The 3 stages of labour

Stage 1: Early Labour This stage begins when the cervix begins to soften and open up, this stage is complete when the cervix has opened to about 10 cms. It is the longest stage of labour and take hours to a few days. You may feel nothing for quite a long time, then you will feel some pain and discomfort. There is no pattern and contractions are irregular. Contractions will then start to become regular with shorter intervals in between. Contractions will become longer and build in intensity. You will need to know how you will cope with pain during labour. In Early Labour you may have: Lower back pain Period like pain that comes and goes Loose bowels movements Blood-stained mucous discharge known as blood show Water breaking An urge to vomit Stage 2: Active Labour This stage is from when the cervix is dilated to 10 cms until the baby is born. In Active Labour you may have: Longer and stronger contractions with an interval of 1 to 2 minutes in between The urge to push Increased pressure on your bottom Stretching and burning feelings in your vagina Shaky, cramps, nauseas and vomiting The pushing phase can last up to 2 hours. Stage 3 This stage is from when your baby has been born until after the placenta has been delivered. What was your experience of labour like?

March 21, 2018

7 Reasons babies cry

Understanding the reasons babies cry can make this mommy business just that little bit easier. 1. Hunger Baby has different cries for different reasons, you will get to know these cries over time. Until then look for signs baby is hungry before he starts crying such as fussing, smacking of lips, rooting (a newborn reflex that causes babies to turn their head toward your hand when you stroke their cheek), and putting their hands to their mouth. 2. Dirty Nappy Simple and easy to check. 3. Tired Look out for cues baby is tired before he starts crying such as a glazed stare, rubbing eyes, yawning, seeking comfort by sucking or feeding, pulling ears or hair 4. Temperature Baby should have one more layer of clothing than you. Feel the back of your baby’s neck to check if there is a temperature. 5. Uncomfortable or in Pain Tummy troubles such as constipation can be the cause of lots of crying, especially if it is straight after a feed. Keep baby upright for a while after a feed and rubbing or patting his back. It could also be something small like something poking him, check his clothing for anything that could be bothering him. 6. Over or Under Stimulated Babies can struggle to process all the stimulation (being passed around, bright light, too much noise) and they cry to say they have had enough. A “demanding” baby might love to be active and entertained and by staying active you can avoid baby crying although this can be very tiring. 7. Wants to be Held Babies need lots of physical closeness and comfort, especially the first few months. Here are some great ways to soothe a crying baby. If your baby cries for prolonged periods of time and there appears to be no reason for it, then your baby may have colic.

March 20, 2018

5 Ways to bond with your baby during pregnancy

Contrary to what many believe, bonding with your child begins while it is still in the womb. In the early months of pregnancy, bonding can be a bit difficult because you aren’t able to feel the kicks or see little more than a blob on the ultrasound; however as the mother’s bump grows and the child along with it, the unconditional love and devotion all parents feel towards their children can begin developing. Bonding with your unborn baby is necessary and should be done with both parents around if possible. Mothers generally bond more while the child is in the womb simply because they are carrying it and can feel the subtle movements and enjoy the unexplainable feeling of content knowing that their child is growing within them, however the fathers should as well. Ways To Bond With Your Baby During Pregnancy 1. Massaging Massaging the bump is a great way to bond between the parents and the unborn child. With various aromatic oils and lotions, parents can massage the mothers belly as it begins to grow. Many women do this regardless in an attempt to prevent those unsightly stretch marks, so why not make it a family ritual? The smells from the oils and lotions is very relaxing and can create a fantastic atmosphere for bonding. 2. Singing and talking There are actually devices out there that attach to the stomach from a small microphone so that the unborn child can begin to enjoy the relaxing sound of its parent’s voices. From singing lullaby’s (something parents should get used to from a very early start), to simply talking about day to day business or reading a book out loud, any communication between the parents and the child helps strengthen the bond. 3. Classes Attending various classes is a fantastic way for both parents to bond with the child and prepare for its arrival. Birthing classes will show the dad and mom how to handle the labour, how to breathe during the process, how to cope with the pain during labour and what to expect. Parenting classes are a great tool for first time parents to learn how to properly swaddle a child, the basics of breast feeding, and other essentials for the newborn baby. Preparation and understanding is what these classes teach, and it will be a phenomenal tool for parents as they experience the joys of their upcoming child together. 4. Go for walks Walking is a fantastic way to not only prepare your body physically for labor (and to speed it along if you’re past your due date), but also to bond. Whether its just mommy walking, or if dad is coming along to, walking gives you some quiet relaxation time to clear your mind and simply just focus on the “now”. 5. Scans Perhaps one of the best bonding experiences for parents and their unborn child is the scans. Scans make the baby so much more real, allows you to actually see what the child looks like, and you can take a photo home and keep it in a safe place. There are various types of scans that can be taken at varying weeks during the pregnancy. The early pregnancy scan is just to confirm that the mother is pregnant and that the unborn child is viable. After that, a gender scan is done (typically between 20-35 weeks) – this is optional, but most parents opt to know their childs gender to continue bonding with it more and prepare for its arrival with gender specific decorations and clothing. Another scan is the 3D/4D ultrasound and this is truly an experience parents will enjoy. You should typically have this scan done between 20-35 weeks as well. You shouldn’t wait too long for this scan as your child won’t have enough room within the womb for a really clear and great photo of the scan, however you still want to have your child with all of its facial features and digits developed. The bonding process between parents and the unborn child can begin from the very day that the woman knows she’s pregnant. Between belly rubs, parenting classes, and general communication with the child, the bond will strengthen and grow as the bump gets larger and the due date quickly approaches. Always make sure that the father is included in the bonding experience as much as possible because it will truly bring a family so much closer and create a very relaxed atmosphere for the child. What are the ways you bonded with your baby during pregnancy? Leave a comment below to join the discussion. 

March 20, 2018

Natural remedies for heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn affects a lot of women during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester of pregnancy.The reason for heartburn during pregnancy is increased levels of progesterone. Progesterone relaxes muscle, including the stomach valve that keeps the stomach acid out of the oesophagus. Another cause of heartburn during pregnancy is the growing baby putting pressure on the stomach, pushing the acid from the stomach upwards and of course with the stomach valve relaxed it just goes up into the oesophagus. If you have suffered from heartburn during pregnancy you know how horrible it can be so this article is going to share with you some things you can do to avoid heartburn during pregnancy, some natural remedies for heartburn during pregnancy and if all that does not work some medication you can take to try and get rid of your heartburn during pregnancy. Ways to avoid heartburn during pregnancy Prevention is always better than cure, so here are some measures you can take to try and prevent getting heartburn during pregnancy. While they may not work entirely to prevent heartburn you can be assured the symptoms would be much worse if you didn’t do these things. Eat Smaller Portions – Instead of eating 3 larger meals a day eat much smaller meals more often. This gives your system a chance to digest the food without overloading your stomach. It also means you are eating more often and have less of a chance to get hungry. If you are hungry you will also be prone to heartburn during pregnancy. Keep snacks on hand if you are out so you can eat regularly. Eat Slowly – Eating slowly not only aids digestion but it gives your stomach a chance to let you know when you are full. This will help you to eat smaller portions which will also help prevent heartburn during pregnancy. Sip Liquids – Instead of drinking large amounts of liquids, sip constantly throughout the day and in between meals. Avoid drinking any liquids with a meal. Sit or Stand after eating – Make sure you sit or stand for a few hours after eating. Avoid bending over and lying down as this will cause the stomach acid to come up your throat, Don’t eat just before sleeping – Wait a few hours after eating before you lie down or sleep. This will give you a chance to digest your food before lying down. Sleep elevated at night – Being in the lying down position encourages the stomach acid to come up your oesophagus. Prop yourself up on pillows so your head and chest are elevated while you sleep. Avoid heartburn trigger foods – Certain foods trigger heartburn, so try and avoid these. While there are certain foods that are often triggers for a lot of people, they may not be for others. Pay attention to what you are eating and if you get heartburn try and eliminate those foods that caused it. Foods that commonly trigger heartburn are caffeine, fizzy drinks, chocolate, citrus, spicy foods, fatty foods, fatty red meat, french fries, omega 3 (fish oils), raw onion, oil, fried foods, butter and tomatoes. Wear lose fitting clothing – Avoid any clothing that can put pressure on your stomach or chest areas, this will just make any heartburn symptoms worse. So think stretchy, it will be much more comfortable for you anyway! Natural Remedies for Heartburn During Pregnancy Although there are some steps you can take to lessen your chances of getting heartburn during pregnancy the fact is that many women will still suffer from it. When you do here are some natural remedies you can try before you resort to medication. Yogurt or Milk for heartburn – Eating yogurt or drinking some milk can relieve heartburn. While cow’s milk often gives immediate relief, it can over time worsen the heartburn. Alternatives you can try are nut milk, rice milk or goat milk.You can also warm milk and add some honey. This can soothe your burning chest. Bentonite Clay for Heartburn – You can take bentonite clay before eating meals can coat the stomach and bring down acid levels. Bentonite clay is found in tablets, capsules and powder form.It is alkalising and absorbs the stomach acid, easing heartburn symptoms. Marshmallows for Heartburn – Sounds crazy right? Well apparently marshmallows coat the lining of the stomach and oesophagus, protecting them from the stomach acid. Slippery Elm Bark – Slippery elm bark is available in capsule, powder and lozenge form. It builds up the mucous lining of the stomach and protects it from the stomach acid. Chewing Gum – Try chewing gum for heartburn during pregnancy, it works! Apple Cider Vinegar – Low stomach acid creates heartburn, so drinking acid cider vinegar can increase the acids can result in relief. Papaya, pineapple, avocados and bananas – These all contain naturally-occurring enzymes which help break down food. Green Olives – Apparently eating a dozen green olives a day can help prevent heartburn and ease it if it does occur. Coconut Water – Coconut water has lots of potassium and electrolytes that help to keep the body hydrated. Sipping coconut water throughout the day and drinking a glass before bed can help to acid reflux away. Almonds – Roasted or raw almonds will do, just eat some every day to keep the heartburn away. Ginger – Ginger in any form is great for heartburn, whether powdered, pickled or fresh. You can even try ginger biscuits or ginger ale. Bicarb of Soda – Bicarbonate of soda quickly neutralises stomach acid, relieving heart burn. Drinking Aloe Vera Juice – The healing property of aloe vera soothes the entire oesophagus track and provides relief from heartburn. Chiropractor – Some recent studies show that seeing a chiropractor can help with heartburn. Certain chiropractic adjustments shift the oesophageal valve into a better working position. This relaxes the muscle, helping prevent acids from making their way back up. Aromatherapy for heartburn – Add four drops of lemon, orange blossom or orange essentials oils to a teaspoon of

