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Showing posts with label Skin Concerns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skin Concerns. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

When Is The Best Time To Get Pregnant?

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The best or most fertile time to get pregnant is the period of ovulation in your menstrual cycle. This is the time when following an LH surge, a mature ovum is released into the uterus from the follicles. This egg or ovum is ready to be fertilized and stays so for about 12 hours after which it starts degenerating. The best way to determine your most fertile time is to pay attention to your body and learn to spot the physical signs of ovulation, and thereby the best time to get pregnant.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

HCG Levels at 6 weeks

Monday, May 16, 2011
Your HCG levels at six weeks could be anywhere from 1,080 to 56,500 mIU/ml.

Women may be concerned about their HCG levels by six weeks because if a miscarriage where to occur, they are most common during the first six weeks of pregnancy. A particularly low HCG level can indicate that a miscarriage has occurred. On the other hand, a higher HCG level could indicate twins, which can be known as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

HCG stands for the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin. It is produced by the cells which form the placenta. Consequently, when your HCG levels shoot up in a woman’s body, it is a sure sign of pregnancy. The HCG hormone is sent into your blood stream when the baby is attached to the lining of your uterus (about eight to twelve days after conception).

During pregnancy, HCG levels should double every 48 to 72 hours. They will peak about the first eight to eleven weeks of pregnancy, and then they will starting lowering and gradually level off. Because HCG levels indicate pregnancy, how HCG levels are reacting is important to follow.

However, it is important to realize that normal HCG levels can vary from woman to woman, and even from one woman’s pregnancy to another. HCG levels, even at six weeks, should not be relied upon too heavily. The results from an ultrasound after five to six weeks gestation are much more accurate than using HCG numbers.

Therefore, an affixation with HCG levels could cause unnecessary stress. Focus should instead deal with if the levels are doubling. At six weeks, it should be apparent if the HCG levels have been consistently doubling every two to three days. By six weeks, it could even be three and a half days to double. This doubling is what doctors primarily watch, and from which they could learn about any abnormalities in your pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman’s HCG levels do not fall (or they exceed) within 2,000 mIU/ml by six weeks, it does not necessarily mean problems. An ultrasound should be taken to determine the cause, whether it could mean twins or a miscarriage or other issues. The HCG average level does not fit every woman. Some have much higher or lower levels. However, by six weeks, a proper testing, both of HCG levels accompanied with an ultrasound, will be helpful to answer any questions about the woman and baby’s progress.

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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Basal body temperature method

Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Temperature method basal body temperature or the temperature method, also called basal body temperature is one of the methods of natural family planning. Using this method, the fertile days are determined by the woman. Ovulation is determined by the morning body temperature. In the first half of the cycle, the body temperature is rather low. Within 48 hours after ovulation the temperature rises by about 0.3 to 0.6 degrees. It remains to increased shortly before the next menstrual period. The Pearl index of the temperature method is 1 to 10

Application

Mrs. measures each morning before getting up their body temperature, either in the mouth,
vagina or anus. It does not matter in which the aforementioned body openings, the temperature is measured, it is important to measure in the same place with the same thermometer. Within a cycle, the measurement location can not be changed. It would be ideal to measure body temperature every morning at the same time. Well comparable results provide digital thermometer that can measure the body temperature to exactly two decimal places. The value is entered in a graph. Unprotected sexual intercourse is permitted only on the days after ovulation, that is usually two days after the temperature rise. Watch Before using this method, women their bodies for months and know their learning cycle.

Benefits

This method does not burden the body. Woman can get to know better by the way her body.

Disadvantages

Used alone, this method is not very secure. The daily temperature measurement requires much discipline. The method must be learned before it is used as a contraceptive method. Various factors such as disease, mood swings, stress, lack of sleep or greater alcohol consumption can affect the morning temperature, leading to incorrect results. This method is not suitable for young girls because their cycles often not regular. The temperature method does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.


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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Toileting Your Baby

Thursday, June 17, 2010
Up until my 6th baby they all wore cloth and disposable diapers. With number six I heard about “diaper-free” babies, and I was curious. I read a little about it, and decided to try it. I found out that I had to keep a close watch on the baby and whenever she wet or dirtied I should say a cue word, and put her on the toilet or pot. I should become familiar with her signals that she would make when she was about to go. Eventually she would come to associate the cue word with the action, and would go when I told her to, after noticing her signal. I found I just had not the time to watch her. Every time I stopped watching she would go, then when I came back it was too late. So I gave up.

Before I had number seven I read another book about it, and noticed that I could try putting him on the toilet as soon as he woke up, which is often a time that babies need to go. I read an article by another relaxed mother, who said she keeps diapers on her babies, but puts them on the toilet whenever they poop, saying the cue word at the same time. I determined to give it another try. When he was little it was just too much, although I did manage to catch a few poops, and say the cue words when I noticed him eliminating. At four months old I started holding him over the toilet when he woke up, and whenever I saw he was thinking about a poop. I had four successes the first day! He seemed to know that when I held him in that position he should try to eliminate, and would usually grunt and strain as soon as I held him over the toilet. Now, at 8 months, he goes on the toilet every morning, and during the day if I notice that he needs to go. It is not saving a whole lot of diapers, but I am hopeful that he will toilet train a lot earlier than my other babies (who were between 2 and 2 ½ years old).

The position I hold him in is with his back leaning against my body, with my hands around his thighs, so he is in a squatting position. From here I try to aim his elimination into the toilet. I plan on introducing the potty soon, but will keep him on the toilet also, as going in there helps to familiarise him with the place, and make him feel comfortable and normal about going there.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Skin Concerns

Thursday, November 27, 2008
Now you are pregnant, you can begin to see many changes to your skin. You may notice changes, such as a sudden new glow on your face or pink, red stripes on your belly. Not every pregnant woman will experience all the same skin changes. Below is a list of the skin changes that occur during pregnancy.

