
instinct for both mother and child. While some mothers and babies may
feed off to a great start right from day one, others may take a
considerably longer time to get into the routine. The main thing to
remember here is that the more frustrated or anxious you get, the more
difficult it will be. Give it some time and practice, and you and baby
will soon be a pro!
What Is Latching?
Latching
means when your baby gets her mouth into the correct position around
your nipple. This is very crucial as it helps your baby feed properly
and reduces any discomfort you may experience.
Pregnancy
is indeed a beautiful experience. You will surely enjoy every moment of
the entire pregnancy period, but you should also be aware of some major
changes that will be taking place in your physical appearance over the
course of the next few months. The most common change seen in women who
are pregnant or after pregnancy is the appearance of stretch marks. Most
of us are extremely conscious about our looks and hence find it
difficult to digest the fact that we don’t look the same after having a
baby. If you’ve already had a baby, you might be missing your
pre-pregnancy body.
Sometime during my 5th month
of pregnancy, I decided to start buying all the stuff I would need for
our baby. The last trimester usually tends to make you feel very heavy
and tired. The 2nd trimester is apparently the most active time of your pregnancy.
So,
I started looking up baby related items and I almost got a panic
attack. The things that are available for babies these days are endless
and you keep looking at items which you have no clue about. They all
look so tempting that you end up saying to yourself – “of course my baby
needs this!”
I went to the nearest baby store and got a huge
booklet with a long list of items that I would need for my baby at home,
for my pregnancy delivery hospital bag and for myself. That left me
even more confused.
After going through many such lists (huge
booklets), and now living with an 8-month old lovely baby girl, I have
only one suggestion for the new mommies out here – keep your hospital
bag ready the minute you hit your 8thmonth to ensure that you are not running around just before heading out to the hospital to deliver.
Here is the checklist for hospital bag for delivery, things what I think you should really need:
Baby Must Have Items In Hospital Bag For Delivery:
Simple and straight requirements for your baby bag for delivery Here we go:
1. Newborn Diapers:
Buy
baby diapers from a reputed brand. Your baby’s skin is going to be
extremely sensitive. Try to stock up more than one brand, a backup in
case one doesn’t suit your baby.
2. Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly):
It
works like magic while protecting your baby’s soft skin. Apply near
buttocks every time you change her diaper. Buy regular diapers and not
the ones with fragrance. My 8-month old baby girl never has had rashes,
thanks to the petroleum jelly.
3. Baby Wipes:
Be
sure to watch and learn from the nurses how to clean the sensitive area
with baby wipes. In a few days you will master this art using just one
wipe most of the times.
4. Baby Clothes:
Onesies
or Full-rompers are the best. Choose clothes for your baby based on the
weather conditions in your locality. Keep at least 10 sets in your bag;
you might end up doing multiple changes.
5. Baby Blanket:
Make sure you choose a soft one, which provides warmth while keeping your baby cozy.
6. Swaddle:
Basically
a big, thin, cotton/muslin cloth. Watch videos on how to swaddle your
baby. Babies love the cuddled feeling that a swaddle provides, just like
your womb. In all likelihood you may get it wrong the first couple of
times, but you definitely will master it in the coming days.
Almost
all new mommies are a bit hesitant when it comes to nursing in public.
You may be conscious of what others will think and also feel embarrassed
about the whole scenario. But hey! This does not mean you will stop
going out with your.
Shy? Try From Our Top 15 Tips for Breastfeeding in Public:
Breastfeeding
is a natural process, and also a required one, to keep your infant
well-fed, wherever he may be. If you’re feeling unsure about it all, try
our top 15 tips on breastfeeding in public with confidence.
1. Plan Beforehand:
If
you are planning to be out with your little one for long, be prepared
for breastfeeding in public. Visualize the place and think of suitable
locations where it will be easy for you to nurse your baby. If you are
going to visit a shopping mall then think of a café or a women’s lounge;
if you plan to be in a restaurant then choose a place which is less
visible and in a corner. If you are visiting someone’s house then talk
to them about your requirements in advance, so that they can prepare
accordingly.
2. Always Have Someone Along:
If
you are new to breastfeeding habit, then do not go out alone. You can
take with you some well experienced person like your mother, friend,
spouse or anyone whom you feel shall provide you appropriate support,
this can be quite helpful. They might aid in finding an appropriate
place, provide necessary company and make you feel less conscious.
3. Wear Appropriately:
When
you are at home and are breastfeeding then you can wear anything of
your choice, but when you step out it makes sense to choose your
dressing well. Some women wear just a loose t-shirt which is easy to
lift. While some women wear two layers of clothing or a sari so that
there is less of skin show. While some like wearing shirts so that they
are easy to unbutton. And lastly, remember to wear dark colour, which
can aid in camouflage leaking or spit-up stains.
