Kegel exercises help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and bowels. By making these muscles stronger during pregnancy, you can develop the ability to relax and control the muscles in preparation for labor and birth. These exercises are also highly recommended during the postpartum period to promote the healing of perineal tissues, increase the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and help these muscles return to a healthy state, and also increase urinary control.

How to do Kegel Exercises?

To do Kegels, pretend you are trying to stop the flow of urine.

When you do this, you are contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor and are practicing Kegel exercises. While doing Kegel exercises, try not to move your leg, buttock, or abdominal muscles. Also, don’t hold your breath during pelvic floor exercises.  In fact, no one should be able to tell that you are doing Kegel exercises. So you can do them anywhere!

Flutter exercises: Squeeze and release, then squeeze and release as quickly as you can.

Try to do at least five sets of Kegel exercises a day. Every time you contract the muscles of the pelvic floor, slowly count to five and then relax the muscles. Repeat 10 times for one set of Kegels.

How do you find the pelvic floor muscles?

If your stomach or buttocks muscles tighten, you are not exercising the right muscles. For women who have difficulty isolating the pelvic muscle group, I recommend you try this exercise in the bathroom while urinating.

To urinate, you must relax the muscles of the pelvic floor. If you were to STOP the flow of urine, those muscles need to be tightened. A feeling of “pulling up and in” will accompany this act, and you will feel the rectum and the vagina pull up and in while stopping the flow. To start the flow again, just relax the muscles. You will feel the rectum and vagina return to a resting state as you do this.

Note: Use this technique only to locate the muscle. Do not exercise the muscle this way as it may lead to a urinary tract infection.

Another way to find the right muscle, is to sit on the toilet, place one finger in the vagina and contract that muscle around you finger.

Make sure your stomach, buttocks and inner leg muscles all stay relaxed during pelvic floor exercises. Don’t strain or bear down. The only muscles contracting or moving should be your pelvic floor.

Kegel Exercises for Pregnant Women

Common mistakes when performing Kegel exercises of pelvic muscles

The most common mistake women make when doing pelvic muscle exercise is to strain down instead of drawing the muscles up and in. Try doing this on purpose once so you can feel what NOT to do: take a breath, hold it, and push down with your abdomen. You can feel a pushing out around your vagina.

To perform the exercises correctly it helps to exhale gently and keep your mouth open each time you tighten your muscles. Don’t hold your breath during pelvic floor exercises. Try breathing out as you squeeze your pelvic muscles. Rest a hand lightly on your abdomen. If you feel your stomach pushing out against your hand, you are straining down. Try these exercises when urinating to stop the flow as described above.

Kegel Exercises For Women Video

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

If you have any questions or comments – leave them for me below in the Comments section.

Thanks!

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The fact is most people break one or more of these commandments making it so much more difficult than it has to be to conceive.

Be sure to follow these 10 commandments to the letter to drastically increase your chances of getting pregnant FAST!
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Also, visit http://www.lumalovegettingpregnant.com for more information.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Why not add to the conversation by adding your questions or comments – leave them for me below in the Comments section.

Read more tips on how to get pregnant fast, how to have a girl, and what not to eat when pregnant.

So, the question is “Should You Be Worried about Toxins in Your Breast Milk?”

However, before you even consider stopping feeding your breast milk to your baby, I want to assure you, that according to experts, even though breastmilk can contain traces of toxins, these traces most likely aren’t harmful to your baby.

My intention is not to scare you, but make you aware of the problems that exist that many of us don’t have the time or willingness to acknowledge.

Because we need to raise our awareness of how our current civilization is damaging the environment in which we live in, and destroying our only home – the planet Earth – making it uninhabitable for our children and the our children’s children.

The Problem: Toxins in Breast Milk

There have been a number of studies by medical professionals, government health agencies, environmental health groups, and others that tracked pollutants in breast milk.

Researchers have found that those of us living in developed countries—men, women and children alike—carry around quite a toxic burden in our bodies from the constant exposure to various chemicals in our urban, suburban and even rural environments. If this weren’t alarming enough, the fact that these chemicals end up in breast milk and are in turn passed along to newborns is even more troubling.

According to writer Florence Williams, whose groundbreaking 2005 article in the New York Times Magazine opened many women’s eyes to the environmental health issues with breastfeeding, breast milk tends to attract heavy metals and other contaminants due to its high-fat and protein content. “When we nurse our babies, we feed them not only the fats, sugars and proteins that fire their immune systems, metabolisms and cerebral synapses,” she reports. “We also feed them, albeit in minuscule amounts, paint thinners, dry-cleaning fluids, wood preservatives, toilet deodorizers, cosmetic additives, gasoline byproducts, rocket fuel, termite poisons, fungicides and flame retardants.”

“Along with its antibodies, enzymes and general goodness, breast milk also contains dozens of compounds that have been linked to negative health effects,” reports MOMS, which lists Bisphenol A (BPA, a plastic component), PBDEs (used in flame retardants), perchlorate (used in rocket fuel), perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs, used in floor cleaners and non-stick pans), phthalates (used in plastics), polyvinyl chloride (PVC, commonly known as vinyl) and the heavy metals cadmium, lead and mercury as leading offenders.

