HI everyone..I AM GOBLU !!

Countdown Pregnancy Ticker

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Music during pregnancy:


Trala la laa laa laaa..
yes this is the music i am listening to right now..experts say that i will be able to hear more properly and effectively from 5months onwards. Probably that is why i can only hear the beats and tones now ..i am now 4months. I hope to follow the music and language more clearly and effectively from my fifth month fetus age.

Still I am really happy and feel comfortable when my mom listens to some soothing music and nods her head to the tunes of it. It is not actually required that i should everytime listen to classical music or gazals,bhajans etc. Any sort of music other than Rap, Grunge and Hard Rock makes me happy and calm.

Would you believe my mamma even tries to make me listen to music directly by putting the headphone to her tummy. This does not make any difference really.. i can comfortably hear all music which my mom listens to putting headphones to her ears :)

My mamma's grandpa was such a great singer! I have that gene in me..i would also loved to sing to the beats and tunes of music myself one day. My grandpas and grandmas also have great inclination for music.
And you want to know about my mamma and pappa?
Mamma is a very good singer..she has won so many awards and prizes in music competitions and has even has done masters in Rabindra Sangeet. My pappa also likes to sing and is the lover of any sort of music but mainly sufi and hindi songs. I would like to invite you anyday when he takes a shower. You can come silently and listen to his songs from outside ;) He sings stress free, happily and even loudly :)
This my background of music..hence you can easily understand my intellect in this field!

I am developing my liking for music from now onwards and hope to do the same over the next few months when i am there inside my mamma waiting to come to the outside world.

I have stated here my own experience and story regarding music but there are different researches done by experts regarding fact of listening during pregnancy period.

Your Baby Needs Music:

Studies show that fetuses can hear and react to sound from as early as 20 weeks and begin active listening by the 24th week. Researcher Michele Clements found that playing a lullaby, or calming music by Vivaldi and Mozart soothed 4 to 5 month-old fetuses but loud and discordant music disturbed and upset them.


The sense of hearing is the most developed of all senses before birth. French pioneer Dr. Alfred Tomatis states the ear is “the Rome of the body” because almost every cranial nerve leads to it. He believes the ear is far more than just an instrument for hearing, or an organ for maintaining balance. The ear acts as a generator of energy for the brain that gives a cortical charge which is distributed throughout the body. This charge tones up the whole system imparting greater dynamism to the human being. Therefore the proper pre-natal sound stimulation leads to better verbal, listening and thinking skills. He discovered that songbirds hatched by silent foster mothers can’t sing.


Renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin believes his musical ability is partly due to constant exposure to music before he was born.

The heartbeat of four-month-old fetuses accelerates if exposed to loud sounds. A Japanese study discovered pregnant women who lived near Osaka airport had a greater incidence of premature births and delivered smaller babies. Chronic noise has also been linked to birth defects.


Babies remember music they hear in the womb more than a year later. Some mothers have found that playing the same calming music they listened to before the baby was born calms the baby after birth.

When playing music for your unborn child it is important that the music is not too loud. It doesn’t have to be a lullaby or classical music. Elton John or smooth jazz is just as good. Whatever you enjoy, as long as it isn’t loud or discordant is fine.


Studies show that constant exposure to aggressive, discordant music negatively alters the brains structure. Even plants suffer when exposed to this sort of music.

So if you are pregnant the 3 types of music that you must avoid are Rap, Grunge and Hard Rock. If you are a fan of these styles of music and you really don’t want to give up listening then put on headphones and listen to your heart’s content. But, when you turn on the stereo or the car radio, stick to sweet melodies and beautiful harmonies. Your baby will thank you.

taken from:http://weeks-of-pregnancy.com/


Classical Music can have powerful effects on babies before birth:

One recent study demonstrates that children exposed to classical music in the womb show a positive change in physical and mental development after birth. In this experiment, fetuses were exposed to 70 hours of classical music during the last weeks of pregnancy. When studied at six months, these babies were more advanced in terms of motor, linguistic and intellectual development than babies who received no musical stimulus during pregnancy.

Scientists explain that children are born with 100 billion nerve cells in their bodies. These cells, however, are connected only loosely. Each event a baby experiences - such as listening to his mother, seeing a picture, feeling a sheet against his skin, or attempting to touch a toy hanging above - triggers electrical signals (neural impulses) which establish or strengthen the intercellular connections in the brain.


The larger the number of connections in the brain, the richer its functioning. Neural pathways left unused usually die out. Therefore it stands to reason that an infant’s earliest experiences can mold the brain and determine much of the infant’s adult potential. Scientists believe that learning music is one of those “brain-building” experiences.

taken from:http://www.tinylove.com/

Music to your baby's ears:

It is said that making your baby listen to music while he/she is in the womb has a positive effect on them. When babies listen to soft soothing music like bhajans or soft instrumental meditative music, it helps them to calm down. It is also observed that babies who have listened to music while in the womb are calm and composed in their nature as compared to other babies.

