NATURAL PREGNANCY OVER 40 - HAVING A BABY AFTER 40 Sandy Robertson

DON'T BE PRESSURED INTO A C-SECTION

2021-03-12T07:37:00.005-07:00

Well, this almost happened to me too! Since I was an "older" mom, I was told I would probably need a C-Section because, in the words of one of my doctors, "older women need a stick of dynamite to get their cervix to dilate". So, there I was, on the day of delivery scheduled to have a C-Section, however, I was "allowed" to try the vaginal route first. Guess what? It worked. Yes, I had to push for a while, but I didn't need a C-section. This article talks about a woman who felt like she was bullied by her doctors into having a C-section because they thought the baby was too large. As it turns out, it was actually not an

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overly large baby, but the procedure had already been done.
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from nytimes.com:

Many women identified with Katy Clemens, the mother I interviewed for the article who said she felt “bullied” to have a planned cesarean after doctors inaccurately predicted she was carrying a large baby.

Emily Malstrom said her doctor also pressured her into having a planned C-section after a scan predicted a 10-pound baby. The doctor “told me my baby could die, used every scare tactic out there,” Ms. Malstrom said.

Chandra Dash, a Baltimore mother, whose baby was predicted to weigh 9 pounds, said doctors told her “I would probably kill my baby if I tried a natural birth.”

Alexandra Harper of Northampton, Mass., said her doctor determined the baby would be larger than expected while she was in labor. She recalled being told “they would only give me 30 more minutes to try and push the baby out and then I would have to get a section. They didn’t present it as a choice to me.”

She had a cesarean, and the baby was of average size, she said.

PESTICIDES CAN HARM BABY: ADHD

2021-03-08T07:38:00.006-07:00

Pesticide Exposure In Pregnancy

Here's another reason to avoid pesticide exposure, especially in pregnancy. It could lead to ADHD.

From the article:

Researchers at the University of California Berkeley tested pregnant women for evidence that organophosphate pesticides had actually been absorbed by their bodies, and then followed their children

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as they grew.

Women with more chemical traces of the pesticides in their urine while pregnant had children more likely to have symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, at age 5, the researchers found.

"While results of this study are not conclusive, our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides may affect young children's attention," Amy Marks and colleagues wrote in the study, available on the Environmental Health Perspectives website.
from: canada.com

DO WOMEN PREFER TO HAVE GIRLS?

2021-03-04T06:39:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy - Does Baby's Gender Matter?

I've always been surprised about how some women will keep having babies until they get a girl (assuming

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they can get pregnant just like "that").
I didn't dare say I wanted a girl because I thought it would jinx my chance of getting pregnant or my pregnancy. I would have been elated either way, but deep down, I think I did want a girl. I never had brothers and I just didn't know much about boys or raising them. This article discusses some of the psychology behind the possible gender preference for a girl:

From the article:

But why did I want one so? Why do women such as myself and Mrs Beckham become so desperate we will continue to have children and go to all sorts of extreme lengths, just so we can put the pink balloons out?

For me, it’s partly probably to do with the fact that I have such a close relationship with my mother. I know boys love their mothers. I know my boys adore me, and at the moment, I am their only shining light of womanhood. But one day some other person is going to come along and take my place and then...they will go. Not in their entirety but away they will sail off in to a land of love and possibly paternity and all I will be is mother-of-the-groom and granny-once-removed. When children come along I shall have to bite my tongue and be secondary in the pecking order to the Other Grandmother.

But a girl…oh girls don’t go! Girls are so nice to their mothers. They ring them and talk to them and care and share with them. I adore my mother. We have great fun together. The thought of not experiencing that relationship with a daughter of my own made me desperate for a girl.
www.telegraph.co.uk

PREGNANCY HEARTBURN, DO'S AND DON'TS

2021-03-01T10:00:00.002-07:00

3 Kinds of Heartburn Relief In Pregnancy

By Elizabeth Russel

Pregnancy causes all kinds of hormonal changes in a woman's body. Some of these directly affect digestion and can make being pregnant a less than wonderful physical experience. It is possible to find

heartburn relief in pregnancy though, using some very simple solutions. Here are 3 ways to get relief:
Over the counter medications:

Tums and other medications like them are safe for you and your baby. They are inexpensive and easy to carry around. You might be surprised to know that raw almonds will work just about as fast. You might want to carry them with you also if natural solutions are important to you. After you give birth, your need for medication should disappear. If over the counter medications don't seem to be working, talk with your doctor.
Lifestyle Changes:

Part of what causes heartburn when you're pregnant is acid backing up into your esophagus. Many things, including hormones, can cause the sphincter between your stomach and esophagus to weaken. Smoking and alcohol will both cause this problem; of course you shouldn't drink or smoke when you're pregnant anyway, this is just another reason. Pressure from the growing fetus may also make it more likely that stomach contents will get pushed up into your esophagus. You can relieve this pressure a little by wearing loose clothing, propping up the head of your bed 6 inches or so or sleeping in a chair. Eating several small meals rather than 3 large ones will help keep the volume of stomach contents down. Wait a couple of hours after eating for your stomach to empty before you lie down. Sometimes something as simple as chewing gum after you eat will help keep your food going the right way. Avoid mint, as mint gum and candy can cause your stomach to produce more acid.

Food:

Food can be a blessing or a curse. Certain foods are known to encourage heartburn. Coffee, some teas, tomatoes and tomato sauce, carbonated beverages, beef and acidic fruits are a few of them. But, there are foods that can calm heartburn also. Ripe bananas, almonds and some kinds of honey are used by many people. Certain herbal teas are soothing, but choose carefully since some are not good to use when you're pregnant. Dried papaya can be chewed after a meal to help digest protein. Milk, although used by many people to sooth the esophagus, actually causes your stomach to increase the production of acid. Water is very good to drink and you might think that water would "put out the fire" of heartburn, but drinking water with meals may only serve to increase pressure on the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Try drinking most of your liquids in between meals instead.
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Get lots of free tips about how to get heartburn relief in pregnancy. Visit us at the heartburn remedy center and sign up for the FREE heartburn relief mini course. Elizabeth Russel has been able to prevent her heartburn from recurring by using a proven, natural system.
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MORE REASONS TO AVOID ALCOHOL IN PREGNANCY

2021-02-25T08:49:00.005-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40, Avoid Alcohol

Most of us have heard that drinking in pregnancy should be avoided even in small amounts.

Now there's another reason to avoid even drinking just a little alcohol. It could contribute to your

offspring's alcohol dependency. Read more:

From the article:

Exposure to maternal drinking during early childhood has been associated with difficulties in thinking, learning and memory, as well as mental and behavioral problems. However, few studies have examined the link between drinking during pregnancy and a child's later risk for alcohol dependence and other disorders, according to background information in the article. Animal studies have provided extensive evidence of a link between exposure to alcohol before birth and early acceptance of alcohol. "Similar results replicated in human studies would carry considerable implications for public health intervention," the authors write. "First, such studies would suggest that even small quantities of alcohol exposure, if consumed in a single session, may cause in utero neurodevelopmental changes that in turn may lead to the early onset of alcohol disorder in youth. Second, they would provide support for the role of a biological origin of alcohol disorders."

