Oct
30

Baby’s First Day Home from the Hospital – Panic 101

By Shawn · Comments (0)

How is it possible the staff has let me leave the hospital with such a helpless little creature? These were the thoughts I had the day baby and I came home from the hospital. Here I was, totally responsible for the health and well-being of this newborn who was so very different than the cherubic babies I had babysat long ago! It had finally hit me; I was the parent, the one who magically has all the answers. I found that even after giving birth I still did not have much confidence in my parenting ability. How did my mother do it? I did not believe I could come close to her capability level? I felt like I should be panic stricken.

I found that placing my baby into the car seat was quite a feat. We had bought the best baby travel system we could find. The three-in-one feature of locking into the stroller, into the car, or just as an infant carrier was quite a bonus. The previously perfect infant seat seemed to have grown to huge proportions once our new baby was lost in it! Certainly she was safer in my arms than all alone in that car seat! My husband and a little bit of logic managed to convince me to let go. Since they have limited muscle control, newborns end up scrunched down into one corner of their car seat. Until baby is more able to sit unassisted, she will be sliding to one corrner of your car seat. You should purchase some padded support for those first few weeks of amoeba life.

Once home, I was torn between resting and being with the baby. Add to that her endless hunger. It was quite challenging to find a place in our home for nursing while we were both learning the process. Trying different nursing positions is key. Some people use ring slings, fabric carriers that allow you to carry the baby around with you. If adjusted correctly, it can be a great way to position the baby for nursing. I used my ring sling mainly as a great hands-free carrier. Both baby and I found we preferred the rocking chair for nursing.

I could not believe how many times my baby needed changing. Newborns seem to have an output capacity double their input. I had chosen to use Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers. Thank goodness they were snug fitting. Those early days of a “liquid only” diet produce some interesting diaper “issues.” Some of the biggest diaper challenges occurred on that first day. Frequently, quick changes of clothes are what you need! No matter how good the cloth diapers were, they only worked as well as my attempts to fasten them. And if you do not fasten them in time…they will not work at all!

An amazing new chapter of your lives begins with the first day home. Adaptability is the key to the first months. Every phase your child reaches will test you again. My mother seemed so capable and in control, and I found myself struggling and even pretending I knew what I was doing. I knew I truly was a parent the day I realized my mother had been through this same process.

Oct
17

How To Lose Weight After Having A Baby

By Shawn · Comments (0)

If you’re finding to hard to lose the extra pounds that you put on during pregnancy, don’t worry too much.  Its very natural and typically you can have retained about 10-15 pounds of your pregnancy weight. Do not despair, you will lose it in the coming months with a combination of breast feeding, healthy eating and regular exercise.

The critical things you must have are determination and focus, plus a desire to lose the belly fat.  The weight will not melt off in a matter of days, but it will over several months.

Rapid weight loss is not encouraged, especially as you have only recently given birth, so avoid fast ways to lose weight. Both you and your body need time to recover from the trauma of giving birth, so the last thing you want to do is rush into a program of rapid weight loss.

That said, for women looking for weight loss after pregnancy, the best course of action they can follow is the one which advocates a nine month system. As it took you 9 months to put the weight on naturally, it makes sense to plan to lose it in the same sort of time scale. Obviously, if you go about it in a healthy way.

Another thing that you will want to keep in mind regarding weight loss after pregnancy, is that if you are breastfeeding you will need the proper nutrients and foods to keep your body healthy so that you have enough milk for baby.

It has been studied that new mothers who breastfeed their babies, burn up to about 700 calories a day. A significant amount when you look at it. The only thing you need to be aware of is that the weight won’t come off as such until you wean baby.

However, breastfeeding on its own will not get rid of your excess pounds. You need to make sure you get plenty of regular exercise and eat a healthy diet, so take a look at these fat burning foods. 

So, stick to a weight loss regime that is healthy and suitable for you, with healthy eating and plenty of light exercise.

