leading expert advice
The Headache Clinic

Pregnancy and Migraines

Pregnancy is an exciting time for many women. Unfortunately pregnant women also suffer from headaches and migraines, and tend so self-medicate with over the counter medication. According to Dr. Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s migraine surgery pioneer and the medical director of The Headache Clinic, “Often the migraines or headaches worsen during the first trimester (the the first three months of pregnancy), but don’t despair – in 70 % of women the migraines get better in the second and third trimesters. Unfortunately medication is not a good option during pregnancy, and the only pain medication that is safe is Panado or Paracetamol,” he says. “Unfortunately pregnant women who suffer from migraines with aura, (a term used to refer to warning signs of migraine such as seeing zigzag lines before the pain starts), usually don’t find relief in the second half of their pregnancy and have less chance of improvement.” Two studies show that many pregnant women rely on over the counter medication. The first study, published in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, showed “a significant number of pregnant women relied on over-the-counter medication”. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Isra University Hospital in Pakistan for six months and comprised of 351 pregnant women who were interviewed face to face. Overall, 223 (63.5%) patients were using over the counter drugs before pregnancy and 128 (36.5%) had used them in a previous pregnancy. A further 133 (37.9%) were using the medications during the current pregnancy. Quite worrying is that a total of 103(77.4%) had no knowledge about the possible harmful effects of the medication they were taking. Whilst this study highlighted the frequent use of over the counter medications in pregnant women, another study, published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, indicates most women experience automatic relief during their 2nd and 3rd trimesters. For those not getting relief from headaches or migraines, medication needs to minimise. So is surgery a viable option in pregnant women? One of the most successful treatment methods for migraine is to close off the small arteries under the skin of the scalp that cause the pain (not the arteries in the brain), by means of minimally invasive surgery. Commenting on the surgery during pregnancy, Dr Shevel says, ‘We usually wouldn’t do the surgery during the first three months of the pregnancy because the drugs used in the sedation or anaesthetic may affect the fetus and cause problems. After the first trimester the operation is safe to perform, but we prefer to wait until the baby is born to avoid any possible unforseen complications. Sometimes however, an expectant mother is just in so much pain that the operation can’t wait.” Other pressing issues Expectant mothers always have a lot of questions about headaches and migraines. Here are some answered: Will the baby be affected by the trauma and pain of my headache? No, says Shevel. “There is no evidence to indicate this, but the baby can be affected by a medication the mother is using and that is why we are saying only Panado or Paracetamol is safe.” Is there an ingredient in the pill that aggravates or makes headaches worse? The short answer is yes. “The pill contains a variety of different hormones, and changes in those hormone levels can affect the headaches. It is interesting to note however, that although they can make the headaches worse, they may also sometimes make them better – it’s impossible to predict.” What role does breastfeeding play? According to Shevel breastfeeding can also play a role. “If women breastfeed after birth the headaches usually stays away until the baby is weaned. “

February 14, 2018
Kath Megaw

The benefits of eating well during pregnancy

When you discover you are pregnant for the first time – your whole world shifts. Up to this point decisions you made with regards to your eating only had a direct effect on your body. Suddenly what you eat affects your unborn baby in more ways than we even realized. Benefit 1: A good balanced nutritious diet will have all the necessary nutrients to allow for optimal growth of your little one! Keep it simple but healthy. You need to eat foods from all the food groups. Avoid fad dieting while pregnant as you will miss out on some essential nutrients. You need a range of fresh fruit and vegetables as this gives you the vitamins and minerals you and your baby need. Lutein is an anti oxidant found in green leafy vegetables and is very good for your babies immune system and brain development. Carotene is found in orange veggies and is very healthy for your babies eye and skin health. A healthy skin may be protective for your  baby against allergies later on in life. Aim to eat at least five servings a day.   Protein foods like meats, eggs, milk, nuts etc are very important for muscle development and for keeping your placenta well nourished with a healthy blood flow. Some pre term deliveries may result from a placenta that has ‘dried’ up too soon. So aim to eat at least 4 portions (palm size) daily. If you are struggling with nausea in these early days then it may be helpful to get a good supplement that you can take to ensure you meet you protein needs. Starch foods like rice, pasta, wholegrain breads and cereals are very important for energy for you and your baby and also for fibre. Like fruit the fibre in these whole grain products ensure that you stay regular when drunken with adequate water. Have 3 -4  servings of healthy low GI starch daily and at least 1.5L water through out the day. Fats like avocado, linseeds, flaxseeds, olives etc are important to provide the essential fatty acids necessary for you the mom to retain brain cells J and for your little one to create new healthy brain cells. Aim to have 4 fat servings per day (1 tsp/serving or ¼ avocado)   Benefit 2: A lot of ongoing research is looking at the moms diet and including high risk allergen foods and initially the thinking was that we should avoid allergens during pregnancy however this has not shown to be beneficial and may even be more harmful. The recommendations now are to include all allergen foods as long as you are not allergic to one of them. So avoid all foods except those you are allergic to. Benefit 3: Some very interesting and current research is going on at the moment around fussy eating and when foods were introduced to babies and its affect on fussy eating behaviour. We know that babies swallow amniotic fluid and we know that babies can taste tastes in the amniotic fluid. So there is some research looking at the variety of vegetables eaten by a mom and then acceptance of theses vegetables later. So in summary if you want your little one to eat his veggies it may all start in the womb!!!!      

February 12, 2018
Maritza Breitenbach

The Effects of Pregnancy on our Intimate Bits

The miracle of pregnancy is universal and timeless, and even though we are, by divine design, capable of going through this process, it does have a pronounced effect on our bodies and our sexuality. During this event, higher levels of progesterone cause drowsiness while the increased estrogen lifts our mood, making us more radiant than ever. As our bodies gradually grow larger, we may suffer from stormy hormonal changes. Suddenly we have irrepressible cravings and our sense of smell becomes acute; we have whimsical shifts in preferences and aversions, and if exposed to the sun, we may even acquire a pigmented ‘moustache’ and brown patches on our cheeks. During the fourth month of pregnancy, our intimate bits also start changing – it becomes puffy and enlarged, and the colour of the labia deepens considerably. Both the increased blood supply to the vagina and the increased pressure on it create a permanent state of gentle sexual arousal, leaving us moist and more conscious of our lady parts. The thin line that runs between our pubic patch to our navels also becomes more pronounced. The most common long-term problem associated with pregnancy and childbirth include urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. During pregnancy, the weight of the baby, the ‘water’ and the placenta put a twenty-times-heavier-than-normal strain on the pelvic floor, and this often leads to urinary incontinence during the last trimester. Vacuum extraction, forceps delivery, an episiotomy, lying on the back, and applying fundal pressure (pressing on the abdomen to help move the baby out) are all factors that increase pelvic injury risk during vaginal birth. Even by opting for a caesarian section we are not exempted from pelvic injury risk; in fact, this procedure inceases the risk of maternal death by sixteen-fold, and it increases the risk of having to have a hysterectomy by ten times. The pelvic floor consists of a complex, multilayered group of muscles, tissues and nerve endings that creates a hammock between the pubic bone and the base of our spinal cord and supports a number of organs including the bladder, rectum, uterus, urethra, vagina and anus. The pelvic floor seems to be the ‘headmistress’ that has all our lady parts neatly secured in her firm hand. She has the huge task of coordinating, directing and protecting all of our beneath-the-belt bits, and she plays a valuable role in our womanly health. We should be well aware of her strengths and shortcomings. The best and safest way to protect ourselves from pelvic floor impairment is Kegel exercises. The importance of these exercises cannot be overemphasized; they play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of pelvic-floor disorders. Work those muscles daily to keep them strong, elastic and toned.

February 9, 2018
Kath Megaw

Eating During Pregnancy

When you discover you are pregnant for the first time – your whole world shifts. Up to this point decisions you made with regards to your eating only had a direct effect on your body. Suddenly what you eat affects your unborn baby in more ways than we even realized. Benefit 1: A good balanced nutritious diet will have all the necessary nutrients to allow for optimal growth of your little one! Keep it simple but healthy. You need to eat foods from all the food groups. Avoid fad dieting while pregnant as you will miss out on some essential nutrients. You need a range of fresh fruit and vegetables as this gives you the vitamins and minerals you and your baby need. Lutein is an anti oxidant found in green leafy vegetables and is very good for your babies immune system and brain development. Carotene is found in orange veggies and is very healthy for your babies eye and skin health. A healthy skin may be protective for your baby against allergies later on in life. Aim to eat at least five servings a day. Protein foods like meats, eggs, milk, nuts etc are very important for muscle development and for keeping your placenta well nourished with a healthy blood flow. Some pre term deliveries may result from a placenta that has ‘dried’ up too soon. So aim to eat at least 4 portions (palm size) daily. If you are struggling with nausea in these early days then it may be helpful to get a good supplement that you can take to ensure you meet you protein needs. Starch foods like rice, pasta, wholegrain breads and cereals are very important for energy for you and your baby and also for fibre. Like fruit the fibre in these whole grain products ensure that you stay regular when drunken with adequate water. Have 3 -4 servings of healthy low GI starch daily and at least 1.5L water through out the day. Fats like avocado, linseeds, flaxseeds, olives etc are important to provide the essential fatty acids necessary for you the mom to retain brain cells and for your little one to create new healthy brain cells. Aim to have 4 fat servings per day (1 tsp/serving or ¼ avocado). Benefit 2: A lot of ongoing research is looking at the moms diet and including high risk allergen foods and initially the thinking was that we should avoid allergens during pregnancy however this has not shown to be beneficial and may even be more harmful. The recommendations now are to include all allergen foods as long as you are not allergic to one of them. So avoid all foods except those you are allergic to. Benefit 3: Some very interesting and current research is going on at the moment around fussy eating and when foods were introduced to babies and its affect on fussy eating behaviour. We know that babies swallow amniotic fluid and we know that babies can taste tastes in the amniotic fluid. So there is some research looking at the variety of vegetables eaten by a mom and then acceptance of theses vegetables later. So in summary if you want your little one to eat his veggies it may all start in the womb!!!!

February 8, 2018
Kaboutjie

8 Awesome Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Massage is not just about it feeling good, it actually comes with many health benefits that you may not be aware of. Having a massage while you are pregnant can actually help to lessen some of the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms you may be suffering with as well as be a lovely way to unwind and relax. I had a pregnancy massage when I was 6 months pregnant and on my honeymoon. I really struggled with my first pregnancy and it was amazing to have that massage. The strangest thing though is that I felt the most amazing sensation of stress relief when the area in the crook of my elbow was massaged on the one side. When you are pregnant your body goes through some incredible changes and a massage can really help your body and your mind to cope better. If you are pregnant it is really important to highlight that you need to see a massage therapist that is qualified in prenatal massage. 1 Increased Blood Circulation This will bring more oxygen to mother and the baby, stimulating the lymphatic system. This will result in a stronger immune system and help to reduce toxins in the body. Increased blood circulation will also result in your baby getting better nourishment. An added bonus is that increase blood circulation will help prevent varicose veins from forming which is common during pregnancy 2 Massage Helps To Relieve Lower Back Pain Lower back pain is a common pregnancy symptom that can be caused by the hormone relaxin that causes ligaments that support the spine to relax. This can cause instability and pain. Pregnancy massage improves lower back pain through improving the lumbosacral tilt that occurs during pregnancy. 3 Relieves Depression and Anxiety In case you didn’t know, it is actually very common for postnatal depression to start during the third trimester of pregnancy instead of when you expect it to start (after your baby is born). Massage helps to stabilize hormone levels which can relieve anxiety and depression. Massage also releases endorphins that soothe and relax the mother. 4 Improved Sleep Any woman that has been pregnant knows how hard it can be to really relax and sleep well while pregnant. Due to massage relaxing the nervous system and extra feel good hormones moms to be will sleep better. In addition to the mom being more relaxed the other benefits of massage such as back pain relief will also make the mother more comfortable which will help her sleep better. 5 Decreased Swelling Edema, which is the swelling of joints during pregnancy, is caused by decreased circulation while pregnant as well as the increased pressure on major blood vessels. Having a pregnancy massage can greatly reduce edema by improving circulation and reducing the fluid collected in swollen joints. 6 Reduced Muscle Pain and Headaches During pregnancy your body changes and your center of gravity moves. In addition to this there is quite a bit of extra weight placed on muscles and joints. All these changes result in your muscles taking strain and can also result in headaches. Pregnancy massage can help to relieve this pain and to reduce any headaches if you are suffering from them. Pregnancy massage will also help you to keep better posture which will also in turn help to reduce muscle strains and pains. 7 Reduces Common Discomforts During Pregnancy Along with all the above benefits having a pregnancy massage can also help with lessening numerous other common pregnancy symptoms such as sciatica, heart burn, constipation, carpal tunnel syndrome, leg cramps and much more. 8 Prepares Your Body For Labor and Birth Studies has shown that women that have pregnancy massages have less complications during birth as well as fewer postpartum complications. These women reportedly had shorter hospital stays, shorter labors and less incidence of post natal depression.

