Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Feeding In Public Is Perfectly Legal

There is absolutely nothing wrong with breast-feeding in public. It is a perfectly natural and normal thing for a nursing mother to do. Even then, in America today, many a times, breast-feeding in public is considered a taboo. However, health professionals are doing all they can to remove these misconceptions. You may also like to know that, breast-feeding in public is legal. Therefore, if some one complains that they find breast feeding an indecent activity, you can always get back to them by saying it is perfectly legal, and is important for the well being of the baby.

Get Comfortable with Breast-feeding before Going out in Public

You should get comfortable with feeding your baby in private, before going out with the baby and feeding it in public. If your family has a problem with your breast-feeding in front of them, you should gently but firmly tell them that breast-feeding is a perfectly normal phenomenon.

Wear Loose Clothing While Breast feeding in Public

Another important thing to consider is clothing while breast-feeding. Wear loose clothing, so that your baby can breast feed easily. A tight fitting t-shirt or top will make it impossible to breast feed your baby.

Getting Used to Breast feeding in Public

If you are just beginning to feed in public, you may need to get used to the feeling. Start somewhere less crowded, say in a park, and get along a sister or a friend whom you can talk to while breast-feeding.

If Some One Stares At You While Breast-Feeding

If some one decides to stare at you while you are breast-feeding, just ignore them. While some men get aroused at the sight of a female breast, others may just want to watch out of curiosity. It is better to make breast-feeding in public such a common phenomenon that it is no longer a taboo and people do not find it an abnormal thing any more. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Wearing Proper Breast feeding Bras

Nursing mothers wear breast-feeding bras. These bras are made especially for nursing and although, you are not forced to wear a breast-feeding bra while nursing, it is definitely a good idea. Here is why. A nursing bra is specially designed for the task of breast-feeding, while an ordinary bra is not. Secondly, it avoids the embarrassing situation of leaking breasts in public. It allows you to insert breast pads in it, without it becoming obvious.

Wear a Proper Fitting Bra

Please do not by a wrong fitting or ill-fitting breast-feeding bra. This kind of bra can lead to blocked ducts, which mean a decrease in your breast milk production. You may also get mastitis, an infection of the breasts.

Avoid wearing wired bras post pregnancy. Some women find no discomfort in them, but most women find these uncomfortable.

You will know if you have found a good breast-feeding bra, if it makes life easier for you. It should open at both cups; it should also be firm and provide good support to your breasts, you should be able to open and close it with a single hand. Do not buy a bra for which you need to use both hands.

Also important is the opening and the closing method of the bra. If this is proper, then you can breast feed in discretion in public.

Some Advice about Breast Feeding In Public

Remember, breast-feeding in public is perfectly normal. It is also legal and no one can tell you not to breast-feed in public. Even if your family objects to your breast-feeding in public or around people at home, you must explain to them gently but firmly that it is your decision and if you wish to, you will certainly breast feed in public.

The former were some tips on buying a good breast-feeding bra for yourself and the latter was a bit of advice on breast-feeding in public. Read more about these topics in health magazines and good books. Awareness definitely helps! For more information visit pregnancy period.

False Pregnancy Test Results- Your Questions Answered

What is the best time to test for pregnancy? And are pregnancy tests always accurate? Here are the answers to some of your questions. We can avoid false pregnancy test results, if we understand how pregnancy tests work. Pregnancy tests are sensitive to the hormone human chrorionic gonadotropin in your body. This hormone is a special hormone that is secreted only during pregnancy.

When is the Right Time to Take a Pregnancy Test

The hormone HCG is secreted only when the fertilized embryo attaches itself to the uterus wall. It takes some time for HCG to become detectable. About a week after your missed period is supposed to be the right time to take these tests.

When You may Get a False Negative Result

You will be able to use these pregnancy tests successfully, if you follow the instructions on the test kit properly. However sometimes, you may get a false negative, if you test for pregnancy too early or if you do not soak the test strip properly in the urine sample.

When You May Get a False Positive Result

Sometimes, you may also get a false pregnancy positive result. This may happen if you wait too long to read the strip results, due to which the strip will dry up and change color, and you will see a false positive result. You may also see a false positive, if you are on fertility treatment and taking HCG injections. There are also some very rare cancers that cause a false positive test result.

It is advisable to see a doctor, if you are already two weeks over due and your urine based test shows up false positive. The doctor will do a blood test. This test can detect far lower levels of HCG than a urine test and so there are fewer chances of the doctor’s test results showing false pregnancy.

Monday, February 18, 2008

What To Keep In Mind About Early Labor During Pregnancy

Feelings Of Excitement And Anguish In Early Labor

When you enter early labor during pregnancy, you get so involved with becoming a mother that nothing else seems to matter. You may feel excited and anguished at the same time. You may feel exhilarated because you will be seeing your baby for the first time. You will be holding a tiny little new born in your arms that you’ve waited for nine long months. You may feel anguished because you fear something may go wrong with your pregnancy.

Some Advice For First Time Mothers

Here is a little bit of advice for first time mothers. Avoid concentrating too hard on the labor stage in pregnancy. The contractions, which start days before you are due, are gentle and mild and should not be focused on. Instead, talk your feelings out with someone, or take up some activity that you like. Do not lie down in the bed all the time. Continue with your normal activities. You are pregnant surely, but not ill. So, do not treat yourself as though you need to be bed ridden all the time.

