Getting these extra servings in doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are a few tips to get started.

Breakfast – Add fresh fruit slices or a fistful of raisins, dried cranberries or dried blueberries to oatmeal or cereal. Make a smoothie using yogurt, orange juice and fresh or frozen fruit along with pureed carrots or zucchini and a touch of wheat germ. Freeze any leftover smoothie for a refreshing smoothie pop later in the day by pouring it in a cup and sticking a spoon or stick in the middle. In the place of maple syrup, use applesauce on pancakes and waffles. Drink your vegetables by stocking up on vegetable or tomato juice.

Snack – Baby carrots and fat-free ranch dressing make for an easy mid-morning snack. Berry flavored applesauce cups along with a disposable spoon are convenient to keep in your purse or car for a quick fruit serving on the go. Dip a few bananas in chocolate sauce and keep in the freezer for a decadent but potassium rich snack any time.

Lunch – Load up any sandwich with alfalfa sprouts, spinach leaves and tomato. Serve with a dill pickle or sliced cucumbers on the side along with split pea or tomato soup. Or make a bean tostada or burrito loaded with vegetables such as lettuce, onions, tomatoes and olives. Top with homemade salsa.

Appetizer – Supplement cheese and crackers with apple slices. Serve hummus or guacamole with pita wedges. Make a dipping sauce out of plain yogurt, mustard and curry powder and serve with artichoke leaves.

Dinner – Keep a baggie of shredded carrots or zucchini handy in the refrigerator and use in casseroles, meatloaf, hamburger patties and spaghetti sauce. Make your own sweet potato French fries. Load up salads with a variety of fresh and colorful produce. For a simple Caprese salad, serve baby spinach leaves with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. Coat vegetables in olive oil, sprinkle with cumin seeds and roast them in the oven instead of steaming or boiling.

Dessert – Enjoy the frozen smoothie pop from breakfast or serve frozen yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit. Make a zucchini or carrot cake. Top pancakes or crepes with strawberries and fat-free whipped cream.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Head out to a farmers market and treat yourself to the freshest, most beautiful, produce in your area. Arrange your purchases in a lovely bowl on the kitchen table and help yourself to it anytime. You’ll feel good about yourself, start a healthier lifestyle, and, as an added bonus, you’ll fill up on the good stuff and avoid the junk.

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Choosing the Best Baby Heartbeat Monitor

There are various forms of baby heartbeat monitoring devices available on the market, each having different features and attachments. The available options differ from each other considerably. Whether it’s a fetal Doppler baby heart monitor or an external electronic fetal baby monitor, a cosy fetal heart beat monitor or a BeBe Sound Prenatal Listener baby heartbeat monitor, each baby heartbeat monitor has some unique features which makes one model stand out over its competitors.

These advanced baby heartbeat monitors can let one hear the exact heart sounds of the little one growing inside the mother’s womb. The sound-only baby heartbeat monitor for analyzing the heartbeat of a unborn baby is designed for clinical and medical use as well as for domestic use by the parents. Some home models also have video so one can see the baby (although the image is generated using ultrasound and not crystal clear). The sex of the unborn child can be determined using a video prenatal baby monitor.

Monitoring the heartbeat of the unborn baby at regular intervals is often recommended to those mothers who have an uncomplicated and healthy pregnancy. However, to those who develop certain complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, any kind of heart disease, vaginal or urinary infections or is expecting twins are strictly advised to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring in order to keep track of any serious problems on the part of the child or the mother. Thus, choosing the heartbeat monitor depends on many factors and it is essential that an unborn baby gets monitored according to the needs of the situation.

Comparing the Prices of Baby Heartbeat Monitors

Pricing a baby heartbeat monitor mainly depends on factors such as the brand name, features, attachments, and quality. Sometimes the accuracy of a particular heartbeat monitor also contributes towards determining its price.

Starting as low as $25 for the BeBe Sounds Prenatal Listener, the prices go as high as $150 or $200 for a fetal Doppler ultrasonic baby heart beat monitor. One can choose exactly that which suits his or her budget and choose the features and quality that one can afford. However, one can’t fix the price of the baby’s health. It is more then anything in the world – it’s priceless.