February 7, 2018
Kaboutjie

How to Budget for That Unexpected Pregnancy

An unexpected pregnancy can bring upon a slew of emotions.  Should you feel excited?  Should you feel stressed? Maybe a mix of both? Regardless of how you feel, there’s one thing for certain:  It’s going to put a damper on your budget, even if you’re doing okay today.  An unexpected pregnancy is possibly one of the most common life-altering events when it comes to your budgeting, and many soon-to-be parents are often shocked at how much a baby can really cost you. While my last pregnancy was expected, my first came as a shock.  I figured, at the time, I would have nine months to plan and it would be enough time to straighten out my financial obligations so that I could enjoy motherhood to its fullest.  After all, your babies don’t stay small for long, trust me on this one. To help you budget and enjoy your newborn instead of stressing out about your finances, here’s what I did when approaching my finances: Evaluate Your Needs It’s no secret a kid isn’t cheap.  In fact, the USDA says it can cost $245,000 to raise a child until they reach the ripe age of 18. During my pregnancy, I needed to focus on what my child would truly need to survive.  This included the obvious:  diapers, food, health care, a car seat, clothes and hygiene products.  Honestly, that’s it.  While a baby bouncer or one of those cute baby play mats are great, it really isn’t necessary, especially if you’re on a tight budget.  The same can be said about the furniture.  Don’t splurge on the fancy $800 diaper changing table made from cherry wood or that $500 designer branded diaper bag.  After all, it’s for a baby and things are going to get messy.  Don’t forget to throw a baby shower as your loved ones can pitch in and really help you with what you need.  Again, while it’s tempting to scan everything at the baby registry, again, only put the things you truly need.  If anything, ask for diapers as you will need lots! Even if you plan on having a baby shower, you still won’t get everything, so create a list of all the things you need, not want, and write down how much each item will cost if you were to be as frugal as possible.  For example, a gently used stroller can often be found at a local consignment shop for less than $50.  The same can be said about baby clothes.  Remember, your baby will outgrow their outfits fast, so don’t be surprised if they only wear it once or twice. Look at Your Healthcare Options The minute you know you’re pregnant, the first thing you will probably, and should do, is visit the OB/GYN. While it’s hard to budget for immediate healthcare since you will need it today, it’s so important to take care of your health and visit your doctor as soon as possible to get things rolling.  Even if you don’t have health insurance or feel your policy isn’t adequate enough, a good doctor’s office will be able to explain what you’re going to owe, help you setup a payment plan and/or even get you in contact with the state to see if you qualify for aid. Even if you have the best insurance policy possible, it’s important to research it to know what’s going to be covered as many policies have restrictions on who you can visit and how many appointments you can have. Taking Your Income and Expenses into Consideration With my first pregnancy, I was still finishing my bachelor’s degree, and at the time, I had to rely on my husband’s income, which is kind of scary now that I think of it.  While I was making some income working part-time freelance writing, it wouldn’t have been enough to pay the bills to survive.  Plus, I had to keep in mind that even if I had a great paying job, I would have had to take off a few weeks after the baby to recover.  For some, it could be even more time off if you were bed ridden during the pregnancy or had complications during the birth, so this is something to take into consideration. With all that being said, now is the time to start tracking your income and determine how much you can save when your baby is born.  Plus, using the list you made, as stated in my first point, you can determine how much you’re going to need for all the necessary supplies.  Even if you’re able to save $100 per month for the next nine months, this is an extra $900 that can go quite far in terms of diapers and formula.  Remember, your child is going to be your number one priority now, so it’s best to avoid eating out, drinking those fancy $10 drinks at the bar and taking those weekend getaways that cost $500.  Every dollar you can save can help save a lot of stress in the future, trust me. Aside from saving a fixed amount of money, it’s also important to plan what your expenses and income are going to look like when the baby arrives.  When the baby arrives, you’re going to want to figure out when you’re going to go back to work, and if you do, who’s going to take care of the baby?  Factor in the diapers, formula, daycare if needed and necessary starter accessories for survival.  Remember, a good daycare can easily cost $200 per week, if not more, in a higher cost of living area. Lastly, Don’t Panic! An unexpected pregnancy won’t be the end of the world.  When I really look back at it, there’s never a good time for a pregnancy as there always seems to be an excuse.  If you plan it right and you know where your money is going, your stress levels can lower quite a bit.  Plus, if your baby has the necessary essentials, a

February 6, 2018
Parenting Hub

Childbirth education for an empowered birth

‘Empowering Birth’ is the theme of Pregnancy Education Month in February 2018, when childbirth educators, Bio-Oil and hospitals nationwide will be highlighting how education empowers expectant parents and helps create a better birth experience. For more details visit www.pregnancyeducation.co.za. Birth is the most natural process on earth and yet studies have shown that one in every four women describes her birth as traumatic, one in every five to 10 meets the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and one in three or four has postpartum mood disorder. Studies have also found that women who fear childbirth experience longer labour and were more likely to need an emergency caesarean than those who did not. ‘There is a link between a lack of knowledge, fear and the experience of childbirth,’ says Lynne Bluff, national co-ordinator for the Childbirth Educators Professional Forum (CBEPF), which is partnering with Bio-Oil and hospitals nationally for Pregnancy Education Month 2018. With the theme ‘Empowering Birth’, the campaign highlights how pregnancy education empowers expectant parents and helps create a better birth experience. ‘It is so important that parents are comprehensively informed about birthing options safest for the mother and infant in the event of a low-risk, normal pregnancy,’ says Professor Suzanne Delport, neonatologist. Good childbirth classes, says Bluff, will equip parents with knowledge about all available childbirth options and the pros and cons of each, practical tips and techniques for the birth and after it, and the confidence that comes from knowing what to expect and how to cope. Ideally childbirth educators are nurses and midwives, as well as being parents themselves, who can prepare expectant parents for every aspect of childbirth and instil faith in their own ability and strength to give birth. ‘We believe that when parents are informed, any type of birth, from homebirth to caesarean, can be an empowering one. It shifts from a potentially overwhelming experience to one that is fulfilling, positive and, ultimately, beneficial to mother and child,’ says Anna Guerin of Bio-Oil. ‘There is simply no substitute for evidence-based information provided by qualified and experienced professionals. With quality childbirth education, parents are empowered and properly prepared in a warm and supportive way,’ says Bluff, who is also a registered nurse and midwife. “Although childbirth is one of life’s most significant milestones many parents are simply ignorant of the facts vital to decision making,” says Bluff. For example, many parents are not aware that when a baby passes through the birth canal, he or she picks up a multitude of micro-organisms that will benefit their health and guard against chronic illness for the rest of their life; or that there are a number of caesarean options available, some more friendly to mother and baby than others. And most of us know little of the interplay of birthing hormones that click in, one step at a time, to pave the way for birth, help manage pain and stress and give us the feeling of joy when seeing baby for the first time. To find out more about childbirth education, Pregnancy Education Month activities or to find a childbirth educator in your area, visit www.pregnancyeducation.co.za. #PregnancyEducationMonth #EmpoweringBirth

February 2, 2018
Amanda Marele

Surviving a Heterotypic Miscarriage

I had a heterotypic miscarriage and it was painful. Heterotypic pregnancy is when one is carrying twins, the one foetus grows in the uterus and another in the tube. It is rare in natural conception to have a heterotypic pregnancy, research estimates that 1 in 30,000 pregnancies are heterotypic pregnancies. I lost my first child on Christmas day. I had just finished preparing Christmas lunch and was taking a bath when I started vomiting, felt what the doctor later called ‘acute abdominal pain’. My 10year old son had to help me out of the bath, assist me while I was getting dressed (my mother, my husband and my nieces had gone to get some last-minute necessities for the lunch). My son called his dad who came rushing and took me to the hospital. At the ER, the doctor attending did a pregnancy test and the results were positive, she then told me that I was showing signs of an ectopic pregnancy. She wrote her diagnosis on my medical file and I was wheeled to the ward. When the gynaecologist arrived, he did a sonar and reconfirmed that I was indeed pregnant but that the pregnancy was in the womb and not an ectopic pregnancy. He then ordered the nurse to run some tests and in the morning told me that my oestrogen levels were higher than normal which meant that I was pregnant, however my oestrogen levels were lower than the previous day which meant that I was having a miscarriage. He further explained that I would undergo a ‘minor procedure’ i.e. evacuation of the womb. December 26, 2016, I went for evacuation of the womb. I did not feel better, I was still bloated, I still could not do much, I was in pain. 10 January 2017: I was back in the hospital and the diagnosis, ruptured ectopic. At 3 am that morning I felt so much pain, it felt like period pains, at the same time I was freezing cold and sweating at the same time. I woke my husband up and asked him to call someone to take us to the hospital (he panics so I’d not have made to the hospital). I told him that I was feeling faint and the next thing I remember is being carried out of the house to the car; by this time, I was vomiting and without energy. I woke up in the ER briefly and the next thing I remember is waking up in ICU, surrounded by doctors and nurses who looked very concerned. Now when nurses get concerned and curious, then I know something is not good. “My dear can you hear me?” one of the nurses asked, I nodded. As she put lip balm on my lips she said “You look much better than you did last night…” she then told me that my doctor was on his way and he will discuss a few things with me. My doctor arrived he looked at my medical file and when the nurse asked what the diagnosis was, he simply showed her the file. When my husband asked him what the diagnosis was, he said; “Don’t worry about that now, let’s take care of your wife’s health.” I went to the theatre for a laparoscopy. In the surgery, three fairly small incisions were made, two in my tummy and one in the navel; and because my tubes were ruptured, the fallopian tube containing the pregnancy was surgically removed. Upon my return to the ward, my doctor seemed to be concerned about something, he asked the nurse how much was ordered and the nurse replied “two”. “No no! We need five at least and we need it within the next hour” my doctor said. Moments later blood was delivered, the nurse explained to me that I had lost blood. “It happens with ruptured ectopic pregnancies, so now your heart is pumping faster, trying to compensate for the blood loss and is beating at twice the normal rate. You need at least five blood ”. The nurse had been coming to my bedside at least three times a day just to see how I am and explain to me what the next steps would be. Some struggles after the surgery: I went through physio therapy, to learn to walk and move I was constipated for about two weeks I was on schedule 5 pain medication for weeks I had no appetite I could not play my children or sleep because the pain was unbearable A week after I was discharged from the hospital, I went for a check-up and the doctor told me that I had had a Heterotypic pregnancy. He apologised for not seeing the issue when I’d come in on Christmas day. It only hit me as I set at home counting that in September 2017 I could have been a mother to twins, that I had to be at death’s door to get a proper diagnosis. My doctor apologised and told me that he did not know which of my tubes were removed, to this day I do not know. Perhaps mommies will learn to ask their doctors to not only check the womb but the tubes as well, to avoid or diagnose what may be missed. To my unborn children, I’d have loved you, as I do now

February 1, 2018
Parenting Hub

Will you bank them, or bin them? Wise up on stem cells before it’s too late.

Becoming a parent is fraught with responsibilities. Prospective parents should know the facts about the life-saving abilities of umbilical cord stem cells so that they can make informed decisions for their families. Stem cells should be called master cells as they can replicate, regenerate and differentiate themselves into any one of 200 different specialised cells in the body, and are used to treat over 80 potentially life-threatening blood related diseases including leukaemia, lymphoma and bone marrow failures. Blood stem cell transplantation, using stem blood cells from sources such as bone marrow, has been performed for more than 50 years, with more than one million blood stem cell transplants across the world playing an important role in the treatment of bone marrow failures, blood cancers, blood disorders, metabolic diseases, immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases. Cryo-Save South Africa has listed the top 10 most noteworthy facts about stem cells that you need to know: Stem cells are your body’s internal repair system Stem cells continuously replace dead or diseases cells with healthy ones to maintain a normal functioning body. They fall into two major groups; pluripotent and multipotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells are powerful, meaning they can develop into any type of cell in your body. However, these cells are still fraught with ethical controversy. Multipotent stem cells, also called adult stem cells, can develop certain tissue cells to maintain your body’s organs as you age, such as blood-forming stem cells. Blood-forming stem cells produce new and healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of our body; white blood cells to fight bacteria; and platelets which form clots to pervert excessive bleeding. Best time to collect stem cells is at birth  Stem cells age as we age, so the best time to collect blood stem cells is at birth. These cells have not been exposed to pollution and poor lifestyle choices and can therefore offer greater therapeutic possibilities and better transplant outcomes. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood don’t need to be a 100% match for transplants Although your baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells are a 100% perfect match for own use, there is a 25% probability for a 100% match for siblings. However, unlike bone marrow transplants, you often don’t need a 100% match using cord blood stem cells, which means the probability of finding a suitable donor is so much greater. Stem cell storage is not that costly Stem cell storage is available to anyone who wishes to store their baby’s umbilical cord stem cells. Cryo-Save offers multiple cost options and interest-free payment plans from as little as R273.00 per month to store cord blood and R350.00 per month for storing both cord blood and tissue. Mixed ethnicity parents should store stem cells The chances of finding a perfect matching blood stem cell donor for an allogeneic (matching donor) transplant are only 1:1,00,000, but the odds are much lower for anyone from a mixed-race family Despite its diverse ethnic make-up, Africa has no public cord blood stem cell bank, which makes the likelihood of finding a matching donor even more challenging. Therefore, Cryo-Save encourages mixed race families to store their babies’ stem cells. Banking stem cells is not just for families with a history of cancer Many people don’t realise that stem cells now play a part in the treatment of over 80 blood diseases and conditions. Every day we are seeing more diseases developing, and more clinical trials are taking place to identify treatments of many of these diseases. Some of the most promising research is being done to use children’s’ own umbilical cord blood stem cells in the treatment of cerebral palsy and autism. Additionally, statistics show that more than 90% of cancers develop due to lifestyle factors, not genetics, and that the incidence of cancer is increasing. Stem cell collection is a safe medical procedure Collecting stem cells from an umbilical cord is quick, painless and non-invasive, posing no medical risk to mother or baby. It is only after the clamping that the blood and tissue are collected from the umbilical cord for stem cell processing. Stem cell banking is possible with any type of birth Cord blood and cord tissue collections can be performed at both vaginal and caesarean deliveries. Immediately following the birth but before the placenta is delivered, the healthcare provider collects the cord blood from the baby’s umbilical cord. You can store your second child’s stem cells if you didn’t store for your first child Today, umbilical cord stem cells are used in more than a third of blood stem cell transplants around the world. Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match. But because cord blood stem cells do not require a perfect match for transplant, the likelihood that siblings will be a match is much higher. Therefore, storing your second child’s stem cells has the possibility, depending on the degree of matching, to treat your first child should a stem cell transplant be required and may also be used for other immediate family members. Stem cell storage is available in South Africa Cryo-Save has been storing umbilical cord stem cells for families all over the world since 2000. It is the leading family stem cell bank in Europe and ranked fifth most influential cord blood bank in the world by Bio Informant. Cryo-Save South Africa offers both local and international storage options in either Pretoria or Europe for both cord blood and cord tissue. This local laboratory complies with the highest international standards and importantly complies to the coveted American Association of Blood Banks accreditation standards. Just as some people need organ transplants to treat or cure diseases, blood stem cells can be transplanted too. If the blood forming stem cells in our bodies cannot produce healthy cells or stop producing cells completely, we cannot function normally and our stem cells will have to be REPLACED with healthy ones that can be found in the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. Sometimes these stem