When we nurse our babies we feed them minuscule amounts of the same chemicals and volatile organic compounds we are exposed to every day ourselves — from paint thinners and wood preservatives to gasoline byproducts and flame retardants. However, some research shows the toxic load in breast milk to be smaller than that in the air most city dwellers breathe inside their homes. Despite breast milk’s vulnerability to chemical contamination, the benefits of breast feeding – from the nutrition and important enzymes and antibodies it supplies to the mother/child bonding it provides – far outweigh the risks.

Source: Scientific American

What are toxins?

Toxins are poisonous chemicals in the environment. Most often, the toxins we encounter in every-day life are at such levels they are unlikely to affect our health in the long-term. Toxins exist in our food, in every-day products such as cosmetics and certain plastics, and surround us in the air we breathe and the water we drink.

The most common toxins we are exposed to are dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Both of these toxins are persistent organic pollutants, which means they don’t break down. They can survive in the environment for many years, and the small amounts we absorb can build up in our body fat. The tiny levels of toxins in your body fat can pass into the fat in your breastmilk.

Will the toxins in my breastmilk harm my baby?

According to experts, even though breastmilk can contain traces of toxins, these traces won’t harm your baby.

Should I continue breastfeeding?

Yes, by all means, continue to breastfeed your baby. Your breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby during her first six months and beyond. Breastmilk provides a balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates which are important in helping your baby grow and develop.  It contains antibodies, which help protect your baby against common illnesses such as tummy bugs (gastroenteritis), colds, urinary infections, ear infections,and others. It also contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for helping your baby’s brain develop.

So don’t be put off breastfeeding your baby. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks.

Should you be worried about toxins in your breastmilk?

How can I reduce the amount of toxins in my breastmilk?

If you are worried about toxins, there are steps you can take to reduce the levels in your body and your breastmilk:

• Eat a healthy diet so you’re not exposed to toxins from a single source.  Wash and peel non-organic fruit and vegetables.
• Eat organic foods if possible. If cost is an issue, focus your budget on buying organic meat and dairy.
• Limit the use of cosmetics and toxic cleaning products in your everyday life.
• Store breast milk in safe containers. Follow guidelines for safe storing and freezing breast milk.
• Even though oily fish is very good for you and will benefit your baby, too, it’s best to limit how much oily fish you eat. Fish, especially those high on the food chain, can contain high levels of toxins. Don’t eat shark, swordfish or marlin, because these contain particularly high levels of toxins. Another problem with fish is that the consumption is causing overfishing – and damage to ocean ecosystems.
• Avoid fish liver oil supplement, such as cod liver oil. Liver is the organ which helps to eliminate waste, so any pollutants are more likely to accumulate there. You can take a fish oil supplement which is made from the flesh of the fish.
• Educate yourself about the environmental issues and start taking action to ensure that today’s babies have a safe home to live – our planet Earth.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Why not add to the conversation in the comment section below! Do you have a tip that you would like to share with the readers of this Pregnancy and Baby Blog. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks!

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What you need to know is that your pumped breast milk needs to be properly stored in order to maximize its nutritional and health properties. Preferably, human milk should be refrigerated or chilled right after it is expressed if it’s not used immediately. Acceptable guidelines for storing breast milk and freezing breast milk are as follows.

The following guidelines apply to mothers who have healthy, full-term babies and are storing breast milk for home use. Always wash your hands before pumping, and only use containers that have been washed in hot water with soap and thoroughly rinsed.

What are the guidelines for storing my pumped milk?

Every time you put your milk into refrigerator or freezer, put a date on it when it was pumped. Keep in mind that refrigerated milk has more anti-infective properties than frozen milk. Cool fresh milk in the refrigerator before adding it to previously frozen milk.

Although you may choose to pump large volumes to be frozen, it’s a good idea to freeze the breast milk in small portions to reduce the waste. Label the bottles, cups, or bags 2 oz. or 4 oz. (59.1 or 118.2 milliliters), then put them in the freezer. You could also pour the milk into ice cube trays that have been thoroughly cleaned in hot water, let them freeze until hard, store them in freezer bags, then count up the amount of cubes needed to make a full bottle.

How long, exactly, can I store my breast milk?

• at room temperature (66-78°F, 19-26°C) for 4 hours (ideal), up to 6 hours (acceptable) (some sources use 8 hours) How long can breastmilk be left at room temperature? To be safe, it’s best to not to leave breastmilk at room temperature for more than four hours. Breastmilk varies from mother to mother, and room temperature is often a subjective measure that varies over time.

