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Signs of Preterm Labor

Preterm labor, also known as premature labor occurs when the body starts getting ready for birth before the 37th week of pregnancy. This kind of labor occurs when the uterus tightens, and the cervix begins to open, which may result in premature birth. Babies born before week 37 of pregnancy may not be fully developed; hence they can have life-threatening health problems such as cerebral palsy. Some of the risk factors for preterm labor include a short cervix, short time between pregnancies, pregnancy complications, and lifestyle factors like smoking and overweight.

The following are signs of preterm labor:

• Lower back ache – A dull ache on the lower back is one of the most common warning signs for preterm labour. The pain may be constant or may come and go. More often, it doesn’t go away even if you change positions.
• Flu-like symptoms like vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea, especially after drinking liquids are an indication of preterm labour. If you notice any flu-like symptoms, you must see your doctor immediately.
• Cramps in your lower abdomen that feel like period pain and sometimes may come with diarrhea.
• Frequent contractions of your womb every 10 minutes or more often. These contractions may be painful or painless and may get stronger and more frequent.
• Increased pressure in your pelvis, like your baby is pushing down. Usually, the pressure comes and goes.
• A sudden increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of vaginal discharge. It can be watery, mucus, or bloody.
• A gush of fluid from the vagina, which may happen due to ruptured membranes.
• Eyesight problems like blurred or double vision.
• Vaginal spotting or light bleeding.
• A frequent urge to urinate which is primarily caused by pressure on the bladder.
• When the mucous plug at the cervix comes away and out of the vagina.
• Sudden breaking of the waters.
• Swelling of your hands, feet, or face.
• Baby stops moving or moves less

If you experience these signs before the 37th week of your pregnancy, you should see a doctor as quickly as possible. Preterm labor is diagnosed by conducting a cervical exam that entails checking the cervix for changes or a transvaginal ultrasound exam that measures the length of your cervix. A healthcare professional may also test your amniotic fluid to determine whether it’s broken or not.

How to Choose A Baby Stroller

A stroller is one of those baby accessories that can make parenthood easy for you. It can make all the difference in the ease with which you and your baby go about your outdoor life, irrespective of whether you are shopping at the mall or just taking a walk in the park. Just like with other baby accessories, strollers are available in different forms including convertible strollers, jogging strollers, umbrella strollers, double strollers and many more. When choosing a stroller, you shouldn’t only focus on what looks visually appealing to you, but choose one that best suits your family lifestyle. When choosing a baby stroller try considering the things mentioned below.

Ease of use
One of the major things you should take into consideration when buying a stroller is how easy it is to use. The wheels of a stroller are particularly crucial to its functionality as it’s used to transport your baby from one place to another. Strollers with larger wheels are easier to use since they can roll smoothly on rough terrain.

Size of a stroller
Some strollers are relatively small while others can be really big. It is therefore important for you to decide if you want a small or a big stroller. Big strollers are recommended to keep your child comfortable as long as they are easy to use and fit perfectly with your kind of activities. For example, ensure that the stroller you choose can fit in the public bus that you board most times. Moreover, the size of your stroller could also depend on the number of children you have. For example, you could opt for a double stroller if you have a set of twins or two toddlers that still require non-stop attention whenever you are out of your house.

Storage capacity
The storage capacity of a stroller is another crucial point to take into consideration when choosing it. As a parent, it’s practically impossible to carry along only your baby whenever you are going out. You need to take other items alongside such as snacks, extra clothes, diapers, water and every other thing that makes your baby comfortable while you are outside. Sometimes, you may also need space to put your personal belongings or items bought from shopping. This is why you need to choose a stroller that has enough storage space at the bottom that can hold your baby items and groceries.

Important accessories
Above all, you should be able to settle for a stroller that comes with other important accessories such as a snack tray, stroller bags, and rain covers. Most strollers with such useful accessories can be expensive but they are indeed worth it.

6 Things to know about your Capricorn baby

If you are expecting a Capricorn baby, then you are going to be both stressed and blessed simultaneously. Capricorn babies are active and like performing different activities for stimulating their minds. They love keeping them busy and notice even a single change in their routine. They are shy in nature and prefer doing individual tasks. Here we have compiled a list of 6 things to know about your Capricorn baby.

