With all that growing weight up front, how is it that pregnant women don't lose their balance and topple over?
Scientists think they've found the answer: There's are slight differences between women and men in one lower back vertebrae and a joint in the hip, which allow women to adjust their center of gravity.
This elegant evolutionary engineering is seen only in female humans and our immediate ancestors who walked on two feet, but not in chimps and apes, according to a study published in Thursday's journal Nature.
"That's a big load that's pulling you forward," said Liza Shapiro, an anthropology professor at the University of Texas and the only one of the study's three authors who has actually been pregnant. "You experience discomfort. Maybe it would be a lot worse if (the design changes) were not there."
Harvard anthropology researcher Katherine Whitcomb found two physical differences in male and female backs that until now had gone unnoticed: One lower lumbar vertebrae is wedged-shaped in women and more square in men; and a key hip joint is 14 percent larger in women than men when body size is taken into account.
The researchers did engineering tests that show how those slight changes allow women to carry the additional and growing load without toppling over - and typically without disabling back pain.
"When you think about it, women make it look so very damn easy," Whitcomb said. "They are experiencing a pretty impressive challenge. Evolution has tinkered ... to the point where they can deal with the challenge.
"It's absolutely beautiful," she said. "A little bit of tinkering can have a profound effect."
Walking on two feet separates humans from most other animals. And while anthropologists still debate the evolutionary benefit of walking on two feet, there are notable costs, such as pain for pregnant females. Animals on all fours can better handle the extra belly weight.
The back changes appear to have evolved to overcome the cost of walking on two feet, said Harvard anthropology professor Daniel Lieberman.
When the researchers looked back at fossil records of human ancestors, including the oldest spines that go back 2 million years to our predecessor, Australopithecus, they found a male without the lower-back changes and a female with them.
But what about men with stomachs the size of babies or bigger? What keeps them from toppling over?
Their back muscles are used to compensate, but that probably means more back pain, theorized Shapiro, who added: "It would be a fun study to do to look at men with beer bellies to see if they shift their loads."
With all that growing weight up front, how is it that pregnant women don't lose their balance and topple over?
Scientists think they've found the answer: There's are slight differences between women and men in one lower back vertebrae and a joint ... Read More
2007-12-15 14:30:03
Something New For Post-Pregnancy Bodies
Brooke Burke, T.V. personality and soon-to-be mother of four, has launched a new online baby store. Baboosh Baby, an earth and mommy friendly store is a labor of love for Brooke. She says in her personal blog, also on the site, that Baboosh Baby "...is a place for modern moms like me to be themselves."
The product at Baboosh Baby that is making headlinse is Tauts. Based on the centuries old practice of wrapping post pregnancy tummies to encourage quick and natural results, Tauts is a beautiful, modern product that every mom is going to want. Meant to be worn after natural, vaginal deliveries for forty days and forty nights Tauts comes in 4 sizes and has a 4 inch velcro closure so that it shrinks as you do.
Brooke Burke, T.V. personality and soon-to-be mother of four, has launched a new online baby store. Baboosh Baby, an earth and mommy friendly store is a labor of love for Brooke. She says in her personal blog, also on the site, that Baboosh Baby "...is a place for modern moms like me to be themselves."
The product at Baboosh Baby that is making headlinse is Tauts. Based on the centuries old practice of wrapping post pregnancy tummies to encourage quick and natural results, Tauts is a beautiful, modern product that every mom is going to want. Meant to be worn after natural, vaginal deliveries for forty days and forty nights Tauts comes in 4 sizes and has a 4 inch velcro closure so that it shrinks as you do.
Click here to order one for yourself.
Read More
2007-12-14 14:15:06
Gift of the Day #6
For dad.
They have ran out to get the ice cream at 11 pm. They have rubbed feet for hours on end. They have always said that your butt does not look fat in those jeans.
So get him something just for him.
Like one of these [bump] tees. Manly, but still announcing to the world that he is an expectant dad. Available in three styles they are perfect for a day at the gym or a day shopping for strollers.
Or you could get him a diaper bag all of his own. Diaper Dude makes hip messenger bags with all the right stuff. Making sure that dad is prepared for all baby-related emergencies while on the go. And it frees you up to get something a little more girly for yourself.
So as Christmas approaches don't forget to gift the soon-to-be dad in your life.
For dad.
They have ran out to get the ice cream at 11 pm. They have rubbed feet for hours on end. They have always said that your butt does not look fat in those jeans.
So get him something just for him.
Like one of these [bump] tees. Manly, but still announcing to the world that he is an expectant dad. Available in three styles they are perfect for a day at the gym or a day shopping for strollers.
Or you could get him a diaper bag all of his own. Diaper Dude makes hip messenger bags with all the right stuff. Making sure that dad is prepared for all baby-related emergencies while on the go. And it frees you up to get something a little more girly for yourself.
So as Christmas approaches don't forget to gift the soon-to-be dad in your life.
Read More
2007-12-11 11:19:03
Is Sex Safe when Pregnant?
If you're pregnant or even planning a pregnancy, you've probably found an abundance of information about sex before pregnancy (that is, having sex in order to conceive) and sex after childbirth (general consensus: expect a less active sex life when there's a newborn in the house).
But there's less talk about the topic of sex during pregnancy, perhaps because of our culture's tendency to dissociate expectant mothers from sexuality. Like many parents-to-be, you may have questions about the safety of sex and what's normal for most couples.
Well, what's normal tends to vary widely, but you can count on the fact that there will be changes in your sex life. Open communication will be the key to a satisfying and safe sexual relationship during pregnancy.
Is It Safe to Have Sex During Pregnancy?
If you're having a normal pregnancy, sex is considered safe during all stages of the pregnancy.
So what's a "normal pregnancy"? It's one that's considered low-risk for complications such as miscarriage or pre-term labor. Talk to your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider if you're uncertain about whether you fall into this category. (The next section of this article may help, too.)
Of course, just because sex is safe during pregnancy doesn't mean you'll necessarily want to have it! Many expectant mothers find that their desire for sex fluctuates during certain stages in the pregnancy. Also, many women find that sex becomes uncomfortable as their bodies get larger.
You and your partner need to keep the lines of communication open regarding your sexual relationship. Talk about other ways to satisfy your need for intimacy, such as kissing, caressing, and holding each other. You also may need to experiment with other positions for sex to find those that are the most comfortable.
Many women find that they lose their desire and motivation for sex late in the pregnancy - not only because of their size but also because they're preoccupied with the impending delivery and the excitement of becoming a new parent.
When It's Not Safe
There are two types of sexual behavior that aren't safe for any pregnant woman:
If you engage in oral sex, your partner should not blow air into your vagina. Blowing air can cause an air embolism (a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble), which can be potentially fatal for mother and child.
You should not have sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you or who may have a sexually transmitted disease, such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV. If you become infected, the disease may be transmitted to your baby, with potentially dangerous consequences.
If your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider anticipates or detects certain significant complications with your pregnancy, he or she is likely to advise against sexual intercourse. The most common risk factors include:
a history or threat of miscarriage
a history of pre-term labor (you've previously delivered a baby before 37 weeks) or signs indicating the risk of pre-term labor (such as premature uterine contractions)
unexplained vaginal bleeding, discharge, or cramping
leakage of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby)
placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta (the blood-rich structure that nourishes the baby) is situated down so low that it covers the cervix (the opening of the uterus)
incompetent cervix, a condition in which the cervix is weakened and dilates (opens) prematurely, raising the risk for miscarriage or premature delivery
multiple fetuses (you're having twins, triplets, etc.)
Common Questions and Concerns
The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about sex during pregnancy.
Can sex harm my baby?
