Haemorrhoids in Pregnancy

What are haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids are enlarged and swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus. Haemorrhoids can range from slightly uncomfortable to very painful. They might itch, and can bleed during bowel movements.

Haemorrhoids during pregnancy

Haemorrhoids affect between 20 and 50 percent of all pregnant women. Most women who suffer from haemorrhoids, will develop them during the third trimester. Haemorrhoids are a common postpartum complaint, due to pushing during the second stage of labour.

Pregnant women are more likely to suffer from haemorrhoids for a number of reasons. Increased blood flow to the pelvic area can cause the rectal wall veins to swell and bulge. The enlarged uterus puts pressure on the rectal veins. Pregnancy hormones cause veins and arteries to relax to allow for the increased blood flow. The pregnancy hormone progesterone slows down the intestinal tract which can cause constipation. This all makes pregnant women more susceptible to haemorrhoids.

How to prevent hemorrhoids

There are a number of steps you can take to try and prevent hemorrhoids:

  • Eat plenty of fibre – maintaining regular bowel movements is the best way to prevent haemorrhoids. By eating a high fibre diet, you can prevent constipation. Bran cereals, dried fruits, and pears are all high fibre foods. Switching to brown rice, brown pasta and wholemeal bread can also help to increase your fibre intake.
  • Stay hydrated – dehydration can cause constipation. You should increase your fluid intake during pregnancy, so make sure you are drinking at least eight glasses of fluid a day.
  • Pelvic floor exercises – these can improve circulation to the pelvic area, and can in turn reduce the risk of constipation and haemorrhoids.
  • Sleep on your side during pregnancy to prevent pressure on the rectal veins.
  • Don’t strain on the toilet. Straining can cause haemorrhoids.

Treatments for hemorrhoids

As well as following the advice above, you could try the following to ease haemorrhoids:

  • Apply a cold compress or ice pack a few times a day.
  • Soak your bottom in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes after each bowel movement. This will relieve discomfort and can be used as necessary.
  • After bowel movements, use wet wipes or moist toilet paper, to clean your bottom.
  • Ask your healthcare provider if they can advise any medicines that are safe to use during pregnancy.

If your haemorrhoid symptoms are persistent and severe, or if you are experiencing rectal bleeding, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Clumsiness During Pregnancy

Since the start of pregnancy, you feel like not only did your pregnancy shrink your brain, but it has also made you a tad clumsy. You are suddenly dropping things, tripping, knocking things over, misplacing items, and having trouble remembering what you are supposed to be doing. And, of course, you wonder if this is normal? You wonder if pregnancy has caused you to lose your mind and your cat-like grace.

The truth is, that this state of confusion and clumsiness during pregnancy is completely normal. Your body is undergoing rapid changes in a short time that seemingly affect every system of the body from your brain to your joints. Plus, as you retain more water and become larger, your center of balance becomes off. As a result, the tendency to drop things, fall, trip or become clumsy increase. In addition to that, hormonal changes that loosen the ligaments in the joints (and seem to give you a case of pregnancy brain) are to blame for this newfound clumsiness.

Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do about it. The larger you get, the clumsier you may feel. Your best bet is to slow down and take your time, especially considering the risk of falls in late pregnancy can be dangerous.

While you are dealing with this coordination dilemma, you should also worry less about the looks of your footwear and more about the functionality they provide you. Look for comfortable and supportive footwear with rubber soles and supports for the arches of your feet. Avoid high heels, and any shoes that offer little support. Wearing good shoes during pregnancy is important and can help you avoid excess back pain and reduce the swelling in your feet.

If water retention is a problem for you, be sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Keep water on hand at all times so that you can be sure you aren’t dehydrating yourself. And if your feet or legs begin to swell, take time to sit down and put your feet up!

The good news is that the new cumbersome you is not permanent, and it comes for a good reason. Soon, you will have a clumsy little baby to look after, and you will return back to your normal, graceful self!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

7 Pregnancy Products Women Need

When you are pregnant, even the littlest things are essential to making you feel comfortable. Some products are specially designed to make your pregnant life simpler, calmer, and more relaxing. May it be to stop the itching in your belly, clothes for easier movements, or anything that will get you through the night, these pregnancy products are your best bet!

