Monday, August 31, 2009

“Adoption - Ask Your Questions” plus 4 more

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“Adoption - Ask Your Questions” plus 4 more

Adoption - Ask Your Questions

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 09:16 AM PDT

In the 1960's the baby boomer generation kicked in and my parents along with others had a large family. I had three siblings and enjoyed them, much more now then I did when I was younger. However, in the 2000 year, things have changed. Families are smaller and adoption is another form of conception.

I adopted for the simple reason of wanting a child. My husband and I wanted to create life through our love for one another. I have enjoyed being a mother and it has filled my heart so full of love. We decided on an international adoption, all parents have reasons for adopting from different parts of the world, we decided to go Internationally. I have learned so much through my child. One of the areas that I have learned is that most people do not know what to say or how to act in front of a family that has an adopted a foreign child.

As my child grew up many people that were interested in seeing us as a family would ask many questions. My husband and I are Caucasian American whereas my son is Filipino American. After he first came home and we would run into distance relatives or friends we have not seen in a while, they would say "is he adopted? Where is he from?" while that is fine when they are young, it only hurts there feelings as they get older. We understood that most people were intrigued and interested in finding out all the details of our lives and how we came about adopting our son. Most mothers, like me, love to share the details of our children and them coming home the first time, however, being adopted and when talking about it when they, the children, are old enough to understand, it makes them feel a little more like a outcast. In fact, it makes them feel different. As we all know, through parenthood or growing up, all you want is to belong and not feel different.

You want your child to feel a part of the family, group or friendship. So when meeting friends or family that may have adopted a child, my advice would be to ask your questions privately, mother to mother, father to father, without the children hearing the details. Children, whether they are yours or others need to understand adoption and the positive affect it has on all, however, it is important to teach them the important of creating life through your heart and not just through your body.

I love my son and he is our live, our family and I want all my families and friends to ask me all there curious questions but I advice to ask me privately, not in front of others, children or adults. We want to bring our child up in an environment that is not prejudice and judgmental. That they are not different but unique like all children are and they are special to there mothers, fathers, family and friends.

Is it Safe to Smoke During Pregnancy?

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 06:03 AM PDT

When you first become pregnant, you will probably be overwhelmed by all of the dos and don'ts that are suddenly facing you. Some restrictions, like those against all exercise, or against any conceivable type of food that could make you ill, aren't necessarily reasonable. There are a few restrictions however, that you should take very seriously. Smoking during pregnancy is one of the most harmful things you can do to your unborn child. Women who smoke when pregnant are at a far greater risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, low birth weight and premature birth than anyone else.

Smoking during pregnancy means that you are taking in over 4,000 chemicals that are all being passed into your unborn child's bloodstream. While none of these chemicals are good for you or your baby, two of them are particularly harmful: nicotine and carbon monoxide. These two chemicals work together to cut off oxygen supply to the fetus, resulting in complications like stillbirth, premature delivery and low birth weight.

Even though you may only smoke a few cigarettes a day, any amount of these toxic chemicals in your system creates cause for concern. Your body is most sensitive to the first doses of nicotine in the day, so just one or two cigarettes has an outsize impact on your body, constricting blood vessels almost instantly.

If you smoke when pregnant, a pack a day habit is enough to reduce your baby's birth weight by half a pound. Two packs a day will reduce it by a pound or more. Babies with a low birth weight often aren't completely developed. Their lungs are especially vulnerable, and may undersize babies spend their first days on a respirator. In addition, the children of mothers who smoke during pregnancy are far more likely to develop asthma, or die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

In addition, a child's brain function can be affected. The children of mothers who smoke when pregnant are far more likely to have learning disorders, behavioral problems and low IQ's.

Knowing all of these things, you will probably want to make sure that you do not smoke during pregnancy. Ideally, you will quit before you first conceive, but if your pregnancy is unplanned, you can still do a lot to protect your baby by quitting as soon as possible. Recent studies show that mothers who quit smoking in the first trimester increase their odds of delivering a healthy baby to nearly as high as non-smokers. Quitting in the second trimester is helpful as well, although not quite as much. Even as late as 30 weeks into your pregnancy, your baby can still gain weight quickly after you quit smoking.

If you smoke when pregnant, the disadvantages and dangers are pretty obvious. Quitting is not easy however, so be sure to talk to your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant, so you can get all of the help and support you need to quit as quickly as possible. It's never easy, but with the right support and motivation, you can do it!

Is it Safe to Go Jogging When Pregnant?

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 05:59 AM PDT

While it used to be fairly common myth that pregnant women shouldn't exercise much, that sort of thinking is starting to turn around. It is now generally accepted that a great many kinds of exercise are not only safe, but also beneficial to pregnant women. One popular form of exercise is jogging, and women are finding that it is quite all right to jog when pregnant. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind before starting up a fitness regime during your pregnancy.

Jogging during pregnancy is only something you want to do if you are already in the habit. Now is not the time to start a completely new exercise regime. Being fit and healthy is very important for your pregnancy, but it's important to not suddenly put your body under even greater strain than it already is. If you're accustomed to jogging several times a week, it's all right to jog when pregnant. One thing that's important to keep in mind is that a sudden and dramatic increase in your core body temperature can be harmful to the fetus. Therefore, no matter what kind of exercise you are doing, be very careful to not overheat.

Even though this can be a problem at any time, jogging during pregnancy can be particularly hard on your joints. Your joints loosen during pregnancy in any case, so if you jog when pregnant, it can be particularly painful if you aren't used to it.