No, not directly. Your baby is fully protected by the amniotic sac (a thin-walled bag that holds the fetus and surrounding fluid) and the strong muscles of the uterus. There's also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard against infection. The penis does not come into contact with the fetus during sex.
Can intercourse or orgasm cause miscarriage or contractions?
In cases of normal, low-risk pregnancies, the answer is no. The contractions that you may feel during and just after orgasm are entirely different from the contractions associated with labor. However, you should check with your health care provider to make sure that your pregnancy falls into the low-risk category. Some doctors recommend that all women stop having sex during the final weeks of pregnancy, just as a safety precaution, because semen contains a chemical that may actually stimulate contractions. Check with your health care provider to see what he or she thinks is best.
Is it normal for my sex drive to increase or decrease during pregnancy?
Actually, both of these possibilities are normal (and so is everything in between). Many pregnant women find that symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and the increased need to urinate make sex too bothersome, especially during the first trimester. Generally, fatigue and nausea subside during the second trimester, and some women find that their desire for sex increases. Also, some women find that freedom from worries about contraception, combined with a renewed sense of closeness with their partner, makes sex more fulfilling. Desire generally subsides again during the third trimester as the uterus grows even larger and the reality of what's about to happen sets in.
Your partner's desire for sex is likely to increase or decrease as well. Some men feel even closer to their pregnant partner and enjoy the changes in their bodies. Others may experience decreased desire because of anxiety about the burdens of parenthood, or because of concerns about the health of both the mother and their unborn child.
Your partner may have trouble reconciling your identity as a sexual partner with your new (and increasingly visible) identity as an expectant mother. Again, remember that communication with your partner can be a great help in dealing with these issues.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your health care provider if you're unsure whether sex is safe for you. Also, call if you notice any unusual symptoms after intercourse, such as pain, bleeding, or discharge, or if you experience contractions that seem to continue after sex.
Remember, "normal" is a relative term when it comes to sex during pregnancy. You and your partner need to discuss what feels right for both of you.
If you're pregnant or even planning a pregnancy, you've probably found an abundance of information about sex before pregnancy (that is, having sex in order to conceive) and sex after childbirth (general consensus: expect a less active sex life when t Read More
2007-12-09 23:30:28
Gift of the Day #5
Reading seems to come with pregnancy. There is always some new book that promises to have all the answers about pregnancy, childbirth, raising children, feeding children...
Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming.
Why not stuff you loved ones stocking with a book that requires a little less thought.
In Hot Mama: How to have a babe and be babe, writer Karen Samansohn focuses on what being pregnant could be. A time to love your body and have fun with it's changing shape.
And the new classic The Three Martini Playdate has surprisingly useful advice on topics ranging from child-proofing your home to whether there is a need for children's music. Collapse Content
2007-12-07 12:13:17
Gift of the Day #5
Reading seems to come with pregnancy. There is always some new book that promises to have all the answers about pregnancy, childbirth, raising children, feeding children...
Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming.
Why not stuff you loved ones stocking with a book that requires a little less thought.
In Hot Mama: How to have a babe and be babe, writer Karen Samansohn focuses on what being pregnant could be. A time to love your body and have fun with it's changing shape.
And the new classic The Three Martini Playdate has surprisingly useful advice on topics ranging from child-proofing your home to whether there is a need for children's music. Read More
2007-12-07 12:13:17
Gift of the Day #4
A little Ha Ha to go with your Ho Ho.
To laugh and look good at the same time look no further than 2 Chix tees. Available with over a dozen fun sayings these body hugging shirts will soon be part of an essential weekend outfit.
Sexy maternity tees for the stylish mama-to-be made of yummy 100% vintage-soft cotton. What more could you want or need.
Available in two sizes for easy gift giving. Original size for pre-pregnancy sizes 2-12 and new Voluptuous for pre-pregnancy sizes 12-18.
So what are you waiting for grab one or two for your favorite mom-to-be!
A little Ha Ha to go with your Ho Ho.
To laugh and look good at the same time look no further than 2 Chix tees. Available with over a dozen fun sayings these body hugging shirts will soon be part of an essential weekend outfit.
Sexy maternity tees for the stylish mama-to-be made of yummy 100% vintage-soft cotton. What more could you want or need.
Available in two sizes for easy gift giving. Original size for pre-pregnancy sizes 2-12 and new Voluptuous for pre-pregnancy sizes 12-18.
So what are you waiting for grab one or two for your favorite mom-to-be!
This item is available for gift wrap. Read More
2007-12-05 12:55:19
WINNER! IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU TOO...
In addition to sending the picture of myself and my new bag that you requested, I just wanted to say thankyou and let you know how excited I am. I saw an ad for the contest in a pregnancy magazine while waiting in my doctor's lobby, so I assumed that so many women would be entering that I would have no chance at all. Of course, the bag was just so cute that I couldn't pass up even the slimmest chance! I actually moved recently, and the very last day we went to my old house to pick up the last of our things, I saw a big box on my back porch. Imagine my surprise when I opened it only to find my new bag! Once again, thank you so much, and expect me to spread the word and be a good customer myself!
In addition to sending the picture of myself and my new bag that you requested, I just wanted to say thankyou and let you know how excited I am. I saw an ad for the contest in a pregnancy magazine while waiting in my doctor's lobby, so I assumed that so many women would be entering that I would have no chance at all. Of course, the bag was just so cute that I couldn't pass up even the slimmest chance! I actually moved recently, and the very last day we went to my old house to pick up the last of our things, I saw a big box on my back porch. Imagine my surprise when I opened it only to find my new bag! Once again, thank you so much, and expect me to spread the word and be a good customer myself!
Sincerely,
Megan
Click Here To EnterRead More
2007-12-05 11:31:27
3 signs you can start shopping for maternity clothes...
Every woman should know the different signs that present when she’s pregnant. While many women may figure the best indicator is a missed period, this isn’t always the case. Often a woman’s intuition that something “just isn’t right” is the first sign that there is more going on.
A menstrual cycle can be missed for any number of reasons other than pregnancy; a lot of stress, and health reasons can lead a woman to miss her period. It is no cause for immediate concern if a period doesn’t show when it is supposed to. Many women also suffer from irregular periods which can further complicate the situation.
While there are many small symptoms that can indicate a woman is expecting a bundle of joy in nine months time, many women often overlook these signs.
1. Fatigue is often attributed to stress at work; morning sickness from a virus going around. No one better knows their body than the person who resides in it, so it’s important for women to know the signs of pregnancy and consider them when she experiences something off.
2. Another common occurrence in the early stages of pregnancy is mood swings or tearfulness. This is attributed to the high levels of hormones running through the woman’s body preparing for pregnancy. While many women may feel like these symptoms will last forever, this isn’t necessarily the case; many of these symptoms subside after the body adjusts to the new life growing inside it. It’s important at this time, though, for a woman to have all the understanding and help from her closest family and partner. This early stage of pregnancy can be a very trying one for all involved, so a little patience can go a long way.
3. Sleepiness is another early sign of pregnancy often overlooked. Everyone has had times when it seemed they were more tired than normal, if it persists for more than a few days, though, it’s important to find out why. Fatigue during pregnancy is a sign of the body working overtime to prepare for the journey ahead; the increased levels of hormones in the system can also cause this. It’s important to get as much as rest as possible and to not push the body too hard during this time. The schedule may need to be readjusted and naps may need to be included into the daily routine to accommodate for this symptom.
It’s important that as soon as pregnancy is suspected a home pregnancy test is taken. Getting early prenatal care can make all the difference in a healthy pregnancy, and of course then you can start shopping for stylish maternity clothes at Due;)
3 signs you can start shopping for maternity clothes...
