Pregnancy Stretch Marks – What Can Be Done About Them?

The matter of stretch marks is something that almost always concerns a woman at the onset of pregnancy. With a multitude of other concerns such as fatigue, nausea and body aches and pains, stretch marks is something that just comes with being pregnant.

It becomes particularly difficult since in these times, society in general idealizes a perfect physique in a woman. This is a challenge for women to tackle, although you must know that not all women will have stretch marks from pregnancy. In the event that you're one of the unfortunate ones, there are still many ways you can alleviate their effects.

Over three quarters of expectant women are affected by stretch marks. They may appear on your abdominal area, waist, buttocks, chest, waistline, and upper thighs. The most common area where stretch marks appear is around the tummy and abdomen, where the most distension is experienced during pregnancy.

There are several things you can do to prevent pregnancy stretch marks. You may use creams made particularly to help avoid unsightly stretch marks. You may wear a good quality full support brassiere to prevent the appearance of stretch marks on your chest area and breasts.

You could also make use of a loofah or brush on your body to scrub particular zones of the body which are prone to stretch marks. Stretch marks are so common in pregnancy due to the sudden gain in weight most women undergo. Thus, if you endeavor to stay away from putting on too much pounds, you might succeed in avoiding stretch marks for good.

Expectedly, however, no tips are 100% guaranteed to work as people have different physiologies. Some methods may work wonderfully for some and not have the slightest effect in others. On the bright side though, you should at least be able to decrease their severity.

If ever you do get some pregnancy stretch marks, do not feel hopeless. First and foremost, you should cherish the happiness that comes with your new baby. Of course, you would also wish to avoid stretch marks, but there is a host of resources within reach to assist you. Have a talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you do not prefer to do so at this time, you may try to do some research over the World Wide Web and surely you will come across several ideas to aid you in significantly alleviating the effect of pregnancy stretch marks on your appearance, if not preventing them altogether.

Finding Fashionable Work Maternity Clothing

For many professional women, their appearance greatly influences how they are regarded by their peers. It's important to keep a smart, authoritative appearance particularly for women in supervisory or management positions, legal professions or those employed in the healthcare field. Work maternity clothing appropriate for all of these professions makes it possible to maintain one's professional appearance while celebrating the changing shape of one's body and the joyful reason behind it.

Pregnancy has enormous impacts on one's life, some wonderful, some that present hurdles to one's professional life. One of the most difficult tasks for pregnant professionals is finding work maternity clothing that is sharp and fashionable while still being comfortable and practical.

Maternity clothing often suffers from trying to hide a pregnant woman's shape rather than celebrating it. Given the nature of pregnancy, there is no reason that a woman's new body shouldn't be cause for celebration and there is certainly no reason that a woman with child should be restricted to ugly, poorly designed clothes. There are designers all over the world that work to create fashionable options for pregnant women and many of their creations are affordable and attractive.

Today's women are attached to their careers and, oftentimes, they are the primary breadwinner in the family. It's impossible financially and difficult psychologically to give up a valuable career, even for the rather short time that a pregnancy encompasses. It's also unacceptable to feel compromised in one's work because of an inability to present a refined and elegant image. Given that many family's incomes are riding on the woman's ability to carry on with their work throughout their pregnancy, purchasing clothing that makes it possible to do so is well worth the investment.

Work maternity clothing should be, above all else, comfortable. Pregnancy obviously entails significant changes in shape and weight and the design of clothing worn throughout pregnancy must accommodate this. Maternity clothing, even though it is obviously intended for temporary use, should be durable and of a high-quality as should any garment. Because it may be worn for more than one pregnancy, designs that incorporate timeless, traditional cuts are preferable to ones that emphasize the fads and trends of the current moment. Fortunately, these are all common characteristics of professional clothing, making fashionable work clothing and maternity clothing not mutually exclusive terms.

