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The Ultrasound Experience

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The days of the ultrasound are some of the most exciting and memorable days of the pregnancy for many expectant mothers.

While checking the baby’s health is obviously the most important objective of that ultrasound, parents anticipate the ultrasound for other reasons as well.

The first ultrasound confirms the pregnancy and establishes a due date. That ultrasound also allows mom to see this baby she has been carrying around for the past seven or eight weeks or so…a rewarding and emotional experience even if the parents can’t make out exactly what they are seeing on that blurry, black and white screen. Typically, the next regularly scheduled ultrasound is the big day when parents find out if they are having a girl or boy.

Below are some important and interesting tidbits from Women’s Health Associates, an ob gyn in Missouri, that shed light on the ultrasound process and might help make the day more special for the parents.

How often is the ultrasound accurate in predicting gender? More than 99% of the time.

How early in the pregnancy can an ultrasound detect baby’s gender? This actually depends on the weight of the mother. For lighter mothers, the ultrasound can detect the gender as early as 17 weeks, while for heavier mothers, the ultrasound can detect the gender by the 22nd week.

Can the technician or doctor always tell you the gender in that second ultrasound? Not necessarily. If the baby’s legs are crossed or they are turned the wrong direction and refuse to move, then the ultrasound cannot pick up the gender.

Are there any tips to increase the likelihood the baby will get into position to detect the gender? If the baby is active, chances are they will move around during that ultrasound and at some point he or she will be in a position where the ultrasound can detect the gender. If the baby is sleeping inside the womb, they are less likely to move around.

Scheduling the ultrasound after breakfast or lunch, or eating a snack before the ultrasound will increase the likelihood the baby is active. Also, drinking water gives mother more fluid, which makes the ultrasound that much more clear and easier to detect.

How many parents choose to know the gender? The overwhelming majority of parents, roughly 90%, want to know. But in recent years, there has been an increasing number of parents who want the gender to be a surprise. This may be because so many other things are less of a surprise.

During the second ultrasound, what are some of the health issues the doctor is taking a look at? During this exam the doctor will look for heart defects. The doctor will also check whether the spine is straight, whether the baby has a cleft palate or club feet. Doctors will also see whether the baby might have hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid inside the brain) and will also check to make sure there are two kidneys, and that they are the right size and in the right location.

What is a 3D ultrasound and how is it different from a 2D ultrasound? The 3D ultrasound sends sound waves toward the fetus at different angles, which are then reconstructed by the computer to form a 3D image of the fetus. The 2D ultrasound sends those sound waves at a single angle producing a 2D image. While Women’s Health Associates and most other ob gyn clinics can provide 3D ultrasounds, a 2D is still the most common ultrasound used and 3D ultrasounds are typically used only if a defect is detected in a baby.

While the 3D ultrasound is better at honing in on an area of the fetus and providing detail such as the size or depth of a particular abnormality, a 2D ultrasound is just as good at initially spotting those anomalies. While there is no conclusive evidence that ultrasounds are harmful for babies, doctors go with the 2D ultrasound for the normal checkup since that ultrasound does not take as long and thus exposes the baby to less ultrasound waves.

Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

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Pregnancy Marks Removal

By Lynn Shannon M Bailey

Although there’s nothing wrong with stretch marks – you can think of them proudly as a living medal of your pregnancy – you can still do a lot to prevent them or reduce their severity. The chances of developing stretch marks during pregnancy are high, around 90%. Preventing them really is the best approach because even though they fade over time they are permanent. If you give your skin the best possible care from day one, you will greatly minimise the chance of developing stretch marks.

Natural Healing for stretch marks

There are a few ways that you can naturally reduce the appearance of stretch marks and of course, to avoid them in the first place. These include anti-striae (anti-tearing) strategies, maximising skin elasticity, nutrition for the skin tissues and light massage. Continue reading →

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome – What Is It?