March 19, 2018

Natural remedies for relieving back and neck pain during pregnancy

While pregnancy is a time of great joy and happiness, very often it is accompanied by aches, pains and unpleasant pregnancy symptoms. Although the mother to be is often very uncomfortable it is tolerated as a bitter sweet experience. It is very common for a pregnant woman to experience back pain and neck pain, sometimes it can be mild but some women experience quite intense pain that can impact her lifestyle negatively. Back pain during pregnancy can cause numerous problems from missing time at work, a more difficult labour and birth, and very often can also create problems that can extend long after birth. So while back pain and neck pain during pregnancy are common symptoms it is essential to look at the problem and manage the back and neck pain during your pregnancy. There are two common types of back pain during pregnancy, lower or lumbar back pain (sciatica) which is felt above the waist and posterior pelvic pain which is felt below the waist. Lumbar back pain is most often felt when standing or sitting for too long, or from repetitive lifting. Posterior pelvic pain is often brought on or made worse when sitting up from a lying position, standing up, rolling over, running, walking, taking stairs, bending forward, lifting something or twisting your body. The three most common causes of back pain during pregnancy are weight gain, changes in the moms centre of gravity which puts strain on different muscles and hormonal changes which relaxes muscles and joints. Here are some helpful natural remedies you can try for relieving your neck and back pain during this time. Proper Exercise During Pregnancy for Relieving Back Pain While exercising during pregnancy is highly recommended it is very important to do exercise that is appropriate for pregnancy. You don’t want to cause more damage than good. Being fit and active during pregnancy will help you to strengthen your back muscles, abdominal muscles and pelvic floor which will help to reduce back pain. Being active will also help to keep your weight gain under control, which will in turn also help manage back pain. The fitter and stronger you are during pregnancy the easier your labour and birth will be on your body, so it can also help reduce your labour pain. Exercise that is considered good during pregnancy is swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary cycling, yoga and low impact aerobics. Make sure to take take yoga and aerobics classes taught by a certified instructor. Maintain a Good Posture to Manage Pregnancy Back Pain As mentioned above, when you are pregnant your centre of gravity shifts causing new muscles to take strain. Add in the additional weight and very often pregnant women then fall into the habit of bad posture. Having bad posture will cause back and neck pain, so try and hold your spine erect with balanced posture. Massage Therapy for Managing Pregnancy Back Pain Getting a massage during pregnancy can help your body to relax. A massage will also increase reduce joint swelling by increasing circulation and moving fluids around the body. This can help relieve sciatica. The massage therapy can also include heat pack or a cold pack for providing the maximum relief. It is important to be safety conscious and to only book a massage with a therapist that is qualified in prenatal massage. Get Enough Rest It is vitally important to get enough sleep during your pregnancy so you can enjoy your pregnancy in good health. If you are not getting enough restful sleep you will feel it in your body which could increase back pain. You can check this web article which provides you good information and tips on getting relaxed and pain free sleep at night. There are many high quality specially designed pillows for pregnant women that can support your back and your belly at the same time. Buy one for your body and baby to give yourself the best care. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can help to greatly reduce back pain. Visit Your Doctor This can be your last resort after trying out some of the basic things above. You doctor may recommend you do some effective exercise along with medications that are meant to reduce the inflammation and relieve joint pain during pregnancy. Neck and back pain during pregnancy can definitely be relieved with the help of these measures. In fact, as soon as you experience some form of pain, the ideal option for you is to become proactive and find out the most suitable measures that can help you. Consequently, you will be able to breathe a sigh of relief soon.

March 16, 2018

Heads up on infant health ahead of taps running dry

When the dam levels reach 13.5%, the city will begin to shut down its reticulation system in residential areas, which essentially means the taps will run dry. Day Zero, currently earmarked for mid-May 2018, has serious ramifications for the city, which has already been declared a disaster area and it’s close to 4 million residents. ‘We have been inundated with advice about water saving tips,’ says Gerhard Van Emmenis, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, ‘and, as a medical scheme entrusted with taking care of our members wellbeing, we felt compelled to do our bit to help our members and the citizens of Cape Town with advice around health issues during a drought, especially for the more vulnerable such as infants and the elderly. ‘We have researched the potential health risks in the time of a water crisis and compiled easy to follow guidelines. Even before taps are turned off, when clean drinking water is not readily available there is a high risk of some diseases which, as a health care community, we need to anticipate and mitigate.’ In the case of infants (aged under 3 years), advice from the Bonitas Babyline team is as follows: Care should be taken to adequately sterilise bottles and pacifiers. In the current heat, any formula or milk left in the bottle after a feed should be discarded if not consumed immediately. Parents should take care to make just enough for baby for each feed Make sure your child has enough water to drink and is well hydrated. Children often do not realise they are thirsty and play in the heat. Ensure your child drinks water often With water restrictions, children are prone to bacterial and fungal infections of the skin. Ensuring the skin is cleaned as thoroughly as possible every day will help prevent these infections The single biggest threat to child health with water restrictions is from gastro-enteritis. Make sure food is prepared as hygienically as possible and reduce the amount of bought cold foods and salads in the child’s diet. Cooked foods served fresh are best. Here are 10 tips to help you stay healthy ahead of the taps being turned off  Boil water or use water purification tablets for the rain water we are able to capture. However, preferably use this for flushing the toilet, not for drinking. Use Milton to add to water to wash raw veggies – with the listeriosis outbreak as well as the possibility of a Hepatitis A outbreak we can’t afford not to wash our fresh produce! Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or wet wipes to keep hands clean (and hand cream because that stuff gets pretty harsh after a while!). Bicarb and vinegar are excellent for cleaning especially as it doesn’t destroy water for grey use. Dodgy tummy prep: Rehydrate, probiotics and medicine for stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Use vinegar in the toilet and drains to help with any odours and bacteria. Clean with micro-fibre cloths or rags as sponges become unsanitary. It’s far easier to clean cloths and hanging them up immediately can delay them smelling. You can also throw rags away. Alternatively wipe down surfaces using wet wipes. Stock up on bottled water exclusively for drinking while water stations are being sorted out. The recommendation is 5 litres a day and to have four days’ worth of fresh water per person. Do not drink non-potable water (gray water). This water should also not be used for cooking. Vaccinate against Hepatitis A if you have never been vaccinated (especially healthcare workers, communal food handlers, patients in long-term care facilities and immune-compromised people.) Mental illnesses such as increased anxiety, depression and even suicide can be managed with the right help. If you, your family and especially your infant have any of the above symptoms, visit your doctor for an assessment sooner rather than later. ‘We know it is a difficult time for Capetonians’ says Van Emmenis, ‘it is stressful trying to save as much water as possible while trying to remain healthy through this time. But help is at hand, the local authorities and medical professionals are on high alert and standby to assist and, for Bonitas members, we also have our Babyline – 24-hour children’s health advice line manned by paediatric trained registered nurses. They are on the other side of the phone to assist with any parental concerns, or health related issues, 24/7, 365 days of the year.’ The Babyline service is available to members across all Bonitas plans, for children under 3 years.  Parents simply need to call the Babyline on 0860 999 121.

March 15, 2018

The benefits of yoga for pregnant woman

Introduction Unknowingly, many of you are transforming from a woman into a mother and you have all the privilege to give birth and to nurture. At this stage, pleasure and pain merge into this cosmic experience of creation, and you can think of nothing, but your little precious baby. This world will soon be your baby’s playground, a place that he/she can grow into his/her own unique characteristic. But for now, the child is starting experience the world through us, therefore, we need to prepare all of the best things to welcome them. Therefore, I would like to share my experience with yoga during my pregnancy which can help any moms stay fit as well as deliver healthy and happy babies. What Yoga Can Help Women in Pregnancy For me, pregnancy and bringing a child into the world is regarded as the unique experience, but it is also a time of immense change of excitement, joy, anticipation, nervousness as well as other fluctuating emotions. As a consequence, practicing yoga is extremely beneficial for pregnant women for many reasons that I will show you now. Nevertheless, you still need to consult with your doctor before taking it up so as to make sure that you will not suffer from any pregnancy-related complications. When I was pregnant for the first time a few years ago, many people advised that I should enhance strength for my lower and upper body in order to endure the additional weight as well as adapt to such adjustment in balance. Thus, I started coming to yoga and surprisingly, this routine deals with the actual birthing muscles which are utilized during the birth process including my lower back, pelvis muscles along with the hip. Furthermore, during my pregnancy, I had to put up with back pain as my tummy size increased dramatically. As a result, pain-busting moves in yoga did a great job in supporting my waist and then my lower back. Moreover, owing to the increase in my weight and the change in my body shape, I felt wobbly, so that some balancing exercises in yoga can help me to get familiar with my changing center of gravity. Going to the next point, I used to go through a depressed period when having my first baby and prenatal yoga can help me release endorphins in my system. Thanks to this incredible exercise, I can get into happy positive state of mind, avoid the morning sickness as well as keep me active the whole day. Therefore, do not hesitate anymore since you have to try this and you can totally achieve all of these great things like me. In addition, you and your baby are so intrinsically connected that when there is any toxicity in your body or any stress, all of them will go straight to the baby. Therefore, practicing yoga can help moms to live more purposely and efficiently. I used to have doubts in these benefits when first inviting to yoga, but now, I have to admit that it is exceptionally suitable for any pregnant woman. Before, I believed that sleeping is the the best way of rest but I have changed my mind after coming to a yoga class. You will be surprised to know that the relaxation pose that comes at the end of any yoga classes is useful for your rest. I am sure that many women do not believe at this moment, but you need to take my advice and see the magic in the end. Last but not least, I recommend that taking part in yoga classes is the cheapest method to meet moms who are going through the same process as you. After some classes, I have made a lot of good friends and until now, we still meet each other with our children at the weekends. We can share the difficulties as well as some tips to take better care of our precious children. Conclusion As you know, pregnancy is one of the most powerful and tough times in a woman’s life. Therefore, prenatal yoga really trains the woman’s mind and body to be able to give birth consciously. After reading this article, why don’t you join a yoga class right now and if you have any confusion, please feel free to contact me anytime. Emma Baster is the editor of Eruditemommy.com. She understands deeply about the difficulties of pregnant women and mothers. Therefore, she built this blog to share her knowledge about nutrition, taking care of children, mommies’ health. Better care for families is everything she wishes to convey in this blog. Follow Emma on Twitter @EruditeMommy