There is also another study that indicates that one does not necessarily has to listen to slow music. Pop music can also help your child to calm down. It is essentially the rhythm that works well with babies. Also baby’s breathing pattern changes according to beats. Hence, listening to music with rapid beats for an extended period may stress out the baby.

taken from:http://www.goodparenting.co.in/

Friday, February 26, 2010

Food During Pregnancy:


ummmmm..i am thinking of having fish fry this weekend..
i am a big man now!
i have my definite likes and dislikes.. ;)
also as you all know genetically this tremendous liking for food i have got from my pappa..like my pappa says i would also like to address myself as a "food connoisseur"!

That is why i can say i would love to have fish fry this weekend..if you don't get fish fry i won't mind having chicken cutlet/'bhetki cutlet'/even mutton chop :)

Doctors are so very fanatic about having good food/healthy food etc during this pregnancy time.But what's a big deal! i don't understand. If my mom is having proper nutrients through diet that is sufficient..isn't it? Still there are so many restrictions doctors and even my grandmas or grandpas want to impose on me. I am really obsessed about having spicy and mouth watering food (certain dishes of certain restaurants) ..but no permission is given for the same.

Would you believe sometimes i even dream about having a bucket full of french fries or spicy nuggets? I would have loved that person if anyone would have offered me the same next morning when i wake up..but NO.. what i am being given to eat is all healthy stuff like brown bread and milk and egg and cereals :(
Still me and my mamma has no choice but to eat all healthy freaking stuff ;)

My mamma is always hungry nowadays..probably she can have the food of a whole army ;)
Given a choice and chance to me and my mom we would have loved to roam from restaurant to restaurant and gobble all that we crave for!

Writing this whole page has made me happy and satisfied! Now i can go back to my normal healthy diet course and concentrate in having that.
"Be happy..Goblu..be happy with the diet mamma is having!Don't you know the following facts which mamma has learned from net? Yes..me and mom have made our minds strict and let us see what all everyone has to say about "proper and healthy" food during pregnancy!"

Some Tips about Healthy Diet during pregnancy:

The food that the mother consumes forms the intake for the foetus as it thrives on the food intake of the mother. Hence it is necessary for the mother to consume nutritious food for the foetus to grow in a healthy manner and for herself too to make her pregnancy a healthy and enjoyable period.

A good diet is inclusive of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, vitamins and good amount of water.

Protein
A good intake of protein in regular diet aids in cell growth and blood production. Fish, peanut, tofu, lean meat, poultry, egg whites and pulses are all rich in protein

Carbohydrates
Food with carbohydrates helps to produce energy that is necessary for the body. Bread, cereals, rice, potatoes, pasta, fruits and vegetables are good sources of carbohydrates.

Calcium
Food rich in calcium is a must during pregnancy that aid in developing strong bones and teeth. It also helps in muscle contraction and proper nerve functioning. Milk, cheese, yogurt, spinach, sardines or salmons with bones are carriers of protein. Calcium intake is very important during pregnancy, as the baby demands a high supply of calcium. So it is necessary for the mother to increase the intake of calcium to prevent the loss of calcium from her own bones.

Iron
A good intake of iron helps in the production of red blood cells that keeps anemia at bay. Lean red meat; spinach, cereals and iron fortified whole grain breads supply a lot of iron to the body. Vegetables like drumsticks and beetroots are also rich in iron

Vitamin A
Vitamins are providers of healthy skin, good eyesight and also aid in developing strong bones. Carrots, dark green leafy greens and sweet potatoes are good sources of vitamin A

Vitamin C
Citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, fortified fruit juices carry vitamin c that is required for healthy gums, teeth and strong bones.

Vitamin B6
Food rich with vitamin B6 like pork, gram, and whole grain cereals and bananas supply this type of vitamin for the body. The vitamin not only aids in the formation of red blood cells but also for the effective use of protein, carbohydrates and fat by the body.

Vitamin B12
This vitamin helps in the formation of red blood cells and helps to keep the nervous system healthy. Meat, fish, poultry and milk provide this vitamin. People who follow a vegetarian diet should take a vitamin B6 supplement.

Vitamin D
Fortified milk, dairy products, cereals and breads are all important sources of vitamin D that aids in the absorption of calcium and for the development of healthy bones and teeth.

Folic acid
Green leafy vegetables, dark yellow fruits and vegetables, peas, beans and nuts are all rich in folic acid that helps a lot in blood and protein production and effective enzyme production. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects that occur during the early stages of pregnancy. Hence a good amount of folic acid is necessary for the body before pregnancy and during the early weeks of pregnancy. Despite the presence of folic acid in one's natural diet, pregnant women are advised to take folic acid supplement.