Rosa Alati, Ph.D., from The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia, and colleagues explored whether maternal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy increased a child's risk of developing alcohol disorders in 2,138 participants who were followed from birth to age 21. A group of 7,223 mothers was originally interviewed at their first prenatal physician visit, between 1981 and 1984 in Brisbane, Australia. The mothers and children were assessed at birth and again 6 months and 5, 14, and 21 years later. Before pregnancy, in early (first 18 weeks) and late (last three months) pregnancy, and when their children were age 5 and 14, the mothers were asked how often they drank alcohol and the number of drinks consumed on any one occasion. Children were evaluated for alcohol disorders at age 21.

Of the 2,555 children who completed an assessment at 21 years, 640 (25 percent) met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol disorder; 333 (13 percent) of those reported developing the disorder before age 18 and 307 (12 percent) between age 18 and 21. In the final analysis, which included 2,138 individuals, those whose mothers drank more than three glasses of alcohol on any one occasion during early pregnancy were 2.47 times as likely to develop an early-onset (before age 18) alcohol disorder and 2.04 times as likely to develop a late-onset (between ages 18 and 21) alcohol disorder. Drinking during other stages of pregnancy, including late pregnancy, also increased risk. These associations remained strong after the researchers considered other biological and environmental factors that may contribute to the risk of developing alcohol disorders.
From:
Drinking during pregnancy linked to offspring's risk of alcohol disorders in early adulthood (www.erekalert.org)

IS VITAMIN E GOOD OR BAD IN PREGNANCY?

2021-02-22T08:03:00.003-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40, Use Vitamin E With Caution

Although I took vitamin E while I was trying to conceive, I only took one prenatal vitamin per day

FENG SHUI FOR BABY'S ROOM

2021-02-19T07:19:00.006-07:00

Here is a good article on how to apply the principles of feng shui to your baby's room:

Baby Room Decoration With Feng Shui

Guest Post By Dr. Kang-Pang Chan

Congratulations! You just have added another new love to your life - your baby.

I'm sure you must have done all your home work and prepared everything you can possibly think of

, such as baby announcements, baby hampers, baby leash, baby names book, baby photos, baby presents, baby shower favors, baby shower invitation wording, baby shower thank you cards... etc

But wait a minute... what about baby room decoration?
You are a strong believer in the power of feng shui because you've heard a lot of good things about it. Even Donald Trumps employs feng shui experts as his consultant, why not make sure the baby room is well decorated with the best feng shui setup as a kind of welcome present to the wonderful newborn?
When it comes to decorating the baby room with appropriate feng shui setup, the first thing that needs to be done right is to put the baby bed in the right position. Since your baby will be sleeping most of the time - at least for now, the bed should be located in front of a solid background such as a wall, rather than being put in the middle of the room with no wall on either side as support. The bed being right next to some kind of support will ensure that the baby will be resting soundly and peacefully - you know how babies are - their energetic pattern is still very dynamic and thus very vulnerable to any influences from the environment.

Any sharp objects are to be as far away from the baby's room as possible. In I-ching philosophy, sharp objects are of the 'fire' element, which also denotes the characteristic of dynamic changes. When sharp objects such as plants with needle-like leaves are placed in the room, the already dynamic-by-nature baby will be even more dynamic; therefore, the parents or babysitters will find it very hard to calm the baby down. Many more techniques to pacify the baby will need to be called upon.
The lighting of the baby room needs to be blended well together - not too dark, nor too light either. Too dark will be too much with the 'yin' energy whereas too light will be with the 'yang' energy. It's not a good idea to be over one way or the other. As baby perceives the outside world via the light pathway a lot, blending the lighting well will ensure much harmonious energy in the room for the newborn, which is of the utmost importance.
Make sure also to neutralize any unusual odors in the baby room, as bad or undesirable odors are of the 'earth' element which when ignited will create unsettled feelings within the baby's digestive system. Many a case of stomach discomfort that leads to extensive crying or even more serious conditions are due to the fact that the digestive system of the baby is under negative influences, be they from the physical or non-physical origins.
In a nutshell, besides decorating the baby room with all the fancy stuffs, make sure to equip the room with good feng shui - your baby will thank you for it! You will function better as a parent too.
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Dr. Kang-pang Chan is a traditional Chinese Feng Shui master of over 26 years of experience. Please visit http://fengshuisecret.com/ and http://chinesefengshuisecrets.com/ for more Feng Shui advice
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ESTROGEN PRODUCED BY UTERUS IN PREGNANCY

2021-02-12T12:14:00.006-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40, The Uterus Produces Estrogen Too

Ovaries produce estrogen, right? Yes, and so does the uterus in pregnancy.

That's news to most of us! This interesting article talks about how the uterus itself helps to support a pregnancy by producing localized estrogen. Read more:

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - For decades, scientists assumed that the ovary alone produced steroid hormones during pregnancy. In a new study in mice, however, researchers demonstrate that once an embryo attaches to the uterine wall, the uterus itself actually synthesizes the estrogen needed to sustain the
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pregnancy.

This is the first time that the uterus has been identified as an endocrine organ, said University of Illinois veterinary biosciences professor Indrani Bagchi, who led the study with doctoral student Amrita Das. Their findings appear this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"It's the local estrogen that's critical in maintaining the growth of blood vessels within the uterus," Das said. After an embryo implants, the researchers found, this locally produced estrogen acts in concert with progesterone secreted from the ovaries to spur the differentiation of uterine stromal cells, a process called decidualization, and promotes the growth of blood vessels that support the development of the embryo.

The researchers discovered that during decidualization, mouse uterine stromal cells increase their expression of P450 aromatase, a key enzyme that acts with other enzymes to convert androgens to estrogen.

Even in pregnant mice that have had their ovaries removed, the production of uterine estrogen is able to support the growth and differentiation of the tissue and blood vessels needed to sustain the pregnancy.
from:

www.brightsurf.com

PREGNANCY FOODS TO EAT AND AVOID

2021-02-09T07:55:00.006-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40, What To Eat In Pregnancy

Here is a great resource list for nutrition during pregnancy.

The excerpts from the fda.gov website give some good suggestions on what to eat during pregnancy

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and some dangers to avoid. Some foods like fish can have toxins like mercury and pregnant women should also be very careful about foodborne micro-organisms. Folic acid is also a must. Read more:

"Why should I take folic acid before I become pregnant?"Taking folic acid before you're pregnant is essential in reducing the risk of birth defects. It's important to absorb folic acid in your blood so that when you do become pregnant, your baby will have a healthy start. Since neural tube defects develop 18 to 30 days after conception - often before you even know you're pregnant - taking folic acid is important both before conception and throughout your pregnancy.

"How can I get folic acid in my diet?"You can get adequate levels of folic acid by eating the following foods:

Leafy, dark green vegetables
Legumes (dried beans and peas)
Citrus fruits and juices
Most berries
Whole grains
Breakfast cereals

Methylmercury Matters Before Pregnancy
Seafood can be an important part of a balanced diet. It's a good source of high-quality protein and other nutrients and it's low in fat. However, some fish contain high levels of methylmercury, which can harm an unborn child's developing nervous system - even before conception.

So if you're thinking about becoming pregnant, you should be aware of these risks and take steps to prevent exposure to methylmercury. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about methylmercury.

Methylmercury can build up in a woman's body before she becomes pregnant.

"What is methylmercury?"It's a metal that can be found in certain fish, including swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark. Eating these fish can be harmful to your unborn baby.

