The “Pregnancy Symptoms - Increased Fatigue” plus 4 more

Pregnancy Symptoms - Increased Fatigue
How Can We Boost Our Chances of Having a Baby?
What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy?
How to Get Pregnant - Trying to Conceive Without Success - Get Pregnancy Tips Here
The Importance of Cord Blood

Posted: 05 Jan 2010 09:33 AM PST

Pregnancy, the most beautiful phase in a woman's life, is a pleasant as well as painful experience. Pleasant because it has several good things in store for you and painful because these good things come at a cost. Well, we are not trying to scare you, but pregnancy is a combination of good and bad experiences. For instance, the hormonal changes may give you radiant skin and thick, long hair, but at the cost of mood swings. Similarly, the baby bump will get you a lot of pampering from your loved ones, but when the bump grows bigger, it can give a backache. Therefore, like everything else, pregnancy, too, has its pros and cons. It has some good and not so good symptoms. One such symptom that we shall discuss is increased fatigue. Let us understand what causes this condition and how it can be treated or controlled.

Causes And Solution For Pregnancy Fatigue

Hormones - Hormones play havoc among pregnant women and cause this condition. A drastic rise in the hormone progesterone leads to the feeling of exhaustion and fatigue. These hormonal changes occur during the initial phases of pregnancy, precisely during the first trimester. Later, your body will adapt itself to the hormonal change and thus the symptoms of increased fatigue will diminish.

Anxiety And Stress - These two factors can also drain your energy levels and you may feel tired or lethargic. Increased stress or anxiety about pregnancy and nervousness can cause a feeling of exhaustion. However, this stress or anxiety will only occur in the initial days of pregnancy since childbearing is a very different experience. Once the feeling of stress or anxiety is reduced, the increased fatigue symptom will also correct itself.

Treatment - There is no treatment or medication for this condition. However, there are ways to cope with it. You need to make some lifestyle changes to deal with this feeling of exhaustion and tiredness. Moreover, when you know it is a temporary phase, it becomes easy to deal with it. There are three simple ways to cope with increased fatigue: healthy diet, moderate exercise and stress-free lifestyle. To achieve a balance between these three factors, you may have to take some extra care of yourself. Eating well may sound very simple, but how many of us watch what we eat? During pregnancy, you must consult a doctor and ask for the right diet. It should include calcium, vitamins, proteins, omega 3 fatty acids and much more. Seek advice from your doctor for an ideal diet plan. Some foods are known to increase energy levels, which can help you cope with the increased fatigue. The next important thing is to practice light exercise everyday. It could be as simple as going for a walk or moderate exercise at home. However, it is important to consult your doctor for this purpose. Exercise increases immunity and improves blood circulation, which can keep you fit. The next important factor is your lifestyle. If there are too many stressors in your life, it could add to the fatigue. Try to cut down on responsibilities, both at work or at home. Allow yourself to de-stress and relax occasionally. Go for a vacation or a weekend getaway to reduce the symptoms of increased fatigue.

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How Can We Boost Our Chances of Having a Baby?

Posted: 05 Jan 2010 09:14 AM PST

Question:

As first-time recently weds, we want to start a family but, at nearly 41 years old, realize this might be tricky. We're both fit, healthy and take plenty of exercise. Apart from cutting back on alcohol (we don't smoke) and taking folic acid, are there any other good supplement and 'super foods', which might optimise our chances?

Answer:

There is no reason why, in your early 40s, you should not conceive. In my experience, if would-be parents manage their stress levels and follow the basic rules of natural and harmonious living, conception is easy. Reproduction is as natural for us as breathing, digestion and movement, although it's now so heavily regulated by doctors and scientists in the Western world. Interestingly, infertility is a rare problem in developing countries and also in rural societies in the West.

As I write in one of my books, the three main reasons for stress are dilemmas, deadlines and complex and /or demanding human relationships. The question of conception is stressful as it incorporates all three. Should we really try for a baby? Will we be able to conceived is the biological clock ticking too fast? Even in this day and age, there may be a sense of failure for a woman who doesn't conceive.