4. Choose the Right Bra:
Sometimes
if the bra is not chosen correctly, you might take longer to unlock it
and that may make you feel embarrassed in public. Always prefer a
stretchable sports bra which can be easily opened and also when you are
done with feeding, it gets fastened easily. Moreover, there are nursing
bras available in markets which can things easier for you and your baby.
You just need to practice a couple of times before start using nursing
bras.
To
be fair, not all stress is bad. Certain level of stress can be good for
one’s overall development, because they will give a healthy rush that
gets the individual to perform above average in situations like
deadlines or important events. But abnormal levels of stress are proved
to be highly damaging leading to chronic diseases like depression,
stomach ulcers and even certain nervous disorders.
In this article, we have covered the possible causes, solutions and precautions of various stress found in teenagers.
Reasons Behind Teenage Stress:
As
a responsible parent, if you learn these reasons of stress then you can
definitely help your teen cope up and overcome these better. We have
defined such stress types below:
1. Academic Stress:
One
of the topmost reasons for stress in teenagers is the constant pressure
to do well academically. They often find it difficult to live up to
their parent’s aspirations. If your teen is academically strong, then
there is a normal pressure to maintain performance, at the same time for
if he/she is not good in studies, the pressure increases in order to
perform well. All these expectations add to your teen’s unending woes
causing stress.
2. Social Stress:
Reaching
adolescence, teens learn to interact socially and adjust in this highly
complicated world. But slowly your teen may realize how important it is
to gain social acceptance- be it with family, relatives, friends or
peers. Thus inviting stress through this constant struggle to become
viable for everyone.
3. Financial Stress:
Agreed
that there is no burden on teenagers to earn and fend for themselves.
But if there is any financial strain in family, it sometimes becomes
difficult for a teen to handle. The thought of losing the current
standard of living may affect your teens mind in a negative manner. As
he/she is aware of the dependency on you regarding monetary requirements
and can do nothing to change the situation. This feeling of
helplessness also brings stress in teens.
4. Stress Due to Family Problems:
Yes
Indeed! Sometimes family can also pose as a stress for your teen.
Constant fight between parents, differences with siblings (including
sibling rivalry) and disagreements with parents can highly distress a
teen. Many a times, parent’s stressful jobs, lack of your attention span
also pose threats of teenage stress. Any small change in family
equation may have a negative impact on your teen, so stay careful to
avoid such trivial matters
5. Romantic Relationships:
Adolescence
is the age when most teen feels the need to be loved. To desire a
particular boy or girl as their love interest, negative reciprocation’s
and breakups with their lovers may become a significant aspect of your
teenager’s life. He/she might find it really hard to overcome such
painful instances resulting in high stress.
6. Stress Due to Physical or Physiological Changes:
A
lot of changes in the form of hormonal fluctuations take place in your
teen’s body. Therefore if your teen is obsessed with looks, may easily
get highly stress to find unwanted pimples on his/her face or changes in
physical appearance. He/she may find it too difficult to cope up such
changes and thus feel stressed. Sometimes, the duration of physical
growth makes a teen stressful.
7. Unhealthy Competition:
Nowadays,
the latest trend among teenagers is to have competitions – which most
of the time turns out fierce or unhealthy. A teenager is always faced
with the urge of ‘’perform or perish’’. Be it academic, sports or any
extra-curricular activity your teen may be under severe pressure to
excel. Severe competitions are another source of stress.
8. Low Self Esteem:
Buried under the pressure of doing n number
of things and also excelling at them makes teenager anxious all the
time. If they fail in anything, the feeling of self-doubt invades them
which is considered as one of the greatest stressor. If your teen is a
victim of low self-esteem, he/she may turn friends with depression.
9. Traumatic Events:
While
anybody can feel stressed due to traumatic events, a teenager often
gets affected more because he/she lacks the maturity that comes with
grown up experience. Certain incidents like death in the family,
relocating to a new house, end of a friendship/relationship or dealing
with some chronic illness causes stress.
10. Changes in Routine:
Any
change in daily routine, brings stress for a teen. Change of school,
moving to a new house or change in family dynamics are enough to bring a
teen under stress. Your teen feels good only when things work in
tandem. Change something and you earn their wrath.
From Parent to Their Teens:
Being
a parent, once you identify that your teen is struggling with stress,
you can make your teen aware of the below mentioned corrective steps to
help him/her alleviate stress. As precautions, you can start advising
gently the followings:
Eat regularly and exercise regularly.
Missing diet can lead to unhealthy body and mind, while exercise helps
in keeping you active.
Stay away from alcohol, drugs, caffeine. Idea is to not get addicted by harmful things.