Every woman should know the different signs that present when she’s pregnant. While many women may figure the best indicator is a missed period, this isn’t always the case. Often a woman’s intuition that something “just isn’t right” is the first sign Read More
2007-12-02 22:34:30
Christina Aguilera: Pregnant, Naked and Proud
Christina Aguilera bares all for the January 2008 issue of Marie Claire, on newsstands nationally Dec. 11. She is reportedly due in January with her and husband Jordan Bratman's first child.
(scroll down for pictures)
On her pregnancy being a surprise: "We were planning on starting to try after the tour. And so, I had gone off the Pill to prepare my body, because I didn't know how much time it would take. You've heard it takes some time -- except with Power Egg and Super Sperm here... I'm like, Oh, my God, can you believe it just happened?"
On being pregnant during her 'Back to Basics' tour: "I was paranoid. There are so many things that could go wrong -- somebody could slip, somebody could fall, I could fall. There was no way in hell I was going to jeopardize my baby for my show." So she wore a well-concealed heart monitor. She didn't want to broadcast the news. "I didn't want to make the audience uncomfortable, like, 'Pregnant lady onstage! Is she going to be OK?' But I had to announce it to my band and my dancers, because I wanted to make sure they had my back."
On her simple decision not to announce anything: "Because I hadn't said anything, people thought I was trying to keep it this big, bad secret, and that's not the case at all. I just wasn't commenting. I'm not being like, 'Hey, everybody, I'm pregnant!' I'm not that girl."
On the domestication of Xtina being complicated: "We're so labeled. If you're too sexual, you're slutty. If you're not sexual enough, you're a prude. I like to put it out there as a topic of conversation. Why does it bother you? What's your problem with it? Am I really hurting you? Let's get to the root of it. I have more than one side of me that likes to get out on a stage and sing. Sometimes I want to be aggressive, sometimes I want to feel empowered in my sexuality and my vulnerability. I want to put all that out there." Collapse Content
2007-12-01 17:37:47
Christina Aguilera: Pregnant, Naked and Proud
Christina Aguilera bares all for the January 2008 issue of Marie Claire, on newsstands nationally Dec. 11. She is reportedly due in January with her and husband Jordan Bratman's first child.
(scroll down for pictures)
We've been carrying Oopa Baby slings for a year. And our customers have nothing but wonderful things to say for them.
Oopa Baby slings are a featured item on Urban Baby today. It appears that we are not the only ones to appreciate their cool aesthetic.
Loved by celeb moms including Gwen Stefani, the Oopa Baby sling is perfect for the hip mama that wants to wear her baby, but wants to retain her sense of fashion, too.
Oopa Baby slings are designed to meld traditional baby-carrying methods with the right amount of panache and modern-day flair. Each Oopa is made entirely by hand, no two are ever alike. Rest assured your Oopa will help you do what is best for you and your baby as you do it in style!
Oopa Baby uses pre-tested aluminum rings, designed to withstand up to 300 pounds (although our recommendation is to carry no baby over 35 pounds in a baby sling). These rings are designed exclusively for use in ring slings like the Oopa Baby sling.
We've been carrying Oopa Baby slings for a year. And our customers have nothing but wonderful things to say for them.
Oopa Baby slings are a featured item on Urban Baby today. It appears that we are not the only ones to appreciate their cool aesthetic.
Loved by celeb moms including Gwen Stefani, the Oopa Baby sling is perfect for the hip mama that wants to wear her baby, but wants to retain her sense of fashion, too.
Oopa Baby slings are designed to meld traditional baby-carrying methods with the right amount of panache and modern-day flair. Each Oopa is made entirely by hand, no two are ever alike. Rest assured your Oopa will help you do what is best for you and your baby as you do it in style!
Oopa Baby uses pre-tested aluminum rings, designed to withstand up to 300 pounds (although our recommendation is to carry no baby over 35 pounds in a baby sling). These rings are designed exclusively for use in ring slings like the Oopa Baby sling.
Read More
2007-11-30 10:29:50
Yahoo Store platform back in operation after Monday shutdown
If you tried to buy Maternity Clothes from Due this this past Monday and couldn't don't worry it wasn't your fault.
The Yahoo Merchant Solutions e-commerce platform, also known as Yahoo Store, returned to regular operation last night after most of its more than 40,000 retailers were unable to process orders as usual yesterday, Yahoo Inc. says.
Yahoo, which first reported that Yahoo Store merchants were having problems processing orders at 8:31 a.m. Pacific time yesterday, reported 14.5 hours later, at 11:06 p.m. Pacific, that all of its merchants were fully back online and able to process orders as usual. Rich Riley, senior vice president of Yahoo`s Online Channel Division, said in a subsequent corporate blog posting today that the problems first occurred at 6 a.m. Pacific time and were fixed by 6 p.m. Pacific time.
As of mid-day today, however, Yahoo had not said what caused yesterday’s problem. “We continue to investigate the cause of events,” a spokeswoman said today.
The outage yesterday shocked retailers who had been ready for the usual spike in online shopping on the Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend. “After weeks of preparing for ‘Cyber Monday,’ one of the busiest shopping days of the season, we were very excited to start the day,” Mitchell Lieberman, CEO of OneWayFurniture.com in Farmingdale, NY, said yesterday. “But what I woke up to early this morning was a horrible scenario for online shoppers. The shopping carts where visitors pay for their orders were down completely.”
Kevin Hickey, vice president of marketing at New Stanton, PA-based OnlineStores.com, which operates several sites on the Yahoo Store platform including EnglishTeaStore.com and United-States-Flag.com, says his company lost about $35,000 in expected sales yesterday as it was able to take in only 20% of its usual volume on the phone and in sporadic online orders.
“We’re disappointed that Yahoo wasn’t up to its normal level of reliability yesterday,” Hickey says. “It might spur us into looking into alternate platforms and to have a redundant back-up system for taking orders.”
At Y Store Forums, a networking web site for Yahoo Store operators at newforums.ystoretools.com, several Yahoo Store retailers posted comments yesterday about the outage. One posting, titled “Customers can not checkout,” was viewed more than 12,500 times.
In a statement released today, Yahoo said: “Yahoo’s dedicated and experienced team of engineers and management personnel worked around the clock to improve the situation as quickly as possible for our merchant partners and their customers. Our systems are operating normally now and our merchants are able to accept orders. Yahoo’s relationship with our merchants is extremely important to us and we value their loyalty. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused.”
Riley added in his corporate blog posting: “We are moving mountains inside Yahoo to see why and how this happened, and to take steps to try to ensure it doesn’t happen again. As for the future, rest assured that we are taking the necessary steps to prepare for the peak holiday selling season. We have technical and customer relations staff mobilized to support our partners.”
Yahoo Store platform back in operation after Monday shutdown
If you tried to buy Maternity Clothes from Due this this past Monday and couldn't don't worry it wasn't your fault.
The Yahoo Merchant Solutions e-commerce platform, also known as Yahoo Store, returned to regular operation last night after most o... Read More
2007-11-27 21:02:04
Seven caesarean myths
Caesareans are easier than giving birth naturally
The scar may be neater nowadays - it’s made along the bikini line rather than vertically, but it’s still a serious operation. You’ll be in hospital for 2-4 days, taking heavy-duty pain relief, plus there’s the risk of complications for you and your baby.
You can’t have more than two c-sections
Not necessarily, but they can be trickier to perform and it can take an hour or more to perform compared to 30-45 minutes for first and second-timers
You shouldn’t get pregnant within a year of a caesarean
There’s achance that the wall of your womb may tear along your old caesarean scar during labour and this risk is slightly higher if you fall pregnant again within six months, but the danger is very slim and there are lots of other factors to consider so talk to your doctor.