• in refrigerator: for up to 2 to 3 days at 32°-39° Fahrenheit (0°-3.9° Celsius)

• in a freezer (-0.4 to -4°F, -18 to -20°C) for 6 months (ideal) up to 12 months (acceptable)

• for up to 2 weeks in a freezer compartment located inside the refrigerator
• for 3 to 4 months in a freezer that’s self-contained and connected on top of or on the side of the refrigerator and is kept at 0° Fahrenheit (-18° Celsius).
• for 6 to 12 months in a deep freezer that’s always 4° Fahrenheit (-20° Celsius)

What Type of Container Can I Use for Storing Breast Milk?

You can store breast milk in a plastic or glass bottle with a sealable top, or in a sterile, sealable bag. Store your breast milk in amounts that you use every day to avoid wasting it.

The best options for storing human milk:
• glass or hard-sided plastic containers with well-fitting tops
• containers not made with the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA)
• containers which have been washed in hot, soapy, water, rinsed well, and allowed to air-dry before use
• containers should not be filled to the top – leave an inch of space to allow the milk to expand as it freezes
• freezer milk bags that are designed for storing human milk
• put only 60 to 120 ml (two to four ounces) of milk in the container (the amount your baby is likely to eat in a single feeding) to avoid waste

Disposable bottle liners or plastic bags are not recommended. With these, the risk of contamination is greater. Bags are less durable and tend to leak, and some types of plastic may destroy nutrients in milk. Mark the date on the storage container. Include your baby’s name on the label if your baby is in a day care setting.

Reheating breast milk : How to Warm the Milk

Frozen milk: thaw in the refrigerator overnight or under cool running water. Gradually increase the temperature of the water to heat the milk to feeding temperature.

Refrigerated milk: Warm the milk under warm running water for several minutes. Or immerse the container in a pan of water that has been heated on the stove. Do not heat the milk directly on the stove. Some babies accept milk right from the refrigerator.

Do not bring temperature of milk to boiling point.

Human milk may separate into a milk layer and a cream layer when it is stored. This is normal. Swirl it gently to redistribute the cream before giving it to baby.

Do not use a microwave oven to heat human milk. It may cause the loss of some of the beneficial properties of the milk. Microwaves do not heat liquids evenly and may leave hot spots in the container of milk. This could be dangerous for infants.

Sometimes thawed milk may smell or taste soapy. This is due to the breakdown of milk fats. The milk is safe and most babies wil still drink it. If there is a rancid smell from high lipase (enzyme that breaks down milk fats) activity when the milk has been chilled or frozen, the milk can be heated to scalding (bubbles around the edges, not boiling) after expression, then quickly cooled and frozen. This deactivates the lipase enzyme. Scalded milk is still a healthier choice than commercial infant formula. Source: LLLI

If you thaw frozen milk, you can refrigerate it and use it within 24 hours, but do not refreeze it. And don’t save milk from a bottle that your baby already drank out of.

What to do with strange colored breastmilk?

Breast milk can vary in color. It can be bluish, yellowish or brownish. It is also normal for breast milk to separate (the fatty part of the milk goes to the top). Shake the bottle or sealed bag, and the fat will go back into the milk.

Storing breast milk

References:
Barger, J. and Bull, P.A., Comparison of the bacterial composition of breast milk stored at room temperature and stored in the refrigerator. Intl Journal of Childbirth Ed 2: pages 29 and 30 1987.
Hamosh, M. et al., Breastfeeding and the working mother effect of time and temperature of short term storage on proteolysis, lipolysis, and bacterial growth in milk. Pediatrics 97 (4) 492 to 498, 1996
Mohrbacher, N. and Stock, J., The Breastfeeding Answer Book, La Leche League International, 1997, pp 30 to 31.
Pardou, A. et al., Human milk banking: influence of storage processes and of bacterial contamination on some milk constituents. Biol Neonate 65:302 to 309, 1994

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Why not add to the conversation in the comment section below! Do you have a tip that you would like to share with the readers of this Pregnancy and Baby Blog. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks!

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Muffin top is just body fat, and the best way to get rid of it is by doing cardio intervals, combined with some whole body exercises. Forget spot reducing exercises. The best method is to engage the big muscles of your whole body – that way the fat loss will be the fastest.

Also, running, power walking, cycling, aerobics, swimming – anything that pumps your heart rate up and revs up your metabolism – will burn fat. Women tap into fat stores for energy much more slowly than men, usually after 40 minutes of exercising, so aim for at least this, but ideally building up to an hour, three times a week.

The Muffin-top Workout

“The fastest way to get rid of it is by doing cardio intervals,” says Los Angeles trainer Valerie Waters, who works with celebs, including the notably “bloop”-less Jennifer Garner. By mixing intense bursts with slower periods, intervals torch calories faster than exercising at a steady pace. (Even better, a study found that after two weeks of interval training, women burned 36 percent more fat during moderate exercise.) Do Waters’ interval plan and sculpting moves, below, three times a week to make long T-shirts an option, not a necessity.

Muffin top exercises: Get rid of the muffin top fast

The muffin-busting plan

These intervals work with any cardio exercise you like—such as walking, biking or jogging.

Start off with a five-minute warm-up at a low-to-moderate intensity to get your blood flowing.