Diet For Vegetarians
It is highly challenging to provide the body the required nutrition during pregnancy if the person is following a vegetarian diet. It is very important to supplement a diet that is sans fish, poultry, meat and eggs. The pregnant woman is usually recommended to opt for vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplements. It is also vital to consult a nutrition dietitian for a prescribed nutritious diet for the mother as well as the foetus.

Food To Be Avoided During Pregnancy
No amount of alcohol or smoking is advisable during pregnancy. The pregnant mother has to strictly keep away from them. Caffeine is also to be avoided as consumption of caffeine during pregnancy can cause miscarriages in the early stages.

  • Unpasteurized cheese and milk, apple cider and juices
  • Raw eggs and food containing raw eggs
  • Undercooked or raw meat, fish and processed meat
  • Fish that has mercury content in them like shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish are to be avoided.
The craving for non-food items during pregnancy is called pica. Some pregnant women are naturally prone to a craving for non-food items like clay. Such craving should not be entertained as consumption of non-food items can prove to be dangerous for the foetus. It is important to consult the doctor if the urge arises.

Hence eat healthy, be healthy during and after pregnancy as your little infant thrives on your diet for a
healthy living.
(taken from http://living.oneindia.in)




Thursday, February 25, 2010

Gestational Diabetes:


Seriously..this whole complexity of pregnancy problems my mamma is having is making me crazy!
So many tests and so many problems at each and every week!

Yesterday the blood test reports have come and it has shown positive results for GCT!
That means that mamma will again have to do GTT tests and pass to prove that she is not having gestational diabetes. Otherwise regular diet plans and exercise and even if not checked then insulin injections to be taken.

This is intolerable. The reason that everyone says that due to the fetus(and progesterone produced by them) the insulin producing capacity of a woman decreases and hence she cannot digest the necessary amount of carbohydrate at a given time. That means the onus of the situation for my mom's diabetes is coming to me..right?
This is not acceptable! I am really angry to know the reason. I am still a little bean..though i have developed my own pancreas and liver and other organs by now, but still you don't expect me to produce insulin and digest my own carbohydrate..right?

Yesterday pappa was real sweet and affectionate to mamma. He could understand the stress mamma is going through after she got the GCT reports. He tried to make mom understand that she will have to work little hard doing some exercises, taking healthy non starchy food and then do the GTT test after a week or so. This is to try for the fact that the blood glucose levels come at least to a normal range. Let's see and work hard together -mamma, pappa and ME !

For the next few days (for a week you can say) the following is in mom's agenda to work hard before the GTT test:
  • Go for a regular one hour walk everyday with pappa in the evening
  • have some bitter vegetable(boiled) during lunch
  • have complex carbohydrate food like rice, cereals, whole grain biscuits etc
  • drink lots of water to keep body hydrated
  • avoid butter/ghee/cream/cheese
  • have salty snacks/biscuits instead of sweet ones
  • not to have any loose sugar with tea, curd etc
Sweet mom this will definitely help you bring down the blood sugar level..you will see! Fight mom fight..i love your fighting spirit :)

Mamma has still collected some information about gestational diabetes, if in case she develops that she will follow the regulations and bring down the levels. I am sharing that info with you all.

Definition of Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs in non-diabetic women during pregnancy. Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin or use the insulin it produces in the proper way. Gestational diabetes affects about 3 to 6 percent of all pregnant women. It usually begins in the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy (weeks 24 and 28) and usually disappears shortly after delivery.

Description of Gestational diabetes

After a meal, a portion of the food a person eats is broken down into sugar (glucose). The sugar then passes into the bloodstream and the cells via a hormone called insulin, produced by the pancreas.

Normally, the pancreas produces the right amount of insulin to accommodate the quantity of sugar. However, if the person has diabetes, either the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond normally to the insulin.

In gestational diabetes, the woman is producing the right amount of insulin, however, the effect of insulin is partially blocked by a variety of other hormones (such as progesterone, prolactin, estrogen, cortisol and human placental lactogen) made in the placenta (the organ that provides nourishment to the baby while developing inside the mother). This process is called insulin resistance, and begins about 20 to 28 weeks into pregnancy. As the placenta grows, more of these hormones are produced and the greater the insulin resistance becomes. In most women, the pancreas is able to make additional insulin to overcome insulin resistance. When the pancreas makes all the insulin it can and there still is not enough to overcome the effect of these hormones, gestational diabetes results.

Causes and Risk Factors of Gestational diabetes

Any woman can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, however, there are certain factors that put a woman more "at risk" for developing gestational diabetes. These risk factors include:
  • over the age of 30
  • obesity
  • family history of diabetes
  • having previously given birth to a very large child (over 9 pounds, 14 ounces), having previously given birth to a stillborn child or a child with a birth defect
  • having too much amniotic fluid
  • having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
  • having high blood pressure

Symptoms of Gestational diabetes

Generally, gestational diabetes may not cause any symptoms, however, the woman may experience excessive weight gain, excessive hunger or thirst, excessive urination or recurrent vaginal infections.

