Top Ten signs of pregnancy

Top 10 signs of pregnancy

If you're extremely tuned in to your body's rhythms, you may begin to suspect you're pregnant soon after conception. But most women won't experience any early pregnancy symptoms until the fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, several days after conception. Others may notice no signs of pregnancy for weeks and begin to wonder "Am I pregnant?" only when they miss a period. Below is a list of some of the first signs of impending motherhood. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms of pregnancy:

1. Food cravings.

Yes, it's a cliché, but food cravings sometimes can be a sign of pregnancy. Don't rely on them as a sure symptom (it may be all in your head, or even a sign that your body is low on a particular nutrient), but if cravings are accompanied by some of the other symptoms on this list, start counting the days from your last period.

2. Darkening of your areolas.

If the skin around your nipples gets darker, you may have successfully conceived, though this may also signal a hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

3. Implantation bleeding or cramping.

About eight days after ovulation, you may experience implantation spotting, a slight staining of a pink or brown colour, as well as some cramping. This is caused by the egg burrowing into the endometrial lining. You might also see some spotting around the time you expect your period.

4. Frequent urination.

Once the embryo implants and begins producing the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), you may find yourself going to the bathroom more often.

5. Fatigue.

Feeling tired? No, make that exhausted. High levels of the hormone progesterone can make you feel as if you've run a marathon when all you've done is put in a day at the office. Fatigue is a hallmark of early pregnancy, though probably not a surefire symptom on its own.

6. Tender, swollen breasts.

If you're pregnant, your breasts will probably become increasingly tender to the touch, similar to the way they feel before your period, only more so. Once your body grows accustomed to the hormone surge, the pain will subside.

7. Altered sense of taste.

You may notice that your sense of taste changes. Some women say they have a metallic taste in their mouth, others that they cannot stand the taste of coffee, tea, or a food they usually like.

8. Morning sickness.

If you're lucky, morning sickness won't hit you until a few weeks after conception. (A lucky few escape it altogether.) But as early as a couple of days following conception, you may begin feeling nauseated and queasy. And not just in the morning, either -- pregnancy-related nausea can be a problem morning, noon, or night.

9. A missed period.

If you're usually pretty regular and your period is late, it's worth trying a pregnancy test. A missed period is the surest sign of pregnancy in a woman of childbearing age who usually has regular periods.

And finally...

10. A positive home pregnancy test.

If you've waited to test until at least the first day of a missed period and a blue line appears in the home pregnancy test window, you're most likely to be in the family way.

http://www.babycenter.in/top-10-signs-of-pregnancy#ixzz2QzoazEKq

 

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Dizziness

Why am I feeling dizzy?

Dizziness is a common feature of pregnancy. Between half and three quarters of pregnant women feel dizzy to some degree. The reason for your dizzy spells varies depending on how far into your pregnancy you are.

Dizziness in the first trimester
Early in your first trimester, you may feel dizzy and have bouts of nausea as your blood flow works to catch up with your rapidly expanding circulatory system. This happens because the pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes the walls of your blood vessels, causing your blood pressure to fall. This can make you more likely to feel dizzy from as early as eight weeks. Your body is usually able to adjust to these changes, but you may sometimes feel dizzy and light-headed.

Dizziness in the second and third trimester
In the second trimester, your growing womb (uterus) can put pressure on blood vessels. This can make you feel dizzy. Lying flat on your back can also cause dizziness in the later stages of pregnancy.

It's very common to feel dizzy occasionally during your pregnancy. This can be for a number of reasons:

• If you stand up too quickly your blood doesn't have enough time to reach your brain. This is also called postural hypotension.


• If you lie down for too long. About one in 10 pregnant women experiences this because of low blood pressure.
• If you haven't eaten for a while and your blood sugar is low, especially in the late afternoon.
• If you are anaemic or suffer from varicose veins.


• If you are dehydrated or anxious.
• Excessive exercise or anxiety can sometimes cause you to hyperventilate and feel faint, especially if you're feeling tired or not well.


• If you're overheated

.

What can I do to relieve my dizziness?

That will depend on what's made you dizzy. It's a good idea to start by sitting or lying down. This will help your dizziness subside, and also stop you falling over.

Here are some more tips to help you deal with dizziness.

