Everything about Life.

Take precautions against the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus.

2009-08-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today in every one mind’s only one question would be going one i.e. is there a test for H1N1?

The answer is Yes. A simple nasal swab is all that is needed; it will be sent to a laboratory to test for the virus.

Well, H1N1 is highly contagious. The viruses are spread person-to-person primarily when infected persons cough and/or sneeze. Persons may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. You cannot get H1N1 by eating pork.

Yes. Antiviral drugs can make you feel better faster. Antiviral drugs work best if started within two days of onset of symptoms. Presently, the CDC is working on the development of a vaccine. AU Health Services are monitoring the CDC's progress.

According to them, when the vaccine is first available, the following groups will be the priority:

•pregnant women

•people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age

•health care and emergency services personnel
•persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and

•people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for H1N1 Swine Flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

The H1N1 Swine Flu virus is rare in healthy persons over the age of 65. For this reason, people 65 and over are not in the high risk priority group for initial receipt of the vaccination. An adequate supply of vaccine supplies is expected, so that it will be offered to the general population as additional supplies are received.

Following recommendations should be taken to all the residents in India & abroad:

•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

•Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

•Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
If you become ill and are pregnant, are very young, or have a chronic health problem you should contact your health care provider. If you develop any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical care:

•A high fever

•Children and Adults: Greater than 105°F (40.5°C)

•Babies 3- to 24-months-old: 103°F (39.4°C) or higher.

•Babies up to 3 months: Rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

•Coughing that produces thick mucus

•Dehydration (feeling of dry mouth or excessive thirst)

•Worsening of an existing serious medical condition (for example: heart or lung disease, diabetes, HIV, cancer)

•New onset of confusion

•Difficult breathing or chest pain

•Bluish skin

•Stiff neck

•Inability to move an arm or leg

•New onset of seizures

Note: Precaution is better than Cure

The Ways Babies Bond

2009-07-15T06:13:00.001-07:00

When you're a new parent, it often takes a while to understand your newborn's true capabilities and all the ways you can interact:

Touch becomes an early language as babies respond to skin-to-skin contact. It's soothing for both you and your baby while promoting your baby's healthy growth and development.
Eye-to-eye contact provides meaningful communication at close range.
Babies can follow moving objects with their eyes.
Your baby tries — early on — to imitate your facial expressions and gestures.
Babies prefer human voices and enjoy vocalizing in their first efforts at communication. Babies often enjoy just listening to your conversations, as well as your descriptions of their activities and environments.

Bonding with your Baby.

2009-07-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

Bonding is the intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby. It makes parents want to shower their baby with love and affection and to protect and nourish their little one. Bonding gets parents up in the middle of the night to feed their hungry baby and makes them attentive to the baby's wide range of cries.

Scientists are still learning a lot about bonding. They know that the strong ties between parents and their child provide the baby's first model for intimate relationships and foster a sense of security and positive self-esteem. And parents' responsiveness to an infant's signals can affect the child's social and cognitive development.

Why Is Bonding with Baby is Important?

2009-07-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Bonding is essential for a baby. Studies of newborn monkeys who were given mannequin mothers at birth showed that, even when the mannequins were made of soft material and provided formula to the baby monkeys, the babies were better socialized when they had live mothers to interact with. The baby monkeys with mannequin mothers were more likely to suffer from despair, as well as failure to thrive. Scientists suspect that lack of bonding in human babies can cause similar problems.

Most infants are ready to bond immediately. Parents, on the other hand, may have a mixture of feelings about it. Some parents feel an intense attachment within the first minutes or days after their baby's birth. For others — especially if the baby is adopted or has been placed in intensive care — it may take a bit longer.

But bonding is a process, not something that takes place within minutes and not something that has to be limited to happening within a certain time period after birth. For many parents, bonding is a byproduct of everyday care-giving. You may not even know it's happening until you observe your baby's first smile and suddenly realize that you're filled with love and joy.

What Your Newborn Looks Like?

2009-07-15T06:03:00.000-07:00

You've been waiting for this day for months: Finally you get to meet your new baby. But like many new parents, you might not have a clear idea of what that meeting will be like.

Wondering how your baby will look and what he or she will do after arriving?

Although you may have visions of a robust bouncing baby, reality may not match that image. Many newborns are tiny, wet creatures when they first emerge. Often their heads are slightly pointed as a result of passing through the birth canal. This is only temporary — the head will take on a rounded appearance within a few days. It may surprise you that a newborn's head is so big compared with the rest of the body.

Your baby also may look scrunched up since the legs and arms have been kept bent at the knees and elbows while in the womb. After months of growing in ever-tightening close quarters, this is perfectly normal. The limbs will straighten out as your baby grows.

Look at your baby's tiny fingers and toes. You'll notice the paper-thin — and sometimes long — nails.

Your baby's skin may have one of several possible appearances, looking somewhat red, pink, or purple at first. Some babies are born with a white coating called vernix caseosa, which protects their skin from the constant exposure to amniotic fluid in the womb. The vernix is washed off with the baby's first bath. Other babies are born very wrinkled. And some, especially premature babies, have a soft, furry appearance because of lanugo, a fine hair that develops while in the womb. Lanugo usually comes off after a week or two.

Rashes, blotches, or tiny white spots also are common on newborns. These generally clear up over the first few days or weeks after birth. The doctor will examine your baby within the first 12–24 hours of birth and make sure that any rashes or spots are normal.

Remember, your baby's appearance will change dramatically over the next weeks as he or she grows. The limbs will extend, the skin tone will probably change, and the blotches will disappear.

The fact of life concerning Love.