Diagnosis of Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is detected through a glucose tolerance test, taken from week 24 through week 28 of pregnancy. If the woman is considered at risk for developing gestational diabetes, the doctor may test the woman as early as 13 weeks into the pregnancy.

The glucose (blood sugar) tolerance test involves drinking a glucose (sugar) solution. After waiting one hour, blood is taken from a vein in the arm and the glucose level is checked. A woman with a glucose level of less than 140 mg/dl is presumed not to have gestational diabetes and no further testing is done.

If the glucose level is above 140 mg/dl, a three-hour glucose tolerance test will be performed. The three-hour glucose tolerance test involves eating a diet of at least 150 grams of carbohydrates each day, three (3) days prior to the test. Ten to 14 hours before the test, the woman should not eat or drink anything but water. The test is administered in the doctor's office in the morning and begins with the doctor taking a blood sample. This blood sample is used to determine the fasting glucose level. The woman will then drink a glucose solution and blood will be drawn every hour for three hours after the drink has been consumed. The results of the tests will be compared to the "normal" values. If two or more of the glucose levels are higher than the normal values, a diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be made.

Treatment of Gestational diabetes

Treatment for gestational diabetes includes eating a carefully planned diet, getting plenty of exercise, maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight, monitoring glucose levels and, if necessary, daily insulin injections.

Diet

To help the blood sugar level to stay within a normal range (60 to 120 mg/dl):

  • Avoid sugar and foods high in sugar.
  • Eat complex carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, grains, cereals, crackers, bread, potatoes, dried beans and peas.
  • Eat fiber-rich foods such as whole grain cereals and breads, fruits and vegetables.
  • Avoid saturated fats such as fatty meats, butter, bacon, cream and whole milk cheeses.
  • Eat a snack before bedtime that is protein and carbohydrate based.

The doctor will help in determining a diet plan that fits the woman's needs.

Exercise

Talk with the doctor about what exercise program is right for the woman. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women are encouraged to exercise at least three or four days a week, with each session lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Women should avoid very strenuous activity and should not become overheated. If the woman has not exercised prior to pregnancy, a gradual introduction to exercise is recommended. Talk with your doctor regarding individual exercise needs and limitations.

Maintain a healthy pregnancy weight

Optimal weight gain depends on the pre-pregnancy weight of the woman. If the woman is at a desirable weight for her body size and height, a weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds is recommended. If the woman is 20 pounds or more above the desired weight, a weight gain of 20 to 24 pounds is recommended. If the woman is underweight, a weight gain of 28 to 36 pounds is recommended. This is dependent on how underweight the woman is pre-pregnancy. Talk with the doctor about his or her views on how much the woman should gain during the entire pregnancy.

Monitor glucose levels

Depending on the severity of the gestational diabetes, the doctor may want a daily or weekly glucose level test performed. There are self-blood glucose monitoring tests available that can be administered at home. These tests are done by using a special device to obtain a drop of blood and test for the blood sugar level.

Daily insulin injections

Insulin injections may be necessary if the dietary changes and exercising does not bring the blood sugar level within normal range. When two abnormal values occur in one week, the doctor may recommend insulin. A typical regimen begins with a small dose of intermediate-acting and/or regular insulin, taken once or twice daily, with adjustments to be made as insulin resistance increases. The doctor will explain the different kinds of insulin, the right amount of insulin to take and when to take it, and how to change the dosage.

Additionally, although not a treatment, the doctor may suggest careful monitoring of the baby, using ultrasound, fetal movement records, fetal monitoring and non-stress and stress tests.

  • Ultrasound is used to determine the position and the size of the baby.
  • Fetal movement records involve the woman recording the number of times a baby kicks or moves within a two-hour period.
  • Fetal monitoring involves measuring the baby's heart rate, and the strength and frequency of contractions at the same time.

During fetal monitoring, the doctor can also do a non-stress test on the baby. By rubbing the mother's stomach or introducing loud noises, the baby's movements and heart rate are measured. If the heart rate goes up, the test is normal. If the heart rate does not accelerate when the baby is externally stimulated, the doctor will do a stress test.

During the stress test, the mother is given a hormone (called oxytocin) which stimulates internal uterine contractions. During a contraction, the baby is momentarily deprived of its blood supply and oxygen, which forces the baby to respond with a higher heart rate. If the baby's heart rate slows down rather than speeds up, the baby may be in jeopardy.

