I am ready for a baby!

According to the experts, if you are ready to have a baby then you need to be watching what you eat. Yeah like that's new to everyone. We all know that certain foods are good and some others are bad. Deep sea fish may contain high levels of mercury, a heavy metal strongly associated with miscarriages.

However boffins (um scientists) have discovered that vegetarian men are more likely to have compromised sperm. Just don't go crazy - high protein diets also compromise sperm.

Believe it or not, it is not what you eat during pregnancy that counts. Women, who's diets prior to conception are low in the B vitamins B12, folic acid and the amino acid methionine tend to have fatter boys - not girls, boys.

What about stress. If you are in a stressful job and you are thinking of getting pregnant, quit six months before and de-stress. Stress before conception produces babies that are more prone to anxiety, hyper-activity and social problems.

Finally, researchers have concluded that men with higher intelligence produce better quality sperm. Well, all I can say is that judging from what I have seen, the not so intelligent men may not have better quality sperm, they certainly have lots of it - or at least, they produce lots of children. Intelligent men seem to have fewer children - oh yeah, they are more intelligent aren't they? But I have five - what does that make me?

So ladies - here is the bottom line. If you are looking to get pregnant, find an intelligent man, make sure he is not a vegetarian or a high protein freak. You need to quit your job and de-stress and eat a diet high in in the B vitamins B12, folic acid and the amino acid methionine - but low in deep sea fish.

There is one upside to all of this - scientist also recommend, if you want to get pregnant, to really put on a show and have the wildest sex possible. It seems wild, energetic and uninhibited sex increases your chances of getting pregnant. Sperm production goes through the roof and the sperms ability to get to and fertilize the egg increases. I told you there was an upside.

Source - Australian Women's Health.

learn more Are you ready for a baby?

Are you ready for a baby?

When weighing when (and if) to have children, a lot of variables come into play. Age, finances, relationship status, educational and career objectives, health, and ideal family size are all important considerations. These factors are often at odds with each other, making a difficult decision even more complicated. You are often better equipped (biologically-speaking) to handle the demands of pregnancy and child care when you are young. In terms of psychological, relationship and financial readiness, however, you may be better off having a child later in life. And at any stage, you can wrestle with feelings of uncertainty or inadequacy about being a parent. 

Emotionally Ready

I am not going to put an age on here, because no matter the age, some people just aren’t ready or even want to be parents. I hate hearing the “Oh, you should be 30 to have a kid.” I know a lot of people in their thirties and some people act like they’re still freshman in college with late night binge drinking, fraternity and sorority drama, and shirking relationship and professional responsibilities. Some people, got it together. They know who they are, what they want, they’ve accomplished a good lot of their personal goals, they’re comfortable with themselves and they’re ready to be parents. If you’re in your twenties and can handle the emotional, spiritual, and physical demand of parenthood (let alone with a healthy child) then you’re ready to be a parent. Parenting is not just about going through the motions of providing and physically caring for a child. It’s about the emotional investment: the cultural and spiritual education of a new human being. Are you prepared to teach another human being not just how to behave, but how to see the world and change it for the better? Tough one to consider.

Financial
A most important aspect of bearing and raising a child is money. Let’s face it. These little ones don’t come cheap. Can you afford it? A wise woman once said, “If you waited until your finances were in perfect shape, you may never have children”. Well, you don’t need to be in perfect shape, but these suggestions may help. Sit down with your spouse and list some typical maternity/postpartum expenses.
Does your income and savings cover these costs?

Doctor Appointments:
For the first two trimesters, you will see the doctor every four weeks. In the third trimester, these visits will increase to every two weeks, and in the final stretch, every week. What are your medical insurance co-payments? 

Hospital Expenses:
Typical expenses may include labor & delivery fees, OB/GYN fees, nursery fees, circumcision fees (if you have a boy), pediatrician fees, and surgical and anesthesia fees for a Cesarean. The typical cesarean rate in the country right now is 25% – 30% of all live births. Remember that medical insurance covers much of this. Find out how much before you take the plunge.

Maternity Clothes:
 Do you know any pregnant women that could loan you some maternity clothes?

Baby Gear & Clothes:
Take stock of everything you will need to care for that precious bundle of joy. Check out the SmartMomma Store to see all that you would need. Remember that you will get some gear (mostly clothes and bedding) from your baby shower too.

