dena — Page 26

Men’s Fertility Perks up in the Sunshine

October 23, 2008 By dena

If you are trying to conceive, you might be spending extra time in bed. But the Daily Mail suggests that you might need to get out a bit more.

A study found almost a third of men experiencing fertility problems have low levels of vitamin D, the ‘sunshine vitamin’. 105 men agreed to take multivitamins and antioxidants for two to three months. After that, tests revealed ‘an improvement in the shape of the sperm, which can enhance conception,’ said Dr Anne Clark, the medical director of an Australian fertility center. (31 of the men even went on to achieve a pregnancy!)

Just spending ten minutes outside in their shirt sleeves would be enough of a boost:

She suggested that office workers could absorb enough vitamin D by simply having their morning tea break outside in the sunshine with their sleeves rolled up.

Other basic lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, losing weight, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, would also help.

If your pregnancy was a painting, what would it look like?

October 19, 2008 By dena

If you could paint your pregnancy, with all the emotions it evokes, what would it look like? Tumultuous or serene? Bright colors or muted? Realistic or abstract?

One artist, named Kelly Kenedy, taps into the emotion of pregnancy to create over 40 canvases that now hang in the new Pregnancy Care Center facilities in Springfield, Missouri. She says that she hopes her artwork will help young women and men facing unplanned pregnancies find strength and courage.

One of her favorites is a canvas that hangs in a waiting area. The focal point of the acrylic and latex painting are two turquoise blue shapes that look much like the top of eggs standing on end. Randomly placed in front of the “eggs” are chocolate brown squares, and the background is an atonal swirl of off-white and beige.

“To me, the egg shapes speak to birth,” says Kennedy, who sees the ovals and squares as separate dimensions on the canvas, with the “undefined” background space tapping into the uncertain emotions of the women who come to the center. “To me, it looks like the profile of a women when she’s pregnant,” Kennedy adds. “When she comes in here, her emotions are in flux. There’s excitement and there’s fear.”

Two other large canvases, hanging in the board office, represent another style. With stark black backgrounds, these oil paintings use bright reds and yellows to evoke the idea of small eggs tumbling down across the canvas. “The board makes a lot of important decisions in here. Out of one decision a lot of things come tumbling out,” Kennedy explains.

Artwork can be both stimulating and therapeutic. The abstract paintings in the Center speak to the mothers and fathers who come there. “We are at an abstract point in our lives… We feel disjointed, so it’s relatable,” said one young woman who used their services and now works at the Center herself.The artwork has received lots of positive attention. “It’s very comforting and welcoming to them,” says the Center’s executive director.

Springfield’s Pregnancy Care Center provides prenatal and postnatal services to mothers and fathers, relationship programs, mentoring, and the Choices abstinence education program. To learn more, visit www.pccchoices.org

Early pregnancy symptoms Can anyone tell I’m pregnant?

October 13, 2008 By dena

Friends and family claim they knew I was pregnant even before I broke the news because I was always tired. Didn’t matter what the time of day was, if they asked me how I was doing I was tired. Silly me.

This weekend we had guests staying with us, and the wife was very obviously pregnant. She was slim as could be but the signs were unmistakable. I’d heard through the grape vine she was expecting, but they hadn’t told us the news, so we figured that she is still in that sensitive first trimester, before people generally “go public.”

I’m guessing she didn’t mind if we found out. Either that or she was as clueless as I was about hiding the symptoms. So what are those early pregnancy signs that you should know about if you’re trying to keep YOUR pregnancy a secret?

1. Feeling ill: She’s been “not feeling well” the past couple months. Hmmm, suspicious enough to start out with. The infamous morning sickness, perhaps?

More than half of all pregnant women experience morning sickness. Morning sickness is the nauseated feeling you get during pregnancy. Morning sickness can be, but is not always, accompanied with vomiting. The nausea is often a result of the increased hormones in your body. Many health care providers think morning sickness is a good sign because it means the placenta is developing well.

