A pregnant woman overjoys over the thought of a baby, and suddenly after a while she can be depressed or anxious for many things like health, new responsibility, cost etc. This mood swings during pregnancy can be caused by hormonal fluctuations.

However, hormones merely play a partial role (bodily changes i.e.) in mood swings in pregnancy; a lot of it is actually caused by the news (blended with fears, concerns and anxieties) that you are becoming a parent. Here are some tips of making a conscious effort to nurture pregnant woman that can help to relax during turbulent times:

• Take time out (Take it easy)–You are an essential part of taking care of your baby. So you must be tension free all the time during pregnancy. Just try to be in relaxing mood all the time – get a prenatal massage, soak in the tub, go for a movie with your friend, or long walk at night. You may create an environment that can make you to relax enough, by playing relaxing music or investing in comfortable pillows etc.

• Solid Diet – Good dietary control (means balanced diet) is very essential in pregnancy for your good health as well as growth of your baby.Quality eating habits also are very helpful to regulate ups and downs of hormonal activity in many women.

• Exercise – Light exercise (3-5 times per week) helps to relieve your body out of tension and stress. Lo-impact aerobics, jogging or swimming are all good for health and mind. It also balances the hormonal work in the body and helps to manage mood swings.

• Chatting – Communication (chatting, sharing i.e.) with the nearest (can be husband, relatives or best friends) always bring down stress on great amount. Through a direct and clear communication with the nearest one, not only you will be able to relieve a lot of stress expressing your worries properly, also help to attain positive mindset,and you may get helps that you need instantly.

• Good sleep – Try to get a full night sleep everyday during pregnancy. Good sleep has direct effects on your entire day.

• Bond with the partner – Every pregnant woman must spend plenty amount of time with her partner together. Go on a little vacation if possible; share everything (anxiety, movement of the new born, hardship) with your partner.Vital support from the partner is very important for any pregnant woman.

• Pumice stone or dry skin buffer
• Sponge Cotton balls
• Emory board
• Cuticle remover
• Orangewood stick
• Color nail polish
• Base coat, top coat
• Nail polish remover
• Quick dry spray
• Nail clippers
• Dish pan
• Towels
• Body Lotion(baby lotion for child daughter)

Apart from above mentioned stuff, you also may need other materials like Cuticle nippers,Nail buffer or,Paper pedicure slippers etc.A step-by-step guide to help to achieve a professional pedicure process (for achieving salon quality results) at your own home (with your beloved child daughter), saving time and money.

1. SOAK –Put your feet into warm water (good to mix it with Epson salt and your favorite scented oil (Scalogna likes lavender) or may be vinegar, pineapple juice, lemon juice etc.) and soak them for five to 10 minutes. Your nails, cuticles and calices are all softened and ready to be trimmed and beautified.
2. BUFF – Saturate and dry feet, toes and fingers with clean towel. And then exfoliate feet and heels with pumice pad, or sophisticated cotton ball. Rinse thoroughly the pad or ball after each use. Let it dry well. Wet the pumice stone and rub dry areas gently. If you have any proactive ares on your feet like calluses and you don’t want to eliminate them, just use stone a bit more vigorously in that area. You may also use skin-buffing sponge instead of stone.
3. Remove (Exfoliate) – Next comes removal of dry skin from legs, feets and toes as well.Remove with a homemade mixture of olive oil (or almond oil) and salt (kosher would be great) or sugar. And then use a natural scrub and washcloth for your baby daughter.
4. Trim – Scrub nails with a natural soap and nail brush, or you may use toenail clipper for cutting nails that are too long. Bamboo foot brush also can be used, for removing any stains use lemon juice.
5. Soften &Massage – Keep feetcovered with plain yogurt for five minutes, which softens and deep cleans the skin. Massage well entire legs (up to knees) applying good lotion, and relax for 10 minutes closing your eyes, just allowing your skin to soak in the lotion.After massage you may polish with an eco-friendly polish which does not contain any toxic materials like phthalates, formaldehyde, orToluene.

