Child birth labour

Nine months of weird cravings, swollen breasts, squished lungs and no waistline leads up to the inevitable climatic point of pregnancy; labour. There are many rumours, myths and old wives tales that might make you feel unsettled, unprepared and downright terrified of this time-honoured rite of passage to motherhood.

Knowing what happens during labour and delivery can help relieve any fear or anxiety. Huggies has collected the following information, hints and tips to help prepare you for what is probably the most momentous event in your life.

PREPARING FOR LABOUR

Your big day is looming and it’s most likely going to be a roller coaster ride – scary and exciting all at the same time. One of the best ways you can ensure your labour is successful is proper preparation. You need to decide on several things in regard to your labour, including whether you will have a home birth or a birth in a hospital. Many hospitals give you a choice of going into a labour ward or a birthing centre. Birthing centres are usually for ‘natural’ births requiring no intervention and where the mother doesn’t want an epidural. Some have baths for water births.

If you do have a home birth, you will need to arrange a midwife. You may go into labour before or after your due date so it’s a good idea to start preparing a few weeks before your due date. You should get a hospital bag ready; this bag should be prepped way ahead of time. Some hospitals are a little pedantic about what you are and aren’t allowed into the hospital so it might be a good idea to check beforehand.

You should also ensure you have a car seat fitted for your little one’s journey home as well as nappies and baby clothes so your tot is comfortable and warm. It is a great idea to do a labour test run, where you get everything together and make a trip to the hospital. Many women are unsure about when labour actually starts, there are a couple of warning signs that signal the imminent onset of labour, but these signs can differ between women. Check out these signs and indicators in the signs of labour page so you are aware of what to look for. You should also understand that there are some different indicators for a premature birth, all these signs and symptoms are covered in Premature Birth: Signs and treatment of pre-term labour.

Labour can last a long time, and if you are relaxed about it, you should try to stay at home for as long as possible. If your contractions are arriving with 5 minutes intervals or less, if your water breaks, or you are bleeding, then it is a good time to make your way to the hospital. You should also have a reliable birth partner available to help you through the labour process. Here are the qualities and responsibilities that you should look for in a birth partner.

STAGES OF LABOUR

There are three distinct stages of labour, all with their own unique qualities and characteristics. Your first stage of labour is characterised by dilation of your cervix brought on by contractions. Your contractions will change from a dull cramp feeling into rhythmically occurring pain that comes at regular intervals. Due to this your cervix will become softer and more stretchy during its preparation for the baby. You should try to relax as much as possible and settle into a position that is comfortable for you. You should also go to the bathroom as often as possible to make sure your bladder is empty.

The second stage of labour is when your cervix is fully dilated, you push your baby down the birth canal and this stage ends with the birth. It helps to get into an upright position so that gravity can help the birth process. Don’t forget to breathe either! If you have had an epidural and can’t feel much, you need to listen carefully for instructions from your doctor or midwife.

Did you know that you are still in labour even after your baby is born? This is known as the third stage of labour. Your contractions might stop for a bit, giving you some false hope, but will start up again so that the placenta can be delivered (although they won’t be anywhere near as intense as your contraction from the first two stages). Some hospitals can give you an injection to nudge the placenta out of your body making the process easier for you. After you have ‘delivered’ the placenta, your midwife or doctor will check that everything is ok and that will pretty much be the end of your labour. Huggies has more detailed information on each stage of labour, so explore and get all the information to put your mind at ease

Top 5 Early Signs of Pregnancy

Very early pregnancy symptoms, then no doubt there are signs that very early on that you are pregnant. The fertilized egg is implanted in about seven days after his arrest. Implantation of the first symptoms of pregnancy, begin to appear. Changes in hormone levels and the body begins to react to the new hormone levels.

The initial concerns about the pregnancy is completely overshadowed by the most unpleasant symptom known as morning sickness.

"This morning," This term may be misleading, because the symptoms often continue throughout the day. Nausea during pregnancy can begin before you know you are pregnant almost immediately after conception has occurred. Maybe the reports to you.