BODY PILLOW

A body pillow is a lifesaver for some pregnant women. It is that one thing they sleep with every night, lounge on the couch with, and wrap around their back. It is a very valuable sleep aid when you have trouble sleeping due to discomfort. It also eases stiff joints and supports your body.

BELLY SUPPORT BELT

Belly support in the form of elastic belly belt may help relieve pubic pain and prevents progress of discomfort. At a very low cost, it provides instant relief with its light and small feature. It is highly recommended for pregnant women who have lots of back and pelvic bone problems.

MORNING SICKNESS RELIEF

If you’re suffering from morning sickness you may benefit from natural morning sickness relief. It can be a baggie full of crackers, fruit-and-juice popsicles, or even sea bands. You can also have preggy pops which come in different flavours such as ginger and lavender.

PREGNANCY BRA SOLUTIONS

Ever heard of bra extenders? You can get it for a few bucks and save yourself from buying new bras that you will not use in a week. With extenders, you can still wear your bras a bit longer by letting out the ribcage part.

SOOTHING SKIN LOTION

Soothing skin lotion is essential for your breasts, butt, and belly. Use it after the shower for a softer pregnancy skin. Aloe Vera gel helps with your hot and swollen feet, providing you a good night sleep. When massaged to the perineum, it may also prevent tears during labour.

SLIDE-ON SHOES

With swollen feet, slide-on shoes are great pregnancy products that every expecting mother should have. Choose some cute and support slide-on shoes for support and cushion.

PREGNANCY PLANNER

During the course of your pregnancy, there are simply too many things to keep track of. The pregnancy planner is a handy notepad where you can write down emergency contact numbers, health details and things you like to do to prepare for delivery. If you have a lot of things on your mind, the planner is a great way to organise your thoughts and schedules so you don’t miss those important prenatal appointments or just simply hanging out with your friends.

What products are your “must-haves”?

Written by Team Health & Parenting

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

2 Common Health Risks of Winter Born Babies

Oh baby, it’s cold outside!

For many expectant moms who are due in the winter, there is a hint of worry and anxiety about the risks associated with having a baby in the cold months. The reality is that there are many more viruses and bacterial infections floating around in the winter months, such as the seasonal flu and the common cold, that can be much more dangerous for newborns. Additionally, the stoic cold makes it impractical for many parents to take their newborns outdoors often, and makes routine outings feel overly stressful.

Obviously, babies are born during every season of the year. And while there are risks involved for newborns no matter when they are born, the cold winter months do pose some more health hazards. The following risks and accompanying tips can help you enjoy your winter baby and hopefully worry a little less.

1. Over-bundling your baby. Your cold season baby will come home with a hat. Infants have an especially hard time regulating body temperature and many parents keep the baby’s hat on for weeks after delivery. However, it is important to realize that just because your baby is little and the temperatures are cold, you shouldn’t over-bundle your baby in clothing. Too many layers of clothing along with too many covers or blankets can actually pose a health risk for your little one, as they struggle to regulate body temperature at both spectrums. Getting too hot, or being over-bundled, has been linked to SIDS. Pediatricians say you should feel your baby’s hands and feet to see if they are warm or cold. Dress and bundle your baby as you would do yourself and then add one thin layer. Keeping the hat on your baby’s head is a good idea especially since most of their body heat escapes from the head. If you head outdoors, bundle your baby, paying careful attention to keep their face covered from the elements – but check their body temperature regularly to make sure that they aren’t overheating. When you get indoors, remove the outer layers, such as a coat and mittens, so your baby can adjust to the indoor temperature.

2.  Winter illness. In the colder months, illness abound and you should be very strict and careful about people touching your baby. Ask them to wash their hands before handling your baby, and keep hand sanitizer nearby and ready to use. Even you, as the parent, should make sure to sanitize you hands often. Additionally, politely decline invitations to attend large parties and try to keep your infant away from places with many school aged children who are often carrying germs. Since there are very few medications you can give newborns when they get a cold or virus, you should be prepared to contact your pediatrician and keep supplies such as a nasal syringe and saline spray on hand. Also, keeping your baby out of places where lots of people congregate – such as churches, airports, grocery stores, schools etc. – can get you through the first few months with less risk for illness. Remember, if your baby does get sick, it is important to contact your pediatrician right away.