Time off Work:
Does your company offer paid time off? Do you qualify for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which guarantees you 12 weeks UNPAID time off? Are you required to use your sick and vacation time first? Does your company pay you short term disability pay for having your baby?

Child Care:
Are you planning on going back to work after you have your baby? If so, call around to a couple of home daycares, commercial daycares, and nanny agencies. Get an idea of the cost of childcare in your area.

Physical
Before you decide to take the pregnancy plunge, make an appointment for a fertility consultation with your OB/GYN. Your doctor will examine you, take note of your immunizations, and give you a prescription for some prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy and should be taken even before conception if possible. Ask your doctor for more information. Once you have a clean bill of health and your prenatal vitamins, you are ready to start trying.

Of course, life is going to change: Marriages will either fail or become stronger. Finances go down the drain or money comes raining in. We get an itch to just dump our responsibilities and run away. That’s the natural flow and rhythm of life. The responsibility of having and raising a new human being isn’t easy and shouldn’t be taken lightly, but at the end of the day, just as our mentors, family, and friends have told us, you’ve got to trust your gut and stay committed to your vision of happiness – whatever that may be – on the journey of parenthood.

The Symptoms of the Flu

Flu symptoms include:

• A 100^oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
• A cough and/or sore throat
• A runny or stuffy nose
• Headaches and/or body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)
• Severe widespread muscle aches
• Extreme fatigue or exhaustion

Do I have the flu or a cold?  

The flu and the common cold have similar symptoms. It can be difficult to tell the difference between them. Your health care provider can give you a test within the first few days of your illness to determine whether or not you have the flu.

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold. Symptoms such as fever, body aches, tiredness, and cough are more common and intense with the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.

Pregnant Women and The Flu

Changes to your immune system during pregnancy can make you more sensitive to the flu. This can result in serious problems for your unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery. Additionally, fever in early pregnancy can lead to birth defects.

Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available in your area. You will need to get the flu shot. The nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. If you get the flu shot during your pregnancy, research shows it provides some protection to your baby both while you are pregnant and after the baby is born.

In addition, follow our everyday steps to keep you and your baby healthy this flu season.
Breastfeeding protects babies because breast milk passes your antibodies to your baby. The antibodies in breast milk help fight off infection. Studies show that babies who are breastfed do not get as sick and are sick less often than babies who are not breastfed.

If you get the flu, do not stop breastfeeding. Unless directed by your health care provider, continue to nurse your baby while being treated for the flu.

If you get flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. If necessary, your health care provider will prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat you. If you have a fever you should take Tylenol? (or the store brand equivalent).

In addition, follow our treatment recommendations.

If you get flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. If necessary, your health care provider will prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat you. If you have a fever you should take Tylenol? (or the store brand equivalent).

In addition, follow our treatment recommendations.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

2. Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

3. Sudden dizziness

4. Confusion

5. Severe or persistent vomiting

6. High fever

7. Decreased or no movement by your baby

Check our habit after SAHM Dies From Coca_Cola

I like Coca_Cola, if I want to drink something, I will choose Coca_Cola.It's fortunate,I just drink a little.After it was announced that a New Zealand mother of eight suffered a fatal heart attack at the tender age of 30, experts reported that her massive Coca-Cola intake most likely contributed to her death. It's a terrible news.In fact,excessive amounts of water can be deadly.
Can you image "The first thing she would do in the morning was to have a drink of Coke beside her bed and the last thing she would do at night was have a drink of Coke". What's the connection between lots of Coke and death?


The one who is addicited to Coke suffers from hypokalemia, or low potassium, which was caused by her excessive consumption of Coke and overall poor nutrition.Symptoms of hypokalemia can include abnormal heart rhythms, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.A expert said that toxic levels of caffeine, a stimulant found in Coke, also may have contributed to her death, according to Fairfax.

Coke is safe or not during pregnancy?


There are some answers,may be it is useful.
1. The woman is very sick her first trimester,and the doctor tell her that regular coca cola has a natural anti nausea in it.So if you feel sick to drink one slowly,but don't drink too much a day.