December 18, 2017
Parenting Hub

Cost free stem cell storage programme gives hope to South African families affected by life-threatening blood disorders

Storing umbilical cord blood stem cells at birth could prove to be a live-saving investment for the child, or a sibling, diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disorder, treatable by a stem cell transplant. However, not everyone chooses to bank their baby’s cord blood stem cells. Cryo-Save South Africa, a private cord blood stem cell bank located in Pretoria, has recognised the plighn t of families who have a child with a blood disorder that can be treated with a stem cell transplant. It provides hope to families affected by leukaemia, other forms of blood cancers, and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, through its Cost-Free Donation Programme. Three years ago, South Africans Charlene and Ralph Subbarayan’s first-born son, then aged five, was diagnosed with leukaemia. He was frequently hospitalised and only recently completed his treatment. During this time, although unplanned and a wonderful surprise, Charlene fell pregnant with their second child. Both parents became extremely concerned as to whether their unborn child may also develop cancer in future. “My husband and I began frantically researching cancer and it was on a visit to my gynaecologist that I picked up a Cryo-Save pamphlet right there in the waiting room. After reading, I immediately called the Cryo-Save’s Information Hub, who were more than willing to help us out – and for free!” explains Charlene. To give hope to families in need, the Cryo-Save Cost-Free Donation Program is specifically designed to offer families affected by diseases that can be treated with blood stem cells, the opportunity to store the cord blood stem cells of their expected new-born child to potentially treat a sibling who has been diagnosed with a blood disorder To qualify for the Cost-Free Donation Programme, a sibling of the unborn child must have been diagnosed with a disease that is currently treatable with umbilical cord blood stem cells (an FDA approved indication for transplantation) and must be being treated by a medical specialist (oncologist/haematologist), who agrees that the stem cells could be used for treatment. If eligible, Cryo-Save will enrol the family into the Cost-Free Donation Program, provide the cord blood collection kit, and process and store (cryo-preserve) the new-born’s cord blood sample without any cost to the family. “Storing my second child’s stem cells with Cryo-Save was such a phenomenal experience! I’m glad I did it. Stem cells are used to treat and cure several diseases and not just cancer. I would advise any parent who would like to store their child’s stem cells to definitely go for it, it is a must. Use our family as an example. My child, who was diagnosed with leukaemia three years ago, will be turning nine on the 14th of December. I am so grateful to have beautiful healthy children, I love my boys and I wouldn’t give up my stem cell storage experience for anything,” concludes Mrs Subbarayan. Blood-forming stem cells are able to be collected not only from umbilical cord blood but also directly from bone marrow and from circulating blood. These stem cells have been used to treat more than 80 types of diseases ranging from blood cancers, metabolic diseases, bone marrow failure syndromes, to other blood and immune deficiency disorders. Stem cells found in the blood of a baby’s umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded at the time of birth, as both the cord and placenta are discarded as medical waste. Prospective mothers and fathers should consider the potentially life-saving investment they could make and the benefits of storing cord blood and cord tissue stem cells well in advance of giving birth. Nothing in life is certain, but if we knew we could do something to help our children, why wouldn’t we? It is for this reason that Cryo-Save enables access to umbilical cord blood stem cell storage. Visit www.cryosave.co.za for more information on stem cell collection and storage.

October 12, 2017
Parenting Hub

Stem Cell Myths – Busted

The term stem cell gleans different reactions from people both in the medical community and the wider public. Still an emerging science, but with immense possibilities, stem cell research is shrouded in many myths and misconceptions. Cryo-Save has taken on the top myths and clarifies facts regarding this fast-growing medical treatment. Myth 1 – Stem cell storage is costly  Stem cell storage is available to anyone who would like to store their baby’s umbilical cord stem cells. Cryo-Save has multiple cost options and interest-free payment plans to store cord blood and tissue. Myth 2 – All stem cells are the same When you hear “stem cells”, you may not know exactly what these are or conjure up images of a certain cloned sheep. In reality, stem cells are the body’s internal repair system. It continuously replaces dead or diseased cells with new, healthy cells to ensure normal function of the body. We differentiate between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are powerful because they are pluripotent and can develop into any type of cell in your body. But they’re often controversial because of their origin and is not part of the stem cell storage services offered by Cryo-Save. Multi-potent or adult stem cells are found throughout the body and they form only certain tissue cells, maintaining your body’s organs as you age, e.g. blood forming stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. BLOOD FORMING STEM CELLS produce new and healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets continuously, to ensure normal function of the blood and immune system, (like a factory producing new cars every day). RED BLOOD CELLS are responsible to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. WHITE BLOOD CELLS are the soldiers in our blood and fight off all foreign invaders like bacteria etc. PLATELETS form clots to prevent excessive bleeding. Researchers have successfully used umbilical cord stem cells (taken from a new-born’s cord blood), to treat leukaemia and other blood disorders since 1998. Stem cells from a baby’s umbilical cord are considered adult stem cells and these precious cells, if not cryopreserved, are discarded as medical waste in many instances. Therefore, these cells are free of controversy and acceptable to most cultures and religions. Myth 3 – Umbilical cord stem cells can only be used for your baby Your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells are a 100% perfect match for your baby and biological parents’ stem cells will be at least a half match. There is a 25% probability of matching siblings, and unlike bone marrow transplants you don’t have to have a perfect match in transplants when making use of cord blood stem cells. Myth 4 – I didn’t store my first child’s stem cells so there is no point in storing for the second child Just as some people need organ transplants to treat or cure diseases, blood stem cells can be transplanted too. If the blood forming stem cells in our bodies cannot produce healthy cells or stop producing cells completely, we cannot function normally and our stem cells will have to be REPLACED with healthy ones that can be found in the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. Sometimes these stem cells are your own, and sometimes they will come from a donor. Cord blood contains powerful stem cells, and fact is that if your baby becomes ill in the future you may be able to use these cells as treatment. One of the contributing factors is that partially matched cord blood stem cells can be used for transplantation, increasing the chances of finding a suitable match. Today, umbilical cord blood stem cells are used in more than a third of all blood stem cell transplants in the world. Therefore, storing your second child’s stem cells has the possibility, depending on the degree of matching, to treat your first child should a stem cell transplant be required but also other members of the family. Myth 5 – Stem cell storage is only available overseas Cryo-Save has been storing umbilical cord stem cells for families all over the world since 2000. It is the leading family stem cell bank in Europe and Africa, Cryo-Save has stored more than 310 000 samples. Cryo-Save South Africa offers both local and international storage options in either Pretoria or Europe for both cord blood and cord tissue. This local facility complies with the highest international standards and importantly complies to the coveted AABB accreditation standards. AABB, formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks, is an international non-profit association, representing individuals and institutions involved in the field of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. Accreditation by the association follows an intensive on-site assessment by specially trained assessors who established that the level of technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by the Association. AABB’s Accreditation programme (recognised by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare – ISQUA) contributes to quality and safety of collection, processing, testing, distributing and administration of stem cells. Myth 6 – Mixed race parents can’t store stem cells On average, the chances of finding a perfectly matching blood stem cell donor for allogeneic transplant, are only 1 in 100 000. These odds are significantly worse for people from a mixed descent. However, despite its diverse ethnic make-up, South Africa (nor the rest of the continent) has no public cord blood stem cell bank, which makes the likelihood of finding a matching donor even more challenging. Should a child from mixed descent be diagnosed with a blood-related cancer or disorder, the search for a possible stem cell match can be debilitating to a family’s finances and hope for recovery. Therefore, Cryo-Save encourages mixed race families to store their babies’ stem cells. Myth 7 – Stem cell banking is only for families with a history of cancer The myth is deceptive and dangerous. The uses of cord blood stem cells have extended far beyond treatments for cancer. Researchers have invigorated the field of regenerative

September 4, 2017
Parenting Hub

Smoking causes permanent harm to babies, both before and after they are born

Mothers who smoke during or after pregnancy not only affect their own health, but they can also cause permanent harm to their babies. As we observe Anti-Tobacco Campaign Month, it is our collective responsibility to educate and support mothers to both limit the harm that their smoking may cause to their children and to stop smoking altogether. “There is no doubt that smoking during pregnancy can harm your unborn child. Tobacco use during pregnancy has been conclusively linked to increased chance of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight,” says Dr Mhleli Masango, Medical Director of the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR). “It also increases the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and birth defects like cleft palates,” she continued. * Many mothers stop smoking during pregnancy but then resume once their baby is born. However, dozens of scientific studies have shown that exposure to even small amounts of cigarette smoke or nicotine in your breastmilk can significantly harm your baby. ** “Children of smokers are far more prone to pneumonia, asthma, ear infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, eye irritation, and croup. They are also more likely to suffer from colic, and visit their doctors three times more than children of non-smokers,” explains Masango. “Perhaps worst of all, children whose parents smoke are more likely to become smokers themselves,” she said. ** The only guaranteed way to prevent this harm is to stop smoking, but mothers who are unable to quit can limit the harm by smoking outside, away from their babies, and by ensuring that no one else smokes near their babies. They can also smoke immediately after breastfeeding to cut down on the amount of nicotine in their milk. It takes 95 minutes for half of the nicotine to be eliminated from your body, so mothers should wait as long as possible between smoking and nursing. “Mothers who struggle to quit smoking should not stop breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any harm caused by smoking,” says Masango. “Breastfeeding actually counteracts some of the effects of smoking but the best solution is still to quit completely.” ** Unfortunately, even with these preventative measures, smoking makes it harder to breastfeed. Smoking has been conclusively linked to earlier weaning, with the heaviest smokers tending to wean the earliest. It also lowers milk production and interferes with the flow of milk while nursing. South African law recognises the dangers of smoking and is making it increasingly difficult to smoke near other people. For example, it is now illegal to smoke in any car, including your own, if one of the passengers is under 12 years old. It’s also illegal to smoke on the premises (including outside of buildings) of any properties used for commercial childcare activities, schooling or tutoring. *** Smoking is no longer allowed outside of designated areas in any public buildings, including all restaurants, bars and other businesses. This even includes smoking in partially enclosed areas like balconies and parking areas. The fines for both smokers and property owners are steep. “While it’s not currently illegal to smoke while pregnant, we should expect the laws to continue to tighten,” says Masango. “Smoking is increasingly seen as both anti-social and unacceptable. We recognise that quitting can be difficult, but during Anti-Tobacco Campaign Month we urge all parents to make a concerted effort to become smoke free.” For more information about breastfeeding, pregnancy and childhood health please visit www.sabr.org.za or call 011 482 1920 or e-mail: info@sabr.org.za.

July 18, 2017
Barbara Harvey

Gestational Diabetes: What to Eat?