March 15, 2018

The do’s & don’ts of returning to exercise after a caesarean section

Moms out there who have had or are planning to have a caesarean we’d like to give you a few tips and coping mechanisms regarding that sometimes very scary and difficult recovery period. First and foremost a caesarean delivery can be considered as major abdominal surgery therefore postpartum return to exercise must be delayed until you have made a complete medical recovery. We therefore strongly suggest that your doctor needs to give you the “green-light” to commence exercise. Generally, it takes about 6 weeks for your stitches to heal if you have experienced no other complications. So here are our top 5 tips on coping with the return to exercise post C section. 1. First and foremost, getting in and out of bed… There’s no two ways about it, you WILL need to get in and out of bed countless times during the night to tend to that new born so here’s our advice as to how to protect that wound as well as your lower back when getting in and out of bed: Bend your knees up one at a time Roll onto your side with your knees still bent and together Push yourself up with your arms (Not sitting up using your abs), allowing your legs to swing down towards the floor Stand from this position Do the same in reverse to get back into bed   2. It has been suggested that new moms are, in fact, encouraged to walk as soon as possible after a caesarean delivery. Walking increases blood flow circulation, which helps speed up the healing process. Therefore it is safe to suggest that you should be up and walking as soon as your spinal block has worn off. So up you get, have a nice warm shower and then start with little bouts of walking to and from your baby and around the maternity ward as much as possible. Increase these bouts of walking slightly each and every day leading up to your 6 week doctors check-up. Remembering that if you would like to go walking with your baby, use your pram rather than a front pack or sling as this can stress your core and lower back.   3. Now for our personal favourite piece of advice for that 6 week recovery period, begin practising your pelvic floor exercises as soon as possible. Pregnancy can put a strain on your pelvic floor, so these exercises are important, however you gave birth. Every time you lift your baby, tighten your pelvic floor muscles and lower tummy muscles at the same time. This will help to protect your lower back, and will prevent you from any accidental leaking.   4. Whether you choose to breast feed or bottle feed your new born we suggest that you make sure you’re always seated comfortably, someone once told me to make sure that I bring my baby to me rather than taking me to my baby during a feed which made perfect sense. Avoid hunching over/leaning down to feed your baby. Feed in a comfortable and well supported chair that also supplies arm support and where possible make use of a feeding pillow so that it does the work rather than you bearing the weight of your baby.   5. Last but certainly not least, make use of any and all medication given to you. You will probably be supplied with a week to 10 days’ worth of pain relief, anti-inflammatory and constipation medication, and while you might start to feel great a couple of days after leaving hospital and think that you no longer need these meds TAKE THEM! They have been given to you for a reason which is to support your body during the inflammatory response of healing and so they are a necessity.

March 15, 2018

How to get your baby to drop during pregnancy

Baby dropping refers to a medical term called lightening. Lightening is one of the major signs that occurs when labor is approaching. According to the American Pregnancy Association, lightening suggests that the mother is about to go to labor. It commonly occurs several weeks or even few hours before you begin to experience labor. Baby dropping happens when the baby’s head lowers into your pelvis. The baby then becomes engaged between within the pubic bones. In some circumstances, your due date might be around the corner and lightening is yet to occur. According to health experts, this is a normal occurrence because some babies will only drop after labor has begun. However, there are some exercises you could do to encourage your baby to drop deeper into the pelvis. The exercises will also help you to prepare for labor and delivery. Tips on how to get your baby to drop Seek advice from a healthcare giver It is advisable to seek advice from a healthcare provider before engaging in any activity that is meant to enhance baby dropping. The health expert will discuss with you the safest techniques to use. Daily walks You could also engage yourself in regular walks to help place your baby’s weight on the cervix. The baby’s weight will cause the cervix to dilate leading to contractions that will assist lower the baby to the pelvis area. Braxton-Hicks contractions that are experienced in the later stages of pregnancy help push the baby towards the pelvis area. Practice sitting with spread knees Spreading your knees while seated while leaning your body forward may help the belly to hang down. Sitting in this position will focus the baby’s weight on the cervix causing it to dilate. Avoid sitting with crossed legs as this could halt the lightening process. Sexual intercourse According to experts, sexual intercourse could dilate the cervix. Sexual intercourse could also aid the progress of labor. The male sperms produce results that are similar to prostaglandins. The presence of the prostaglandin hormones helps the thinning process of the cervix. Female orgasms during sexual intercourse may also trigger contractions of the uterine wall. However, individuals who have been prescribed a pelvic rest or those who have lost the mucus plug should not engage in sexual intercourse. Apply the evening primrose oil According to midwives, primrose oil could help ripen the cervix. You can insert one capsule of primrose oil before bed to prepare the cervix for labor. Primrose oil can be applied directly to the cervix. You can also take it through the oral route. Primrose oil should be used under a health-care giver’s supervision. Avoid any home labor induction technique until lightening Home remedies for inducing labor such as castor oil and spicy foods may cause stomach upset if they are taken too early during pregnancy. How to make your baby move using exercises and physical activities These exercises may encourage your baby to drop. They may also prepare your body for delivery. However, you should not attempt these exercises if the baby lies in breach position. A baby in breach position cannot get into a head down position. Walking Daily walks are the best exercise for pregnant women, especially in the later trimesters. Walking opens the hips and helps relax the pelvic muscles which may encourage a baby drop in the final weeks of pregnancy. According to health experts, walking is a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. You should start slowly and at a comfortable pace. Squatting Squatting exercises may help expand the pelvic opening. Through gravity, squats assist the baby descend into the pelvis area. Squatting strengthens the legs and opens the hips in readiness for labor. Individuals who have not been exercising throughout their pregnancy should use caution when performing squats during the third trimester. Squats can be performed against a wall for support and balance. You could also squat while seated on a birthing ball. Birthing ball Using a birthing ball in the last stages of pregnancy has a lot of advantages. A birthing ball will help lower the baby into the pelvis. It also helps relieve pressure while also increasing blood supply to the baby. The Arizona Doulas Organization and Birth Education Association encourage pregnant mothers to be sitting on a birthing ball on a regular basis during the last six weeks of their pregnancy. Besides supporting a baby drop, birthing balls help rotate the baby into the most favorable position for delivery. It also lowers the chances of experiencing a painful back labor. Pelvic tilts You should perform pelvic tilts throughout your pregnancy if possible. Pelvic tilts also known as pelvic rocking has been found to encourage a baby drop. Pelvic tilts help strengthen and stretch the core muscles that are involved in labor. It also helps relieve pain experienced in the lower back which is common during the second and third trimester. You can perform pelvic tilts by getting on your hands and knees. You should place your hands directly below your shoulders. Tilt your pelvis forward and relax the lower back. Bring back the pelvis to a neutral position then repeat the process for about three minutes. Signs you may notice when your baby drops before labor Easy breathing When a baby drop occurs, the baby physically drops into the pelvis. As a result, there will be less pressure exerted on your diaphragm. You will realize that you can exhale and inhale air in a much easier manner. You may feel a lot of pressure When a baby drop occurs, you will notice an increase in pressure around your pelvic region. There will be an increase in discharge When lightening occurs, the head of the baby will apply a lot of pressure against the cervix. As a result, the cervix will dilate and open to begin labor. The thinning of the cervix occurs by removing the mucus plug that was blocking the cervix opening. There will be an increase in discharge during the last weeks of your pregnancy due

March 14, 2018

5 Steps to getting baby into a routine

Getting your baby into routine can make all the difference to your life when you have a young baby. Being able to plan your days makes everything so much easier. Just remember that a newborn baby won’t follow a routine. A newborn will sleep for about 2 hours and wake up for feeds and a nappy change before going back to sleep. It is only when your baby starts having more awake time that you can start with a routine. Follow these steps to get your baby into a routine: 1. Night Routine Start with a basic night time routine by doing the same thing at the same time every evening. For example every night at 6h15pm play with baby, then bath him at 6h30pm and then swaddle him and breastfeed or give bottle before putting him down to sleep. 2. First Morning Nap Watch your baby during the day for a while and see when he starts getting tired every morning, it should be around the same time. Start putting your baby down at the same time every morning. This should be baby’s longest day nap. 3. Awake Time See how much awake time your baby should need at his age and keep him awake for approximately that amount of time watching for signs of tiredness. Do more stimulating activities (shopping trips, visiting friends, games etc) with baby when he first wakes up and quieter, more calming activities (a walk in the pram) for just before his next nap when he is tired. 4. Second & Third Day Naps Depending on baby’s age he may need up to 3 naps during the day. Follow the same procedures in steps 2 & 3 to find the best times for these naps. Baby’s 2nd nap should be shorter than his 1st and if he has a 3rd nap it could be as short as 20 minutes. 5. Once you have baby’s sleep routine times you can slot in activities and feeding times to suit. Try and plan trips around his nap times and activity times as baby will often fall asleep in the car and this can throw his routine out the window for the day! Be prepared that not every day will work out according to “plan”. Little things to remember: A new born will most likely not fit into a full routine no matter how hard you try! You can possibly start the night time routine from birth but just go with the flow for the rest until about 3 months of age. The first few months are usually just a whirlwind of 2 hour naps day and night, nappy changes, feedings, burpings… relax and things will sort itself out in time. All babies are different, use the information as a guideline and adjust as needed to suit yourself and your baby Remember babies needs change all the time so refer back as soon as baby’s routine goes haywire (which it will!), as baby gets older he will need more awake time and less naps and you will need to adjust your routine to suit his needs. Every time there is a routine change it is usually a rocky week or two! Is your baby in a routine?

