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.

Talking To Your Baby In The Womb is a post from: Woman's Magazine

• 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.

List Of Unsafe Foods During Pregnancy is a post from: Woman's Magazine

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.

Medical Test Before Pregnancy Tips is a post from: Woman's Magazine

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.

What Is Postpartum Depression? is a post from: Woman's Magazine

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.

Tips For Pregnant Working Women is a post from: Woman's Magazine

Vitamins provide energy and vital inputs to the body which are necessary for proper development of the child. Without these it is difficult to think of the proper development of the child. Vitamins are produced by the body from the food we eat and minerals are absorbed by the body from the food we eat. These nutrients can also be supplied to the body by oral supplements in the form of pills.

Because of this reason, doctors advise a monthly visit to the clinic for check up and blood and other tests are got done on quarterly basis. Based on these tests the doctors are able to ascertain the deficiency, if any, in the body of the woman and she is suggested alteration in the diet plan or certain tablets mainly containing vitamins and minerals are prescribed.

The best prenatal Vitamins during pregnancy are:

Vitamin A is found in spinach, pumpkin, papaya, mangoes and in beef liver. This is essential for development of the foetus. Excess or deficiency of this vitamin may result in birth defects in the child.

Vitamin B is comprised of a group of vitamins. These vitamins for maximum benefit are given as a group. Generally doctors prescribe tablets of Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B6 aids development of the nervous system of the baby. It helps prevent morning sickness and flow of proteins in the urine of the mother. It also controls blood pressure. Similarly Vitamin B9 helps to prevent premature birth. It also helps prevent birth defects in the spinal cord. This vitamin is an agent to prevent development of cancer in the child.

Vitamin C helps develops immune system and reduces the chances of contracting infections and diseases both by the mother and child. It also prevents development of conditions of gestational diabetes. This is found in abundance in citrus fruits and cabbage, cauliflower etc.

Vitamin D helps prevent birth defects in the child. In case of deficiency of this vitamin the child may suffer from problem of teeth, he may have unhealthy bones and may have rickets. Mushrooms, fish lever oil and nuts are a rich source of this vitamin and should be included in the diet of the mother.

In addition to vitamins for healthy development, both mother and the child require calcium, iron, DHA and other minerals. The doctors will suggest that you should consume natural products like fruits, vegetables, milk and nuts and also suggest supplements so there is no deficiency due to inadequate supply of these.

Best Prenatal Vitamins During Pregnancy is a post from: Woman's Magazine

According to researchers, stress during pregnancy effect on baby in the womb on emotional and physical health may be greater than the genetic effect of the parents. Earlier it was considered that the babies born to the mothers who consume excess of caffeine, alcohol or smoke too much are likely to suffer from birth defects. According to researchers, the children born to the mothers who live in stress during pregnancy or faced some trauma are likely to suffer from birth defects which are likely to continue till adulthood or even later.

In case we are under stress our body releases excess of a hormone called cortisol. In case of occasional stress this hormone does not cause a major problem but in case of your living in the condition of continuous stress, the quantity of this hormone released will become excessive and your body will not be able to bear it. Cortisol is a cause of high blood pressure. In case the mother is releasing excessive cortisol, it will reach the developing child in the womb and raise the blood pressure point of the child for his full life. In adulthood the baby will suffer from blood pressure problem.

Many mothers are faced with extremely stressful conditions during pregnancy. These may be due to fear of losing the job or break up of marriage, physical or emotional abuse or due to uninvolved partner. These mothers live in constant stress and face depression during and even after the pregnancy. The babies born to these women suffer from exposure to stress related hormones, toxins and malnutrition inside the womb. Such babies may, in their life, become hyperactive, under active or may suffer from ADD disease. Often these children are treated with anti depressing medicines.

A stressed mother during pregnancy is also likely to lead to the child developing problems of coordination of ears, feet and fingers. Such children have lower level of I.Q and will lag in studies during their life. The brain system remains under developed resulting in low memory of the child.

It is true that we all want happy babies who will grow up to be happy children and later happy adults. It is essential that the family of the expecting mother takes proper care and keeps her in happy state of mind away from stress so that a healthy child is born in the family.

Stress During Pregnancy Effects On Baby is a post from: Woman's Magazine

Prepare yourself for a natural delivery by doing appropriate exercises beginning a couple of weeks before the baby is due. The best exercise is to practice squatting. It can be done in a few easy steps:

1. Hold on to a low table or bed firmly
2. Take a deep breath and squat
3. Breathe out and stand
4. Repeat about ten times or as many times you are comfortable with

When contractions actually start try to relax in between the contractions. You can play soft soothing music to help you relax. Do not panic or worry. Banish any negative thoughts. Think that you are in the safe hands of doctors and nurses and all will go well. It will be of great help to have your husband with you in the hospital. He can comfort you and administer to your needs. He too will feel part of the delivery process and will be able to bond with the baby.

