A baby learns even in womb. Don’t be surprised, it’s true. It is scientifically proved that after third month of pregnancy, fetus in womb can recognize sound, light, stimuli, smell etc. Teaching can help the baby to recognize, light, sound, smell etc. But how? Here teaching is not like teaching a baby. Here are some suggestions to talk and teach an unborn baby in womb:

Talk to the baby. Yes it’s amazing but the baby listen what you talk with. Mother can communicate with the baby in womb. Put your hand on your tummy and tell something like talking a normal baby. The baby will listen to it. Though will not respond in early stage but after sixth month, will respond too. You can feel movement. Talking with father of the baby or other family members will also give a good result. The baby in the womb, learn to recognize different voices and after birth, being familiar with different voices, will not feel difficulty in adjusting. Thus senses of voice will develop even before birth.

Mother sings lullaby for baby. But lullaby can affect an unborn baby too. Feeling of a lullaby reaches to the baby in womb. Father of the baby and other family members can also help in teaching the unborn baby. Read out some moral stories, children stories, comics in animated voice, to the mother. Father should spend some joyful moments talking with the mother of the baby. How the mother feels or thinks affect the developing senses of the baby. That’s why a pregnant lady is always suggested to feel good, positive and be cheerful. It will be foundation for the feeling of love and security.

Music is a proven stimulation. Make environment as if to teach a baby, calm quiet and clear. Sit down either on chair or on bed, where feel comfortable, and play a soft and melodious music near your stomach, you can feel stimuli, the baby will start moving around. Apart from these the baby will be familiar to domestic noises naturally. Like- sound of utensils, call bell, mixer, fan, cycle, car etc will make outside environment familiar to the baby in womb.

Light also affects baby in the womb. Put the light on, the baby inside will start crawling as if responding to it.

The  next  thing  which affect the baby in womb is flavor or fragrance. Incense stick or room spray of hard flavor should not be used when you are pregnant. The baby in the womb likes Light room spray, flavors of fresh flowers.

Pungent or hard smell of food item affects the baby. The flavor or taste of different food items which the mother has consumed reaches the baby through amniotic fluid. The baby tastes the amniotic fluid. So as many varieties of food item the mother will take, the baby will be familiar to it. But avoid strictly consuming alcohol and smoking, even passive smoking.

In this way we can help in developing the senses of baby in the womb.

Hair is classified as normal, dry or oily. Before deciding about the hair care methods, it is necessary to understand the type of your hair. Once you have decided about the type then you need to decide about the agent you require for cleaning and taking care of your hair. A large number of shampoos are available in the market which are claimed to be suitable for a particular type of hair. Most of the shampoos available in the market are chemical or petroleum based products and cause harm to your hair and scalp skin.

You will see glossy advertisements in magazines with beautiful models promoting these products. This is possible as the profit margin in these products is very high and to increase sales, big manufacturers are able to spend that type of money. You should not get carried away by these advertisements and spend huge amount of money buying these products. Instead, it will be better if you try natural products and get beautiful hair.

Natural homemade masks for care of dry hair can be made by using most of the products available in your kitchen shelves, or in the alternative you can buy these products from stores located near your home and the cost will not be too much. Given below are some of the natural home recipes to make mask for dry hair:

1. If you have dull and dry hair which has lost natural lustre, you need a hair mask containing honey and lemon pack. To make this you need two table spoons of castor oil, an equal quantity of almond oil. After mixing these oils add two table spoons of lemon juice and equal quantity of honey.

Mix them together and apply on your hair from roots to ends. Ensure to apply the mixture on your scalp and massage using your fingers. Massage will increase blood circulation in the skin of your scalp and hair follicles will be able to absorb the contents. Let the mixture remain in your hair for at least two hours and thereafter wash with slightly warm water. Then apply a conditioner and rinse the hair. Wrap the wet hair in a towel and let it dry to about 80% this way. The skin and hair will get properly hydrated and you will have free flowing beautiful hair. Repeat after four to five days.

This process will make the roots of the hair stronger, scalp skin healthy and hair shafts strong and beautiful.

