Category Archives: Babies Health

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Music For Baby

Some parents may think it is weird to communicate with their unborn child, but it is a fact that unborn babies start hearing their mother’s heartbeat and other body noises, also her voice when they are about 15 weeks old.

Scientists have found that an unborn baby; only 6 weeks old reacts to light and by the time it is 10 to 12 weeks old it starts to feel touch, heat, pain, vibration and reacts to these stimuli, the reaction of an unborn baby maybe seen on an ultrasound monitor, if it does not approve of a harsh sound or loud music, it may just turn away. Unborn babies respond to all sorts of stimuli while they are in the womb, they are thus in tune with what is going on in the “outside world.”

A reference from the Scripture also provides evidence that this is true; in Luke 1:41 we read that when Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby leaped in her cousin sister’s womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

It is suggested therefore that the parents of an unborn child should start communicating with their unborn child as early as possible. It is an interesting fact that babies love music; they will clap their hands and move their bodies with the music. It seems that music is inborn and a very basic part of the human experience- the love of music has been implanted in us by the creator and is a means of feeling jubilant, worshiping and feeling connected to the creator. God has given man the ability to reach Him vocally through singing.

When expectant parents worship God by singing praises unto Him are anointed by the Holy Spirit and bear a child sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The child whose in-utero experience has been marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit may be predisposed to accepting the Light of Christ much earlier than could be expected.

So, expectant mothers must have their minds sanctified before the Lord, this will be the true foundation of a proper education of their unborn child. Each new day beginning with worship and singing and being filling with the Holy Spirit will turn the unborn baby into a person endowed with the Holy Spirit and the power of God. This is the way to bring it about. Time should be taken by expectant parents to listen to and practice singing inspirational music as this will benefit the unborn baby with spiritual and physical health.

The womb is the first world of a child, what he experiences here will definitely have a powerful effect on his life afterwards. If he has had a warm and affectionate in-utero experience he will have received his initial knowledge of the outside world, he will expect it to be a beautiful and loving world, the child will be born with a pre-disposition to self-confidence, and he will be capable of loving and trusting others. Life for him will be easier because of a good womb experience.

God has ways of working with children in their infancy, which we cannot account for; we should remain tuned to God even when they are not yet born, by worshiping Him with inspirational music.

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Show Your Kids The Glimpse Of Their Unborn Sibling

Diagnostic and non-diagnostic ultrasounds are performed by licensed sonographers, doctors and obstetricians. These are usually scheduled with regular prenatal tests or otherwise. 2 Dimension, 3 Dimension and 4 Dimension pregnancy scans are a part and parcel of modern day obstetrics. These are used to determine sex, size and gestational age of the fetus.

    Through 2 Dimension and 3 Dimension pregnancy scans pictures of the fetus are taken at different angles.
    4 Dimension scans show live-in-action movements of the fetus. It is just like having a video being played. An Echocardiography may be done alongside the ultrasound scan. It is a highly specialized examination showing off cardiac stages in fetal development. Any abnormality in the heart rate may be monitored and checked for.
    Ultrasounds transmit high frequency sound waves. They bounce off the fetus and the signals are registered as an image on the screen. Ultrasounds are also taken to check fetal position at various stages of pregnancy. There are general misconceptions about ultrasounds being unsafe for the unborn.
    Sex determination is considered an ethically wrong practice nowadays. Many a medical centres and hospitals make it a point not to announce sex of the fetus unless particularly necessary.

Having an early image of the baby is an overwhelming experience leaving the whole family beaming with joy at the sight. There are rousing emotions of all sorts. Soon the priorities are going to change, routines reshuffled and life changed altogether. Preparing and welcoming the new baby’s coming may be a totally different experience for the soon-to-become parents, yet it may be a different thing for the kids. Watch out for signs of early sibling rivalry. Obviously, they are living in two separate worlds Discover that most of the attention will be showered on the coming baby. Kids can ask a whole wide range of questions regarding the baby and pregnancy. Rebellious attitude may be justified if the parents ignore the other kid or talk too much about the incoming baby. There may be varied reactions since the day you announce that a baby is underway to come home and mommy being gone for a while to get the baby home. Things can be explained without giving exact details in a wrap around manner. Like most people don’t tell how the babies come, they just say “the storks bring ‘em”.

