pregnancy

Pregnancy Massage: The Many Benefits Of Pregnancy Massage

March 4, 2022 Comments Off

If you’re pregnant or are looking to become pregnant, you might want to consider looking into getting a pregnancy massage. The benefits can be numerous if you find the right massage therapist, and it can be good to have some time to yourself. As everyone who has ever been pregnant can tell you, having a baby can be a very stressful situation. Pregnancy can be difficult, especially as you start to deal with the stresses that go along with it. From nursery painting to the changes your body is going through, sometimes feelings of anxiety and panic can overcome you like a tidal wave. Whenever you’re feeling like you can’t take another minute of stress, it can be good to get away from it for awhile.

Pregnancy massage can be a great escape, even if it’s only for an hour. If all of your money is going towards the new baby, instead of getting a full hour long massage you can go for 30 minutes. Also, you can ask for massage gift certificates as presents during the baby shower. After all, your friends and family are celebrating you just as much as they are the baby you’re about to give birth to. Additionally, depending on who you talk to, some people claim that massages are great for releasing the toxins that can build up in your body. I’m not sure about the science behind that, but you can probably look it up for yourself online or as your massage therapist.

When you’re pregnant, you’re supposed to be happy and glowing. But let’s be honest: it’s hard to be that way when you can’t see your feet and you have to wear flip flops every day because your shoes don’t fit any more. Pregnancy massage can help you work your frustrations out, and treating yourself to one is a good idea.…

Dieting After Pregnancy

December 23, 2021 Comments Off

If you have newly been delivered of a baby, or your time is just around the corner, you might find that your thoughts are going to regaining your pre-pregnancy figure. This is all well and good, but new mothers need to be careful how they go about dieting after pregnancy.

There is more and more pressure on women these days to regain their pre-pregnancy figures and this is only fuelled more and more by stories of new celebrity mothers who manage to regain their figures within a matter of months after delivering their baby.

If you have the time, the money and the desire to do this, it is entirely feasible that you can and will lose the weight you gained in a healthy manner. However, if you do not fall into the tax bracket of any of the new celebrity mothers, you are probably going to go it alone and try to lose the weight.

This just won?t work. Just about all of these new mothers have a diet and fitness trainer to help them with their exercise routine and dieting after pregnancy. Unless you have access to that kind of professional help, you are better off using the ?nine months on, nine months off? rule.

This simply means that it took you nine months to put on the weight, you should wait and gradually lose the weight over a similar nine month period of time. When you go to think about it, this is actually very reasonable considering all the demands that you will have on your time with not only a newborn infant on your hands, but also your normal routine.

This is why you need to be careful when thinking about dieting after pregnancy. For one thing you need to be as sensible about this as you were about your diet during your pregnancy, and for another thing, if you are breastfeeding your newborn, you will need strength and the proper nutrition to get you through the day.

To that end, if you talk with your doctor about a suitable diet for you, you can then begin to lose weight in a healthy and sensible manner.

Remember that dieting after pregnancy is not something to be taken lightly. You need to give it as much care and thought as you did when you were pregnant, because you now also have your baby to look after. The very last thing that you want is to fall ill through lack of a proper diet and nutrition.…

Louisiana School Reconsiders Policy That Can Force Students to Take Pregnancy Test

December 10, 2021 Comments Off

Earlier this month, a publically-funded Louisiana high school admitted it may be forced to withdraw a policy allowing the school to impose pregnancy tests on female students. The policy would restrict any pregnant teen from attending classes at Delhi Charter School and force her into homeschooling.

The school’s pregnancy policy was never much of a secret. The school website plainly stated that DCS reserved the right to force any female student to succumb to a pregnancy test in the case of a suspected pregnancy. If a student tested positive for pregnancy, the site added, she would no longer be allowed to attend classes on the high school campus. Furthermore, any student unwilling to take a pregnancy test would be treated as if she were indeed pregnant and be made to take up home study options. Any female student who did not wish to be homeschooled would then be told to seek an education elsewhere.