Complications of Gestational Diabetes

If untreated or poorly controlled, gestational diabetes can cause the baby to:

  • have macrosomia (excessive weight at birth exceeding 9 pounds, 14 ounces)
  • develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) at birth
  • develop jaundice (yellow skin)
  • develop respiratory distress syndrome (breathing difficulties)
  • die after week 28 of pregnancy (called a stillbirth)
  • die in infancy

Prognosis

Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy, but, once a woman has had gestational diabetes, the chances are 75 percent that it will return in future pregnancies. In a few women, however, pregnancy uncovers insulin-dependent (Type I) or non-insulin dependent (Type II) diabetes. In other women, gestational diabetes increases their chances of developing Type II diabetes within eight years.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Gestational diabetes

  • What tests are used to diagnose gestational diabetes?
  • Can diet correct or prevent gestational diabetes?
  • What kind of diet plan should be followed and how rigid is it?
  • Will insulin injections be needed?
  • Will diabetes harm the development of the fetus?
  • Could the baby become a diabetic later on?
  • What are the chances of remaining a diabetic after delivery or becoming a diabetic later?
(taken from: http://www.healthscout.com)






Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Headache during pregnancy:

Yesterday was a terrible day for mamma!
She was really upset and was restless in pain and headaches.
This is a symptom she is having from almost 12weeks onwards.This pain of headache is miserable. More than pain it is very annoying and no one can withstand this regularly..

"Mamma you have every right to be angry"
I am also angry with you too ;) Sssh don't tell mamma that i am the reason for this..hee hee..
Actually headaches are very common in pregnancy.Due to hormonal changes, stress factors, restlessness etc headaches are common.

Last time when she went to the doctor she even asked the root cause of this headache. But doctor donot want to answer all intricate details and she said that you must consult an ophthalmologist..there might be issues with your vision and get that checked.
Mamma was disappointed! She was quite sure that this is very recent outcome of her pregnancy and must be related to pregnancy only.

After returning home she had done some research on the net about headache and came to know ..Yes as it might be! Headache in pregnancy is very much well known and has some causes also to this.

I am providing below some search results from the net to make you aunties more comfortable with the idea that this is very common and and established fact with many pregnancies.so donot be worried and take some preventive measures to make your self comfortable..

Reasons that causes headache:

Progesterone is a hormone which prepares and maintains the uterus for pregnancy. This progesterone causes the blood vessels to relax and not spasm which is often a cause of bad headaches in pregnant women. This means that the extent of the headache is depended on the hormone sensitivity of the person during pregnancy.

Pregnancy headaches are most commonly the result of hormonal changes, fatigue, tension, hunger or physical and emotional stress. Most headaches appear as a result of the cumulative effect of multiple factors of some times due to one factor alone. This is important because it is necessary to find out the factors behind it to fully eliminate the headache.

Before you go about finding the root cause of your headache it is important to know about some of the most common factors which can cause the headache.

First one is the low blood sugar level. If your blood contains sugar below the required amount, you may get headache. But don’t be fret; you can solve this problem by not missing meals and carrying high-energy snacks with you.

There are also some other obvious factors like loud noise, big crowd etc which can trigger the headache, so it is important to avoid such situations.

Dehydration can also cause headache. One obvious solution is to take enough water so that you don’t get dehydrated.

Some environmental factors like bad light and polluted air can also cause headache in some people. So ensure your environment is healthy and avoid unventilated rooms and workspaces. You should try to go out for a walk and get some fresh air and walking will also provide you the required exercise.

Meditation and yoga are two ways to help you relax and decrease the effects of tension headaches. But this should be done with the help of an expert and be careful when you practice yoga to not to do postures which are physically very demanding. Try lying down in a dark quiet room with your feet up for ten to 15 minutes.

Another important thing is to keep you relaxed and mentally well balanced during pregnancy. So get enough rest.

Acupuncture, biofeedback and massage have been show to bring some relief from a headache. Alternating hot and cold compresses to the aching area for ten minutes can alleviate some of your pain. It is strongly suggested that taking drugs during pregnancy, but if you must take some sort of drugs during this period, make sure you only take a limited amount of it.

taken from:http://earlysignsofpregnancy.in/headache-during-pregnancy.html

Some ways to tackle headaches(as explained by some experienced moms) :

Here are a few suggestions that may help you ward off a headache or get relief once you have one:

Figure out what's triggering the pain
Headache docs often recommend keeping a "headache diary" to help identify specific triggers. Write down anything you've eaten in the 24 hours preceding the onset of a migraine and what you were doing when it started.

Some common migraine triggers include foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrites (common in processed meats like hot dogs, salami, and bacon), sulfites (used as a preservative for salads and also found in many dried fruits), artificial sweeteners, certain beans and nuts, aged cheese and cultured dairy products (like buttermilk and sour cream), certain fresh fruits (bananas, papayas, avocados, and citrus), smoked fish, chocolate and carob, and things that are fermented or pickled (like soy sauce or sauerkraut), as well as glaring or flickering lights, loud noises, excessive heat or cold, strong odors, and tobacco smoke.

Go for a walk:
Try to take a long walk.Take deep breadth, try relaxation techniques. This may act like miracle for some people. Try to be tension free and get the air filled in your lungs. You will feel much better.