Oct
14

Trying To Get Pregnant? Improve Your Chances With These Techniques

By Shawn · Comments (0)

If you’re trying to get pregnant, but haven’t been able to do so yet, perhaps you should try a couple of different techniques to improve your chances.

One of the biggest factors in getting pregnant is the time of the month that you try to conceive. Knowing and understanding your menstrual cycle and, most importantly, at what point in the cycle you are most fertile, is essential.

Contrary to popular belief, you can’t get pregnant during any part of your cycle. To become pregnant, you must have sex at least two or three days before ovulation starts.

It’s therefore of the utmost importance to know when you ovulate. There are kits that will help you to predict your ovulation cycle, fertility specialists you can consult with, and various other methods.

Your natural degree of fertility also has a large bearing on how quickly you can conceive. Some women are not fertile at all and can fail to conceive after even years of trying to get pregnant, whereas others are almost certain to become pregnant every time that they have unprotected sex prior to ovulation.

Their are certain types of drugs available for women who do not have a high level of fertility. In fact, over a 100,000 women each year are prescribed the most popular ones, which as clomiphene and gonadotropins.

Prior to using fertility drugs though, you should be aware that they significantly increase the likelihood of you giving birth to more than one child from a single pregnancy. It is thought that around 10% of women taking such drugs will give birth to either twins or triplets.

This is great for women who would like to have a multiple birth, but there are drawbacks. The most notable problem is that the odds of premature birth and miscarriage increase if you are carrying more than one baby.

In-vitro fertilization can be an option if the above options still don’t see you succeed whilst trying to get pregnant. It’s not a cheap option, so it’s definitely worth trying the other methods first, but it is known to be extremely effective, even for women with a low level of fertility.

Click Here and read more about IVF Success Rates and Pregnancy.

Oct
13

Pregnancy : How To Get Pregnant Fast

By Shawn · Comments (0)

So, you want to know how to get pregnant fast? There are a few different factors to consider when you are trying to conceive quickly, such as when your body is at its most fertile time of the month. Therefore, if you want to get pregnant quickly, learning more about your body is the first step to take.

If you are looking at how to get pregnant fast you will first want to invest in a kit that helps to determine when you ovulate and when you are at your most fertile. These kits can be purchased online or at drug stores, and are fairly simple to use.

If you feel you can wait a couple of months, you can try and track your own cycles at home, beginning with the first day of your menstrual cycles but, if you are in a real hurry, you can cut down your research time by just investing in a ready made kits.

However, should you already know your own cycle, then take your temperature around the 12th day after the first day of your menstrual cycle – if it is higher than normal then you are about to ovulate and should start trying to conceive.

To increase your fertility and chances of conceiving faster, there are also certain vitamins and supplements that you can take. Just ask an employee at your local health food store to recommend some to you. If you have already tried these, and have still have not conceived, then you can try asking your doctor what methods they may suggest.

Those asking about how to get pregnant fast will often be prescribed by their doctors a medication called Clomid. This helps to stimulate the hormones that are responsible for you ovulating.

Be forewarned though that twins and other multiples can occur from the usage of Clomid! If you are okay with the chances of having more than one baby, it may be a good option for you. It is totally safe to use so long as it is prescribed by your doctor. Avoid buying it online from places that sell it without a prescription as not only will you be risking your own health, you will also be risking that of any future baby.

Are you trying to get pregnant quickly? Click Here and read more about Pregnancy.

Oct
11

Infertility and Stress: Bad Bedfellows

By Shawn · Comments (0)

infertility and stress oftentimes go hand in hand..Making the decision to have children and discovering that some medical problem exists which is preventing it is very disappointing, and if the difficulty appears severe it can be devastating.Getting emotionally strung out is a natural reaction which has very negative effects. It’s best to take care of one’s emotional health as much as one’s physical and to not let the situation cause one too much mental anguish . There are myriad methods and techniques available to enable couples to conceive nowadays, and there are only few couples who cannot be helped by them..