Try making the older kid a part of the experience. Children usually handle images better. So give their imagination a wild halt and try giving him/her the real picture. Once part of it, they give the babies wide variety of names. Some kids get possessive about their unborn siblings; they even help crafting the nursery. The response of the news that a new brother or sister is soon to come may be varied in toddlers, pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. You may like to take them along sometime when you visit your health care provider or gynecologist during your regularly scheduled pre-natal visits to the medical centre or hospital. First imaging may be as joyful for the expectant mother who already is running high on emotions as well as the kid who wants to get a glimpse of his/he sibling.

The first ultrasound is usually not scheduled until after the first trimester. To avoid long queue, make an appointment with the sonographer way early if the kid is accompanying you because the visit may turn out to be too tiresome for him/her. Mom-to-be is asked to have plenty of fluids before the ultrasound so that the imaging of the fetus is clear. There may be black and white or coloured photos. The imaging though may not be very precise. If the viewer is a kid, it gives the picture of what really is going on inside. Get your kid to know that the machinery is totally safe. Ease soothe him/her before the ultrasound, the kid might get intimidated by the hospital staff and environment. It should be kept in mind that the viewer is a kid and the visual experience will draw him/her closer to the unborn sibling, otherwise he/she might think of the baby as a separate being. The first view of the new addition to the family is always welcome.You can always frame the ultrasound image for everyone in the family to know that a change is coming around.

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Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Health Benefits of Fish

Fish are full of healthy nutrients and are an important part of a balanced diet, particularly for pregnant women. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for the development of the brain and the nervous system of an unborn baby. Many fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and are safe for pregnant women, research suggests that omega- 3 fatty acids are more readily absorbed in the natural form rather than through dietary supplements, fish are also high in proteins and low in saturated fats.

According to an upcoming report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).Babies born to mothers, who eat fish while they are pregnant have a head start over other kids. The same report finds that consumption of fish particularly oily fish lowers the risk of coronary heart disease mortality. So fish isn’t only “brain food,” it is also “Heart Healthy”

Scientific research is clear about how the omega-3’s can reduce the risks of heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, low birth weight, post partum depression and pre-term delivery.

All fish are also a significant source of vitamin D and contribute valuable mineral nutrients to the diet such as selenium, iodine, magnesium, copper and iron.

Health Hazards of Fish

Fish is good but not all fish is the same; some fish may contain large amounts of methyl mercury, Biotoxins and Parasites. If fish that has high mercury content is taken regularly by a pregnant woman the mercury can accumulate in the bloodstream and damage the baby’s developing brain and nervous system. All fish contain some level of mercury, as it is present naturally in the aquatic environment.

Tips for eating fish safely

Fish contains too many health nutrients which are essential for growth and development of the unborn baby; therefore it should under no circumstances be cut out completely from the diet during pregnancy.

  • Women planning to become pregnant and those who already are pregnant should limit their consumption of fish which are known to accumulate mercury. Since the mercury in fish cannot be reduced by any processing or cooking techniques such as canning, cooking, freezing, frying, poaching or grilling, because it is bound to proteins in a fish’s muscle.
  • “Mom’s to be” should avoid eating shark, swordfish, mackerel king; these fish devour other fish and thus accumulate their mercury too. They also tend to live longer and accumulate more mercury over the passage of time. Only 1 serving (150g) of such a fish should be taken in a fortnight during pregnancy.
  • 1 serving (150g) of fish which are relatively lower in mercury for e.g. catfish or orange roughy (Deep Sea Perch) can be enjoyed once a week during pregnancy.
  • Women who are more concerned about the risks must benefit from fish that contain very low levels of mercury such as shellfish(for example oysters, clams, scallops, mussels) salmon, crab, shrimp, trout, herring haddock, sole, flounder, lobster. Only 12 ounces or 2 servings (1 serving is150 g) of fish in a week should be taken by an expectant mother who is low in mercury. Eating fish low in mercury and in moderation by an expectant mother, will give maximum benefit to the unborn child and the mother to be, because the benefits of eating fish during pregnancy far outweigh the risks.
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First Trimester Moms