2. Fatigue: She retired early on Friday night. She showed up the next morning and then took a little cat-nap on the couch around 11 AM. Then she took an afternoon nap following lunch. At dinner time she was already wilting and I caught her laying her head down at the dinner table!

It’s particularly common during the first trimester. What most women remember about this stage is a constant feeling of fatigue. Being pregnant puts a strain on your entire body, which can make you awfully tired. Even night owls may find themselves struggling to stay awake long enough to watch their favorite eight o’clock show.

3. Frequent urination: I think she went to the restroom 74 times in 24 hours. Ok, slight exaggeration. But she was peeing A LOT!

Why do you suddenly need to go all the time? It’s mostly because the amount of blood in your body increases dramatically when you get pregnant, which leads to a lot of extra fluid getting processed through your kidneys and ending up in your bladder. Eventually, you may also feel pressure on your bladder from your growing uterus.

4. Famished! She appeared in the kitchen bright and early, it was 7 AM. I’d been up since 6 AM, as my kids haven’t realized that weekends are meant for sleeping in. “Do you have any of that carrot cake left over? I woke up in the middle of the night and I was hungry but I didn’t have anything handy to snack on.” OK, come on, did she really think I would overlook THAT one??

As your pregnancy progresses you might be finding that, no matter how much or how often you eat, you still feel ravenous at all hours of the day and night. That’s not surprising, because the baby growing inside you has calorific needs of his own. Whilst that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to eat anything and everything, it does explain why you’re waking up hungry in the middle of the night.

So there you go. If you think I’m misreading the signs, by all means let me know. But I’m sure we’ll be hearing some good news soon enough, and then I can let her know how happy we are for them… even though we already know all about it!

Stressed? Calming music soothes your pregnancy!

October 12, 2008 By dena

It’s a fact that stress is bad for people. It’s doubly harmful for pregnant women, since it affects the growth of the baby as well as the mother. So if you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or even depressed, listening to soothing music could very possibly help.

Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan did a recent study featuring music therapy and pregnany women. According to StaffNurse.com, a group of women listened to music for 30 minute a day, that included Brahms’ Lullaby and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and composers like Beethoven and Debussy. After two weeks, these women showed a significant drop on the “Perceived Stress Scale” and the “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory,” as well as a drop in depression ratings.

Researcher Professor Chung-Hey Chen said: “Pregnancy is a unique and stressful period for many expectant mothers and they suffer anxiety and depression because of the long time period involved… Our study shows that listening to suitable music provides a simple, cost-effective and non-invasive way of reducing stress, anxiety and depression during pregnancy.”

Pregnancy Brain: Is it a just a myth?

October 11, 2008 By dena

I’ve always said that being pregnant has been the ruin of what used to be an extraordinary intelligence– mine, that is. I used to be smart. Really. I was always at the top of the class. I figured things out. I was sharp. Clever. Witty. But ever since I had kids, I find it hard to think, sometimes, to find the right words. I can’t remember how old I am. I don’t remember birthdays or other significant events, and sometime I’m not even sure what day of the week it is.

The bad news is that the so-called “pregnancy brain” may not really exist. According to The Australian, “A team at the Australian National University found that the memory and brain functioning speed of mothers and pregnant women were no different from those of childless women.”

So I guess I’m just loosing it. Maybe this is what happens as we age. But twenty-six– er, twenty-seven, is young to start feeling senile, don’t you think?

At least I’m not alone. Paula Kruger from ABC feels the same way: “I myself, being four months pregnant, could not remember the name of my four-year-old son this morning. I could think of several names for the pet Labrador, especially given he’d stolen another slice of jam toast off the bench-top. But to remember my own son’s name, I had to take a moment and a deep breath. So you could imagine my confusion on hearing that scientists at the ANU have found the widely held belief that pregnancy and motherhood can turn a woman’s mind to mush is actually myth.”