Infertility and stress can sometimes be helped by some of the same types of treatment. For instance, being over or underweight can sometimes cause infertility.To conceive is a complex and demanding task for one’s body, and if one is not in a healthy condition the process is less likely to take place! Good diet and exercise (we’ve heard that have we not?) can only boost one’s chances. Most doctors will recommend this and letting oneself slip farther away from healthy habits will not help the situation at all.

Visiting a therapist may be an excellent suggestion for some people and must be seriously considered if one finds themselves at loggerheads with doing the “right things.”.Psychotherapists, psychiatrists and good counselors can all do wonders for people who get “stuck” and need some help.You can find all kinds of specialists in the field of mental health, and locating one who specializes in counseling couples who are trying to conceive should not be too difficult. Remember that physical activity is one of the best forms of mental therapy, as well, and be sure to stay active

.If therapy doesn’t get the results expected, many people look for friends on line and report success by having done so. There are numerous forums dedicated to this subject and, in and of itself, this should tell anyone facing these problems that they are most certainly not alone!Finding people who can comfort and advise is a wonderful way of bettering one’s mood and getting answers which can work. It’s a good idea to ask one’s physician if they have any sites they may recommend. Some of these sites have doctors as regular visitors and may be very informative and may contain links to useful information.

Just remember, in most cases one can learn to successfully deal with both infertility and stress.Habits die hard, though, so one must remember, too, that it takes time to change and give themselves a break when working on it.It is difficult, almost impossible at times, to seriously look after and improve one’s health enough to conceive when one is stressed out . . .this we know.

But if one has a good partner and a good physician and the desire to work it through, one’s stress can be overcome and as a result of that, perhaps even the infertility, too.

 

Oct
09

The 7 Things You Need to have When Baby Comes Home from the Hospital

By Shawn · Comments (0)

As the birth of your newborn quickly approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the bustle of daily activities and just as easily to overlook some of the essential baby items which will make your child’s first days home easy. By slowly purchasing your infant’s items before your due date, you’ll be able to avoid overlooked items by reviewing your purchases with ample time to procure any forgotten baby goods. There are some essential items which will assure you and your baby have an easy hospital-to-home transition.

Above all else, you must have a rear-facing car seat. You will be unable to take your baby out of the hospital without a proper seat. It is not necessary to immediately have a stroller to bring your baby home though you may want to consider looking into baby travel systems which provide the required infant car seat and also a stroller which you’ll later need.

Often overlooked by many parents is the value of babywearing. Research has shown that the use of baby wrap and sling-style carriers that keep baby close to mom or dad offer many benefits to the baby’s development. Although sling-style carriers are not crucial to baby’s arrival day, many parents find it beneficial to begin as soon as possible.

You’ll need a place for your baby to sleep when he or she arrives home. A bassinet or crib and a couple of sets of bedding will be needed. As a bassinet provides a more confined space to which newborns are accustomed and a crib offers roomier for mobility baby’s growth, many parents choose to purchase both a crib and a bassinet for their baby. In several weeks to a few months, after your infant has become more acquainted with the outside world, he or she can more comfortably sleep in the crib.

As newborns want to feel confined and have difficulty regulating their body temperature, receiving blankets provide both a health benefit as well as comfort. Their also [extremely usefulinvaluable] when those unexpected burp-time spit-ups occur. Tightly wrapping your newborn in a receiving blanket offers a comforting sleep at night time and during the day.

Many infants appear to have a near-constant hunger, especially in the first days and nights, so planning for proper feeding is crucial. Many of the items you’ll need for feeding are largely dependent upon your decision of formula or breast feeding. Burping cloths, a handful of bibs, and even several infant bottles will be necessary for breastfeeding as well as formula-based babies, as breastfeeding parents often find that storing some breastmilk for future feedings is often necessary.If you’ll be formula feeding, you should have a couple weeks of formula before your baby’s arrival home. If choosing to breastfeed, you should consider the convenience of a breast pump and nursing pads to comfort sensitive nipples.