Always stay close to people who bring positivity in you. Such people can reduce your stress levels to a greater extent.
Develop a hobby, which can help you feel good and relax your mind. It can be anything like painting, writing, reading, etc.
Learn meditation and relaxation techniques. Anxiety causes stress and a calm mind makes you stable.
Don’t over stress yourself with perfection. Take pride in any work done properly and correctly.
Make your mind strong and try to avoid any negative or conflicting thoughts. Replace them with positive assertions.
Always smile and have a positive attitude.
Proper
sleep is very important and under no circumstance should be avoided. A
good sleep is considered as a cure for chronic stress
Find out
the causes of your stress and try to be proactive in dealing with the
same. Planning in advance for the ways to deal with a stressful
situation can work wonders.
Always encourage your teen that
it is important to be true to oneself. Caution him/her not to buckle
under the pressure of expectations and tell them that they will always
be loved and accepted for what they are. Teach your teen that “Failure
is not the end of the world”, avoid regretting on the past and look
positively towards the future.
We hope you enjoy cruising through our interactive article. Do share your experiences and feedback in the comment section below.
Though
the school days seem to be the happiest days of one’s life, the picture
is not as rosy as it seems to be. Teenage is a phase of transition of
one’s life and therefore kids go through many emotional ups and downs
during this phase. Life becomes a tug of war between expectations and
reality.
6 Probable Reasons Behind Adolescent Stress:
Some of the causes that build up unnecessary tension and stress in adolescent kids are as follows:
1. Peer Pressure:
This
is one of the major reasons of stress and its related problems in
youngsters. Trying to cope up with the peer group is sometimes difficult
for certain individuals, which may soon become a reason of worry and
may get aggravated into stress. How You Can Help?
Do
not spy on your kid but certainly keep a check on the company they
keep. Parents should be aware of who their child’s friends are and what
sort of activities they indulge in when present with their group.
Encourage
your kids to discuss their problems with you. They may not readily
accept you as the best guide, but if you make them understand that you
will always be there for them, they will slowly come around and trust
you.
2. Parents’ And Teachers’ Expectations:
Performance
expectations result in stress and anxiety. Scoring good marks is a
prerequisite of every youngster during her school days to gain
popularity and respect among family members and surroundings. This
pressure often takes a toll on the mental health of young minds. How You Can Help?
Capabilities
and caliber of each child is different from other. Therefore, it is
highly essential to judge your child’s capabilities in correct manner
and do not expect miracle. Motivate, but do not pressurize.
Forcing
your child to score more just because others are getting good grades is
not the best thing to do. Rather, it is better to figure out the domain
where your child can excel and help him or her achieve goals.
3. Comparison With Siblings:
If
one of the siblings is performing well and the other is not, then the
former becomes a benchmark for the latter one. Parents, teachers and
relatives start comparing the two which results in the feeling of self
doubt in the child. These matters further result in lower self esteem,
concentration problems, lower confidence, etc. How You Can Help?
Realize
that all kids are not alike. Every child is unique and therefore you
should appreciate your child for his or her best traits.
If
you find sibling rivalry to affect one or more of your children, play a
fair mediator and do not take sides. Handle the situation sensitively.
4. Comparison With Other Kids:
Comparison
with peers or classmates is real downer. This either creates a feeling
of jealousy among kids for other children or may result in increased
levels of stress and anxiety to perform better or at par with others. How You Can Help?
Stop
comparing your children wards with their friends or cousins. Instead,
encourage them to excel in whichever field they choose for themselves.
To aid in healthy morale, offer reward to your child every time he tops in a test or a competition.
5. Strained Relationship Of Parents:
Every
home has some issues, minor or major, because no one is perfect. But it
is indeed a grave problem if it takes a toll on the mental health of
the child. Daily rows or hurtful scenes can do long-term damage. How You Can Help?
If
you have any issues at home, be proactive and get it solved as soon as
possible. Or at least remove your child from the scene of the dispute.
It
is moral duty of parents to behave responsibly in front of their young
children so that they do not develop any prejudices against the
relationship of a husband-wife or parents-children.
6. Loss Of A Loved One:
Loss
does not only mean death, but these days it may refer to a break up or
end of a long term relationship with a special friend. Adolescence is
the age of crushes and infatuations, and many kids during this phase can
get depressed due to heartbreak. How You Can Help?
Always have an open talk with your teen about the opposite gender. Listen to their problems by lending them a patient ear.
Offer to help resolve your kid’s personal issues. This will develop a sense of security in him or her.
So,
above are some of the reasons of stress and storm in young lads, which
if checked on time, can prevent anxiety and stress-related disorders. Be
on the lookout for them and handle your kid’s delicate years with care
and love.
Moms, if you have any stories about your child’s adolescence, please share them with us in the section below!