It used to be thought that only voluntary organs, such as muscles, respond to emotional stimuli, but now it's recognised that involuntary, organs, such as blood vessels and the gut can constrict with stress. A woman's womb is so sensitive that it contracts with even a tiny pinprick of pain. My belief is that the fallopian tubes, which carry the eggs to the womb, also constrict in conditions of pain and stress. This, of course, would stop the egg implanting in the womb.

Stress hormones, principally adrenalin and noradrenalin, cause a fight or flight reaction with a racing heart, tense muscles, a heightened state of alertness and hyperventilation. In evolutionary terms, these are linked to male reproductive hormones or androgens rather than women's oestrogens and progestogens. Although women have some androgens, excess stress can upset the balance of hormones in a woman's body, which is very sensitive. After bereavement, for example, many women do not have periods. Women are more likely to be affected by an excess of male hormones than vice versa: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an example of this. Exercise instructors and sportswomen, who build up muscles and put their bodies under great physical strain, tend to have scanty periods and/or find it difficult to conceive.

Nutrition plays an important role in conception. Constipation, heartburn or indigestion, excessive gas, overeating, malnutrition, protein or mineral deficiency (as in a strict vegan diet or eating disorders), and excess alcohol or coffee all affect general wellbeing.

These are my suggestions:

* To increase the body's energy, women should eat about ten whole almonds daily; soak these in room-temperature water for 24 hours, then remove the skin.

* Also, drink one glass of freshly juiced carrot, apple, ginger and celery juice daily for two months, to increase the body's energy.

* Eat one pomegranate every other day for three months, or drink one cup of fruit juice; pomegranates contain cobalt which improves the blood.

* Avoid yeast products, deep-fried food, citrus fruits, excess chillis, sugar, excess fat and fizzy water, which encourage gas.

* To regulate periods, drink a blend of one teaspoon of kolonji oil, eight strands of saffron and one teaspoon of manuka honey daily after breakfast for three months.

* Also, if your period flow is scanty, take Shatavari tablets twice daily for four months.

* Also, take one capsule daily of Mexican yam from the 15th day of the cycle until periods start. Do this for four months.

* Yoga and relaxation play an important role. I recommend a range of poses, including the bridge, bow, cat, cow, downward dog, tailor, supine twist, standing forward stretch and extended forward stretch, ending with the corpse pose.

* There are also many relaxation CDs available.

* Neck and shoulder massage improves blood flow to the brain, including the pituitary gland, the main controller of hormonal functions. The massage will energise the body, creating a sense of wellbeing. Ask your husband or partner to massage you every evening for ten minutes. It will help to relax you and create a bond.

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What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy?

Posted: 05 Jan 2010 08:56 AM PST

There are many early signs of pregnancy. Some of these signs would be extreme fatigue, spotting or slight bleeding, cramping, cravings for certain food and change in body temperature. Some of the symptoms of being pregnant would be mood swings, headaches, changes in appetite and even aversion to certain foods. But this is not the standard thing for every woman. Not everyone would experience all these signs and symptoms.

Some will experience a few of the symptoms while others might experience all of them. Moreover the intensity of each symptom differs per person. So the best way to determine as to whether you are pregnant would be through a home pregnancy test. But there are also other signs as to how one can see if they are pregnant.

One way would be by how your breasts feel. Pregnant women would have tender breasts because the breasts are being prepared for breast feeding. This often occurs during the first eight weeks. Another sign would be frequent urination. During the first 13 weeks or the first trimester, you will keep going to the restroom to urinate because the uterus is expanding to make way for the baby. This pushes against the bladder making you urinate more.

After going through the first trimester, the second trimester is said to be much easier for the mother. The early signs that drain the mother physically are all over. Furthermore the mother will be able to get better sleep. It is also during this time when you will hear the first heartbeat of the baby. You will also feel the movements of your baby inside your body at this time.

The final stage of the pregnancy would be the final trimester. During this time, the fetus becomes too big already to move around in the uterus. The baby is getting heavier causing the mother to experience back pains. Some mothers' ankles start to swell because of the added weight on the legs.

The journey to bringing a child into the world is exhausting but very fulfilling. And all these start with the first signs of pregnancy. So it is important that you will really find out properly if you are indeed pregnant. Do not just rely on signs and symptoms. Get a home pregnancy kit. if you have any more concerns, visit your doctor.