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How serious can foodborne illness be for me?"
Foodborne illness during pregnancy can cause serious health problems, miscarriage, premature delivery, or even death of the mother. Different microorganisms or chemical contaminants can affect the mother and fetus or newborn in a variety of ways.

For example, sometimes foodborne illness can make the mother sick, leaving her exhausted and dehydrated. Other times the symptoms are absent or so mild that the mother doesn't even know that she's been infected, but she's still passing the infection to her unborn child - who may then experience serious effects from the illness.

"How can foodborne illness affect my baby?"
Harmful foodborne microorganisms or some metals in food can cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus. As a result, the infected fetus or newborn can experience a wide range of health problems - or even death. But, read on... this Web site shows you how to protect your baby.
(fda.gov)

LOW BACK PAIN IN PREGNANCY, WHAT YOU CAN DO

2021-02-02T08:02:00.003-07:00

Pregnancy and Lower Back Pain, What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

Guest Post By Hannah Bajor

Back pain and pregnancy, tips on what you can do to make your pregnancy and lower back pain a little

FERTILITY BODYWORK FOR PREGNANCY

easier to deal with.
Normal weight gain in pregnancy is about 35 pounds, but lots of women I have met over my twenty-year midwifery career gained 35 pounds to 70 pounds during pregnancy. The stress of sudden weight gain during the short cycle of pregnancy can cause back pain and pregnancy misery.
Pregnancy posture change:
Pregnancy and lower back pain happens because of pregnancy weight gain and the automatic adjustments your body makes in posture to accommodate the growing womb. This change in posture is called pregnancy lordosis. Upper and lower back pain and pregnancy lordosis go hand in hand because your spine becomes super curved, elongated, and your breast and buttocks stick out pulling and stretching your back muscles.
Pregnancy hormones:
On top of this, back pain and pregnancy go hand in hand because of the higher levels of pregnancy hormones you produce. Pregnancy hormones have a relaxing effect on many of the muscles in your body to accommodate the muscle stretching that is required during pregnancy. Relaxed muscles are not as supportive to the spine and abdominal muscles, therefore many women complain of back pain and pregnancy shoulder stress.
Pregnancy pelvic changes:
The female pelvis is made up of many different bones. When you get towards the end of your pregnancy, a baby cannot fit to a normal-sized woman's pelvis without the pelvis opening and expanding. The pelvis has two major joints; one towards the right and one towards the left of your lower back along with a hinge joint at the very tail end of your spine.
Back pain and pregnancy ligament pulling and stretching is a direct result of your pelvis opening, which will allow your baby's head to engage or enter into the cavity of your pelvis. Pregnancy and lower back pain is also caused by the excess pressure felt deep within your pelvis as your baby sits and waits for labor to commence.
All of these factors taken together, it is not unusual for pregnant women to get backache. So if you get a backache straight away start doing things to prevent your backache from getting worse or getting out of control.
How to help minimize symptoms associated with pregnancy and lower back pain:
I definitely recommend having nice warm bath soaks, putting nice warm compresses on your back, or even better still having back massages to help with your pregnancy and lower back pain.
I would absolutely recommend that every pregnant woman go to see a chiropractor during pregnancy. A lot of traditional obstetrician, gynecologist and midwives are a little afraid of sending the women to a chiropractor because they are just not informed as to what chiropractors actually do. A chiropractor can help your spine accommodate easier to all the posture changes that happens during your pregnancy and relieve pain associated to pulled and stressed muscles associated to pregnancy and lower back pain
Apart from that, let us look at what things can you do to your own body to help minimize back pain and pregnancy. Wearing a good supporting bra during your pregnancy will support the increased breast weight and uplift your breasts so they do not feel so heavy. This will alleviate a lot of the upper back stress associated with pregnancy and lower back pain.
There are also a lot of pregnancy stomach binders that have been created to help support the weight of your growing womb which can help relieve back pain and pregnancy ligament discomfort.
Many women are focused on fashionable shoes and wear ridiculous footwear during pregnancies that do not support their posture and feet. I cannot believe how many pregnant women out there are wearing ridiculously high shoes or low shoes. Remember, as you become more and more pregnant all the bones and muscles within your feet are stressed.
Take a good look at the shoes you are wearing during your pregnancy and ask yourself these questions to evaluate the importance of your feet:
Do your shoes have a good supportive arch in them?
Are your shoes nice and wide to accommodate the increasing growth and widening of my foot associated to extra blood volume and swelling that occurs during pregnancy?
Can your foot easily slip out of your shoe? If so you could trip and fall and injure yourself or your baby.
The more informed you are about pregnancy the better choices you will make. Better choices mean a happier healthier mom and baby. Pregnancy can be an extraordinary experience for a woman. It is far more than growing a baby and understanding pregnancy and lower back pain.
Pregnancy has a huge emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic side to it. The more you understand these aspects, the easier and less symptomatic your pregnancy will be. Learning how to connect with the emotions of your unborn child will allow you to enhance your pregnancy experience and surrender to its normal physiological process of pregnancy and lower back pain.
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Midwife Hannah Bajor C.N.M., M.S.N. is founder, CEO and Visionary behind the Lumalove® brand of getting pregnant, pregnancy, infertility and miscarriage educational support products and services.
Hannah says "knowing my life's purpose gives one a hug advantage". Her 30 years midwifery experience along with her personal journey through ten years of infertility, having personally experienced a 16 week miscarriage and a near death experience delivering her second child has lit a fire in her soul that NO ONE can put out and that is to "change childbirth education as we know it".
Lumalove LLC helps couples globally access new and dynamic prenatal education and in doing so lays the foundational blueprints for a happier, healthier pregnancy outcome and gives their unborn child the opportunity of unlimited potential.
Take advantage of her FREE offer and experience her ability to help you connect deeper with your growing baby. To get your FREE pregnancy guided visualization mp3 then click on [http://www.LumalovePregnancyWeekByWeek.com]
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OVER 40 PREGNANCY NOT TOO OLD!

2021-01-27T13:49:00.002-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40 and Motherhood Over 40, You're Not Too Old

It seems everyone has an opinion about whether or not women are too old to have a baby. People talk

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about being over 40, over 50 and so on.

Many women over 40 get pregnant by surprise, and some go through IVF or other fertility treatments. Either way, age has absolutely nothing to do with your ability to parent and it will probably make you a better mother. People always seem to use age as a reason why "you won't be around to see your children grow up". However, statistically speaking, women who have their first child over the age of 40 are four times more likely to live to be 100! I guess that argument doesn't hold up. Read more about older motherhood and its challenges:

Breaking the Age Barrier

"What is immediately apparent," says Duxbury, "is that most of us didn't choose to be older parents. We didn't sit down at 20 and say, 'Oh, I guess I'll have a baby when I am 40.' Life led us down that road." Many older parents come to parenthood with a legacy of loss; they've had miscarriages and stillbirths and other disappointments, she says. They may not have found love until late in life. "As older moms, we never take parenting for granted," says Duxbury. "We look at our children as blessings that arrived after long and often arduous journeys."
from: webmd

INFANT MASSAGE AND ITS BENEFITS

2021-01-25T07:11:00.003-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40, Motherhood and Infant Massage

I'm sorry I never knew or learned about infant massage.
Although my daughter was an easy baby who was quite content most of the time, she probably could have benefited from a massage when she was fussy.