Breathe in and out slowly during contractions. You can walk around in the room if that helps. Walking will help to ease the pain and the delivery will also be quicker. Do not shout or scream. It will tire you out and you need to save your energy for the birthing process.

You can talk softly to your unborn child. He is your partner in the whole process and is being squeezed by the contractions. Focusing on your chid will fill your heart with joy. You have imagined holding him and made so many preparations for him and now the anticipated time is drawing closer. Don’t concentrate on the pain but think of happy times and beautiful memories.

An epidural can be injected once the cervix opens about two centimetres. An epidural is a local anaesthetic given in the spine to numb the lower area. Doctor is the best judge to decide the time the epidural should be injected. If you request it, the anaesthesiologist will study your medical history, do a blood test and make a note of allergies and diseases like high blood pressure.

If you tell the doctor in advance that you will want an epidural these tests can be carried out before hand. She will examine you, ask you to bend over and give you the injection. After five to ten minutes it will act and you will not feel pain any more. With a painless delivery you will not be worn out and will be able to look after your baby right away.

Pain Management During Labor is a post from: Woman's Magazine

When a woman takes birth control pills, the mucus around cervix gets thickened and the sperm is unable to reach the uterus and the egg. The hormones present in the pills prevent the egg from sticking to the walls of uterus. Birth control pills come in the pack of twenty one and a woman has to take a pill a day for twenty one days continuously at the same time each day. When these are stopped after twenty one days the periods start. It is essential to note that the pill has to be taken irrespective of the fact that the woman indulges in sexual activity or not.

These pills do have negative effects as well. Adverse effects are woman specific. Different women may face different symptoms. Following are the side effects of birth control pills:

Headache– this is common complaint when one starts to take the pills. Slowly, as the body gets used to the hormonal changes, this subsides. If headache continues, it will be better if the pills are changed.

Nausea is another trouble associated with the birth control pills. This also subsides as the body gets used to the new hormones entering the body. To reduce nausea, the pills can be taken with food. Preferably you can take the pills with dinner. This way nausea effect will be the least.

In rare cases a woman may face bleeding when she starts to take contraceptive pills. This may be due to inflammation in the walls of cervix. It is necessary to consult your doctor immediately. He may advise you to take anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation.

Some women may lose sexual desire after starting the birth control pills. In case the pills are changed the desire will come back.

Mood swings is the most common problem associated with the birth control pills. In such a case you may require a non hormonal birth control method. Your doctor will be the best person to suggest alternative methods.

In addition to these side effects, a woman may have scanty or excessive menstrual bleeding. These are temporary phases and will be normal soon. Those suffering from migraine may notice increased migraine frequency, in certain cases due to hormonal effect some may have lesser frequent migraine cycles.

In long term, rarely there are chances that, the birth control pills may result in increase in blood pressure, blood clotting, heart attack and stroke. There are instances of development of breast cancer in certain cases where the woman is a heavy smoker or drinks a lot.

What Are The Side Effects Of Birth Control Pills? is a post from: Woman's Magazine

As a general rule there is no need for you to hide your belly but you should not wear something stitched in a way that it makes it look huge. Properly cut wrap dresses are preferred by pregnant women and even celebrities and models wear them. The dress should be designed with a lot of lycra and frill.

Some of the ideas for party dresses for pregnant women are:

• Prefer to wear dresses with removable layers. During pregnancy the metabolic rate increases considerably and the body is converting food into energy at a faster pace. This may be a cause of hot flushes. If you have layered clothes you can remove some and when ever needed and can put them on.

• Try to show off the parts of the body you are proud of. If your shoulders are great, wear sleeveless dresses. Similarly if you have beautiful legs you can show them off by wearing dresses which end at the knees.

• If you are not too high you can go in for midi sized dresses. Avoid long dresses going to your feet.

• While selecting the dresses for party wear, ensure to estimate the further increase your belly size during the remaining period of pregnancy. Even if you have reached the maximum anticipated size, buy dresses which are still loose to make you feel comfortable.

• Dresses with lots of laces and properly selected and placed motifs and other decorative items like flowers will make you look more elegant.

• When pregnant, swelling of your feet is inevitable. The hormonal changes in your body are a cause of this change. After delivery things will go back to the original size. You will need to invest in shoes. Do not go in for very expensive shoes matching with your dress. Go in for flat slip on shoes. These can be used by you subsequently after delivery in cold weather wearing thick socks.

• Your bra should not be too tight or too loose. A very loose bra will make your figure look sick and worn out.

There should be no reason for you not to look glamorous. Selecting proper clothes with proper color and design will make you look better than even when you were not pregnant.

Party Dresses For Pregnant Women is a post from: Woman's Magazine