Eating During Early Labor

If you are in early labor, it is fine to eat. The very fact that you feel hungry means you are still in early labor. It is also an indication that your blood sugar levels are falling. So you should eat something. If however, your labor has progressed much further then the doctor may advise you not to eat anything. This is because there can be complications during labor and delivery if there is food in the stomach. Mostly in hospitals you will either be fed intravenously or be kept on fluids as your labor progresses.

That was some information on early labor during pregnancy and how you might feel during this time of pregnancy. We also gave you some advice to follow during this period. Do read lots of good books and magazines about early labor during pregnancy. Reading always helps!

Diaper Cake - A wonderful Gift For The Pregnant Mother

So you are looking for a useful present to give to the pregnant mother. Why not a diaper cake? Diaper cakes are made up of diapers and make a great gift for the expecting mom. You can add many useful small baby products to your diaper cake, such as combs, pacifiers, teething rings, booties, pacifiers and baby toys.

Here is What You Require To Make A Diaper Cake.

  • A disposable cardboard platter

  • Baby bottle or empty cardboard towel role

  • About 8 feet of ribbon

  • Rubber bands of different sizes

  • Clear sticking tape

  • About 50 newborn diapers

  • Decorative baby items, such as booties and baby toys

  • A topping, such as a stuffed baby animal or a candy filled bottle

The Tiers For The Cake

You will require a least fifty diapers for the diaper cake. About twenty will go into making the cake base and fifteen into making the middle layer and another five in making the top layer of the cake. If you want a bigger cake, then of course, you will have to use more diapers.

Making The Cake

Now that you know how many diapers you require for your cake for the baby shower and what size you want it to be, let us start. Roll each diaper vertically into a cylinder. Hold the shape of the cylinder with the help of rubber bands of sticking tape. Attach the diapers together with the help of sticking tape, to make the bottom tier. Once you have made this layer, go on to the middle layer and the top layer and then, attach each one to the other with safety pins.

The Top Tier And The Decorations

When you are preparing the top tier, do not forget to put a stuffed toy animal or a little baby bottle on the top. This object should go with the theme of the baby shower. You can also use many other decorations as well. Use your creativity to the fullest. Attach pacifiers, colorful ribbons, and colored paper to make your diaper cake look as attractive as ever.

You will be surprised at the fun and laughter that is brought on by your diaper cake and it makes for a worthwhile present for the pregnant mother. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Home Pregnancy Tests - Am I Pregnant?

Home pregnancy tests can be quite useful. You may have been planning this pregnancy for some time now and visiting the doctor again and again at every little symptom can get quite stressful. There is a savior in the form of home pregnancy tests. These tests can be done from the comfort of your home and act as a first indicator of whether you are pregnant.

Using An Hpt

Home Pregnancy tests or HPTs can be bought from a chemist. You must check that the test is within its expiry date before using it. It must be kept under refrigeration till you use it, then you should bring it to room temperature. Collect urine in a small cup or plastic container. This should be done in the morning time. Dip the strip into the urine for a few minutes or as mentioned on the instructions by the manufacturer. Some strips have a + and – sign on them. If the strip is affirmative you should be pregnant.


What Is An Online Pregnancy Test?

The other pregnancy test that you can do is an online pregnancy test. This test is usually in the form of a questionnaire that you have to fill out online. You will be asked questions like, have you missed your period? Do you suffer from morning sickness? Do your breasts feel tender and swollen and sore? Do you have a slight vaginal discharge? Do you have backaches? Do you crave certain foods? Are you repulsed by odors and any foods in particular? On the basis of your answers to these questions, you will be advised on whether your early online pregnancy test is positive or not.

It is great to be able to take a home pregnancy test from the air-conditioned comfort of your home, but if the test is affirmative, you must also visit your doctor as soon as possible to get a further check up done. Pregnancy is the most beautiful time of a woman’s life. More so, if the pregnancy is planned and prepared for and you are ready for pregnancy. So wish you lots of happiness and a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Online Pregnancy Test - A Test If You’re In A Hurry

You could be wishing to get pregnant, but are embarrassed to go to the doctor every time to check for sure. You could be a busy working woman, always running short of time. If these are some of the situations, you are up against and you think you are pregnant, but do not know for sure, take a pregnancy test online. You don’t have to spend the time and money visiting the doctor at least initially. Carry out some tests for yourself. Also most of these online tests are free

An Online Test Will Ask You Certain Questions.

These may be:

Have you missed a period?

Do you urinate more frequently than before?

Have you had light bleeding or spotting that is pinkish or brownish in color?

Have you experienced a rise in basal body temperature?

Do you feel nauseas and suffer from morning sickness?

Do you feel tired very easily?

Have you developed a heightened sense of taste and smell? Do some foods make you feel repulsed and nauseas.

Do you have craving for certain foods?

Have your breast suddenly become tender and swollen and do you feel a tingling sensation in your breasts?

Has the area around your nipples, the areolas become darker?

Do you have slight whitish, mild smelling discharge from the vagina?

The Doctor’s Visit

These are the questions that an online test may ask you. While you may wonder how accurate they really are, it is true that they cannot be substituted for a doctor’s opinion. His is the final word. However, there is no harm in preparing for your pregnancy as early as possible. Before you visit your doctor, you can also do a home pregnancy test. This requires that you purchase a home pregnancy test kit and conduct a ‘do it yourself test’ for the hormone Human Chrorionic Gonadotropin or HCG in your urine. But it is best to have a home pregnancy test or an online pregnancy test, confirmed by a proper medical professional.