1. They are shy
A Capricorn baby will feel uncomfortable in new places. They don’t make friends quickly and avoid conversation with strangers. They need privacy and are shy in nature. Also, they avoid attending parties. Even in the school break time, they only play with kids they already know. Also, they are not attention seekers.

2. They are responsible
Capricorn babies are responsible and like to hold charge of different things. You can observe this trait in your baby when it’s time to put together the toys. Your Capricorn baby will become more responsible and stronger as he or she grows up. You will notice your kid doing his/her homework without asking for your help. Of course, it’s great news for any parent.

3. They are stubborn
Expect your baby to be stubborn if he or she is Capricorn. A Capricorn baby is much determined about his/her likes and dislikes. You are likely to hear the word ‘no’ from your baby and it would be tough to change their decision. You can’t force your Capricorn baby to do any specific thing as they hardly negotiate. But nothing to worry about as they are logical and you can persuade them by using valid points.

4. They like taking challenges
A Capricorn baby is brilliant. He or she is inquisitive and loves playing challenging games. Capricorn babies are more focused as compared to other zodiac babies and they can complete their tasks well on time. They can learn new information and things fast that’s why they are likely to lead other babies.

5. They are independent
Your Capricorn baby will not need a partner to play with as he or she is independent. They are good at playing all alone and need less attention in comparison to other babies. They can spend much time on a single activity without getting bored.

6. They are good decision makers
Small kids and most babies find it hard when choosing something. But for Capricorns, decision-making is quite an easy process. They can easily select a bedtime story or a toy to play with.

What Is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication that affects 1 in 20 pregnant women. The condition which mostly occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy is characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine as well as swellings in the legs, feet and hands. The symptoms of pre-eclampsia can range from mild to severe and can come earlier or immediately after delivery.

The exact cause of preeclampsia isn’t known yet although many medical professionals think it happens when a woman’s placenta fails to work the way it should. Some experts have also attributed pre-eclampsia to poor nutrition during pregnancy and high body fat. There are also pieces of evidence that genes, immune system problems as well as a lack of blood flow to the uterus could play a role in pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia may present no symptoms, even though its early signs include high blood pressure (hypertension) and blood in the urine (proteinuria). However, as it continues to progress patients may start experiencing fluid retention (edema) which is always characterized by swellings in their ankles, feet, face and hands. Meanwhile the later symptoms of pre-eclampsia include:
• Severe headaches
• Malaise
• Blurry vision
• Shortness of breath
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Sudden weight gain
• Below the rib pains on the right side
• Impaired liver functioning
• A reduction in urine output
• Decrease in platelets in the blood

Some pregnant women have higher chances of developing pre-eclampsia than others. Some of the risk factors associated with the condition include;
• Being older than 40
• Being pregnant for the first time;
• Getting pregnant again less than 2 years apart or more than 10 years apart;
• A history of preeclampsia;
• High blood pressure before pregnancy;
• Being pregnant with multiple babies;
• A family history of preeclampsia;
• Certain conditions such as obesity, kidney disease, diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis;
• Being pregnant via In-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Pre-eclampsia can rarely result in complications for women who have been taking their antenatal seriously. However, if the condition is not diagnosed for some reason, it can result in complications such as eclampsia, HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets), placenta abruption, poor blood flow to the placenta, and cardiovascular diseases. It can also result in long term consequences for the developing baby.

Pre-eclampsia can only be cured when the baby is born. That said, certain medications can be used to treat some of the symptoms of the condition. Meanwhile, the doctor may also decide to induce labor, depending on the stage of the pregnancy or advise the patient to have plenty of rest. If you are experiencing symptoms of pre-eclampsia, do speak to your doctor as soon as possible for immediate medical care.

1) Everything you need to know about preeclampsia. Medical News Today Website. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252025. Last accessed April 22, 2021.

Sоу Milk Durіng Prеgnаnсу

Prеgnаnсу іѕ a tіmе rіfе wіth dоubtѕ fоr the ѕооn-tо-bе раrеntѕ, and thеіr рrіmаrу concern mоѕt оftеn revolves аrоund if the unbоrn baby іѕ receiving all thе rеԛuіrеd nutrіtіоn nееdеd fоr complete grоwth. Aѕ a foetus іѕ соmрlеtеlу dереndеnt upon its mоthеr for ѕuѕtеnаnсе, thе mоthеr must follow a hеаlthу аnd balanced dіеt and lіfеѕtуlе.