These are early signs of pregnancy can be very painful, especially if you are still reeling from the discovery that you are pregnant. If there are mixed feelings about the pregnancy and the possible end point, it is very painful as the disease carries a constant reminder of the reality of the pregnancy.

In the early morning sickness can be very violent. It happens to go to bed wondering why I do not know anyone to wake up, that he was hit by a bus. All sorts of symptoms, physical and spiritual, can happen early in pregnancy, and explains, "morning sickness", a generic name. The following list describes the experiences of women in the report:

1.Fatigue
Fatigue Fatigue / tiredness in pregnancy may be worse than the night after the birth. The women want to sleep more often than usual, and even sleep with only a slight effect on fatigue and sleepiness. Not often the whole day in bed and you feel tired! This may be completed in the first week of the pregnancy, it does not seem infinite. Start to worry about how to deal with the child, if you can not cope with fatigue, fortunately, this objection is raised, the development of the pregnancy.

2.Nausea

Nausea and vomiting, fatigue, systemic diseases, some women may experience the most debilitating pregnancy. This can affect every aspect of their lives that this is not the practice of everyday life almost impossible. Despite the fact that the debilitating effects only in extreme cases can lead to vomiting, surgery or treatment. Indeed can be done to stop vomiting during pregnancy, and most women just try to survive and adapt their lives as possible, hoping the symptoms go away quickly.

3.hunger
Strange taste will be "a" or hunger. Many women have reported a metallic taste in the mouth. Women's Classic refuse certain foods or develop problems with certain foods. This can be a good adaptive reasons for women's "Crave" certain foods, perhaps, their bodies, to determine nutritional needs. In practice, however, often point to, that seems unlikely. In extreme cases, non-food, coal is the object of desire, which would be difficult to explain, under physiological conditions.

4.Headache

Headache, aches and pains.

5.Mood
Tears, anger bursts, anxiety. But when these feelings can be confusing for parents-to-be, especially for pregnant and wanted to plan.

Do not forget to take care of themselves, even before pregnancy. Do not drink, and stop smoking. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Five of these early signs of pregnancy are trying to figure out how to make, because only the proper knowledge can ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

How Will Your Life Change after having a Baby?

Congratulations!! Finally you have made an entry in parenthood. You are loaded with overwhelming joy, excitement and fulfillment and will soon face some wonderful and unexpected changes in your life. The exhausting and tiring nine months of pregnancy seems worth when you hold your little one in your hand, when he cuddles in your arms, when he smiles at you and when you know that you both are like each other’s worlds.

However, there will be times when your emotions will be conflicted. The joy, happiness and excitement of having a baby will be smothered by the tiredness, exhaustion and 24/7 caretaking demands. At times, you will express anger towards your baby, but it will soon turn into guilt. You would not be able to do anything with routine as now your little helpless baby will set your daily routine. From your waking to eating, working, sleeping or any other activity, all will be governed by your baby activity.

Recall that Johnson and Johnson’s ad campaign in which they show that how having a baby changes everything i.e. feeling baby’s pain more than anything else, enjoying working with one hand and holding baby in other, understanding every clue of that little life. Bingo! The ad actually hits the truth. It’s a superb feeling to be a mother provided you accept the changes with a smile. Otherwise, having a baby can take its toll on you.

No doubt, changes are there but changes are always not bad. The first few months or a year may surprise you with the transformation, but soon the recognition and response to her make you feel connected and needed. You will learn to handle and adjust. However, before that you must know what all good or bad changes are expected after having a baby.

Knowing about changes might prepare you so that you do not scream on the dramatic changes in your life.

Social life after baby

After a baby, you are sure to join a huge club so called parenthood club which will have lots of mothers, their toddlers or new born enjoying long hours discussion on baby. Smiling at strangers with baby or adoring others’ children will be your new activity. Now, you will no more feel annoyed with other’s children nuisance instead will smile thinking about your own.