One school board member, Albert Christman, told BBC News that only a “handful” of students had been affected by the policy, which went into effect in 2006.

According to DCS principal Chris Broussard, there have never been any complaints from teachers or students regarding the school’s pregnancy policy. After the school received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, Broussard released a statement saying that the policy had been referred to a Monroe, Louisiana law firm for revisions, in order to ensure that the school once again be in compliance with constitutional law.

In her letter to DCS, ACLU Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman pointed out to the school that its policy was remnant of “the archaic and pernicious stereotype” wherein if a girl has been involved in sexual activity, she is not only a poor example for her peers, but has overstepped the bounds of what is considered acceptable behavior for young girls.

According to the ACLU, the school’s pregnancy policy stood in direct violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This federal law states that educational programs cannot discriminate against students on the basis of gender. The ACLU holds that DCS’s policy against allowing pregnant students access to an education on campus is discriminatory because it treats girls who are pregnant or suspected of being so different from other pupils.

CNN reports that Delhi’s willingness to reconsider the policy was welcome news to the ACLU Center for Liberty director Louise Mellon.

Mellon explained to the news source that today’s pregnant teens have the right to be in class, exactly as any pregnant woman maintains the right not to be fired from her job due to pregnancy. She described the school’s pregnancy policy as “reminiscent of the fifties,” and added that any new policy should not require female students to take a pregnancy test or to be forced into homeschooling.

Classes at DCS began again on August 15. The school amended its policy as of August 10 to read: “Pregnant students will be permitted to continue in any education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, at DCS. The school shall not be held responsible for any medical problems related to the student’s pregnancy while attending DCS.”…

The Degree Of The Variation Is Very High-sign Of Pregnancy

November 28, 2021 Comments Off

Only sign of pregnancy that is most common is the missed or delayed menstrual period. Otherwise, early pregnancy symptom varies with the different pregnant woman and also with the different pregnancies. Importance of the sign of pregnancy cannot be ignored because in the lack of the proper knowledge of the sign of pregnancy one can easily confuse with anything other than pregnancy. The degree of the variation in the sign of pregnancy is very high. In one case the sign of pregnancy may appear within one week of the conception while in other case it may take few weeks before the early pregnancy symptom starts appearing. In some cases it is also possible that a particular sign of pregnancy may not appear in the pregnant woman at all.

Implantation Bleeding

One of the earliest sign of pregnancy is implantation bleeding. It can take place as early as within 6 to 12 days of the conception. The reason behind the implantation bleeding is implanting of the embryo on the uterine walls. The time of this kind of bleeding is almost same when you would have your menstrual period had you not missed it because of the pregnancy. As and when you observe the first sign of pregnancy you should take the help of weekly pregnancy calendar so that you get to know about the changes take place in the body of the fetus and mother from time to time.

Irritation In The Behavior Along With The Indigestion And Heartburn

If a woman starts irritating easily then it can also be a sign of pregnancy. A pregnant woman has to face many types of sickness and tiredness because of the changes in the hormones. So, the other people living with the pregnant woman should understand it and must cooperate with the pregnant woman. In addition to irritation a pregnant woman may also experience the problem of indigestion and heartburn.

Change Of Complexion And Loss Of Weight

Breaking skin and change in the complexion is also a sign of pregnancy. This again is a result of the raging hormones in the body. However, this problem does not last much and usually ends by the second trimester of the pregnancy period. In some cases the pregnant women pass white and thick cervical mucous that is more in the quantity than the normal. One surprising sign of pregnancy is the loss of weight. If it is the first trimester of the pregnancy period then it is not unlikely that you may shed a little bit of weight. However, this weight loss is understandable because of more healthy food intake due to loss of appetite along with no or less alcohol consumption.…

Post Pregnancy Fitness – Get Your Body Back

November 7, 2021 Comments Off

The first question you will ask yourself as a new mom is, “Will I be a good mother?”

