Early pregnancy symptoms
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.
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?
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…
It’s a round canvas– have a ball! (watch out, it kicks!)
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!!!!
Pregnancy & Baby: Saving Pennies
We’re all looking to save a little money these days. Your little bundle of joy is sure to cost you a little bundle of cash, but there are ways to save some pennies without depriving yourself or your baby.
I borrowed the following links from Pregnancy & Baby Blog, and hope you’ll find them helpful!
Quickening: Counting kicks and other fetal movements
The first fetal movements are called quickening and are often described as flutters. Some moms can feel their babies move as early as 13-16 weeks from the start of their last period, although it may be difficult to determine whether this feeling is gas or your baby’s movements. After some time, if you pay attention, you may begin to notice a pattern. Some moms, especially those in their first pregnancy, may not feel movement until 18-20 weeks. Remember that each woman and each pregnancy is different, with the first detection of movement ranging from 13-25 weeks.
Why does my baby move?
Would you like to stay curled up in one position for nine months? Your baby likes to stretch her limbs and c change positions too! As you get further along in your pregnancy, you will begin to feel more obvious movements, such as kicking, punching, and rolling. Your baby may also move as she responds to noise or to your emotions. She may squirm if your position is uncomfortable for her. Certain foods you eat might also cause your baby feel active, and some women even notice a sleeping/waking cycle. And of course some babies like to get moving just as mom is trying to fall asleep (it’s good practice for after birth!)
How often should my baby move?
Some care providers suggest keeping track of how often your baby moves each day. This is easy to do because most of us just sit around all day with a pen and paper waiting for a flutter or a kick, so we can record it on our little chart. Seriously!! What are they thinking? Choosing a specific time of the day to count movements is slightly more practical:
Beginning with week 28, it is beneficial to begin counting your baby’s movements. This will help you to identify potential problems and can also be a great bonding experience between you and your baby. Using a kick count chart can be very helpful. When counting your baby’s movements choose the same time each day. It might be easiest to lie on your left side and record how long it takes to feel 10 movements. For further information about recording movements see kick counts.
Sometime in the third trimester you may notice that your baby’s movements are more frequent and vigorous and occur in a regular pattern. Then movements may start to decrease after week 32 as your baby grows bigger and is more restricted in the uterus.
What should I do if I don’t feel my baby moving?
If you have been keeping a chart of your baby’s movements and you notice a significant deviation in the pattern, contact your health care provider. If you do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours, try again later that day. If you still do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Source: American Pregnancy Org.
Your flu shot can protect your baby from a deadly virus
If you’re pregnant, getting the flu shot might be a good move on two counts: Aside from the obvious benefit (protecting yourself from the flu!) you might also be protecting your baby!
A clinical trial has revealed that a pregnant woman who receives a flu shot can potentially protect her baby from the flu virus up to 6 months after the birth. This is importnat becuase flu shots are not recommended for babies under six months old, and antiviral drug treatments for the flu are not approved for children under a year old. The study determined that with the flu shot, an infant’s risk of contracting the virus was reduced by at least 63 percent. The risk of respitory infections was also reduced by 29 percent.
“Infants under six months have the highest rates of hospitalization from influenza among children in the U.S.” according to Dr. Steinhoff. The good news, based on the new study, is that when mothers are vaccinated the odds of infants contracting the flu could be cut in more than half. Dr. Steinhoff stated, “Our study shows that a newborn’s risk of infection can be greatly reduced by vaccinating Mom during pregnancy. It’s a two-for-one benefit.”
It is now being recommended that expectant mothers get their flu shot a few weeks before flu season starts.
Visit www.healthnews.com for more information!
All about Water Births
Water birth is a method of giving birth immersed in a tub of warm water. Proponents believe this method to be safe and provides many benefits for both mother and infant, including pain relief and a less traumatic birth experience for the baby. Women who have chosen water birth describe it as being peaceful, joyous, comforting, and more relaxing than a “land birth.” Critics argue that the procedure introduces unnecessary risks to the infant such as infection and water inhalation.
Benefits for Mother:
- Water is soothing, comforting, relaxing. Water birth is a form of hydrotherapy which, in studies, has been shown to be an effective form of pain management for a variety of conditions especially lower back pain (a common complaint of women in labor).
- In the later stages of labor, the water seems to increase the woman’s energy.
- The buoyancy lessens her body weight, allows free movement and new positioning.
- Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.
- Immersion in water often helps lower high blood pressure caused by anxiety.
- Water seems to alleviate stress-related hormones, allowing the mother’s body to produce endorphins, which are pain-inhibitors.
- Water causes the perineum to become more elastic and relaxed, which reduces the incidence and severity of tearing and the need for an episiotomy and stitches.
- As the laboring women relaxes physically she is able to relax mentally, concentrating her efforts inward on the birth process.