Gestational Diabetes is a hormone imbalance where the Pancreas starts making not enough insulin for both Mom and baby. It usually dissipates once the infant is born. Maintaining health in the meantime really does depend on Mom’s diet. Being a diabetic myself I want to share with you the strategies I use. This blog is to help you as soon as you get home. It will help you until you can get further medical help. Carbohydrates are the number one issue for diabetics.  This is because the pancreas is responsible for keeping the sugar in the bloodstream even. Every carbohydrate becomes sugar in the blood. The key here is to avoid simple carbohydrates. The darker the carb the better. Because simple carbs digest very quickly in the body. For instance, sweet potatoes are better than any other kind of potato, pumpernickel bread is better than white or even wheat. Sprouted bread is great, make sure you get a name brand like Ezekiel or something from a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s to be sure it is not full of pesticides. Grains Some grains are better than others for slower digestion of the sugars in the food. The key to remember is the closer a grain is when it comes out of the ground when you eat it the better. Therefore, eating steel cut oats is better than packaged oats. Here is an article from the Huff Post of 17 yummy looking recipes. Brown rice is better than white rice. I use the following recipe for brown rice. 1 cup of brown rice 3 cups of water 1 carrot washed not peeled 1/2 onion 1 stalk of celery 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Pepper Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Put all ingredients in a cassorle dish and cover. Bake on a cookie sheet for 45-55 minutes or until all the water has evaporated. Remove veggies before eating. Or you can cut the vegies into bite sized pieces before cooking makes a great side dish. Sugar is the one thing most folks have issues with replacing. Sugar substitutes can be horrible. Both on the pallet and in the body. Natural ones are better. The two I interchange are stevia and monk fruit. I have developed a taste for both. Some people do prefer monk fruit as it seems to taste less bitter. For stevia I love Sweet Leaf  brand. They have so many products available it boggles the mind. They have everything from loose powder, packet, tablets, and liquid water enhancers, to flavored sweeteners for your variety of needs. I love to add the vanilla drops when I make smoothies, or a squirt of chocolate and caramel in my coffee for a treat. Monk fruit mostly comes in powder form I have tried Monk Fruit in the Raw. But, another brand some friends use seems just as good it is called Lakanto  Milk I have learned most Diabetics have a hard time with cow’s milk. The lactose carries a lot of sugar. However, if you are going to drink cow’s milk stick with whole milk. In the skim milks they add sugar to replace the fat so it tastes better. You can try drinking other kinds of milk. Almond, coconut, goat, and cashew are the most popular. I drink Califia Farms an almond milk. I have tried most brands this has the feel of cow’s milk in the mouth, which is why I like it. Califia also carries creamers, cold brew coffees and other items. Many of which you will have to order online. I have tried coconut milk,  and have used it from time to time. However, like the oil you have to like the strong taste of coconut. Goat’s milk is another which I like but get it in a carton not canned because it picks up the tinny flavor. Consider goat milk is drunk by most of the world. Also, rice milk is an alternative. I have not tried it so I have no hints on it. Protein is a great friend of the diabetic. Because proteins cause carbohydrates to be more steadily absorbed by the body. I suggest if you eat a carb eat protein too. Fish, meat, nut butters, cheese, and eggs are all considered proteins. Then there are beans and legumes which are considered both a carb and a protein. Quinoa is the only grain which is also a whole protein. It is a good alternative to eating rice and oats. I use the same recipe  for Quinoa as brown rice (above). Another great thing about protein is that the number of proteins in a product lessens the carb count. If the proteins on a product is at 5 grams (g) or above you can subtract one carb per each gran of protein over 5. So if a product has 15 g of protein and 25 total carbs you can say the food has 10 g of carbs.A serving of protein is about the size of your palm. Fruits and Vegetables generally it is best to stay away from high glycemic fruits such as bananas, and dried fruits. Juice of all kinds are also not recommended. Because if the number of fruits it takes to make one glass of juice. One orange may have 15 carbs, the five oranges in a glass of juice has 45. When eating fruits reach for preferably fresh or frozen berries, oranges, apples, cherries, grapes. kiwi, plums, peaches, nectarines the list is extensive You also want to watch for waxy and starchy vegetables. These include things like beets, peas, corn,  and white potatoes. Instead, you want to reach for fresh or frozen peppers, broccoli leafy green vegges, okra, parsnips, radishes, cucumbers, onions, rutabaga, the list goes on and on. Important Rule for eating carbs-There is one basic rule for women eating carbs 15 g of carbs per snack, 30 per meal between 90 and 120 per day. Keep in mind this includes grains and fruits. One piece of fruit is generally

July 4, 2017
Kim-Young

HypnoBirthing – Taking the birthing world by calm

The world for the pregnant woman is one filled with excitement, anticipation, anxiety and, in many instances, a very real fear or trepidation, particularly for first timers. HypnoBirthing® is designed to alleviate the factors which cause fear, allowing you to birth your baby using your body’s natural, perfectly designed, and ultra-efficient muscles and pain relief to manage the process calmly and with minimal discomfort. Understanding how pain occurs At the onset of labour, all the senses mentioned above become heightened, and all too often, the fear responses take hold, and begin to govern the progress of the labour. In physiological terms, the body’s response to fear is to release adrenaline, causing muscles to tighten (the flight, fight or freeze response), and blood to divert to the major survival organs (of which the uterus is not one). Thus, the very muscles designed perfectly to birth your baby begin to work against each other and cause pain. The pain causes the body to release more adrenaline, and a cycle of pain-adrenaline-pain is triggered. Added to this, the lack of oxygen in the uterine muscles creates lactic acid, increasing the level of pain even further. The way your body is supposed to work In contrast, when a woman is excited and relaxed about meeting her baby, and she understands and trusts that her body is perfectly designed for the task, she releases endorphins, the body’s natural relaxant, at the onset of labour, which supplement the hormones specifically released to allow her to birth her baby easily. This powerful natural combination of endorphins (which help the muscles relax and are also 200 times more potent than morphine!) and hormones makes the birth an exhilarating and exciting process, rather than one filled with escalating pain and discomfort. How HypnoBirthing® works for you By using a range of simple self-hypnosis, breathing and relaxation techniques, from around 28 weeks of pregnancy, HypnoBirthing® mums are, with regular practice, able to reach a deep state of relaxation, allowing them to switch off the part of the mind which is responsible for triggering the adrenaline release. You’re in full control – the techniques produce an effect no different to the mild state of hypnosis experienced when you become engrossed in a good book, watch TV, daydream, or drive (ever got somewhere and not remembered parts of the journey?). The relaxation makes pregnancy easier and more enjoyable, and HypnoBirthed babies are on average significantly calmer and more relaxed infants. HypnoBirthing® statistics speak for themselves 95% of women are capable of having a ‘comfortable’ birth without medical intervention; 70% of women that have used HypnoBirthing® used no pain relief at all; a further 15% used only something mild such as Entonox (gas and air). HypnoBirthing® was founded by Marie Mongan in the late 1980s in the US and is now taught in 34 countries worldwide. Only practitioners affiliated with the HypnoBirthing® Institute (still run by Marie Mongan) are qualified to teach the course, of which there are now many generic versions.    

June 30, 2017
BLM Photography

Having a baby? Have you considered birth photography?

That moment when you hear the baby crying for the first time always brings a lump to my throat.  Watching the slideshow of a baby’s birth day is an emotional experience no matter how often you see it.  And being there to photograph it for the family is one of the most rewarding things I have been doing for the last two and a half years. Birth photography is a new concept in South Africa.  And yes, it does mean that a photographer is there and taking photographs at the birth of your baby. There is no posing or direction.  It’s not intrusive and interfering.  It’s respectful and honest.  It’s about the relationships and events as they unfold.  Many couples even forget that we are there.  But they will never forget the birth of their baby because we’ve been there. Birth photography is about storytelling.  The story of a birth told through images from the hour/s before the birth when anxiety levels are high and stress paints the faces of the parents, through the nerves of the birth itself, the relief and excitement following the birth and the sheer love and calm of bonding and getting to know the newest member of the family. Whether it’s a natural or C-Section delivery each birth story is unique and special in it’s own way and a professional birth photographer’s goal is to document YOUR exclusive story in a way that enhances your memories of your baby’s birth. Here are our top 8 reasons for commissioning a birth photographer… There is a lot happening during labour and birth and most labouring Moms are inwardly focused during this time. She has a big job to do. The photographs from the birth help the birthing Mom to see the details, the support offered as well as even her own strength and courage.  She will most likely not be aware of her surroundings at the time.  Many clients say they treasure seeing how their partner’s emotions change through the birth process and realizing how involved they really were and equally how strong and powerful they themselves were. Births typically take place in an environment with low light.  There may only be a few candles to light the room and flash photography may not be allowed or may be too distracting.  Your professional birth photographer will have the equipment and experience to take beautiful photos in this tricky lighting situation.  It’s no piece of cake being able to take photos in the near dark and it doesn’t make sense for the birth partner to be struggling with this or finding afterwards that the photos didn’t come out well. Speaking of birth partners, when having a baby, you choose a birth partner to be present with you and FOR you.  Having a professional birth photographer there allows your partner to do just that, and not be distracted by taking photos.  It’s especially wonderful for their involvement to be recorded. Another area where experience really counts is that your birth photographer will have a good idea of how events during a birth are likely to unfold.  This means that they are more ready to get those ‘once in a lifetime’ shots that are so special and important to you. A professional birth photographer is also aware of the medical environment that the birth is taking place in and will be able to ensure that they are not in the way of the medical professionals involved and pose not threat to the health and safety of the new baby. Let’s be honest.  Birth is visceral. A birth photographer works hard to make sure that your photos are a tasteful reflection of the birth with as much modesty as you require. A difficult birth can be very traumatic.  Seeing what happened from a different and perhaps more objective viewpoint has been very helpful in assisting with healing and acceptance after a traumatic birth experiences. After giving birth your primary focus is your little one.  There is a lot going on and life as you knew it has changed and become fuller in every way… including your time.  It’s definitely more limited.  It’s a huge benefit having someone else take care of putting together yourbeautiful birth story for you so that you don’t land up with photos on different devices, which are probably not backed up and will most likely never be compiled into one succinct and easy to access memory for you to revisit again and again.  With a box of tissues most likely. But don’t take our word for it.  Our clients say it best.  “How do I put into words how perfectly Bronwyn encapsulated the birth of our son into a moving birth (photo) story? Our proudest moment yet, so beautifully and modestly portrayed, for us to visit again and again (and again). Bronwyn was so discreet in the delivery room, and picked up on every emotion felt. Besides every one of our brand new baby, my favourite pictures are those where she captured my husband’s emotions. A relaxed composure at first, then he looked a bit stressed (with wild hair) as the delivery got more intense, and then the utter relief once Harvard was born. I am so grateful that she was there to freeze that perfect moment in time for us. Thank you Bronwyn.” – Jodi Next time I’ll go into a bit more detail about what you can expect from your birth photographer and how you can go about finding the right one.  In the meantime you can visit www.gabp.co.za or look for Gauteng Association of Birth Photographers on Facebook for more information.

May 4, 2017
Paarl Dietitians

Cravings, Cravings, Cravings

‘Cravings’ are often the cause of overindulging and cheating on everyday healthy eating that contributes to weight gain. But…did you know that your ‘craving’ could be the cause of a deficiency in your diet or your body telling you that it needs a certain nutrient. Continue reading, if you want to know which nutrients you really need to nip those ‘cravings’ in the bud. Craving this…. Means you may be missing this… General overeating The science behind overeating, hunger and cravings is vast and can easily fill a book. We overeat for many reasons — hunger (the rumbling in your stomach) and appetite, of course — but also when we are tired or to celebrate, to be social, to soothe and to relieve boredom. However, a lack of silicon (found in nuts and seeds), tryptophan (found in cottage cheese, raisins, sweet potato and spinach) and tyrosine (present in orange, red, green fruits and vegetables, Vitamin C supplement) could also contribute to overeating. If you ‘crave’ the following foods, it could be your body telling you what you really need. Hormones and cravings As many as 70% of women suffer from PMS-related food cravings, bloating, fatigue, sleep disturbances, mood swings and irritability – any of which have the potential to sabotage a healthy diet. First, you have food cravings, usually for sweet, starchy foods with an underlay of fat, like chocolate ice cream. And then, your bad mood makes you say, ‘To hell with it!’ You lose your willpower to exercise and any control over what you are eating. What do we eat when those cravings hit? Chocolate is no. 1 on the hit parade, followed generally by other sweets. Salty foods, particularly chips, are a distant third. The hormonal ebbs and spikes that occur throughout a woman’s cycle are the major culprits in PMS. Cravings during PMS could further be exacerbated by a deficiency in zinc! Cravings, foods and moods Food also influences our mood and mood influences our food choices or could be the cause of you succumbing to that ‘craving’. If you find that your mood changes after meals and snacks, it may be that you’re lacking the nutrients that can help promote good mental health. Anxiety is often due to a deficiency of folic acid and magnesium. Folic acid can be found in foods such as meat, spinach, beetroot and asparagus. Depression could be made worse if your diet is lacking in vitamin B6 and B3 found in lean meat, oily fish (salmon, trout, tuna), whole grains, some fruits and vegetables as well as avocado. If poor concentration & attention is a problem then you need omega-3 fats and Vitamin B1 found in pork, seafood, whole grains, seeds and most vegetables. Insulin: Fuel for cravings Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but the body’s cells do not use the insulin properly. Insulin helps cells use blood glucose for energy. After you eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, insulin is released into the bloodstream. Insulin’s job is to give muscles and organs permission to access sugar in the bloodstream. When people are insulin resistant, their muscle, fat and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin. As a result, their bodies need more insulin to help glucose enter cells. The pancreas tries to keep up with this increased demand for insulin by producing more. When there is too much insulin present, it contributes to sugar cravings as well as the “mid-afternoon lows.” Eventually, those sugar cravings lead to weight gain if we give in. Insulin resistance increases the risk of developing pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A person is classified as being insulin resistant if their middle circumference is >88cm (women) and >102cm (men). So get those measuring tapes out……or alternatively your Dietitian would be able to arrange for the necessary blood tests to be performed to determine if you are insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is a major global health concern that proves to be difficult to combat. Are you a victim? Tips on controlling those nasty cravings Have regular meals as well as snacks and DON’T skip meals. This will help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and prevent cravings. Limit starchy carbohydrates intake to meal times only and choose Low Glycemic Index starches. NO Starchy carbohydrate snacks – rather choose lean protein e.g. biltong, a small portion of nuts or yoghurt Exclude refined sugar like jelly, sweets or biscuits – this will only make the cravings worse! Know your metabolic rate: use it as an indication of the total carbohydrates that you need (and are allowed to eat) in a day –Your dietitian would be able to measure this for you. Have yourself checked out! Our dietitian’s take a complete diet history, assess your diet and establish which nutrients you are lacking in. Anél, Caryn or Sanmare can then advise you on how to make the necessary dietary changes to ensure a nutritionally balanced diet. If you are concerned about the nutritional adequacy of your diet, then make use of a good quality, comprehensive multi-vitamin/mineral supplement. Ask your dietitian for advice. Craving sugar and carbohydrates? Then consider using a chromium supplement. Chromium helps to maintain blood-sugar levels, by assisting insulin to do its job and keep the blood-sugar levels even which reduces sugar cravings. You require 200 mcg Chromium, twice a day, for control of cravings. Some forms of chromium may be toxic – so make sure you use the correct supplement. Discuss this with your dietitian, otherwise come and have a look at the practice where we stock the correct brands of chromium. Brushing your teeth is a tactic to help avoid late night snacking, which is mainly something that’s habitual. Many times when we eat late at night, it’s by force of habit, not because we are really ‘craving’ or hungry. Another tactic is to avoid the kitchen after a certain time at night, say 8pm. Many of us go in the kitchen like mindless zombies looking for stuff to munch on, so this “no kitchen re-entry” rule