On the other hand, your social life which was before baby will be a far off idea. Outing with friends, watching movie with your partner, visiting at relatives’ place or attending any social gatherings will require you to think thousand times.

Major change in lifestyle after having baby

Now, you are no more that independent and free person planning your schedule on your will. You will now turn into a multitasking superwoman handling any type of work while baby in hand. Preparing food with one side occupied with baby and other moving a ladle, humming lullabies for your baby to make him sleep and working on laptop with another, picking things in one hand and holding baby in other, dancing to make him feed, managing in bathroom along with him, will be some common incidents in your day to day life.

Relationship with partner after a baby

No matter, how strong you were as a couple, even the strongest relationships are being tested while handling baby issues. Your relationship would officially be rocked for few initial months.

• Your husband may not know handling things well which may despise you every time when he changes the diapers, mixes the bottle, or feed the baby. You might watch your husband longingly and resent him while he leaves for work and you staying at home. May be sleep deprivation and hormonal changes are the reasons but you will surely face these issues.
• Your sex life will probably take a nosedive. Though, you are restricted for the same for initial six weeks but even if you get the go-ahead signal from the doctor, you still feel not ready. The stress, exhaustion, mood swings, lack of romance and breastfeeding whole night may be the other issues which hold you back.
• Frankly, at times, you will forget the existence of your partner. Your world revolves so much around your baby that you could not take out any time to give some care, love and time to your partner. Though, you love your baby than anything else but remember, it is your strong bonding as a couple which your baby needs the most.
• Now, there will be nothing like downtime when you can spend few hours sitting on the couch with partners’ arms around you and enjoying a romantic movie. The time you get besides your baby will now be consumed in cleaning up, prepping things for other day, household chores and others.
• Snapping, yelling or feeling hurt will be common occurrence. Calling out with lovely, sweet and pet names will be more difficult. The anger, frustration and inability of managing things will often leads to short fights between you.

However, despite all these ups and downs in your relationship, you both will share a new bond, the bond of being parents to a beautiful, innocent and lovely life. You both have a common reason to celebrate. No matter, how much your relationship is affected, but one thing is same, the emotions towards your baby which will bring both of you closer. The same baby who had created differences between you will bring smile, laughs and happiness on your faces.

Physical fitness after baby

Watching your baby weight increasing during pregnancy can be the most satisfactory thing. However, shedding of the same weight becomes the major challenge after pregnancy. Your breast size increases, which is often permanent. The tummy flab resists you from wearing desired attires. No admiration left while looking into mirror. On top of it, the lack of time which stops you in putting any efforts to attain pre-pregnancy weight adds to your worries.

Apart from this, chronic exhaustion, physical discomfort due to delivery, lack of sleep, 24/7 caretaking demands and body aches tumble down your excitation.

Emotional changes after a baby

Your thoughts are occupied by the feelings of anxiety, worry, joy, and pure love. You tirelessly try hard to become a good parent. You want to give the best care and protection to the baby along with right upbringing. Every second, every moment of your life has become all about her/his.

Your changed perspective towards the world makes you consider it dangerous and scarier for baby. Carelessness and ignorance has left your world as you have become cautious with every move of your baby. Now, you do not admire a rose closely just because baby is in your hands. Yet, you try to see the world with your child’s eyes for whom; it is a wonderful and amazing thing.

The feeling of being a mom will give you huge confidence. Nothing has changed, but still you will feel self-dependent, responsible, mature and a caring and loving person within you.

Your love and respect for your own parents would have increased manifold as you can very well understand the emotional turmoil they had faced.

Expecting to be a top-notch parent is everyone’s wish. Yet, sometimes we want a break from our baby but soon get clouded with guilt. Don’t blame yourself for this feeling as this is perfectly normal.

Change in behavior after baby

Patience has become more important now and you are accepting it. Unlike pre-pregnancy days, now you do everything how your baby wants you to do. You know moving somewhere means first feeding baby, packing her stuff, change her and then leave. Though, it takes lot more time but you have learnt adjustment. Now you can wait for your things as baby is on priority.