The first Trimester is the (0 – 12 weeks) in which the body undergoes many changes, many of these changes may be uncomfortable, these lessen as pregnancy progresses. To ensure a healthy pregnancy prenatal care is of utmost importance, through it the health of both mother and baby can be monitored throughout pregnancy. The first visit should be scheduled as soon as pregnancy is confirmed; ample time should be set aside for the first visit because the family physician, obstetrician or nurse mid-wife, whoever is the health care provider will have lots of things to discuss. Both partners should be present at the first visit.

The basic things that will be discussed during the first visit are as follows:

Medical History The health care provider will ascertain the following
medical aspects which could influence the pregnancy.

• Details about the menstrual cycle.
• Use of Contraceptives.
• Allergies or other medical conditions.
• Past pregnancies.
• Prescription or Over-the-counter medicines that have been used or are being used.
• Details about family history of congenital abnormalities.
• Family history of genetic diseases.

All this important information should be accurate, so that the health care provider can provide the best care. If there are any things that are not to be shared with the partner, the health care provider should be informed privately.

DUE DATE: The babies’ growth can be accurately monitored if the health care provider has been provided with the exact date, if there is any doubt it can be ascertained through ultra sound.

PHYSICAL EXAM: The health care provider will check the height, weight and blood pressure, check the heart and assess the overall health. The vagina and cervix will be examined for any defects and abnormalities. A Pap test may be conducted for cervical cancer. The size of the uterus and shape of cervix also determines the stage of pregnancy.

LAB TESTS: Blood tests will be conducted for the determination of blood group including Rh factor. Blood tests can also reveal whether a person has had measles, syphilis, rubella or Hepatitis B.A test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDs and a test for chicken pox and Toxoplasmosis immunity may also be done. Urinanalysis will be conducted to ensure there is no bladder or kidney infection. It can also determine if diabetes or kidney disease is present.

LIFESTYLE ISSUES: The health care provider will discuss the importance of nutrition, prenatal vitamins, exercise and other lifestyle issues.

The work environment will also be discussed. The health care provider should suggest ways to quit smoking. Screening Tests for Fetal Abnormalities The health provider may offer ultra sound tests, blood tests or other screening tests to detect fetal abnormalities. Subsequent visits in the First Trimester After the first visit in the first trimester, subsequent visits are scheduled after every four or six weeks, these are shorter and the health care provider examines weight and blood pressure, any signs or symptoms are also discussed with the health care provider, any questions or concerns are also discussed. The health care provider should be available even between appointments, so that peace of mind which is of utmost importance is not disturbed.

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Getting the Best Nutrition Possible

Pregnancy is the time when an expectant mother should make sure that she is getting the best nutrition possible in order to help her baby grow and develop normally, she must learn which foods to avoid or take during this time.

During pregnancy, taste for certain foods may change. A person may suddenly develop dislike for foods they might have liked before pregnancy. In addition a desire to eat non food items such as ice, laundry starch, dirt, clay, chalk, ashes or paint chips. This is called pica, and may be because of an iron deficiency such as anemia. Such cravings should not be indulged in as they can be harmful both to the mother and child. Food cravings should only be indulged in if the particular food provides energy or an essential nutrient, but if such craving persists and prevents the intake of essential nutrients, then more balance should be created in the daily diet. Foods cravings during pregnancy are normal and about two thirds of women have them, yet there is no widely accepted explanation for their occurrence.

Good nutrition and enough of it during pregnancy is very important for the growth and development of the baby, about 300 more calories should be taken than what was being taken before pregnancy.

Although nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of the pregnancy may make it difficult to eat, yet a well balanced diet and prenatal vitamins will help you to maintain proper weight gain.