March 13, 2018

Experts Weigh In on Pregnancy and Nutrition in SA

Good nutrition before and during pregnancy may influence the pregnancy, the delivery and the health of mother and child later on. What you eat now will help your baby to grow healthily and give them the best start in life and help you to feel your best. We asked registered dietitians and ADSA (Association for Dietetics in South Africa) spokespeople to provide their top tips for healthy eating during pregnancy. Does eating for two mean doubling up your portions? “Additional energy is needed during pregnancy to support the growth demands of your baby, however the saying ‘eating for two’ has been taken out of context,” says Cath Day, Registered Dietitian. “During the first trimester, you don’t need any additional energy. This means that if you were maintaining a healthy weight before you became pregnant, you can continue eating the same amount.  It is only in your second and third trimester that you need to eat a little more.” But, how much more? The professional advice from a dietitian is that an expectant mom who is at a healthy weight should take in an extra 350 kCal / 1470 kJ per day in her second trimester.  This would be the equivalent to eating an extra half a cup of fruit or one tennis ball-sized fruit, a 175 ml of plain low fat yoghurt, two wholewheat crackers, two teaspoons peanut butter without added sugar and salt, and a 30 gram portion of a medium fat cheese. In the third trimester, the recommended additional intake rises to just 460 kCal / 1930 kJ per day, and that would be equivalent to eating an extra one cup of fruit or two tennis ball-sized fruits, 175 ml plain low fat yoghurt, four wholewheat crackers with the same two teaspoons peanut butter without added sugar and salt, and a 30 gram portion of a medium fat cheese. What should you do if you are overweight and pregnant? Overweight and obesity can present health challenges during pregnancy, so health professionals do advise that women should get to a healthy weight before they fall pregnant.  However, in South Africa where women’s rates of overweight and obesity are high, less than ideal conditions for pregnancy need to be managed. “Pregnancy is not the time to think about dieting and weight loss,” says ADSA spokesperson and Registered Dietitian, Nazeeia Sayed, “An overweight pregnant woman should focus on the healthy eating of a variety of nutritious foods, and her weight gain needs to be monitored at her ante-natal check-ups.  She should also focus on light exercise such as walking.” Day also points out that: “Overweight and obese pregnant women would benefit from seeing a registered dietitian who can assist them with an eating plan which will support baby’s growth and ensure that they gain weight within healthy parameters.” How can you eat healthily on a budget?  Day has some sensible tips: Eat fruits and vegetables which are in season and more affordable Get your family members and neighbours to shop with you for bulk fruits and vegetables that are more cost-effective Start a vegetable garden using water-saving ideas at home or in your community. NGOs such as Soil for Life and many more help households and communities to sustainably increase their access to fruits and vegetables Spend less money on fizzy cold drinks, junk food and take-aways, and use what you save to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables instead You can save money by reducing your meat intake by half and instead use beans, split peas and lentils to bulk up your favourite meat dishes. These legumes are a more affordable, healthy vegetable protein source that also include the B-vitamins and folic acid Buy frozen vegetables when they are on promotion – they contain as much or even more nutrients than vegetables which have been on the shelf for an extended period of time What can pregnant women who can’t afford supplements eat to get the micro-nutrients important to pregnancy? Pregnant women and those planning on falling pregnant should take a supplement of iron and folic acid, as these are essential nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. Sayed points out that it is important for all pregnant women to know that they have access to the State ante-natal services because supplements such as folic acid, iron and calcium are included in their free healthcare. Day also adds that there are many affordable food sources that provide these nutrients that are vital to a baby’s healthy development.  “For instance,” she says “Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, morogo and legumes such as beans, split peas and lentils are good sources of folic acid and iron.  You can also find staples such as maize meal and brown bread that are fortified with folic acid and iron.  Amasi and milk provide calcium. Tinned sardines and pilchards provide calcium and iron, and chicken livers are another good source of iron.” How can you use your pregnancy to develop healthier habits? Pregnancy is a time when your health and the health of your developing baby is an absolute priority.   Day says that it is not only what you consume but also what you do not consume that counts.  “Don’t drink alcohol when you are pregnant. All forms of alcohol could be harmful to your baby and the safest choice for your unborn baby is not to drink any alcohol at all when you are pregnant.” Sayed concludes: “Pregnancy is not a state of ill health but a time to be enjoyed, and it can help you to develop life-long healthy eating patterns that you sustain as you become a role model for the new addition to your family!”

March 12, 2018

What is PROM and is it a Cause for Concern in Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful miracles of nature, to have a human being formed inside us. This is a time filled with excitement and joy, but can also be overwhelming as we are expected to know everything there is to know about pregnancy, what is normal and what is not, what is cause for concern versus what is not and overall what to expect. This article is meant to give more information about PROM (Prelabor rupture of membranes); how common it is, what some of the associated risks are, and what we need to do in case we suspect PROM. How common is PROM? PROM (prelabor rupture of membranes) is very common in pregnancy, in fact, it is estimated that between 20%-30% of pregnancies are affected by PROM, but frequencies of up to 40% have been reported 1.  PROM occurs when the amniotic sac ruptures and amniotic fluid starts to leak. What is this Amniotic fluid (water)? Amniotic fluid plays a very important role in supporting the fetus during pregnancy. The mother’s body produces amniotic fluid as soon as 2 weeks after conception. The most important role of the amniotic fluid is to protect the baby against physical shocks from outside. It also helps the fetus to move around in the womb, consequently, allowing the fetus to develop his muscles. Maintaining a constant temperature – The amniotic fluid is typically 1 degree Celsius higher than the mother’s body temperature. This helps the fetus to maintain his body temperature. At full gestational age, SROM (spontaneous rupture of membranes) occurs, which usually occurs after labor pains commence and is a normal part of the labor process. However, sometimes PROM occurs, and this could lead to complications. Complications associated with PROM: PROM is defined as the rupture of membranes (amniotic sac) and leakage of amniotic fluid before labor begins. This can happen after 37 weeks of gestation. If the rupture of membranes happens prior to 37 weeks of gestation, the condition is termed PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes)2. It is important to be able to identify PROM as sometimes it is a gush of water that comes out which is obvious, and sometimes it is a gradual continuous leakage which is not very obvious, and can thus be mistaken for urine. Diagnosing PROM is very important for proper management of the pregnancy and delayed diagnosis could lead to complications for both mother and baby.  The two direct and most important complications of PROM are: Chorioamnionitis, which is an acute inflammation of the membranes & chorion of placenta, from ascending polymicrobial bacterial infection due to ruptured membranes and Preterm delivery (PTD)1 These complications could lead to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), foetal distress, neonatal sepsis, congenital infections like pneumonia and intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and increased neonatal deaths1. According to an article in the South African Medical Journal, deaths due to prematurity had patient associated avoidable factors in 30% of the cases. The top 5 factors were: Inappropriate response to rupture of membranes. Delay in seeking medical attention during labor. Non-initiation of antenatal care. Booking late in pregnancy. Infrequent visits to antenatal clinics3 Diagnosis of PROM is important and facilitates the commencement of appropriate therapy and could lead to reduction in complications. PROM often occurs when the pregnant woman is not in a healthcare environment. For this reason, it becomes very important to identify and know when it is PROM, in order to seek medical care and thus reduce the associated risks. When the rupture of membranes occurs or the water breaks, there is usually a gush of fluid that comes out; this is the obvious sign of PROM. The challenge becomes when this classic gush of fluid doesn’t occur, and only a gradual continual leak occurs; in this case how do you know if it is amniotic fluid or just a urine leak which is common in pregnancy? The AMNIOPADTM is a self test kit used to test for leakage of amniotic fluid (water breaking) during pregnancy. The test comes in the form of a panty liner; it’s highly effective, easy to use, results are easy to interpret, and is the only test available in South Africa that can be used at home. This easy-to-use home test kit allows you to detect probable leakage of amniotic fluid whenever you encounter unidentified wetness, or among women with a history of premature membrane rupture. AMNIOPADTM panty liner changes colour when it comes into contact with fluid of pH levels greater than or equal to 6.5. Amniotic fluid pH levels are greater than 6.5.   How to use: Simply attach the special AMNIOPADTM panty liner to your underwear and get on with your day. When you feel a fluid leak, check for a colour change on the yellow background. The pad colour change can be partial or complete (any intensity, shape, size or location). Note: a colour change appears within 10 minutes following a fluid leak. If there is a colour change to blue or green, amniotic fluid may be leaking from your uterus, or you may have a vaginal infection. You should consult your physician or go to the hospital without delay. If the panty liner remains yellow or turns yellow after 10 minutes, the fluid leak is probably urine, which is common during pregnancy. If you continue to experience vaginal wetness, apply a new panty liner and repeat the test. Any minimal amount of amniotic fluid leakage which can be sensed as wetness by the user will create a visible blue or green stain. For further diagnosis and medical care, report the results to your physician. AMNIOPADTM panty liners are recommended for screening either high-risk or normal pregnancies. Leaking amniotic fluid increases the risk of infection to both mother and foetus and early detection can help to: Prevent complications or premature birth. Identify a possible membrane rupture, especially after amniocentesis. Confirm that your water has broken so that you arrive at the hospital in time for a safe delivery. READING YOUR

March 12, 2018

Fetal development from 1 week to 40 weeks

The development of your baby inside the womb is absolutely incredible. Here’s what happens during fetal development from week 1 to 40 weeks inside the mother’s womb.

March 12, 2018

11 Common teething symptoms

Are you struggling with your baby?  Check these common teething symptoms to see if teething is responsible: Drooling Swollen Gums Chewing on anything and everything (including hands) Loss of Appetite High Temperature (although some professionals say this is not due to teething) Runny Stools (although some professionals say this is not due to teething) Runny nose (although some professionals say this is not due to teething) Diaper Rash (caused by runny stools) Irritability & fussiness Sleep Problems Sore ears (rubbing and pulling at ears)

March 9, 2018

8 Ways to predict the gender of your baby

You’re Pregnant! Congratulations If you’re as anxious as I was to find out the gender of your unborn baby you might find yourself searching everything and anything online regarding gender predictions.  Its funny how much you learn on this crazy topic when prior to being pregnant I didn’t know they existed! Below are the most talked about and widely tried and tested theories, although they are fun techniques some are actually proven and may encourage that gut feeling you have! Gender Prediction with Nub Theory Nub theory is also referred to the “angle of dangle”. Before 15 weeks of gestation, both sexes have genital tubercles. It is possible to determine the gender of the unborn baby between 12-14 weeks of gestation by careful analysis of the shape and angle of the nub. The ultrasound scan must be viewed in the profile mode, to enable viewing of the spine and the relationship of the nub to the spine. Gender Prediction with Ramzi Method / Ramzi Theory According to original research conducted by Dr. Saad Ramzi Ismaal which involved over 5,000 fetal ultrasound scans, fetus gender can be accurately determined as early as six weeks gestation based on the position of the placenta. It was found that 97.2% of the male fetuses had their placenta attached to the right side of the mother’s uterus while 97.5% of female fetuses were positioned to the left side of the uterus. Gender Prediction with the Skull Theory The Skull Theory is another excellent way to predict gender by you at home before any gender scans which are usually around the 15 weeks stage. Many mums-to-be claim it has a 92% accuracy rating, however no study has been found to back this up.  The theory is male and female skull shapes can be visible on a baby scan.  Genderprediction.co.uk/the-skull-theory have a good image to support this theory along with the visible differences, such as the male skull forehead slopes further back than the female skull, another difference is the male skull looks more block like rather than tapered and round at the top. Gender Prediction and the mothers Blood Pressure A recent study has found this theory to be pretty accurate; the study found that a woman’s blood pressure before conceiving is directly linked to the likelihood of giving birth to either a girl or a boy. Doctors found that would be mothers with lower blood pressure found to conceive a girl and those with higher blood pressure had a higher rate of expecting a boy. Those who had a baby girl average systolic blood pressure of 103.3mmHg before they conceived, while those who carried boys the figure was 106, 2.6% higher. Gender Prediction with the Chinese Calendar Chart One of the most popular gender predictors on the Internet is the The Chinese Calendar Chart is approx. 700 years old and if used correctly has an accuracy rating of over 90%. The gender of the baby is predicted based on the month of conception and the mother’s birthday as expressed in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. 90% seems like a big statement but many mothers to be who have tried this theory swear by the accuracy. Gender Prediction with the Cabbage Test The Cabbage Test has an accuracy of at least 55%, and most accurate prior to 10 weeks pregnant. When there can only be two outcomes it seems crazy that this test is even used! That being said you only need to Google this test to see many who try it to this day.  Basically the mothers pH found in her urine either clashes or does nothing with the cabbage water (chop red cabbage and place in 450ml of boiling water, 10 minutes of simmering then pour an equal amount of the cabbage water into a glass and then add the same amount of urine), if the colour goes red /pink then this indicates a boy is on his way, and purple indicates a girl.  Worth noting, that the morning urine is the most strongest to be used for this fun test. Gender Prediction with Baking Powder Test This is another wacky test that can be found on most old wives tales baby sites. The test itself is simple enough. Basically scoop a tablespoon or two of baking soda/powder into a glass, and then pour in your urine. The combination should do one of two things, if the combination fizzes like a fizzy drink that has been shook up this suggests you are having a boy. The other combination is no reaction at all from the mix this will indicate a girl. The science behind this suggests the gender of the baby affects the mother’s hormones within the body and changes the acid content within the urine. Gender Prediction with an Ultrasound Scan Arguably the most accurate way to determine the gender of your unborn baby is with the use of the scan.  Although gender scans can be done as early as 15 weeks many expectant mothers usually wait until their 20-week scan.  The accuracy rating is much higher nearer to the 20 weeks hence many waiting until then.  For the mothers who cant wait Gender Prediction allow you to upload your baby scan from 6-14 weeks gestation and will use either of the Nub, Ramzi or Skull theory to help determine your baby’s gender.