Alarm clocks in your home are of no use anymore as your child turns to be the best and perfect alarm for you. You have learnt getting out of bed on time and finishing your stuff in time.

By now, you may be falling for junk and street food to satisfy your culinary whims. However, now you will start respecting your body as this will be the greatest support for you when taking care of your child. Moreover, you know indulging in more healthy and nutritious food will inculcate the same habits in your child. Further, it will also boost your baby’s health as he/she is still feeding. You or your husband will now drop any unhealthy habits like drinking or smoking.

Now, you no more get irked with the lack of sleep. You will soon adjust even though; you are up most of the night.

While in public, you do not feel any hesitation or awkwardness making faces and talking in sign language with your innocent helpless child. Public comments and compliments least affect you now. In a way, you will be living your childhood again. You are just happy being with your baby anywhere, anytime and any day.

Bodily functions like poop, vomit will not make you repulsive anymore.

Financial worries

Earlier, when you wanted something, you had to have it by hook or crook. However, now you may need to prioritize things otherwise financial insecurities may trouble you. You yourself will be saving more to ensure the best upbringing for your child.

Professional compromises

One should make her mind to either leave job or to opt for a long maternity leave before having a baby. No matter, how important is your job; you will have to devote at least six months completely for your baby care. Even after that, you will be compromising on several things like dropping promotions as it brings more responsibilities, saying no to challenging projects, avoiding work in odd hours or denying some official parties while managing your work and home simultaneously. Some new moms fail to meet the challenge of handling these two big jobs together and end up quitting their job. This creates financial burden on their family as expenses have increased without any salary hike.

Health Benefits of Fish

About Fish

Fish are aquatic vertebrates living in the sea water or fresh water. Most of them have well developed senses of taste, color vision, smell and etc.

Lateral line system found in their body acts as receptors and helps them to detect motion of currents and other nearby objects. They are used as very important, delicious and healthy protein rich food by the people around the world. Around 32,000 species of the fish are found however all of them are not eatable, only few species are eaten by the humans. Specially, fish are found of three types oily, white and shellfish which have their own health benefits.

BENEFITS OF EATING FISH

Fish are very healthy food eaten at many places in the world to get required body nutrients, proteins, vitamins and most importantly omega-3 fatty acids. It is very nutritious food can be eaten by any age group people to be healthy and get prevented from many diseases. Some of the health benefits of the fish are mentioned below:

Benefits of Fish for Cancer

Reduces Risk of Cancer

• Eating fish on regular basis for one or two times a week reduces the risk of cancer (esophagus, oral cavity, colon, breast) including prostate cancer and ovarian cancer as it contains omega 3 fatty acids. It contains selenium mineral which creates an enzyme to protect from cancers.

Benefits of Fish for Brain and Eye

Maintains Good Eye Sight

• It contains lots of omega-3 fatty acids which provides better growth and development to the brain tissues, nourishes the retina and maintains the good eye sight.

Reduces Risk of Dementia

• It reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease among elder people if eaten simple fish or seafood for at least once a week.

Prevents from Depression

• It lowers down the occurrence of depression among people when eaten fish on regular basis.

Good Source of Vitamin A

• It helps in maintaining the better eyesight among mothers and babies and prevents from the age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retina degeneration as it contains retinol (vitamin A form).

Improves Concentration Level

• It improves the concentration level, promotes good behavior, reading skills and prevents from an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Induces Better Sleep

• Salmon fish contains a special amino acid called tryptophan acts as a natural sedative agent and induces better sleep thus relaxes mind.

Benefits of Fish for Heart Health

Prevents from Cardiovascular Diseases

• If it is eaten on regular basis it prevents from the cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure as it reduces blood clots formation in the blood vessels, reduces inflammations, improves blood vessel elasticity, lowers down blood pressure and reduces blood fats and bad cholesterol level.

Rich Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acid

• Omega-3 fatty acid lowers down the blood triglycerides level and blood pressure thus prevents from clotting, inflammations and abnormal heart rhythms.