2. It is safe to have up to 200mg of caffeine a day while pregnant. A can of classic coca cola has 34mg.


3. The doctor actually reccomended I drink Caffine every day. Recent studies show it is actually benneficial to pregnancy, and it helps with hormonal head aches too. But it also has a lot of Sugars and Sodium, so don't overdue it.


4. Large amounts of caffeine are not good for your heart so imagine what effects it mat have on a heart that is still developing. I drank caffeine free coke while i was pregnant and continue to do so while breastfeeding even though dr.s will tell you one a day is fine, because you will ingest caffeine whenever you eat sugar or chocolate as well.


Learn more about What Drinks Are Safe During Pregnancy?

How much alcohol is too much during pregnancy?

Alcohol and pregnancy don't mix. No one knows exactly what potential harmful effects even the smallest amount of alcohol has on a developing baby.
All public health officials in the United States recommend that pregnant women, as well as women who are trying to conceive, play it safe by steering clear of alcohol entirely.

How Does Alcohol Hurt an Unborn Baby?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) refers to the range of disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. Children develop FASD when alcohol that is consumed by the mother and in her blood crosses the placenta and enters the unborn baby's body. This alcohol can cause damage to the unborn baby's developing brain and other organs (e.g. the heart) and affect the normal development of the baby. The effects of this alcohol could lead to problems after the baby is born including:
- Not growing as tall or big as other children

- Difficulty learning new things, like math or reading

- Difficulty learning to understand language

- Difficulty learning how to talk (speech and language)

- Difficulty with remembering (memory)

- Difficulty understanding cause and effect

- Difficulty problem solving

- Difficulty paying attention
Difficulties may be range from "mild" to "very severe," which is why FASD is called a "spectrum" disorder. FASD is also often called an "invisible disability" because those with FASD often look just like other people, but have difficulties that people without FASD do not have. Remember, no amount of alcohol is "safe" for the mother during pregnancy.
Anyone may have FASD if their mother drank during pregnancy but only specially-trained doctors can tell for sure and give a diagnosis after an assessment.

How to do a home pregnant test

If you miss a period and want to quickly check if you are pregnant, before you visit your doctor, try the home pregnancy test. This is is especially convenient for women who are trying to get pregnant. You can buy test kits at a drug store without a prescription.
Home use kits measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. However, these tests are qualitative, the results are either positive or negative for pregnancy. This hormone appears in a pregnant woman's urine, approximately 20 days after her last menstrual period. The levels then rise rapidly, reaching a peak in the next 60 to 80 days.

How to do the test?

Try to perform the test first thing in the morning for optimal results, though this is not mandatory.
1. Pregnancy tests are usually stored in the refrigerator. So, make sure you bring the test kit to room temperature before you use it.
2. Collect urine in a clean, dry glass or plastic container. Ensure that there is no detergent residue in the container.
3. Take out the pregcolor card (see image below) and place it on a flat surface.
Draw out a little urine with a dropper (provided with the kit) and put just two drops in the circular test well that is usually marked 'S'. Do not spill urine on the reading strip.
4. Wait for three to five minutes (depending on manufacturer's instructions) and then read the test results. Trying to read the results before the stipulated time or waiting too long, can both lead to inaccurate readings.
5. Some newly launched pregnancy test kits (for example, Clearview) can be held directly in the urine stream and do not require you to collect urine in a container. These kits are usually more expensive (around Rs 150).

How to get the result?

1. Look at the regions marked 'C' and 'T' on the test card. 'C' indicates a control. This band must always appear because this is the comparison band. 'T' indicates the test sample.
2. If only one pink/purple band appear, in the region marked 'C', it means that the test is negative for pregnancy.
3. If two pink/purple bands appear, one in the region marked 'C' and the other in the region marked 'T', it means that the test is positive for pregnancy
4. In case no bands appear, then the test is invalid. Repeat the test with a new pack of pregcolor cards after 72 hours.
5. If the line formed in region 'T' is faint, this could be due to low levels of hCG hormone. In case of a faint band, repeat the test with a new pack of pregcolor cards after 72 hours.

It is advisable to wait a couple of days to a week after missing your period, before you perform the test. This will help avoid a falsely negative test.

