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 29
24

How Important is Support From Significant Others During Pregnancy?

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

Pregnancy is a time of joy, excitement, and anticipation, but it can also be a time of concern, apprehension, and even fear for expectant mothers. The support a pregnant woman receives during pregnancy can have several impacts on her emotional and physical well-being, both of which in turn affect the health of the unborn baby. Studies on prenatal relationships and health have discovered that one of the main causes of emotional turbulence for expecting mothers is a stressed relationship between her and her partner. On the other hand, those pregnant mothers who feel supported have fewer instances of mental health issues, and are less likely to be negatively affected by things like work responsibilities and financial concerns. The journal BMC Public Health reports that a poor relationship with a significant other during pregnancy is the strongest predictor of stress during pregnancy. Positive relationships with significant others during pregnancy can help…

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Aug 29
11

When Does Menstruation Return After Birth?

Posted by | Because You Asked, Pregnancy Health | No Comments

Does the menstrual cycle return soon after giving birth? Menstruation does not continue immediately post partum. As your body slowly goes through natural changes and stages, preparing to give birth, it may seem as though it will never get back to “pre-pregnancy normal.” Many mothers-to-be find some pregnancy patterns enjoyable and rather convenient, such as not menstruating during pregnancy. Of course, the menstrual cycle will return soon after giving birth—but how should you define “soon”? How long does it take before my period resumes, after giving birth? Many women begin menstruating between three and ten weeks after giving birth and the average is 45 days after. However, it’s important to realize that the normal timetable for the return to menstruation differs greatly from woman to woman. The range considered normal may extend from one month up to a year or more, before you’ll need to put tampons on your shopping list once…

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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 28
0

5 Things I Miss Most About Being Pregnant

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

When I was pregnant I wasn’t one of those women who loooooved everything about it.  In fact, I complained a lot…about nothing.  I really can’t pinpoint what I didn’t like about pregnancy but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I can be a little impatient. Okay, a lot.  I didn’t find out my babies’ gender during either of my pregnancies and I really wanted to know.  My husband on the other hand, was adamant about not wanting to know so, he we chose not to find out.*  So basically, I complained about everything because nine months was a long time.  Now that I’m not pregnant and both of my little darlings sleep through the night, I really miss it. Mainly: The random smile strangers everywhere flash at you.  Small talk in our condo elevator was never a problem. The waddle.  I LOVED extenuating my…

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Aug 27
0

Is a photo lab a safe work place for a pregnant mom?

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

A babyQ mom wrote: I work in a photo lab with lots of chemicals. Is it safe for a pregnant mom to work with them? The Kodak Company, who supplies a great deal of the chemicals used in photo labs, has specific recommendations about their chemicals and pregnancy. They say: Minimize skin, eye, and inhalation exposure by using good industrial hygiene practices. These include the use of gloves or tongs (for use in tray processing), goggles or other eye protection, rubber aprons or other suitable protective clothing, and working in a well-ventilated area. Neoprene rubber or nitrile gloves should be used whenever there is a potential for skin contact. I suspect the chemical pollution in the air from photo processing during your pregnancy could slightly increase the risk of childhood asthma as your baby grows up. We see that in big cities with similar high levels of air pollution from…

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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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