More Naknik: Pregnancy

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Pregnancy Massage Therapy

The modern mum-to-be is a stressed out individual, having to cater to increasing pressures of a fast paced society and work place. Yet at the same time, she knows that her wellness is crucial especially during her pregnancy if she wants a smooth delivery process and the birth of a healthy happy baby.

This increased awareness has led to the search for alternative approaches in addition to traditional health services. Pregnancy massage therapy is one such alternative approach. It has much therapeutic value as it enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves blood circulation and relieves mental and physical fatigue.

Pregnancy Massage can be prenatal, postnatal or during the labour process, although many refer pregnancy massage to just prenatal and post-natal massage to mean massage that takes place a few days after delivery.

In a prenatal massage, the massage is focused on reducing pregnancy discomforts and aims to enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and foetus. A relaxed mother also helps in the development of a brainy and healthy foetus. Also, the massage helps to strengthen and prepares the muscles that are useful for a natural delivery process.

Many women fear a long delivery process. Yet, many desire one that is as natural as possible and without the use of epidural or any other drugs. During labour, massage techniques exist to help shorten the delivery process while easing pain and anxiety.

Post-natal massage focuses on toning the new mother’s body, reduce fluid retention and and helps the body be brought back to balance and shape. It also helps to rejuvenate and re-energize the new mother and thus enhance her ability to bond with her baby.

The pregnant female should always first consult her doctors if she is suitable for massage or for any other alternative therapies that they wish to try. Her overall objective is to achieve a good mental state and physical health and to have a wonderful birthing experience.

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Through the first five days after birth

If you are a mom who intends to breastfeed her baby, start as soon as practical after the baby is born. Some of this will depend on the hospital’s procedures with newborns; there are hospitals which test a newborn, often returning him to you after several hours time has elapsed; others who deliver via caesarian will have to be in post-op for several hours.

Your milk will not be “in” immediately; typically this takes 3-5 days after birth. But your baby will receive nutritionally superior colostrum, which contains many antibodies and helps him develop a healthy immune system. I suggest you limit your baby’s nursing to 7-8 minutes per side before your milk comes in—you will achieve nothing more than sore, cracked nipples if you let him suck longer than that. This is how long it should take a healthy infant to draw the colostrum out of your breast.

Once your milk comes in, it is important to stimulate each breast during nursing times; 15-20 minutes on each side is sufficient for your child to empty your breast and to stimulate your glands for further milk production. Some babies are more efficient nursers than others; if you have a “rester” or a baby who takes longer than 20 minutes to empty your breast, let him nurse until he’s done.

Through the first five days after birth, maintain a 2.5-3 hour flexible routine. Do understand that a newborn is an incredibly sleepy little creature and you will need to wake him in order to get him the nutrition he needs. You may need to undress him to his diaper or use a cool washcloth to wake him up in order to eat. Full feedings (as opposed to snacking) will give him more of the nutrients he needs and will also encourage deeper and more restful sleep for him; full feedings are hard to achieve if your baby is not awake.

Bottle feeding will also provide the nutrition your baby needs if you choose to do it. Additionally, dads are able to take part in the feeding routines and thus bond more deeply with their babies when bottles are used. The most important thing to consider is the correct-sized hole in the nipple. Too big a hole and your baby will choke, sputter, and throw up. Too small a hole will lead to your baby’s frustration, hunger, and discontentment.

As with breastfed babies, 1.5-3 ounces of formula should be sufficient for your baby at a feeding for the first several weeks of life. If you make a 4 ounce bottle, your baby will generally stop when he’s full. As he grows, you will need to increase the amount of formula he receives; he will tell you if he’s not done when the bottle is empty via continuing to suck and frustration at not getting anything!

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Is Cord Blood Banking Right For You?

Saving your baby's umbilical cord blood allows it to be cryogenically stored, and then available if your child later becomes sick and needs a bone marrow transplant. Umbilical cord blood was discarded until the 1970's, when researchers discovered that umbilical cord blood could save lives under certain circumstances.How do you decide on cord blood banking? Many soon-to-be parents ask this very question. Here are some things to consider when deciding on whether or not to bank your baby's umbilical cord blood.

This type of transplant would be 'autologous' and is different than the more common 'allogenic' transplants that might be done from a sibling or other relative or an unrelated donor. Our own blood is the best choice for a transplant.

Often times, cord blood banking can save a baby's life. But still, there are many other factors to consider. Price seems to be the number one roadblock, with the complete cost being around $3,000. So, you should certainly not feel guilty if you cannot bank your child's cord blood. Should you even consider cord blood banking? That part will be up to you.

However, if you already have a child or family member that has a condition that can be treated with a stem cell transplant (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, aplastic anemia, leukemia, metabolic storage disorders and certain genetic immunodeficiencies), then you defenitely should consider banking your child's umbilical cord blood. However, the average baby without risk factors has a very low chance of ever needing his or her cord blood.

On the other hand, some doctors and researchers support saving umbilical cord blood as a source of blood-forming stem cells in every delivery. This is mainly because of the promise that stem-cell research holds for the future. The majority of people would have little use for stem cells now, but research into the use of stem cells for treatment of disease is ongoing - and the future looks promising.

You may also want to donate your baby's cord blood. This is possible through non-profit cord blood banks that use it for research or to save the life of another child.

Overall, cord blood banking looks to have a promising future. It's defenitely an option you should look into. After you've studied the facts and your family history, you should be able to make a much more informed decision on what's right for you.

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How to Deal With Headaches During Pregnancy

Headaches are one of the more unpleasant “side effects” that come with pregnancy. All women will have some, but most will experience them in the first and last trimesters. In the first three months, this is thought to be primarily due to such factors as increased blood volume, the initial stresses, and hormonal changes. In the final three months, the causes are more likely to be poor posture, which can result in pressure on parts of your body that communicate their discomfort to the brain, and also from the discomforts of carrying extra weight.

Oddly enough, women who experience migraine headaches, may have fewer during a pregnancy, while a small percentage of sufferers will have more. These patients should discuss relief for the migraines with their doctor, as soon as a pregnancy is confirmed, if not beforehand while they are planning to start a family.

The best idea for dealing with headaches during pregnancy, is to avoid the “known” triggers, or those that are most likely responsible. The food preservative MSG, cheeses, spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate, and other elements of our normal diet, are best eliminated while expecting a baby.

A healthy, balanced diet, eaten in several small meals a day if necessary, with plenty of fluids, and lots of rest, is your first line of defense against headaches. Being tired, dehydrated, and unable to eat “normally”, can all work together to start your head pounding.

When you do get a headache, try and identify the cause and deal with it accordingly. If the headache is from your sinuses, a warm compress around your nose and above your eyebrows may relieve some of the pressure. Stress or tension headaches can benefit from cold compresses to the back of the neck. Using these while lying down in a darkened room, will help to alleviate some of the tension that builds up from the pain, and makes the headache worse. Depending on your preferences, some women may also benefit from using aroma therapy and sound therapy techniques at the same time.

While most pregnancy headaches are from “benign” causes, you should call your doctor if they get worse, become more frequent, are debilitating, or are accompanied by swelling of the hands, feet or face.