May 2, 2017
Breastpumps and Beyond

Things you Should NEVER Say to a Pregnant Woman

This is a very serious post! A pregnant woman has more hormones and generally get less sleep than a new mom. So, if you upset her, you might unleash a dragon. All kidding aside, I still very clearly remember my last pregnancy as it was only a couple of weeks ago, Some of the things people said to me actually blew my mind. I was not small in either of my pregnancies and both my kiddies were over 4.2 kg each. I ended up picking up 25 kg and 27 kg, even though, basically all I did was vomit for 5 months. I am that body type that picks up weight easily, an Endomorph the professionals like to call it. The weight is distributed evenly too, so no skinny legs and little bump. So, what were the worst things people said to me during both pregnancies? “WOW, YOU’RE HUGE!” This one is a goodie. It is like people feel the need to tell you how you feel. Well folks, let me explain something here, even when you are pregnant, you still have feelings and it is never nice to hear that you are huge (even when you are). “DON’T SNEEZE, YOU MIGHT JUST HAVE THE BABY NOW” This is fantastic too. Seriously, if sneezing could get my 4kg + babies out, it would save me a huge amount of time and unnecessary pain. Life would be much simpler. “ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE NOT HAVING TWINS?” ah, the inevitable. Yes, I am sure I am not having twins. I have had multiple scans and there is only one baby in there. But I have also had friends that struggled with the opposite problem and my heart went out to them. They were very small and didn’t show very much in the tummy. Again, people said things without thinking. “ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE PREGNANT?” is one of them. “ARE YOU EATING ENOUGH? And even some people go as far as saying that maybe something is wrong and that is why you don’t have a big tummy. These poor moms, just smiled and put on a brave face. So here come my words of wisdom: Think before you speak! Seriously, think about what you are saying. The moms’ medical decisions are her decisions and if she wanted your opinion, she would ask for it. Remember that pregnant woman have feelings too! Keep the horror stories to yourself too. Next time you are faced with a pregnant woman perhaps ask her how she is doing and if you can help with anything. She will really appreciate it. Preggy moms, it is tough being bigger than normal. You go through so much with the aches and pains, heartburn, and nausea. Just remember why you are doing it! The reward it worth it. Some of the best advice I ever received was don’t compare! Everyone is different, so there is no point trying to compare yourself to everyone else. Even each pregnancy is different, so try approach each individually too. Try to have a healthy pregnancy and more importantly do what feels right. A mother’s instinct is strong! The difficulties of pregnancy are one thing but it doesn’t just become super easy once baby arrives either. Your life will never be the same again. You might have a need for things to go back to normal. Striving for a new normal is a more attainable goal. That is where “Balance your lifestyle” comes into play. This is a toolkit for moms that I designed to help you find balance and that new normal, you are looking for. As a Wellness Coach and mom of 2, I had a real need for some sort of structure and balance in my life once I had my kiddies. I quickly saw many other moms were struggling with the same issues and put together this course. So what is it all about? Balance your lifestyle is a 6 module course. Each module is between 30 and 45 mins and they are normally structured on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The course can be done in person in Johannesburg (Bryanston) or though skype for other areas. What do we cover? Session 1 is all about the end goal. Figuring out what you want and having a game plan on how to get there. This covers your lifestyle and career aspects too. When asking someone what they want out of life, quite often they say, they want to be happy. Yet, cannot define what would actually make them happy. This really helps you define your end goals. Session 2 is all about what makes you tick? Your personality, what fuels your fire? What do you need and what do you need to avoid to get the best out of your relationships. We also chat about the book Love languages, what they mean to you and how to incorporate this technique into you family. Session 3 is all about time. Breaking it down and making it work for you. Aligning your mindset and getting organised. A few small tricks can end up saving you a huge amount of time long term. Session 4 is your personalised stress beating solution. We will establish a solid plan to manage stress, increase your energy levels and boost your immune system. Session 5 is about making peace with your body. Learning to love and appreciate it. How to have a positive self-image and pass that process on to our kids. Session 6 sinks down a bit deeper and looks at how we carry ourselves from posture to etiquette. We also cover your closet detox and coming up with your unique new style. This full course is valued at R4799 for 6 sessions but will be available for a limited time for R1899 payable over 2 months. R949 per month for 2 months . Email admin@bitsandbobsformoms.co.za for a free session. You will also go into the draw to win a free course. This could seriously

April 6, 2017
Jenny Perkel

The Best Kept Secret

Having a baby is a beautiful and wonderful thing, but it can sometimes feel traumatic, depressing and frightening. A woman I know who has 3 grown up children and a grandchild on the way said to me, “everyone is so excited and happy when a 1st pregnancy is announced, but I just want to say, ‘oh shame, you poor thing…you have no idea what you’re in for…but of course I don’t say that…I just say, ‘congratulations and pretend to be delighted as well”. Lots of people will own up to the ‘best kept secret’ that babies are sometimes hard and parenthood – particularly motherhood can be grueling – at the same time, of course, as being the best thing in the world. SOME FACTS Women are more likely to become depressed in the first year after having a baby (and the last trimester in pregnancy) than any other time in their lives. 10-15% of mothers develop postnatal depression (pnd), and in developing countries and poverty stricken areas, the figures are much higher. Research has shown that 1/3 of Khayelitsha moms suffer from pnd. Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in developed countries. The new father can also get depressed. Dads often feel left out and unwanted when babies come along. As a new mom, it’s so hard to feel frustrated, disappointed, confused, depressed and anxious when you’re expected to be blissfully happy. The media contributes to this problem by perpetuating a lie about motherhood and babies by publishing only pictures of young, beautiful, skinny, model mothers, and bouncy, smiley, contented babies. There are relatively few pictures in baby and parenting magazines of the graveyard shift, mothers looking and feeling like hell, trying to soothe an unhappy baby, trying to breastfeed a screaming baby who can’t seem to latch, etc. In the context of this fairy tale, idealized image of how motherhood and babies are supposed to be, the reality can feel like a huge let down. It can even feel like a betrayal. The Cape Town couple, Lisa Lazarus and Greg Fried co-wrote The book of Jacob which, unlike most other books about babies, is an honest, frank description of the hell they experienced during the first year of their son’s life. Although loads of people have loved this book and find it a huge relief that others too struggle with parenthood, Lisa and Greg have received hate mail from outraged readers who couldn’t bear the fact that these brave parents owned up to how hard it can be having a baby. In writing this book, they shattered the image of perfect, idealized babies and parents. The truth is that real babies can disappoint their parents sometimes …especially sick babies, colicky or refluxy babies, unplanned babies, high need babies who cry a lot and are irritable and difficult to soothe, babies who don’t feed well, and babies who are abnormal or handicapped in some way. It’s very disappointing when you realize that your baby can’t meet your own unmet needs and he won’t be everything you want him to be. In addition to this, motherhood goes hand in hand with a substantial number of significant losses, such as: your sense of self and aspects of your identity your own life takes a back seat and the level of self-sacrifice is very high your freedom and personal space and time your status and credibility (motherhood is undervalued) your relationship with your spouse becomes altered your sexuality and physical appearance…there’s no time or energy to make yourself look beautiful and most moms would rather sleep than have sex your career and financial freedom independence and marital equality energy levels are compromised sleep deprivation takes a terrible toll on your mental state your mental health can become compromised WHAT CAN HELP? The loving support of a spouse is really important! Part of the dad’s role in the beginning is to look after the new mother. Support from friends and family is also protective, as long as it is the kind of support that empowers rather than controls. Often your own mother can be the most powerful factor that either strengthens or undermines your ability to cope as a new mom. Connecting with other people, especially other new moms, is extremely important. New mothers are often socially isolated, and being alone with an unhappy baby is not easy. If you find yourself struggling as a new parent or if you need emotional support or guidance with your baby, contact one of our Babies in Mind practitioners in your area, either to join one of our workshops, attend one of our talks, or for individual consultations. All our practitioners are mental health professionals with specialized training and expertise. Find us at www.babiesinmind.co.za or on Facebook or contact Jenny Perkel 021 4619153 or jenny@perkel.co.za

March 23, 2017
Breastpumps and Beyond

The ultimate baby shower gift list: What a new mom really wants and needs.

Baby showers come around every now and then for most ladies, until you reach a certain age, then they seem to become a monthly occurrence. Gift opening most often seems to be the highlight of the day with many oohh’s and aahh’s as the tiny outfits and other gifts are put on display. BUT what does mom really want for her expectant baby and more importantly, what are those items she really needs? The ones she is going to use regularly and appreciate? I had my first baby shower in 2014 and decided on doing a registry with my mom and two sisters. Besides it being a ton of fun, it was a complete guess of what I would need for my little boy. I already had the big stuff, the cot, compactum, car seat and pram. Everything else seemed confusing. Now that I am getting ready for baby number 2. It seemed like the perfect time to put together my list for my little girl. All those things I have found to love. Hopefully this helps you too. Baby shower gifts for mom Pillows! Don’t underestimate the power of a good pillow or two. I love the Frankie Beans Maternity pillow It is great to use under your bump, between the legs, to support the back or even in the car.  The long cuddling pillow as I like to call it.Will become almost part of you at sleep time. I like to wedge it between my legs and under my tummy. Giving me some awesome support and some well-deserved sleep. One of the best possible gifts an expectant mom could get is a massage. No jokes! It is one of the only things that can make you feel better when carrying all the extra weight. (Well that and sitting in a pool). The benefits for circulation are great and it can also relieve back and joint pain. Anxiety during pregnancy can be over whelming and regular massage can assist with managing your anxiety and even depression by regulating your hormones. When anxiety during pregnancy occurs, and is not treated it can increase your chances of having post-partum depression when baby is born. Make sure when choosing were to go for your massages that you pick someone that is qualified in pregnancy massage so they can support you and look out for indications such as possible blood clots and varicose veins. Remember to always check with your Dr before receiving a massage if you struggle from hypertension, pre-eclampsia, severe swelling or are considered a high-risk pregnancy.  Tips:  Don’t lie on one of those beds with the holes cut out for the tummy. They can cause uterine ligaments to stretch. Make sure you lie on your side with support for your tummy and between your legs. The therapist should always use safe oils for pregnancy. My favourite spot for preggy massage is Mommy wellness. They are focused on treating pregnant moms and even moms with tots. Do yourself a favour and check them out. Pregnancy is also an important time to review your skin and hair care products. It is not often that we look at the ingredients that are found in our products but during pregnancy, we should really stick to as natural as possible. Avoid retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene and isotretinoin as they may cause birth defects. Hydroquinone is used to lighten the skin but this these treatments should be put on hold until baby is born. Formaldehyde is found in some hair products and nail polishes.  Try use Formaldehyde-free products whenever possible. Lilian Terry offers natural alternative to the harsh and sometimes damaging chemicals in everyday products. They use a combination of homeopathy and aromatherapy. A lovely add on for the preggy mom is their Lillian Terry Stretch mark oil and the Lillian Terry Vascu Flow for water retention Milk screen is definitely a must for your nappy bag too. They are fabulous, easy to use test strips that test for alcohol in Breast Milk. Giving you the confidence to know when you are able to feed your baby after having a glass of wine. Baby Shower gifts for your little one ShooShoos are the best. They come in a variety of sizes and colours are are super easy to slip on. They are available from newborn to 24 months. Great skincare is vital for baby from day one. Being a wellness coach and having over 15 years’ experience in Health and wellness and specifically skincare this is something I am very passionate about. I would like all parents to be understand what is inside of their products but also know what they are putting on baby’s skin. Email admin@bitsandbobsformoms.co.za for a free copy of my Ebook: The natural way, a guide to skincare and natural therapies for babies and children. Pure Beginnings tick all my boxes for kid’s skincare. I love the toothpaste, body wash and bath bubbles. I have also recently tried out the pro-biotic lotion on my little boy. Even with his eczema it has worked wonders. Sleep sacks were always necessary for my little boy in winter. He hated blankets from day 1 and kicked them off every night. The sleep sack kept him warm and cosy. I have one for each stage of growth and really recommend them for kiddies that kick their blankets off. I didn’t actually buy any and was lucky enough to be given all of mine but Moo Moo has some options that are pretty reasonably priced Baby Shower gifts for the breastfeeding mom Breastfeeding your new baby can be such an amazing, fulfilling experience. It can also be exhausting and at times tough. Another support pillow, can really help you keep your posture and avoid back ache. I used this one that was very similar to this one and really loved it. Prepping the breasts for baby is another controversial topic. There are loads of old wife tales out there, that sound like pure pain.