If you want an elective c-section, you have to go private
You cannot demand a c-section on the NHS, but they will offer them for valid medical reasons such as your baby is breach, or you have pre-eclampsia.
Having a c-section can ’save’ your pelvic floor
While damage to the perineum may be avoided, the pelvic floor will still experience the effects of pregnancy, due to the weight of your womb and the effect of any labour you might have experienced before your c-section. So keep up the pelvic floor exercises
You can’t have a natural birth if you’ve had a c-section
A complete myth, vaginal birth after a c-section (VBAC) is a safe option
You can’t drive for 6 weeks after a caesarean
Initially, driving is out of the question because you must be able to slam on the brakes in an emergency without worrying about your scar, but six weeks is an artificial time limit. Check with your GP on the progress of youir recovery. Collapse Content
2007-11-25 23:38:41
Seven caesarean myths
Caesareans are easier than giving birth naturally
The scar may be neater nowadays - it’s made along the bikini line rather than vertically, but it’s still a serious operation. You’ll be in hospital for 2-4 days, taking heavy-duty pain relief,... Read More
2007-11-25 23:38:41
Sleep Key to Pitching Pregnancy Pounds
Study: New Moms Who Get at Least 5 Daily Hours of Sleep Are More Likely to Shed Pregnancy Weight
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Nov. 19, 2007 -- It's no secret that a new baby can wreak havoc on parents' sleep, and new research ties that sleep shortfall to the mother's weight.
Here's the tipping point: five hours of shut-eye (for mother, not baby).
Moms who get at least that much sleep in a typical 24-hour period tend to shed more of their baby weight than other mothers, a new study shows.
That sleep time doesn't have to come all at once. A little sleep here, a quick nap there -- it all counts.
Data came from 940 women in Massachusetts who had healthy pregnancies.
When the women were pregnant, they reported their prepregnancy weight. Six months and a year after giving birth, they reported their current weight and hours of sleep in a typical 24-hour period.
Women who reported getting less than five hours of sleep when their babies were 6 months old tended to keep more of their pregnancy weight.
Those moms were three times as likely as mothers who slept seven hours to have retained at least 11 pounds of their pregnancy weight gain.
Erica Gunderson, PhD, and colleagues report that news in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Gunderson works at the Kaiser Permanente Research Foundation in Oakland, Calif.
(Have you bounced back from childbirth? How long did it take? Tell your stories in our poll on WebMD's Parenting: Newborn to 3 Months message board.)
Fatigue Factor
Fatigue can spill over into just about every aspect of a new mom's life, and health care workers should talk to mothers about that.
So say researchers including the University of Minnesota's Pat McGovern, PhD, MPH.
They studied 661 Minnesota mothers of newborns.
The moms were 30 years old on average. Most were married or living with their partner.
The mothers were interviewed when their babies were 5 weeks old and 11 weeks old. Topics included the moms' physical health, mental health, and postpartum symptoms.
Fatigue was the moms' leading symptom, reported by nearly two-thirds of moms in the first interview and about 43% in the second interview, when about half of the moms had resumed working outside the home.
Moms who reported better physical health also said they were healthy and had supportive co-workers before pregnancy.
Also, the mothers rated their mental health more highly if they had been healthy -- with stable moods, supportive friends and family, control over their home and work, and manageable job stress -- before pregnancy.
Health care workers should counsel tired moms on cutting job stress and boosting social support at home and work, according to McGovern's team.
Their findings appear in the Annals of Family Medicine.
Study: New Moms Who Get at Least 5 Daily Hours of Sleep Are More Likely to Shed Pregnancy Weight
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Nov. 19, 2007 -- It's no secret that a new baby can wreak havoc on parents' sleep... Read More
2007-11-21 10:45:10
Maternity Clothes & Maternity Wear
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Maternity Wear And Pregnancy Fashion…
Have you ever wondered what makes women tick? Well among other things it is good, no wait… great fashion sense!
If you are pregnant or soon will be, it can sometimes seem like a daunting task trying to remain fashionable and pregnant all at the same time.
Many women at least initially lament the loss of their pre-pregnant figures. The good news however, is that there are literally hundreds of online maternity fashion shops that offer quality, great looking and fun maternity wear at reasonable prices!
Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you have to suffer from a fashion perspective. In fact, finding the right fashion wear might be just what you need to jump-start your pregnancy and make you feel great about yourself.
When To Start Wearing Maternity Fashions
Many new moms wonder when they should start wearing maternity clothes. You definitely won’t be needing them your first trimester, where you alone are probably the only person that can tell that you are pregnant.
Most women start wearing maternity items at about the fourth or fifth month. Now, this varies from woman to woman. Second time moms often start showing earlier than their first time counterparts, and women with multiples start showing even sooner.
They type of maternity clothes that you need during pregnancy generally change too. Some women are able to make due with a baggy pair of jeans for some time during their early pregnancy. Many find themselves moving into maternity wear before their bellies are quite big enough to fill out the maternity wear.
Here are some maternity wearing tips that will help you during your pregnancy:
* Grab a rubber band. For the first few months you can secure your jeans using a rubber band hooked through the eye of your jeans and wrapped around the button. This will give you an extra inch or two of space in the months that you are too small for maternity clothes.
* Invest in a couple of comfy skirts. Long skirts with expandable waists work great in the early months of pregnancy.
* Purchase just a few maternity items that you can mix and match. Consider for example a pair of jeans and a pair of slacks, and maybe a few different shirts and accessories that can go with both. If you work in an office environment that is very formal, consider one or two suits that can easily be accessorized or mixed with several different shirts.
* Invest in an item or two one size too big. Often you just need a pair of jeans one size larger than normal to get you through the first few months of pregnancy.
Maternity clothes can be expensive, and remember you will only be wearing them for nine months. The good news is many online shops offered discounts on their maternity wear. You might also consider purchasing your maternity wear at a well known second hand shop. If you are a first time mom, you’ll undoubtedly find that many moms try to pawn off their old maternity items on you. This makes it even easier to shop!
What to Buy?
Are you wondering what your maternity wardrobe should contain? Though women have varying preferences and styles, there are a few items that every woman should have in her maternity wear closet. Among these include:
* Jeans
* Pair of black or khaki slacks
* One skirt or dress
* Variety of Maternity T’s and Tops
* Maternity Bra
You may or may not have to buy maternity underwear. While some women find the support in these comforting, others find that traditional bikini underwear purchased a size or two larger than normal work just as well, and are less expensive and come in more colors and styles.
You will find that your breasts are growing throughout your pregnancy. A good maternity bra is recommended. You should buy a bra that allows a little room for expansion however, as your breasts will likely inflate even more when they fill with milk close to delivery.
Remember that as a pregnant woman you deserve to look and feel your best. Don’ t hesitate for a moment to pamper yourself and purchase a few items that will not only help you look great, but will help you feel great during your pregnancy.
After Pregnancy Fashion
After pregnancy most women expect to fit back into their normal pre-pregnancy clothing in no time at all. The reality however is that most women will still look five months pregnant right after birth.
It takes a good nine months to put on the weight you’ll gain during pregnancy, and it will take some time to get it off. Consider getting yourself one or two nice post pregnancy outfits to wear until you are able to fit back into your normal clothing. This will help you feel better about yourself and encourage you even more to lose the weight you gained during pregnancy!
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Maternity Wear And Pregnancy Fashion…
Have you ever wondered what makes women tick? Well among other things it is good, no wait… great fashion sense!
If you are pregnant or soon will be, it can sometimes... Read More
2007-11-21 10:43:17
Gift of the Day!
