The Joycescape Network

As if swollen extremities, raging hormones and giving up all the things you are accustomed to for the sake of the little person growing inside your body aren’t enough, many pregnant women notice that their hair is not at all like it was before conception. The good news is pregnancy often results in thicker, more luxurious and healthier hair. That’s because the very same hormones that make you irritable, moody and teary eyed also cause your hair to grow faster, fuller and be more shiny.

The downside is that oily hair may tend to be more oily and dry hair noticeably drier. You may also notice a significant difference in the overall texture of your hair. Pregnancy hairs are almost always different than normal hairs. The changes in your hair are most often realized during the second trimester – around the same time your clothes become too tight. So, in addition to shopping for a new wardrobe, be prepared to search for alternative hair care choices.

One of the first things you want to do is to take a good look in the mirror and pick a hair do that not only compliments your expanding body, but also takes into consideration the condition of your changing hair. If your face is round and you find that your hair is thicker than normal, consider a longer hairstyle. If, however, your hair becomes dry or brittle, a shorter style will look healthier and will also be easier for you to take care of.

Oily hair requires frequent shampooing. If you notice that your hair is oilier during pregnancy, you will need to shampoo more often. Dry hair, on the other hand, will require less frequent shampooing in order to preserve natural oils. Mild shampoos are also the order of the day for dry hair since they tend to help the scalp retain natural moisture.

Towel dry your hair. Women with dry hair – whether pregnant or not – will notice that blow-drying is harsh and damages the hair follicle. When you are pregnant, your hair and scalp are more sensitive to the excessive heat that goes along with the convenience f blow drying your hair.

Go natural. Chemical hair treatments for pregnant women – including hair color and permanents – are all frowned upon by obstetricians the world over. The risk to your baby’s health and well-being may be minimal, but why take chances with your little bundle of joy?

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So, there’s a plan to have a baby. Well, that’s exciting news! A baby is a blessing and parenthood is such a joy. First-time parents or not, what could be more exciting than planning for the baby’s coming. Indeed, planning is a big help to everybody in the family plus it increases the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a good childbirth.

First things first, though. There’s the health of the mother to consider. Is she healthy enough to bear a child and rear one? The health of the mother is very important in determining the health of the child. She should not only be healthy physically but emotionally as well. Her age should also be taken into consideration as it affects the risks involved in pregnancy. She should maintain an ideal weight and have regular exercise prior to conceiving. Likewise, it is recommended that she should have a pre-conception health check that includes her blood pressure, rubella screening, contraception methods, and tests for urine, cholesterol, and hemoglobin levels.

There’s also the relationship with her partner. Is he supportive of the plan and is willing to make some sacrifices of his own? For example, there may be some adjustments in the family budget. Is he willing to absorb these since baby’s arrival is sure to affect household expenditures. Needless to say, there’s the immunizations for the mother even before pregnancy, the maternity clothes to buy, the regular visits to the doctor (for the pre-natal check-ups), the medical expenses during delivery, the baby’s layette, emergency funds, and a host of other essential things to prepare.

Lifestyle change is another consideration. Nights out with friends should be kept to a minimum, if not totally obliterated. Drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping late, and getting stressed out are not good and should be avoided as these may cause certain abnormalities in the unborn child. The parents should accept that having a baby in the house will change the way they live their life, but it will also make their life very rewarding and full of joy.

During pregnancy, the mother should eat foods that are nutritious and rich in protein, iron, and calcium. If she gets ill, she should immediately consult a doctor who can prescribe the best medicines for her condition. She should not resort to self-medication as this may harm her and the developing baby inside her womb. Not only should she pay regular visits to her obstetrician, but she should also visit her dentist regularly and practice good oral and personal hygiene. She should start proper breast care as well in preparation for breastfeeding.

Indeed, the best thing that can happen to a family is a baby. Planning and preparing for the arrival is one way of welcoming baby warmly into this world.

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What are the things that an expectant mother should know about pregnancy? Aside from the missed period, morning sickness, and breast signs, you should know how the baby is developing inside your womb.