Because different types of work demand a different wardrobe, work maternity clothing should encompass a wide variety of designs. Many women have jobs that entail working in a office for part of their work week and doing field work or on-site work at other times. It's desirable to acquire a wardrobe that is appropriate for all of these uses. Sometimes a collection of fashionable suits will be adequate and sometimes a combination of suits and durable clothing for more intensive environments will be called for. Work maternity clothing is available in designs appropriate for these uses and many more.

Today's women need not give up their employment nor their fashion sense to accommodate pregnancy!

Fit For Birth – Techniques For Natural Childbirth

Many women are unprepared for childbirth and this gives rise to many fears and anxieties in their minds. Not being able to cope up physically, mentally and emotionally takes its toll. Childbirth is an experience of a lifetime and can be easily handled with courage and determination. Natural childbirth can be one of the most rewarding and beautiful experiences with proper guidance.

Fit For Birth bring you the tools, techniques and knowledge to help you deliver by natural childbirth. The benefit of un-medicated natural childbirth is that it produces a stronger bond between mother and baby. With our guidance at Fit For Birth, you will find you have the required confidence to handle natural childbirth.

We will also train you for Pre and Post Natal personal training. We are totally focused to helping families create the most natural, healthiest, and happiest synergy. You can make natural childbirth an empowering experience.

Even without modern medicine, for thousands of years, mothers have given birth in the most natural and un-medicated way. Even without modern medicine, these babies grew into healthy children. Even today, un-medicated and natural birthing is possible. Fit For Birth brings you their vast knowledge to help you before and after childbirth. In fact, our training will help you cope up with pregnancy easily. Fit For Birth guidance will help you remain calm and focused during childbirth.

Fit For Birth was started by Kim and James and have since then helped many mothers have a natural childbirth. Kim has trained at the Miami Maternity Centre as a Midwife. Fit For Birth brings you special corrective exercises for pre & post childbirth. We will help you adopt natural health habits like exercise for pregnancy, proper breathing, and de-stressing techniques in preparation for pregnancy.

Most women are unprepared for natural birthing techniques and they end up birthing in fear which leads to more pain, fetal distress, more anxiety and finally a traumatic experience. Fit For Birth brings you a 30-step Guide to help you get ready for the happiest day of your life. We offer you an online program called 'Natural and Painless Childbirth' for $397. We also offer you flexible payment options for the same.

The tools described in the program 'Natural and Painless Childbirth' will help you to be thoroughly prepared mentally, emotionally and physically before, during and after labor. This online program is dedicated to make you feel confident and not fear the biggest day of your life. Our exercise for pregnancy provides step by step guidance for natural labor.

In most hospitals, drugs and C-section are common. This is because Doctors and Nurses are pressured to keep their laboring women "on schedule". This results in inviting the drug Pitocin into the IV fluids. As hospitals are always overloaded with patients, nurses simply cannot allow patience with the emotions of a laboring mother. But now you have the power to make a choice. Join our training or buy our online program now!

The Joy of Parenthood Can Be Availed By the Fertility Treatments

Infertility is the failure of the couples to conceive even after years of trying. With the aid of infertility treatment one can avail the desired results. Artificial insemination is one such process that can offer you successful fertilization. In this process the semen is directly inserted into the woman's uterus.

Infertile couples leave a life that is full of social stigma and conceal the fact that they are unable to conceive. Their life becomes so tricky and leads to humiliation. With the progression in science and technology even this problem can be dealt with ease. There are a band of infertile treatments that can offer you healthy pregnancy. The treatments can deal with both kinds of infertility in both men and women. There are various treatments like IUI treatment, in vitro fertilization, IVF surrogacy that can help you conceive. All the infertility treatments are available at the best fertility clinic and can cure the couple's being infertile.

There are many possible reasons why couples go for these infertile treatments that includes either of the male or female being infertile, woman wants to alone raise the child, due to medical reasons the couples can't have intercourse, etc. The reason is whatever but the fertility centre will offer you guaranteed results. The doctors at the clinic understand that the entire infertility treatment for the couples is challenging and it should be kept private and confidential. Infertility is an expensive treatment but the reward it will aid you with will be incalculable for you.