2. Another homemade hair mask can be made by mixing banana pulp with one egg, three table spoons of milk, three table spoons of honey, and olive oil. Put all the contents in a mixer and stir to get homogeneous mixture. Apply on your hair, wash after two hours and see the results yourself.

3. Coconut oil mixed with camphor will also give excellent results.

Special care has to be taken in the choice of food by a pregnant lady for her own safety and that of her unborn child. Most of the time hygiene is the only concern but many animal products harbour dangerous bacteria and must be avoided, especially if they are not properly cooked. List of unsafe foods during pregnancy are:

• Chicken eggs and meat carry bacteria called salmonella so do not consume raw eggs or food stuff which contains raw eggs. Chicken liver can be infected with salmonella so do not eat it. All cooking utensils, knives, ladles and cutting board exposed to raw chicken and raw eggs must be washed thoroughly. Salmonella causes severe diarrhoea and it can cause a miscarriage.

• Raw meat like sushi should not be eaten at all. It can have E-coli and toxoplasmosis, a parasite. Both can cause severe infection in both mother and baby. Also to be avoided are undercooked meats like smoked meats. Partial cooking does not destroy bacteria and they attack the host once they are ingested.

• Sea food such as shell fish and shark, and other fish like tuna contain high levels of mercury. Some fish are exposed to industrial pollutants as they are sometimes disposed off into rivers. These factors can cause damage to nerves and brain of the growing foetus.

• Milk and milk products can also be contaminated so drink only pasteurised milk and use products made from pasteurised milk. Untreated milk and cheeses, especially soft cheeses, can contain bacteria named listeria. In adults it produces only flu like symptoms but it can travel through the placenta and infect the foetus. This can cause blood poisoning, miscarriage or premature birth.

Unsafe vegetarian foods for pregnant women to be avoided are:

• In early pregnancy papaya, especially if it is raw, can cause bleeding to an enzyme it contains. To be on the safe side eat other fruit, leaving out papaya.

• Totally abstain from alcohol. Children of mothers who drink suffer from abnormalities and behavioural problems. Even beverages with partial alcohol content should be avoided.

• The intake of coffee and tea and other caffeine containing beverages like soda should be restricted. Too much caffeine may induce miscarriage. Caffeine reduces the absorption of iron so mothers who drink a lot of coffee have less healthy children whose weight is below normal.

• All vegetables should be washed properly especially those used in salad which are eaten raw as they have toxoplasmosis.

It is best not to take any risk and wait till the child is born before consuming these foods, even if you are very fond of them.

Getting pregnant is an important event in the life of a woman. This is the time when lots of hormonal changes take place and she has to adapt to the changes that are going to take postpartum. Considering the importance of likely physical and psychological effects that will take place in the body of a woman both during and after the birth of the child, it is necessary that she should get a proper check up done from a doctor.

Unfortunately, only a very small percentage of the pregnancies are planned. Except for some educated women living in cities the couple do plan pregnancy, in other cases it is a matter of chance and there is no occasion to get prior checking by a doctor. If one of you were infected with chicken pox or German measles you need immunization before pregnancy. The doctor will note down the history of effect of drugs on you, hereditary problems if faced, diseases contracted recently and allergic reaction of drugs and suggest medicines and checks necessary.

In addition to booking time with a gynaecologist, you will need to fix up time with a dentist. It is a known fact that due to hormonal changes lots of dental problems are faced by women and in some cases bleeding of gums continues for quite some time. The dentist will be able to examine your gums and teeth and will suggest some medicines which should be taken before pregnancy. As for the safety of the developing child it is often not advisable to take any unnecessary medicine once pregnant.

As a result of improved medical attention being received by women prior to pregnancy and child birth, mortality rate of both the mother and child has gone down considerably. Women, who follow the advice of doctors, give birth to a healthy child.