• If you're in a stuffy kitchen, office, bus or a crowded train, try and get some fresh air.
• If you haven't eaten for an hour or two, a quick snack will help boost your blood sugar levels. It's a good idea to always have a healthy snack or two with you. Working mums-to-be can keep a few healthy snacks at their workplace.
• Try drinking water or fresh fruit juice. (In general, keep yourself well hydrated by drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. If you find it difficult to drink that much water, try drinking coconut water, lime juice or chaach.)
• Eat lots of iron rich foodsto make sure you don't become anaemic.


• Simply slow down, for instance by getting up slowly and smoothly, instead of leaping up from a chair or out of bed.
• Avoid going out in the sun during the hottest part of the day. If you have to go out, always carry an umbrella or a hat if you prefer one.
• If you start to feel lightheaded or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest for a while.
• If you feel dizzy when you get too hot, dress in layers so you can shed clothes as necessary

In some cases, you can't do anything except sit or lie down (on your side) and wait it out. Waves of dizziness can - and probably will -affect you at any time during your pregnancy.

Are these waves of dizziness dangerous?

Very rarely. Don't take light-headedness lightly though, even though it's common. Your greatest danger is of fainting. If you do feel faint:

• lie down on your left side
• or sit with your head between your knees

These positions will increase the blood flow to your brain, which should relieve the fainting sensation.

When should I check with my doctor about my dizzy spells?

You should see your doctor if you faint, if you are often dizzy or if you have dizziness as well as:

• pain in your pelvic area or belly
• shortness of breath
• blurred vision
• palpitations
• headaches
• vomiting

Persistent dizziness or dizziness accompanied by blurred vision and headaches or palpitations can be a symptom of severe anaemia or other serious illness that could affect your pregnancy. In rare cases, dizziness accompanied by severe lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, especially early on in pregnancy, may indicate an ectopic pregnancy . In such cases, contact your doctor immediately.

Dizziness can also be caused by something that's nothing to do with your pregnancy, such as allergies or panic attacks. It can also be because you're breathing too fast or too deeply (hyperventilation). That's why if you have any concerns, you shouldn't hesitate to get help. But keep in mind that feeling dizzy - from heat, hunger, nausea, or getting up too fast - is often just part of being pregnant.

http://www.babycenter.in/a228/dizziness#ixzz2QzoE5s2L

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Ten fun things to do during pregnancy

After the initial glow, pregnancy can be tiring and the remaining months may seem to stretch ahead endlessly. Morning sickness, fatigue, twinges of pain and constipation may leave you exhausted and wondering whether you're the only one who can't wait for baby to arrive! Add to that the constant discussions and questions by friends and family about your 'good news' and the unsolicited advice from complete strangers on what you should be eating and doing - it's all enough to make you run for cover.

Doing some fun things can help you think about something other than your pregnancy. Enlist the help of friends and family - they'll be only too happy to drive you somewhere you want to go or keep you company at a film you want to see. Here are some more ideas for fun things to do:

1. Shopping spree
Make a list of things you'd like to buy for yourself (not for the house or your baby), like comfortable footwear, a new sari for the Godh bharai/velakappu or the naming ceremony, post-delivery clothes like button-down shirts and kurtas, comfortable nightwear and lingerie. Not all maternity clothes are drab sacks - it's easy to find smart kurtis that can be altered after you've had the baby, or empire line tops and drawstring trousers. Buy one or two items on the list every month, to spread out your purchases. You can also then look forward to a small shopping spree every month.

2. A new you
Your body is changing almost every day and while you may love your new thicker hair, you can't say the same for your stomach and hips. When none of your clothes seem to fit and the thought of dressing up is depressing, it helps to get a makeover. Have a manicure and paint your nails in a bright cheerful colour. Or draw attention to your face with a new haircut. Try some new make-up like kajal or a lip liner or even just new matching bindis or earrings to go with your outfits. Read more on how to feel good about your pregnant body.

3. Picture perfect
Having some professional photos taken of the both of you will provide some lovely keepsakes of your pregnancy. Or ask your spouse to take pictures of your growing belly every month or once every trimester. It will be wonderful to share these with your child when she grows up. Or you could commission some personalised sketches or portraits instead of photographs.

4. Scrapbook
If you're not into keeping a diary or a journal, a scrapbook may be the thing for you to record your pregnancy. Photos of a vacation you took during your pregnancy or even the one during which you conceived, ultrasound scan reports, a bill from the celebratory dinner with your partner when you found out you were pregnant, month-by-month belly pictures - your scrapbook can contain anything and everything. You will love going over it many years after your baby is born.