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What Is Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

By Eirian Hallinan

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term which describes the various birth defects which can occur in people whose mothers drink alcohol during their pregnancy.

The four areas of criteria for full diagnosis are growth deficiency, central nervous system damage, prenatal alcohol exposure and facial features. There are lots of children who are affected by FASD but do not meet the full diagnostic criteria and experience major difficulties.

Any alcohol, no matter how little that is drunk by an expectant mother, will cross into the placenta and can possibly result in the baby having defects at birth. These can include behavioural and learning disabilities plus physical and mental defects. The child will have these problems for life. Continue reading →

Importance and Benefits of Yoga for Pregnant Women

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It is true that every woman love to have a pain-free delivery. Most women go through hard times during their pregnancy period especially with the fear of pregnancy. The fear of pregnancy can cause various problems and health conditions in women during pregnancy that might affect the child as well. However, women can now experience pain-free delivery by practicing certain yoga techniques. Yoga has been practiced by for centuries since it provides various health benefits. Pregnant women can perform few yoga poses prior, during and post delivery to experience positive effects. However, there are numerous advantages obtained by practicing yoga. Let us see some of the benefits pregnant women can experience from yoga during pregnancy.

Preparing for Pregnancy:

It is very important to prepare for pregnancy. Yoga is the best method to develop a positive mindset. Meditation is a part of yoga that is effective in developing an encouraging mindset. The positive mindset will help to overcome all the fears of pregnancy and have a relaxed state of mind. The importance of developing a mindset with yoga practices is to prepare and balance the mind and body for a peaceful childbirth. The breathing exercises stimulate and increase the flow of oxygen and blood to the baby. Another reason to prepare psychologically during pregnancy and delivery is to overcome all fear and have a delivery plan with all alternative options.

Natural Child Birth:

It is proved scientifically that the yoga practices prior and during pregnancy increases the possibilities of having a natural childbirth. Since every women desire to have a natural childbirth, yoga is highly preferred by women nowadays. Yoga practices develop and improves pelvis and reproductive system to ensure it supports natural childbirth. These practices also help to create endurance and strength making the muscles reflexive and to tone the body muscles for natural childbirth. It is difficult to have natural childbirth especially if the body muscles are not flexible. Therefore, yoga increases the flexibility, endurance and strength of the body preparing it for natural childbirth.

Pain Management during Childbirth:

Yoga techniques are best for pain management especially during delivery. Breathing exercises are the most important practice since it strengthens and improves endurance to handle the labour pain. The most effective yoga pose to reduce and handle lower back pain is “cat pose” as it stimulates blood and oxygen circulation. Practicing yoga techniques improves the ability to handle pain during pregnancy and delivery period.

Practicing yoga during pregnancy

At-Home Entertainment Ideas for Third-Trimester Moms

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Are you the proud owner of a huge third-trimester belly, complete with a baby that kicks so strongly that you can see her feet from the outside? Congratulations! You are now a veteran of such pregnancy signs and symptoms as morning sickness, insomnia, heartburn, and hip pain. As some of your ailments cleared up, you’ll have noticed an increase in some others. In the weeks before your baby’s birth, you might experience more and heavier Braxton Hicks contractions and feel your baby drop lower into your pelvis.

In those last few weeks, from the time you reach 38 weeks and are officially at “term”, you will no doubt be waiting for your waters to break or your contractions to begin. Many mothers feel more than “done” being pregnant around this time, and because they think labor can start at any time, lots of third-trimester moms feel more comfortable staying at home for much of the time. Is that a slight trace of boredom I detect there? I’ve been there, done that – and I’ve got some at-home entertainment ideas for you.

Do the deed

Do you remember the excitement and anticipation you felt when you were trying to get pregnant ? You were waiting for something then, too. Now that your baby is about to be born, you might feel that preconception time is way in the past. Still, there are some similarities. As your due date approaches, having sex is a proactive step that can bring you closer to having your baby – just like it was when you were still attempting to get pregnant. As well as keeping boredom at bay, being intimate with your partner might get contractions going. Semen also contains prostaglandins, chemicals which help ripen the cervix and prepare you for labor.