When you go to the doctor she will conduct physical examination and may even ask you to get x-ray and blood tests done to ensure that everything is normal.  If normal, she will give you a go ahead and you can start thinking and working in the direction of getting pregnant. The doctor will normally check for:

• Some infectious diseases if contracted by you recently, which can result in improper development of foetus.
• She will examine for hepatitis and HIV caused by viruses.
• Check for genetic disorders, if any, faced by your mother or other ladies in the family and the cases of still birth if any reported in family.
• From blood test she will be able to find vitamin or mineral deficiencies and suggest oral substitutes.
• Doctor will do physical examination of your reproductive organs, both inner and outer, to ascertain that everything is normal.

Skin lightening products are used to inhibit the production of melanin. Melanin is a brown coloured pigment produced by the skin to give it color. The more the exposure to the sun, the more pigment is produced. Its function is to protect the skin from the effect of the sun’s rays. Those living in tropical or hot countries, where sunshine is in plenty, people have dark skin due to the presence of large quantities of melanin.

As the skin ages, there may be dark color spots or areas in the skin. These are due to collection of melanin and are caused by hormonal imbalance. They are mostly on the raised surfaces of the face like cheeks, forehead and nose. This affects mostly women. They try to get rid of uneven skin tone by using skin lightening creams. In medical terms it is called melasma.

The main ingredients found in skin lightening creams are mercury and hydroquinone. They are not safe and are carcinogenic or cancer causing. Through intensive research some natural ingredients have been found which whiten the skin and can be used in cosmetics. They are:

Alpha hydroxyl acids or AHAs. They are sourced from milk which contains lactic acid, sugar which contains glycolic acid and fruits which contain acids such as citric and malic.

Alpha hydroxyl acids prevent damage to skin cells and renew the formation of new cells. They help the skin to retain moisture. They help to peel off the topmost damaged layer of the skin. However, this action may make the skin sensitive to sunlight so it is better to protect the skin from direct sunlight during the day.

Licorice extract is found in the licorice fruit. It whitens the skin and reduces redness of the skin which can be noticed during the formation of melanin.

Kojic acid is produced by fungus such as Penicillium as they undergo various processes during their growth. Kojic acid is widely used to stop the production of melanin and to lighten the black spots already formed. It helps to lighten skin cells.

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is found in citrus fruit such as oranges, sweet lime and lemon and green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage and beans. It prevents damage to skin cells when the skin is exposed to the sun and helps to repair the cells already damaged.

Arbutin is derived from mulberry, bearberry and cranberry fruits and leaves. It stops the production of melanin in the skin and thus makes the color of skin lighter. It also brightens the face.

With these natural and effective ingredients available, it is better to use them and give the go by to harmful chemicals.

The birth of a baby is a joyful event no doubt, but it brings with it loads of extra work and constant vigil of the little one. The new born is totally dependent on the mother and as he is unable to communicate, she has to pre-empt his every need and act accordingly. She has to know when he is hungry or wet or unwell or just wants attention. Household chores too loom large. The mother is often short on sleep. In such a scenario it is not surprising that some new mothers suffer from postpartum depression. All these situations cause postpartum depression of a newborn baby’s mother.

The mother has to undergo lot of pain and stress during the birth of the child. Before she can recuperate, the onus of baby care falls on her. If she has no help, she gets no time for herself but is in constant motion. In addition she has to cook, wash and clean. The burden piles up and the effect is extremely negative. If no remedial measures are taken to ease the stress, some women are known to harm the baby.

In the beginning the depression is light and is referred to as baby blues. The symptoms are experienced by almost eighty percent of the women who have just had a baby and may last up to six weeks. This is the time needed by the woman to find her feet and get used to a new routine where her baby reigns supreme.

The intensity of depression is not too much. If her husband or some relative takes over the care of the child for some time, she is able to rest and sleep. When she is refreshed, she is once again ready to meet her obligations.

About fifteen percent of new mothers experience a severer and longer lasting form of depression. This is called postpartum depression and is regarded as a disorder. This may last for months – even up to an year. Those suffering from it are constantly in a state of depression and their mood does not lighten.

Even if someone is willing to help out by taking the duty of care of the baby on himself, the mother is unable to relax or sleep. Even if she listens to music or goes out she is unable to enjoy herself and get over her depression. She feels too burdened to do anything save think of how much work is pending.