Here is an article which gives some pointers on infant massage:

"The best time to massage your baby is at bath time or bedtime – massaged babies fall asleep right
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away, so it’s better not to massage immediately after a feeding or when a baby is hungry.

Choose a room that is warm and draft-free where you can sit on the floor or a bed with the baby in front of you on a padded pillow or blanket.

Take a few deep breaths to relax before you begin. Stretch and shake the tension from your body.

Make sure your hands are clean and warm, remove jewelry and be sure to rub in a way that your nails don’t scratch the baby’s skin.

Use some cold-pressed, natural oil – such as coconut or canola oil – [Rick: I prefer Jojoba Oil] to prevent friction and to allow for deeper stroking. Refrain from using mineral oil, which clogs the pores, and nut oils, in case of allergies. Choosing something unscented lets your baby bond with your scent first. Keep your hands well-oiled throughout.

Begin with the legs and feet using slow, gentle strokes. Babies are delicate, but too light a touch can be ticklish and aggravating, advises Karen Wright, a certified infant massage instructor. If your baby splays her fingers or toes, or avoids your gaze and looks away, she’s telling you that she’s stressed or that you’re using too much pressure, Wright says. If your baby clenches her fists in front of her chest, don’t try to pull her arms apart. This is a stance that the baby isn’t ready to be touched there. Some infants are extremely sensitive and can’t deal with a lot of touching at first. Maintain eye contact and observe your baby’s body language.

Massage your baby for about 15 minutes, stroking both sides of his body symmetrically. Think of the massage as a gentle, warm communication. Go slowly at the beginning so your baby can get used to the new sensations gradually.

Stop if your baby cries. You cannot force a baby to relax. Try again when the baby is more receptive.
“There are no mistakes in terms of technique,” says Wright. “Follow your baby’s cues. Massage is supposed to be enjoyable for both of you.”
from mothersintuitionmassage.com

PREVENTING PREGNANCY STRETCH MARKS

2021-01-22T20:01:00.003-07:00

Stretch Marks: Prevention and Treatment During Pregnancy

Guest Post By James Brann, MD

More than half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks during their pregnancy. Otherwise known as striae gravidarum, stretch marks look like streaks on the surface of the skin, and may be vary in color depending on your natural skin color. Most lighter skinned women develop pinkish stretch marks, whereas darker skinned women tend to have stretch marks that are lighter than the surrounding skin.
Most women develop stretch marks on their abdomen during pregnancy, however it is also common to

get stretch marks on the buttocks, hips, breasts and thighs. In some cases up to 90 percent of women have stretch marks on some part of their body as a result of pregnancy.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks form when your skin is stretched rapidly as happens during pregnancy. Most women develop stretch marks during the later trimesters of pregnancy though some women start to develop them as soon as their bellies start growing.
Stretch marks are actually small tears that form in the tissue that supports the skin and helps it stretch. Stretch marks represent the tearing or separation of collagen from the skin when tearing occurs. Stretch marks are not harmful or painful and usually fade over time.

Who Gets Stretch Marks?
Many women believe that using lotions and creams help prevent stretch marks. Realistically speaking however, the number of stretch marks you get depends on how elastic your skin is. The elasticity of your skin usually relates to your genetic make up. The best thing you can do is find out if your mother got bad stretch marks during pregnancy. If she did, you are probably more prone to stretch marks than other women.
Keep in mind the more weight you gain during pregnancy the more likely you are to have stretch marks. Normally the skin is elastic and capable of stretching quite a bit, however for some women the changes that occur during pregnancy are very drastic. These rapid fluctuations of weight and skin stretching can result in stretch marks.
Women with multiples are more likely to get stretch marks because their bellies usually grow much larger than women with single pregnancies. Other women likely to develop stretch marks include women who gain a lot of weight quickly during their pregnancy and women who carry big babies.
Here are some other factors that may contribute to your susceptibility to stretch marks:
*    If you developed stretch marks before (like on your breasts during puberty) you are more likely to get stretch marks while pregnant.
*    If you had stretch marks during another pregnancy you will usually get them again.
*    If you are overweight or gain more weight than recommended you are more likely to get stretch marks.
*    The better hydrated and well nourished you are the less likely you are to develop serious stretch marks.
Stretch Mark Prevention
Most women believe that they can prevent stretch marks by using creams and lotions. There are many formulations on the market today that claim to help prevent stretch marks. Some of these may help moisturize your skin and reduce itching. They may help reduce some stretch marks however there are no scientific studies that support this.
You probably know at least one parent however that swears by cocoa butter or some other formulation to prevent stretch marks. If nothing else rubbing these creams into your belly provides your unborn baby with a light and comforting massage. They may also give you peace of mind knowing you did everything possible to prevent stretch marks.
The best thing you can do to minimize stretch marks aside from using any creams or moisturizers you select is gaining the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy. Doctors recommend most women gain between 25 and 34 pounds. Gaining much more than this can cause you to develop more stretch marks.
Removing Stretch Marks
Most women worry about stretch marks after they have their baby. Fortunately most stretch marks do fade with time. Usually after 12 moths postpartum most stretch marks are light and less noticeable. Their texture may remain different from the surrounding skin however. Many women notice their stretch marks fading into whitish lines that are minimally noticeable.
Some women have very severe stretch marks that impact their self esteem after pregnancy. There are many treatments available for women that want to improve the appearance of their stretch marks.
If your stretch marks are particularly bad, you may consult with your doctor or a dermatologist. Some topical treatments such as tretinoin cream can help reduce stretch marks. These creams must be used after pregnancy however, because they can cause defects in your unborn baby.
Most of the topical treatments available should be used shortly after delivery, before they start to fade. The more time that passes between the delivery and use of cream, the less likely they are to be effective.
If you are breastfeeding it is important you consult with your doctor before using any stretch mark treatments. Some treatments may impact your milk supply or pass through the breast milk to your baby.
Most of the creams available to reduce stretch marks do not help relieve the sagging skin that also accompanies childbirth. There are some newer treatments including laser treatments however that may improve the skins elasticity and help reduce stretch marks. Some women also consider plastic surgery after they are done having children. A tummy tuck can help hide some stretch marks and reduce sagging skin.
Most women are able to joyfully overlook stretch marks when they consider the miracle of life they bring into the world. For the most the small annoyance even the worst stretch marks bring are well worth the joys of bringing a newborn baby into the world. Do what you can during pregnancy to maintain an appropriate weight and try not to worry too much about stretch marks. Many women wear them with pride, a 'war wound' or "badge of honor" related to their pregnancy. Why not wear them with pride?
At Women's Healthcare Topics website you will find valuable and up-to-date information on numerous topics related to women's health including Signs of Pregnancy, Chlamydia, Hysterectomy, Early Pregnancy Symptoms and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Brann,_MD
http://EzineArticles.com/?Stretch-Marks:-Prevention-and-Treatment-During-Pregnancy&id=69914

HOW PREGNANCY IS VIEWED BETWEEN THE FERTILE AND INFERTILE

2021-01-21T20:16:00.002-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40 vs. Pregnancy In Your 20's

I teach at my local community college and my students' ages range from 16 to well over 50 (and even 60!)
But last summer I had something interesting come up. One of my younger students missed a few classes and emailed me that she was pregnant and very upset. She told me that she was going to try to pull herself together enough to start attending class and she had made a decision that she was going to keep the baby. I was really take off-guard.