The good news is that the weather will warm up quickly and as your newborn grows he or she will be even more resilient. As long as you use common sense, an outing with your winter newborn is not cause for concern or worry.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Breast Exams During Pregnancy

Chances are you already know how important it is to check your breasts for lumps. You may even have a regular routine so you can be sure you check them monthly. But did you know that it’s important to continue these checks during pregnancy? If you haven’t checked your breasts before, now is a good time to start.

How to check your breasts

You should check your breasts every four to five weeks. You should expect your breasts to feel different each time during pregnancy, as your body prepares for motherhood. Experts advise checking your breasts in the shower, as the soap and water will allow your hands to glide smoothly over the breasts. You should lightly massage your breast using the flat of your hand, taking note of any lumps and bumps along the way. Be sure to massage the whole breast, including the nipple, right up to the armpit.

Remember, your whole body changes drastically during pregnancy, and your breasts are no exception. You are likely to notice a host of changes during these nine months, as your breasts prepare for breastfeeding.

What to look for

You should look out for any lumps, bumps, skin texture changes, skin dimpling and pain. Breast tenderness is common during pregnancy, but significant pain should be reported to your healthcare provider. Pregnancy hormones cause a number of breast changes, but these usually occur in both breasts. If you can feel lumps or bumps in just one breast, you should inform your healthcare provider.

Remember, most bumps and lumps turn out to be nothing, but it is always worth getting checked out. Your healthcare provider will perform a breast examination to investigate the breast changes you have noted. More than likely, you will go home feeling relieved. If your healthcare agrees that the lump is suspicious, an ultrasound, mammogram or biopsy may be performed. This will depend upon the location of the lump, your stage of pregnancy and other risk factors.

Breast cancer

Around 1.5 percent of breast cancer sufferers are pregnant when diagnosed. Pregnancy can mask the symptoms of breast cancer, leading to later diagnosis. This can mean that the cancer is more advanced at the time of diagnosis. By regularly checking your breasts during pregnancy, you can increase your chances of detecting problems early.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Will I Be a Good Mother?

You’re pregnant. You’re elated. You are so excited about the future that your imagination is running wild. You can almost see what the days in your household are going to be like once you have the baby. And then one day, in the most unexpected of ways when the reality of what your pregnancy means, you wonder….

Will I be a good mother?

Much of how we feel about motherhood comes from our own experiences with our own mother. And there are plenty of women in this world who do not have good relationships with their moms. You get along just fine, accepting things for what they are – only to come face to face with your own mother drama during pregnancy. You wonder if you know enough to be a good mom? You wonder if you will be like your own mother? You may even worry that you don’t have the tools of a living example of your own to help you along the maternal path.

Even women who have great relationships with their mothers likely worry about what kind of mother they will be. The reality is that worrying whether we will be ‘good enough’ for our children, will we be able to fully support them emotionally and spiritually and physically for the rest of their lives, is a common core concern of all mothers.

And, it is the FIRST sign that you WILL be a good mother. This worry, shows just how much you already love your baby, and how you already want so deeply for your baby to have everything in life. Including the perfect mom. (Which, by the way, doesn’t exist!)

Like all women, you will learn about motherhood as you go. Your child will come into this world and have a lot to teach you.  He or she will change your mind about a lot of beliefs that you may have never thought you would give up. He or she will also gently take your hand, and show you the way through the beauty of love.

While you will never be a perfect mother, you will be the best mother possible for your child. In those moments when you worry about whether you will be a good mom, have faith in yourself. Know that the love you feel right now – will only grow, and will help you do what is right for your child. Also realize that you will make mistakes along the way. Every mom on the face of the earth does at least once or twice.

They say that when a woman becomes pregnant, a mother is also born. Even now, while still carrying your baby in your womb, you are learning to be the best mom possible. Be patient with yourself, and remember one thing: Perfect or not, and even through mistakes, your baby will love you more than anyone else on the planet. You got this!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Cold Treatments During Pregnancy

You’ve probably already noticed that your immune system is at an all time low during pregnancy. Perhaps you have previously gloated that you ‘never get ill’, and now seem to be constantly fighting the sniffles. You may feel like all it takes is someone to sneeze in the same town as you, and you’ll spend the next two weeks in bed with a head cold.