In the iui treatmentthe sperms are washed and inserted into the woman's womb with the ally of fire plastic catheter. After the treatment a little rest is advisable to the patient. In vitro fertilization is another treatment that involves combination of the egg with the sperm into a dish and once fertilized are transmitted into the womb. Availing the treatments can bring certain complexities and the doctor's guidance is must and the couple's should go for timely checkups.

All the infertile treatments are unsurpassed and facilitate to turn the couple's dream into reality. IVF surrogacy can be better described as pregnancy that can be carried on by some other woman for the couples who want to bear a child. The doctor will take a thorough examination of the surrogate mother that includes complete family history, blood test, evaluation of uterus, etc. A deep know how of every single treatment is vital before availing the service. Choose the best after consulting your doctor. The motto of the Fertility centre is to offer low cost infertility treatment under an umbrella. As womanhood is special so each and every treatment at the fertility clinic is personalized understanding the needs of the infertile couples.

Breast Pump And How To Use It

Just like breast feeding, pumping is a skill that you learn. When first trying a breast pump, most mothers are only able to express a few drops of milk. With the proper practice and knowledge, the mother will be more efficient at pumping.

Preparing the breast pump 1. Read all the instructions in the kit very carefully. 2. Every part of the breast pump will need to be sterilized before you begin using it. 3. After use, all the parts of the pump will need to be washed in warm, soapy water, then rinsed with hot water and drained on a clean towel. The plastic tubing doesn't need to be cleaned unless you get milk into it. If you do wash it, it should be hung to allow time to dry and drain thoroughly. 4. If your doctor feels the need, the entire kit can be sterilized every day. 5. When you first start with an electric pump, the suction level should be on the lowest possible setting.

Getting started - Warm compresses, gentle massages of the breast and gentle nipple stimulation will help to stimulate a quick let down. - You should always relax while doing breast massages during pumping. Some mothers prefer to close their eyes then think about nursing the baby, imagining the baby in their arms. The more relaxed a mother is, the better let down she'll have and the more milk will be dispensed. - Your first attempts at pumping should be considered practice sessions with learning to use the breast pump as the goal, not how much milk is actually dispensed. - When you use a hand pump, quick, short pumps at the start is stimulating and will imitate more closely the way a baby breast feeds. Once the let down occurs and milk starts to flow freely, long, steadier strokes are more effective and less tiring. - When you learn to pump, you should practice for 5 minutes on a side at least once or twice a day. Always pick the least stressful part of your day for pumping.

Relaxing and realizing that the pump is your friend is the single most important thing that a mother can do. There are several things that a mother can do to help herself relax, such as putting a picture of the baby on the pump, playing cards or a game with friends, watching television, read books, or talk on the phone. Simply watching the collection bottle is not helpful and will probably put more stress on you than you actually need.

Pregnancy: Things You Need To Know

Complications during pregnancy:

Toxemia:Toxemia is a general term given to an acute hypertensive disorder appearing after the 20th week of pregnancy or following delivery and accompanied by increased edema protein (albumin) in urine and in severe cases convulsions and coma, especially if treatment is delayed.Toxemia can lead to maternal and newborn infant death if it is not treated in time. Malnutrition is the main cause of toxemia which can be prevented by good parental care and good nutrition. If toxemia is found to be present in a pregnant woman, adequate quantities of proteins of high biological value should be included in her diet. Salt was previously restricted to help relieve toxemia but it is now recognized that salt is needed in pregnancy and that a normal amount should be supplied. Vitamins and minerals are the regulatory agents which are particularly needed to avoid malnutrition which precedes toxemia.

Anemia: Anemia is common during pregnancy. It can be classified as follows:
Iron Deficiency Anemia: This is the most common anemia in pregnancy and results due to insufficient iron in the diet. The requirement of iron by the pregnant women far exceeds her reserves and hence anemia may result if her diet is not enriched with iron-rich foods.