March 8, 2018

Weight isn’t the only thing you’ll be shedding after having a baby

Everything FINALLY seems to be settling down a few months after welcoming your new baby – she is in (somewhat of) a routine, her sleeping patterns are getting better and you have even managed to get more done this week. Just when things are coming together your hair starts to fall out! The average person loses around 100 hairs a day to make way for the newer hairs to come through. Most of the hair on your head is still growing, while around 10% is in a resting phase and will soon fall out.  When you are pregnant this natural hair shedding ceases to happen, which is why an expectant mother is able to proudly display her shiny locks “Many new mothers aren’t aware of the amount of hair shedding that can take place after having a baby, and it can come as quite a nasty shock when they see how much of their hair is left behind in the shower. This noticeable hair shedding is caused by dropping estrogen levels and a lot more follicles entering their resting stages” says Nomfundo Majozi, Vigro® brand manager. To start the process of getting your hair back to its original glory the active ingredients in Vigro® can help reduce non-genetic hair thinning. These active ingredients can assist the scalp with non-genetic hair thinning by cleaning and opening the hair shaft preparing the scalp for penetration of the actives, as well as assisting hair follicles to reduce hair thinning through the active ingredient Follicusan™ (topical products). ** The Vigro® 3-Step System also provides a combination of vitamins and minerals needed for healthy hair growth. Consult your doctor before using Vigro® capsules during pregnancy or breastfeeding. * *Efficacy of support may vary between users. Consult a medical practitioner for a diagnosis or if symptoms persist. Use as indicated. Vigro®3-Step System is not indicated for genetic hair loss.

March 6, 2018

3 Signs your baby is going through a growth spurt

Here are the Signs your Baby is going through a Growth Spurt: Your baby wants to eat nonstop Your baby will be up more often at night and have short day naps, but have sleep more in total Your baby will be crankier than usual Click here for an explanation of a growth spurt. Click here to read the common ages baby goes through a growth spurt in the first year.

March 6, 2018

The Importance of tummy time

Why is tummy time important? For strengthening the back muscles to assist later on with sitting. To strengthen the neck muscles. It is essential for the development of proper head control, as well as for the development of good postural control of the rest of the body. Helps babies learn to push up, roll over, sit up, crawl, and pull to a stand. Tummy time lays the foundation for the development of appropriate gross and fine motor coordination in childhood. When to start: You can start tummy time from birth – with your newborn lying skin to skin on your chest. From about one month old they can be placed in this position on their own and they will slowly start developing more head and neck control as well as back and shoulder stability which will eventually allow for reaching. Care should be taken when they are still young and battle with head control. No pillows should be used. It is wise to be with your baby when you place him on his tummy so that you can ensure that he does not smother. Always do this during the day when you can keep an eye on them. As his back and shoulder muscles continue to strengthen, he will begin to push up with his forearms resting on this floor. This position continues to strengthen shoulder muscles in preparation for crawling. How to do it: Let your baby lie on a firm, but soft surface, such as a soft carpet or a mattress. Generally, babies tend not to like being on their tummies, and need to have you around to distract them a little. If they fuss and cry when on their tummies, help them get used to it by putting them on your stomach either on the floor or on a reclining chair. The best distraction you have is yourself – get on the floor with them – babies love it when you are on their level. Sing them nursery rhymes, play peek-a-boo or move their favourite toy in front of them to get their eyes to track it or to get them to reach for it. Place a mirror in front of them so that they can look at themselves. Swish your baby through the air to music, supporting him with your arms and hands under his body and chest. Lie baby across a beach ball or exercise ball, or a rolled up sleeping-bag, and rock him gently to and fro and sideways: this will also stimulate his vestibular (balance) system and help him get used to being in different positions. Just remember to start with short, frequent periods in this position and your baby will slowly develop endurance and tolerance for being on their tummies.

March 2, 2018

Has my water broken or is it just urine?

During pregnancy, many women experience at least some degree of urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine. The incontinence may be mild and infrequent for some pregnant women, but it can be more severe for others. The kind of incontinence experienced during pregnancy is usually Stress Incontinence (SI), which is the loss of urine caused by increased pressure on the bladder. 30-40 % of women experience some degree of urinary leakage during pregnancy. In clinical studies, these numbers increased with gestational age. The prevalence of urinary incontinence before, during and after pregnancy is 3.6%, 40%, and 14.6%, respectively1. This makes urinary incontinence a frequent, yet common side-effect of pregnancy. Therefore, urine can be mistaken for amniotic fluid (water breaking). In addition to this, the levels of vaginal discharge increase greatly in pregnancy, which can also be mistaken for amniotic fluid. This can result in a lot of uncertainty when experienced and may lead to unnecessary hospital visits due to “suspected rupture of membranes” or “thinking the water broke”. What is this Amniotic fluid (water)? Amniotic fluid plays a very important role in supporting the foetus during pregnancy. The mother’s body produces amniotic fluid as soon as 2 weeks after conception. As the pregnancy progresses, the amniotic fluid helps the baby move around inside the womb, and thus, supports the development of the baby. The most important role of the amniotic fluid is to protect the baby against physical shocks from outside. It also helps the foetus to move around in the womb, consequently, allowing the foetus to develop his muscles. Maintaining a constant temperature – The amniotic fluid is typically 1 degree Celsius higher than the mother’s body temperature. This helps the foetus to maintain his body temperature. Amniotic Fluid Leak Complications (PROM – Pre labor rupture of membranes): PROM is defined as the rupture of membranes (amniotic sac) and leakage of amniotic fluid before labor begins. This can happen after 37 weeks of gestation. If the rupture of membranes happens prior to 37 weeks of gestation, the condition is termed PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes)2. It is important to be able to identify PROM as sometimes it is a gush of water that comes out and sometimes it is not very obvious, thus it can easily be mistaken for stress incontinence. Diagnosing PROM is very important for proper management of the pregnancy and delayed diagnosis could lead to complications for both mother and baby like an infection developing or pre-term birth. Diagnosis facilitates the commencement of appropriate therapy and could lead to reduction in complications. Diagnosis of PROM can be difficult if: The fluid leak is low There is spotting When the classic “gush of fluid” does not occur. The question becomes, how do I know if my water has broken or if its urine? The AMNIOPADTM is a self test kit used to test for leakage of amniotic fluid (water breaking) during pregnancy. The test comes in the form of a panty liner; it’s highly effective, easy to use, results are easy to interpret, and is the only test available in South Africa that can be used at home. This easy-to-use home test kit allows you to detect probable leakage of amniotic fluid whenever you encounter unidentified wetness, or among women with a history of premature membrane rupture. AMNIOPADTM panty liner changes colour when it comes into contact with fluid of pH levels greater than or equal to 6.5. Amniotic fluid pH levels are greater than 6.5. HOW TO USE: Simply attach the special AMNIOPADTM panty liner to your underwear and get on with your day. When you feel a fluid leak, check for a colour change on the yellow background. The pad colour change can be partial or complete (any intensity, shape, size or location). Note: a colour change appears within 10 minutes following a fluid leak. If there is a colour change to blue or green, amniotic fluid may be leaking from your uterus, or you may have a vaginal infection. You should consult your physician or go to the hospital without delay. If the panty liner remains yellow or turns yellow after 10 minutes, the fluid leak is probably urine, which is common during pregnancy. If you continue to experience vaginal wetness, apply a new panty liner and repeat the test. Any minimal amount of amniotic fluid leakage which can be sensed as wetness by the user will create a visible blue or green stain. For further diagnosis and medical care, report the results to your physician. AMNIOPADTM panty liners are recommended for screening either high-risk or normal pregnancies. Leaking amniotic fluid increases the risk of infection to both mother and foetus and early detection can help to: Prevent complications or premature birth. Identify a possible membrane rupture, especially after amniocentesis. Confirm that your water has broken so that you arrive at the hospital in time for a safe delivery. This product is intended to detect leaking amniotic fluid and identify the cause of wetness during pregnancy. For further diagnosis and medical care, report or show test results to your physician. READING YOUR RESULTS: 10 minutes after removal, look for a colour change on the panty liner. The AMNIOPADTM offers you peace of mind when uncertain about when it is time to seek medical attention. Taking the test in the comfort of your home will help you know if the wetness experienced is due to amniotic fluid leaking or urine which is common during pregnancy. The AMNIOPADTM is also avail in UK, USA, NZ and Australia. For more information about how to buy the AMNIOPADTM, visit: www.coincido.co.za or www.Facebook.com/Amniopad Tel: 011 589 9089 References: Sangsawang B, Sangsawang n. Stress urinary incontinence in pregnant women: a review of prevalence, pathophysiology, and treatment. Int Urogyneocol J.  2013 Jun;24(6):901-12. Source: James Alexander et al, Seminars in Perinatology, Vol 20, No 5, 1996: pp 369-374; Mercer et al, Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1999 Amniopad Package Insert

February 28, 2018

Must a childminder have twin experience to care for twins?