It’s important to check all medicines are safe to use during pregnancy, and sadly with a cold, you may find that many aren’t. You should always check with your healthcare provider before taking a medicine during pregnancy. Sadly, you may find many of your go-to cold medicines are not suitable for use in pregnancy. Decongestants are considered unsafe for use during the first trimester, and experts disagree over whether they are safe later in the pregnancy.

To avoid using decongestants and other drug-based treatments altogether, give the following natural cold treatments a try:

  • Natural decongestants – to try getting rid of your stuffy nose without reverting to hard drugs, you could use eucalyptus as a natural decongestant. Try placing a few drops of eucalyptus oil in an oil burner to help you breathe more easily. You could also try soaking in the bath, or having a nice hot shower, to let the steam work its magic on your sinuses.
  • Natural throat soothers – to rid yourself of your raw, sore throat, try a soothing hot drink. Boil the kettle, and add about one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to a teapot. Add the water, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Decant into your favourite mug, and add a teaspoon of lemon juice and about a teaspoon of the sweetener of your choice (for example, honey, syrup or agave).
  • Natural remedy for a cough – if your scratchy throat is keeping you coughing through the night, try gargling with salt and water. This may help to relieve the soreness in your throat, and prevent more coughing fits.
  • Speed up recovery – to give yourself a fighting chance of being better by the weekend, make sure you get plenty of rest. You should also be sure to eat healthily and drink enough water to increase your chance of a speedy recovery.

If you are suffering from a fever, you may want to use medication to try and bring down your temperature. Check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to find out which medications are safe to use during pregnancy.

What are your tried and tested natural cold treatments during pregnancy?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Hair Color and Perms During Pregnancy

Many women wonder whether hair color and perms during pregnancy are safe. Depending on where you look and whom you ask, you are likely to get a multitude of answers. Some folks say hair color is safe as long as it doesn’t touch the scalp, while others believe that any type of hair color or hair treatment is unsafe.

So what should you do? Should you scale down your beauty routine and give birth to your first baby with unkempt hair, or will it be okay to color or perm your hair during pregnancy and keep your routine intact?

To date, there has been no accurate research that directly links hair color or chemicals used in permanents to fetal damage during pregnancy. That being said, the chemicals used in hair color and perms have been shown to cause cancer and genetic disorders in animal studies when used in high doses (50 times the amounts used in salon treatments). It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that using any and all unnecessary chemicals during pregnancy – especially on the scalp which absorbs the chemicals into the blood stream – should be avoided when possible. That being said, highlighting your hair or getting a perm has never been proven to cause any damage. In fact, thousands upon thousands of women keep up their hair during pregnancy.

Some women feel strongly that their self-esteem is worth the temporary exposure to chemicals. Even more interesting is that health professionals believe pregnant women are exposed to more harmful chemicals from pollution on a day to day basis than they are with a quick hair color touch-up or permanent.

Perhaps the real question is: how will your hair react? It is an undisputed fact that, thanks to hormones, your hair, skin and nails change drastically during pregnancy. You may get a perm only to realize that your hair is not reacting the same as it had in the past. Or your hair may not take color as well as it did before. So perhaps more than worrying about the chemicals, you might be worried about the way you will look after your hair treatments. There are many women who have been getting perms or hair color all their life, only to find out the hard way that their pregnancy hair didn’t tolerate the procedures. (That explains the poodle hair I had during delivery!)

One option of course, is to shop for organic, semi-permanent hair colors and treatments. These options are obviously not as long lasting, but they may be a temporary fix to keeping up your hair while you are pregnant. If you have concerns, you can also check with your physician and gain his or her insight to help you make the decision about whether to perm or color your hair or not.

Did you have any hair catastrophes during pregnancy? Did you use hair dyes or perm your hair?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Maternity Clothes on a Budget

You might love the idea of getting a whole new wardrobe, and kitting yourself out for the next few months in completely new clothes. But as you start pricing up nursery furniture and travel systems, your maternity fashion budget might disappear faster than your toes (say goodbye to those by the way, you won’t be seeing them for a while).

Fear not, because it is possible to treat yourself to a whole new maternity wardrobe without breaking the bank. Stick to the essentials, and you’ll be fine. You’ll need to invest in the follow basic items:

Tops – you’ll need a selection of tops. Try to have a mixture of types – t-shirts, vest tops, blouses and long-sleeved tops. There are loads of great options available so choose styles and colours you really like.