I dealt with infertility for so many years that I forgot that the vast majority of women (especially younger

women) spend most of their reproductive years trying to avoid pregnancy. Statistically speaking, half of all pregnancies are unplanned (that includes older women too!) I'm sure many of those pregnancies are met with panic, sadness and even termination. I think those of us who've stuggled with infertility and miscarriage have a hard time understanding the plight of those fertile women who get pregnant by accident.

For me, I try to remember what it would have been like to get pregnant while I was in college. That really would have been a crisis. The last thing I wanted back then was a baby! I had such a distorted view of family and parenting. It truly was a blessing that I didn't get pregnant until I was in my 40's. I had plenty of time to get my priorities straight and plenty of time to confront my less-than-perfect childhood. Oh what a difference 20 years can make! I think back to the clueless and sometimes misguided young woman I was in high school and college. In retrospect, I'm glad I had every one of those 20 years to get my act together. Maybe my daughter waited on purpose to come down and start her life with us. Perhaps she had the wisdom I didn't.

NURSING GOOD FOR MOM AND BABY

2021-01-18T08:13:00.004-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40 and Nursing

I was surprised when I read the following article because it mentions that some women have actually been taught to believe that infant formula is better than breastmilk.
Also there are many misconceptions about breastfeeding (for instance that smaller breasts can't produce enough milk). Hopefully this article will help to set the record straight - breastfeeding is good for babies and moms. Read more:

BIRTH TRAUMA SOURCES AND SOLUTIONS

2021-01-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

Vibrant Birth - Vibrant Life: The Origins of Trauma At Birth

Guest Post By Graeme Dinnenand, Phylipa Dinnen

It is generally understood that the birth process can be difficult and traumatic for the baby. Here we will go into more detail about the different patterns which, if left unhealed, become our normal, distorted, behaviour as we grow up.
From the time we are conceived we are carrying a genetic inheritance of the distorted ancestral patterns of the father and the mother. Each generation has an opportunity to transform these patterns, but only if they are aware. Most people are not alert to this possibility and believe these patterns simply to be a part of their nature. In Human Design terms, genetically, the heavy influence of Mars carries an energy

from the father that needs to be transformed. It is only through this transformation that we can live out who we really are, following our inner truth.
Each one of us has come with work to do in this lifetime, but unless we find a level of awareness, growth and healing while we are here, we may depart without any knowledge of transformation and our true potential. Every cell in the body vibrates at a frequency and if we can raise the frequency of our cells then we can come into resonance with the planet and our purpose here. Although we are each born with a particular genetic pattern there are always possibilities for raising the frequency of that pattern so we live it out correctly instead of living a life of struggle when we are not in harmony. When we are living our true genetic role we find it is what we are here to do, what we are passionate about, what interests us most; and by doing our own work, we are raising the overall frequency of the planet.

Some significant patterns that we carry are just who we believe ourselves to be. These need to be transformed before we can truly be correct and self-realised.
1. Mother's need?

Ideally, all babies should be invited by both parents. When one parent is not fulfilled by the partnership one solution is to fill the gap with a baby to love. This is never an answer and places a huge burden on the baby that is essentially conceived and born to help repair the parent's relationship. Any child with this pattern will always seek the security of a solid foundation in their life. This could take the form of marrying someone who needs someone to love and also offers a very solid foundation.
2. Not recognised?

About 70% of births start as twin births. The mother subconsciously identifies with one particular foetus even if two tiny foetuses are present. If one of the developing foetuses leaves and the mother has already bonded with that one, the remaining foetus will feel unnoticed. There are two dynamics going on here for the surviving baby; the first one is that it suddenly feels lonely, bereft and unrecognised because of the mother bonding with the other, departed twin. The second is that the surviving twin becomes intensely resentful of the departed twin for taking nourishment that the surviving twin needed.
When the child is born, it will project that resentment onto an older or younger sibling. The mother may be surprised to find that it's not the child that she was subconsciously expecting. The baby will feel the lack of recognition that it felt throughout the pregnancy; this pattern will recapitulate with a parent, sibling or partner. If that parent, sibling or partner dies, then it is just projected onto another. There is always someone else who is taking from them - and can't give back (often financially). The truth is that although resources were limited in the womb, they do not have to be limited in the real world.
3. Wanted or Not?

Although many people "find they are pregnant", an unplanned or accidental birth is not a healthy way to conceive a child. A baby needs to be planned and consciously wanted by both parents to come into the correct, nurturing environment. Even if the parents are delighted to find there is a baby on the way, it does not dispel that disconnection of the unaware parents during those first few weeks. Children born with this pattern are often at a friend's house, staying the night, bonding with those parents. They try not to be too demanding and do everything for themselves because they think they have to. It's a survival mechanism for them. They may be children who are put into daycare before nursery school, so that the parents can both work. In later relationships they are never sure of the solidity of the partnership and need constant affirmation of their value to the partner.
4. Lost twin?

Another twin dynamic, although this is one where the two foetuses bond with each other. One twin departs and the other has lost the potential 'best friend'. Once born, this surviving twin bonds with a sibling, a parent, a friend at school, anyone who it perceives it can have the kind of close relationship that it had with its lost twin. They will marry their best friend only to find that the relationship is suffocating for the other, or if they both have the same wound, suffocating for both. They may also see that there is no bond; that initial recognition was just a phase because that other person also had a twin wound. There is always a double bind in a twin dynamic. There is nothing we can do to heal a double bind, but be informed and once aware of the pattern, wait for the miracle, which always appears.
5. Delusion

The true betrayal of the delusion and disconnect patterns is that they are imposed through external intervention. If a couple conceive after a heavy bout of drinking or taking drugs then the "drug affect" becomes imprinted in the baby and often recapitulates at birth by interventions such as C-sections and chemical pain management. It is this wound where the "false memories" issue originates. We remember in the cells of the body what may have happened in the past to our ancestors. We have inherited the pattern and it is our job in this lifetime to heal it rather than find someone to blame for it. Children with this pattern will grow up feeling blamed because they appear to be delusional, through the lack of clarity in the brain. They feel fuzzy headed until they can clear the toxins in the fourth ventricle of the brain (filled with cerebrospinal fluid) where the impact of the drug remains. They can be addicted to alcohol, drugs or other chemical substances until they discover where the pattern originated and can start to work on healing. Cranio-sacral work can help to release the toxicity in the fourth ventricle. Forgiveness for those who have blamed is a key to healing this pattern.
6. Disconnect