It is fair to say that just about all baby related business’s prey on new parents who are expecting multiples as they see this as an easy way to make more money. They will often mislead multiple parents into believing that if they pay a higher premium for something they will be getting a better service, or a better product etc. This is not always the case. When it comes to childcare, agencies will tell you that in order to have the best care for your multiples you should employ a lady who has experience with twins. If you do this you are expected to pay more for her than for a lady who has worked with singletons. I am very pleased to inform you that this is totally misleading and I speak from my own experience as a mom of twins who chose a lady who had no twin experience from a very large database of candidates at my disposal and she turned out to be an absolute gem. This is what you need to look for : The lady must have worked with multiple children, meaning she can multiple task, not necessarily twins. Her temperament is more important, she should be full of smiles, kind, patient, energetic and have a good command of the english language. With this half of the battle is already won. She must have experience with toddlers, if you want to have her long term she should understand that toddlers are a lot more work than babies as they are more demanding. She should have first aid, a childcare certificate and a sleep course would be an added benefit. As the children get older you can add a stimulation course Does she understand how routines work Test on basic terminology, I have found when teaching a childcare course the childminders don’t understand words like “ swaddle “ and  “ drooling “ this can lead to communication problems Give scenarios and ask how she will handle it, for example if both babies are crying what will you do? I found I don’t like a candidate that has worked in a lot of homes, they become spoilt and start telling the moms what to do. There is a fine line between a new mom needing help and wanting guidance. If you have other children always have a 5 day trial run to see how she fits in your home. An interview is very different to someone in action What to do when you are ready to employ someone: Be clear on what you need, some families want a lady who will clean and take care of the children other families want a lady who acts purely as a childminder. A professional childminder earns more than a domestic childminder. You should start planning from around 30 weeks on who you want to employ. Register with an agency and start the interview process, you want enough time to not be pressurised into having to take someone. Remember you wont know exactly when your babies will be due and they may stay longer in hospital than anticipated, so rather give an estimated start date. Stay in contact with your candidate so that she doesn’t get nervous Take the time to check references, also speaking to the previous moms might give you some tips on what to do to make your life easier Always give employment contracts, I advise to start off with only a short contract of 3 months, you can then extend it if both parties are happy. That way you are not tied down if you are not happy. You are looking for someone who shares the same beliefs and principles as you and who works hand in hand with you.  You need to be a single unit and not feel like you are swimming uphill every day. Remember that these childminders love their jobs and are proud of what they do. They want to make you and your children happy.

February 28, 2018

Hey Ladies are you feeling Wet down there? No need to worry …….

Most women at some stage in their lifetime will experience some form of vaginal discharge. The discharge may be normal or have a vaginal infection, characterized by discharge, itching, or odor. Vaginal infections are one of the top 25 reasons for women to consult doctors in the USA. The 3 most common types of vaginal infections (vaginitis) include: Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis and Candidiasis, and these may or may not be associated with cervical infection1. The key to proper treatment of vaginitis is proper diagnosis. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) Bacterial Vaginosis is a vaginal infection that occurs when the balance of bacteria in the vagina is altered. It is a common condition affecting millions of women. Bacterial Vaginosis is characterized by the following symptoms: Increased vaginal pH to level of above 4.5. Thin homogeneous vaginal discharge – watery discharge (up to 50% of pts). Positive amine test – fishy odor (In pts with no discharge, the fishy odour may be more noticeable after sex or menstruation). Nearly 50% of pts with BV do not have symptoms and don’t know they have BV. Although the syndrome is curable with standard drugs, recurrence rates are high. Because many patients are asymptomatic (do not experience any symptoms), recurrence is difficult to differentiate from treatment failure. BV is associated with serious complications such as: Premature delivery Infections after abortion or hysterectomy and After placement of an IUD, increase in development of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and endometriosis, Inflammation of uterus / womb and fallopian tubes  Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection; however, it is associated with the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS.  Various diagnostic methods are available to identify the abnormal vaginal discharge. Clinical laboratory testing can identify the cause of vaginitis in most women OR BV can be diagnosed by the use of clinical criteria (i.e., Amsel’s Diagnostic Criteria considered the gold standard laboratory method for diagnosing BV) Clinical criteria require three of the following symptoms or signs: Homogeneous, thin, white discharge that smoothly coats the vaginal walls; Clue cells on microscopic examination; pH of vaginal fluid > 4.5; or a fishy odor of vaginal discharge before or after addition of 10% KOH (i.e., the whiff test). BV can be treated with over the counter medication or by prescription medication. Proper clinical evaluation is recommended to ensure proper treatment. Trichomoniasis  Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent  non-viral sexually transmitted infection. Trichomonal infections are asymptomatic in as many as 50% of male and female patients. The signs and symptoms of Trichomoniasis are: More extensive inflammation Erosion of the epithelial lining that is associated with burning, itching, and pain during urination Smelly or typically foamy discharge Yellow or gray-green discharge. Increased vaginal pH to levels above 4.5 Trichomoniasis should be treated by a clinician and not by over the counter medication. The sexual partner must also be treated in order to avoid reinfection. Candidiasis It is said that approximately 75% of women will experience at least one episode of Candidiasis in their lifetime. Candidiasis, otherwise commonly known as Candida is not a sexually transmitted infection and is usually caused by an overgrowth of the yeast that is normally present in the vagina. Some of the signs and symptoms of candidiasis are: Vulvovaginal irritation and / or soreness Whitish, cheesy discharge The pH levels of the vagina remains normal <4.5 With the availability of alternative therapies and over-the-counter medications for candidiasis, many women with symptoms seek these products before an evaluation by a medical provider. Obtaining a medical history alone has been shown to be insufficient for accurate diagnosis of vaginitis and can lead to the inappropriate administration of medication2. This makes it important for women to have a tool they can use either at home or at their Drs room to determine the cause of their vaginitis and treat correctly. Coincido offers the only rapid test on the market that can be used either by women at home or by healthcare professionals to monitor vaginal pH and assist in determining the cause of vaginitis:   Result interpretation (considered as part of the clinical evaluation): Positive result (blue, green) consider BV or Trichomonas infections. Negative result  (yellow) consider yeast infection The SwabEze is comprised of a vaginal swab with a polyester tip. The swab tip changes color when it comes in contact with vaginal secretions presenting elevated pH  (abnormal acidity) or low buffer capacity (watery discharge). A change of color from pale yellow to green or blue (even if only part of the tip change color) is easy to identify, considered as positive reading No color scale needed to interpret results. The Swabeze gives you piece of mind and guidance with appropriate treatment of vaginitis. By using the Swabeze at home you can avoid embarrassing questions when seeking treatment at the pharmacy. The Swabeze is also available in Australia, USA, New Zealand, UK and many other international markets. For more information on how to order the Swabeze for monitoring vaginal pH you can visit: www.coincido.co.za or call 011 589 989 MANAGEMENT OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE A AHOOSEN  CME February 2004 Vol.22 No.2 Page last reviewed: June 4, 2015 Content source: Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

February 27, 2018

A Healthy Lifestyle is a Must for Your Unborn Baby

Becoming a new mom is a thrilling, yet daunting experience! From the moment, you find out you’re expecting a little bundle of joy, you need to make numerous life changing decisions – even before the big arrival. Choices need to be made – everything from what colour to make the baby’s room, to who will take care of your baby once (if) you return to work, and of course, one of the most important decisions – choosing a name. However, despite all these important choices you need to consider, often it’s the moments ‘in between’ that really count – like your health and lifestyle choices, which could direct affect your unborn child. If you have been taking your health for granted, well then now is the time to assess your current lifestyle – to see if any changes must be made. Your unborn baby will rely on you for all essential nutrients, which are important for his/her development, and by eating well, exercising and taking your prenatal vitamins you can decrease your risk of a complicated pregnancy. It is for this reason, that as an expectant mom, you should prioritise your health and looking at an exercise and eating plan can go a long way here.  The importance of exercising How long can I jog for?  Am I able to lift weights? These are some of the questions that a lot of pregnant women are unsure of when it comes to exercise. Many expectant moms want to jump in and exercise to ensure to keep the extra weight off, but sometimes its not a good idea to start something your body isn’t used to.  Despite all the myths around exercising during pregnancy, health practitioners encourage moderate exercise, as it is highly beneficial for both mom and growing baby. So, how will exercise benefit you and baby? Increases your energy levels Improves sleep Strengthens muscles and builds endurance Reduces backaches Relieves constipation Eating right – for you and the baby There will always be contradicting ideas from friends and family on what an expecting mother should eat or drink, however, it is always important to do personal research and get advice from your doctor or clinic. Of course, there are certain foods that should be completely avoided by a pregnant mother, like raw meat and uncooked seafood. Ideally, expectant moms should aim to eat foods that are high in calcium, antioxidants and nutrients, as regularly as possible. And, before you get carried away and utter the words “I’m eating for two” – remember that eating too many calories is also harmful to you and baby. You might even struggle to lose the post pregnancy weight, which can leave you frustrated. In terms of the food you eat, make sure you get enough: Vitamin D – which helps with the absorption of calcium Iron  – is vital for creating the baby’s blood supply Vitamin C – improves the uptake of iron from non-meat sources Omega 3 fats – are important to ensure optimal brain development of the baby Calcium – which helps developing the baby’s bones and teeth Ante natal visits and appointments As soon as you find out that you are pregnant, schedule appointments with a reputable gynaecologist/mid-wife, who can help you plan your antenatal care. This will ensure that you are getting the right advice for a healthy pregnancy, right from the get go. Ante natal care is an essential part of pregnancy, and on days where you are tempted to skip your appointment and rather relax on the couch – remember that sticking to appointments is essential in assessing your unborn baby’s health, and to examine whether the pregnancy is progressing well. And of course, the absolute best part of an antenatal visit is when hearing the heartbeat and getting a visual ‘sneak peek’ of your growing little one during an ultrasound. Of course you hormones are a factor during your pregnancy, but with moderate exercise, plenty of sleep, healthy eating and making use of your support system, you can help ensure that your pregnancy is healthy and that you give your baby the healthiest start. Enjoy this time – it’s the start of a truly wonderful journey.

February 27, 2018

Knowing how UIF works

Claiming UIF can be stressful and confusing for most people. Now add to that pregnancy hormones and twins or triplets in your belly and this is enough to cause any mom and extra dose of craziness. We spoke to Helene Vermaak from Mom’s Link to UIF who gave us some simple pointers on how to make the process easier and who can benefit from the system. The main purpose of UIF is to assist people who stop receiving a salary for a period of time for various reasons which can include pregnancy or adopting a child under the age of 2 years. Who can claim? The future mom – to -be can claim for a period of up to 17 weeks. The Dept of Labour pays between 38% and 58% of your salary.  The higher your salary, the lower the %.  The maximum monthly amount that your employer can deduct from your salary towards UIF, is R148.72, i.e. 1% of R14 872.  Because you pay UIF on this salary, the payments from UIF is also calculated from a maximum of R14 872.  No matter what your actual salary is.  Maximum payment is 38% of R14 872 = +-R5 600 per month You can also claim even if you have a miscarriage, here you can claim for a period of up to 6 weeks. Non South Africans with a valid passport and who contribute monthly to UIF may claim Who can’t claim? Unfortunately there are those moms that can’t claim for various reasons. Some of them being If you work less than 24 hours a month Commission earners. You can only submit if you earn a basic plus commission Are a learner ( so a student in high school or university ) Sole proprietor ( a business trading in your own name ) Work for the government If you are a salary earner and you have never paid UIF Salary earners who resign while they are pregnant can only claim up to 4 months If you earn a full salary while on maternity leave you may not claim There is a chance you may not claim if you have claimed other UIF benefits in last 4 – 5 years What forms do you need? Complete the relevant application forms Copy of your ID or passport Submit your employee’s details on form UI.19 Supporting documents like payslip and proof of residence Ensure you have filled in the form correctly, any blank spaces will slow down the process and incorrect banking information will cause a delay in payment. How is the payment calculated? Payment is calculated in two ways. If you were contributing monthly, you will multiply your monthly salary by 12 and then divide it by 365 days If you were contributing weekly, you will multiply your weekly salary by 52 and then divide it by 365 days Extra points to remember You can only claim within the first 6 months of your babies birth You do not pay tax on your UIF claims If you are retrenched claim your maternity benefit before your other benefits from the Dept. of Labour. Maternity Claims don’t affect your credits UIF Agencies There are many agencies that offer their services. After asking on Facebook these came up as the prefer ones by other twin moms. Moms link to UIF www.momslink.co.za Mothers joy  www.mothersjoy.co.za UIF hero  www.uif-hero.co.za Babybenefitsuif  www.babybenefitsuif.co.za You can also contact the UIF offices directly in Pretoria on (012) 337 – 1700

February 27, 2018

Planning to Become a Mom?