The second biggest question you will ask yourself as a new mom is, ?Will I be able to get back into shape after I give birth?? The truth is, yes, you can get back into pre-pregnancy shape and, if you desire, you can get yourself into even better shape than you were in before your pregnancy.

One of the biggest myths you must get past is the classic, ?The doctor said I have to wait six weeks before I do any kind of exercise.? Under certain circumstances this is a valid rule. For instance, your pregnancy may have occurred later in life or you experienced complications during your pregnancy and/or the actual birth of your baby.

If you fall into this category you should communicate with you doctor regarding your desire to exercise and abide by her recommendations.

But, if you had an uncomplicated, normal pregnancy there should be no reason why you can?t start working out twenty four hours after you give birth. So as not to mislead you, let?s define working out as it applies to you at this stage of the game.

You are clearly not ready to jump into a full scale fitness program one day after giving birth. But you can and should begin doing gentle isometrics (contract a muscle, hold it for a few seconds & then release it) and Kegels. Of course, you should consult with your doctor before starting just so she is aware of what you are doing. She may also have some valuable input.

Before you leave the hospital ask the doctor about the condition of your rectus abdominus. These are the two muscles that run parallel to each other from the pubic area up to the diaphragm. During some pregnancies the connective tissue between these two muscles tears and separates. If this is your case ask your doctor how you can help them reconnect and heal faster. This will be necessary in order for you to add the next few exercises to your routine.

If your ab muscles did not separate, which should be confirmed by your OBGYN, then you can add the pelvic tilt to your new exercise routine. This is one of the most basic exercises for the ?core?. It should also be safe to add a modified abdominal exercise. Starting with a pelvic tilt and then lifting the head and top of the shoulder blades by curling forward slightly as you breathe out. Then return to neutral as you breathe in – repeat with same form.

It is generally safe to add several lower body exercises at this point. I always advise clients to run these by their OBGYN before trying them out.

Lying on your back, on a soft, comfortable surface, keep one leg bent with your foot on the floor while the other leg is flat on the ground. Bring the knee of the leg that is flat toward you by bending it and then lift that same foot off the ground and toward the sky. Then bring it back down by retracing the moves in reverse so you end up at the start position.

The second exercise is known as ?the square?. Starting in the same position as the first exercise, lift the straight leg off the ground by about twelve inches or so. Then slowly trace the shape a square in the air with your toes. Keep the square small at first and as you get stronger, you can increase the size of the square. Move slowly and focus on form.

You should be able to start a power-walking program several weeks, if not sooner, after you give birth. There is usually no good reason (unless you had a complicated pregnancy) to wait six weeks post delivery to start a walking program. Of course, you should discuss this with your OGYN before getting started.

At six weeks after delivery you can start to push your fitness program to a higher level by incorporating aerobic work, such as light jogging, and some resistance training with a combination of body-weight and light dumbbell exercises. Also, remember to include stretching exercises for optimal flexibility and range of motion.

The aim of this article is to help you understand that most OBGYNs are conservative when it comes to answering a new mother’s questions about workoing out. It is easy for the doctor to ?play it safe?, and advise you to wait six weeks before starting your fitness routine. However, if you show your OBGYN the exact exercise program that you wish to follow, he will most likely realize that you have done your homework and should give you the clearance to the start of your post pregnancy exercise …

Pregnancy Tips For A Healthy Weight Gain

October 23, 2021 Comments Off

Gaining weight during pregnancy is necessary for the baby inside of you to thrive. While you do need to gain weight, gaining too much weight can lead to other issues during pregnancy. Learn how to gain weight gradually and stay within recommended limits.

Ever heard of the adage, ?I?m eating for two?? This is a common misconception that has lead to many women gaining too much weight during pregnancy. It is not necessary to eat for two people to keep your baby healthy.