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Cord blood is rich source of stem cells which are the precursors to the various blood cells and other cells of the body. These stem cells can be transplanted just like bone marrow is transplanted. The procedure can give a new lease of life to a person suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, thalassemia or several immune system related genetic disorders. The stem cells harvested from the cord blood of a new born baby can be stored in a cord blood bank and used for the baby or members of his family if they ever suffer from any of these life threatening diseases. The stems cells can also be used to save the life of an unrelated person if the cells match.

Once parents decide that they wish to preserve the cord blood of their forthcoming baby, they should get in touch with the nearest cord blood bank. The bank takes their informed consent after explaining the details of the procedure. Written instructions and whatever is necessary for the process is usually supplied by the bank. There is no physical risk to the mother or child during the collection of cord blood.

The cord blood bank usually records the medical history of the parents prior to delivery or within 48 hours of the baby’s birth. This includes details of any genetic disorders affecting the family. The mother’s blood is tested either before or after delivery for HIV, Hepatitis, CMV and syphilis. The cord blood conducts ABO grouping and RH typing and also undertakes Class I and II HLA typing of the cord blood.

The cord blood is generally collected within ten minutes of the baby’s birth. The mother should be in good health at the time of collection with no evidence of any infection. The cord is clamped by the doctor or midwife at both ends and cut. The procedure does not deviate from regular obstetric methods. No harm will come to the child or mother and care is taken not to compromise the cord blood. The umbilical vein is punctured with a sterile syringe and the blood transferred to bag supplied by the cord blood bank. It is transported immediately by courier to the bank.

Processing of the cord blood begins within 48 hours of collection. It is maintained at room temperature till the separation of the stem cells and their cyro-preservation. The stem cells are stored at temperatures below minus 130 degrees Celsius. They can be transplanted at any time within fifteen years.

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Why is cord blood banking so popular? In recent years, researchers have been able to save cord blood and retrieve it from a cord blood bank to be used to repair damaged immune systems, help chemotherapy patients to overcome cancer, and to help produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

When the baby is born, while the umbilical cord is still attached to the placenta, an obstetrician, certified nurse midwife, or labor and delivery nurse cleans a section of the umbilical cord, usually about six inches, and then inserts a needle into the cord, connected to a blood storage bag. When the bag is full, or when the area is drained, between three and five ounces of blood have been collected. The blood bag is then sealed and delivered to a cord blood bank, a storage facility that specializes solely in storing the umbilical cord blood for a predetermined fee.

A cord blood bank will charge parents anywhere from $600 to $1800 for the basic retrieval of the cord blood at birth, plus processing. Once the newly-harvested cord blood has been delivered to the storage site, a laboratory technician extracts stem cells from the cord blood and they are cryogenically preserved, frozen to be used as needed. The initial fee parents pay is not covered by insurance, and in addition to the fee, an annual storage fee that averages $100 per year must be paid as well.

The American Association of Blood Banks provides accreditation to some cord blood banks; consumers should do their research when seeking out cord blood bank services. The first stem cell transplant took place in 1988; over the past nineteen years more than 3,000 stem cell transplants have been completed. Cord blood bank deposits help these patients, and increasing numbers of parents are choosing cord blood bank programs to prepare for the unknown.

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Emotional changes

Pregnancy can be both unspeakably wonderful and incredibly challenging, and you have become used to handling these mixed emo tions. You may find the third trimester emotional changes different that the first and second in the following ways.

Euphoria

Some experience a natural high quite different anything you’ve ever felt, a combination of feeling special and proud, and wanting the whole world to recognize how important you are.

The need for alone time

You may feel the need for alone time, a time away from the hustle and bustle of family life. This is normal. Use this time to center and ground yourself in your pregnancy.

Nesting

Many women feel a renewed desire this month to tie up loose ends at work, organize the photo albums, clean out closets, or catch up on social obligations. Often the nesting instinct, the desire to wallpaper the nursery and scrub the house for the baby, kicks in this month, though others do not show this obsession with getting things in order until the eighth or ninth month. Although you have more energy than you have recently remember, “don’t overdo it”.
Keep in mind, your main concern is making sure you have the energy you need to take care of yourself and grow your baby. To do this, you will need to become good at delegating. You might as well begin delegating responsibilities to your mate now; in the first few weeks after the baby arrives, his help will be crucial to your survival.