1. Prepare a calm, soothing, and consistent bedtime routinepreparations in her room, not all over the house. Set up a cozy bed including stories, songs, or games (with supportive toys) that soothe, not stimulate. Try to avoid wild, fast-moving games and scary stories.Let the child choose transitional objects like a blanket or stuffed animal — it will provide comfort and help reassure her when she’s alone.
2. Prepare for sleep an hour before bedtime. By the time child may enjoy extra time for cuddling & snuggling as well as relaxed enough before drifting off to sleep.
3. Bedtime rituals (rather goodnight rituals!!) are always very useful. Decide over few funny goodnight rituals – stick to the schedule, your kid understands that it’s time to go for bed. Many toddlers enjoy saying goodnight to relatives, favourite toys, and other objects.
4. Before brushing teeth and changing cloths (getting into night cloths) or even a trip to the potty, you can give your toddler a warm cup of milk. Something warm filled up the last space in the tummy might makes your little easily sleepy.
5. Singing traditional baby songs (which are soothing), playing a CD or classical music, kids favouritemelody etc.  while you settle your toddler to sleep – and then leaving it on after you leave – can help ease his transition from being awake to falling asleep.
6. Some of kids need to be “parented”(emotional need i.e.) more to sleep, not just put to sleep. Try rocking her putting her on the lap or lying down with her, establish and follow a regular bedtime ritual.
7. Many children get upset and find embarrassing when they wake at night in a dark room seeing nothing around her. Before leaving her lying on the bed, turn the lights off and, if you like, switch on a night light, shedding a little light on things can help tremendously.

Some infants are “self-soothers” that means they fall asleep independently at bedtime and put themselves back to sleep at night. But many (mainly below age of 5-6 years) need parental assistance at bedtime, cry for parents to help them return to sleep. In case of serious consequences like the newborn is consistently fussy, child has breathing problems, unusual nighttime awakening, facing difficulties in falling asleep etc. parents are suggested to consult any child specialist

1. Child must realize that you love him\her more than just saying “I love you, my little angle !”. Loving fathers should demonstrate love by spending quality time with the children and caring them enough.
2. Kids regardless of gender children need positive role models (male or female) in life to get inspire for professional growth. Active fathers can promote positive behaviors by setting a proper example for their children.
3. Active fathers listen, pays enough attention and support emotionally their children when they experience joy, sadness, anger, fear, and frustration.
4. Financial as well as material (along with emotional support) resources are also very important for every child, and efficient fathers are most likely avail all the necessary resources (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, quality medical care) required by their children.
5. Being fully involved and through strong emotional bondage active fathers enrich self-esteem of their kids.
6. Active involvement of fathers helps to enhance the child’s intellectual development.
7. Father can educate as well as prevent children against early sexual activity.
8. True involvement of father lowers child’s chances of school failure, or early dropout, active father’s involvement rather supports their children’s academic success.
9. From infancy, children need proper guidance and discipline provided by parents. Active fathers play an important role in teaching their children proper behavior by setting and enforcing healthy limits.
10. Research found more suicide case among children with uninvolved fathers.
11. Children with active fathers are less likely to commit any juvenile delinquency than children with inactive fathers.
12. Through love, affection as well as alerting (warning i.e.) against wrong deeds, fathers can lower children tend towards criminal activities in future (in their adult age).
13. Active father’s involvement develops sense of security (emotional and physical) through a trustful relationship, and thus the child doesn’t feel abandoned.
14. By playing regularly (mean whenever find time) fathers develop healthy relationship with the children thus they enhance cognitive ability along with the physical development.
15. Active fathers try to answer all the questions (considered to be life’s important questions as well) of their children, by this way children learn with skills and grow naturally.
16. Both parents active involvement promotes healthy gender identity in the child. Fathers can help to promote positive behaviors by setting proper example among children (specially boys).
17. Direct involvement of both parents facilitates child’s moral development and sound character thereafter.
18. Men and women usually differ in their parenting styles. So father’s involvement also provides the child with an alternative perspective on life.
19. Principals (ethics, manner, approaches etc.) are very important in life, specially for the boys. So fathers can guide and assist kids to establish essential principals which are very important and essential throughout the life.
20. Essential life skills that children need to survive are learned at home. Every father has a duty to teach their children valuable skills that will definitely help them to grow up to be healthy and productive adults.