Hemorrhagic anemia: This results due to loss of blood and is more likely to occur after delivery due to loss of blood during delivery. During pregnancy however it may occur if there is an abortion or ruptured tubal pregnancy. Most patients receive blood transfusion but iron therapy in addition is indicated to support the formation of hemoglobin needed for adequate blood replacement.

Megaloblastic anemia: In this condition large, immature red blood cells containing little or no hemoglobin are formed and this malformation in red cells is the result of folic acid deficiency. Folic acid requirement is greatly increased in pregnancy and deficiency is manifested in nausea, vomiting and anorexia. As anemia progresses, loss of appetite is even more, aggravating nutritional deficiency. Most morning sickness symptoms characteristic of pregnancy could be due to deficiency of folic acid and pyridoxine.

Nausea and Vomiting: This is normally called morning sickness. This is usually a mild complaint limited to early pregnancy. It occurs more often after rising rather than in the later in the day; hence the term morning sickness. He reasons are physiological and also psychological due to the tensions and anxieties concerning pregnancy itself. Simple treatment usually improves the person?s tolerance towards food. Dry biscuits eaten before rising from the bed decrease nausea. Small meals with liquids taken in between meals rather than with the meals give better results. If excessive, persistent and prolonged vomiting is seen, then the doctor may hospitalize the patient and feed her intravenously to prevent complications and dehydration.

NEURAL TUBE DEFECT:

The Neural Tube: The neural tube becomes the brain and spinal cord. Women need to get enough folic acid before they become pregnant and during the first trimester of pregnancy so that the neural tube can develop properly.

Neural Tube Defect: NTDs are birth defects that occur when the neural tube does not form correctly. Neural tube defects usually occur during the first month of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. You must take folic acid BEFORE you become pregnant in order to reduce your risk of having a baby with an NTD.
Some factors which increase risk for NTDs are:Race/ethnicity/geographical location: NTDs are more common among women of certain Hispanic subpopulations, and among population groups in Ireland, China, and the United Kingdom. Use of anti-seizure medications.Maternal insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.Maternal obesity.Maternal hyperthermia (i.e., exposure to high temperatures early in pregnancy, such as hot tub use or high fever).Previous NTD-affected pregnancy.

Diabetes in pregnancy: Diabetes is a disorder in which the levels of sugar in the blood are too high. This occurs because the body doesn?t produce enough insulin or can?t use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body turn blood sugar into energy or store it as fat. In untreated diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage organs, including blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Some people with diabetes need daily insulin injections to prevent these complications.

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common pregnancy complications. It usually develops during the second half of pregnancy, when hormones or other factors interfere with the body?s ability to use its insulin. Most women with gestational diabetes have no symptoms. Blood sugar levels generally return to normal after delivery.Women at increased risk of gestational diabetes include those who are over age 30; are obese; have a family history of diabetes; or have had a very large (over 9? pounds) baby or a stillborn a general rule, a pregnant woman with diabetes (gestational or preexisting) who is of average weight should consume about 2,000 to 2,200 calories a day. This should help her gain the recommended 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Daily calories are usually divided among three meals and about three snacks, including one at bedtime. The dietitian will most likely recommend a diet that includes: 10 to 20 percent of calories from protein (meat, poultry, fish, legumes); about 30 percent from fats (with less than 10 percent from saturated fats); and the remainder from mainly complex carbohydrates (whole-grain bread, cereal, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables). Sweets should be avoided.

I Want to Have a Baby For Good

A baby is someone that gives us happiness and contentment in life. Making us smile for the simplest action, making us laugh for the simplest gesture and giving us peace for the simplest reason and that is having a baby.