Forceps and Caesarian Sections (which also have the chemical aspect) have become very common methods of delivering a baby whether it is necessary or not. Any rough handling by someone pulling a baby out of the womb by its head in a slightly too heavy handed manner can cause immense damage. The tiny skull is still very fragile and both these methods should only be used in a life or death emergency. Male doctors decided to make child birth a medical procedure and initially they secretly used forceps and other tools to "assist" the birth. The resultant pain to the baby is almost impossible to bear, and the baby disconnects from the body in order to survive. So the baby continues to spend the rest of its life in "disconnect" because it cannot be grounded and centred in its body. These are the people who seem to be "on another planet" or "away with the fairies" and drift through life; and they have bouts of intense anger. Nothing can possibly work for them when they are not grounded and centred in the body. We are here to be body oriented people, yet for those who have had a forceps birth, the body is perceived as a dangerous place to be. It continues to invite abuse simply through the aura. There is also a sense of wanting to go home, not being afraid of death, possibly even having had a sense of "the divine" at that moment of disconnect. These people need a great deal of body work and realignment of the cranium to succeed with their lives.
This is just a brief look at what the distortions are. A baby is only in the present moment and believes what happens at the moment of birth is "forever", until someone informs them otherwise when they are able to rationalise. There are much more detailed healing procedures, but to start with we need to identify the patterns.
If a parent can speak to the baby, apologise for what happened, and explain the circumstances "you may not have survived if we had performed this intervention... ", then the emotional trauma around the event can be released.
It is never too late - you can apologise to your 40-year old children about what happened at their birth. It could transform their life.
Author Phylipa Dinnen is a mother of four children a Human Design Professional and a Practitioner of Pre and Peri-Natal Birth Trauma. Together with her husband Graeme they run Resources For Life a natural health business in Chichester, West Sussex.
For more information http://www.resourcesforlife.nethttp://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graeme_Dinnen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Vibrant-Birth---Vibrant-Life:-The-Origins-of-Trauma-At-Birth&id=7298033

BREASTFEEDING MAY IMPROVE SIGHT IN BABY

2021-01-07T06:24:00.003-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40: Benefits Of Nursing

I've heard about the many benefits of breastfeeding.

The benefits include increased intelligence, weight control, bonding with mom and the list goes on.

See Sandy Robertson's Fertility and Pregnancy Shop

But here's a new one: breastfed babies may have better sight.
Read More:

" The researchers, from the Institute of Child Health in London, studied 262 children aged between four and six. Of these, 78 had previously been breast-fed and 184 had been given formula milk.

Some of the babies drinking bottled milk were given a type fortified with two types of fatty acids, DHA and AA.

Some scientists believe DHA, a type of omega 3 fatty acid, is behind breast milk's ability to improve children's sight.

When they were tested, the breast-fed children were significantly more likely to have better vision. Lead researcher Dr Atul Singhal said: "Our study adds to the growing evidence that breast-feeding has long-term benefits for visual development."

from:
from: mailonline

BACK PAIN IN PREGNANCY, POSTURE

2021-01-06T08:20:00.004-07:00

Pregnancy, Back Pain and Posture

I guess I was a bit odd, because I didn't have much back pain in pregnancy when previously I did. I believe some of my back pain was caused by hormonal fluctuations associated with my period (so when I was pregnant, I no longer had the fluctuating hormones).
]
One doctor described it at referred pain. However, this article explains why women have back pain and some ways to deal with it. Read more:

During antenatal care, it is essential that pregnancy care providers and perinatal educators identify women who may be at risk for long-term back pain. Consequently, special attention can be focused on the back during labour and delivery and, again, at postnatal visits so that these women can be properly assessed and correct treatment organised. The need for improved assessment of pain as part of postnatal care has recently been described in an earlier issue of this journal (Stainton, Edwards, Jones, & Switonski, 1999).

Assessment of posture, history, and exercise pattern—particularly during the early stages of pregnancy—is an important feature in preventing a pregnant woman's experience with back pain/discomfort (Waddell & Turk, 1992). Much more focus is spent on ultrasound and other investigations that address the front of a woman's body during pregnancy compared to the lack of attention and technology for investigating the back of her body
from:

FISH OILS CAN BENEFIT PREGNANCY AND BABY

2021-01-04T12:21:00.003-07:00

Fish Oil for Pregnancy: The Benefits for Baby and Mother

Guest Post By James Diede

Every expecting mother knows there are certain nutrients she needs to include in her diet for the health of her developing baby. Among nutrients such as folic acid, vitamins, and calcium that the mother and baby needs, there is one called omega-3. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is essential for brain and eye development, and also has many different health benefits. While most doctors will make it a point to recommend the daily intake of prenatal vitamins, they often don't mention omega-3 supplements even though most American diets are deficient in this essential fatty acid.
What can fish oil do for pregnancy? Fish oil supplements are concentrated doses of omega-3 and are made from fish that are high in this essential nutrient. Pregnant women are often told to eat 2 servings of fish a week; they are recommended against eating more than that because of the risk of mercury. There are many other toxins that pregnant women should be wary of, especially in fish, and fish oil supplements are a great way to get the benefits of eating fish without the risks of ingesting the contaminants within them.

However, not all omega-3 supplements are safe; you should only use fish oil supplements that have gone through molecular distillation. This process purifies the fish oil by separating out the toxins and contaminants, and it also makes the supplement less likely to go rancid.
How Baby Benefits from Fish Oil During Pregnancy
Throughout a pregnancy, the unborn baby gets sustenance from its mother, either through the foods that the mother eats or from her body itself. The baby absolutely needs omega-3 for the development of its brain and nervous system, so if the mother isn't getting an adequate amount in her diet, the mother's own supply of this essential fatty acid will be depleted. However, studies have shown that if the

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mother has a high amount of omega-3 during pregnancy, the baby will have a longer attention span and thus better learning skills. Visual learning skills were also shown to be better in the babies that were studied. Both of these traits can lead to the babies having higher IQ's, something every mother wants for her baby.
Many developmental disorders can be fought against by using omega-3 supplements in the form of fish oil capsules. Another thing that has an adverse effect on a baby's health is premature birth, and using fish oil for pregnancy can actually help in preventing that. Among women who had previously given birth prematurely, "the rate of preterm delivery was decreased to 21% in women supplemented with fish oil", one study found. One can even surmise that the high rate of premature births in the US coincides with the average American diet that's poor in omega-3.
Why Women Should Use Fish Oil for Pregnancy
Many pregnant women have heard the term "preggo-brain" and have attributed it to hormone increases, but it may actually be caused by lower levels of omega-3. After all, if a women isn't eating enough omega-3 then the baby takes it from the mother's own supply. The mother needs her omega-3 for brain function, which is essential in the regulation of mood, memory recall and learning. By taking a fish oil supplement, pregnant women can guarantee that their supply of omega-3 is replenished and that the baby will get enough omega-3 as well.
These fatty acids aren't only good for the brain, but for the heart as well. They lower blood pressure, decreasing the risk of preeclampsia. They also improve blood flow and can decrease inflammation. Omega-3 may also be used to prevent postpartum depression.
Fish Oil and Breastfeeding for Smarter Babies
Omega-3 are also important after pregnancy if a mother is breastfeeding, as it is passed along to the baby. The amount that gets passed to baby is in relation to the mother's diet so the more omega-3 she eats, the more the baby gets. This helps the child become smarter and, with the other benefits of breast milk, healthier too.
When breastfeeding a premature baby, omega-3 is even more significant. There was a six-year study conducted that had nursing women taking fish oil capsules for their pre-term babies. It showed about 50% fewer of these babies had delayed mental development compared to other babies that had a diet low in omega-3.
There is no doubt that this fatty acid is essential to the health of both mother and baby. It can probably be said that one of the most important things a mother can do to ensure a bright future for her child is to add omega-3 to both their diets. An easy and safe way to do that is through fish oil supplements.
James is a lifelong believer in the power of omega-3 for better health. He shares his research and personal knowledge of omega-3 and fish oil for pregnancy [http://omega3betterhealth.com/] on his website. There, you can see which fish oil supplement he uses and recommends.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/James_Diede/1072120
http://EzineArticles.com/?Fish-Oil-for-Pregnancy:-The-Benefits-for-Baby-and-Mother&id=6311670