According to Professor Helen Christensen from the ANU’s Centre for Mental Health Research, “it’s a miss-attribution of a normal cognitive function lapse.” That’s great. So am I really just getting old? Could be. But she also attributes this pregnant “dippiness” to things such sleep deprivation and fatigue, which makes me feela little bit better, although I’m not sure why. Aks me again after I’ve had a full night’s sleep…

Rosie Pope Maternity: Sohpistication and flair for the mature woman

October 8, 2008 By dena

If you are looking for maternity wear that is stylish and classic as opposed to trendy (and money is not an issue, I might add), you will want to check out Rosie Pope Maternity.

Double Breasted Sailor Top: My first thought was more like “marching band,” but truth is that I really like this top. I don’t know if I would actually wear it myself, but on the right woman, with the right accessories, it would be tremendously chic. I like the way the model wears it:

Romantic Polka Top: This is SO pretty! Yes, it is sheer, but if you wear a cami or fitted T-shirt underneath, it would be quite feminine and elegant.

Classic Cashmere Sweater: Just what it sounds like. You don’t get any more “classic” than this!

The Tiered Dress comes in a few colors and is nice for a more formal or professional setting.

The Self Tie Jacket can be paired with a coordinating skirt or trousers. This sophisticated suit is great for the office or any other dressy occasion.

The Pleated Mini Dress puts you in something sophisticated and sexy for a dinner party or a night on the town. Pretty pleating and off-the-shoulder style proves that pregnancy and glamor are not mutually exclusive!

Classic Poncho: The nights are getting cooler and you’ll be needing something to keep cozy! This poncho buttons up the side, and looks and feels totally delicious!

Those are just some of my favorites. For more maternity options, check out Rosie Pope Maternity for yourself! Happy shopping!

It’s a round canvas– have a ball! (watch out, it kicks!)

October 7, 2008 By dena

Are you pregnant and bored? Here’s an idea that some may find fun: Belly painting, brought to you by Pregnancy & Baby!

Get out the face paints and have yourself a ball! You can get creative by using the brush end-on to create pointillism (paint in dots). Try other techniques such as sponge painting, finger painting, or stencils. Get your kids involved and paint a welcome message with lip-prints kisses, hand prints and hearts.

If you don’t have any face paints availible, you can use the following mixture for each color:

1 teaspoon corn starch

1/2 teaspoon water

1/2 teaspoon cold cream

Food coloring

Feeling really wild? Try it at your baby shower or with a group of other pregnant friends!

Oh my!!!!

Teleseminar on Oct. 6: The Myth of Perfect Mothering

October 3, 2008 By dena

If there’s one seminar I’d love to hear, it’s this one: “The Myth of Perfect Mothering.” I found it while browsing the Sears website. It’s a Teleseminar hosted by API and Martha Sears, taking place on October 6, 2008, 9pm Eastern/8pm Central/7pm Mountain/6pm Pacific.

Topics to be discussed are:
* the pretense of perfect mothering: why do we fake it?
* parent meltdowns: why we lose it and how to find it again
* why we’re not present even when we’re there
* deciphering and dismantling our disappointment and regret
* healing the heart of depression
* from emotional roller coaster to presence of mind
* from full mind to mindful: harnessing chaos and transforming it into centered connection

Registration is limited, so reserve your spot today at ask.attachmentparenting.org

Smart Fats: Breast milk, Omega-3’s, and Baby IQ

October 2, 2008 By dena

When it comes to proper nutrition, there’s a lot of talk lately about omega-3 fats: “smart fats” that are found in especially high amounts in seafood, as well as some plants (like flax seed oil, canola oil, nuts, and seeds). Growing brains, especially those of infants and small children, need omega-3 fats in order to function properly.