Complicacy caused by lupus during pregnancy

The problems (risks as well) created out of SLE includes:

• PIH(pregnancy-induced hypertension) which causes sudden increase in blood pressure, fluid retention and access protein in the urine.
• Blood clots that blocks oxygen and nutrition supply for the baby in the placenta.
• Can make early delivery, premature birth (with symptoms of premature labor like backache, pelvic pressure, abdominal cramps etc.) – about one out of every three.

Mainly two categories of pregnancy complications were observed: the health of the mother and of the fetus. For the mothers mild, moderate or severe increases of lupus activity, or flares were found. For the fetus, the research examined the worst outcome — death — or situations in which the well-being of the infant would require extended hospitalization in a critical care unit.However, do not panic much. Research found favorable outcome among 80% of lupus patients and around 10% of miscarriage. To avoid any risk pregnant women having lupus require additional monitoring like medical checkup for kidneys, heart and lungs, blood pressure, certain protein test in the blood etc.

Preparing (plan i.e.) for Pregnancy

It’s recommended that plan your pregnancy simply after feeling enough healthy and having full control over SLE. Or, mat be, consult with your physician about planning of pregnancy after through close monitoring and testing of blood and urine so that problems can be identified and treated early (specially kidney related disease – caused by lupus).

Pregnant women are also suggested to consult obstetrician who has experience with high-risk pregnancies. Check also your health insurance plans, check the entire coverage of the plan carefully.

After delivery problems

Lupus may create following problems after delivery:

• Mothers who have premature delivery (or taking certain medications) may face trouble producing breast milk for the newborns. Most of such problems can be resolved through special consultation with the doctor.
• About 30% of babies born to women having lupus may have neonatal lupus (transient from mother).

But do not panic much. Research indicates babies born to mothers having SLE are not at higher risk. After delivery it’s recommended to consult physician for regular checkup for mother and baby together.

Cloth diapers have evolved lately over the last ten years, having many features with endless styles and materials, made of different fabrics such as cotton, wool, and even hemp. Organic versions (made of 100% natural materials) are also available nowadays. In present days, cloth diapers are getting popular over disposals specially among the incontinence sufferers for many reasons among which major five environmental, financial and health reasons are as follows:

Economical choice

Comfort

Whether cotton, flannel, terry, or gauze, cloth diapers are soft enough and non-abrasive at the same time. Many cloth diapers are also made with special padding or removable pads which is very essential for the people with sensitive skin. Cloth diapers help to prevent rashes, chafing, and other skin problems caused by wetness. Soft cotton for baby’s tender skin is much more comfortable than paper and plastic.

Flexibility

Diapers made of cotton are easy to custom-tailor as per needs. Reusables are available in an extensive variety of shapes, materials, forms, and sizes, ranging from traditional or folded to the contoured diapers. Cloths just look better on infants according to children fashion experts. With many colors and styles your kid really looks adorable in cloth.

Hygiene Factor

Disposal diapers contain chemicals, poisons, dioxins which are very harmful for skin. The cloth diapers are more breathable and have no harmful chemicals or bleaches like in disposables. Study says disposal diapers cause many toxic shock syndromes – direct link to childhood asthma, even increase in infertility rate among boys. So why take such risk!

Environment Friendly

In today’s highly polluted environment, all communities are imitating the voice “go green” to save our little planet. Where 80 % of diapers in US are disposables, each baby could save thousands through using cloth (or organic) diapers.

So attention parents ! remember, it’s never too late to try or convert totally to the cloth diapers irrespective of what brand or type of diaper you plan to use, or are already using.

Every infant needs to be very healthy as well as neat & clean – probably the most prime concern of basic baby care related matters like bathing, and cleanness, hygiene. Parents often face challenging questions like when, how many times kids should take bath, how hot should be the water, what type of soap and shampoo should be used etc. Initially it becomes little scary but following these guidelines you can safely clean your little one from head to toe.

How Often and When

Most of the new born babies have silky-smooth skin which protects against bacteria and environmental irritants. They need not to be cleaned regularly apart from the diaper area. Overuse of strong cleansers and even tap water may damage the skin of newborns. Daily bath is not necessary, a bath (better sponge bath in light warm water) twice or thrice in a week is quite sufficient. Sometimes nighttime bath can be very useful for bedtime ritual.