Are you completely stuck in trying to figure out what to get the expectant mother in your life? Worry no longer. Due Maternity can solve all your gifting woes.
Is your wife (sister, friend or co-worker) a product-aholic? Does her side of the bathroom always look like the shelf of a drugstore? Does she think that pampering is a right as solemn as voting?
If the answer was yes than you should look no further than Belli skincare products. The #1 recommended pregnancy skin care brand it also has a spa-like feel that would make any mom relax and say "ahhh".
And with a prepackaged Gift Box it couldn't be easier. Gift Box features 4 oz. sizes of Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash and All Day Moisture Body Lotion as well as 2 oz. sizes of Elasticity Belly Oil, Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator and Foot Relief Cream.
Are you completely stuck in trying to figure out what to get the expectant mother in your life? Worry no longer. Due Maternity can solve all your gifting woes.
Is your wife (sister, friend or co-worker) a product-aholic? Does her side of the bathroom always look like the shelf of a drugstore? Does she think that pampering is a right as solemn as voting?
If the answer was yes than you should look no further than Belli skincare products. The #1 recommended pregnancy skin care brand it also has a spa-like feel that would make any mom relax and say "ahhh".
And with a prepackaged Gift Box it couldn't be easier. Gift Box features 4 oz. sizes of Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash and All Day Moisture Body Lotion as well as 2 oz. sizes of Elasticity Belly Oil, Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator and Foot Relief Cream.
Gift wrapping is available for this gift. Read More
2007-11-20 14:47:35
The Tic Tock of your Biological Clock
The best time for a woman to get pregnant is the time that is best for her. Most likely you have received a lot of advice over the years about the best time to get pregnant. Some people have told you that the best time to get pregnant is when you are young, because you have more energy during pregnancy and the labor is easier. Some people have told you that the best time to get pregnant is in your thirties, because you will already be established in your career and your relationship and will have more time and financial resources to be a good parent.
Unsolicited advice aside, the truth is that the best time to get pregnant is different for every woman. If you look around you, there are all different women in all different stages of life having babies. Some women have babies very early in life and are very good mothers. Some women have one child at age thirty-five and feel that that was exactly what they wanted. Some women do not want to have children of their own at all.
Pretty much the only factor that restricts you when choosing the best time to get pregnant is the biological limit set on your reproductive years. Unfortunately, even if you think the best time for you to get pregnant would be when you are seventy-five years old, this is unlikely to work out well for you. If this is your plan, plan instead to become a foster or adoptive parent at this age. Unless major medical advances are made between now and when you become a senior citizen, this is never going to be the best time to get pregnant!
Ideally, the best biological time to get pregnant is between twenty-five and thirty-five years of age. Studies show that women in this age group have the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. After age thirty-five and earlier than four years after the start of menstruation, the rate of complications goes up. If you are in your late thirties or early forties, your risk of complications and some birth defects is higher, but this does not mean that you cannot deliver a healthy baby. Plenty of women have delivered at this age.
If you feel that now is the best time for you to get pregnant, no matter what your age, see your doctor to ask for suggestions to optimize your chances for a successful, healthy pregnancy. Preparation, prenatal vitamins, and early obstetrical care can make the difference in your pregnancy. The best time to get pregnant is not universal, but rather, individual. Ask yourself, “when is my best time to get pregnant?” and then listen to your own answer!
The best time for a woman to get pregnant is the time that is best for her. Most likely you have received a lot of advice over the years about the best time to get pregnant. Some people have told you that the best time to get pregnant is when you are Read More
2007-11-18 22:46:34
Breasts sag? Don't blame breast-feeding
Having a lot of babies might, but breast-feeding them is not what makes a woman's breasts sag, a new study suggests.
"A lot of times, if a woman comes in for a breast lift or a breast augmentation, she'll say 'I want to fix what breast-feeding did to my breasts,'" said University of Kentucky plastic surgeon Brian Rinker. So he decided to study any possible connection.
Rinker and his colleagues interviewed 132 women who came in for breast lifts or augmentation between 1998 and 2006. The women were 39 years old on average, and 93 percent had been through at least one pregnancy. Among the mothers, 58 percent had breast-fed at least one of their children. The average duration of breast-feeding was nine months.
The researchers evaluated the womens' medical history; body mass index (BMI), pre-pregnancy bra cup size and smoking status.
The results of the study, presented this week at a conference of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, showed no difference in the degree of breast ptosis (or sagging) between women who breast-fed and those who didn't.
The main factors that did affect sagging were age, smoking status and the number of pregnancies a woman has had.
Rinker noted that the smoking connection made sense because "smoking breaks down a protein in the skin called elastin, which gives youthful skin its elastic appearance and supports the breast."
Pregnancy also "has a very strong contribution to breast ptosis (sagging)," Rinker said in an email interview. "In fact, our study showed that those negative effects increase with each pregnancy."
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Women trying to get pregnant could boost their chances by adopting a "fertility diet" high in nuts and avocados while cutting down on coffee and alcohol, according to U.S researchers.
Boston-based researchers found the majority of cases of infertility due to ovulation disorders in otherwise healthy women could be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes.
"The dietary and lifestyle choices women make as they try to get pregnant can impact profoundly their fertility," Dr. Jorge E. Chavarro of Harvard School of Public Health, who worked on the study, told Reuters Health.
The fertility diet is characterized by higher consumption of monounsaturated fat rather than trans fats which is found in natural foods like nuts and avocados, and olive oil.
Women should also opt for vegetable protein rather than animal protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains, moderate consumption of high-fat dairy, multivitamins, and iron from plants and supplements, Chavarro's team reports.
Other changes women can make to their lifestyle promote fertility include cutting back on coffee and alcohol, increased physically activity, and staying away from cigarettes.
The research was based on 8 years of Chavarro and colleagues tracking the diet and lifestyle patterns of 17,544 women as they tried to get pregnant or became pregnant. None of them had a history of infertility.
According to the team, greater adherence to the fertility diet pattern was associated with a lower risk of infertility due to ovulation disturbances and, to a lesser extent, of infertility due to other causes.
Women with the highest fertility diet score, compared with those with the lowest, had a 66-percent lower risk of infertility due to ovulation problems and a 27-percent lower risk of infertility due to other causes, Chavarro and colleagues report in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The combination of five or more low-risk lifestyle factors, including weight control, physical activity and diet, was associated with a 69-percent lower risk of ovulation-related infertility.
The researchers also found, consistent with earlier reports, that increased body weight raises the risk of infertility due to ovulation disorders.
"Women trying to become pregnant could consider following these lifestyle practices because they are consistent with an overall healthy lifestyle and may also help them become pregnant," the researchers said.
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Women trying to get pregnant could boost their chances by adopting a "fertility diet" high in nuts and avocados while cutting down on coffee and alcohol, according to U.S researchers.
Since 2004, the U.S. government has recommended that pregnant women eat no more than 12 ounces, or about two meals, of fish each week.
The omega 3 fatty acids are key for a baby's developing brain, but fish can also contain cell-damaging mercury.
Last week a national coalition that's partially funded by the fish industry suggested women who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or could become pregnant eat as much fish as possible.
The group, National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, said the benefits for fetuses outweigh the risks.
However, both the EPA and the FDA are insisting that women not follow that recommendation.
Both agencies suggest women stick to what the U.S. government recommends; no more than two meals, or 12 ounces of fish per week.
Since 2004, the U.S. government has recommended that pregnant women eat no more than 12 ounces, or about two meals, of fish each week.
The omega 3 fatty acids are key for a baby's developing brain, but fish can also contain cell-damaging mercury.
... Read More
2007-10-29 00:21:36
What about pregnancy and your dog?