A baby could really make your life different which is making you feel that life is precious than any gold or silver and making you feel that you are contended as long as you have your baby with you. But there is a tiny problem and that is if you still don't have a baby. Everything would be perfect and complete if you only have a baby. So did it ever run in to your mind that "I want to have a baby now", but what bothers you are your spouse does he/she wants to have a baby? Especially if both of you are newlyweds and just started to live in a married life. So the key here is:

Why not confront your spouse or your partner and tell him/her I want to have a baby, who knows they might understand you and grant your request.

Or why not have a private conversation between you and your spouse to that matter, having a heart to heart talk is not bad and in fact it helps you even know each other's weaknesses and strengths, thus helping you to know your partner well.

And help your spouse as well to understand that why both of you should have a baby and stress out some factors and benefits that baby could bring in to your lives.

Just for instance a baby could make your life complete. How? So here are some factors:

A baby could love you the way you would not expect it because a baby's love is unconditional, they expect no return just as long as you love them.

It gives you motivation to even drive or pursue more in your life because you don't want your baby to experience hardship or trials as your baby grows. In fact you will feel that once you will have a baby, you will even strive for success in your career just to give your baby a better future.

You will feel the sense of belongingness because you will have your own family.

And you will have more reason to value life and appreciate the beauty of life. Every day you will look forward with your family and together you will face and conquer tomorrow.

So don't let your dreams remain to be a dream. Speak out what's inside your heart and in your mind and tell your spouse that I want to have a baby because I love you and I want to grow old with you together with our children and always remember that life is precious but a baby's life is a treasure that you should keep and value it. So speak out and let your dreams become a reality. Do not be afraid but have faith for everything is in God's hands and don't wait for tomorrow just do it today.

Search For Affordable Maternity Shorts

Being pregnant does not imply that you are helpless to get out in the sun and enjoy all those summer liveliness you usually love without being too irritated and hot. Maternity shorts are of course outlined specially for you to have abundant of room to grow while staying cool, relaxed, comfortable, and yes in style and fashion for sure. You can access all types designs of latest styles and lengths so your own style statement does not have to change a bit. If you require shorts for a picnic, boating, or even just for taking walk to the park, you can easily acquire the perfect pair for any outing that will give you the support you generally require while giving you complete comfort at the same time.

There are some of the instances that you can consider when it comes to the styles you can find include Bermudas, mid-length, denim, and plus size. Also there are some popular brands that are now manufacturing a new line just for expecting mothers. There are few notable characteristics you will love found with maternity shorts and that are prominent in the market today include cuffed, tab hem, flexible fabric, cotton/spandex, ring spun denim, and machine washable wear. Of course, you can find all types of fabric from cotton to denim and a wide number of colors.

The technique in which these shorts are outlined are to make sure that the pregnant women can stay cool, happy, relaxed and comfortable during the summer heat. Being pregnant is a great time and the most memorable phase in a woman's life; on the other hand, if you have to stay indoors or cannot find easy and comfortable fitting clothing your summer months will be distressed. You should still be capable to do many of the same regular activities you enjoyed before getting pregnant including riding your bike, jogging, and yes of course, even sailing until your doctor tells you to slow down. There are some women who carry on with their normal tasks until the last trimester. Do not let these hot summers keep you down, just pick some cool, dashing and outstanding maternity shorts and enjoy the summer and your pregnancy.

You can go for a wide variety of shorts in the market today for all your occasions so you will be ready to spend your summer out and about. Take a cruise, go hiking, and be active even during your pregnancy. Maternity shorts will help you stay cool while you spend your summer shopping and having fun with your family and friends and keeping your body in shape as well. Genuinely, staying active helps with your labor pain, so do not just sit and watch boring soap operas enjoy your pregnancy. On the other hand, do not engage in any kind of new exercise regimen or new outdoor activity without consulting to your doctor and of course if you are an ardent mountain climber this should also be talked over with your doctor before planning an adventurous trip.