Use a compress
For a tension headache, apply a warm or cool compress to your forehead or the base of your skull. Cold compresses tend to work best for migraines.

Take a shower
For some migraine sufferers, a cold shower brings some fast — if temporary — relief. If you can't take a shower, splash some cool water on your face. A warm shower or bath can be soothing for tension headaches.

Don't go hungry or thirsty
To prevent low blood sugar (a common headache trigger), eat smaller, more frequent meals. If you're on the go, keep some snacks (crackers, fruit, yogurt) within reach. Avoid straight sugar, like candy, which can cause your blood sugar to spike and crash.

And don't forget to drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated as well. Sip water slowly if you have a migraine and have vomited.

Avoid fatigue
Try to make time for naps in your day. If you're having a migraine, try to sleep it off in a quiet, dark room.

Get some exercise
Some evidence shows that regular exercise can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and reduce the stress that can cause tension headaches. If you're prone to migraines, get started slowly — a sudden burst of activity could trigger one. (And don't exercise once a migraine has started because it will aggravate the headache.)

Try relaxation techniques
Biofeedback, meditation, yoga, and self-hypnosis are helpful in reducing stress and headaches in some sufferers.

Try massage
Consider getting a full-body massage to release tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back. If you can afford it, look for a trained prenatal massage therapist.

If a professional massage is only a pipe dream, ask your partner to rub your back and head — or slip into a salon for a professional shampoo. Some women who suffer from tension headaches swear by massage, although some studies question whether it's effective in preventing or relieving headaches.
taken from:http://www.babycenter.com




Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Friday, February 19, 2010

Proluton Depot:

Mamma will have to take injections from now onwards every week to safe guard pregnancy.
That is named Proluton Depot.

Already one of the injections are given.
It is soooo very painful. Mom almost started crying. I also felt very helpless. I wanted to tell her"Mom no need to take this medicine." Doctor who gave the injection explained the reasons:
First of all the needle used for the purpose is almost 3times thicker than the normal needle for water base injections. This is due to the fact that this injection is oil based and oil has to pass through the needle and it needs to be thicker than normal.
Secondly as this is an oil based one this takes hours to dissolve in the bloodstream and and it gets some clots in the blood or the place where it is given and application of ice pack and heat may dissolve gradually.

Already before she achieved pregnancy she had to give lots and lots of injections-some for ovulation induction and some as progesterone ones after IVF process was over.
Now i think, she is sick and tired of injections. She is also much scared to take more! But is left with no other option.
She cries to herself when she is alone due to pain and anger
She tries to comfort herself by saying that this phase will be over and at the end of this she will get me as a gift and forget all her pains.

I can do nothing..just watch her from within! " Mom don't worry..believe me you are not alone. There are large number of women out there who have precious pregnancies and signs of miscarriages who need to take these injections. Think about all. This phase will go and one day you will be the happiest one!"

Pappa is really negligent about this. He has his own life, own work, own colleagues at office. He cannot even understand the pain and discomfort my mom is going through. He is real busy in his office work. Sometimes when he sees mother in her tears then probably he will think about her. But again goes back to his dailt chores and forgets everything. I don't like this! Everytime i feel my mom is the best..why is she not given cent percent importance and always pampered? Wait pappa..let me come out from my present home first..i have lots and lots of grudges to make to you.I am not happy with the way you are reacting to the present situation.

Whatever..the fact remains that mamma is giving this progesterone injection for upto 30weeks now that is to say almost 15numbers are left. The very number makes ME crazy, you can easily think mom's stress factor!

But as far as I know her she will continue that inspite of all her pain as there are some positive aspects of the same. I am listing some facts about the injection below:

Proluton Depot® | Proluton Depot (Hydroxyprogesterone) 250mg/ml

How does it work?

Proluton Depot® | Proluton Depot (Delalutin) 250mg/ml or 500mg/ml Hydroxyprogesterone hexaxnoate is a synthetic hormone similar to the natural female sex hormone progesterone. It is used in the prevention of spontaneous abortion in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage (habitual abortion). Spontaneous abortion occurs when the body's levels of progesterone drop below the required level to maintain pregnancy. Therefore hydroxyprogesterone is used to maintain these levels and prevent miscarriage.

What is it used for?

History of miscarriages

Use with caution in

  • Diabetes
  • Monitor the medication level in the blood during pregnancy

Not to be used in

  • Current or previous liver cancer
  • History of herpes infection during pregnancy

This medicine should not beused if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients.

Side Effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

  • Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)
  • Cough
  • Pain and irritation at the injection site

GCT Test and GTT Test:

Oh my God!

Doctor aunty has advised to get the GCT done now..mamma is little worried is there a cause of concern?
Why has she advised test this early? I am only 14weeks along and mamma has heard that it is generally done around 24-28 weeks timeframe.

However if she says that it is to be done then that is final.It is always better to be safe than worry-what you say?