5. Indulge yourself
Pregnancy can be a time to indulge yourself -- be it in terms of food cravings, massages, sleep or even hobbies. You might be advised to take it easy for a couple of weeks. If you are, there's no need to be bored sitting at home. Pick up a book you've wanted to read for a long time or a movie you've wanted to see, catch up on some new music or have a leisurely lunch out with your girlfriends at your favourite café. Sleep may soon become a luxury, so catch up when you can, perhaps at weekends. If you feel your skin becoming dry or patchy due to hormonal changes, book an appointment for a facial or prepare a natural face mask at home. Create your own mini spa and try our pregnancy feel good calendar.

6. Plan a picnic or a day trip
A picnic is a rare event in our hurried lives, but it doesn't need much planning. Pick a time and place, round up your family or friends and ask each person to bring two specific things. Voila! You are ready! If it's too hot or rainy for a picnic, plan an indoor visit to a museum, art gallery or cultural exhibition where you can spend some time in air-conditioned comfort. Even a trip to a mall you have wanted to visit, followed by lunch at the food court, can be a welcome break.

7. Date night
Romance may take a back seat in the initial months of pregnancy and if your parents or in-laws have moved in to take care of you, it may be a long time since you and your husband spent any quality time together. Plan date nights once every week or two, book a table and bond over lunch or dinner. Your spouse could do with a little extra attention too and these moments will keep you going once the baby comes. Or just rent a DVD, make some popcorn and spend a quiet night at home cuddled up together. Have questions about making love during pregnancy? We have the answers!

8. Other mothers
In this age of scattered families, you may not have a sister or sister-in-law close by to share things with. Friends who are not pregnant may find it difficult to relate to every single thing that is happening in your life. Making friends with other mums-to-be can be a great way to get some support. Signing up for antenatal classes or yoga classes for pregnant women is one way to meet other mums; your clinic may also have a mummy-to-be club who meet regularly. Don't forget our community forums and birth clubs, where you can interact with other pregnant women, share tips and get some support.

9. Mother and mother-to-be
It's quite common in India for your mother to move in to help with the pregnancy and the baby. Use the time to reconnect with your mother, especially if you live in different cities and haven't been able to spend much time together since you got married. Let your mum pamper you with your favourite foods and gifts. Compare notes about her pregnancy cravings when she was carrying you and whether that means it will be a boy or a girl. Discuss confinement practices after birth. Plan the naming ceremony guest list and catch up on all the gossip about your relatives. Shop for a thank you gift for her in advance, before the baby comes. You won't feel much like shopping once your baby is born.

10. Top ten list
Use our Babynamer to make a list of your favourite names. Make a list of ten things you'd like to do when your baby finally arrives. Make it as funny and whacky as you like. If you have had diet restrictions during your pregnancy make a list of foods you'll have. Missed going bungee jumping when you went on a trip to Goa in your first trimester? Plan another trip. Count down the days until you can drive your car again, carry your elder child or rejoin your gym.

http://www.babycenter.in/a1024023/10-fun-things-to-do-during-pregnancy#ixzz2QznuJUFh

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IMPORTANT OF EDEMA AND SOLUTION

IMPORTANT OF EDEMA AND SOLUTION DURING PREGNANCY

 Why are my ankles and feet so swollen?

What you're experiencing is edema – that's when excess fluid collects in your tissue. It's normal to have a certain amount of swelling during pregnancy because you're retaining more water. Changes in your blood chemistry also cause some fluid to shift into your tissue.

Video

Inside pregnancy: Weeks 15 to 20

 A 3D animated look at a baby in the second trimester of pregnancy.

 

In addition, your growing uterus puts pressure on your pelvic veins and your vena cava (the large vein on the right side of the body that carries blood from your lower limbs back to the heart). The pressure slows the return of blood from your legs, causing it to pool, which forces fluid from your veins into the tissues of your feet and ankles.
For this reason, edema is most likely to trouble you during the third trimester. It may be particularly severe for women with excessive amniotic fluid or those carrying multiples. Edema also tends to be worse at the end of the day and during the summer. 
After you deliver your baby, the swelling will disappear fairly rapidly as your body eliminates the excess fluid. You may find yourself urinating frequently and sweating a lot in the first days after childbirth..

When should I be concerned about swelling?

A certain amount of edema is normal in the ankles and feet during pregnancy. You may also have some mild swelling in your hands.
Call your midwife or doctor if you notice swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, or excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles. This could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition.
Also call your caregiver promptly if you notice that one leg is significantly more swollen than the other, especially if you have any pain or tenderness in your calf or thigh. This could signal a blood clot, another serious condition.