Overall, dogs do not pose any health risks for you and your developing baby while you are pregnant. The main concern is that large dogs might jump on your abdomen while you are lying down or sitting in a chair.
The likelihood of any problem is extremely low, but if your dog is heavy and is in the habit of jumping on you, it would be best to begin training him not to do that.
A second concern develops after the baby arrives. Young children are the most frequent victims of dog bites. Your child will be exploratory by nature and might poke, pull hair, or crawl up behind and startle dogs. Unfortunately, your child's innocent exploration may elicit an involuntary response (i.e. snip or bite) from your dog.
Here are some helpful tips to help create a safer and happier environment for you, your baby and your precious dog:
Identify habits of your dog that may be a problem when the new baby arrives, and begin re-training now.
Begin training your dog on the idea of a new baby in the house. Practice routines that you will be doing later so that all the changes do not happen at once for your dog. Sometimes using a doll at the table or sitting in a seat can work.
Start training your dog on the difference between his toys and the baby's toys.
Believe it or not, your dog may get jealous of the attention directed at your new baby. Make sure you remember to pay some special attention to your dog, too. Include your dog in some of the play with the baby.
Always monitor your child when he/she is around a dog.
Never leave a dog alone with a child.
Also, you should with your vet about helpful ways to introduce your dog and new baby.
Overall, dogs do not pose any health risks for you and your developing baby while you are pregnant. The main concern is that large dogs might jump on your abdomen while you are lying down or sitting in a chair.
Since opening five years ago, Colorado Kernels has continued to grow and discover many exciting ways to produce wonderful products. As with any new business, they also went through many challenges, but the two constants they relied on were their friendships constant quality of their popcorn products.
Colorado Kernel takes pride in not only making the finest gourmet popcorn, but understanding the needs of the customer. Some of their clients include National Parks, Resorts, Basket Companies, Hotels, and Gift Shops providing them with beautifully packaged and decadently delicious gourmet treats.
From school fundraisers to internet sales to wedding party table snacks, Colorado Kernels provide the highest quality popcorn for any occasion.
AFTER TASTING COLORADO DELIGHTS AND SAVORY POPCORN, WE'RE SURE YOU'LL AGREE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN GOURMET POPCORN!
ORDER NOW AND TASTE FOR YOURSELF!
Since opening five years ago, Colorado Kernels has continued to grow and discover many exciting ways to produce wonderful products. As with any new business, they also went through many challenges, but the two constants they relied on were their friendships constant quality of their popcorn products.
Colorado Kernel takes pride in not only making the finest gourmet popcorn, but understanding the needs of the customer. Some of their clients include National Parks, Resorts, Basket Companies, Hotels, and Gift Shops providing them with beautifully packaged and decadently delicious gourmet treats.
From school fundraisers to internet sales to wedding party table snacks, Colorado Kernels provide the highest quality popcorn for any occasion.
Read More
2007-10-12 10:25:05
Hot Designer Maternity Fashions
Shaye Strager, CBS 2 Trend Tracker
NEW YORK (CBS) ?
With so many celebrities expecting this year, there have been high demands for great looks by actresses Halle Berry, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Isla Fisher and singer Christina Aguilera.
This fall, designer maternity clothes echo fashion trends while remaining wearable even after you've had the baby. CBS 2 Trend Tracker Shaye Strager brings you some of the finest in maternity fashions and accessories.
Look # 1
Due Maternity: This sweater is great whether you are pregnant or not with kimono-style sleeves and a belted waist for a flattering cut. It is perfect for layering over casual tees or dresses.
Cost: sweater $132
Available: DueMaternity.com
Shaye Strager, CBS 2 Trend Tracker
NEW YORK (CBS) ?
With so many celebrities expecting this year, there have been high demands for great looks by actresses Halle Berry, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Isla Fisher and singer Christina Aguilera.
This fall, designer maternity clothes echo fashion trends while remaining wearable even after you've had the baby. CBS 2 Trend Tracker Shaye Strager brings you some of the finest in maternity fashions and accessories.
Look # 1
Due Maternity: This sweater is great whether you are pregnant or not with kimono-style sleeves and a belted waist for a flattering cut. It is perfect for layering over casual tees or dresses.
Cost: sweater $132
Available: DueMaternity.com
Check out the Video HereRead More
2007-10-10 10:58:55
New Threat to Pregnant Women in California, Florida: Methyl Iodide
Well actually it’s a threat to pregnant women, their fetus, children, the elderly, farmworkers and everybody else that lives near application sites according to a letter sent to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson by 54 concerned scientists, mostly chemists, including no less than 5 Nobel laureates, urging the EPA to reconsider their recent decision to allow the use of methyl iodide. The truth is that methyl iodide is a neurotoxin and carcinogen that’s caused thyroid tumors, neurological damage and miscarriages in lab animals, while mutating DNA along the way… But groups like the California Strawberry Commission are desperate to replace methyl bromide, another soil fumigant which used to help keep their precious plants free of insects and diseases until it was determined that chemical was damaging the ozone, and subsequently banned.
Of course EPA officials fire back that they’ve carefully evaluated the risks and that’s why they’re approving its use for just one year, with restrictions like buffer zones in place to help protect people in the vicinity. But I’m willing to bet those same administrators are all holed up in places like Washington D.C., far from the fields where the fumigant is actually used. And just as far from the everyday realities of the fact that fumigants themselves are among the most potentially dangerous pesticides in use today, mostly because the toxic gas can evaporate from the soil, exposing farmworkers and wafting into neighborhoods nearby.
Intriguingly, it seems that shovelers, tractor drivers and other employees of companies applying the fumigant must be trained and wear respirators, while local farmworkers are unable to enter the fields for five days after it is applied. And who of all people is now a top official at the EPA but Elin Miller, former chief executive of the product’s manufacturer, Arysta, which has spent eight years and more than $11 million collecting toxicological and environmental data to persuade the EPA to register methyl iodide as a pesticide.
New Threat to Pregnant Women in California, Florida: Methyl Iodide
Well actually it’s a threat to pregnant women, their fetus, children, the elderly, farmworkers and everybody else that lives near application sites according to a letter sent to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson by 54 concerned scientists, mostly che Read More
2007-10-09 23:19:08
Celebrities Love Bumble Bags
And why wouldn't they?
Heidi Klum has even found a new use for her infant car seat cover. She is using is to make Johan's bugaboo a little more comfy.
Also making headlines are Sheryl Crow and Naomi Watts who love their Jessica backpacks. These bags are adorable and versatile either slung over your shoulder or attached directly to your stroller.
To see all available Bumble Bag products click here.
And why wouldn't they?
Heidi Klum has even found a new use for her infant car seat cover. She is using is to make Johan's bugaboo a little more comfy.
Also making headlines are Sheryl Crow and Naomi Watts who love their Jessica backpacks. These bags are adorable and versatile either slung over your shoulder or attached directly to your stroller.
To see all available Bumble Bag products click here.
Read More
2007-09-27 10:54:40
Heavy exercise miscarriage link
Government advice is to stay active in pregnancy
Strenuous exercise early in pregnancy could triple the risk of miscarriage, according to Danish researchers.
The research found jogging, ball games and racket sports all increased the risk - as did more than seven hours of exercise a week.
However, current government advice is to continue exercise, where possible, throughout pregnancy.
And one UK expert took issue with the research, highlighted in New Scientist magazine, arguing running was safe.
While I would say that getting a hockey ball in the stomach is not a good idea, I can't think of any reason why jogging would be harmful
Alison Merry, Blooming Fit
The study was carried out at the University of Southern Denmark, who quizzed more than 90,000 women on their exercise regime, then linked the answers to the outcome of their pregnancies.