The most sensitive test of pregnancy is best performed by a laboratory using a sample of your blood. These tests not only detect hCG but also can indicate the amount (quantitative tests) of the hormone, which doubles every 2-3 days during the first several weeks of pregnancy. These more sensitive tests can tell how long you have been pregnant and even detect possible problems with the pregnancy. Your health care provider can perform this test.
Initially, many women prefer the privacy, convenience, and quick results from home test kits. Home pregnancy tests are not as accurate as blood tests done by your health care provider. They also cannot determine if your pregnancy is developing as expected.

Pregnancy symptoms-Are you too late to know?

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy; however, one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed period.

Most likely you won't notice any symptoms until about the time you've missed a period - or a week or two later.There are some pregnancy symptoms to help you.

1. Tender, swollen breasts：

One of the early signs of pregnancy is sensitive, sore breasts caused by increasing levels of hormones.

2. Spotting or Light Bleeding:

Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.

3. Fatigue

Feeling tired all of a sudden? No, make that exhausted. No one knows for sure what causes early pregnancy fatigue, but it's possible that rapidly increasing levels of the hormone progesterone are contributing to your sleepiness.

4. Delay/Difference in Menstruation:

A delayed or missed period is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.

5. Nausea or vomiting

If you're like most women, morning sickness won't hit until about a month after conception. (A lucky few escape it altogether.) But some women do start to feel queasy a bit earlier. And not just in the morning, either - pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be a problem morning, noon, or night.

6. Backaches:

Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout pregnancy.

7.Headaches:

The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in 7. pregnancy.

8.Darkening of Areolas:

If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.

9. Increased sensitivity to odors：

If you're newly pregnant, it's not uncommon to feel repelled by the smell of a bologna sandwich or cup of coffee and for certain aromas to trigger your gag reflex. Though no one knows for sure, this may be a side effect of rapidly increasing amounts of estrogen in your system. You may also find that certain foods you used to enjoy are suddenly completely repulsive to you.

10. Your basal body temperature stays high：

If you've been charting your basal body temperature and you see that your temperature has stayed elevated for 18 days in a row, you're probably pregnant

11.Food Cravings or Food Aversions:

While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy. Some women develop adversions to certain types of food early in pregnancy and this too can last for the next 9 months.

12.Frequent urination：

Shortly after you become pregnant, you may find yourself hurrying to the bathroom all the time. Why? Mostly because during pregnancy the amount of blood and other fluids in your body increases, which leads to extra fluid being processed by your kidneys and ending up in your bladder.

13.Abdominal bloating：

Hormonal changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling bloated, similar to the feeling some women have just before their period arrives. That's why your clothes may feel snugger than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still quite small.

14：The proof: A positive home pregnancy test

In spite of what you might read on the box, many home pregnancy tests are not sensitive enough to detect most pregnancies until about a week after a missed period. So if you decide to take one earlier than that and get a negative result, try again in a few days.
If you want to know more, how to do a home pregnancy test?

Lose weight on the way

How to lose weight, it is a problem. If you want to keep fit, maybe the tips below are useful. I think I should have a try, what about you?
If you're trying to change your diet for the better,you should add foods that fight flab.Each of the below food packs are a high nutritional punch and a low calorie count.

1. Oatmeal
This whole grain is truly a nutritional powerhouse. Oatmeal is high fiber and low calorie. It is also very filling. Add a serving of oatmeal to your breakfast, and boost your calorie burning power. Be sure to use plain cooked oatmeal. Flavored instant oatmeal is packed with sugar, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors. Stick to real oatmeal – steel cut oats if possible.
2. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are packed full of fiber as well. These low calorie, high nutrient vegetables are a great filler food. Add a salad as an appetizer before your lunch or dinner to help you feel full. Choose deep green leaves such as spinach and romaine lettuce. Avoid iceberg lettuce whenever possible – it has very few nutrients.
3. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great fat to add to your diet. Along with carbohydrates, proteins, and other nutrients, your body needs healthy fats to function properly. Sauté veggies in olive oil, drizzle it over your salad, and spread it on bread. Adding healthy fats to your diet will help you reduce cravings for fat and make it easier to cut out the junk food.
4. Nuts
Nuts are another way to add healthy fats to your diet. Nuts and nut spreads add fiber and help you to feel full. Adding healthy fats to your diet is a great way to avoid unhealthy foods, as you’ll already feel satisfied.
5. Beans
Beans and legumes are a cheap, healthy food. They are packed with fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Bean dips and spreads can be a great substitute for high fat dips for veggies or baked chips.

