Wednesday, August 29, 2012

What to Look for in an Obstetrician to Deliver Your Baby

For most people finding out that they are expecting a baby is an exciting moment. With others, sometimes it might take a little while to get used to the idea and have it sink in. In both of these cases, the mom will realize fairly quickly that she needs an Obstetrician if she does not already have one.
If you have ever had a baby, you know that each Obstetrician has their own style of dealing with patients. You may definitely prefer one style over another. You might want to schedule a consultation with a few of the obstetricians that you know. By doing this, you will be able to find out their philosophy on caring for and delivering babies.
If you go with more of a natural style then you might want a doctor with more of a midwife approach or something similar. Other moms-to-be have a C-section-and-go perspective on delivery. These moms will want an OB with a similar perspective.
You might find a doctor that you think you will like, but then after a few visits, you might not like their style of dealing with you or just in how they handle your pregnancy. If this happens, you should be able to switch. Sometimes if you go to an OB clinic where there are a number of doctors, you might end up seeing all of them periodically. In these cases, there are more people looking at your pregnancy. This can be positive and negative. It can be good to get other points of view, but we have all heard that too many cooks spoil the pot. Too many perspectives can sometimes cause problems and unnecessary worry for the parents-to-be.
Something that you should make sure not to do as you are considering what OB to choose is neglect getting care. Even if you have not chosen your official Obstetrician, you should not wait to get an ultrasound to see how your baby is doing. It is important to begin getting care fairly early in your pregnancy.
Finding an Obstetrician who fits your style and way of think will definitely help you during your pregnancy. It will help you to have someone else on the same page with you. AS your time to deliver comes closer, he or she can help you develop a birth plan that works for you. Do not settle for an OB that will not help you pursue what you believe to be the healthiest and best choices for your unborn baby within the bounds of acceptable medical practices.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Learn About Your Breast Reconstruction Options

When you have to make a decision about whether or not to have a mastectomy, one of the things you need to consider is what options you have afterwards. Before you start putting off the idea of doing something that will keep you healthy, think about how breast reconstruction can offer you new life after your mastectomy. You need to seek out a professional surgeon who specializes in chest reconstructive surgery so you can find out what they can do for you.
You need to be aware that breast reconstruction is considered plastic surgery. It consists of several different procedures that can be used to recreate your bosom, so that it is the same size, shape and structure as they were before you had them removed. In some cases, you can opt for a slightly larger or smaller size to help increase your comfort level and appearance goals. It may take a few surgeries to complete the process; however you do have the option of starting your surgery started immediately after your mastectomy or some time later on in the future.
You do have a few options available with breast reconstruction. You can choose to have your chest redone with implants. Your surgeon will use an expander to create enough space underneath your chest tissue by stretching the skin so that it can house the size implants you desire. Once the implant shells are placed into their new location, your surgeon will then proceed to fill them with a saline or silicone solution. This is something you will decide on before the date of your operation. Most patients opt for silicone. Keep in mind that breast implants do not last forever. They often need to be replaced or refilled every five to eight years. They can also deflate and cause some unnecessary scarring.
You also have the option of a tissue flap procedure. In this procedure, the surgeon uses excess tissue and blood vessels that can be removed from your abdomen, buttocks and thighs. This tissue is used to reconstruct your bosom. Breasts that are created with this method feel more real than they would if implants were used. Some breast reconstruction procedures can also combine the use of implants and tissue.
Don't forget that during a chest reconstruction, you can also have your nipples and areola recreated as well. This is not done at the same time of your original reconstructive surgery. It is something that surgeons perform a few months after your chest has healed from your previous operation. Your surgeon will build your nipple from tissue that is taken from a small and inconspicuous are of your chest or from some other area on your body. If the areola is missing, the surround skin of the nipple will be colored to look like an areola. Remember, when it comes to having a mastectomy, ask your doctor about your breast reconstruction options. You will find that a good surgeon can provide you with a chest that rivals your previous one.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