Pick up the pace for one minute; the effort required should be about a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10—1 being effortless and 10 being extremely tough. Speed isn’t the only way to boost intensity; try increasing the treadmill incline, running stairs or hopping onto a tough cardio machine like a stair-stepper.

Recover for one to two minutes at an easier pace—about a 5 on your toughness scale.

Repeat those hard and easy intervals for a total of 20 minutes. Once you get the interval rhythm down, throw in some spurts in which you’re working at an 8 or 9 on your intensity scale to challenge your body and burn even more fat.

Cool down for five minutes at a light pace.

Banish Your Muffin Top Workout For Busy Moms

The Muffin-top Exercises

The Back Extension

This exercise focuses on your lower back and glutes (butt), so it’s great for tightening up that fleshy area at the back of your hips.

Start by lying on your front on a comfortable surface (use an exercise mat if you have one) with your arms by your sides; palms up to the ceiling, and your feet together; toes pointed straight behind you.

Take a deep breath in, then, as you slowly release it, raise your upper chest and lower legs off the floor.

Keep your stomach and glutes tight and stretch forwards and up through the top of your head, and backwards and up through your fingertips and toes.

Hold this position as you inhale; concentrating on keeping your muscles tight, then exhale and slowly lower yourself back to the start position.

Repeat this exercise until you can feel your muscles tiring and keep a note of how many repetitions you managed (you can build on this number in the future).

Oblique Crunches

Oblique crunches work the muscles which run down the sides of your stomach (the obliques).

Concentrating on this area gives your body stability and creates definition around your waist.

Start by lying flat on your back with your arms by your sides and knees bent and together, but over to your left hand side. In this position your shoulder blades should be flat on the floor but your waist will be twisted slightly as your left leg rests flat on the floor at a right angle to your torso and your right leg rests on top of the left.

Cross your arms across your chest to avoid using them to pull yourself up.

Take a deep breath in, then slowly exhale and raise your head and shoulders off the ground slightly and back down in a steady, controlled movement.

Repeat the exercise as many times as you can on each side and make a note of the number of repetitions.

This is essentially a sit up movement, but by turning your legs to one side you allow the body to utilize the oblique muscles rather than the abdominals.

It’s a pretty tough workout, but it is more important to feel your muscles working than to do loads of reps – work at the right pace for you.

The Bridge

The bridge is pretty much the ultimate muffin top exercise – it works on your stomach, lower back and glutes all in one go!

To do this exercise start by lying on your back, arms by your sides and knees bent.

Stabilise (or anchor) your body on the floor by bringing your shoulder blades back and down and firmly placing your palms and feet flat against the ground (your feet should be about hip width apart).

Inhale deeply then release this breath as you slowly roll your spine, one vertebra at a time, away from the floor, starting at your tailbone.

When you reach the bridge position only your head, shoulder blades, arms and feet should be anchored to the ground, while your abs and glutes should be nice and tight; holding your hips suspended in the air.

Hold this position for another deep inhale, then slowly exhale and roll your spine back onto the mat, starting from the top.

This is another tough one so really try to feel your muscles tightening as you go through the exercise.

As with the others, repeat to fatigue and note down the number of reps you managed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4240883

Get Rid of Muffin Tops / Hip Fat

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Kale chips? WTH? You may be thinking it’s strange and gross.

Well, let me tell you – they are amazing?

Amazing? Kale chips?

Just try this recipe and see what you think.

Also, let your baby try it (watch the video till the end to see a baby munching on this green sensation).

Don’t worry they don’t taste weird. They don’t even really taste like kale anymore.

I hope I don’t need to convince you on the benefits of kale. It’s a green leafy vegetable, packed with vitamins and minerals your body needs. So, it’s awesome if you follow a plant based diet, or just want a healthy alternative to potato chips.

Roasted Kale Chips Recipe

Healthy snack ideas: kale chips - how strange is that?

2. Wash kale and cut into chip smaller pieces.

3. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil.

4. Add some seasoning to taste: salt, pepper, etc.

5. Bake for about 30 minutes.

6. Be amazed. Or confused. Whichever.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Have you ever made kale chips?

Are you going to give them a try? Why or why not?

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Miscarriage, also referred to as spontaneous abortion, is defined as loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation.

Approximately one in five pregnancies ends in miscarriage, but the actual number may even be higher than that. The reason is that miscarriage often happens very early in the pregnancy, even before the woman knows she is pregnant.

Most miscarriages happen very early – usually in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of miscarriage?