Some information mom has collected regarding GCT test..I am providing that below-see if that helps you or not! These are some fears generally all pregnant aunts may have regarding GCT or GTT..

What is GCT test?

Most healthcare practitioners routinely recommend a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes, a high blood sugar condition that some women get during pregnancy.

Like any screening test, this one won't give you a diagnosis — it's designed to identify as many women as possible who may have a problem and need more testing to find out. So a positive result doesn't mean that you have gestational diabetes. In fact, only about a third of women who test positive on the glucose screen actually have the condition. To find out if you're one of them, you'll have to undergo a longer, more definitive exam called a glucose tolerance test (GTT).

Between 2 and 5 percent of expectant mothers develop gestational diabetes, making it one of the most common health problems during pregnancy. And because the condition rarely causes any symptoms, testing is the only way to find out if you have it.

Your practitioner may want you to be screened earlier than 24 weeks if a routine urine test shows a high amount of sugar in the urine or if you're considered at high risk. If the results are normal, you'll be screened again at 24 to 28 weeks.

Of course, if were already diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy, you won't need to be screened. Instead, you'll continue to work with your practitioner to manage your condition during your pregnancy.

How is the screening test done?

When you arrive for the test, you'll be given a sugar solution that contains 50 grams of glucose. The stuff tastes like a very sweet soda pop (it comes in cola, orange, or lime flavor), and you have to get all of it down in five minutes. Some centers keep it chilled or let you pour it over ice and drink it cold.

An hour later (bring a book or magazine!), your practitioner or a technician will take a blood sample from your arm to check your blood sugar level. The idea is to see how efficiently your body processes sugar. Results should be available in a few days.

If the reading is abnormal (too high), which happens 15 to 23 percent of the time, your practitioner will have you come back for a three-hour glucose tolerance test to see if you really do have gestational diabetes. The good news is that most women whose screening test shows elevated blood sugar don't turn out to have gestational diabetes.

Will this test make me feel sick?

Some moms-to-be feel nauseated after drinking the glucose solution, and a few even throw up. It sometimes helps to have eaten something a few hours before the screening test. If you vomit soon after you've gotten the drink down, you'll have to come back another day and repeat the test. But most women get through it just fine. It's actually more common for women to feel sick during the three-hour glucose tolerance test, because the solution for that test may be twice as sweet or twice as much liquid as the one for the screening test and you have to drink it after fasting.

What is an abnormal blood glucose level?

Different practitioners use different standards for determining whether your level is too high. Some will say that if your one-hour blood sugar level is 140 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood plasma (mg/dL) or more, you need to have the glucose tolerance test. Others put the cut-off at 130 mg/dL to catch more women who may have gestational diabetes, even though there are likely to be more false positives this way.

If your blood glucose level for this test is higher than 200 mg/dL, most practitioners will consider you diabetic and you won't be required to take the glucose tolerance test. But any score between 140 and 200 means that you'll have to take the three-hour glucose tolerance test for a definite diagnosis.

What is the glucose tolerance test like?

For three days before the test, you'll be told to eat at least 150 grams of carbohydrate a day. If you eat a normal diet and have an extra piece of bread at each meal, you'll likely be getting enough carbs. For eight to 14 hours before the test, you can't eat or drink anything but sips of water (and you're not supposed to smoke or exercise either), so you'll want to schedule it for first thing in the morning.

When you arrive for the test, the technician will take a blood sample to measure your "fasting blood glucose level" and then ask you to drink either a more concentrated dose or a larger volume of the glucose solution. Then brace yourself for three more arm pricks, as your blood is tested every hour for the next three hours. The technician should alternate arms each time she draws your blood.

You'll definitely need something to distract you this time, because you'll have to stay seated in the waiting room between blood drawings. And bring something to eat right after your final blood sample is drawn because you'll probably be starving.

If one of the readings is abnormal, you may have to take another test later in your pregnancy. Or your practitioner may ask you to make some changes in your diet and exercise routine. If two or more of your readings are abnormal, you'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes and you'll need to talk to your practitioner about a treatment plan. This chart shows the levels that the American Diabetes Association considers abnormal at each interval of the test:

IntervalAbnormal reading
Fasting95 mg/dl or higher
One hour180 mg/dl or higher
Two hours155 mg/dl or higher
Three hours140 mg/dl or higher

What happens if I'm diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

You'll work with your practitioner or a diabetes specialist and possibly a nutritionist to come up with a plan to manage your condition. Your condition should only last as long as your pregnancy — but a small number of women who develop diabetes during pregnancy still have it after delivery, so you'll have to take another glucose test after six weeks postpartum.

If it turns out that someone has high blood sugar levels after that test they need to conduct a second test, called GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test), to confirm the results.


Routine Blood Tests:

Doctor has asked mamma to do some blood tests as a precautionary measures. I think after 3months are completed doctor recommends to get the routine bloodwork done to check some details.