Throw a dinner party

There is nothing like spending some quality time with your friends – because the chances are that you will have less time for that once your baby gets there. Throwing a dinner party at your house is a great way to keep busy. If you feel up to it, you can cook for your friends. If not, let them pamper you or just order take-out.

Read books and watch movies

While I was pregnant with my daughter, I went through hundreds of trashy novels. Seriously, I bought a different novel every day. Because I didn’t feel up to much in the way of physical activity, either reading on the couch or at my favorite cafe (30 seconds away from my house) – in the sun with an iced tea, was a wonderful way to pass the time. Watching a good movie, or even a bad one, is a good one too… even for early labor!


Create visual reminders of your pregnancy

Right now, you might be hoping to meet your baby as soon as possible and say goodbye to pregnancy. When you get nostalgic, and believe me that you will, having huge belly pictures or a belly cast is always nice. Get your partner or a bunch of friends to help you make a cast, and have lots of fun! And do get some photographs of that magical baby bump.

Tips For Dealing With Pregnancy Nausea

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Being pregnant and nurturing a little one inside you is the most wonderful feeling of all. But more than seventy percent of the women experience nausea in their first trimester, in some the morning sickenss and even vomiting carries over to the next trimester and in a very few it keep on till the very last minute of pregnancy.

The real reason behind the nausea and fatigue associated with pregnancy is not yet known, although hormonal changes, drops in blood sugar levels, an empty stomach and dehydration are thought to be among the reasons. Getting rid of nausea altogether is not possible but some tips are found to work in reducing the number of times you feel sick each day.

Here are a few tips you can try to get relief from pregnancy associated nausea. But always remember, that if you get dehydrated or feel weak, then you will have to take the advice of a medical practitioner.

Here are some tips that will help give you some relief:

Keep munching
Expectant mothers are advised to have a number of smaller meals rather than having three full meals a day. This helps to keep the sugar level in the body steady and does not give a chance of trying to function on an empty stomach.

Healthy snacking
Though snacking in between meals is advised, don’t go for snacks with too much refined sugar or simple carbs, as they tend to raise the blood sugar too fast and then it comes crashing down. Try a multi grain cracker, fruit or a complex carb rich snack that helps to maintain the sugar levels by slow release of glucose.

Breakfast in bed
Most mothers to be get morning sickness just when they are about to begin their day. Having breakfast before you even get out of bed has been shown to reduce the problem in many cases. If your hubby or anyone can bring you breakfast in bed – then great, otherwise you can keep some crackers at your bedside and start your day with those.

Sip drinks often
Nausea and vomiting will leave you dehydrated and tired. So sip a little bit of water or fresh fruit juice every now and then; don’t wait for you to feel thirsty, keep yourself hydrated all the time.

Stay away from strong smells
Certain smells are found to trigger the feeling that you are about to throw up in most pregnant women.  It’s the smell of meat in some women, and others can’t stand the smell of any food cooking. Sometimes even the smell of detergent and perfume that you used to love can induce the feel of sickness at this time. So the best thing to do is to stay away from any such smell that can make you feel ill, if possible. Having cold food can also work as they don’t give of as much whiff as heated food.

Ginger and lemon
Sniffing ginger and lemon is also found to help many women. Including ginger in your food or taking a ginger drink (such as ginger beer) or lemonade once or twice a day can also help. So carry a lemon or a piece of ginger with you if you can.

Fresh air
Fresh air and a stroll in the garden can also help to overcome the feeling of nausea, open all the windows to your room and take a walk once in a while and keep yourself feeling fresh and happy.

All these tips have been found to work for most women so just try them out and have a happy pregnancy. But if the nausea gets frequent, DO visit a doctor as dehydration can affect your little one.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neema_Malik