- The water provides a sense of privacy, which releases inhibitions, anxiety, and fears.
Benefits for Baby:
- Provides a similar (warm, watery) environment as the amniotic sac.
- Eases the stress of the birth, providing reassurance and security.
Risks involved in Water Births:
Although there are no proven disadvantages to birthing in water, it is still a controversial means of delivery. Critics cite possible risks, including:
- Water aspiration. If the baby is experiencing stress in the birth canal or the umbilical cord becomes kinked or twisted, the baby may gasp for air, possibly inhaling water into the lungs. This would be rare because babies do not inhale air until they are exposed to air. They receive oxygen through the umbilical cord until they start to breathe on their own or until the cord is cut.
- The umbilical cord could snap as the baby is brought to the surface of the water. This is preventable by using caution when lifting the baby up to the mother’s chest.
- Another concern is that the water could increase the risk of infection. However, studies to date do not show increased risk of transferring bacteria from infant to mother or mother to infant.
- Slowed labor, due to the documented relaxing effects of water, may be seen as a benefit rather than a rsik. Laboring in water is sometimes associated with a decrease in the intensity of contractions, and is thus thought to slow labor.
- Maternal blood loss. For care providers who are inexperienced in delivery in water, it may be difficult to assess the amount of maternal blood loss. Although there are well-developed methods of determining maternal blood loss in water, many providers prefer to deliver the placenta out of water for this reason.
Water births may be discouraged in the following situations, and should be discussed with your health care provider:
- If you have Herpes: Herpes transfers easily in water, so you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
- If your baby is breech: Though water birth has been done with bottom or feet first presentations you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
- If you have been diagnosed with excessive bleeding or maternal infection.
- If you are having multiples: Though water births have been successful with twins around the world, you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
- If preterm labor is expected: If a baby is two weeks or more prior to due date, water birth is not recommended.
- If there is severe meconium: Mild to moderate meconium is fairly normal. Since meconium floats to the surface in a tub, your health care provider will watch for it and remove it immediately, or help you out of the tub.
- If you have toxemia or preeclampsia: You will want to thoroughly discuss this with your health care provider.
For more information, check out:
Wikipedia (includes history and studies associated with water births)
YourWaterBirth.com (Offers supplies for an at-home water birth, such as pools, hoses, thermometers, protective floor covers, birth kits, and more)
Pregnant women should avoid Perfume, risk to baby boy’s fertility
It smells so good, but it could be bad news for the baby in your belly! New research shows that using perfumes or scented body creams can cause unborn boys to suffer infertility or testicular cancer in later life. The reproductive system of male fetuses can be damaged as early as at eight weeks’ gestation by chemicals such as those found in many cosmetics.
Professor Richard Sharpe, principal investigator at the Medical Research Council’s Human Sciences Unit, says that women who want to protect their babies should stop using body creams and perfumes. “Although we do not have conclusive evidence that they do harm, there are components about which there are question marks… It might have no consequence, but it’s something positive women can do for their baby.”
It would seem that if you are attempting to conceive, or there is a possiblity that you could become pregnant, you should avoid using perfumes and similar cosmetics, as well!
Maternity Insurance: Protecting your baby and yourself!
Being pregnant (not to mention actually having a baby) can be expensive! In addition to the physical, emotional and lifestyle changes new parents have to deal with, the financial burden can put a strain on even the most excited parents-to-be. Maternity clothes, check ups, vitamins, and labor coaches are only few of the expenses. To help expectant mothers get through this very important stage in her life, insurance companies provide assistance through maternity insurance plans.
Getting a maternity health insurance, or pregnancy health insurance, is one of the best ways one can take care of her unborn baby. With the help of a dependable maternity insurance company, the couple can eliminate worries about how to pay for pregnancy and childbirth expenses, and focus on getting the proper care. Without these worries, mother can focus on being as physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy as possible.
Make sure to see about getting maternity benefits before you actually become pregnant. If you already have a maternity insurance plan, study it to see what kind of health insurance maternity coverage you have. Getting maternity health insurance will be difficult if you’re already pregnant.
Prior to choosing your hospital and OBGYN, go over the names of providers in your plan’s network. Make certain that you have the latest directory listings provided by your insurance company as well as any updates. It’s important that your directory of providers is up to date because doctors and hospitals are constantly being picked up and dropped from network lists. You should also find out when your medical provider’s contract expires with your insurance company. If your provider’s contract expires before your expected date of delivery, you should look for another provider in your directory’s network.
Pregnancy and childbirth can involve some risks. That is why getting a maternity insurance is a wise decision to make. To prevent future problems, make certain to rely on a reputable insurance provider. This will help you enjoy peace of mind during what should be an exciting and joyful period of life!
Source:Maternity Insurance Guide
Photo: Childbirth connection. org