Overwhelmed by birthing decisions

You may be attending childbirth education classes and reading a lot of different birth information at this time and you may be feeling overwhelmed. Be patient with yourself and go with the choices that feel the best for you and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

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If anything resembling foetal tissue is passed, it should be ensured that a doctor is consulted immediately. Miscarriage maybe considered a natural process which deals with abnormalities even though a miscarriage is not avoidable. It has never been proved if exercise and sex can cause miscarriage. As a matter of fact regular exercise ensures that when a woman finally goes into labour, the woman is at ease if the exercise is carried out continuously during the pregnancy. It should always be checked with your doctor before one takes on any exercise program.

Ectopic pregnancy is another major cause of bleeding. This happens when the fertilized egg gets implanted in one of the fallopian tubes. This is referred to as a “tubal pregnancy.” Ectopic pregnancy takes place in about 1 in 60 pregnancies and is therefore much less common than a miscarriage.

Molar pregnancy is another extremely rare cause leading to vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy. This occurs when abnormal tissue instead of the embryo grows. While this may be referred to as a mole but is commonly known as gestational trophoblastic disease or GTD.

Cervical growth or an inflamed cervix often results in vaginal bleeding during late pregnancy. This is a serious risk to the mother or the baby and should follow immediate hospitalization. A problem with the placenta is often the cause of heavy vaginal bleeding during later phase of pregnancy. Placenta previa and placental abruption are two most common problems indicated by this.

If the placenta is lying low, it may cover all or some of the cervix and this affects approximately one in two hundred pregnancies. A lot of women experience placenta previa during early pregnancy, it moves before labour occurs in most cases. A cesarean section is scheduled if a women still has placenta previa even in the last weeks of pregnancy. If before labour occurs, placenta previa is present and not diagnosed then there is a serious risk for both the mother and the baby putting both at a risk of death in this situation. During late pregnancy, vaginal bleeding during the initial sign of placenta previa.

The detachment of the placenta from the wall of the uterus during labour or even before is referred to as placental abruption. Mostly placental abruption happens during the pregnancy’s last trimester. Weather vaginal bleeding occurs or not, mostly women will at least experience pain in the stomach. This complication occurs in one percent of pregnancies.

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The most obvious impact of the weight gain can be seen in the form of pains and aches that you will have as your pregnancy progresses. A back ache is the most common complaint, followed by an awkward walk (thanks to your new found tummy). Another complain is of swollen legs, but that has nothing to with weight. It is a result of increased blood flow.

If you’ve had weight problems in the past or are generally finicky about your weight, you might find the gain hard to accept. But there is absolutely no reason to get agitated about the extra weight. In fact it is a sign of a healthy child growing inside you. You just need to pay attention to what you’re eating in terms of nutritional value. Also, you can track your weekly weight gain, and if you have any doubts in mind, you can consult your doctor. Tracking will also help adjust your diet according to the gain in order to get the best for your child. A stop on junk food and a start on some exercise will also help you along the way. Understand that eventually, all those extra pounds will wear off once you’ve delivered your little one.

After your delivery, it is good to consult a dietician to chalk out a diet that’ll help you shed the extra weight, especially if you plan to breastfeed your child. Most doctors recommend eating healthy during pregnancy, and continuing the diet for some time post-delivery for best results. And most mothers end up losing half of the weight they’ve gained within the first two months after delivery. A healthy baby usually weighs close to 8 pounds, and all the extra fluid and tissue that develop during pregnancy account for another 8 to 12. And of course the increased size of the breasts and the uterus adds another 6 or so. After all, weight put on in nine months deserves at least that much time to go away. So don’t worry about the weight gain even if you’re a model. Just eat healthy, and keep track of your weight, and keep pestering the doc!

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1. If it’s your first time, you’re probably lost about everything that you and your baby need. Make a list of all the things you have to buy in advance by reading some blogs or joining in forums. Information is free over the internet and trust me, there is a load of valuable information out there. The most part in saving money while you’re pregnant boils down on how well you plan.
2. You don’t have to buy the most expensive crib or mittens for your baby unless your Jennifer Lopez. There are a plenty of affordable yet durable brands that will last you for years, you just have to figure out where you can find them. Go out there and start surveying stores. If you’re lucky, you will chance upon sales and huge discounts. You can also find great deals online like eBay and Amazon.
   