PRE-BIRTH EXPERIENCES

2021-01-01T07:08:00.006-07:00

Studies on Awareness Prior to Being Born - The Pre-Birth Experience

Guest Post By Gopalakrishnan Tiruvan Chandrasekaran

Studies have been conducted on pre-birth experience (PBE), the one in which the person has clear memories of awareness before birth. In most cases of the PBEs, details of those memories can be verified through those who were there around the time of birth, usually the mother as the main person. This article brings out some of the salient features of PBEs based on information from three studies.
It is rather obvious that awareness (the primary aspect of consciousness) exists after life ends. This has been demonstrated time and again by near death experiences (NDE) when the consciousness leaves the body and is able to perceive worldly occurrences without the help of the five senses. The question of whether consciousness functions the same way before the birth of a person can be a very absorbing one for those who see meaning in the reincarnation paradigm. The writer has come across three probing studies in this connection. Here a brief attempt is made to share the related findings. For further details, the reader is referred to the three books associated with the studies, all available on Amazon.com.
Study 1: Psychologist Dr. Helen Wambach wrote a book entitled 'Life Before Life' in 1979. It explores the fascinating answers to probing questions asked of 750 subjects under hypnosis about life before birth. Wambach says that 90 % of her subjects flash on images from their past lives. She adds that, "I am convinced that the time has come to study rigorously the plausibility of reincarnation." Three of her questions to her subjects under hypnosis and the answers are the following:
Question 1: Did you choose to be born?
81 % of her subjects said that they did choose to be born and that it was their choice to make. However, only 28 % felt enthusiastic about being alive again; they felt that they had planned carefully and were ready to begin.
Question 2: Why did you choose the 20th Century?
About 59 % gave relevant answers to this question. Their response contained many different reasons for the choice. Some felt that their choosing the specific time period was to have contact with particular people who chose the same period. One answer was, "I came in this time period to correct past errors and to work out my guilt about certain relationships."
Question 3: Why are we here on earth?
Not all of the subjects were clear about this item but quite a few came up with interesting answers. Some of these people said that there is so much to learn on this planet, especially in terms of relationship, love and humility, and that there are many experiences, good and bad, to go through. Others mentioned about learning that can help in going beyond fear and loneliness. Some indicated the need to be with people to make up for the hurt they had caused in former lives.

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The above samples represent a very small part of Wambach's research. Her book contains a great deal more of fascinating information on pre-birth memories.
Study 2: This work is also related to consciousness prior to birth but is not through regression, hypnosis or drugs. Elizabeth and Neil Carman compiled a book on PBEs through interviewees recalling their pre-birth existence while they were completely sober and awake. The title of the book is 'Cosmic Cradle, Spiritual Dimensions of Life before Birth'. A report on the book says that it transports us beyond the conventional materialistic idea that heredity and social environment explain human life. In contrast, our life's drama is planned long before birth.
Where was your soul before you were born? If your soul is immortal, did it have a "life" prior to birth? Did you choose your life and parents? Is reincarnation real? Elizabeth and Neil Carman address these questions through interviews with adults and children. They also state that Buddha pointed out four modes of human birth:
1. To enter the mother's womb fully conscious, stay in the womb with full awareness, and experience birth consciously. Enlightened masters report these memories.
2. To enter the mother's womb fully conscious, stay in the womb with full awareness, but lose awareness during birth.
3. To enter the mother's womb fully conscious, but lose awareness in the womb and throughout birth.
4. To enter the mother's womb unconsciously and remain unconscious throughout womb-time and birth. This heavily veiled memory is more typical of most human births.
The above rendering by Buddha clearly points to the fact that pre-birth awareness is a fact.
Study 3: This study by PMH Atwater, primarily on near death experiences, touches on PBEs also. The title of her book is 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Near Death Experiences'. She says that one-third of the 277 child experiencers in her research base had clear, coherent memories of happenings before they were born. A particularly interesting study is the one given below.
Two weeks before the birth of Carroll Gray of Atlanta, Georgia, the doctor informed her mother that there was no heart beat and the baby was dead. Her father, eagerly expecting a son, was severely disappointed at this. He accused Carroll's mother of having killed his son; threw her from her bed resulting in her uterus being ruptured. The mother was rushed to the hospital and a dead baby was delivered. But, like a miracle, the child began to breath! What was even more astonishing was the fact that, after two and half years, Carroll spoke out the very words her father said at the time of throwing his wife off the bed. Obviously, everyone was dumbfounded as the family had never discussed that unfortunate incident among themselves. Further, Carroll also recalled the difficulties she came through as a newborn baby because of the unusual conditions of her birth.
Atwater says that stories with the accuracy of Carroll's are so numerous, they challenge the notion that unborn babies are oblivious to anything outside their mother's womb.
In Conclusion: For people who are interested in understanding the long journey of life across many incarnate and discarnate periods, the above studies can be invaluable as their areas of spiritual exploration. Those studies expand our perspectives on life and the afterlife. Our day-to-day life guided by such far-reaching insights can have a depth and meaning that the conventional belief systems can never bring about. Related matters are covered in the website http://spirituality.yolasite.com
_________________
Gopalakrishnan TC was born in Madras (now Chennai), India, in 1941. He received his doctoral degree in Coastal Engineering from the North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA in 1978; served on the research and teaching faculty of the Indian and US universities; is a member of the International Association for Near Death Studies, Durham, NC, USA. Blog: http://nde-thedeeperself.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Gopalakrishnan_Tiruvan_Chandrasekaran/1350144
http://EzineArticles.com/?Studies-on-Awareness-Prior-to-Being-Born---The-Pre-Birth-Experience&id=7749047

CHINESE GENDER PREDICTION CHART

2020-12-29T08:55:00.003-07:00

Chinese Gender Prediction

Guest Post By Thord Hall

Reportedly, the original Chinese gender calendar was interred in a royal tomb somewhere near Beijing about 700 to 900 years ago. It was there that it was found by a Chinese scientist who created the Chinese gender prediction chart.
Although you should definitely realize that this chart should be used for entertainment only, it is also alleged that the Chinese gender prediction chart is between 90% and 99% accurate when used properly.
The prediction chart is meant to be used in conjunction with the Chinese Lunar Calendar. So, it is important that when you calculate the mothers age at conception that you do so using the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
An important factor when calculating your Chinese lunar age is to realize that the Chinese consider the time spent in the womb as part of their age. Therefore, the time spent in the womb must be added to your age to get correct results when using the Chinese gender prediction chart. The time spent in the womb varies but is usually somewhere around nine months. The Chinese will average this time and call it one year. Consequently, by Chinese standards, you are already one year old at birth. Adding one year to your age will work for most people when using the Chinese gender prediction chart.