• One of the most common signs is vaginal bleeding. Not all spotting during pregnancy indicates miscarriage, as many women report experiencing bleeding during the early stages of pregnancy. However, if you are experiencing bleeding and pain, then there is a chance that you may be having a miscarriage.
• Abdominal pain, cramping, backache. Pain can start at the same time as the bleeding or a couple of hours or days later.
• Brown discharge, blood clots or tissue coming from the vagina.
• If you were experiencing pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, heightened sense of smell or taste, tiredness, you will notice that these pregnancy symptoms disappear. When that happens together with bleeding and pain, it will further confirm that your body stopped producing pregnancy hormones due to approaching miscarriage.
• Although discharge or bleeding alone is not a definitive sign of miscarriage, it is advisable that you contact your doctor and schedule a check-up whenever you are experiencing any of these symptoms. There may be other reasons for these symptoms, and your doctor will examine you to determine whether or not everything is OK with your baby.
• Almost 50% of women who have bleeding during early pregnancy will end up losing the pregnancy.
• Depending on where you are in your pregnancy the doctor may test your hormones, do an ultrasound to check for the heartbeat, or perform a pelvic examination to see whether your cervix is dilating.

Signs of Miscarriage

What causes miscarriage?

In most cases, the reasons for miscarriage are completely beyond your control. Miscarriage is NOT caused by physical activity, working out, drinking a glass of wine, having sex, working, or lifting heavy objects. Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, even if severe, will not cause a miscarriage. (In fact, evidence shows that women who have these symptoms are less likely to miscarry.) It is also unlikely that a fall, a blow, or a sudden fright can cause loss of pregnancy.

The majority of early miscarriages – the ones before 12 weeks – are due to some chromosome abnormalities of the fetus. There is really nothing that can be done to prevent them. These defects are not in any way inherited from the parents. They are just errors that happen when a fertilized egg starts to divide. Due to these abnormalities, the fetus would not have been able to grow and develop into a normal baby.

Factors that increase the chances of miscarriage are chronic problems and disorders that are experienced by the mother, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, immune system disorders, etc. These type of issues can lead to a miscarriage later in the pregnancy.

Women who had a miscarriage in the past are at increased risk for repeated miscarriage.

Abnormalities of the uterus or cervix, such as cervical incompetence, when the cervix dilates prematurely, before the fetus is mature enough to survive.

What are the factors that increase the risk for miscarriage?

You may be at an increased risk for miscarriage if you or your partner is over 35 years old, if you have had recurring miscarriages before; if you suffer from diabetes, autoimmune disease, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Certain viral and bacterial infections can also lead to miscarriage.

 Risk factors for miscarriage

• Woman’s age, especially if you are 35 or older
• Father’s age (35 or older)
• Recurring miscarriages (three or more).
• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
• Diabetes or an autoimmune disease
• Certain bacterial or viral infections during pregnancy.
• A blood-clotting disorder
• A T-shaped uterus or other structural problem with the uterus
• A history of pregnancy with a birth defect.
• A physical injury.
• Exposure to dangerous chemicals before or during pregnancy.

What happens after miscarriage?

The loss of pregnancy can be a devastating experience. Give yourself time to recover and heal both your body and your soul before trying to get pregnant attain.

I experienced miscarriage two times, and both of them were heartbreaking. Both times my doctor had given me the option of letting the baby pass naturally or having a D&C.  He said if I did choose to try naturally, she would give me two to three weeks to let things progress. He gave me this time frame for fear of infection. If things don’t progress naturally, they HAVE to do a D&C. If an infection occurs, it may scar your uterus and prohibit you from having children in the future.

I chose to let things progress naturally – which took a couple of days and wasn’t very painful at all – I was only about 8-10 weeks both times. I know that women who are further along in their pregnancies can experience lots of pain, almost like real labor.

I experienced strong cramping before it happened but other than that, it was just like a menstrual period.

In most cases your doctor will likely recommend the D&C procedure to make sure all dead tissue is cleared from your uterus.

Tissue that is not removed or expelled naturally can lead to infections, so I’m not necessarily recommending the “natural” route, it’s just something that I chose not to do. It was a little scary – waiting for the tissue to leave my body –but I was OK with that.

Although a history of three or more miscarriages may indicate an increased risk for another pregnancy loss, most women are able to conceive and carry the pregnancy to term.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

I will write more about nutrition pregnancy and beyond soon, as I feel I only scratched the surface.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments – leave them for me below in the Comments section.

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There is nothing quite as special as feeling a growing baby inside your womb and sensing the movements of a new life inside you.

However, even before you can sense that movement early in the pregnancy , being able to hear the heartbeat and know that everything is fine with the baby is incredible and can give you an incredible peace of mind.

This peace of mind is priceless, and especially if you experienced a miscarriage before or you are having some signs of miscarriage and are worried that there may be something wrong with your pregnancy.

Having experienced early miscarriage myself, when I got pregnant the second time I was really worried that the second pregnancy will end the same way. That is when I decided to rent a fetal Doppler or baby heartbeat monitor to be able to listen to my baby’s heartbeat and make sure everything is fine with the pregnancy.

Personally, I would wholeheartedly recommend the use of a baby heart monitor because I know the amount of pressure and stress it can take off of a mother.

Baby Heartbeat Monitor allows you to listen to your unborn baby

For me, renting a baby heart monitor for the first trimester of my pregnancy was a great comfort.

Plus, in addition to the feeling of reassurance that my baby is OK, hearing the sound of his heart beating was simply AMAZING!

