An Art of Parenting

Archive for October, 2011

The skin changes that can upset you most are the dreaded stretch marks or striae gravidarum as they are called, which may make their appearance across the lower abdomen from the twenty-forth week.

Unfortunately in most women there are not always confined to the abdomen and may occur on the breasts, the thighs, and on the buttocks too. Stretch marks tend to affect women whose abdominal skin has been subjected to much stretching caused by, for example, twin pregnancy, excessive and fluid retention or simply a very large baby. But that isn’t the whole story because some women with enormously distended abdomens never develop stretch marks at all.

It is now believed that striae are caused, not so much by the actual stretching of the skin, as by certain hormonesm released in the pregnancy which acts on elastic fibres beneath the skin. It has been found for instance, that women will really noticeable stretch marks are more likely to develop, toxaemia – retention of fluid, urinary changes, raised blood pressure – later on their pregnancy, than women who have never been troubled at all.

Chances are you’ll be one of the lucky ones who just won’t happen to form stretch marks.. But just in case you do, here’s some news to cheer you up. These ugly marks always – yes, always-fade to a much lighter color after delivery. Also post delivery massages and lavish application of vitamin E fortified creams help to lighten them.

As a general rule every woman passes blood from her vagina after a gap of 28 days and the bleeding lasts for about 4 days. Regular onset of menses and cessation are indicators to fine health of a woman. In some cases menses may start even a bit earlier or lather than a gap of 28 days and may last for less or more than 4 days, but, once the cycle gets established there should be no disturbance as to the start and duration of monthly periods. Any deviation, except the marginal one, points to ill-health or some diseases which should be quickly investigated, if menses are irregular, there are more than one bleedings or excessive or scanty bleedings, much pain, weakness, malaise, rundown condition, anemia etc. Back pain and pain in public region are almost common symptoms to all the ladies.

It should be borne in mind that all intercourses do not and cannot result in conception. Ideal time for conception is believed to be within 3-4 days of end of menses and the eggs, after fertilization, remain active and eager to meet the sperms. Life of eggs is said to be 3-4 days at the most or 24 hours on the lower side. There are countless eggs which fertilize and travel, via fallopian tubes to the uterus, but only one of such eggs is able to establish contact with the male sperm and rest of which get destroyed. If however, the sperm fails to meet the ovum, no conception can take place. In short, conception is most likely to take place within 3-4 days of end of the monthly menstrual period. If husband and wife conjugate during this period, there are brighter chances for the woman to conceive.

The first 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy see a very rapid growth of the foetus towards human features. The possibility of adverse side-effects of drugs is, therefore, greater in his period than at other times. Infections or other illnesses also pose hazards. They may precipitate miscarriage or congential birth defects (e.g. mental retardation, heart disease, blindness, deformity of limbs). Therefore during the first trimester of pregnancy no medicine whatsoever should be taken without previously consulting a doctor. One should be especially wary of sleep-inducing drugs, tranquilizers, anti-depressants and such like. In recent times, it is the practise in developed countries to forbid even vitamins and tonics if the woman enjoys normal health.

After the first 3 months of pregnancy, the potential of drugs to harm mother and foetus is considerably reduced. However, antibiotics and analgesics continue to be hazardous to foetal development.

Only a doctor should decide on and prescribe medication for a pregnant women. Drugs which affect the development of the foetus only slightly, do not become cause for undue worry. But, it might be necessary indeed vital to the mother’s health to prescribe medicines which are positively harmful to the foetus. In such cases, abortion may be considered as the alternative to compromising the mother’s existence.

Pregnant women will be restless and have sleep problems so how can they overcome it? Here are some practical tips to get rid of such problems.

Exercise: A woman’s mental and physical health should be in good condition, so she should sleep well and make sure that her body will have the tendency to unwind even after doing exercise. In fact, studies have proved that doing exercise before going to bed may also affect the deep sleep. It will be fine is exercise is done before four hours from sleeping time.

Eat Healthy: Constipation, vomiting and heartburn will affect the health of the pregnant women. Maintaining a nutritious diet is the most possible way to avoid such problems. Heavy meals should be avoided for dinner because it will result in indigestion. Before sleeping, you can drink warm milk because it will increase deep sleep. It has been believed that amino acid I-Tryptophan raises brain’s chemical level which is known as serotonin. In order to have a peaceful and deep sleep, pregnant women can avoid consuming tea and coffee which contains caffeinated substances.

Take Naps: Symptoms of fatigue can be avoided by means of nap and it can also sharpen their memory. Try your level best to sleep in the morning as it may affect your night sleep.

Left Side Sleep: Pregnant women should sleep by turning towards their left side as it is the correct position which can improves blood to flow to the foetus and kidneys. Hence, all the waste can be eliminated because of this position and they can sleep peacefully.

Pregnant ladies who are easy going, sloth and inactive, have rigid joints with painful swelling, digestion related problems, swelling offset, pendulous abdomen, extra weight, suffer from acidity, belching, eructations flatulence, colic, constipation, head-ache, general malaise etc. are advised not to lead a sedentary life nor overwork their bodies. Rest is needed to calm down your tired limbs & agitated nerves but rest does not mean you should remain inactive and abstain from your normal domestic chores (routine work). A woman who leads a sedentary and inactive life is most likely to give birth to a mentally and physically inactive/retarded children who mental faculties and physical movements would be found wanting.

After lunch you should rest for a while but never sleep-if you wish, you can have a short nap. Never asleep or lie down immediately after taking your meals. After dinner, you can have a stroll (but no fast walking). Even normal movement and mobility in the house, while doing normal domestic jobs, will suffice to ensure your and your baby’s proper development but you must take proper and requisite diet in proportion to the calories expended during activity – whether it is light, moderate or medium or heavy. In any case, you must avoid rigorous activity and avoid (rather rule out) all situations where you feel to get tired, exhausted and weak.

Reasonable activity, requisite diet and rest are the three parameters of a regulated and healthy life and you have a strike a proper balance with and amongst all the three facets.

Immediately after birth the umbilical cord is cut about 8 cm to 10 cm from the baby’s stomach. Pressure is exerted by a clamp and the stump shrivels and drops off within ten days or so. Some babies develop umbilical hernias, but these nearly always clear up within a year of their own accord. If your baby has one and it enlarges or persists consult your doctor.

The Breasts: Both male and female babies can have swollen breasts at birth, they may even have a slight discharge of milk. This is caused by the pressure of maternal hormones in the baby’s body and it resolves itself naturally. Never try to squeeze any of the milk out. The swelling will subside within a couple of days.

The Genitals: The genitals of both boys and girls are naturally larger at birth than the rest of their bodies. The scrotum or vulva may even look rather red and inflamed. This is a natural occurrence and is caused by the mother’s hormones crossing the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream. Such hormones may also cause a clear or white discharge in female babies and even a small amount of vaginal bleeding. Once again, this is perfectly normal and will clear up naturally after a couple of days. However, it you’re at all worried by this, contact your doctor for reassurance.

Stools: A baby’s first stools are usually dark green and sticky and may have very little smell. This is because they are mainly meconium which is digested mucus from the mucus glands in the bowel. It is the only kind of motion your baby will pass for the first two or three days. The appearance and consistency will depend on whether your baby is having breast or formula milk.