Female Care

Vitamin E is essential to healthy skin care. It is often a key element found in many skin care products. Clinical studies have shown that the use of Vitamin E can reduce the effects of scarring as well as reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Regular use can also diminish the appearance of wrinkles and results in smoother and more supple skin.

Vitamin E is beneficial to health in a variety of ways. Taking Vitamin E supplements each day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent abnormal blood clotting. Vitamin E is also credited with protecting the nervous system, lowering the risk of certain cancers and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It is said to protect the immune system, aid in healing skin injuries and even helps to prevent cataracts. Vitamin E is also important for healthy red blood cells. Continue reading »

The body systems of humans are made up of chemicals. The raw materials these systems use to keep our bodies healthy are acquired through the food we eat and the essential substances that our bodies produce. If our diet doesn’t contain enough of certain vitamins, our body systems can’t work properly. This causes our optimum health to decline and we become undernourished or ill.
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When I was pregnant with my first child, I tried my hardest to prevent stretch marks by using all of the cocoa butter and vitamin E creams I could find. But it was no use. I had horrible, reddish-purple stretch marks across my whole abdomen…I looked like a striped beach ball!

Stretch marks are not just limited to pregnancy however. They can be caused by rapid weight fluctuations (weight loss or weight gain), growth spurts, overzealous exercising…and there is no way of telling who is going to get them. Whether or not you get stretch marks will be determined by how elastic your skin is. The supportive tissue underneath your skin isn’t as “stretchy” as it is in some people, then the tissue can develop micro-abrasions (very small tears) that change the color and the texture of your skin. So, unfortunately, it is all genetics! If other members of your family are stretch mark prone, you probably will be too. (Gee, thanks Mom!)

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Woe to the husband who refuses to run out to the grocery late at night to satisfy his pregnant wife’s craving for ice cream! Mothers-to-be often yearn for certain type of food, and studies have indicated that it may be because the pregnant woman needs the particular nutrients contained in that food. The desire for sweets is common during pregnancy because the body requires extra calories during the gestation period, but because “she’s eating for two now” it doesn’t mean you need twice as many calories! Too many calories results in excessive weight gain which will cause problems for mother and baby. Continue reading »

The first thing you should know, if you don’t already, is that women LOVE to be touched. Touch is very important to all humans, but it is, generally, much more important to women, and they respond very strongly to touch. It is a powerful reward to a woman when you touch her, and it can instantly make her feel great.

Now, of course, some women are more reserved about it…some are more formal and are not comfortable feeling such good feelings with someone until they know them well. Some women are just closed off and don’t like anyone to enter their space, and even in a relationship, they resist having another person touch them so easily…And some women simply do not like being touched. They find it unpleasant and they recoil from it. But the truth is, women in those last two categories (ABSOLUTELY those in the last one) have had some trauma in their lives, probably child sexual abuse, that has damaged them to the extent that they can’t accept this natural and beautiful form of shared pleasure. That’s a sad truth of the world.

For the other women, depending on their degree of shyness, touch is always a pleasure and a treat…assuming they like the guy that is touching them, and it’s appropriate to the relationship. By appropriate, I mean, a female friend might love it if you rub her shoulders, but might be uncomfortable with something more “romantic,” like caressing her hair and cheek.

I am going to talk about touching in a romantic context, whether it be on a first date or with your wife of 20 years. And I’m not talking about directly sexual touching.

Sensual touching is an art that you should definitely spend some time mastering — because it will be incredibly rewarding to both you and the woman in your life.

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You’ve been pregnant for 40 years huh? Wait, I mean 40 weeks. Most women can’t wait for their baby to be born once they hit the last month of pregnancy. Bladders are small, backs are sore, feet are swollen, and they can’t wait to meet their new bundle of joy. Many women seek advice from friend, books, or the Internet on how to naturally induce their labor. Nipple stimulation almost always comes up in conversation. If you are pregnant and someone tells you to use nipple stimulation to induce your labor, smile but don’t take their advice.
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Your relationship with your caregiver is the most important one you should develop during your pregnancy. It is important that your OB/GYN or midwife shares the same beliefs and views that you do. You have chosen this person to bring your precious bundle into the world and have entrusted them with not only your life, but the life of your unborn child – and your aftercare. It is important that you set up a time to meet with them before making your final decision; you can then determine if they are the right fit for you. You may be able to get recommendations from friends or even your family doctor if they do not deliver babies themselves. A lot depends on whether you want a natural birth in a birthing center, which is more personal and less clinical, or if you want to go the traditional route in the hospital. A lot will also depend on your medical condition during pregnancy. You may be limited. No matter which one you choose, it is important to make your views known. Continue reading »

Clothing and Bedding

All clothing you look for should feel soft and comfortable for your newborn. Look for clothing items that have wide or stretchy openings; avoid outfits with lots of buttons and closures, as these will just add to the time and trouble spent dressing your baby. Make sure you have on hand several outfits that are 100% cotton, in case your baby is irritated by synthetic fabrics. Stocking up on simple outfits means you will have less laundry to do in those first weeks of motherhood. Make sure to have outfits in bigger sizes so you won’t run out of clothes as your baby grows. Remember to buy special laundry detergent for baby clothing. Here is a list of the basics you will need:
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The third trimester is the perfect time to tie up loose ends and really start preparing for motherhood. During these last three months of pregnancy, have fun preparing for your baby and try to enjoy relaxing activities while you can. Below are some fun and useful things to do during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The third trimester is the perfect time to plan a fun baby shower with all of your friends and family. Even a small baby shower is an enjoyable way to celebrate your pregnancy. Celebrate with your favorite foods and a fun theme, and enjoy being the center of attention for a day. Most expectant moms find that registering for gifts is a fun way to pass the time, even if you don’t end up getting everything on your list.
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I am so tired of hearing people talk about how easy it is for women who have a c-section.  When I listen to people describing their labor as compared to someone they knew who had a c-section, it is always along the lines of “they don’t really know what it’s like”, or “they have no idea what pain is”.  It is true that women who have a c-section have not usually endured 12-20 hours of pain to deliver a baby naturally, but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t suffered.
Many women who have c-sections do so reluctantly AFTER enduring labor for hours and hours.  In my sister’s case, she underwent 36 hours of pain because she wanted to deliver the baby naturally.  It was only when the baby went into distress, and her own life was in jeopardy that she finally consented to a very large baby (10.5lb) being taken out by c-section.  If she tells anyone she had a c-section, they will acquire that knowing look of  “oh you have no idea what it’s really about” when really it’s they who have no idea.
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