You can know your baby’s heart sounds before birth and form a special bond with her/him. It will also allow you to share the joy of pregnancy with your spouse, family and friends.

I don’t remember exactly which brand I used, but renting one was really simple.I made some research on the Internet, found a few sites, picked one, placed my order, and the monitor was shipped to me within a couple of days.

• Hear and record baby’s movements, heartbeat or hiccups.
• Listen to the sound of your baby with your spouse, family and friends.
• Measures heartbeat of baby
• Some monitors allow you to listen to baby as early as 8 to 10 weeks into your pregnancy, some can be used after the 12th week of pregnancy, still other allow you to hear baby’s movements from about the 21st week of pregnancy
• Some models provide visual feedback of the heartbeat on the special digital heart rate display
• Some models of baby heartbeat monitors provide the ability to record heartbeats on your computer. When I was pregnant five years ago, I rented just a simple model without such capability, and I simply recorded my son’s heartbeat on tape; but I guess it will be really cool to be able to make a digital recording and share it over the computer with my family.
• You can also record your own heartbeat to soothe your newborn.
• Small, lightweight design makes it easy to take with you when you travel.
• The monitors require batteries.

How does the baby heartbeat monitor work?

Baby heartbeat monitors are instruments that provide a non-invasive way to detect and measure a baby heart rates during pregnancy.

The way a baby heartbeat monitor works is using the so-called “doppler effect”, that refers to the variation of the sound pitch as the source moves toward or away from the listener. A good example would be the sound of a car or a train driving by.

Baby heartbeat monitors use two crystals placed on the transducer (which will be pressed against your belly), one of which emits ultrasonic waves, and the other detects the waves. The waves reach the moving tissue of the heart, and detect the movement of flesh, and bounce back with a slightly different tone. The tones are then amplified, so that whoever wishes to listen, can hear the sounds of an unborn baby, including the beating of the heart.

Selecting and Using a Baby Heart Monitor

There are a variety of baby heart monitors available today for purchase. You may also choose to rent a monitor for a short period of time.

This is what I chose to do, as I only wanted the monitor for the early pregnancy weeks, when I could not feel the bby inside me yet. Once he started moving, feeling him inside me was sufficient reassurance for me, so I returned the monitor as I didn’t need it any more.

Most baby heart monitors are very easy to use. Here are the steps you will need to take to use them:

1. You will need to buy special gel that you will spread on your abdomen prior to using the monitor.

2. Once you turn the monitor on, you will need to press the transducer gently against your abdomen and search for heartbeat.
Sometimes you will find it right away, sometimes it may be a little tricky. The baby heartbeat is very fast – much faster than adult’s heartbeat. It sounds a little hoof beats of a galloping horse.

Popular Models of Baby Heartbeat Monitors

When shopping online you will find that there are a wide range of baby heart monitors that you can select from. Do some research and choose the one that will work best for you.

To ensure the best experience, check that the baby heart monitor you purchase has a probe that fits easy and comfortably in your hand.

Also, you should try to choose a unit that uses an ultrasound frequency that has little chance of running into interference with other signals in your household. 3GHz is the most common frequency used by hospitals and clinics, so you may want to consider purchasing a baby heart monitor that uses this frequency.

Below I present just a few types of popular models. The prices range from 25 to 150 US dollars, typically the cheaper models work later in the pregnancy.

You can rent a decent OB quality doppler monitor for about $20-40 per month.

The BellyBeats Fetal Doppler is a popular brand that provides a few different types of monitors. It can detect baby’s heartbeat as early as 8 to 10 weeks into your pregnancy. Its pre-angled probe makes it quicker and easier to locate your baby’s heartbeat. You determine your baby’s heart rate by simply counting the beats of your baby’s heart for 10 seconds and multiplying the number of beats by 6 to get heartbeats per minute.

The BellyBeats Digital Fetal Doppler Baby Heart Monitor is the same as the BellyBeats Fetal Doppler Baby Heart Monitor with the added convenience of a digital display. You do not have to count the heartbeats to determine your baby’s heart rate, as it calculates the heart rate for you and gives you a digital readout. It will detect heartbeat as early as 8 to 10 weeks into your pregnancy.

The Babycom Home Doppler Fetal Heartbeat Monitor is a state-of-the art fetal monitor that can be used from the 12th week of pregnancy.

Sonotrax Basic LCD Fetal Doppler Baby Heart Monitor w/ 3MHz Probe (from Amazon) A 3mhz probe is useful in picking up a heartbeat in the early weeks of the first trimester (usually around 10-12 weeks) and can be used throughout pregnancy. Sonotrax Basic is a high performance model with FHR digital LCD display. Has audio output through speakers, also can be connected with earphone.

Bebe Sounds Prenatal Heart Listener  allows you to hear and record baby’s movements, heartbeat or hiccups. Can be used as from 5th month of pregnancy. The kit includes the recording cable.