Jeans – maternity jeans are so comfortable, you won’t want to go back to normal jeans when the pregnancy is over – believe me. Get a style of jeans that you like, and don’t be afraid to spend a bit of money on this item, you’ll get lots of wear out of them.

Jumper – you’ll need a maternity jumper to keep you warm, especially if you’ll be pregnant over winter. For cardigans, you may be able to get away with you pre-pregnancy ones if you leave them unbuttoned, but it’s worth investing in a jumper.

Coat – you’ll need a maternity coat or jacket (depending on the season) to keep you safe from the elements. Get a nice big one that you can grow into – there’s nothing worse than not being able to pull a coat closed because your bump is in the way.

Work attire – the necessity of this will depend upon the type of job you have. If you work in uniform, you may be offered a maternity uniform at the cost of the company. Some offices relax their dress policy for pregnant women, meaning you might be able to wear jeans and a blouse rather than forking out for maternity suits. Speak to your boss about company policy.

Exercise wear – if you’re taking prenatal yoga classes, you’ll need some gym clothes. Lots of shops sell maternity yoga pants, but be warned – they are so comfortable you might end up wearing them all the time (this happened to me, I am ashamed to say). If you are a regular swimmer, you’ll need to invest in some maternity swimwear.

The little number – at some point during your pregnancy, you’ll be invited to a wedding, christening or birthday party, so you’ll need a nice little number to trot out. Choose something simple and plain that can be dressed up by accessories, that way you can transform the outfit each time you wear it just by wearing some different trimmings. Some maternity dresses double up as nursing dresses too, if you go for one of these you could use it in the months after the baby is born too.

Even just buying these basic items could set you back a pretty penny at most high street stores, but there are ways you can save money. Try to shop in the sales, when maternity fashion might be discounted or on offer. Check your local charity or thrift store to see if they have any maternity items in. Check online auction sites and local freecycling communities to see if anyone has any maternity wear they no longer need.

Remember, any maternity clothes you buy will probably still be in pretty good condition by the end of the pregnancy, so you’ll be able to sell them on if you wish. Alternatively, you could keep onto them in case you need them for a later pregnancy.

Do you have any advice to share with women about to embark on their first maternity shopping trip?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Five Delicious Mocktail Recipes

If you are the kind of woman who enjoys nothing more than heading to a cocktail bar after work on a Friday, you might be feeling left out now that you’re pregnant. You may be feeling too tired after working hard all week, and end up passed out on the sofa by 8pm. Or perhaps you’re just not enjoying being the only sober one at the party. Whatever it is, you’re probably missing your weekly gossip with friends. Fear not, just because you can’t drink alcohol, doesn’t mean you have to drink water. Here are five delicious mocktail recipes for you to try at home:

The Cure
½ cup fresh apple juice
dash lemon juice
dash grenadine
ginger ale to top up
lemon slice to garnish

Named so because of the ginger ale, which many women report to help during bouts of morning sickness. Fill a tall glass with crushed ice. Add the apple juice, lemon juice, grenadine and then top up with ginger ale. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

Cos-mom-politan
¼ cup soda water
1 ½ tbsp fresh lime juice
1 ½ tbsp cranberry juice
1 tbsp orange juice
dash orange bitters
orange slice to garnish

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of orange.

The Fizz
1 tbsp blackcurrant cordial
dash lemon juice
lemonade to top up

Fill a tall glass with crushed ice, add the ingredients and mix together. This drink can also be served in a champagne glass if used as an alternative drink to toast with. Cheers!

Mom-garita
½ cup lime juice
¼ cup agave syrup
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp lemon juice
slice of lime to garnish

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain and pour into a margarita glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Baby Bellini
2 tbsp peach juice
1 tbsp lemon juice
sparkling apple juice to top up

This is a classic virgin cocktail. Combine the peach and lemon juices in a champagne flute, and top up with sparkling apple juice.

Pregnancy doesn’t mean you have to stay home though, bars and restaurants usually have a number of alcohol-free cocktails on the menu for you to choose from. So enjoy your next night out with the girls, assuming you’re not too tired after a day in the office.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.