Useful Accessories

Before placing your newborn in the tub, make sure you have following things on hand:

• Washcloth – one for soaping and another might be for rinsing.
• Cotton balls or wool – for cleaning around the eyes, under arms etc.
• Mild soap – specially for maintaining baby hygiene)
• Mild, no-tears baby shampoo – only once or twice per week)
• Clean Towels, changing mat
• Clean diaper
• Blanket (for warmth and cuddling after bath)
• Clean flannel — for rinse off your baby thoroughly.

Baby Bathing, Washing

Once the new born starts crawling or toddling, it is important that his/her body, hands, feet are kept clean. That means bathing baby more frequently – maybe every other day initially, and afterwards more frequently and then on daily basis. Generally parents give two types of bath for their own babies, which are as follows:

A. Sponge Bath

For the first couple of weeks, you should give proper sponge-bath – your baby only needs to be cleaned 3-4 times a week. Room should be warm enough, wash your baby’s face, eyes can be cleaned with a cotton ball; after that move to the neck, chest and entire body slowly. Sometimes gentle shampoo can be used to wash out the scalp.

B. Bathing in Tubs and Sinks

Bring your baby into the bath area and undress him completely. Gradually slip the baby into the bath tub, holding neck & head with one hand. Water should be warm, but not hot. Wash your baby well, may be using baby soap, after taking bath rinse your baby thoroughly with a clean flannel.

And lastly, relax and enjoy this special time with your little one, just be careful about the safety of your little angel while bathing her, specially in the winter times.

Additional weight gain is a common phenomenon for any pregnant woman after giving birth of a new baby – especially during the last few months. Gynecologists advise to lose weight through light postpartum exercise like practice in Gym (consulting with experts), regular walking, light yoga etc. Here are simple (5) ways to finally combat your baby weight safely without doing any exercise.

Through breastfeeding

Through breastfeedingReport says that breastfed women typically experience weight loss at a rate of about one or two pounds per month; so instead of working on shedding baby weight through dieting or exercise, just focus on the extra calories you’re burning simply by nourishing and bonding with your little angle.

Drink plenty of water

Water is considered to be the cheapest medicine, drink plenty of water to feel healthier and fitter. Best thing in water is that it doesn’t have any calorie at all. A glass of water helps to let out all the digestive juices and sort of lubricates the insides of the stomach shrinking enough. Drink minimum eight glass of water per day. Avoid soft and sweet drinks like cola, soda, as sugar contains a lot of calorie. Apart from water, tea and coffee are harmless by themselves.

Give up unhealthy fast foods

High calorie fast food like red meat, burgers, foods containing additives and chemicals build up your body overnight, beefing up to store fat in the body. Consume nature friendly food, green vegetables which not only will help you weight loss, but also protect you against deadly diseases, and keeps you healthy. Just stay away from fried stuff, heavy meal, eat fresh fruits a lot, specially those that contains water such as tomatoes, watermelons.

Do not skip meals. Skipping meals have just the opposite effect of what you want. You need to have at least four regular meals on daily basis.

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises too helps to lose weight a lot. When you are doing the breathing exercises properly (good have instruction from experienced Yoga teacher), you actually apply pressure on the muscles (around the mid-section); you can even feel a tightening of these muscles each time you breathe in or breathe out. This eventually leads to weight loss.

POSTURE PERFECT

And the last suggestion is related to some simple activities into toning exercises and postures. Little walking, light physical work (simple activities) may help to keep your body fit and fresh. Hold your baby in the front with your two arms instead of holding on your side. Try to keep shoulders down and back straight while pulling belly towards your spine.

Focus on losing excess water weight by light exercise regularly, eating as per healthy diet chart and drinking plenty of water. Always it is recommended to consult physician after delivery.

For every household, arrival of a new baby into the family is a most joyous event. But along with the thrill of new parenthood comes essential responsibilities; such as baby safety, well care of the angel, child proofing environment at home, to name a few.

Actually the term ‘baby proofing’ refers to creating safe environment for the infant, whereas ‘baby friendly’ means making the home environment friendly to the child allowing him/her to play, explore and discover freely.