What can I do to minimize the puffiness?

You can help relieve the increased pressure on your veins by lying on your side. Since the vena cava is on the right side of your body, resting on your left side works best.
Here are some other tips:

• Put your feet up whenever possible. At work, it helps to keep a stool or pile of books under your desk.
• Don't cross your legs or ankles while sitting.
• Stretch your legs frequently while sitting: Stretch your leg out, heel first, and gently flex your foot to stretch your calf muscles. Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes.
• Take regular breaks from sitting or standing. A short walk every so often will help keep your blood from pooling in your lower extremities.
• Wear comfortable shoes that stretch to accommodate any swelling in your feet.
• Don't wear socks or stockings that have tight bands around the ankles or calves.
• Try waist-high maternity support stockings. Put them on before you get out of bed in the morning so blood doesn't have a chance to pool around your ankles.
• Drink plenty of water. Surprisingly, this helps your body retain less water.
• Exercise regularly, especially by walking, swimming, or riding an exercise bike. Or try a water aerobics class – immersion in water may temporarily help reduce swelling, particularly if the water level is up near your shoulders.
• Eat well, and avoid junk food.

Try not to let the swelling get you down. The sight of your swollen ankles will probably add to your feeling of ungainliness, but edema is a temporary condition that will pass soon after you give birth.

 

 

 

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WHAT CRISTANO RONALDO DO TO REMAIN HEALTHY

WHAT CRISTANO RONALDO DO TO REMAIN HEALTHY HEALTHY

Cristiano Ronaldo workout routine and exercises

Did you ever wonder about what Cristiano Ronaldo does to keep in shape? What kind of training exercises and drills does he take, in order to always be in top form? Below, you may find plenty of information regarding Ronaldo's workout, diet plans and gym exercises that you can replicate to get the same body as CR7.

Cristiano Ronaldo is known for being obsessed with his training routine. There's a particular quote from Sir Alex Ferguson, which illustrates this phenomenon perfectly: "There's no fluke about it. I see Ronaldo practising all the time in training." Besides the mental motivation needed, there's certainly another very important attribute that CR7 owns and that everyone need to keep in mind when attempting to get in shape: Discipline. Common or trivial quotes such as "No pain, no gain" are indeed true, but Cristiano Ronaldo and other top athletes are well aware of how important it is to set training routines and follow them without slacking.

An important note that should be outlined before we start, is the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is indeed a professional athlete and he's surrounded and followed closely by professional fitness coaches and expert dietitians. Since his arrival to Old Trafford, Ronaldo has suffered a major body transformation, from a skinny boy to a muscled man and that didn't happen by accident.

Cristiano Ronaldo practices around 5 times per week in Real Madrid training camp, Valdebebas, depending on the games schedule they have that week. On average, he trains around 3-4 hours per day and follows a strict diet plan. In the "Regresso dos Incríveis 2010" documentary (it can be seen inside the "Videos section), Ronaldo also assumed that he respects a lot his sleeping hours and that he likes to go to bed early at night, so he can get up early as well.

Cristiano Ronaldo daily workout routine

::: 3 to 4 hours of daily practice that assure a very low body fat level (<10%)
::: Several periods of running for state cardio (25-30 mins)
::: High intensity and "explosive" sprinting drills (short-period exercises)
::: Technical drills to enhance skills and ball control
::: Football tactical exercises to improve understanding with teammates
::: Gym exercises to develop specific muscles but also his total body strenght

How to get abs like Cristiano Ronaldo

Getting the famous six pack abs like Cristiano Ronaldo has can be a hard challenge. One thing you must have in mind is that your abs definition will only show up after you achieve very low body fat levels. If you're still a bit fat, it doesn't matter if you do 1000 or 3000 abs per day, because your abs will always keep beneath some of your fat skin. That being said, the first advice is to work on getting your body fat levels at 10% or below that, and assure you burn your excessive fat faster than usual. To improve the core strenght, you should aim at exercises such as planks and renegade rows, as those will help more than regular crunches, in order to reduce abdominal fat. As a curiosity, in 2009, British media "Daily Star" released a piece reporting that Cristiano Ronaldo had a 3000 sit ups daily routine (3.000 abs per day), even quoting a close source to Ronaldo saying: "He can spend well over an hour every day toning his abs, sometimes while watching TV."