February 10, 2017
Paarl Dietitians

Weight, Fertility and Pregnancy

Getting your body ready for baby-making isn’t only about tossing your birth control and charting your ovulation. It’s also about laying the nutritional foundation for healthy baby building. Begin your eating-well campaign even before you conceive (technically these are your first weeks of pregnancy) and you’ll be doing yourself (and your soon-to-be embryo) a favour. Begin making healthy changes 3 months to a year before you conceive. Evidence shows that healthy nutrition and fertility is linked in both men and women. The ultimate goal is a healthy pregnancy, and this depends upon good quality eggs and sperm. There is increasing evidence to show that diet and lifestyle can directly impact on your fertility health not only for conception but also for your baby’s development. When it comes to getting pregnant, the old adage “you are what you eat” rings true. What you eat affects everything from your blood to your cells to your hormones. WEIGHT AND FERTILITY If you’re trying to get pregnant, or intend to start trying, know that weight can affect your chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby. Twelve percent of all infertility cases are a result of a woman either weighing too little or too much. Women who are overweight or obese have less chance of getting pregnant overall. They are also more likely than women of healthy weight to take more than a year to get pregnant. Research has shown that being underweight or being overweight and obese can lead to fertility problems by creating hormonal disturbances. The main ingredient in the body weight and fertility mix is oestrogen (a sex hormone produced in fat cells). A woman with too little body fat can’t produce enough oestrogen and her reproductive cycle begins to shut down. Often causes irregular menstrual cycles and may cause ovulation to stop altogether. If a woman has too much body fat, the body produces too much oestrogen and may also lead to irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation. However, even obese women with normal ovulation cycles have lower pregnancy rates than normal weight women, so ovulation isn’t the only issue. Research indicated that weight also impacts on the success of donor egg cycles. There is good scientific evidence that obesity lowers the success rates of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Studies have further shown lower pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates in obese women. How do I know if I am a good weight for pregnancy? One of the easiest ways to determine if you are underweight or overweight is to calculate your body mass index (BMI).  A BMI between 19 and 24 is considered normal; less than 18.5 is considered underweight. A BMI between 25 and 29 is considered overweight and greater than 30 places you in the category of obese. Reporting in the journal Human Reproduction, researchers documented a 4% decrease in conception odds for every point in BMI above 30. For women whose BMI was higher than 35, there was up to a 43% overall decrease in the ability to conceive. Your BMI alone is not the only thing to watch, however. Your body fat percentage and waist circumference is also important. Bottom line: you need a certain amount of fat to conceive since body fat produce oestrogen. Waist circumference is an indication of visceral fat (excess of body fat in the abdomen). A waist circumference >88cm in a women and >102cm in a man is associated with reduced fertility, an increased risk for insulin resistance (associated with PCOS in women) and other chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Are there fertility problems in men with obesity? Obesity in men may be associated with changes in testosterone levels and other hormones important for reproduction. Low sperm counts and low sperm motility (movement) have been found more often in overweight and obese men than in normal-weight men. How much weight should one lose? Even a small 3-5% weight loss can reduce insulin resistance by 40-60% and improve fertility. How quickly will I lose or gain weight? Healthy weight gain or loss is regarded as 500g to 1kg per week. It is therefore gradual and one can expect that six months will be required to restore normal reproductive function and pregnancy. IMPORTANT: Avoid going on fad diets, which can deplete your body of the nutrients it needs for pregnancy and find a weight-loss plan that works for you by talking to a registered dietitian. EXCESS WEIGHT AND PREGNANCY If a woman is obese when falling pregnant, it increases the risk of pregnancy complications and health problems for the baby. Obese women are at an increased risk for developing pregnancy-induced (gestational) diabetes and high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia). The risk of pre-eclampsia doubles in overweight women and triples in obese women. Overweight women have twice the risk of gestational (pregnancy-related) diabetes and obese women eight times the risk, compared with women of healthy weight. A woman who is obese is more than twice as likely to have a miscarriage as a woman of healthy weight. Sadly, there is twice the risk that her baby will not survive. Infants born to obese women are more likely to be large for their age and therefore have a higher chance of delivering by caesarean section. Afterwards the baby may need neonatal intensive care or have a congenital abnormality. Recovery following birth is also more problematic and there is the increased risk of poor wound healing and possible infections. WHAT TO DO? Eating a healthy and balanced diet is crucial when preparing to conceive or you are already pregnant. A balanced diet is one that is rich in good quality protein, low in Glycaemic Index (GI), low in sugar, salt, caffeine and industrially created trans-fats (trans-fatty acids or partially hydrogenated oil). Make clever Protein choices – choose lean protein. Rethink refined carbs and sugar – choose low glycaemic index (GI) carbohydrates and also limit your total daily carbohydrate intake based on your specific metabolic rate. This is especially important if you

April 4, 2016
Parenting Hub

What NOT to Buy Or Add To Your Baby Registry

I have shopped for two failed adoptions and my  baby so you could say I have had some experience with shopping for a baby.  Excitement can quickly lead to buyer’s remorse and your house full of crap.  Mothers are a marketing executive dreams. They know just how to make you feel like your child will miss out without their product.  I am also pretty sure no new mum will listen to any of this… A HUGE pram Prams are like cars.  We want the coolest looking one that looks like a little baby hotel for our precious.  Now baby is here and you realise that lovely pram with all the extras weighs as much as a smart car and you need to be a Sumo wrestler to put the pram in your boot.  That’s if it even fits. What to get instead:  There are some great lightweight pushchairs that are suitable from birth reclines to almost flat.  If you really must just get the all frills baby hotel buy it second hand . Baby bath  They will outgrow this so fast that it’s not worth the bother and just another thing you need to list on Gumtree or fill up the space where your car is supposed to be. What to get instead:  Purchase an inexpensive bath support or get into the bath with the baby providing additional bonding time with your newborn. Nappy bin This special bin that deals with stinky nappies is a coveted item for most expectant mothers.  I was no exception.  I was ready to sign a community property contact with my bad boy. I am convinced this is a clever marketing tool to suck you into buying ridiculously expensive cartridge refills. Just like drug dealers Marketers Know the real money is in the come-back. What to get instead:  Scented nappy packets  and a simple lidded nappy bucket will do the trick.  If you must have one, You can have mine. Changing table  You will end up changing your baby on the bed and everywhere else with a changing mat within the first three months.  Been there done that got the t-shirt! Baby shoes Kennedy had 15 pairs of adorable shoes.  Some were designer shoes and she couldn’t even walk yet.  Do you think Kennedy gave a monkeys that they cost more than any shoes I have ever owned… nope.  She fussed so much every time I put them on. What to get instead: Socks are enough. She is 14 months and only recently stopped kicking off her shoes. Lots of newborn sized clothes At this point I am starting to sound like a buzz kill.  This is all the fun about being pregnant.  The ooh-ing and aah-ing at those teeny little money wasters. Marketing execs know how much we want a mini-me. Why do you think a newborn can now wear skinny jeans and leather jackets? What to get instead: Wait for the gifts and then wait till your baby can walk before making them tiny trendsetters.  Baby growers is all they need until then. Bottle warmer  Ugh. Just run the bottles under hot water already! What to get instead: nothing. A cot bumper Something about having a baby makes us mothers have a penchant for  matching items… that is the lure.  A tiny duvet with the tiny pillow just doesn’t seem enough of a set. I still can’t understand why these are actually still being sold.  The second you hear about SIDS (and for every paranoid second thereafter), it’s game over for these little death traps. I have yet to find a parenting or medical site that has anything good to say about bumpers. Just another thing for you to wash. What to get instead: nothing. Tons of toys for a tiny baby Newborns don’t need them and will spend most of their time sleeping, feeding and gazing at you!  If you really do need stuffed animals you can come to my house and collect these dust collectors. What to get instead: After three months I would get a few noisemakers and then add once they crawling and can actually interact with your surroundings. Newborn-sized feeding bottles Baby feeding bottles in a smaller size designed for newborns become useless in very little time. What to get instead: Normal size bottles 260ml and buy a few slow release teats if you need to. Scaled-down Baby Wardrobe Let’s just be honest here…they will not be willing to or able to hang their own clothing until they can reach a normal sized one anyway. What to get instead: Normal-sized bedroom furniture and add a small step stool for higher shelves once they are older. Baby Cartoon curtains and wallpaper Just don’t it!  I promise your baby will not complain that their nursery was not cute enough. If you can’t imagine the design on the wall of a six-year-olds bedroom, It’s a waste! What to get instead: An age-neutral design for anything expensive is a good idea and add ‘baby appeal’ with removable pictures and accessories.

November 3, 2015
Parenting Hub

HYPERTENSION AND YOUR PREGNANCY

Embarking on the journey of motherhood should be a pleasurable and memorable experience.  For many women though, pregnancy can be overshadowed by hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.  Uncontrolled high blood pressure prior to pregnancy or high blood pressure developed during pregnancy poses a risk to both mother and unborn baby. I n this article we would like to make all future and expectant moms aware of these dangers and provide you with lifesaving tips on how to prevent high blood pressure from casting a shadow over this momentous time. High blood pressure can affect an expectant mother in two ways:  She might have existing high blood pressure prior to becoming pregnant, or …. High blood pressure may develop in the second half of pregnancy.   When high blood pressure is accompanied by protein in the urine, and swollen ankles, fingers and face; it is particularly serious and is called pre-eclampsia. F or both types of high blood pressure in pregnancy, if it is not detected and then controlled, it can cause low birth weight or require early delivery of the baby.   High blood pressure and especially pre-eclampsia can furthermore be very harmful to the mother as well, by causing seizures, damaging the kidneys, liver and brain and increasing the risk of stroke. The good news is that early detection and control of high blood pressure and close monitoring of the mom and baby can ensure a safe and happy pregnancy.   There are certain factors that can put one at an increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Factors include high blood pressure during a previous pregnancy, obesity, being under the age of 20 years and over the age of 40 years, having diabetes and other chronic illnesses, and being pregnant with more than one baby.  Women with any of these factors should be especially vigilant.  Severe headaches and visual disturbances are warning signs that require an urgent visit to your doctor or clinic. How can women with existing high blood pressure prevent problems during pregnancy? Firstly, it is important to control your blood pressure, and speak to your doctor or nurse when thinking about falling pregnant. Discuss with your doctor how high blood pressure might affect you or your baby and how to adapt or change any current blood pressure medication. Continue to monitor blood pressure regularly throughout your pregnancy as advised by your doctor or clinic. Ensure that you are eating healthily, limiting salt intake, being active and avoiding alcohol or tobacco products. In addition, taking calcium supplementation can prevent pre-eclampsia. How can women be sure not to get high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy?  Regular visits to the doctor or clinic are important to ensure a safe pregnancy. For a healthy pregnancy one should: First and foremost ensure that you are in the best possible health before thinking of falling pregnant; including managing a healthy weight, being physically active and not smoking. Get early and regular care from a doctor. Follow all the doctor’s recommendations. Do what you can to help manage blood pressure. Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fruit and vegetable, daily dairy, and limit intake of salt and salty foods. Take a calcium supplement as advised and directed by your doctor. High blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs, therefore checking blood pressure regularly throughout pregnancy and beyond is important to monitor the health and well-being of mom and baby.  We would therefore like to encourage all women to know their numbers by visiting their nearest clinic, GP practice, nearest pharmacy or obstetrician to get their blood pressure checked.