Milk іѕ, of course, a ѕtарlе іn еvеrу рrеgnаnt wоmаn’ѕ diet. Hоwеvеr, many wоmеn are lactose intolerant аnd thеrеfоrе саnnоt tоlеrаtе mіlk оr mіlk products. Sоу milk durіng pregnancy аѕ аn аltеrnаtіvе tо lасtоѕе-bаѕеd fооdѕ іѕ аn option mоѕt рrеgnаnt wоmеn соnѕіdеr.
Rich іn a vаrіеtу оf nutrients, іt hаѕ a truсklоаd оf hеаlth bеnеfіtѕ, раrtісulаrlу fоr рrеgnаnt women.

Benefits of drinking soy milk durіng prеgnаnсу:
Rich іn nutrіеntѕ: Sоу mіlk is rich іn proteins аnd fіbrе, bоth оf whісh muѕt fеаturе hеаvіlу in еvеrу рrеgnаnt woman’s diet рlаn. In rich ԛuаntіtіеѕ, folic асіd аnd vіtаmіnѕ B1, A, and E аrе аlѕо found іn soy milk. All of these hеlр thе оvеrаll growth оf the unborn сhіld аnd particularly іmрrоvе nеrvе cells’ growth.

Enеrgу bооѕtеr:
Drinking ѕоу mіlk durіng pregnancy саn act аѕ аn еnеrgу bооѕtеr. Grоwіng a bаbу іѕ hard wоrk, аnd mаnу рrеgnаnt wоmеn соmрlаіn оf еxhаuѕtіоn аnd feeling drаіnеd of energy. Thе rіbоflаvіn, саrbоhуdrаtеѕ, аnd vеgеtаblе fаtѕ contained in ѕоу mіlk wіll hеlр rерlеnіѕh dерlеtеd energy lеvеlѕ during рrеgnаnсу аnd hеlр bооѕt thе fеtuѕ’ѕ growth.
Strоngеr bones: Mеdісаl experts insist thаt pregnant wоmеn оbѕеrvе a hіgh іntаkе оf calcium іn thеіr daily dіеt. Thе unborn baby аlѕо rеԛuіrеѕ a lоt оf саlсіum for its developing bоnеѕ аnd muscle mаѕѕ. It contains hіgh levels оf саlсіum, mаkіng it thе реrfесt drіnk durіng pregnancy.

Balance mооd swіngѕ:
Mood ѕwіngѕ аrе unаvоіdаblе durіng рrеgnаnсу, with fluctuating hоrmоnе lеvеlѕ оftеn wrеаkіng hаvос оn your system. Durіng рrеgnаnсу, drіnkіng ѕоу milk will help nеutrаlіzе mооd ѕwіngѕ thanks tо thе rісh аmоunt оf vіtаmіn B complex and magnesium present іn its components. Thе mаgnеѕіum рrеѕеnt wіll furthеr help release the hоrmоnе serotonin in your body, which works аѕ аn аntі-dерrеѕѕаnt fоr thе mind.

Clеаrеr skin:
Althоugh people еxtоl the vіrtuеѕ оf a ‘рrеgnаnсу glоw, thе rеаlіtу іѕ ѕоmеtіmеѕ ԛuіtе dіffеrеnt, especially іn late pregnancy. Many рrеgnаnt wоmеn аrе known to suffer frоm hyperpigmentation, darkening оf the ѕkіn, аnd асnе. Drinking this іѕ a good nаturаl rеmеdу tо соmbаt thеѕе irritating issues as уоu hurtlе tоwаrdѕ thе еnd оf your рrеgnаnсу.

Healthy hаіr growth:
Sоmе wоmеn аrе known tо ѕuffеr асutе hаіr fаll durіng рrеgnаnсу оr thе роѕtnаtаl реrіоd. Thіѕ drink іѕ beneficial іn рrоmоtіng hеаlthу hair growth, ensuring ѕmооth аnd shiny lосkѕ еаѕіlу mаnаgеаblе. It wіll bе one lеѕѕ thіng for уоu tо wоrrу аbоut wіth a nеw bаbу on the wау оr іn your arms.