A variety of foods should be taken to ensure that one gets all the nutrients. Daily 6-11 servings of bread and grains, 2 – 4 servings of fruit,4 or more servings of vegetables,4 servings of dairy products and 3 servings of protein sources. Sweets and oils should be used sparingly. Alcohol should be avoided, it can cause amongst other problems, low birth weight babies, not more than 300 mg of caffeine should be taken.

The total amount of fat that is taken should be reduced to 30%, for a person who had been eating 2000 calories a day; this would be 65 grams or less per day. Intake of cholesterol rich foods should be minimal, only 300mg or less of cholesterol should be taken daily.

Calcium is a nutrient needed in the body for the development of strong teeth and bones, clotting of blood, functioning of muscles and nerves and normal beating of the heart, the growing baby needs a lot of calcium for its development and if enough calcium is not taken to sustain the needs of the unborn child, then the body may draw calcium from the expectant mothers bones, this will result in depreciation of the bone mass of the mother to be and later result in osteoporosis. The best sources for calcium are dairy products, it is also found in spinach, dried beans and sea food, and vitamin D helps to use the calcium in the body, it is obtained through exposure to sunlight and in fortified fish, eggs, milk. Lactose intolerance can be overcome by consuming small amounts of milk in between meals; milk can be better tolerated with food. Iron is a mineral that makes an important part of hemoglobin, the substance which carries oxygen to all parts of the body through the blood; the best sources of Iron are leafy green vegetables, lean meat, poultry and fish.

An expectant mother must remember that she has to provide good nutrition for two individuals throughout her pregnancy.

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Prevention of cleft lip and palate

Cleft Lip and Palate It is a common, non life threatening abnormality which can have a significant effect on maternal bonding; it has a worldwide wide incidence of 1.7 per 1000 live born babies.   Prevention of cleft lip and palate   Several research groups have suggested a possible link between cleft lip and/or palate and diets low in folic acid or other vitamins in the mother. These early studies are being repeated to try and determine whether or not there really is a link, and if so what dose of folic acid would be needed to reduce the chance of a cleft in a baby. Many factors are involved in the formation of the human face. These include a number of genes which control the facial cell’ activities- the way the cells move, divide and become a specific part of the face, if these genes do not work normally for any reason, the development of the face may be altered, and could result in a cleft. In the majority of the cases it is not known what causes the genes to work the way they do to form a cleft lip and /or palate. It may be that some of these important genes require certain nutritional factors, such as folic acid, in order to act. Sources of Folic Acid Folate or Folic Acid derives its name from the Latin word folium (which means “leaf”). Leafy vegetables are a principal source of Folic Acid. Excellent sources of folate include lettuce, spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, mustard greens, calf’s liver, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, beets and lentils, okra, citrus fruit and juice. Oddly enough, research shows that the synthetic version of this vitamin is absorbed more readily by the body rather than from food sources. Enriched cereals and grains are fortified with this vitamin, but women don’t take enough of these to provide the body with the required amount.   Why folic acid is needed during Pregnancy

Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin, commonly known as B 9 most publicized for its importance in pregnancy and prevention of pregnancy defects. Women, who are pregnant or are planning, need to take this vitamin for many very compelling reasons.

  • Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects.
  • Some research suggests that it may lower the risk of other defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate and certain types of heart defects.
  • It is essential to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.
  • It is essential for the production, repair, and functioning of DNA.
  • Some research suggests that taking a multivitamin with folic acid may reduce the risk of preeclampsia, a complex disorder, which can affect the health of both mother and baby.

In which phase of pregnancy is folic acid needed critically, and the required dosage

Because more than 50% pregnancies are unplanned, experts strongly recommend that all women of childbearing age should get 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid every day; some even suggest that once a pregnancy starts the intake should be increased to 600 mcg.

The neural tube – from which the baby’s brain and spine will develop – begins to form nearly three weeks after conception, so it is crucial to get a sufficient daily dose before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy.

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