Recommendations For Pregnant Women That Develop Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is a contagious infection caused by the virus called varicella. In most of the cases chicken pox is a benign infection with no complications. You can not treat chicken pox so the remedies that are prescribed usually ease the symptoms. Even though it?s often seen in childhood, chicken pox can affect adults too. For them the chances of complications grow.

Chicken pox may have unwanted effects if the patient is a pregnant woman. If the future mother is infected during its pregnancy complications may appear.

For pregnant women who have already had chicken pox infection there is no reason to alarm. Their body is immune to the virus because during the infection it has produced antibodies. These antibodies are transferred to the infant through the placenta so the risk of developing chicken pox is low.

At their first pregnancy control women must be tested to see if the antibodies for chicken pox exist.

About one in a thousand women are prone to develop chicken pox during their pregnancy. This small percentage is the cause of a previous infection with varicella, or a working immune system, but can also prove us that there is a risk of developing chicken pox during pregnancy.

For the pregnant women that develop chicken pox the chances of complications are real high. These women are prone to pneumonia, conjunctivitis, meningitis and even encephalitis or heart diseases.

Infants are more affected because of chicken pox during pregnancy. They may develop malformations especially when the infection is acquired in the first three months of pregnancy. The congenital varicella syndrome is responsible for malformations at birth. These defects consist of scars on the skin, eye problems, small limbs, a smaller head or even mental retardation.

If chicken pox develops in the last days of pregnancy or a few days after birth, the child is prone to disseminated varicella infection. One out of four children die if this infection occurs. Disseminated varicella infection occurs if the antibodies from their mother are not transferred to their bodies.

For treating chicken pox infections doctors recommend acyclovir. This medicine is safe in pregnancy. For women that have already developed varicella pneumonia hospitalization is necessary and in these cases a higher dose of acyclovir is prescribed.

For pregnant women, that are not immune to chicken pox varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) is recommended in order to prevent the infection.

Children, whose mothers develop varicella right before giving birth, should be also treated with varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG). If they acquire the virus in two weeks after birth they should be treated with IV acyclovir.

The Non-traditional Pregnancy Diet

Pregnant women need to stop feeling lowly and ugly because of their rapidly changing bodies. Pregnancy is a great time in a woman's life and it should not be spent drowning in self-pity. An effective pregnancy diet is the key to maintaining the weight and 'feel good' factor about the new change, at the same time.

Before planning anything, people need to change their meaning about the word 'diet'. For pregnant women, the pregnancy diet does not mean losing excessive weight; in fact, that is dangerous. A pregnancy diet means keeping an eye on what one eats.

Folic acid is a very popular item in a pregnant woman's life and can be obtained via salubrious green, leafy vegetables. This is just one of the many things needed for a proper pregnancy diet but not all women eat them due to ignorance or simply laziness. Supplements of various vitamins and minerals should be regularly taken. There are numerous guidelines for a pregnancy diet and following it is much simpler than what people think.

Yes, there are the notorious food cravings which can tamper with any type of diet and which take a heavy toll on a pregnancy diet. Moreover, most of these cravings are for junk foods like ice cream and many women give in to them. However, an easy way to combat such cravings is to limit portions and opt for that small cup, instead of the gallon tub.

Another effective tool essential for the healthy pregnancy diet and one that is often ignored is exercise. The main reason women avoid exercising during their pregnancies is that they are afraid of hurting themselves or their babies. However, there is no need to worry as light exercising during pregnancy has numerous benefits.

Ask any pregnant lady and one will realize that there are many negative physical symptoms affecting the body such as lack of sleep, heartburn and constipation, during pregnancy. A healthy pregnancy diet paired with the proper exercise has proven to decrease these conditions. Research even shows that the mother has an easier time during labor and the baby's growth and heart rate is positively affected, because of regular light exercises, during pregnancy.

The key to a successful pregnancy is consulting a doctor, before starting a particular diet or exercise program. Activities such as Pilates, aerobics, swimming and yoga are great options for pregnant women but are not safe for every woman. To know what is right for you, consult your doctor.