How much weight you should gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight. If you are within the healthy weight range for your age and height, the most you should gain is around thirty-five pounds. If you are underweight before pregnancy, you can stand to gain a bit more, but only five pounds or so above the upper limit for normal weight women. A weight gain of twenty-five pounds is suitable for obese pregnant women.

It takes the same amount of calories to gain a pound when you are pregnant as it did when you were not. If your eating habits were good before pregnancy, keep up the good work. Don?t use pregnancy as an excuse to eat unhealthy foods. The weight will add up.

Your weight gain equates to about one to two pounds a week starting in the second trimester. Weight gain in the first trimester should stay within a five pound limit. For women that experience morning sickness, this may be harder than it seems.

You want your weight to increase at a steady rate. Slow weight gain can reduce the chances of certain symptoms during pregnancy. Backache, varicose veins, stretch marks, heartburn, and shortness of breath are decreased with lower weight gains.

Gaining too much weight can increase certain risk factors for pregnant mothers. Women who are already overweight or gain too much weight are at risk for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and difficulties during labor and delivery. Any of these factors can affect the unborn fetus as well.

If it has been confirmed that you are carrying more than one baby, your weight gain will increase. Talk with your obstetrician to find out exactly how much additional weight you will need to gain. It will be more than normal by about ten pounds.

Don?t skip meals when you are pregnant. Nibbling on good foods throughout the day will keep you from feeling hungry. If you have trouble gaining weight, choose foods that are high in good fats like nuts, salmon, and avocados.

Pregnancy is a glorious time. Weight gain maintains healthy growth for your baby. Too much weight, however, can create a problem for mother and baby.…

Having Concerns During Pregnancy

September 16, 2021 Comments Off

There is nothing more stressful than to have something go wrong during pregnancy. It doesn’t matter if it is your first time being pregnant or your fourth. There are many things to be concerned about during your pregnancy and it is easier when you know what they are.

Vaginal bleeding- This may also known as spotting, but make sure that is what is going on. There is a difference between actively bleeding and spotting. Spotting is lightly bleeding kind of like your period, the blood can be red, pink or even brown. If you are bleeding actively with any pain call your doctor, if you can’t get a hold of him go immediately to the emergency room. Bleeding can be a number of things from implantation, ectopic pregnancy, labor, infection or even miscarriage. Always let your doctor know, so everything can be ruled out, you’ll feel better too.

Stomach pain or cramping- During the pregnancy it may be hard to decipher the difference between a growing pain and an actual stomach pain/cramping. However, if you do get a pain of any sort rest. After a few minutes if it doesn’t subside, call your doctor and describe the pain to him. Don’t worry about it if you find out you only had gas or were having Braxton hicks contractions, at least you know everything is okay with pregnancy.

Gush of liquid- This could mean you are in labor and that your water broke, however if it isn’t close to the time of birth it can be something else. Call your doctor immediately and head for the emergency room. Dehydration- While you are pregnant it is easy to become dehydrated, especially if you have morning sickness or just don’t drink those 8 glasses of water. If you find yourself pale, dry mouth or dizzy, you could be dehydrated and should be seen by a doctor. Dehydration can cause premature labor and/or distress on the pregnancy.

Painful urination – Could be a urinary tract infection, also known as UTI. This can be easily treated with medication or by drinking lots of fluids and cranberry juice. A urinary tract infection isn’t something to be embarrassed about, it is very common amongst pregnant women. The growing belly pushes against your ureters and makes it harder for it to flow through. Which of course can cause infection. Another way to find out if you have it is if you have a foul odor when you pee.

Pregnancies can be scary enough, there’s no reason to add to it. If you are ever in doubt or have a concern talk with your doctor. It is common that first time moms are worried about many pains that they feel. Never fear calling because you are afraid of waking the doctor up or because you feel silly. Being silly might just save the baby. While you are worrying, you are only causing stress on you and the baby, find out what’s wrong and relieve your anxiety.…

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