Compared with those who did no exercise at all, women who played "high-impact" sports or who exercised for more than seven hours a week were approximately three-and-a-half times more likely to miscarry.
Miscarriage is far rarer later in pregnancy, and after the 18-week mark, the link between exercise and miscarriage disappeared.
The study was originally published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and the authors wrote: "The results of this study suggest that leisure time exercise during pregnancy, and particularly high-impact exercise, is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage in the early stage of pregnancy."
They did concede, however, that the format of the research - asking women to recall what exercise they did during pregnancy - was imperfect.
It also did not allow for the fact that women who later miscarry are far less likely to experience morning sickness, which might be a reason they were able to exercise early in pregnancy.
Keep going
Some forms of exercise did not appear to increase the risk - including swimming, one of the most popular among pregnant women.
The government's official advice is for women to keep up their normal daily physical exercise routine for as long as they feel comfortable.
It suggests that women who were inactive before pregnancy shouldn't embark on a new strenuous fitness regime, but should aim for a little moderate exercise every day.
Alison Merry, a former midwife, runs a firm, Blooming Fit, which designs exercise programmes for pregnant women.
She said that while she would not normally recommend any sport which involved the risk of an impact to the abdomen of a pregnant woman, she was comfortable with the idea of pregnant women continuing to jog or run during early pregnancy.
She said: "The benefits of exercising during pregnancy are clear - it improves the cardiovascular system, and maintains muscle tone.
"While I would say that getting a hockey ball in the stomach is not a good idea, I can't think of any reason why jogging would be harmful."
Government advice is to stay active in pregnancy
Strenuous exercise early in pregnancy could triple the risk of miscarriage, according to Danish researchers.
The research found jogging, ball games and racket sports all increased the risk - as did... Read More
2007-09-26 21:45:08
Apples and Fish During Pregnancy Protect Against Childhood Asthma and Allergies CME/CE
September 25, 2007 — Intake of apples and fish by women during pregnancy may have a protective effect against childhood asthma and allergies, according to the results of a longitudinal birth cohort study in the September issue of Thorax.
"Associations between maternal vitamin E, vitamin D and zinc intakes during pregnancy and asthma, wheeze and eczema in 5-year-old children have previously been reported," write S.M. Willers, from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and colleagues. "The advantages of studying foods are that they contain a mixture of micronutrients that may contribute more than the sum of their parts, and that associations with micronutrients that may be currently unrecognised or not easily quantifiable can be examined. In addition, an evaluation of the associations with nutrients and foods will guide any future intervention study that could be the basis for a public health intervention to prevent asthma and atopic disease by dietary intervention."
The birth cohort for this study consisted of 1924 children born to women who were recruited during pregnancy and who completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). At 5 years of age, children in the cohort were followed up with a symptom questionnaire and FFQ. Food groups analyzed were fruit, vegetables, fruit juice, whole-grain products, fish, dairy products, and fat spreads, and trends defined by level of food intake were evaluated across outcome groups.
Of the 1924 children in the cohort, 1253 participated in the 5-year follow-up, and maternal FFQ data were available for 1212. Except for apples and fish, there were no consistent associations between childhood outcomes and maternal dietary intake.
Maternal intake of apples had a protective effect on the children against ever wheezing (odds ratio [OR] for the highest vs lowest tertile, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42 - 0.95), ever having asthma (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32 - 0.92), and clinician-confirmed asthma (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27 - 0.82). Maternal intake of fish had a protective effect on the children against clinician-confirmed eczema (OR for 1 serving per week vs never, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35 - 0.92).
"There was no evidence for associations between maternal intake of most foods during pregnancy and asthma, respiratory and allergic outcomes in 5-year-old children, except for apples and fish," the study authors write. "Consumption of apples and fish during pregnancy may have a protective effect against the development of childhood asthma and allergic disease.... However, it is not clear whether these effects can be attributed to specific nutrients or that a high intake of fruit and vegetables is an indicator of a healthier lifestyle."
Limitations of the study include some evidence of response bias because of the loss to follow-up with time; participating mothers were of higher socioeconomic status and had slightly higher consumption of fruit, green leafy vegetables, whole-grain products, and fish and had fewer respiratory symptoms; possible dietary misreporting; and possible ascertainment bias.
"In addition to maternal intake of vitamin E, vitamin D and zinc during pregnancy, maternal consumption of apples and fish during pregnancy may reduce the risk of children developing asthma or atopic disease," the study authors conclude. "If these results are confirmed, recommendations on dietary modification during pregnancy may help to prevent childhood asthma and allergy."
Asthma UK supported this study. The authors have disclosed a financial relationship with the GA2LEN European Network of Excellence on Global Allergy and Asthma.
Apples and Fish During Pregnancy Protect Against Childhood Asthma and Allergies CME/CE
September 25, 2007 — Intake of apples and fish by women during pregnancy may have a protective effect against childhood asthma and allergies, according to the results of a longitudinal birth cohort study in the September issue of Thorax.
Stress throughout pregnancy renders women more likely to give birth to a girl child rather than a boy, according to a new study.
This is the first study to link everyday stress to a baby’s sex.
During the study, the researchers gathered information on stress levels of the mothers of more than 6,000 babies at the start of their pregnancies. The data was gathered on the basis of the women’s sleep quality, confidence and ability to cope with everyday tasks.
Based on the information thus collected, the researchers matched the gender of tots. It was found that women who were stressed during pregnancy were five per cent more likely to have girls as compared to those deemed relaxed, reports the Daily Mail.
The newspaper report suggests that women in Western nations, including the UK, generally give birth to more boys than girls, with 105 boys typically born for every 100 girls.
Previous research has shown that number of boys being born goes down following major political and social upheaval.
Writing about their findings in the medical journal Human Reproduction, researchers at the University of Denmark said that it was yet to be determined why stress skews the sex ratio of babies born because the gender of a baby depends upon the chromosomes in the father’s sperm.
The researchers, however, said that it was possible that high levels of stress hormones might make it more difficult for male embryos to implant, and stressed women might be more likely to miscarry male babies.
British fertility experts have cautioned that exposure of foetus to stress is associated with health problems later in life, including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
They have also warned that worrying during pregnancy may stunt a child’s intelligence.
Stress throughout pregnancy renders women more likely to give birth to a girl child rather than a boy, according to a new study.
This is the first study to link everyday stress to a baby’s sex.
During the study, the researchers gathered inform... Read More
2007-09-23 12:06:59
Prepare for pregnancy with Yoga
Yoga exercises can help one prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for giving birth and becoming a mother. Besides, they alleviate some of the associated discomforts of pregnancy
Yoga asanas or exercises work wonders on a woman's health and in the first trimester of pregnancy. Varying widely in application and style, these exercises (postures) gently stretch and explore all parts of the body, and are a gentle way to keep active and supple. However, those exercises should be followed under expert guidance.
Yoga exercises relieve edema (fluid retention) and cramping which can be quite common in the last months.
Besides, they influence the position of the baby and turn it in advance if needed. They also strengthen the abdomen, which help stimulate bowel action and appetite.
Moreover, yoga exercises help to reduce nausea, morning sickness and mood swings in combination with pranayamas (yogic breathing). They focus on relieving tension around the cervix and birth canal. And, they focus on opening the pelvis to make labour easier and quicker.
Yoga exercises restore the uterus, abdomen and the pelvic floor, and relieve upper back tension and breast discomfort.
Exercises for first trimester
Ardha titali asan (half butterfly): Sit with legs out stretched. Bend the right leg and place the right foot as far up on the left thigh as possible. Place the right hand on top of the bent right knee. Hold the toes of the right foot with the left hand. While breathing in, gently move the right knee up towards the chest.