Deluxe Prenatal Heart Listening System offers high sound quality and sensitivity. It safely and easily allows you to hear baby’s movements from about the 21st week of pregnancy (and, unlike ultrasound, emits no energy to you or baby). Kit includes sensor, belt, headphones, instructional CD and instructions. There’s even a stereo cable so you can record each miraculous sound.

Baby’s Heart Beat!- Not my video, but almost made me cry!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

I will write more about nutrition pregnancy and beyond soon, as I feel I only scratched the surface.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments – leave them for me below in the Comments section.

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In a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg enters the uterus and implants into the uterine lining where it has plenty of room to divide and grow.

An ectopic pregnancy happens when the woman’s egg is fertilized, but implants before it reaches the uterus. The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube (so-called tubal pregnancies), but implantation can also occur in the cervix, ovaries, and abdomen.

Ectopic pregnancies cannot continue to birth (term). They are considered medical emergency, as they commonly cause internal bleeding, which can be dangerous for the mother. An ectopic pregnancy if not treated properly, can even lead to death.

Should you be worried about ectopic pregnancy?

Fortunately, ectopic pregnancies are very rare. It’s estimated that only about 1% of pregnancies are ectopic with almost 50% of those being spontaneously miscarried or naturally absorbed by the woman’s body.

Signs of Ectopic Pregnancy: What Are The Warning Symptoms?

In many cases, a pregnant woman and her doctor may not at first have any reason to suspect an ectopic pregnancy. This is because, in the early days, an ectopic pregnancy symptoms are either are either absent or similar to normal pregnancy symptoms. Ectopic symptoms usually begin between 5 to 8 weeks after a missed period.

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms

A woman with an ectopic pregnancy may experience common signs of early pregnancy, such as:

• Missed menstrual period
• Feeling tired
• Swollen and tender breasts
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased urination

As an ectopic pregnancy progresses, though, other symptoms develop, including:

• Pelvic or abdominal pain, six to eight weeks after a missed period. This pain may be confused with a strong stomach pain, it may also feel like a strong cramp. It may get worse with movement or straining. It may start as a sharp pain on one side and then spread through the entire pelvic area.
• Spotting or mild vaginal bleeding.  This can be resemble an early miscarriage or the implantation bleeding of a normal early pregnancy.
• Painful urination.
• Pain while having a bowel movement.
• Pain with intercourse or during a pelvic exam.
• Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting caused by internal bleeding.
• Shoulder pain caused by bleeding into the abdomen and irritating the diaphragm. This is experienced as pain in the shoulder
• Lower back, abdominal, or pelvic pain.

It is important to pay attention to any symptoms, even if you think that you are not pregnant. Pain from an ectopic pregnancy is usually described as sharp and stabbing. It may come and go or vary in intensity.

Some women experiencing ectopic pregnancies may not even be aware that they are pregnant, since ectopic pregnancy test may result in a negative result. This may happen because the pregnancy hormones progesterone and HCG, also responsible for producing physical pregnancy symptoms, are not properly absorbed into the woman’s system.

Seeking medical help after experiencing any signs of ectopic pregnancy is of the utmost importance.

It is critical that a woman in her childbearing years pay close attention to any unexpected or abnormal abdominal pain or discomfort. Any symptoms of ectopic pregnancy must not be ignored.

What Are the Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy?

There are multiple factors that increase a women’s likelihood of having an ectopic pregnancy, but it is important to remember that ectopic pregnancies can occur in women without any of these risk factors.

Women who are at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy include women with history of ectopic pregnancy, have had scarring from abdominal surgeries, history of pelvic surgery (since scarring may block the fertilized egg from leaving the fallopian tube), previous abortions, use of an (IUD) intrauterine device, had pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted diseases, fibroids, women who smoke, or are over the age of thirty-five.

How is Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects an ectopic pregnancy, she or he will probably first perform a pelvic exam to locate pain, tenderness, or a mass in the abdomen.

Lab tests, especially those that measure hCG levels will be helpful in determining whether the pregnancy is progressing normally. In a normal pregnancy, the level of the hCG hormone approximately doubles about every two days during the first 10 weeks. In an ectopic pregnancy, the rate of this increase is much slower. So an hCG level that is lower than what would be expected for the stage of the pregnancy is one reason to suspect an ectopic pregnancy.

Ultrasound exams may be used to help determine whether a pregnancy is ectopic. With this procedure, your doctor may be able to see whether the uterus contains a developing fetus.

Another technique that can be used is called culdocentesis. The doctor will insert a needle into the space at the very top of the vagina, behind the uterus and in front of the rectum. The presence of blood in this area may indicate bleeding from a ruptured fallopian tube.

How is Ectopic Pregnancy Treated?

Treatment usually involves laparoscopy surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy.

A fallopian tube that has burst from an ectopic pregnancy usually has to be removed. The earlier the ectopic pregnancy is detected, the less extensive surgery needs to be done if the ectopic pregnancy. In cases where the tube has not been stretched too much and has not burst, it may be possible to remove the ectopic pregnancy and repair the tube, allowing it to continue to function.