August 10, 2015
Parenting Hub

The First Glimpse

My nerves were so high I broke out in hives, I couldn’t think straight. I was struggling to sleep until eventually substituting to crying myself to sleep. This was the last time I would feel you moving and kicking your way around in my tummy. It was the most bitter-sweet emotion. I was physically ready but my emotions were far from prepared. The day arrived, waking up, I put my make up on, brushed my teeth, just like every other day, but knowing this day was going to change my life forever, it felt so dissimilar, everything I did, every reoccurring daily routine was like doing it for the first time. I felt lost. On the way to the hospital I took notice of more than I had ever before. Almost as if I had a sense I had always been unaware of. I was overwhelmed at the idea that I was about to become a Mother, I was about the meet this little boy that I had been waiting months to meet. Our moment that I had been dreaming about was about to become a reality. The sweet little eyes I had been trying to place a picture of in my head would finally see the world. It was finally our moment. I booked myself in and as they began hooking me up to the monitors and taking blood tests, everything became surreal. They began explaining the procedures and preparing me for one of the most intense moments of my life. It was time to meet you. Finally. I was ready. Filled with mixed emotions, they wheeled me into theatre. They began with the spinal block, it worked quickly and as I was placed on the operating table, my body was ready to bring you into this world. I felt the tugging, and I heard the sounds. The sound and smell of burning skin, the doctors casually talking about their holiday with the effort to distract me, and the song playing in the background was all I could hear, I tried to remain focused. The assistant whispered in my ear asking me if I was ready, she explained they would put pressure on my stomach and the doctor would remove him from the tiny incision he had made in my lower stomach. The sound of her voice was so intense, it was as if hearing something pertaining to life and death. It made my emotions rush in fast, it went quiet. I closed my eyes and all I could hear was my heart beat. Focus Leigh. He is he almost here. Suddenly the sound of suctions and struggle became blatant, I couldn’t see what was going beyond the sheets, but I could hear you. You let out a little cry, and the doctor finally said, “Here he comes” They lifted you for a split second to give me a glimpse of your beautiful face, for what felt like hours, I reveled in the most breath-taking sight of you, your wrinkly expression and eyes so dark I could see right into your innocent soul. The sound of your boisterous cry is one of the freshest and fondest memories I have and I can still remember the sweet smell of you. The next hour felt like a life time, in recovery all I could think of was you and how I craved to have you in my grasp, to hold you, look into your eyes and whisper sweetly how much I already loved you. They placed you in my arms, and there it was, you looked at me. You looked into my soul. This love was deep. It was considered more than I could bare. Everything I thought I knew, everything I had planned, the ideas I had created in my mind and how it would feel to meet you for the first time, it had all dissipated. The knowledge I thought I had, had become worthless. I knew from that moment that this was it. This was our moment, and for a moment, in all the chaos around us, it was only you and I in that room and then, you blinked almost as if you agreed, and nothing could stop us. On this day, a life long bond was formed. I gave birth to you, even if by Caesarean Section, an operation which in no way is considered to be natural, you became my son. No matter my decision on how to bring you into this world, that made me a Mother, a privilege that fills my heart with a paramount of gratitude, daily.

June 24, 2015
Parenting Hub

Treat Headaches Safely During And After Pregnancy

Being a new mother can be an exciting time for many women. Taking care of a new child can be one of the most wonderful experiences. But this time can also be extremely stressful when headaches occur. A recent study published in the journal Headache showed there are many safe methods to treat these headaches and migraines when women are breast-feeding. A list of commonly used migraine medications was agreed upon by the 6 researchers, who treat migraine and other headaches on a regular basis. Each medication was researched by an author utilizing widely accepted data sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics publication “The Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk”. Dr. Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s migraine research pioneer, said the study found there are many reliable medications for women who are worried it will affect their babies through breast milk. This comprehensive study revealed there are many commonly used migraine medications that may be compatible with breast-feeding based on expert recommendations. “Ibuprofen, diclofenac, and eletriptan are among acute medications with low levels in breast milk. They are therefore safe to use,” says Shevel. What does not work? Aspirin did, however, cause some concern. Due to an association with Reye’s syndrome; sedation or apnea is problematic with opioids. Finally, preventive medications not recommended include zonisamide, atenolol, and tizanidine. Headaches during pregnancy Most headaches seen in women are primary headache disorders (migraine, tension-type headache), complications or conditions associated with pregnancy can present with a secondary headache. Headaches are very common symptoms in idiopathic intracranial hypertension, eclampsia, and reversible cerebral vascular syndrome. Migraines may begin or worsen during pregnancy, but pregnancy tends to reduce migraine frequency and severity. Although it is desirable to avoid medications for headaches during pregnancy, treatment should be considered when headaches are severe and cause significant disability. “We always promote treating headaches and migraines without the use of drugs. This is the safest method we can employ,” says Shevel to treat these headaches and migraines when women are breast-feeding. Being aware of possible treatments for migraine and headaches during pregnancy is essential. To find out more about how migraines affect your child, call 0861 678 911 or visit www.theheadacheclinic.net

April 3, 2015
Parenting Hub

Depression And Anxiety During And After Pregnancy

Pregnancy is generally assumed to be a wonderful time in the life of a family, a time of abundance and anticipated joy. For some women however, pregnancy can be an extremely stressful time, with many women experiencing feelings of both depression and anxiety. It is well known that pregnant women need to take care of their bodies in order to foster the growth of a health baby. However, it is equally important for pregnant women to take care of their emotional well-being, as untreated depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy can have long term consequences for the whole family. This article addresses some of the important issues with regards to pregnancy and depression and anxiety, and offers some advice on how best to cope with depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Are there different forms of depression during pregnancy? Depression is a common problem amongst women, and is most common in women age 18 to 44. This is the time when many women fall pregnant and so it stands to reason that pregnancy and depression can often overlap. Depression can therefore take on several different forms during and after pregnancy. Some women will be depressed prior to falling pregnant and this will continue into their pregnancy and even after the birth of their child. Some women will only become depressed during pregnancy and this can continue once the baby is born (becoming what is classified as postnatal or postpartum depression). In fact, research has established that women who are depressed whilst they are pregnant are more likely to experience postnatal depression, making it important that women who are depressed during pregnancy seek help before their baby is born. Some women will be emotionally well during their pregnancy, but will suffer with postnatal depression after the birth of their baby. Postnatal depression does not necessarily occur immediately and can start up to eight weeks after the birth of a child. It is important to bear in mind that all forms of depression are treatable, and that there are many different forms of treatment available to pregnant women who are depressed. Depression during pregnancy can often go hand in hand with anxiety. This is not surprising, as the many changes that occur during pregnancy can be very stressful for many women. During the first trimester, many women become anxious that they will miscarry, or that something else will go wrong at this early stage of pregnancy. During the third trimester, many women can become anxious about the birth of their child, worrying about the birthing process itself as well as the enormous impact that having a baby will have on them and their relationships. Many first time mothers become anxious during pregnancy as they worry ability to take care of an infant. Research has also shown that it is common for women to become anxious before being discharged from hospital once the baby has been born. These are all normal concerns and should not be seen as abnormal or wrong. However, if these anxieties become too extreme, or they are coupled with feelings of depression, then it is important that they are addressed and treated during pregnancy, as women who are extremely anxious during pregnancy are also more likely to experience postnatal depression. Why does depression often go undiagnosed and untreated during pregnancy? During pregnancy women experience many physical changes which differ depending on the stage of pregnancy. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to feel extremely tired, especially during the first and third trimesters. It is also very normal for pregnant women to have a change in appetite, ranging for example from nausea and lack of appetite in the first trimester, to increased appetite in the second and third trimesters. In addition, many women who are pregnant experience changes in libido. These are all normal aspects of pregnancy and are certainly no cause for concern. However, these changes are also hallmarks of depression. For this reason, depression can often go undiagnosed during pregnancy as both women themselves, and doctors, do not recognise these physical changes as depression. Unfortunately, up depression in pregnant women is misdiagnosed up to 50% of the time. This does not mean that all pregnant women should become overly concerned with becoming depressed or worry that the physical changes that they experience during pregnancy could be depression. Whilst up to 70% of women will experience some feelings of depression during pregnancy, it is estimated that only between 5 and 10% of women will experience clinical depression during pregnancy. In addition, approximately 13% of women who give birth will experience some degree of postnatal depression. This means that most pregnant women will not encounter problems with depression at any stage of their pregnancy. However, it is important for the small proportion of women who become depressed during pregnancy to seek help. Importantly, pregnancy is generally a time when women have regular contact with health care providers, meaning that there are numerous opportunities to access treatment for depression and anxiety during pregnancy. How will I know if I am depressed? Two important signs of depression are feeling down, depressed or hopeless and feeling little interest or pleasure in things that were previously enjoyable. We can’t all be happy all of the time, but if these feelings persist for most of the day over a period of about two weeks, then it is likely that your doctor would need to consider the possibility that you are clinically depressed. Many pregnant women feel too ashamed or embarrassed to mention these feelings to their doctors or to their friends or family. Women often feel an enormous amount of pressure to maintain a ‘happy face’ as they believe that pregnancy is supposed to be a time of joy, not sadness. However, it is extremely important for depression during pregnancy to be treated as there may be long term effects of depression on the baby as well as on the relationship between the mother and the baby. Importantly, depression during pregnancy is also

February 13, 2015
Parenting Hub

Childbirth Education Can Save Lives

Knowledge is the key to a safe, successful pregnancy, birth and parenting experience. At the very least childbirth education will improve your birth experience, and at best it can save your life. Of the million plus women who become pregnant in South Africa each year, those who receive antenatal care and quality childbirth education are the most likely to experience a healthy pregnancy and birth.  Ideally all pregnant parents would attend childbirth education classes, which cover all aspects of pregnancy and birth as well as how to care for the newborn baby. However only about 5% of expectant parents do. There are some good online courses available. However, attending classes – which are usually held in the evenings or over a weekend – are more recommended; the interaction with the childbirth educator and other pregnant couples in the class is invaluable. Often lifelong friendships are formed. Typically childbirth education classes will cover:  Pregnancy – physical and emotional changes Birth options Labour – breathing, water, massage, relaxation, visualisation Pain relief options Birth plan Breastfeeding Care of the new born baby Postnatal depression To help find the right childbirth educator for you and your partner ask the following: What are her qualifications? Ideally your childbirth educator is a qualified midwife and has completed a post-graduate diploma in Childbirth Education. Is she a member of the Childbirth Educator Professional Forum? Is she a mother? Which birthing methods are covered in the course and which are emphasised? What are her ideals of labour and do they match yours? Can partners attend? Ideally dad will be involved in some or all of the classes too! Are practical techniques taught e.g. breathing and positions for labour, massage, relaxation and visualisation? There is a list of qualified childbirth educators in the Expectant Mothers Guide or online on www.expectantmothersguide.co.za.

February 11, 2015
JustEllaBella

The “REAL” Before Baby Checklist

I strongly believe that nothing changes your views on parenting, quite like being a parent… I know every mom is different, but if it was up to me, I would have been given this checklist before “signing up”  Are you okay with bodily fluids all over you, your house and even your car? On day two while Aidan was in NICU and the nurse was changing him is when I first experienced this. The moment she took the nappy off he somehow managed to get pooh ALL over, it even went through a cutout in his plastic crib and left a number one shaped pooh stain on the wall.  At home he suffered from reflux and my dainty little spit up cloths were replaced with, cloth towels, blankets, buckets… Nothing ever stayed in him! Are you able to operate on two hours’ worth of sleep? Even when Aidan slept I was so paranoid I would just stare at him. So my nights were spent either being woken up by him crying or being woken up by him not crying. Are you fine with putting your heels into hibernation? I’m only now dusting of my stilettos (my son is 20 months old) because regardless of what the models/celebs and fashion blogging moms say, running on heels is MUCH easier than “mumming” on heels. Pushing a stroller, with a child on your hip (because he suddenly hates the stroller) while tittering on sky scraper heels is not for the faint hearted. If you are planning on breast feeding are you aware that at some point you will be wearing a thick jacket while the sun beats down on you, trying to act natural, because you are too embarrassed to strip down and reveal your milk stained blouse. I never understood just how important, breast pads are. They REALLY are! Are you okay with cold (at best lukewarm) food  When they are tiny they seem to use the act of you sitting down to eat as their queue to cry to be picked up. It’s amazing really, and I for one don’t think you have lived until you have breastfed while eating a pie, like a boss. When they get older they want to taste your food or in the case of my picky eater just touch it and act repulsed. When they reach toddler stage you end up eating with one hand and mopping up spills with the other…very classy. Oh and when you go out to eat you can spot the mom’s by their eating style…The faster the ” act of shovelling of food into your mouth” the younger your kid…I remember having to tell myself to bite, chew, swallow, repeat. Are you aware that stepping on toys is a prerequisite? Whether it’s stepping on a loud squeaky toy the moment you finally get them to sleep or something sharp and hard like a Lego that makes you dance around in pain while trying not to use any “bad words” stepping on toys WILL HAPPEN. Unless you have a team of nannies or have the reflexes of cat woman that is. Are you ready to say goodbye to your home? Toys and baby stuff will overtake your house. Despite your best intentions you will not have a baby living with you, you will be living with a baby…don’t say I didn’t warn you. Are you okay with being judged about every little thing? Everyone has an opinion! Don’t hold him like that, don’t feed him like that, don’t do this, don’t do that, sleep with him close, but not that close, actually closer, nooooooo that’s too close. Now only eat fruit farmed by monks by the light of the moon to ensure he gets best in your milk for the next 3 years, you simply must feed for that long, any shorter or longer and we will call child protection services. Also I hope his pacifier is organic, they really shouldn’t have pacifiers though, but the one you don’t give him should still be organic. Would you like to be physically unable to walk into a shop to by something for yourself? You can buy stuff for yourself, just not without, a little something, just something small, tiny really for the baby. This one trumps all, it carries ten points Are you okay with waking up every day feeling so blessed you could burst. Are you fine with being loved and adored for just being you and with loving and adoring someone who you are responsible for. Also are you keen to watch someone grow and learn and to experience a world of firsts? I for one think I would be right where I am now with or without the questions…