Sіdе effесtѕ of sоу mіlk for pregnant wоmеn
Dеѕріtе thе high nutrіtіоnаl content, thе probable ѕіdе effects оf ѕоу milk саnnоt bе іgnоrеd соmрlеtеlу. Here іѕ a сlоѕеr lооk at ѕоmе оf them:
Sоу milk соntаіnѕ іѕоflаvоnеѕ thаt mimic еѕtrоgеn.
Exреrіmеntѕ conducted оn animals taking hіgh dоѕеѕ оf ѕоу milk fоund thе dеvеlорmеnt оf tumоurѕ оr оthеr рhуѕісаl deformities in the unbоrn сhіld.
Sоmе рrеgnаnt mоthеrѕ аrе knоwn tо dеvеlор аllеrgіс ѕуmрtоmѕ lіkе rаѕhеѕ, ѕwеllіng, brеаthіng trоublеѕ, vomiting, аnd nаuѕеа duе tо rеgulаr soy mіlk consumption.
Sоу mіlk соnѕumрtіоn іn rare саѕеѕ аlѕо rеѕultеd іn аnарhуlаxіѕ.
Thеrе has bееn no соnсluѕіvе report ѕо far thаt соmрlеtеlу dіѕаррrоvеѕ іntаkе оf soy mіlk durіng рrеgnаnсу. However, it is better tо avoid consuming ѕоу mіlk in еxсеѕѕ to аvоіd bіrth dеfесtѕ іn bаbіеѕ.
Isoflavones contained in ѕоуbеаnѕ аrе also said tо trіggеr mіgrаіnе hеаdасhеѕ.

Drіnkіng soy mіlk durіng pregnancy
Since soy mіlk is packed wіth essential nutrients thаt уоu nееd durіng pregnancy, іt causes no hаrm tо thе bаbу dеvеlоріng inside you when tаkеn іn mоdеrаtе ԛuаntіtу.
Yоu саn safely соnѕumе around four ѕеrvіngѕ of soy milk dаіlу.
If уоu аrе nоt аllеrgіс tо soy mіlk, оnе cup оf ѕоу milk is ѕаfе fоr уоur соnѕumрtіоn.

Soybeans, no dоubt, аrе good fоr уоur рrеgnаnсу, рrоvіdеd you hаvе it in moderation. It іѕ rесоmmеndеd tо сhесk wіth your doctor regarding soy milk соnѕumрtіоn durіng рrеgnаnсу, аѕ уоur іmmunе system wеаkеnѕ durіng thіѕ time. Wrong соnѕumрtіоn mау dеvеlор thе rіѕk of developing fооd-bоrnе dіѕеаѕе for уоu as wеll аѕ уоur unborn сhіld.

Mommy Saab’s Word on Cord Blood Banking

More and more mommies are learning better about the benefits of cord blood and cord blood banking! Now let’s also find out why Cordlife continues to earn the trust of a growing number of Filipino families!

Join Mommy Saab Magalona-Bacarro once again in an informative True or False game with Cordlife Mom Anna Tantuico-Herrera and first-time mom-to-be, Mommy Danielle Brimo-Stern!

 

Week 36

When you reach week 36, you have officially entered the last phase of your pregnancy journey. You are just one month away from delivering the baby. The baby is almost ready to enter the world, it turns chubby and pink within the belly. They only have a few things remaining in order to finish up with the development.

No Pain, No Gain

While some mothers have managed very well without any kind of pain relief, not everyone has the same level of threshold for pain. Because of this, opting for medication for pain during the delivery is one of the things you should determine before you go into the delivery room or an option that you should note in your birth plan.

Why Prenatal Massage?

Therapists claim that massage is an excellent way to boost your overall health. But, is the therapy appropriate for an expectant mother? We have highlighted its benefits and limitations to help you decide.

Preparing Maternity Bag

It’s almost time to bring your baby to the world and a perfect time to gather all the essentials for giving birth. Collect all your birth and labor necessities – And while you may not be planning a hospital birth, it’s still important to pack your bags during the 36th week of pregnancy.

BUSTED: 7 Common Myths of Cord Blood Banking

The umbilical cord is the lifeline between you and your baby – it connects your developing baby to your placenta, which helps to provide nutrients and remove waste. Cord blood, also called “placental blood”, is blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a baby and after the umbilical cord is cut after delivery.