During the first four weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop. After two more weeks, his heart begins to beat, and all his other organs start to develop. His facial bones start to form, his eyes and eye color start to develop, and his fingers and toes start to appear.

By the 12th week (about three months) of pregnancy, the baby’s major organs form. His brain grows fast, and compared to the rest of his body, his head is definitely larger. His chin, nose and eyelids become defined, and as he floats in your amniotic fluid, the baby also starts kicking gently.

At 16 weeks or four months of pregnancy, the baby’s legs shall be longer than his arms. His lungs develop, and his heartbeat can be heard by an ultrasound. At five months, his taste buds and fingerprints develop, and fine hair called lanugo covers his whole body. The baby’s body and brain become proportionate at six months. His bone centers harden and his genitals develop. He now has sleep patterns, and he starts to make breathing motions.

He starts to prepare himself for birth by seven months of pregnancy. There is fat under his skin, hair grows on his head, his eyelids start to open, and his brain becomes more active. He can already recognize your voice, and his heart beats faster when he hears you speak.

He is perfectly formed at eight months of pregnancy, and though his lungs are not fully mature, he has a good chance of survival.

And at nine months of pregnancy, his head engages in the right position and he is now ready to see the world outside.

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First of all, you have to have a good obstetrician/gynecologist who will take care of you and your baby throughout your pregnancy. You can start looking for a good pediatrician at about this time, too. You will be doing a lot of medical check-ups before and after delivery, so check your health insurance coverage. If you are working, inform your company and inquire about your maternity leave and benefits.

Start preparing the baby’s room early on as you won’t have much time and energy for this later. Decide on the color scheme and work your way around that when choosing furniture, curtains, rugs, and other pieces. Start scouting around and compare costs and quality. Shop for the baby’s needs first like the crib or playpen with bassinet, stroller, seater, storage cabinet, feeding chair, bath, and your nursing chair.

When you’re done with the big items, buy the small essentials. These are the feeding bottles, sterilizer, beddings, and the baby’s layette. Babies grow super fast so buy only a few clothes as these are outgrown in just a few weeks. Anyway, many people give baby clothes as gifts so there’s actually no need to worry. Better yet, if you’re having a baby shower, wait for it before shopping so you would know what and what not to buy.

And last but not least, prepare your hospital bag. This should include baby essentials such as two to three changes of clothing, diapers, baby wipes, going home clothes, receiving blanket, a cap, and bottles and formula if you’re not breastfeeding. For yourself, maternity pads or adult diapers (whichever you prefer), a bathrobe, pajamas or nightgown, house slippers, toiletries, nursing pads, some underwear, loose comfortable going home clothes, and your camera, of course! . Make sure you also have your health insurance card information with you. If you want, you may also bring extra pillows, a small cooler with drinks and some light snacks, and a baby book to record those first few moments.

It is exciting to have a baby in the house, but it is even more exciting when you are prepared.

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Clothing designers have finally started to understand that when a woman finds out she’s pregnant she does not want to give up great style for the next nine months. Gone are the days when maternity clothes were at best unfashionable and at worst ridiculous looking. Many women feel more beautiful than ever when they’re expecting, and they want to celebrate that by wearing great looking maternity clothes.

Impending motherhood does not mean you have to resort to baggy or ill-fitting clothes. Maternity clothes are not just larger versions of regular clothes. They are cut specifically to accommodate the changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy. Waists, of course, must be expanded, but other measurements, like arm holes and sleeve lengths, don’t have to be made larger.

Today there is no need to try to hide your pregnancy “bump.” For one thing, it’s beautiful! For another, if you try to hide your growing midsection you’ll probably only look unkempt and frumpy. If you choose fabrics that drape well, like silks and some of the new synthetics, your tops and dresses will flow comfortably and attractively over your growing tummy. You’ll find that empire waist tops and dresses, cut to fit a more generous bust, are very flattering and feminine looking.

For most women, a range of nice maternity tops, plus a pair or two of maternity jeans, classic maternity slacks in black and khaki, a couple of pairs of leather ballerina flats, and a good pair of walking shoes will get them through 90% of their wardrobe needs during this amazing and special time.

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