Pain Management during Labor and Delivery

by Jennifer Shakeel

The anticipation of the arrival of baby is exciting and nerve wracking. You have packed the diaper bag, you have your hospital bag, you have the quickest route to the hospital planned out and you have the list of people to call on the way to the hospital. Did you stop and think about what type of pain management you were going to use during labor and delivery? Most women think they have but have you really?

A lot of pregnant women I have talked to and asked about pain medicine usually say to me, “Oh yes I am going to take whatever they will give me.” Or I have gotten the “Epidural will be my friend.” There are also some women that chose not to take any pain medication at all. They want the entire experience. (If you could see me right now then you would know that I am smiling. I will tell you why shortly.)

Each and every person out there experiences pain differently. Each and every person also has a different pain threshold, which means that some people can handle more pain than others and conversely some handle way less than others. What is important is that you know what your pain tolerance is and how you handle pain. Knowing these answers will help you decide on what types of pain management options you want to use. (Keep in mind that the type of delivery you have will also play into your choices.)

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Tags: Childbirth, Pregnancy, pregnancy pains

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What to Eat When Trying to Conceive

eating healthy is important when trying to conceive

Sometimes getting pregnant does not happen as quickly as we would like, or it is not as easy as we hoped for. Speaking from experience, nothing is more disappointing and frustrating then trying to get pregnant. For our most recent baby, it took us over a year and one miscarriage, and just when we were about to give up hope we found out that we were pregnant. I believe that it was the food choices I made those last couple of months that helped increase our chances at conception.

Believe it or not there are certain foods that increase your chances of getting pregnant. So if you are doing all of the other recommended things like positioning and timing, why not alter your diet a little.

A healthy diet is just as important, if not more important, while you are trying to get pregnant as it is once you find out that you are pregnant. The foods you chose to consume directly impact your fertility, this goes for potential mom and potential dad. So as a couple you need to make a conscious effort to watch what you are eating.

Several servings of fruits and veggies a day is important. You should also make sure that you are getting whole grains and calcium rich foods each and every day. Don’t think that if you miss today you can make up for it tomorrow. Vitamins like E, C, Folic Acid and Zinc are key nutrients for healthy sperm. For women, you need to be getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. Folic acid helps support proper neural tube growth and it also decreases the risk of strokes, heart attacks, cancer and diabetes.

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Tags: Conception, getting pregnant, trying to conceive

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Healthy Eating for Pregnant Women

Mother's Day Gifts for the Mom to Be

by Jennifer Shakeel

very happy mamma to be - do something special for her this mothers day Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and I know there are tons of expectant mothers out there that simply cannot wait until they get to celebrate their first Mother’s Day. Guess what, there really isn’t any reason to make them wait. There are a number of really cool gift ideas that will make the expectant mom feel wonderful. Yes, as a mom I can tell you that there is nothing in the world like the very first homemade Mom’s Day present from your little one, but waiting for that moment is difficult. So for everyone that knows a Mom in Waiting, here are a number of great gift ideas to help show here that the joy of being a mom is just beginning.

First suggestion, get the mom to be a day of pampering at a local spa. This is a wonderful gift for any mom really, but especially a mom that is still touting the little one in the womb. A pregnancy massage, pedicure (especially for the mom that can’t even see her toes anymore) and a manicure is an excellent package to make sure that Mom to Be feels like a million bucks on Mother’s Day.

The next Mother’s Day gift idea for the mom to be is a new type of ultrasound. Instead of the simple black and white, flat ultrasound you can get mom to be a 3D, 4D or thermal imaging ultrasound. Talk to the OB/GYN where the mom to be goes about where they send their patients for an ultrasound and then contact that office to purchase a gift certificate. There is something really amazing about seeing your baby, still inside, looking like a little human in the real world.