During the first trimester, keep a few things in mind before going for a jog. Your body is especially vulnerable to dehydration during pregnancy, so be sure to drink a lot of water before, during and after your jog. Be sure to wear an extra supportive sports bra, since your breasts may be growing during this time, and be sure that your shoes are especially supportive around the ankles and arches.

During the second trimester, you will become acutely aware of your growing belly. This can sometimes create problems with balance, so stick to jogging on flat surfaces. Jog on a track, if at all possible, and if you should fall, try to land on your side, or land on your arms so that your abdomen is protected.

During the third trimester, it's especially important to listen to your body. If you feel too tired to jog when pregnant, then don't. In fact, due to your increasing size, you may find it too uncomfortable, so switching to a brisk walk may be the best alternative.

Jogging during pregnancy can be an excellent way to stay fit and build your endurance for labor and delivery. If you have never done it before, now is not the time to start, however. The main things you need to consider when jogging during pregnancy are your comfort and safety. Remember to keep your core temperature low, be aware of any balance issues and make sure that your gear is appropriate for your changing shape. Even without pushing too hard, your strength and endurance will increase greatly.

Is it Safe to Go Biking When Pregnant?

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 05:51 AM PDT

Pregnant women receive a great deal of advice, unsolicited and otherwise, on what they should and shouldn't do during the course of their pregnancy. One of the most enduring myths surround pregnancy is that pregnant women should not exercise, or if they do, keep it to a minimum. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Most experts now agree that both mother and unborn baby benefit when a pregnant woman stays fit and healthy. One thing pregnant women do wonder about is if it is safe to go biking?

Generally, it is considered safe to go biking when pregnant. Since it is a low-impact exercise that doesn't require any lifting or jumping, it is second only to swimming as a good exercise for pregnant women. In addition, it is easy to choose the level of intensity, so there is little chance that you will overexert yourself. May women wonder about how their balance is affected while biking when pregnant, but since weight and bulk are gained gradually, your balance will adapt gradually as well. You will probably find it easy to continue biking right into the last weeks of your pregnancy.

As always, when considering an exercise program during your pregnancy, it's wise to consult your doctor, and let her know what your plans are. That way, you can work together to determine what will work best for you. She will probably tell you that it is safe to go biking when pregnant, but that you need to be especially careful to avoid spills and accidents. When possible, stick to smooth bike paths with as little contact with motor traffic as possible. It's also best to be a somewhat experienced cyclist. If you are new to biking, pregnancy is probably not the best time to start up.

Women who go biking when pregnant realize all of the benefits of any regular exercise program. Stress reduction, endorphin production, better oxygen delivery and blood flow, are all things that will benefit both the pregnant mother and her unborn child. In addition, better physical fitness will help you recover from the birth that much more quickly. In addition, you will also have better stamina during the delivery.

If you are biking when pregnant, keep in mind that you don't necessarily need to keep up the level of intensity that you normally would. Listen to your body, start slow and build up if necessary. Drink a lot of fluids, take plenty of breaks, and avoid overheating. After delivery, exercise a little caution in returning to your regular exercise schedule. Keep in mind that you need good nutrition to stay strong, especially if you are breastfeeding.

While it's definitely safe to go biking while pregnant, you will want to take it a bit easier than normal, and be especially conscious of safety. Biking when pregnant can be a great way to stay in shape, and build up your strength and stamina. The better your physical condition, the better prepared you will be for delivery and taking care of a new baby.

Is it Safe to Eat Barbecued Foods When Pregnant?

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 05:41 AM PDT

Pregnant women have become accustomed to seeing long lists of things they should and shouldn't do while pregnant. One of the biggest areas for concern lies in the area of foods and how they are prepared. Even though you normally don't want to ingest things that are bad for you, and don't want to make yourself sick due to poor food preparation, there is simply a lot more at stake when you are pregnant. A lot of women wonder if it is safe to consume barbecued foods when pregnant.

So, are barbecued foods safe to eat while pregnant? Most medical professionals agree that barbecued food should not be a problem for pregnant women, as long as it is prepared properly. The biggest risk when barbecuing is that improperly prepared food could contain E Coli, salmonella, and campylobacter. When you are pregnant, your immune system is not as strong as it normally is, and you are more likely to be affected by even a small amount of bacteria. Keep in mind that even though these bacteria can make you seriously ill, they will not cross the placental barrier and harm the baby.

One somewhat unusual condition to be aware of that you might encounter if you consume barbecued foods when pregnant is toxoplasmosis, which is a parasite-caused infection that usually feels like a mild flu. Even though you may not get very sick, this can cause brain damage and eye problems in the unborn baby. Keep in mind that this is fairly rare, however.

If you wish to consume barbecued foods when pregnant, here are some tips for you to follow to ensure that you stay as healthy as possible. One important thing to keep in mind whenever you are handling raw meat is to make sure you store it separately from other foods. Make sure it stays chilled and covered until you are ready to cook it. It's especially important to keep raw meat away from foods that won't require cooking, like salads. Also make sure that meats are completely thawed before cooking.

If you consume barbecued foods while pregnant, some other ways to make sure that they are safely prepared is to make sure that they are thoroughly cooked. If you are using charcoal, make sure it is white before cooking. Cook meat until it is no longer pink in the middle and use a meat thermometer to verify that the meat has reached a temperature of at least 160 F/70 C for at least two minutes in the thickest part. If you consume barbecued foods when pregnant, they can be quite safe, as long as you follow the proper precautions.

So, to answer the question: are barbecued foods safe for a pregnant woman, it seems that, as long as you follow the correct procedures when handling and cooking food, you shouldn't have any problems. These rules apply, not just when you consume barbecued foods when pregnant; it's important to prepare it safely and correctly for you and your family's health in general.
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