August 2018 - BabyQ

Aug 31
1

High Fructose Corn Syrup & Hydrogenated Oil

Posted by | LENS, Nutrition, Pregnancy Lifestyle | No Comments

Two ingredients to look for on food packaging and AVOID: High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Hydrogenated Oil (sometimes listed as partially-hydrogenated oil). High fructose corn syrup (HFCS), simply put, is sugar processed from corn. It still has the same amount of sugar and calories as table sugar, but HFCS contains the molecule fructose in higher concentration than sugar derived from sugar cane. Fructose is more readily converted into energy than glucose. If you don’t burn that energy it is more easily turned into fat by the liver. The fat stored in the liver can cause “metabolic syndrome” a pre-diabetic condition. The rapid absorption of any sugar molecule like fructose or glucose generates a big spike of insulin in your body and can lead to health problems including weight gain, diabetes, and cancer. Why do companies use HFCS instead of cane sugar? It is cheaper to make because we grow…

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Aug 30
0

What is Prenatal Care?

Posted by | Pregnancy Health | No Comments

Synopsis: This post/article explains what people mean when they refer to prenatal care. Prenatal care is preventive care recommended for women while they are pregnant. It is the best thing you can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Some women even choose to schedule a preconception visit to their health care professional when they are considering having a child. So what is prenatal care?  Prenatal care involves regularly scheduled check-ups and prenatal testing, which allow doctors or midwives to treat and prevent potential health problems during pregnancy. It also helps by providing guidance and promoting a healthy lifestyle to benefit both mother and baby. How often should I see my doctor? Prenatal care helps to keep you and your developing fetus healthy and sets the stage for a healthy life for your newborn–provided you go early and often. You should see your health care provider, family doctor, obstetrician, gynecologist or…

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Aug 28
0

Can My Baby Hear?

Posted by | Because You Asked, Lifestyle | No Comments

An unborn baby has many experiences in the womb based on the actions of the mother – the foods she eats, exercises she does, and medications she uses all impact her developing baby. The senses of an unborn baby are also developing and interacting with the environment. There is much research that shows that babies can feel, taste, dream, and react to stimuli such as sound long before birth. So – does this mean your baby can hear? Yes. An Unborn Baby’s Ears and Hearing In the first trimester, just around the 8th week, a baby’s ears are forming, and as early as 18 weeks they begin to perceive the sounds of the womb (blood pumping, fluid moving, etc.) as the tiny bones of the inner ear mature and the auditory portion of the brain more fully develops. Research shows that infants recognize their mothers’ voices long before birth and…

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Aug 27
0

Genital Discomfort

Posted by | Symptoms & Remedies | No Comments

The clitoris and vagina both become more sensitive during pregnancy.  They are swollen by increased blood flow and fluid stored in the tissues surrounding the birth canal.  It is all part of the body’s preparation for delivery.  The swelling can also come with increased sensitivity to touch.  Sometimes this increased sensitivity is enjoyable, other times women may experience it as painful.  If it is uncomfortable, there’s really not much that can be done until the body reverts to normal after the delivery.  If sex becomes painful during pregnancy, find another way besides intercourse to satisfy your husband or partner, but don’t avoid sex altogether.  The intimacy keeps you bonded, and that bonding is part of the emotional support that you absolutely require during pregnancy.

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Aug 24
0
Be sure to take family pictures

Family Pictures

Posted by | Pregnancy Lifestyle | No Comments

Every year I have the ideal family picture planned in my head. I imagine my family perfectly dressed, well-rested, great weather, and the kids on their best behavior. It never happens like this, but somehow we get a “perfect” family picture. I say, “perfect” because we have three kids, three and younger. Someone’s tongue is always out, someone is usually throwing a tantrum, and someone is always tired. This year was no exception; however, we had an amazing photographer who has young kids of her own – that always helps. I’m a huge fan of candid family pictures, especially with young ones. My kids being kids is what I define as perfect – tongues out and all! What about you? Do you do an annual family picture? What do you use it for? Holiday cards? Do you tend to avoid the camera? I read this post a while ago and…

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Aug 22
0

Asthma in pregnancy- Symptoms to discuss with your doctor

Posted by | LENS, Lifestyle, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

Pregnancy is a time of great change for women, and it can also be a time of concern for those who live with asthma. Affecting approximately 4-8% of moms-to-be, asthma is a chronic lung condition that can impact the health of the mother and developing fetus. For most women with well-controlled and mild asthma, pregnancy poses little risk for complications. However, for those who have moderate to severe asthma or poorly monitored and controlled asthma, pregnancy can pose several risks for both the mother and baby.  Any pregnant woman who has asthma needs to be aware of several symptoms that might signal a larger problem. Asthma Complications – Symptoms and Conditions Complications for pregnant women with asthma often increase in severity of symptoms during the last trimester, especially after the 28th week. It is difficult to reliably determine which patients with asthma will go on to have pregnancy related complications,…

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Aug 20
0
copyright Sprinkled Joy

How Do I Tell My Family We’re Pregnant?

Posted by | Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

Photo © Sprinkled Joy Fun Ideas to Share the Pregnancy News The pregnancy test is positive and you’re excited to share the news, but you want to do it in a memorable and exciting way. Whether you serve a cake with pink and blue swirls on the inside or send out a formal announcement, there are many fun ways to share with your family and friends that you will be welcoming a new addition to the family. Throw a “Small” Party Invite everyone over for a party, but serve everything in tiny portions – sliders instead of burgers, baby carrots, and everything else in mini, bite-sized portions. For dessert you can serve mini-cheesecakes, some with raspberries on top and some with blueberries.  Hang a banner that reads something such as “Thank you for coming to our small party – because we have BIG news to share with you!” Decorate with…

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Aug 19
5

Is It OK for Pregnant Moms to Watch Television?

Posted by | LENS, Lifestyle, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

Pregnancy can be tiring for moms-to-be, and when they are on bed rest or their doctors recommend reduced activity levels, it can be hard to remain occupied for several months. It is not uncommon for women to turn to television viewing to either use as a way to relax and rest or as a boredom buster for weeks of prescribed rest. Pregnant moms often have two concerns about television viewing: Is it safe to be close to a television or computer screen while pregnant? and, How much television viewing is too much while pregnant? Safety Issues for Television Watching During Pregnancy Several agencies and studies have all reached the same conclusion: There is no radiation risk associated with watching television or using a computer monitor to watch programming while pregnant. Laptops, however, do tend to emit heat, and it is important to not place the computer on the abdomen (such…

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Aug 16
1

How can I use my Microwave safely while Pregnant?

Posted by | LENS, Nutrition, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

Pregnancy is a busy time for expectant mothers to care for themselves and to prepare for their developing baby. With their increased daily demands, often times pregnant women find themselves rushing to consume meals that are quickly prepared. Such “fast food” is typically cooked or heated in a microwave oven. Microwave ovens work by vibrating water molecules in food and producing heat that cooks the food. Foods with large amounts of water like fresh vegetables cook faster than other foods with less water. Microwave ovens change their energy into heat that is absorbed by the food. The molecular structure of food is not altered, thus microwave cooking does not make food “radioactive” or “contaminated.” As well, there is no evidence that microwave cooking reduces the nutritional value of foods any more than conventional cooking. Quite the contrary, microwave cooking may retain more vitamins and minerals in foods since microwave ovens…

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