7 Development: What To Expect And One Beneficial Food

What Happens Inside Your Body?
By the seventh week of your pregnancy, your baby continues to develop in such a rapid rate. The baby's size has almost developed and approximately, he is about the size of a blueberry. The head is noticeably larger than the body and the forebrain has already divided into two cerebral hemispheres. Every minute, more than a hundred nerve cells are created in these hemispheres.
The arms and the legs continue to develop, as well as the brain, eye lenses, nostrils, intestines, appendix, pancreas and bronchi. The baby's kidneys are now getting ready to perform their jobs which basically include secretion and pee production. By this time, your baby is still considered as the embryo since he still contains that little tail. As time passes by, the tail continues to reduce in size and in a few weeks time, it will eventually disappear.
What Can You Expect?
By this time, you should expect morning sickness to come in full swing. Even eating has become a difficult chore to do nowadays. Food aversions are getting more prevalent.
Fatigue is pretty normal these days because your body is working very hard in building the placenta which is vital in your baby's health. Other pregnancy symptoms which are evident this week include indigestion, heartburn, constipation, food cravings, food aversions, excess saliva, nausea and vomiting.
You will then begin to notice that your breasts are getting the size of melons. This is due to the surge of pregnancy hormones, build-up of fats and increased blood flow which are necessary for breastfeeding later on. Also, you can notice some blue veins sprouting out on your breasts.
The increasing volume of blood and other fluids processed by your kidneys may cause you to urinate more often. The increased flow of blood on the pelvic area is caused by the increasing number of pregnancy hormones in the body. Since your uterus has almost doubled its size since you became pregnant, greater pressure is put on your bladder. In effect, going to the bathroom has become more frequent.
This week, you will need to go to a midwife or obstetrician for your first prenatal checkup. She will begin charting your weight gain, determine your due date and ask you for any genetic disorders and diseases which run in the family as well as your pregnancy history.
Healthy Lifestyle for Pregnant Women
The first trimester of your pregnancy is definitely the most important stage for your baby's development. Make sure to acquire sufficient vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to optimize your baby's growth and development. By this time, stop taking medications unless prescribed by your doctor.
Smoking and alcohol consumption should also be avoided to minimize risk for your baby. Maintaining a healthy diet is very important these days. Your body is working on a Herculean task of supplying your baby's every need. On the other hand, your baby needs to acquire the maximum nutrients he can get to enhance his body and brain development.
Grapes For Good Health
Grapes are probably one of the best fruits to take during pregnancy. Just like many fruits, grapes are packed with lots of essential nutrients which are very beneficial not just to the baby, but to your health as well.
Grapes are excellent sources of calcium, phosphorus, iron, lecithin, organic acids, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C and carotene. These nutrients play important roles in the foetus' development. Grapes are scientifically proven to contain resveratrol, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins which are known to be effective at reducing one's risk for certain types of cancer.
These fruits can also be of great benefit to pregnant women who suffer from low blood pressure, cold feet and hands and poor blood circulation. Grapes are said to be effective at improving these conditions in pregnant women. Furthermore, this fruit is believed to perform a tocolysis role in foetus development.
Grapes also help in preventing the formation of haemorrhoids in pregnant women. Aside from its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, grapes also make excellent laxatives which are great remedies for problems on constipation. Apart from its capacity to treat uterine bleeding, grapes also contain high levels of antioxidants which are beneficial in reducing blood vessel and heart problems in pregnant women.
Europeans consider grapes as an excellent treatment for a wide range of health conditions which include diarrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetic complications, constipation, liver disorder, ocular abnormalities and cardiovascular diseases.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

3 Ways to Make Downtime Work for You

It's Monday morning, and you struggle to wake up. The week is just starting, but already you're feeling weary and bloated--like you need a vacation.
You thought you were getting a "weekend," but instead you are suffering from WEAK ENDS, departures from the routines that keep you feeling alert, sound, and fit during the week.
For many of us, Saturday and Sunday morph from a relaxing, fun two days into a period that lacks the structured self-care we work so hard to keep in place during the week. The result? You're set up for a whole week of stress and struggling to catch up, lacking the energy and focus that keep you productive.
Especially if you are looking to gain vitality or drop extra pounds, be on the lookout for these common weekend slips that can stall or reverse the results you want.
1) "Weak-End" Sleeping
Resist the temptation of long sleep-ins on the weekend. Staying in bed hours later than usual can be an exhausting luxury.
Often, the pattern begins with staying out late on Friday and Saturday night. This leads to sleeping late on the following mornings, which in turn makes it difficult to fall asleep at a regular bedtime on Sunday night. Sound familiar? (If you have young children, you are excused.) That translates into meeting Monday morning deprived of sleep--and maybe reaching for extra coffee and something too sugary to give you the energy fix you need to think, focus, and perform. If the pattern continues throughout the week, the cycle of sleep deprivation, stress, and overeating deepens come Friday night.
Your Weekend Fix: If weekends mean you sleep more than 2 hours past your regular wake-up time, set your alarm. Consistency in your sleep schedule ensures a good night's rest on Sunday followed by an alert, refreshed Monday morning. If staying up late on Friday and Saturday nights makes this plan difficult, a 20-minute nap (at the most) will help.
2) "Weak-End" Exercising
Though we may set aside time to exercise on Saturday or Sunday, it's easy to get sidetracked with projects, friends, and errands. Before we know it, the day has flown past--along with any possibility of exercising to achieve and maintain better health, stress release, weight loss, and energy.
Your Weekend Fix: Make a realistic plan for weekend fitness, and stick to it. Working out first thing in the morning is usually the best plan. Or, make exercise a social event by inviting friends to join you in going for a walk or trying a new activity. Staying in motion will make a difference in how you feel come Monday morning.
Your weekend is meant to be a time of renewal. Don't let it become a stumbling block instead. Grasp control of your plans beginning this weekend--because it's a sure thing, keeping up the momentum you gain during the week and carving out time for self-care is crucial to overall wellbeing.
3) "Weak-End" Eating
We work so hard practice good wellness habits during the week... but for some of us, that goes out the window with a weekend full of social events. Alcohol, irregular meal times, and a vacation mentality can override good judgment. Lack of consistency leads to indulgence and fluctuating blood sugar, which negate gains from the week before. Often, weight loss plateaus can be traced to poor "weak-end" eating choices.
Your Weekend Fix: Plan ahead. A good plan will let you navigate social situations without encountering those frustrating plateaus or, worse, backsliding.
Being consistent with your eating plan is the key to success, regardless of the day. Enjoy time with friends and family, but take a few steps to limit the damage indulgence can wreak.
- Eat regularly throughout the day, especially when you'll be going out for meals. "Eating before you eat" will keep from being so hungry you overeat.
- Going on an outing? Bring along healthful snacks such as nuts, cheese, and fruit.
- Pace alcohol consumption so you aren't tempted to fill up on bread, desserts, or other foods that sabotage weight maintenance.