Having plenty of diapers will be crucial upon your baby’s first day home. You may find yourself going through as many as 10-12 diaper changes each day. You’ll need to make the choice between using cloth or disposable diapers for your baby. Disposables are the easiest to use but can cost you quite a bit of money over the years you will spend changing diapers. One-size cloth diapers are also easy to purchase and use, but you’ll also need diaper inserts with them. Wether cloth or disposable diapering, you’ll need to have a lot of baby wipes, a changing table or pad, baby powder, and diaper rash ointment.

Having initial health care items specific to your baby will also be very important. One such item is a infant first aid kit which typically includes a thermometer, nasil aspirator, nail clippers, and other basic infant care items. Be sure to have a baby bathtub, baby shampoo, lotion and hooded towels for a complete bath time experience.

Though baby toys can be extremely fun to pick out, generally, your baby won’t need many toys during the first couple of months, but there are a few worth having upon arrival. Invaluable to your baby’s enjoyment are toys which can stimulate his or her senses. It’s never too early to start stimulating development. Baby’s stresses of his or her new living environment can be comforted with the calming sounds of a stuffed toy or mobile that plays soft music.

All you need to address are these basic items to ensure a joyous arrival home with the entire family. Keeping a proper perspective as to what’s really important within the first several week’s will help you plan well and keep the stresses that come with being a new parent to a minimum. Most importantly, you need to remember that this should be a special event for the entire family so don’t let any little oversights from disrupting this memorable time.

 

Oct
07

Becoming Pregnancy Some Basic Mis-Information

By Shawn · Comments (0)

You must understand all the facts about pregnancy and conception if you truly want to get pregnant. All the same, don’t assume that everything you know concerning conception and pregnancy is true. Here are 4 popular false impressions about conception.

Getting pregnant will always be easy

These are diverse cases. Knowing a lot of pregnant women does not necessarily imply that it is not hard to conceive. Your best friend could be half way through her pregnancy. Hearing the news that your niece is pregnant is shocking. You could even receive news that your office mate is about to give birth. In the midst of all these stories, you may wonder why you are not yet pregnant. As a matter of fact, 6-12 months is normal waiting time before you conceive. Besides, there are numerous other causes that could shape the chances of getting pregnant. You might think that these things are irrelevant but might be the main cause behind you not getting pregnant. There could be nervousness at work. The nervousness since there are a lot of people asking the same question ” Are you pregnant already”?” Warn your general practitioner whenever you have any early signs of pregnancy or pregnancy third trimester.

Having intercourse daily will increase the chances of pregnancy

There is absolutely no truth to this. The more times you have sex doesn’t necessarily give you more chances of conceiving. A woman’s egg could only last as long as 36 hours after her ovulation. A man’s sperms can endure for as long as 3 days following ejaculation. Knowing when a woman is most fertile is essential in getting pregnant. It is calculated that this will be a couple of weeks before her next period is due to start. It is vital that the couple have sexual contact just about 5 days within that particular date. The best possibility of getting pregnant is to have sexual contact 2 days prior, a day prior, on the day itself, a day after and 2 days after.

The cycle starts when spotting occurs

A different way to be triumphant in getting pregnant is the exact timing of sexual contact. Ovulation only happens for a short time. You should be correct with your calculations. If you are off by even just a day could make a huge discrepancy. As a result, it is essential to start counting from the first day of normal flow. You should not count from the initial spotting at the start of your period. Alert your doc if you display any signs of pregnancy constipation.

Wait until you’re forty

Trying to conceive while you are younger is a wise idea. When you want to start your own family is totally up to you. Sorry to say, age is also essential factor to consider if you really want to get pregnant. The chances of a forty year old woman getting pregnant every month is decreased to 5%. This is why older couples are involved in almost all fertility situations. The increase in the level of Follicle Stimulating Hormone or FHS is an indication that menopause is about to start in women who are over 40. Thus, be sensible and try to get pregnant as soon as you can. It might be too late if you wait too long. Explore all options and do your best before it’s too late.