Here’s the financially savvy stuff you should be thinking about With Hollywood booming with pregnant celebrities like Beyoncé, Amal Clooney, Ciara and Natalie Portman – just to name a few – expectant moms and those planning a family may be dreaming about their future bundle of joy. The cuddles, the smiles, the giggles, the bibs and the booties. A new baby will capture your heart. It will also capture a fair portion of your family’s budget! Danelle van Heerde, head of advice processes and tools for Sanlam Personal Finance, says “Pregnancy and parenting is costly and there are many financial unknowns. Going into this new life stage with your eyes wide open is therefore important.  A financial plan that spans each stage of your pregnancy as well as the months and years that follow will go a long way to help you cope well with the financial side of this exciting life journey.” A plan – drawn up in consultation with a partner, employer, medical aid provider and financial planner – should cover the following costs and considerations. Pre-pregnancy Make sure your medical scheme’s maternity benefits offer sufficient cover. If you are not a member of a medical scheme, sign up before you fall pregnant. Most schemes won’t sign you up once you are already pregnant.  First trimester  Find a competitively priced gynaecologist with an excellent reputation. Your first antenatal consultationmay cost between R700 and R1 000 and after that expect to pay approximately R700 per appointment. Start saving for big items, a new pram and baby cot can cost between R500 and R10 000. Second trimester  Now that the morning sickness has passed, use the second trimester to review your long-term financial plans with your financial planner. Start thinking about updating your will, appointing a guardian, revisiting your estate planning, increasing your life cover and emergency fund, and starting an education fund. Meet with your HR manager to understand your maternity benefits.  You are legally entitled to four months maternityleave, but this could be unpaid. Prepare to claim for UIF. You can expect to receive between 38% and 60% of your gross salary, capped amount at R 14 872 per month salary for a maximum of four months (there are agencies that can help with the admin for your UIF for around R500). Third trimester  Start to gently whisper to your bestie that you’d like to set up a registry for your baby shower so that you don’t end up with 20 teddies and no white vests! Keep receipts for all purchases – you can exchange items like nappies for a bigger size if your baby outgrows them. Look for specials – you could save a fortune on nappies! During this period your budget will have to accommodate your maternity leave, living needs, savings, insurance, medical aid and essentials required for the baby. Antenatal classes will cost on average R300 each over 6 to 8 weeks. Buy a car seat (R600 – R6000) and get used to using it (the first trip back from hospital will have you rattled enough without having to battle with buckles). Birth If you don’t have medical scheme cover, prepare for an average cost of R21 000 to R26 050 for a caesareanand R16 000 to R19 000 for natural birth at a private hospital. Additional professional fees can add R10 000 to R20 000 to the overall bill. Gap covercan help make up for this deficit, but it depends on the policy you take out. However, gap cover is relatively inexpensive and your financial planner should be able to help. Add your new baby to your medical scheme immediately and expect a premium increase as a result of the additional dependent. After your baby has arrived Budget for check-up consultations with your paediatrician – these range from R500 to R1000 per visit. Vaccinations are free in a government health clinic, but can cost up to R5000 in a private baby clinic. Childcare expenses start at R1500p/m and can climb to R8000p/m should you require a fulltime nanny. Nappies will cost you about R300p/m, while toiletries can come to R400p/m. Remember, your work situation might change. If you’ve decided to stop working or reduce your working hours, then you need to take your adjusted income into account and adapt your budget accordingly.

February 23, 2018

A Gender-Neutral Approach to Pregnancy

Finding out the baby’s gender is one of the highlights of pregnancy for many parents, as this serves as their starting point to prepare the things their child will need when they enter the world. After all, how do parents know if they should get blue or pink items without knowing what their baby’s gender is in the first place? Today, however, more parents are opting for a more unisex approach. Their reason? To make sure that their offspring aren’t tied to the gender stereotypes imposed by society. Thanks in part to celebrities such as Pink and Angelina Jolie who said that they are bringing up their offspring in a gender-neutral environment, this parenting method has become a trendy approach to raising children. This strategy though, is actually backed up by science. Health journalist Helen Thomson noted that taking on a gendered approach may be harmful to kids in the long run. A BBC documentary showed that children developed better behaviour and self-esteem when they attended a school that promoted gender neutrality. The mounting evidence supporting a unisex approach to parenting has led to an increasing number of parents following this method. If you’re considering raising your offspring in a gender-neutral environment, the good news is that you can actually take certain steps to promote this even before your child is born. Here are some strategies that you can apply: Pick a unisex name If you’re serious about using a gender-neutral approach to raise your child, a good first step would be to choose a unisex name such as Alex, Jamie, or Sam. If you want a more off-beat choice, you can choose a name that is traditionally identified with the opposite sex of your baby. For instance, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds had no qualms about naming their daughter James. Decorate your nursery properly If you want to make your child’s room as gender-neutral as possible, you can follow the advice given in ‘Decorating Your Baby’s Nursery’ and choose a neutral shade for the walls and flooring. Gender-neutral shades include yellow, green, grey, and cream. A neutral-toned room doesn’t necessarily mean boring, because you can pair the neutral backdrop with brightly-coloured decorations. For instance, What to Expect suggests hanging a multi-coloured mobile as part of the decor. Alternatively, you can style the room following a gender-neutral theme such as woodlands or the beach or a carnival. Shopping for clothes The type of clothes you choose may not only affect how children see themselves later on in life, these items can also have an impact on how other people interact with them. In effect, biases are formed towards them even before they are able to walk and talk. In the case of newborns, you can get onesies that come in all colours. It isn’t necessary to avoid blues and pinks, so long as you mix them up with other shades such as green, yellow, purple, and red. Choosing toys Shopping for toys shouldn’t be too difficult, as the concept of taking on a gender-neutral approach means allowing children to have different types of playthings, from cars to dolls. What’s more important is to get toys that will teach them to learn developmental skills and allow them to exercise their creativity and imagination.

February 23, 2018

TIPS FOR THOSE LAST FEW WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

Birth is such an awesome and exciting event. As pregnancy progresses into its final stages once can be faced with various physical challenges where just standing up has become a process on its own. Therefore, it is important to always take care of your health, fitness levels and continuing to prepare for the arrival of your baby. There is nothing as amazing as knowing that you have prepared well ahead for the birth of your precious miracle and breastfeeding moments you will have together. A few tips for those last few weeks and days of pregnancy: Make sure you are eating healthily to keep up your energy levels for the hard work of labour ahead. Similac Mom provides you with all the special nutrients that you need for this time Keep Similac Mom close at hand for those days ahead when you will be breastfeeding. While you are breastfeeding, have a glass of Similac Mom next to you not only to quench the extra breastfeeding thirst, but to also make sure you have the correct nutrition for both you and your baby during these precious times Rest during the day- you never know when you might go into labour so never let yourself get really tired because that is the day you probably will go into labour. If you are tired when labour starts, you start at such a disadvantage, rather start labour feeling refreshed and with high energy levels Stay active so you keep up your fitness levels Make sure your bags are packed and ready for labour. Keep them with you if you go far from home Make sure you have discussed your birth plan with the doctor/midwife and the hospital where you will be delivering to ensure everyone is on the same page as you Practice your skills learnt at childbirth education classes together with your birth partner Make sure you have a lactation consultant’s number saved in your phone in case you need one in those early days of breastfeeding Ensure you do a breastfeeding course. Knowledge is very empowering and helpful for this new skill that will be required of you Know your baby’s normal movements. Be aware your baby should move nicely every day. Your baby should move 10 times in less than 2 hours. A quicker but as reliable method, is 3 kicks in an hour. You know your baby is fit and healthy by feeling him move. He has times of sleeping as well so won’t be moving 24/7. If you cannot feel your baby moving, have something sweets to eat and drink and then do what generally gets your baby moving – for some it is to take a bath, others to lie down. If you are concerned your baby isn’t moving as well as usual or is moving far more than normal – contact your caregiver or the labour ward at the hospital. Towards the end of pregnancy, your baby may move differently, fewer but bigger movements. Spend lots of time communicating with your partner as you prepare for labour together as well as your new journey together as parents Enjoy this time! Your pregnancy will soon be over and you will have lots of new skills to learn! By Lynne Bluff About Abbott Nutrition As a division of Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Nutrition is recognized as one of the world’s trusted names in children, adult, and healthy living products, including Ensure®, PediaSure® Complete and Similac® Mom. Abbott Nutrition South Africa first opened its doors in 1940 and for more than 75 years, has remained committed to the highest standards of quality, excellence, and innovation and as leaders in science-based nutrition, they continue to support people’s nutritional needs throughout their life stages.