Both types of depression may disappear without treatment. However, if the mother is very disturbed she will require treatment and a psychiatrist should be consulted. Those around her should understand her situation and be ready to help and sympathise with her. They should assist her in her daily chores and take up some of her duties so that she has time to rest and relax.

When you go in for beauty treatments, your priority is the face. Next you concentrate on acquiring an ideal body shape by exercising and dieting. These activities take up your time and you often ignore your hair, hands and feet. The care of your feet is important as they bear the entire weight of the body.

If they get dusty and dry the heels will crack and the soles of the feet will get hard and callused.  Either get a pedicure done from a saloon or do one at home. Add a capful of shampoo and the juice of half a lemon to some warm water in a basin. Soak your feet in it for fifteen to twenty minutes. Then remove dead skin using a scraper. Pat dry and massage well with extra virgin olive oil. It will heal and moisturise your feet as it is rich in Vitamin E. Massage your legs too with this oil.

To make a pedicure a pleasant experience, you can add a few drops of essential oil in the water. The perfume will relax you. To soften and moisturise your feet, you can pamper them with a milk bath. The mild acids in the milk will cleanse your feet.

When you are outdoors, do not forget to put sunscreen on the exposed part of the legs. It will protect the skin on your legs from the harmful effects of the sun and keep them beautiful. Exercises for the legs are essential so that there is proper circulation in them and there are no ugly fat deposits.

Prolonged standing can cause varicose veins so take short breaks to sit and stretch your legs. On the other hand, a long period of sitting can cause feet to swell so avoid that as well. Too much salt in your diet can cause feet to swell so limit salt intake.

High heels make you look attractive and indeed, very few evening wear shoes are available without high heels. They go well with your glamorous clothes. It would be sensible to limit wearing high heels to evening wear and parties but avoid wearing them for long. Keep the high heels for occasional use. For office and daily wear use low healed comfortable shoes. High heels put undue pressure on your feet, tire your leg muscles and put strain on your spine.

You can make your feet look beautiful by other homemade methods like painting your toe nails and having well maintained healthy feets. If your legs get tired, massage them and place them on two pillows when you lie down. They will be slightly elevated and blood collected in them will flow back. A little care will give you legs you can be proud of.

The period of pregnancy is quite long and it is not possible or advisable to stop doing your routine work or going to the office. However, it is important to look after yourself and the growing baby. For a working woman who is pregnant some problems do arise in the form of fatigue, uncomfortable clothes or insufficient nutrition. These are not too difficult to overcome.

Following are some important tips for pregnant working women to avoid any health related problem in office:

1. You should be seated in a comfortable position. Arrange for a low stool or chair to elevate your feet. Sit straight on the chair which should be neither too low nor high. The back rest should support your spine. If your job requires long hours of sitting, stand or walk about for a minute or so every two hours. This will get the circulation going.

2. Pack a few healthy snacks like fruit and nuts. In early pregnancy whenever you suffer from nausea, a pear will be helpful. In the latter part of pregnancy you may get heart burn as your baby pushes your organs. A banana will give you relief. If you eat too many fried snacks, they will cause acidity, so snack on nutritious things which are not too high in calories.

3. Along with snacks, have something to drink. Plain water is the best. Try to drink about eight glasses of water per day but for variety you can have fruit juice or milk. The thing to remember is that your drinks should not be high in sugar content as these empty calories will cause undue weight gain.

4. Wear comfortable clothes to work. As your stomach grows, replace your old clothes with maternity clothes. These have pleats in front to accommodate the stomach as it increases in dimension. They do not stretch to cross your body in an uncomfortable manner, nor do they make your stomach prominent rather they camouflage it by clever designing.

5. Do not wear synthetic clothes which do not allow your skin to breathe. Your body temperature tends to increase during pregnancy and such clothes will make you uncomfortable.

6. The mid day meal should be filling and nutritious to give you energy to do your work. It should not be so heavy that you feel drowsy. Avoid overly spicy and sour foods. Remember to drink something after your meal to wash it down.

7. When you feel tired, lie down for a while, even if it is for fifteen minutes. If possible, take a short nap.

There is no need to feel depressed or cross. Embrace the changes that are taking place in your life and adjust accordingly. A few changes here and there will make you more comfortable and you will be able to work well at the office.