Reduces Risk of Hypertension

• It decreases the growth of atherosclerotic (arterial) plaque on the blood vessels thus reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

Benefits of Fish for Diabetes

Regularizes Blood Sugar Level

• It helps in regularizing the blood sugar level among diabetic patients thus helps in managing the diabetes conditions and reducing side effects.

Benefits of Fish for Bone

Improves Bone Density and Strength

• Especially salmon fish has calcitonin protein which maintains the bone health by improving its density and strength and prevents from many bone and joints problems like osteoarthritis.

Relieves Rheumatoid Arthritis

• It has anti inflammatory properties thus helps in relieving the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, psoriasis including other autoimmune diseases if taken on regular basis.

Source of Vitamin D

• Vitamin D found in it (tuna and wild salmon) has bone-building and anti-cancer property benefits.

Benefits of Fish during Pregnancy

Prevents Babies from Birth Defects

• It helps pregnant women by reducing the risk of occurrence of prematurity means eating fish regularly prevents from delivering the premature baby or baby with birth defects.

Prevents Post-Natal Depression

• It prevents pregnant women from the post-natal depression and Seasonal Affective Disorders (SAD).

Reduces Risk of Vision and Nerves Problems

• It reduces the risk of vision and nerves problems during pregnancy among both the mother and baby.

Provides Development to Infants

• It boosts the sensory, cognitive and motor development among infants if eaten by the mother during last trimester of pregnancy.

Benefits of Fish Oil

Rich Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

60 g of Salmon fish contains around 1,200 mg of omega-3 fatty acids whereas Sardines fish (1,500 mg), smoked salmon fish (1,000 mg), canned salmon fish (500 mg), canned tuna fish (145 mg), Gem fish (300 mg), squid fish (250mg), Trout fish (350 mg), calamari fish (200 mg), sea mullet (170 mg), sea perch fish (7 mg) and many more.

Prevents from Ageing and Heart Diseases

Fish oil is especially rich source of the omega-3 fatty acids which has variety of health benefits and prevents from ageing and heart diseases. It cannot be manufactured by our body thus it is very necessary to fulfill its requirement through the special diet. Fish oil protects our heart from the air pollution.

Benefits of Fish for Weight Management

Loaded with Minerals and Vitamins

• Fish is a low fat and high protein diet loaded with all the minerals and vitamins which balanced the diet thus helps in managing the weight among really weight conscious people.

Benefits of Fish for Skin

Prevents Skin Damage

• Omega-3 fatty acid found in it protects from the skin problems and prevents from damage and harmful effects of UV sun rays.

Keeps Skin Healthy

• It also prevents from the skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis and makes the healthy, soft and glowing.

Makes Skin Firm and Flexible

• Protein found in it is the great source collagen which is a substance making skin firm, strong and flexible.

Benefits of Fish Oil for Digestive System

Protects from Digestive Problems

• Fish oil protect from the serious ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn’s disease and other digestive problems.

Benefits of Fish for Looking Younger

Rich Source of Antioxidants

• Astaxanthin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent (carotenoid-class antioxidant) found in the salmon.

Prevents Early Ageing

• It maintains the cell functions, enhances cellular regeneration, reduces DNA degeneration thus prevents from early ageing.

Other health Benefits of Fish

Reduces Risk of Respiratory Problems

• Regular consumption of it reduces the risk of various diseases like asthma and other respiratory problems.

Contains High Quality Protein, Vitamins and Minerals

• Fish is a low-fat, high quality protein, minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine and etc), vitamins (A, D, E, B) and etc rich healthy food required to maintains the healthy body.

Maintains Functioning of Thyroid Gland

• Iodine found in it maintains the functioning of thyroid gland and prevents from the hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Keeps Lung Stronger and Healthier

• It helps in protecting from the lungs diseases and keeps lung stronger and healthier.