Making Safe Environment at home for the newcomer

There are numerous ways to keep your baby out of accidents. Follow these precautions to child proof your home, from the living room to the bathroom:

Living Areas (open spaces for roaming inside the house)

Be aware of the floor free from small (solid) objects like pins, nails, niddles, coins etc. that a baby could swallow. You also need to be conscious of not leaving sharp (like knife, casers etc.) or hot things (like iron, cup of hot tea i.e.) on the floor or in any place easily accessible to the child.

Fire Safety
Burner, stove or mini oven must be guarded with fire safety protection.

Windows & Glass
Windows stand another matter of concern. They should not be easy to open. Try to avoid leaving objects under windows, as babies often try to climb on to get.

Kitchen
Cooking utensils, cleaning supplies must be kept in the upper-level rack rather than under the sink. It’s better to keep the kitchen door always close.

Bathroom
Always keep cleaning supplies, medication, cosmetics away from the child’s reach. Like the kitchen room, door should be always locked.

Making Baby friendly Environment at home

After baby proofing home, now you can concentrate over making the environment friendly where the child can play safely and participate in other family activities with happily. An infant-safe and well decorated colorful interior inside the home is always comfortable for your child. Other elements are:

• Keep the basket with favorite toys within the child’s reach.
• Colorful books and other learning materials always encourage the child.
• Child friendly furnitures like chair(specially for kids), little almirah etc. always give extra comfort to the child.
• Color items, posters, teddy bears etc. (not harmful for the baby’s health) are entertaining items for the little angel.

Creating the home environment that is safe as well as enjoyable for your baby is the prime responsibility for every parent. A home that is decorated orderly and appealing to the child’s innate sense always is helpful for development of child’s health and confidence.

Mom and I work very well together now. I am sixteen weeks old and well accustomed to her little oddities, as if muscle twitches. When she is totally relaxed, her breathing is softer, slower. I can feel it pressing on my sac every now and again through the uterus, when it is deep, maybe she is sighing. I hope she is not unhappy, but I do not think so. I am bathed in a wonderful warm feeling, like a loving breath, so different from the fluid that I float in.

I can pull faces. Sometimes they turn into something that I did not want, because some part is still forming, but mostly it turns out like I think I want. With this coming of feeling of my face, I can taste. Not well, but I can taste the amniotic fluid. Doesn’t taste of anything really, but sometimes what comes from Mom is really nice. I do not know what it is, but I like it immensely. I shall try to remember it on the outside.

My innards are moving into their final positions. It feels funny, but somehow I know they have to be in certain places. It can tickle me, and I stretch my mouth to feel amusement. One part of me is working very hard already. I do not know why it is working so hard, but I vaguely understand it is insulin it is making, for what, I do not know.

My arms and legs can get in my own way, and I can get impatient with them. They are so long, and my hands and feet seem so far away by feel. The bones in them are becoming solid, and my joints work fine. I can kick quite well by now, and I do, when Mom eats or drinks something I do not like. I can already sense the tastes of simple sweet and sour things. She likes sweet things, though, so we agree on food usually. I would like to have more of the sweet things and less of the sour.

The woman is really enjoying her pregnancy now, although there are some things that concern her a little. Her heartbeat has increased, to provide more blood to the baby, but it needs to, to carry the extra blood. This volume will increase with the pregnancy’s growth, and will eventually be thirty to fifty per cent extra; by the time, she is ready for birth.

About now, neural tube defects can be picked up by a Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP) which can be offered. This is a maternal blood screening, and usually works best when taken during the fifteenth-seventeenth weeks of pregnancy. The test can often be a Quad or Triple Screen.

Do not try to squeeze into clothes that are too tight. The baby will resent it, and one will feel very uncomfortable. Look around for some maternity clothes that look good on one, and suit the body. There are many now, which are very suitable. In a pinch, a shirt of one’s partner may do, but is really better to wear around the house.

For Dads, suddenly finding ones best shirt decorating ones partner may not be so endearing. One has a choice, to grow accustomed to it, or go buy some more for yourself. One forgets, one’s shirt is very comfortable, if the partner is packing on the weight, and does not want to buy new dresses every week, which can easily happen.