Liposuction has been in vogue for some time to rid the body of excess fat. It is akin to surgery as deep layers of fat are targeted. In liposuction a hollow needle with a diameter of three to four mm is used. The needle is eased in and it is used to remove fat which is attached to the skin. Bleeding and swelling occur for some time after the process.

SmartLipo is a new technique. It is faster and safer. The area from where fat has to be removed is made numb by anaesthesia. Then a needle which has a diameter of one mm and a length of ten cm is inserted. This needle is connected by fibre optic cable to a laser machine. The fat is melted by using a laser beam. The laser is used with precision to break the walls of the fat cells which form the adipose tissue. They are under the skin. The fat does not have to be taken out but it is metabolised by the body and expelled via the lymph glands.

As the diameter of the needle is small, It does not make a large wound. Consequently, there is less bleeding and post operative care. Doctors can control the depth to which the laser acts. The heat of the laser seals the blood vessels which rupture. This prevents the loss of blood from blood vessels which are affected when fat cells are destroyed. They are cauterised almost immediately. The blood coagulates at a faster rate because of the heat.

Although both liposuction and Smartlipo targets fat deposits in the body, Smartlipo is safer and is less painful. The patient feels comfortable both during and after the procedure. It is a quicker method and does not require prolonged hospitalisation. It takes just a couple of hours and has very little side effects. Just heaviness in the abdominal region is experienced for two to three days. No medication is required and it disappears on its own.

What happens is that the liquefied fat collects there and it takes some time for the lymph glands to clear it. Almost all body parts can be treated which have localised fat deposits which are resistant to dieting and exercise. These include hips, buttocks, arms, thighs and abdomen. Instant results can be seen when Smartlipo is used. Just a small bandage is put at the place where the skin is punctured by the needle, unlike liposuction where a patient may be required to wear a body stocking.

As always, consult a good doctor before you go in for any medical procedure. The doctor will check the heart, blood pressure and carry out various blood tests before he pronounces the patient fit to undergo the process.

Many overweight people try to lose weight by dieting and exercise. At times the effect on the fat pockets may not be in an even manner and there are certain areas which show bulges, in spite of overall weight reduction. These are quite obstinate and difficult to get rid of. At these times SmartLipo can help. The fat is liquefied by laser which is pre-calibrated. Its effect is limited to the upper layers and it does not reach deep down into the body. Consequently, the recovery period is short.

The doctors at the SmartLipo clinic will first evaluate your health. They will conduct laboratory tests to see that your heart and body are healthy and that you are free from diseases. If all is well, they will then explain the procedure of SmartLipo to you. You will have to sign a form consenting to the process. This is a standard thing in most medical procedures.

A local anaesthetic will be injected in the area where liposuction has to be carried out. In one sitting approximately 250 gms. of fat is burnt. Depending upon the quantity of fat, the process may take between one to two hours. Later the abdomen may be distended and feel as if full. This is due to the reason that liquefied fat tends to settle there. This discomfort will last for two to three days and then it will return to normal by itself.

When the underlying fat has been removed, the skin tends to bunch into folds and sags. Liposuction does not remove excess cellulite. To get rid of this problem, body shaping has to be done. A time gap of at least two weeks is necessary before that can be done.

Body shaping is done by a combination of using a vacuum and cooling by laser. The damaged blood vessels are repaired and the elasticity of the skin improved. The skin is made firmer as well. The lymphatic drainage is improved. As the fat metabolism is accelerated the fat which is destroyed with the laser beam gets drained out by the lymphatic system. The body shaping is not painful.

If liposuction has been carried out in small sections like calves or upper arms, then a small binding is done there, post the process. However, if the area is large like abdomen or thighs, then a body stocking or corset has to be worn for a month or so. This may cause some discomfort but it is necessary.

Diet and regulated exercise have to be undertaken as there is no substitute for them. Normal routine can be carried out after SmartLipo as there is less bleeding and swelling as compared to liposuction, but stannous activities are prohibited for some time.