Exercising to burn fat is the best and natural way to get rid of the extra pounds but also the most challenging way. Humans are often intriguing creatures; they always prefer the easy route of achieving something great. Therefore, they will pop pills after pills into their system or undergo various uncomfortable medical procedures like the gastric bypass surgery to reduce weight.
Actually exercising can be both beneficial and therapeutic. There are a million and one ways of exercising to burn fat; from the treadmill, to intense aerobics like Zumba to every day jogs in the park. These will give you that perfect Jennifer Lopez’s body that you have always been dying for.
Ever thought of taking a jog in the morning when you wake up. Jogging is an excellent cardio exercise, so make it a point of jogging every morning before you go to work. All you need is a pair of sneakers and comfortable clothes like shorts, or loose pair of trousers. You do not need a partner to enjoy jogging; doing it alone can be fun especially if you are listening to some Jon Bon Jovi on your earphones. Running or jogging does not mean that you have to sprint as if you are in the Olympics. Starting slow is just fine and breath right as you jog along, unless you want to be paralyzed along the way with muscle cramps.
In one word, Making the decision to lose fat is step one to looking good and feeling even better.

Foods Women should Avoid During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women may be at an increased risk of contracting various health borne diseases, from a variety of the foods consumed. Pregnant women may also undergo a change of patterns in the hormones. This could possibly result in diverse and destructible effects on their immune system and the fetus.
The unborn child could have a higher probability of serious neurological disorders, as the central nervous system of the child could get affected by the consumption of un-pasteurized, unhygienic and raw food.
To protect your baby (and yourself) from potentially harmful bacteria and parasites, many doctors advise women to abstain from undercooked or raw meat, eggs and fish (including sushi and steak tartar), and unpasteurized goat or cow's milk. Rare or raw meat can harbor the microorganisms that cause toxoplasmosis--an illness that can cause birth defects, illness or death of the baby.
It is stressed by the doctors and health professionals that pregnant women should eat healthy nutritional diets in their daily lives. In addition to this, they also need to avoid consuming inappropriate foods.

Fish With Mercury:
Fish is an important part of a healthy diet. However, women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. These fish contain high amounts of a form of mercury that may harm an unborn child's or baby's brain or nervous system. Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant can safely eat 12 ounces of other types of cooked fish each week. It is important to eat a variety of other fish, such as shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish, or farm-raised fish. Pregnant women also should limit the amount of freshwater fish caught by family and friends to one serving each week. A serving size of fish is about 3–6 ounces.
Raw Meat:
Uncooked seafood (say goodbye to sushi) or undercooked beef and chicken should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with bacteria, toxoplasmosis and salmonella.
Deli Meat:
Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with harmful bacteria called Listeria, which can cause miscarriage. If you are craving a turkey sandwich, turkey off the bird is perfectly safe or you can thoroughly reheat deli meats to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Some cheeses and dairy products:
Cheeses made with unpasteurized milk such as brie and camembert, and blue cheeses. All unpasteurized cheeses could contain Listeria bacteria. Listeria can cause an infection called listeriosis that may harm your baby. Pasteurized cheeses are fine to eat while you are pregnant. If in doubt, check the label. Many kinds of cheese, including most Canadian feta, are pasteurized and okay to eat during pregnancy.
Unpasteurized milk and dairy products made with unpasteurized milk aren't safe during pregnancy. They are more likely to contain bacteria that could give you food poisoning. You're more vulnerable to food poisoning while you're pregnant.
Raw Eggs:
Raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Some Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream and Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs, so take caution.
Alcohol: You should stop consuming alcohol as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Prenatal exposure to alcohol has been linked to premature delivery, mental retardation, birth defects and low birth weight babies.
Caffeine:
Caffeine intake in moderation is ok, but you should avoid caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the chance of a miscarriage. Caffeine should be limited to fewer than 300 mg per day during pregnancy. Make sure to drink plenty of water, juice and milk instead.
Some Fruit and vegetables :
Fruit and vegetables are an important part of a pregnancy diet with one exception; you should avoid eating raw sprouts, especially alfalfa sprouts when you are pregnant. Raw clover, radish and mung beans should also be avoided. Cooked sprouts are an okay alternative during pregnancy.