3. Learn how to recycle and reuse stuff. If you already had a baby before, check what stuff you can use for the new baby. If you have a sister, brother or a friend who had a baby, you can ask if they can give you clothes or any other stuff that you can still use. Babies grow really fast and I don’t see the point spending too much money on clothes that they can outgrow in a matter of weeks.
4. Buy one pack of diaper every payday while you’re still pregnant so you will have to worry about it less once the baby finally arrives. Buy packs of different sizes because as I said, babies don’t stay small. To save money, look for some diaper coupons to cut the original price. This will also let you buy another pack for less or close to nothing.
5. Ever heard about Baby Checks? Ask your doctor if he or she can give you one. This is a booklet that includes some coupons and freebies (think milk and diapers). You can also search for some baby freebies online and all you have to do is sign up. Companies usually send samples to expectant moms. This is their way of promoting their products.

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1. Abnormalities of the cervix, such as erosion (ulceration), polyp (growth) and cancer of the cervix. In these conditions, there is a slight irregular bleeding with no pain. The woman should be referred to a doctor.
2. Abortion – in this, the woman has abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding which may be mild or severe. If this occurs in the first two months of pregnancy and the symptoms are mild, advice the woman to stay in bed until three days after all bleeding has stopped. If bleeding stops, this was probably a threatened abortion and the fetus may go on to term. Advice the woman not to go on journeys nor to do any heavy work, and to avoid sexual intercourse until about the 24th week of pregnancy. If bleeding and abdominal pain get worse, the fetus cannot be saved. This is an inevitable abortion; if possible the woman should be taken to the health centre or hospital. If this is not possible give Ergot two tablets, watch the condition and what is passed from the vagina. If a woman having an abortion develops fever, this is likely to be a septic abortion and is dangerous. She should be taken to the health centre or hospital without delay. Antibiotics or triple sulphia should be started.
3. Ectopic gestation – This is a pregnancy outside the uterus, usually in one of the tubes. Signs and symptoms usually start 6 to 10 weeks after the last menstrual period. They include nausea and vomiting, fainting, pain on one side of the lower abdomen, and a slight brownish vaginal bleeding. The woman’s life is in danger.
4. Vesicular mole – This is an abnormal pregnancy, in which after absence of menstruation for 3 to 4 months, small cysts with watery blood stained discharge are passed through the vagina. The fundal height is big compared with her dates.
5. Light spotting is not considered as a major problem. If there is fresh bleeding, particularly if it is followed by cramping or abdominal pain, immediately care should be taken.

To conclude, if these above conditions suspected in the early pregnancy the woman should go to hospital and consult a doctor or gynecologist immediately without delay. You should also ensure that proper hygienic conditions should be prevalent in the hospital environment for these conditions for prevention of bleeding under such circumstances of early pregnancy bleeding.

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As the pregnancy progresses and the uterus continues to expand, increased pressure on the intestines can make bowel movements more difficult often resulting in constipation. Toward the end of the second trimester and into the third, the expectant mother may experience edema, varicose veins or breathlessness.

Increased weight gain can cause more pressure on the legs, which may result in varicose veins. Not every pregnant woman experiences these problems but there is a possibility that they could arise. You may not be able to prevent varicose veins but you may be able to lessen the chance by trying to avoid standing for prolonged periods of time. If necessary, wear support hose. It is also important to wear proper fitting, comfortable shoes.

Shortness of breath can occur as the uterus pushes up against the diaphragm. This may tend to increase in the third trimester and as the pregnant woman gets closer to delivery time. Edema is water retention in the tissues. It is normal for some swelling to occur during pregnancy especially in the hands and feet. It may be best to remove rings from fingers if swelling is making them tight. If swelling seems excessive to the point of concern, express those concerns to your physician. Normally your doctor will note such changes during regular office visits but it doesn’t hurt to ask questions or voice your concerns. Your physician can then help allay any unnecessary fears and suggest ways in which you can alleviate any undue discomfort.

Each trimester of pregnancy brings increasing changes that can affect mood and comfort level. Sleeping can become more difficult and finding a comfortable position can sometimes be a daunting task in itself. As hormonal changes take place expect moodiness to occur. Fatigue can also add to irritability. Along with weight gain, increased appetite and a tendency to crave odd combinations of food, cravings are probably the most well known aspect of pregnancy. Heartburn can become a great source of discomfort for some expectant women although others don’t seem to be bothered by it. If heartburn is causing you discomfort be sure to ask your doctor to prescribe something to alleviate it. Avoiding spicy food may also help to lessen the aggravation of persistent heartburn.

But as any new mom knows, any discomfort during pregnancy is well worth it once you have your new baby in your arms.

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