Breathing out, gently push the knee down and try to touch the floor. The trunk should not move.
Movement of leg should be achieved by the exertion of the right arm. Repeat with left leg. Slowly practice about 10 up and down movements with each leg.
Do not strain.
It is an excellent practice for loosening of hip and knee joints, which shall enable faster delivery.
Poorna titali asan (full butterfly):
Sit with legs out stretched. Bend the knees and bring the soles of the feet together, keeping the heels as close to the body as possible. Fully relax the inner thighs. Clasp the feet with both hands. Gently bounce the knees up and down, using the elbows as levers to press the legs down. Do not use any force.
Repeat up to 20-30 times.
Straighten the legs and relax.
This exercise relieves tension and tiredness from inner thigh muscles and legs.
Supta udarakarshan asan (sleeping abdominal stretch pose):
Lie in the back. Interlock fingers of both hands and place hands beneath the head.
Bend knees, keeping the soles of feet on the floor.
While breathing out, lower the legs towards the right, trying to touch the knees on the floor. At the same time move the head towards the left, giving uniform twisting stretch to the entire spine. Repeat on the other side by bending legs towards left, and head towards right.
It removes constipation, and improves digestion.
Besides, it relieves stiffness and strain of spine caused by prolonged sitting.
Chakki chalan asan (churning the mill pose):
Sit with legs stretched out in front of the body about one foot apart. Interlock fingers of both hands and hold the arms out straight in front of the chest.
Make large circular movements over both feet, trying to take the hands over the toes on the forward swing and coming as far back as possible on the backward swing. Practice 10 times in each direction.
It is an excellent asan for toning the nerves and organs of pelvis and abdomen preparing them for pregnancy. It is useful in regulating menstrual cycle.
Yoga exercises can help one prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for giving birth and becoming a mother. Besides, they alleviate some of the associated discomforts of pregnancy
Yoga asanas or exercises work wonders on a woman's health and in the first trimester of pregnancy. Varying widely in application and style, these exercises (postures) gently stretch and explore all parts of the body, and are a gentle way to keep active and supple. However, those exercises should be followed under expert guidance.
Yoga exercises relieve edema (fluid retention) and cramping which can be quite common in the last months.
Besides, they influence the position of the baby and turn it in advance if needed. They also strengthen the abdomen, which help stimulate bowel action and appetite.
Moreover, yoga exercises help to reduce nausea, morning sickness and mood swings in combination with pranayamas (yogic breathing). They focus on relieving tension around the cervix and birth canal. And, they focus on opening the pelvis to make labour easier and quicker.
Yoga exercises restore the uterus, abdomen and the pelvic floor, and relieve upper back tension and breast discomfort.
Exercises for first trimester
Ardha titali asan (half butterfly): Sit with legs out stretched. Bend the right leg and place the right foot as far up on the left thigh as possible. Place the right hand on top of the bent right knee. Hold the toes of the right foot with the left hand. While breathing in, gently move the right knee up towards the chest.
Breathing out, gently push the knee down and try to touch the floor. The trunk should not move.
Movement of leg should be achieved by the exertion of the right arm. Repeat with left leg. Slowly practice about 10 up and down movements with each leg.
Do not strain.
It is an excellent practice for loosening of hip and knee joints, which shall enable faster delivery.
Poorna titali asan (full butterfly):
Sit with legs out stretched. Bend the knees and bring the soles of the feet together, keeping the heels as close to the body as possible. Fully relax the inner thighs. Clasp the feet with both hands. Gently bounce the knees up and down, using the elbows as levers to press the legs down. Do not use any force.
Repeat up to 20-30 times.
Straighten the legs and relax.
This exercise relieves tension and tiredness from inner thigh muscles and legs.
Supta udarakarshan asan (sleeping abdominal stretch pose):
Lie in the back. Interlock fingers of both hands and place hands beneath the head.
Bend knees, keeping the soles of feet on the floor.
While breathing out, lower the legs towards the right, trying to touch the knees on the floor. At the same time move the head towards the left, giving uniform twisting stretch to the entire spine. Repeat on the other side by bending legs towards left, and head towards right.
It removes constipation, and improves digestion.
Besides, it relieves stiffness and strain of spine caused by prolonged sitting.
Chakki chalan asan (churning the mill pose):
Sit with legs stretched out in front of the body about one foot apart. Interlock fingers of both hands and hold the arms out straight in front of the chest.
Make large circular movements over both feet, trying to take the hands over the toes on the forward swing and coming as far back as possible on the backward swing. Practice 10 times in each direction.
It is an excellent asan for toning the nerves and organs of pelvis and abdomen preparing them for pregnancy. It is useful in regulating menstrual cycle.
The author can be contacted at 9480336770.
E-mail: sejushah_india@yahoo.co.in
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2007-09-13 12:22:09
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What to see what you'd look like Prego? Enter to Win a Bumble Bag!
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2007-08-20 20:41:25
The End of the Blob
The pouf was great, until designers grew tired of it. This fall, hard angles are the new fashion favorites—at least until that gets tired, too.
By Amanda Fortini
Not long ago, I passed a chic maternity boutique followed, a door later, by a chic non-maternity boutique, only to notice that the clothing displayed in the windows of each was nearly identical. Suddenly, I realized that the voluminous frocks so ubiquitous of late have lost, as it were, all sense of proportion. The A-line dress, it might be said, has become the A-frame housedress.
SEE ALSO: Hairpin Turns in Fashion History
For the last few seasons, women’s clothing has been in flight from women’s bodies. The tent, the trapeze, the bubble, the baby doll—call these dresses what you will, the dominant shape (if that word is justified) has been one that renders a woman shapeless. Such styles deliberately obscure traditionally eroticized parts of the body, the breasts and hips and waist, managing the bizarre (and, let’s face it, somewhat disturbing) feat of making women appear at once infantile and pregnant. In a sea of nightgowns, art-class smocks, maternity blouses, and Mrs. Roper–style muumuus, we are left with only arms and legs and—according to the New York Times “Styles” section, anyway—the very naughty clavicle. Many women, in some desperate but understandable bid to feel sexy, have taken to wearing their dresses alarmingly short.
But those baffled by volume, those bored by it, those heterosexual and male, should take heart. This fall, women’s clothing and the female body once again get intimate. I’m not talking about the return of eighties-era bodysuits, or tight mohair sweaters with plunging décolletage. Still, silhouettes will be longer, slimmer; clothing will be more structured. Suits, jackets, and trousers have ousted the dress. Waists are visible. Breasts, if not exactly showcased, are at least detectable. Shoulders, absent for some time now, are once again important. Gone is the soft and round and globular (and the layers, ruffles, and Empire waists that often played accompaniment) in favor of the hard-edged and angular. At last, women will ditch the diapers of the baby-doll dress in favor of a sharper, slicker aesthetic.
O
f course, the history of fashion is the story of its on-again, off-again romance with the female figure. In 1947, the exaggerated femininity of Christian Dior’s New Look, with its nipped-in waist and full-flower skirt, was a response to the boxy, broad-shouldered styles—often actual uniforms—of the war years. “It was because women longed to look like women again that they adopted the New Look,” Dior reportedly said. Ten years later, Givenchy replied with the sack dress, an attempt to do away with, in his words, “the limitations set by the female figure itself.” The short-lived style, notes Valerie Steele in Fifty Years of Fashion, was a source of outrage for those who considered it “a deliberate obliteration of female attractiveness.” (Time magazine, Steele notes, ran the caption: “Où est la poitrine, où sont les hanches, où est la femme?”) In the ensuing decades, silhouettes expanded and contracted, vari