With early detection and treatment, the affected fallopian tube can be repaired, and the woman can still be fertile. If left untreated, the woman will likely go into shock resulting from internal bleeding. Emergency surgery will be performed to cease the bleeding and remove the ruptured fallopian tube to save the woman’s life.

What About the Future Pregnancies?

Women who have had ectopic pregnancies have a much higher risk of having another one. Even though the chances of getting pregnant again and having a normal pregnancy are still good, you should consult her doctor before trying to get pregnant again.

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms can resemble signs of other diseases such as appendicitis, a gastrointestinal disorder, urinary system disorder, as well as pelvic inflammatory disease and other gynecological problems.

Symptoms of miscarriage often are similar to symptoms experienced in early ectopic pregnancy.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

I will write more about nutrition pregnancy and beyond soon, as I feel I only scratched the surface.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments – leave them for me below in the Comments section.

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Okay, it’s bad enough that you’re pooped (as in “tired all the time”) — now you can’t poop (as in “constipated all the time”) and as a result, you are not only bloated, gassy, majorly miserable, and chronically cranky — you end up with a major pain in your butt!

What are Hemorrhoids and Why Are They Common During Pregnancy?

Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the anus and rectum area. They typically range from the size of a pea to the size of a grape and can be inside the rectum or protrude through the anus. Hemorrhoids can be just itchy making you only slightly uncomfortable – or downright painful. In extreme cases they can cause rectal bleeding, especially during a bowel movement.

Constipation During Pregnancy Is The Main Culprit

How to relieve constipation during pregnancy

You need to understand that the main reason behind hemorrhoids is constipation.

Why do pregnant women get constipated more than average?

Just as other pregnancy symptoms, it does have a purpose. Namely, during pregnancy, progesterone causes the smooth muscles of the large bowel to relax, making them sluggish — and allowing food to hang around longer in the digestive tract. This allows additional time for nutrients to be absorbed into your bloodstream. However, if you are not eating a healthy diet full of fiber, it will likely cause “a major traffic jam” of waste products in your colon, with nothing going anywhere anytime soon.

Another reason for your problems is your expanding uterus. It takes up valuable space normally occupied by your bowel, leaving it less space to go about its business. And as if that wasn’t enough, the iron-rich prenatal vitamins you’re taking every day may also be contributing to the clog.

Tips for Relieving Constipation During Pregnancy

* Drink more water. Eight full glasses of fluids (water, vegetable, fruit juice, green smoothies, broth, etc.) each day will keep solids moving through your digestive tract at an impressive rate and keep your stool soft (and easier to pass). Some swear by prune juice, since it’s a mild laxative. Try to drink some when you’re really clogged, and if you have trouble by itself or blended in a smoothie. Drink some hot water and lemon. They’ll help stimulate peristalsis, those intestinal contractions that help you go.

What can I do to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy?

* Other foods rich in fiber include whole-grains (avoid white flour, white rice, refined cereals, pastas, breads and such), beans, and peas. Aim for 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day (you can read food labels if you want, but there’s no need to do the math — just choose lots of high fiber foods).

* Avoid taking excessive supplements. Many of the supplements that are recommended for pregnant women (prenatal vitamins, calcium, and iron supplements) can also contribute to constipation.

* Don’t use over the counter laxatives or stool softeners. I know it’s tempting, and the commercials make it look like an easy (and speedy) way to spell relief, but not all laxatives and stool softeners (especially herbal or homemade ones) are safe for use during pregnancy.

* Get exercise — I know you feel tired and heavy, but it doesn’t have to be anything hard on your body. A brisk walk, or a swim in the local pool every day will do.

* And don’t hold your bowel movement. When you need to go — go. Promptly. Holding it in can weaken your bowel muscles, making it harder to push out the poop. Remember, you need to save your pushing for labor!

What can I do to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy?

To relieve the discomfort of painful hemorrhoids during pregnancy:

* Soak in warm water. Fill the tub with plain water and soak several times a day.

* Apply ice packs or cold compresses to your anus several times a day to help relieve swelling.

* Keep moving. Sitting for long periods of time puts pressure on the veins in your anal and rectal area. If you must sit, take frequent breaks.

* Apply witch hazel to your anal area. Soak cotton pads and apply. Change the pads frequently. Witch hazel is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies.

* Keep your anal area clean to prevent itchiness. You may find that pre-moistened wipes will be more comfortable than toilet paper. Choose brands that don’t contain perfumes or alcohol — or use medicated wipes made specially for people who have hemorrhoids.

* If nothing works, try an over-the-counter hemorrhoid remedy. Ask your doctor to recommend a suppository or hemorrhoid cream that’s safe to use during pregnancy.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

I will write more about this topic soon, as I feel I only scratched the surface.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments – leave them for me below in the Comments section.

Also, read more tips on how to get pregnant fast, how to have a girl, and what not to eat when pregnant.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

I will write more about nutrition pregnancy and beyond soon, as I feel I only scratched the surface.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments – leave them for me below in the Comments section.

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