February 22, 2018

Nutrition in pregnancy: Giving your baby the healthiest possible start

With so many myths out there about diet and pregnancy, no wonder new mothers-to-be feel confused about the do’s and don’ts of their own diets. To eat appropriately is the one thing a mother have a lot of control over, and wants to get 100% right, but is so afraid of getting it wrong. We are regularly told that our weight, nutritional status and health during pregnancy and breastfeeding have effect on a baby’s risk of developing disease in future, birth risks, the baby’s health and growth both in the uterus and after birth. Scary as it may sound, with the right dietary advice and support it can actually be quite easy to get your diet right with a few easy tips. Keep reading. Will my pregnancy cravings influence my child’s eating habits?  Want your child to love veggies? Start early. Very early! New research shows that WHAT a woman eats during pregnancy not only nourishes her baby in the womb, but can influence a baby’s palate and food memories before he/she is born. The study found that a mother’s diet shapes her baby’s food preferences and acceptance later in life. Flavour perception develops as early as in the unborn infant and taste and smell continues to develop once they are born. In the womb, a fetus is surrounded and nourished on amniotic fluids, which is filled with the flavours of what the mom has eaten in the last few hours. The fetus starts to swallow large amounts of amniotic fluid from about 12 week’s gestation. By the time a women reaches her third trimester the fetus’s brain starts to communicate with the taste and smell receptors – for the baby to start to associate with certain flavours and odours in the amniotic fluid. A baby therefore already starts to build a memory bank of tastes and flavours during pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is therefore the first food for the baby to feast on and contains protein, sugars, fat and different flavours of the food that the mother eats. The fetus can detect these tastes and flavours – forming memories of these flavours and will prefer flavours that were previously experienced in the amniotic fluid. It was shown that if mothers who consumed carrot, anise or garlic flavoured food during pregnancy, their infants would be more accepting to flavours later in life. The flavour learning continues when infants experience the flavours of mother’s diet transmitted in breast milk, especially flavours such as anise, garlic, carrot, mint, vanilla. When babies start solids they showed greater liking for and acceptance of flavours to which they had early exposure. This means you can teach your baby to like broccoli from an early age! This varied experiences with food flavours increase food acceptance and may help explain why children who are breastfed are less picky during childhood. Formula tastes the same day-in and day-out. If you plan to formula feed your infant, and worry about the lack of variants in flavours just make sure you introduce your baby to the largest variety of solid  food and flavours early on in the weaning period. To conclude, if you want your children to eat a healthy diet (e.g. their broccoli) or more adventurous diet, you should expose them to all the right, healthy flavours early on. Will WHAT I eat during pregnancy affect what diseases my child may have in later life? There are some studies that show that the mother’s diet may affect whether children have the risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, obesity or high blood pressure later in life. During the war, when pregnant women were exposed to very little food, especially in the first trimester, their children were more likely to be born heavier, taller and develop heart disease in adulthood. Some studies suggest that when an expectant mother has too little protein and too many carbohydrates in her diet, the child may have a risk of high blood pressure later in life. This also applies to when you do not supplement your diet with the recommended vitamin and mineral supplements e.g. folic acid, iron calcium and vitamin D. “Over nutrition” during pregnancy also has detrimental effects and may cause the fetus to grow faster than the fetus’s organs and can lead to liver, heart and kidney disease in adulthood. There is also a suggestion in research that if your diet is rich in omega 3 fatty acids (mainly available in oily fish and seeds) during pregnancy it can protect the baby against ailments such as high blood pressure and heart disease in adult life. Should I avoid certain foods during pregnancy to prevent my child from having food allergies? Many scientific studies have been done to investigate whether mothers who avoid certain foods in the diet during pregnancy can control the presence of allergies and eczema in their babies once they are born. They all concluded that babies might or might not present with food allergies and eczema, regardless of the mother’s diet, especially when there is a strong family history of food allergies. They also concluded that avoiding certain food in the pregnant mother’s diet have shown to affect the mother and the baby’s nutritional status. Both may run the risk of missing out on essential vitamin and minerals contributing to an inadequate nutritional intake and is therefore not recommended. You can actually do more harm than good by avoiding anything in the diet for instance nuts, fish, eggs, milk, citrus fruits to prevent allergies in your baby. If you as expectant mother do suffer from food allergies and need to avoid certain foods it would be of benefit to consult a dietitian who would be able to provide you with a nutritionally balanced diet and ensure both you and your baby get all the nutrients you require. Super foods for pregnancy Eggs: It contains choline that helps to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. In addition, studies suggest that choline is key to the

February 22, 2018

Understanding The Possibilities Of A High Risk Pregnancy

So you’ve reached the 12 week mark…phew!  If you are like me you would have waited until now to ‘officially’ spread the news! I will never forget how excited I was…I AM PREGNANT!  Besides the morning (and evening) sickness…I loved every minute of my pregnancy!  I would read every new development from my trusted baby app, most mornings flooding my husband with all this new knowledge. In my opinion I was plain sailing and I couldn’t understand why some women complained about pregnancy. We made it to 20 weeks…yay half way! But this was also the beginning of my downfall. The dreaded word Pre-eclampsia was never mentioned during my pregnancy, but it’s presence was always the elephant in the room. I had become a high risk without even taking it seriously. Even after being warned I could give birth as early as 34 weeks, I still didn’t think about the risks I was going through or giving birth to a premature baby. The night I gave birth, the ‘condition that should be named’ hit a climax and my body was losing the battle. With a blood pressure reading of 200/120, our daughter was born at 30 weeks at 3:50 in the morning. We survived the night but the journey was far from over. What is high risk pregnancy? High risk pregnancy is defined as a condition that threatens the life of the mother and foetus. Besides Pre-eclampsia (1), there are a few other conditions that make it onto the high risk list. Namely, gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus, stillbirth, Placenta Previa, HELLP syndrome and multiple births just to name a few (2). There are a number of health factors that can promote a high risk pregnancy like obesity, stressful lifestyle, mature age, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and previous pregnancy problems. Now take a breath, if you have been told you may be high risk that doesn’t necessarily mean you will have problems during your pregnancy. Many women have gone on to have a healthy pregnancy with minimal birth complications. You will need special monitoring and perhaps extra treatment & medication provided by your OBGYN or Midwife. Serious conditions may result in preterm (3) birth where your little one/s will need to spend time in NICU care. What can I do? It is vital that all appointments with your OBGYN or Midwife are kept, eat a healthy diet, keep away from alcohol, cigarettes or drugs that are dangerous for the baby. Try and attend an antenatal course, the knowledge and support you will receive is priceless. You may be advised to limit your working hours (depending on your career) or be admitted to the hospital for monitoring. The main thing you can do is relax.

February 20, 2018

Pregnancy Education = Informed Choices

The thought of giving birth can be both scary and confusing; particularly with conflicting advice given by friends, health workers, family and the internet. Research* has shown that pregnancy education, also known as childbirth education or antenatal classes, is one of the most effective tools to minimise fear. “In this day and age getting information isn’t the problem,” says Pretoria-based neonatologist Professor Suzanne Delport, “it’s finding the right source of information.” The theme of this year’s Pregnancy Education Week campaign in February ‘Date and way of birth – what would baby choose?’ highlighted howchildbirth education enables parents to make informed choices about what is best for them and their baby.  “Only about 5% of pregnant women attend formal antenatal classes,” says Lynne Bluff, national co-ordinator of the Childbirth Educators’ Professional Forum (CBEPF). Doctors would like to see that number increase, as the labour outcome for an educated parent is likely to be better. Recent research* has shown that pregnancy education is one of the most effective tools to minimise fear during birth.  “You can tell during the birth whether or not parents have been to classes. They are more knowledgeable, less anxious and more relaxed,” says Bluff. Professor Delport has been sharing up-to-date research on the optimum date and method of birth with childbirth educators. “A full-term pregnancy used to be considered to be somewhere between 37 and 42 weeks. Newer research has shown that foetal brain development continues late into the last week of pregnancy. Full-term is now considered to be 39 to 40 completed weeks; birth prior to then is now considered early term and carries a risk of delivering a baby who may develop serious complications due to immaturity of organs, including the brain.” Delport says method of birth is another area where opinions can often outweigh factual information. “More than two-thirds of births in the private sector in South Africa are by caesarean section, yet evidence indicates no benefit, and increased immediate and long-term risks to both mother and infant. By sharing evidence-based, factual information childbirth educators allow expectant parents to confidently make informed decisions.” Johannesburg-based nurse-in-action Dumisile Mncwango has been giving childbirth education classes for the past three years. “I encourage partners to attend. In some communities people say birth is a ‘woman’s thing’ but it helps so much if both parents have the same understanding to deal with the many myths that do come up.” “We strongly recommend childbirth education,” says Lauren Macnab of Bio-Oil, official partner for Pregnancy Education Week. “It allows parents to make informed choices and gives expectant parents confidence and reassurance.” To find a childbirth educator in your area and visit www.expectantmothersguide.co.za or www.facebook.com/ExpectantMothersGuideZA or #WhatWouldBabyChoose. Additional Information Six good reasons to attend childbirth education classes: 1)    Expertise – educators are experienced nursing sisters and midwives who have chosen to specialise in childbirth education because they passionately believe in it. 2)    Knowledge – you learn about ALL the childbirth options available to you, and the pros and cons of each. 3)    Tools – you’ll be given practical tips and techniques – such as breathing, relaxation, positions, massage and visualisation – that can help you have an easier birth. 4)    Confidence – you and your partner will feel more confident knowing what to expect and how to manage it. 5)    Preparation – you’ll be taught about all aspects of pregnancy and birth, from stretch marks to caring for your newborn. 6)    Connections – you’ll meet other expectant parents from your area.

February 19, 2018

Chiropractic care for mothers during and after pregnancy

Chiropractic has typically included the care of pregnant patients to insure a comfortable pregnancy and to help facilitate in an uncomplicated labour and delivery process. Low back pain is often described as an inevitable complication of pregnancy.  It has been reported that approximately 50 % of all pregnant women experience back pain during their pregnancy and 50 % to 75 % of women experience back pain during labour. However, only 21% of pregnant women with back pain seek consultation with medical practitioners. Therefore, it is important to have a look at some possible causes of low back pain during pregnancy. Biomechanical changes and stress to the neuro-musculoskeletal system are present during and immediately after pregnancy. Adaptations of the body structurally may be a contributory source of low back pain throughout the gestation period. As the foetus develops, its weight is projected forward and the lumbar lordosis is increased, placing extra stress on the intervertebral discs and joints of the spine. Spinal dysfunction related to the change in the load distributions are a factor in back pain. Hormonally an increase in circulating progesterone, estrogen, and relaxin (especially in the third trimester) cause hypermobility in the pelvis and a decrease in spinal stabilization. Physically strenuous work and previous low back pain are factors that may also be associated with an increased risk of developing low back pain during pregnancy. Common treatment techniques that chiropractors utilize include gentle myofascial relaxation of specific muscles, which can greatly aide in the reduction of pain and tension. Also, improving the strength of the core muscles is thought to prevent some of the typical postural alterations.  Release of muscle spasm can be quite beneficial in relieving suboccipital headaches, cervicothoracic pain, thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms, or myofascial pain syndromes. Chiropractors can also help the pregnant patient manage an exercise routine compatible for her changing body throughout pregnancy. Research shows that approximately 75% of pregnant patients who received chiropractic care during their pregnancies stated that they found relief from pain. After delivery, the ligaments in the body are tightening up to help bring the joints back together, this process can take up to 8 months. Rehabilitative exercises should be used for weakened back and abdominal muscles.  Regular chiropractic care is valuable during the post-partum recovery phase and is beneficial in assisting proper restoration of normal spinal biomechanics. SOURCES: Borggren, C.L. (2007). Pregnancy and Chiropractic: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 6(2) p 70-74.

February 16, 2018
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