A Cristiano Ronaldo diet plan

There's no secret behind the fact that a great workout routine won't work well if you don't combine it with a good diet plan. Cristiano Ronaldo is well aware of this need and he surely pays great attention to what he eats. Below, we'll give an example of a typical diet plan you can follow:

::: Meal Frequency - One of the most important factors is how often you eat during the day. There's a recommended period of 2 to 4 hours between small meals/snacks, which could result in around 6 meals per day. Eating less, but eating in a more distributed way during the day, will help your body turning stronger and also keep your metabolism high. You should avoid foods and drinks with lots of sugar (yes, including coca-cola), since they create blood sugar pikes.

::: Breakfast - A good night sleep should probably be set as step 1 (around 8 hours of sleep are recommended for the body to properly rest). After that, you should go for food with protein and carbohydrates, such as fruit, whole-grain cereals, eggs or milk. This is one of the most important meals of the day, so pay great attention to what you eat and don't forget to don't let pass more than 2-3 hours before you eat a small snack.

::: Lunch - First rule about lunch is to don't eat too much food. You'll need to aim to a low-calorie meal, with fruits and lots of vegetables. You can choose from a light pasta dish or a chicken "Caesar" salad, since they are rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals (low in calories).

::: Dinner - The final meal of the day (not including periodic snacks) should consist in food rich in fiber, proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates. You could pick several dishes for this purpose and as our suggestion, you could go with a chicken breast, green beans, rice and a piece of fruit for dessert. Try to avoid eating dinner near to your bedtime, since that won't help at all. As far as we know, Ronaldo doesn't include any sort of "whey protein isolate" or anything similar, within his workout and eating plans, but those who are interested in speeding up the bulking up process, might find these type of products online at Maxishop, for quite affordable prices.

Bottom of line, following these training exercises, drills and tips can help you becoming more healthier, since they are based on Cristiano Ronaldo's workout routine, but you'll need to be strongly motivated and disciplined. Take Ronaldo example, as he has always worked hard and he's mentality strong, allowing him to keep focused on his targets during his entire life so far.

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Why health is important

 Why health is important

Living a   full life that comes with minimal complications is what people would really consider a perfect situation.  The elaborate  functions that a body undertakes is still being researched as new mysteries are being unraveled constantly.  The makeup of  our bodies that allows all the systems to work with one another is truly amazing and it is a known fact that  to make sure one  achieves optimum health all the systems that include ones emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects  need to be in the  correct balance with each other.

 
It should be the goal of many to constantly be informed about ones health by making use of current health articles. Equipping oneself with knowledge enables them to have a clearer picture of their bodies in order for  them to make  the right decisions about food, exercise and cleanliness.

Being keen on  health current events and taking part in health blogs allows a person to gather up treasured info. All the suggestions and ‘how to’s’ taken from health event articles and via someone’s own situation enabled  a person to figure out what is wrong that their physicians are unable to diagnose.

Every person is accountable for their well being and should fall ill they have to find a   solution so that they can get over the problem. There are a number of ways one   can obtain healing like going for Acupuncture, Reiki, intake of herbal medicines or seeing a general practitioner. Due to   the many alternatives it is essential that one ensures that they look through current health event articles so that they can   determine which is the better way to go.

Health care products take on many different forms and with a market that has so many different brands one can get a bit lost   as to which one is most effective. Communication via health blogs helps one discuss such issues to see if there has been any positive   results.
 
Always put your health as a top priority on your list   of things. If you would love to  know  about current health events that lets you in on what you need to do pick up your fitness, ridding yourself of a weight  as  well as gaining knowledge on how vitamins support the body, you can go to the webpage entitles HealthKut.  They will  keep you up to speed with current health articles. The articles have been done via excellent writers that make use of simple terminology  so  that a reader will not have a problem reading through their articles.

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Indians Need More Exercise to Stay Healthy

Indians Need More Exercise to Stay Healthy

 

Adhering to the western exercise regimen is not beneficial to Indians who need to work out more if they are to maintain their health, a series of discussions between international scientists reveal.

More than 130 scientists took part in the Consensus Physical Activity Guidelines for Asian Indians from a number of countries including India, US, Britain and Australia. The researchers agreed on the point that genetic differences between westerners and Indians mean that the later will have to work harder in order to remain fit.

A 45-minute walk every three days a week is recommended by the American Diabetic Association for people living in western countries but Indians will have to work out for at least one hour each day of the week because of genetic differences which increase the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease and metabolic complications.

"A majority of Indians lead a sedentary lifestyle, thanks to the rapid economic and demographic transformation of India. Exercise should become top of the agenda for every Indian", National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation's Dr Anoop Misra said.

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