Nutritional Benefits of Salmon Fish per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient database)

Energy: 142 kcal

Water: 68.50 g

Carbohydrate: 9 g

Dietary fibers: 8.4 g

Sugar: 0.1 g

Protein: 21.62 g

Amino Acids

Alanine: 1.21 g

Arginine: 1.21 g

Cystine: 0.24 g

Glycine: 0.97 g

Histidine: 0.97 g

Proline: 0.70 g

Glutamic acid: 2.85 g

Isoleucine: 0.99 g

Threonine: 1 g

Lysine: 1.82 g

Methionine: 0.66 g

Aspartic acid: 2.12 g

Phenylalanine: 0.80 g

Serine: 0.79 g

Tyrosine: 0.66 g

Total Fat: 5.93 g

Saturated Fat: 1.26 g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.992 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 2.134 g

Cholesterol: 45mg

Trans Fat: 0.2 g

Omega-3 Fatty Acid: 2 g

Omega-6 Fatty Acid: 1.3 g

Electrolytes

Potassium: 490 mg

Sodium: 44 mg

Vitamins

Vitamin A: 40 IU

Thiamin: 0.12 mg

Riboflavin: 0.05 mg

Pyridoxine: 0.55 mg

Vitamin D: 0.75 microgram

Vitamin E: 2.70 mg

Nicotinic acid: 8.10 mg

Vitamin C: 0.21 mg

Vitamin B12: 4.50 microgram

Minerals

Calcium: 12 mg

Iron: 0.80 mg

Magnesium: 29 mg

Phosphorus: 200 mg

Zinc: 0.64 mg

Chloride: 100 mg

Copper: 0.2 mg

How to Select and Store

Always buy fish from the nearest reputable markets looking bright with clear eyes as dull-eyed fish may not be safe to eat. Select fish having shined and vibrant skin, smelling fresh like clean water. Avoid buying nasty and pungent smelling fish; they may harmful to the health. Only buy for a day not for more days as it may spoil your health.

It can be stored in the refrigerator by keeping in the airtight container or covering it with cling film. Do not store live fish into airtight container as they need to breathe, it can be placed in a bowl in the coolest place.

How to Enjoy Fish

Fish can be enjoyed in many ways such as fish curry, fried fish, boiled fish, grilled fish, fish pakaude, fish sticks with sauce, fish with chips, fishcake and etc. It tastes very nice and delicious if prepared using right techniques.

Disadvantages, Side Effects and Precautions

Though fish have lots of health benefits, it has various health hazards as well. Eating fish more than the recommended amount on daily basis or weekly lead to the mercury poisoning. Some of the disadvantages, side effects and precautions of the fish are mentioned below to be well conscious before eating more fish:

• Mercury poisoning can affect nervous system with symptoms of numbness means tingling sensation in fingers, lips, toes, developmental delays among children, muscle pain, joint pain, occurrence of heart attack and many more.
• Some of the fish (tilapia and catfish) are not good for the heart health as they have high level unhealthy fatty acids.
• Some of the cooking techniques make it unhealthy for the health such as roasted or baked fish are healthier than deep-fried fish.
• Inorganically grown fish are more dangerous as they are produced on the farms using variety of antibiotics, pesticides or other chemicals which have harmful effects on the human body when eaten.
• Pregnant or lactating women must take care while eating fish and do not consume more than 150 g a week.
• Fish are highly exposed to the environmental pollutant called dioxins which may cause skin lesions, harmful effects on the immune and reproductive systems and etc.
• Person having heart problems must consult his physician before eating fish.
• Raw fish have lots of parasites which may cause parasitic infections of gastrointestinal tract so, it should be washed well before cooking.
• Some people have allergy to the fish thus it should be taken care of.

How much fish should you eat?

Eating fish more than the limit may cause lots of health hazards which have already described in the above part. Eating how much fish on daily basis or weekly depends on the age, sex, weight and health conditions of the person. However, the amount of fish one (healthy person) can eat is 1-2 times (3-4 ounce) a week to get free of the harmful effect of the mercury.