However, unlike the western new year, the beginning of the Chinese new year varies and can begin anywhere between January 22nd and February 22nd.
Let's use 1970, year of the Dog, as an example. In that year the Chinese New Year began on February 6th. If you were born after that date you would have been born in the year of the Dog and in 1970. Adversely, if you were born anytime between January 1st and February 6th you would be considered born, by Chinese standards, in the previous year of the Chicken or numerically 1969.
So, to calculate your Chinese age in 2010 simply subtract the year you were born from 2010 and add 1. If you were born before the Chinese New Year date, use the previous numerical year and still add 1. The following calculations are for someone born in the year 1970.
Chinese age if born after February 6, 1970

2010 - 1970 + 1 = 41 years old
Chinese age if born between January 1, 1970 and February 6, 1970

2010 - 1969 + 1 = 42 years old
Of course, each year of the Chinese Lunar calendar has a different New Year's Day. Visit the Chinese Gender Prediction [http://chinesegenderprediction.org/] site to review the chart and see a list of Chinese New Year's dates from 1950 through 2015.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thord_Hall
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Gender-Prediction&id=4791427

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PREGNANCY OVER 40 IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN

2020-12-28T09:48:00.005-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40, It's Good For Your Brain!

I have often thought I'm mentally quicker now than I was when I was younger. Well, there may be a

You Can Get Pregnant Over 40 Natually and Overcoming Miscarriage

good reason. Having babies may sharpen your mind. I know for me, as I get older, I worry about whether or not I'm going to have some sort of dementia.

Some of my older relatives have gotten dementia and there are some cases which are hereditary. However, there are a number of factors within our control. Having babies may be one of them!

From the article:

"Women with small children have long been saddled with an unflattering stereotype -- incompetent, dull-witted, frazzled, and preoccupied with domestic affairs. The derogatory cliches vary, from ''maternal amnesia" in medical circles, to the colloquial ''placenta brain" in the United States and ''porridge brain" in Great Britain. But a new body of research -- so far still mostly in animals -- is fueling the idea that motherhood may actually rewire the brain, making mothers (and involved fathers) more perceptive, competitive, efficient, and even socially aware. And sociological studies suggest that most of the symptoms of ''mommy brain" may be due as much to exhaustion and stress as biology.

Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | Breaking News Alerts Comparing the brain of a non-mother to that of a mother is ''like comparing a tree in the winter to one in full bloom in the spring, when it is much fuller and richer," said University of Richmond neuroscientist Craig Kinsley, a leading researcher in the field.

The transforming experiences of pregnancy, labor, and caring for small children ''enables the brain to process information much differently than it did before," he said.

Kinsley and other researchers have found that beginning a few weeks after giving birth, a female rat's cognitive abilities -- particularly smell and visual perception -- start to expand. Rats nursing a litter of pups discover and catch prey three times as quickly as virgin rats, he said.

Kinsley's analysis of brain tissue from rats in late pregnancy showed that neural pathways in the hippocampus, the center of learning and memory, were essentially ''remapped."

The changes, Kinsley and others said, probably come partly from the experience of pregnancy and labor, when elevated levels of estrogen, cortisol, and other hormones literally bathe the brain. The presence of pups and the demands of caring for them also contributes to brain changes in mother rats -- even caretaker rats who have never been pregnant. In repeated studies, mother rats with pups have proven to be bolder and quicker at finding hidden food.

''We believe the pups are having an effect on the mother, enhancing her efficiency," Kinsley said. ''The pups have a paw in their own survival. The mom isn't a passive caregiver. Rather, absorbing sensory information from the pups has an influence on her brain."

The phenomenon hasn't yet been studied in women, but the rodent studies have important implications for humans, said Kelly Lambert, chair of the psychology department at Randolph Macon College in Virginia.

''Rodents have all the same brain parts we have," she said. ''Human brains are thicker and more complex, but as a model it's a very reasonable place to start."
from:
boston.com

PREGNANCY AFTER INFERTILITY AND MISCARRIAGE

2020-12-26T06:48:00.002-07:00

You would think that when you do become pregnant after infertility and miscarriage that you would be in a constant state of elation right? Well, not necessarily. Yes, you are pregnant, and yes, you are over the moon....but what about the worry and fear? I experienced six miscarriages before I finally had my successful pregnancy which led to the birth of my daughter. As much as I wanted to be happy and bond with my baby and pregnancy, I was sort of waiting for the bomb to drop. I had the rug pulled out from under me so many times in the past that I had a hard time believing that this one was going to be any different.

All of my pregnancies had some spotting....even my successful one. This led to sheer terror. Of course,

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spotting can be caused my a number of things....many of which will not lead to miscarriage. However, with a history like mine, it's hard not to expect the worst.
The well meaning medical professionals didn't do much to help either. When I got pregnant with my daughter, I didn't see a doctor right away. I waited about 8 weeks. When ultrasound looked good and we saw a strong heartbeat, I finally started see a regular OB doctor. Imagine that!!! a REGULAR OB doctor!! But the fear didn't end there.
My first "regular" OB appointment was another scare session. I was told about all the complications that "typical" women my age experience and all of the possible negative outcomes including stillbirth, delivery complications and other doom and gloom predictions. I recall coming home from that first appointment and after throwing up from morning sickness, I sat in my recliner where I pretty much stayed for the next 9 months.

Frankly, some exercise would have done me good, and after the nausea subsided in the first trimester, I would have been able to do it...but did I? No! I was too afraid. As it turned out, my pregnancy was completely normal as was my delivery and best of all my daughter!

The moral of the story is, yes, you need to get good prenatal care and follow your doctor's instructions, but there is no reason why your caregivers should add to your stress by throwing a bunch of negative statistics and scaring you with every possible negative outcome that could happen.

Enjoy your pregnancy, bond with your baby, talk to your belly and yes, if you have a normal pregnancy, it might do you some good to get up and get a little exercise! Fear only adds to stress and your pregnancy should be a time to relax. I often wonder if my daughter picked up on my emotional stress during pregnancy. Finally, a happy ending....albeit a stressful one!

POST PARTUM DEPRESSION AND THYROID CONNECTION

2020-12-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40 and Post-partum Depression

I've written before about post-partum depression, however, according to the article below, depression can

be quite common during pregnancy as well.

Here is an article about depression in pregnancy and a possible thyroid connection:

From the article:

Source: AHRQ Research Release, May 2005) According to a new report by the Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), depression is as common in women during pregnancy as it is after giving birth. Health care providers and patients may fail to recognize depression during pregnancy because signs of depression like tiredness, trouble sleeping, emotional changes, and weight gain may also occur simply as a result of being pregnant.
According to the report, roughly 1 in 20 American women who are pregnant or have given birth in the previous 12 months are suffering from major depression. When episodes of major and minor depression are combined, as many as 13 percent of women experience depression. The report defines perinatal depression as occurring during pregnancy and up to 12 months after childbirth
from:(thyroid.about.com)

DOWN SYNDROME NOT ALWAYS AGE RELATED

2020-12-23T07:29:00.002-07:00

Pregnancy Over 40 and Younger, Down Syndrome

We all know that Down Syndrome is more common in older mothers (but the overall incidence is still rather low).
I've done quite a few blog postings on this subject because most doctors are quick to tell women over 40

about the statistical risk of this condition at their age. This article discusses how it's actually more common in first pregnancies. Read more

Neuhäuser and Krackow reviewed and analysed data from 1953 and 1972 (before abortion was widespread). They found that other factors, besides the mother’s increasing age, were linked to the number of Down Syndrome cases. Down Syndrome rates were significantly higher in older mothers in their first pregnancy than in older mothers who had already had children. Only late first pregnancies were more likely to produce a Down Syndrome baby, not late second or third pregnancies. In addition, the larger the gap between pregnancies, the higher the rates of Down Syndrome.

from: Science Daily