Human breast milk is a high-level source of omega-3 fats may explain why breast-fed babies have a higher IQ than those who are not. In the words of Dr. Sears:

Oceans of recent research show that omega-3 fats make brains healthier, especially the brains of young kids and older adults. Researchers believe that the high levels of omega-3 fats in breast milk help to explain the differences in IQ between children who received human milk in infancy and those who did not. The body uses omega-3 fats to make cell membranes. Omega-3 fats are also needed to make myelin, the insulation around nerves, and to help neurotransmitters function at the optimal levels. Omega-3 fats are known as essential fatty acids from food. Other types of fats can be manufactured in the body, but the body cannot make essential fatty acids. That is why it is important for growing brains to get adequate amounts of these smart fats from food. If there are not enough “smart” fats available to make brain cells and other key substances, the body uses lesser-quality fats and produce s lesser-quality cells. The “dumb” fats (known as replacement fatty acids), the kind that come from the trans fats in hydrogenated oils, clog the receptors in the cell membrane, and the brain cell does not function well.

Neurotransmitters, the biochemical messengers that carry information from one brain cell to another, fit into receptors on cell membranes like a key fits into a lock. The keys and the locks must match. If the cell membrane is composed of the right fats, the locks and keys match. But if the receptors are clogged with the wrong fats, the neurotransmitter keys won’t fit, and the brain-cell function suffers. Omega-3 fats keep the receptors open so the neurotransmitters fit and the brain can function optimally.

For more info on omega-3’s and children’s health, visit these links:

A.D.D. or N.D.D. (Nutritional Deficit Disorder)?

Smart Foods for the Teenage Brain

Food for Thought: Best Brain Food

Dr. Sear’s L.E.A.N. Program: Making kid nutrition fun, tasty, and easy! nutrition fun, tasty, and easy

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Men’s Fertility Perks up in the Sunshine

If you are trying to conceive, you might be spending extra time in bed. But the Daily Mail suggests that you might need to get out a bit more.

Just spending ten minutes outside in their shirt sleeves would be enough of a boost:

She suggested that office workers could absorb enough vitamin D by simply having their morning tea break outside in the sunshine with their sleeves rolled up.

Other basic lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, losing weight, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, would also help.

If your pregnancy was a painting, what would it look like?

In case you missed it: Exercise is GOOD for Pregnancy

You’re pregnant and you may feel like staying in bed and eating Crispy Creme donuts. But pregnancy is no excuse to indulge in high-calorie junk food and couch-potato behavior.

James Pivarnik of Michigan State University in East Lansing led a team that has written new physical activity guidelines for pregnant women as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines.

He has studied the topic for more than 20 years, so I guess he’s the expert on pregnancy and exercise. His advice: at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.

“There has been quite a dramatic change in regards to pregnancy and exercise,” Pivarnik said in a statement. “While it used to be thought that avoiding exercise meant avoiding harm to the fetus, research now shows physical activity can not only improve health of the mother but also provide

potential long-term benefits for the child.”

Bottom line: Stay active. It’s good for you and it’s good for your baby. And when you finally give birth, you won’t be one of those women moaning about how to loose all the extra baby weight.

source: UPI.com

Early pregnancy symptoms Can anyone tell I’m pregnant?

Friends and family claim they knew I was pregnant even before I broke the news because I was always tired. Didn’t matter what the time of day was, if they asked me how I was doing I was tired. Silly me.

I’m guessing she didn’t mind if we found out. Either that or she was as clueless as I was about hiding the symptoms. So what are those early pregnancy signs that you should know about if you’re trying to keep YOUR pregnancy a secret?

1. Feeling ill: She’s been “not feeling well” the past couple months. Hmmm, suspicious enough to start out with. The infamous morning sickness, perhaps?

2. Fatigue: She retired early on Friday night. She showed up the next morning and then took a little cat-nap on the couch around 11 AM. Then she took an afternoon nap following lunch. At dinner time she was already wilting and I caught her laying her head down at the dinner table!

3. Frequent urination: I think she went to the restroom 74 times in 24 hours. Ok, slight exaggeration. But she was peeing A LOT!