February 10, 2015
Maz -Caffeine and Fairydust

Bonding And Not Bonding With Your Newborn… Why It Will Be Okay

When I was pregnant with Mikayla Rose, I often compared it to hell (I know, I am a great mom). I had a terrible experience… It started with severe nausea and vomiting (Hyperemesis Gravidarum) that lasted all day and all night for the entire duration of my pregnancy and it only got worse when my gynecologist at the time convinced me that there was no way that I would carry full term and that I would most probably suffer a miscarriage. I also apparently had very little amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. Subconsciously this resulted in me ‘disconnecting’ myself from my pregnancy and baby to some extent. It was stressful and I was depressed – I cried every single time we left the gynecologist’s office. This fear of miscarriage carried on up until about six months – waiting for the supposedly inevitable the whole time. My husband and I never shared this with anyone, it was confusing and private – and we still had hope. We eventually decided to make an appointment at the Fetal Assessment Center in Cape Town to get a second professional opinion – the result? Baby is perfectly fine and normal, a little bit on the small side, but absolutely nothing to be alarmed about. That gynea pretty much ruined my pregnancy… Anyway…, we decided to rather go back to my hometown to have my family doctor deliver Mikayla – we carried a full term and the only reason for the emergency cesarean was that there were very high ketone levels in my urine and my constant vomiting was denying my body and my baby the nutrition we needed. Everyone talks about that moment when they first lay eyes on their babies, when they felt this huge rush of love, when they knew they would give their life for this child in an instant, when their life hits this pinnacle of pinnacles. My moment wasn’t exactly like that, and it took me a while to realize that it was fine (and normal) too. Mikayla weighed 2.9kg at birth and when I first saw her I felt joy, relief, and even awe… deep, huge awe that this was a real baby – that this was my baby and I was her mother. Here she was, little grasping hands and pouty lips. Suddenly this abstract idea in my belly had turned into a real little person. I knew I loved her and that she was beautiful and perfect, but something was missing. I was so heavily medicated at the time that I wrote this strange feeling off and left it at that. I felt like a bride at an arranged marriage. I knew that the baby in my arms would be hugely important in the rest of my life, but right now, we had just met. I couldn’t stop staring at her over the next few days – not because I loved her, yet, but because I wanted to get to know her so badly. I was at home with Mikayla for about a month when I realized that I had Postnatal Depression, it was impossible to ignore it… and maybe that contributed to the lack of a bond I was feeling towards my child. Mikayla had colic, and I really struggled to breastfeed – no matter how hard I tried I just never had enough milk. This didn’t help at all, I felt like such a failure. I went to the doctor and was put on medication for the depression. It helped in some ways, but the bond was still missing… After two months I felt like I would lose my mind if I stayed at home any longer, so I started my new job – worst mistake ever. Not only was I not ready emotionally, but physically as well. I missed a lot of days at work due to either being sick or having really bad depression. After six months I resigned and started working at a different company doing kids clothing. I was doing really well and it lifted my spirits for a short while, but I still did not have my bond with my daughter. It took some serious soul searching and long, deep contemplation for me to finally realize that this was my baby, my little girl, she did not die, she made it… we made it and she is here and I don’t have to worry about losing her. I actually only realized that I didn’t fall in love-at-first-sight with my baby about a year later, when I was feeling that kind of love that made my heart feel like it might burst. I finally felt the bond between us starting to grow. I could feel the roots of this love and unbreakable bond working their way into me as I kissed her padded cheeks and watched her while she slept. By the age of two it was undeniable and got stronger every day… now at the age of almost four, she is my life… my everything, my existence. I have never felt a deeper love or a stronger bond than I do with my daughter. I think the insane after-pregnancy hormone cocktail actually made the love I was supposed to feel for my daughter attach itself to my husband. I had never loved him more intensely than in those first days when we came home from the hospital as a family, as I watched him hold our sleeping daughter on his chest, as I watched him, too, fall gradually in love with our child. In retrospect it is clear that hitting the “pinnacle of pinnacles” after the birth of your child is actually really hard for some moms. Whether you have experienced a surgical birth or a non-surgical birth – your body has just experienced a trauma. I know everyone insists childbirth is “the most natural thing in the world”, but guess what? It can also be incredibly disarming and scary, especially if you are on an operating table, awake, while someone is pulling a human from your body – I’ve heard having one emerge from your vagina is also not the most relaxing thing in the world. So don’t worry, rest assured in knowing that the day will come where you love your child so much it hurts. You are NOT a bad mom, you are human. You are

January 27, 2015
Maz -Caffeine and Fairydust

The Artificial Road To A Miracle Baby – An Inspiring Journey

I heard about Kerry and Michelle’s story through a mutual friend. Something about their story broke my heart and warmed it at the same time. I think sometimes we take for granted how easy the road to pregnancy for some of us are, without sparing a thought for those around us who might not be so lucky.  Kerry and Michelle are a wonderful couple from Cape Town going through a journey of a lifetime and I hope we can all spare them a thought and send amazing positive vibes their way. I find their strength and positivity so inspiring. This is their story as told by Kerry… In September 2013 we decided that we would start trying for our first baby. We got started right away deciding that Kerry would be the one to carry the baby and we would find an anonymous donor at the Cape Fertility Clinic. We started off with saving for the procedure and taking all of the required vitamins, healthy dieting and no drinking or smoking to get Kerry’s body in tip top shape. We managed to get our first appointment with Dr Heylen at the Cape Fertility Clinic in late January 2014 after being bumped up the waiting list. The initial check up was perfect and we were all set for our first Artificial Insemination (AI) in early February. Unfortunately for the first time in her life, probably due to a lot of stress (we had a car accident that week), Kerry did not ovulate and the procedure was cancelled. We started on Clomid which could only be found at Wynberg Pharmacy. It made Kerry very moody and caused terrible hot flushes- we were optimistic that all would go well the second time around. After four failed inseminations – all with two to three beautiful follicles and a perfect uterus lining, Dr Heylenwas not happy and suggested surgery to see what was happening… The surgery (Laparoscopy & Hysteroscopy) was scheduled at Kingsbury Hospital in June 2014. Dr Heylen is one of the very best fertility surgeons in Cape Town and he assured us that any problems he found, he would be able to fix and we would have our baby. He made us feel very confident… Unfortunately we found that Kerry’s Fallopian tubes were completely closed at the base. It was very likely that she was born with this, as there was no damage at all. This is something neither Dr Heylen or his staff had ever seen. It was pointless to fix and our best option would be IVF. We did an follow-up Hysteroscopy to see how severe the blockage was and where exactly it was located. This showed that there was 0% possibility of natural conception as all of the contrast fell out and nothing went into the Fallopian tubes. At this point we had put in about six months,  R36 000 and many emotions – still no good news. We were understandably very desperate at this stage. The IVF journey was not easy at all, we completely understand why Dr Heylen started us off on AI. The procedure cost about R42 000 and was a very painful and time-consuming process. It consisted of three painful and complicated injections daily, many vaginal scans checking the follicle growth and an extremely painful egg retrieval procedure (by far the worst part as it was very painful and Kerry could only take Panado). The egg retrieval went very well and we retrieved eight perfect eggs, seven fertilized and made it to a perfect five-day embryo. On day five we put back two of the perfect five-day embryos with the hopes of a twin or singleton pregnancy. The procedure was perfect and Dr Heylen confirmed that at most we would have was twins, but more likely a singleton. We asked what the odds of having triplets were with the two embryos and he said it was literally none, he had never seen it in the decades he has been a fertility doctor and the odds were radically against this ever happening. The two week wait began again… This time slightly shortened as we were already five days in. On 27 July 2014 we did a sneaky home pregnancy test two days early, we promised we wouldn’t as we have done so many and each time we have been utterly devastated- but this time we came back with a positive result! We were over the moon, but still nervous in case it was a chemical pregnancy. On 29 July 2014 we did the blood test and got a BHCG of 167, quite high for this stage and from here we were already suspecting that we were going to have twins. The follow up test on 1 October 2014 gave us a result of 654, which was again quite high and showed all was going well. All we had to do now was wait for the first scan at 5-6 weeks. The 2-week wait was agonizing as we couldn’t wait to see our baby and confirm if it was twins or not. This was also quite an adjustment period for us as we had expected some morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms but not to such an severe extent. Kerry was sick every morning and evening and nauseous all day. She was losing weight rather than gaining and her belly and breasts were growing rapidly. The 6-week scan finally came and we got the extremely wonderful news that we were indeed expecting twins! Everything looked perfect – size, heartbeats and placement… we were so excited! We had confirmation that there were just two fetuses and everything was perfect as there was no chance they could split now. Another long three week wait for the final follow up scan with Dr Heylen at nine weeks was too much to handle and Michelle moved the appointment from Monday 6 October to Friday 3 October. It was at this appointment that everything changed and the pregnancy went from happy and exiting to absolutely terrifying. Dr Heylen told us that one of the embryo’s must have split shortly after implantation and as they are so small it was missed on the first scan. We now had triplets, two identical (Monochorionic-Diamniotic) and one fraternal. There was a brief moment of excitement where we were thinking ‘Wow! we have three babies!!’ but that was over as soon as Dr Heylen started talking. He explained that identical Monochorionic-Diamniotic twins by themselves is very complicated and dangerous as they share a placenta and they can get a condition called Twin To Twin Transfer Syndrome. This is

January 13, 2015
Maz -Caffeine and Fairydust

Pregnancy Brain… It’s A Real Thing

Maybe it’s the lack of sleep or growing an entire human being that’s distracting you. Maybe it’s the hormones driving you crazy or maybe you really are losing your mind. Whatever it is, it’s your first actual taste of what it might be like to be senile. Pregnancy brain is not a medically proven phenomenon, but anyone who has ever been pregnant or lived with a pregnant woman knows it’s very, very real. Here are some of my pregnancy brain moments…so far: The time I locked Mikayla and myself out of the house on a cold evening…This was just after I took my pregnancy test, luckily I forgot to lock my car as well so we stayed in there to keep warm until Cole came home! When he arrived he asked me how I managed to do it and I told him I had pregnancy brain… Biggest goofball smile on his face I have ever seen! Cool pregnancy announcement huh? The time I wore two different shoes to my doctor’s appointment…Getting dressed should be like second nature…right? I mean… it is fairly easy, I pretty much dress other people for a living. I was feeling pretty well rested, I got dressed and off to my gynea appointment I went to check on my 22week baby bump.  We did a scan, had a chat and off I went… As I am standing at the counter to pay for my visit I happen to look down at my feet… and I am wearing two different pairs of shoes. The time I left my car keys in the ignition, in my unlocked car for a whole day… In South Africa… I arrived at work and pulled into the parking lot. Nine hours later I get ready to leave when all of a sudden I notice my car keys are missing. A couple of my colleagues and I searched the office from top to bottom with no luck. I was pretty much in tears and hoping that I wouldn’t have to call my husband to drive 45 minutes in traffic with our toddler in tow, so I retraced my steps instead which leads me right back to my car where I find my keys in the ignition – all the doors unlocked. I can honestly say that it was a first for me. The time I forgot Mikayla in the naughty corner… Mikayla was having one hell of a tantrum over something ridiculous– I can’t even remember what it was about, but she did something naughty and I sent her to the naughty corner in the dining room. I carried on making supper, chatting to hubby and dishing up. In the back of my mind I noticed she was very quiet, but I guess I was preoccupied. I was just about to call her as I was taking our dinner through to the dinner table when she suddenly moved in the corner and pretty much gave me a heart attack! “Mommy can I come out now?” … She stood still in that corner without making a sound for close to an hour. Worst mother ever. I haven’t sent her to the naughty corner since. The time I searched and searched for my phone… and was so upset because I NEED my phone (I am addicted). Upset and crying out of frustration, I called my husband to tell him I lost my phone. What do you think I phoned him with? My phone that I had in my hand the whole time? Yeah. I also franticly search around the room for my phone while I am on the phone… this happens more often than I care to admit. Every single day, morning routine …where is my phone, wallet and  keys? Look on the entrance table, look through my bag, find my keys – place them on the table. Look for my wallet, it’s in my handbag. Where is my phone? Look in my bag, look in the bedroom, and look in the bathroom – nowhere to be found. Cole phones it and it rings in my handbag. Take my handbag, leave the house, get to the car – where are my keys? Scratch through the handbag, go back into the house… on the table where I left it. Back to the car, I have my keys and I have my wallet… where is my phone? Scratch through the bag once, nothing… find it the second time, yay me! Every, single morning! P.S… that is why I am always late. The time I used toothpaste as make-up remover…I somehow managed to take a cotton ball, reach for the toothpaste instead of make-up remover, watch myself squirt toothpaste onto said cotton ball and wipe it on my face. Thank goodness I did not start with my eyes…. The day I forgot to put panties on Mikayla… this happens to be the same day that she had to have her Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy and wear an open-back gown. Once again… worst mother ever. Luckily Cole rushed home to get her a pair! What would I do without this man… The day I poured orange juice on my cereal instead of milk… it didn’t taste that bad, actually. The time I forgot how to drive home and ended up at my old office instead… I left work early so that I could get home early. Ironic. I could not remember how to get home, took the wrong turn-off and ended up going all the way back into town. By the time I realized what I was doing I was at my old office in Gardens and had to sit in the back end of traffic to get out of town and on my way home. What would have been a 15 minute trip ended up being about 2 hours. The day I forgot to wear a bra to work… do I even need to go into detail on this one? The day  I was stuck at what seemed to be the longest red light of my life…  cars behind me started hooting, so naturally I rolled my window down and started screaming how

January 7, 2015
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