The following are the list of tests that mamma will have to do:
The following are some information which she found out from net regarding these tests:

Blood group

It's important to know your blood group in case you need a transfusion during pregnancy or labour. Blood group O is the most common; groups A, B, and AB are less so.

Rhesus (Rh) factor

Your doctor needs to know whether you are Rhesus positive, which means that you have a certain protein on the surface of your red blood cells, or Rhesus negative, which means that you don't. If you are Rhesus negative and your partner is positive, there's a good chance that your baby will be Rh positive. In this case, your body might produce antibodies, which start to destroy his red blood cells.

Iron levels

A blood test can tell you if your haemoglobin levels are low, which is a sign of anaemia. If you're anaemic, your doctor will talk to you about the best foods to eat (such as lean meat, dried fruits and spinach) to boost your iron stores. You might also be prescribed iron tablets. Your haemoglobin levels will be checked again at 28 weeks, but if you suffer a lot from fatigue at any point during pregnancy, your doctor will arrange for a blood test earlier to see if you are anaemic.

Blood sugar

Your blood can indicate the level of sugar in your body. If you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight, you may develop gestational diabetes.

Hepatitis B

You could be a carrier of the hepatitis B virus and not even know it, so a blood test is often the only way to find out for certain. If you pass the disease on to your baby either before or after he is born, his liver could be seriously damaged. Babies at risk of catching the hepatitis B virus from their mothers can be given injections of antibodies as soon as they are born to protect them.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection, which spreads through cat faeces and undercooked meat.
Your blood will be tested for this disease. Severe cases of the infection can stunt the growth of the baby in the womb, and cause miscarriage and premature labour.

The TORCH panel of tests is routinely conducted to rule out toxoplasmosis, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Syphilis

This sexually transmitted disease is fairly rare nowadays, but if you have it and it isn't treated during pregnancy, it could cause abnormalities in your baby. The blood test for syphilis, called the VDRL, is, in general, an accurate test, but it can sometimes produce a false positive result, particularly if the woman being tested has lupus.

German measles (rubella)

Most pregnant women are immune to German measles because they've either been vaccinated against it or they've had the disease as a child. If you aren't immune, you'll be advised to avoid anyone who has or might have the infection. This is because if you catch German measles during pregnancy, your baby's heart, sight, and hearing could be seriously affected.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV is a viral infection that can be passed on to the foetus. It may lead to hearing loss or mental retardation.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

It is one of the most common viral infections that produce painful sores on the mouth or in the genital area. It may lead to permanent brain damage in the baby.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

My introduction :

Hi All

Let me first introduce myself to you all.

I am Goblu..
definitely will have a nice and fancy name that all members of my family will give but right now i cherish this name my mamma and pappa has given me when they came to know about my existence.

Those who cannot understand the meaning of the name..i can tell you that Goblu actually means chubby and plump. Mamma thinks i will be real plump and round when i come to her lap. I am trying my best to keep up mother's expectation !

My mamma and pappa had a long journey before i arrived. They had to go to doctors to understand what the problem is..why it is taking soooo long for me to come to them. Hence after real trying and doctors' intervention, lots of medical tests and what you call as IUIs and IVF i managed to come here. My mamma spent many hours with her eyes filled with water. I tried to tell her not to worry..i will come someday or the other-it is just the matter of time!!
But as you all can understand it is very difficult to fight infertility and spend days waiting ..

But suddenly after the first IVF cycle,with dortor aunt and uncle's help i managed to arrive!I remember the day when my mamma and pappa went to hospital and had the bloodwork done to test for pregnancy and came to know about my existence!!
OH MY DEAR GOD!
I thought mamma would burst in laughter as soon as she would know about that .
But NO.. she started to cry!!I could understand that it was from happiness only.
I tried to tell her "Mom don't cry ..now that i have come, i will not leave you now..no..never!"

That is the start of my journey.
From that day i am gradually becoming bigger and fuller in appearance and existence. Everyday i am trying to make mamma understand about my every existence. Doctors say that you will not be able to feel us until we are almost 20weeks along! But that is not true. The moment we arrive in our mom's little belly she could feel us not in the sense of actual kicks but with different symptoms and other indescribable feelings.

Here in this blog i will try to share with you my different feelings and moods as well as different pregnancy information which my mother will come across on her course of different questions and queries she is having on her course of pregnancy. You can give me suggestions and different opinions if you have any specific questions or you want my mom to know about that in her course of pregnancy. I will be happy to do the search about the data and give you some information after my mamma finds it for her :)

Lots of hugs and kisses for all you sweet aunties there who can understand all my ramblings here and are feeling for me! I will try to write everyday a little few things through my mom and keep you updated and informed about different situations, stories and developments that are happening in my life. As well as give some data for a safe and enjoyable pregnancy.

All the best to all of you!
Hugs and kisses
Goblu :)
Countdown Pregnancy Ticker