So there you go. If you think I’m misreading the signs, by all means let me know. But I’m sure we’ll be hearing some good news soon enough, and then I can let her know how happy we are for them… even though we already know all about it!

Stressed? Calming music soothes your pregnancy!

It’s a fact that stress is bad for people. It’s doubly harmful for pregnant women, since it affects the growth of the baby as well as the mother. So if you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or even depressed, listening to soothing music could very possibly help.

Pregnancy Brain: Is it a just a myth?

The bad news is that the so-called “pregnancy brain” may not really exist. According to The Australian, “A team at the Australian National University found that the memory and brain functioning speed of mothers and pregnant women were no different from those of childless women.”

So I guess I’m just loosing it. Maybe this is what happens as we age. But twenty-six– er, twenty-seven, is young to start feeling senile, don’t you think?

Rosie Pope Maternity: Sohpistication and flair for the mature woman

It’s a round canvas– have a ball! (watch out, it kicks!)

Teleseminar on Oct. 6: The Myth of Perfect Mothering

Smart Fats: Breast milk, Omega-3’s, and Baby IQ

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If you are trying to conceive, you might be spending extra time in bed. But the Daily Mail suggests that you might need to get out a bit more.

Just spending ten minutes outside in their shirt sleeves would be enough of a boost:

She suggested that office workers could absorb enough vitamin D by simply having their morning tea break outside in the sunshine with their sleeves rolled up.

Other basic lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, losing weight, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, would also help.

You’re pregnant and you may feel like staying in bed and eating Crispy Creme donuts. But pregnancy is no excuse to indulge in high-calorie junk food and couch-potato behavior.

James Pivarnik of Michigan State University in East Lansing led a team that has written new physical activity guidelines for pregnant women as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines.

He has studied the topic for more than 20 years, so I guess he’s the expert on pregnancy and exercise. His advice: at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.

“There has been quite a dramatic change in regards to pregnancy and exercise,” Pivarnik said in a statement. “While it used to be thought that avoiding exercise meant avoiding harm to the fetus, research now shows physical activity can not only improve health of the mother but also provide

potential long-term benefits for the child.”

Bottom line: Stay active. It’s good for you and it’s good for your baby. And when you finally give birth, you won’t be one of those women moaning about how to loose all the extra baby weight.

source: UPI.com

Friends and family claim they knew I was pregnant even before I broke the news because I was always tired. Didn’t matter what the time of day was, if they asked me how I was doing I was tired. Silly me.

I’m guessing she didn’t mind if we found out. Either that or she was as clueless as I was about hiding the symptoms. So what are those early pregnancy signs that you should know about if you’re trying to keep YOUR pregnancy a secret?

1. Feeling ill: She’s been “not feeling well” the past couple months. Hmmm, suspicious enough to start out with. The infamous morning sickness, perhaps?

2. Fatigue: She retired early on Friday night. She showed up the next morning and then took a little cat-nap on the couch around 11 AM. Then she took an afternoon nap following lunch. At dinner time she was already wilting and I caught her laying her head down at the dinner table!

3. Frequent urination: I think she went to the restroom 74 times in 24 hours. Ok, slight exaggeration. But she was peeing A LOT!

So there you go. If you think I’m misreading the signs, by all means let me know. But I’m sure we’ll be hearing some good news soon enough, and then I can let her know how happy we are for them… even though we already know all about it!

It’s a fact that stress is bad for people. It’s doubly harmful for pregnant women, since it affects the growth of the baby as well as the mother. So if you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or even depressed, listening to soothing music could very possibly help.

The bad news is that the so-called “pregnancy brain” may not really exist. According to The Australian, “A team at the Australian National University found that the memory and brain functioning speed of mothers and pregnant women were no different from those of childless women.”

So I guess I’m just loosing it. Maybe this is what happens as we age. But twenty-six– er, twenty-seven, is young to start feeling senile, don’t you think?

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F2

F3

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