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How to Get Pregnant - Trying to Conceive Without Success - Get Pregnancy Tips Here

Posted: 05 Jan 2010 08:55 AM PST

Many women trying to conceive wonder how to get pregnant. There are various factors to consider when trying to get pregnant that can significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant and these are your mental state, lifestyle and ovulation period. In fact, a recent study shows that: 25% of couples conceive in the first month of trying, 60% of couples trying to get pregnant successfully conceive within six months.75% of couples get pregnant within nine months, 80% get pregnant within a year. And finally, some 90% of couples conceive within a year-and-a-half!

Ovulation cycle:

If it important to know when you ovulate. Symptoms of ovulation are increase in vaginal discharge, which changes from white, creamy or non-existent to clear, stretchy and slippery when you ovulate. Also, you may notice other signs such as tender breasts, mild abdominal pain, slightly increased body temperature. All women's cycles are different and can vary individually from month to month. However, ovulation usually occurs 10-16 days prior to when your next period starts.

Lifestyle:

Having a healthy diet is another important factor. Eating your 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables will not only help you maintain your weight but it will also give you your balanced intake of vitamins. Vitamins are a great way of keeping your body healthy and prepared for pregnancy. Also, having an optimal weight, so not being overweight or underweight.

Smoking decreases your ability to get pregnant. Research has shown it reduces the number of eggs in a women's ovaries. Drinking an occasional glass of alcohol shouldn't cause any major problems in terms of your ability to conceive. The problems occur if you binge drink or are an alcoholic, as excessive amounts of alcohol can cut your fertility by 50%.

Mental Health:

People often say: "Just relax, and it will happen" and, though this can be insulting and extremely frustrating, there is a grain of truth to it as mental health factors can also affect your odds of getting pregnant. So low stress levels mean better female and male natural fertility. Try to relax when trying to conceive, couples may often become more stressed rather than enjoy the intimacy which leads to frustration. There are great and simple relaxation exercises that you and your partner can do, such as Yoga or Pilates.

Don't despair if you don't get pregnant the first few months or more and remind yourself of the statistics regarding how long it takes most people to conceive.

...and remember to always have a positive mind set and be determined!

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The Importance of Cord Blood

Posted: 05 Jan 2010 08:46 AM PST

The blood that stays in the baby's placenta and remains attached to the umbilical cord even after cutting is what we can call cord blood. It is generally loaded with stem cells and can be used later in life to cure several fatal diseases. Earlier, this blood was not given importance in medicine and no one would store the blood for future medical use. However, the importance of this blood was discovered after thorough research and it is now possible to save this blood. Several banks specialize in the storage of this kind of blood. The reason cord blood is so important is because it has stem cells. These stem cells can regenerate themselves and form other organs, tissues etc. They have natural properties to develop immunity since they are not exposed to virus or any other diseases. The blood is pure and immature, thus it is even better than bone marrow. Research states that almost 80 diseases can be treated with stem cells and it can be used any time in the future. However, these cells have a life span; they cannot be stored for more than 15 years. Nevertheless, technological advancement may increase the storage life of these cells. In this article, we shall discuss the advantages of cord blood.

Advantages

No need for perfect match - Unlike bone marrow this blood does not require a perfect match. It can be used even if there is slight match between the donor and receiver. This is one of the most crucial factors and can prove to be very helpful during emergencies.

No complications - Cord blood transplant or use for medicinal purposes does not involve any risks. Thus, there are fewer complications when this blood is used for treatment. It does not attack the patient's own tissues, nor does it interfere with treatment.

It is ready to use - The process of collection of this blood is done with extreme care and precaution. It does not require any testing since it is collected and frozen only after proper testing. The blood is readily available and a match can be obtained quickly.

Rich source - Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells. It has ten times more cells as compared to bone marrow. Hence, a lesser quantity can be used for treatment. Moreover, it doesn't require a perfect match and can save a life. It is a social cause and imagine how good you will feel if you can save someone else's child. Indeed, a beautiful experience, since you are giving a new life to someone through the act of donating. The procedure for storing is not at all complicated and it can be collected without any disturbance to the mother or baby. The collection process is effortless and risk free.

Think about it, save the cord blood for your own future and for saving many more lives. Take this conscious decision.

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