Stretch Marks:
What is this? Stretch marks are one of the most talked about skin changes that can occur during pregnancy. Nearly 90% of pregnant women will experience stretch marks. Stretch marks as pink or red stripes run in your belly and / or breasts.

What can I do? Exercise of lotions and the application of which contain vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids have been said to help prevent stretch marks. These solutions are not medically proven to have a direct impact on the stretch marks, but it never hurts to try. If you find that nothing works in your favor, take comfort in knowing that this stress will fade to faint silvery lines after the birth.

Mask of Pregnancy:
What is this? "Mask of pregnancy" is also known as melasma and chlosma. Melasma causes dirt dark spots appear on your face. This seems most spots on your forehead and cheeks and are a result of increased pigmentation. If you are pregnant your body produces more hormones, which leads to an increase in your pigmentation. Almost 50% of pregnant women show some signs of the 'mask of pregnancy. "

What can I do? To prevent "mask of pregnancy" of the happening to you, you should wear a good sunscreen that is at least SPF 15 if you plan to be outside. You can also wear your favorite ball cap to protect you face from the sun. Your skin is extra sensitive, and the sun increases your chances of these dark spots appear on your face.

Pregnancy Glow:
What is this? When you are pregnant your body produces 50% more blood, resulting in more blood through your body. This increase in blood circulation causes your face brighter. Your body also produces a reasonable amount of hormones that cause your oil glands to work in more than drive, making your face shiny. Both cases can lead to the "pregnancy glow" you have heard.

What can I do? If your oily skin you can use an oil-free detergent for cleaning your face. Other than this, do nothing else than a smile!

Acne and pimple Break Outs:
What is this? If you have a problem with acne all your acne can be irritated during pregnancy. The extra hormones in your body cause your oil glands to secrete more oil, which can lead to break outs.

What can I do? You should keep a strict cleansing routine. You can start with a simple over-the-counter face soap. It is a good idea to use fragrance soaps releasing avoid nausea. Cleanse your face every night and every morning. Washing your face more than this can cause your skin to dry. Next use an astringent to any remaining oil. Stay away from all medicated AStri gents acne, they can also acne medicine that can not be recommended for pregnant women. Finally, follow this procedure with an oil-free Moisturizer. If you find that you are having problems with acne on with your care provider on acne treatment during pregnancy.

Varicose veins:
What are these? Varicose veins are large, blue veins that usually on the legs during pregnancy. This happens because your body is compensation for the extra blood that will make your baby. Varicose veins can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Unfortunately, if you have a family history of varicose veins, you can give rise to them during your pregnancy. The good news is that you can now take measures to prevent or reduce the symptoms.

What can I do? To prevent or reduce symptoms, you should:

  • Avoid standing for long time
  • Walk as much as possible to help the blood back to your heart
  • Always prop your feet on a stool at the meeting
  • Avoid sitting for long periods
  • Wear support stockings
  • Get enough vitamin C (this helps keep your arteries healthy and elastic)
  • * Sit down with your legs higher than your head for at least half hours per day.
  • avoid excessive weight gain

Spider Veins:
What are these? Spider veins, also known as spin NEVI, are very small reddish tiny blood vessels that branch outward. These veins are also caused by the increase in circulation. They will usually appear on the face, neck, chest and upper arms. Veins not hurt and usually disappear soon after birth. Veins appear more often in women than in white African American women.

What can I do? Increase your intake of vitamin C and not cross your legs can help minimize spider veins. Spider veins can also be hereditary, in which case there is nothing you can do to prevent them. Fortunately, this will most likely fade shortly after delivery. Laser treatment can also be done to help remove any spider veins that have not faded away.

Dry itchy belly:
What is this? As your beautiful belly grows, your skin stretches and tightens. This causes very uncomfortable dryness and itching. If you start to experience severe itching late in your pregnancy, possibly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and possibly jaundice, you should contact your doctor. This may be a sign of cholestasis, which is related to the function of the liver. Your doctor may order blood tests to check if you are having trouble cholestasis. Cholestasis occurs in about one in every 50 pregnancies and is not a problem after pregnancy.

If the itching is intense and spreads to your arms and legs, could be pruritic urticarial papules and pests (Pupp). Pupp occurs in about one in every 150 pregnancies. Pupp is itchy, red, raised spots on the skin that will disappear after giving birth.

What can I do? To help relieve your dry itchy belly, you have your belly moisturized. You can also use anti-itch cream such as Calamine lotion to help provide more relief. Cholestasis can be treated with medication. To help alleviate Pupp your care provider may prescribe oral medication and anti-itch creams. Try a nice oatmeal bath to help relieve some of the discomfort.

Linea Nigra:
What is this? Linea nigra is the dark line that runs from your navel to your pelvis. This is a line that may have always been there, but you may never have noticed before because it was a light color. During pregnancy this line is dark and is possibly caused by the imbalance in hormones. It is usually around the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy.

What can I do? There is nothing you can do to prevent this happening, but after your pregnancy this line will fade.

Skin Tags:
What are these? Skin tags are very small, loose growth of the skin which is usually under your arms or breasts.

What can I do? After pregnancy your skin tags may disappear. If they do not disappear, there are ways to remove them.

Darker freckles, moles and other parts of your skin:
What is this? Increased hormones cause changes in skin pigmentation. You'll notice that areas with a darker skin color, such as freckles, moles, nipples, labia and areolas can become even darker.

What can I do? There is nothing you can do to prevent this happening. If you notice a mole or freckle that changes in the appearance or form, you should contact your doctor. These dark areas may remain darkened after pregnancy. The change in pigmentation may be noticeable, but not substantially.

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