2009-04-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

The first and most fundamental fact of life about love is: love is something that is fundamentally wired into the human brain. There is nothing that you can do about it. You cannot turn it on and off. It is there, it is active and that’s the end of it. In fact, it is nearly impossible to separate love from human existence. Especially as a teenager, they are one and the same.

The second fact of life is that there are different kinds of love, and we need to agree on what we are talking about when we say the word "love." Here are some of the different kinds of love that you might be familiar with:

Parental love—Parents love their children, and this sort of love, devotion and caring is different from all other types of love. When done well, parental love could be called perfect.
Christian love—Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself," and many people are able to do that. They love and care about those around them because they are fellow human beings.
Friendship love—A deep friendship between two people often involves a level of trust, devotion, commitment and caring that is love. So two women or two men or a man and a woman who have known each other for 20 years and have been through a lot together can say they love one another. There is not a bit of romantic or sexual attraction involved.
Material love—You might hear someone say, "I love that car!" or "I love that movie!" It is love applied to an object. In this case the word "love" can mean a range of things from "I really like it" to "I must have it" all the way up to, in extreme cases, "I will (literally) kill myself if I don’t get it." Another word for this is infatuation.
Lustful love—To some extent lustful love is a form of material love, but it is applied to another person and tied almost completely to a sexual infatuation. So a girl might say, "I love Tom Cruise!" Or a guy might say, strictly on the basis of a girl’s looks, "I love that girl!" This is lust.
Romantic love—When most teenagers think of "love", this is what they are talking about. It is the combination of friendship, sexual attraction and the search for someone to marry. It is the search for the one person with whom you can raise your family and spend the rest of your life.

Risky Foods During Pregnancy

2009-04-06T00:44:00.000-07:00

Cut down fatty foods.

Avoid drinks like coffee, tea, coca colas and other drinks with caffeine. Too much caffeine may affect the growth of baby during pregnancy and at birth.

Caffeine & Pregnancy

Pregnant women who consume caffeine (from tea, cola, chocolate and some prescription drugs) even about a cup of coffee daily are at higher risk of giving birth to an underweight baby, according to the research findings published in the British Medical Journal in Novemebr 2008.

The researchers further found that pregnant women who drink two or more cups of coffee a day are at twice the risk of having a miscarriage as those women who do not take caffeine.

Advice: Reduce caffeine intake before conception and throughout pregnancy. The best advice was to limit caffeine consumption to below 100 milligrams a day, there is no lower limit for which there is no effect,

Avoid Vitamin A supplements as too much may harm your baby growing inside.

Avoid white breads and foods prepared with white flour (maida).

Avoid too much sugar and foods containing sugars.

Nutmeg spice in large quantity to pregnant women may result in miscarriage. Although there is no scientific evidence, some people believe that because pineapple and raw papaya contain enzymes, so they can induce abortion.

Avoid high-mercury sea-foods such as fish, especially Swordfish, Shark, King Mackerel and Tilefish. Raw fish and seafood may contain Listeria, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning and miscarriage or premature birth.

Avoid raw or smoked or frozen seafood such as oysters, sushi, sashimi, smoked oysters and smoked salmon. But canned seafood is safe to eat.Soft cheeses like ricotta without heating or uncooked.

Avoid raw meat such as seafood, sushi, uncooked beef, raw eggs or poultry as these may be contaminated by toxoplasmosis, coliform bacteria,and salmonella. Pre-cooked meat dishes without further heating.

Avoid Salads, readymade or pre-packed, ready-cooked cold meat including chicken.

You should not smoke.

Always consult your doctor about the safety of any drugs you take when pregnant.

Recipes: Cool Cucumber Buttermilk

2009-04-06T00:41:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
4 cup low fat yogurts
2 tsp minced ginger
2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 capsicum
1/2 tsp black salt
salt and pepper to taste
6-8 cubes ice crushed

Direction:

Place all ingredients in the blender except ice.
Blend until smooth.
Serve cool.

Recipes: Masala Dal

2009-04-06T00:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients :

2 tbsp oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp ginger
1 green chilly finely chopped
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp garam masala
2 tsp kastoori methi
2 tbsp chana dal
2 tbsp moong dal
2 tbsp masoor dal
2 tbsp soya granules
1 tsp mango powder
2 tsp lemon juice
150 gm paneer

Direction:

Heat oil and saute the onions till light brown.
Stir in garlic, ginger, green chillies and dry spices.
Add all dals, soya granules and water.
Let it boil, simmer until dals are tender.
Let it cool.
Place dal mixture and all balance ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth paste is formed.
Serve chilled with raw vegetable as a dip or with tandoori rotis.

When is the Best Time to Have Sex to Get Pregnant?

2009-04-02T05:05:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of misinformation out there on when you can get pregnant and when you can’t. In high school sex education classes, many of us remember being told you can get pregnant if you have sex at any time during your cycle. Telling teenagers that they can get pregnant at any time may be an effective way of encouraging them to wait to have sex, but the information is far from accurate.

To get pregnant, you need to have sex before you ovulate, with the two to three days prior to ovulation being your most fertile days.

Predicting Ovulation and the Day 14 Myth

Something else often heard, even from doctors, is that ovulation is on day 14 of the menstrual cycle (with day one being the day you get your period). Some women hear this and decide to plan to have sex on day 14. The problem is that many women don’t ovulate on day 14 of their cycle. Normal ovulation can occur as early as day 10 and as late as day 20 (or even later, especially if your cycles are irregular).

So how can you predict when you will ovulate?

But research says that the best day for sexual intercourse when trying to get pregnant is the day you notice the most fertile cervical mucus. Fertile cervical mucus is cervical discharge that resembles raw egg-white and typically appears on the days prior before ovulation.

Why Waiting for Ovulation Isn’t the Best Idea

Sometimes we get so obsessed about having sex at the right time, we neglect sex at other times during the cycle. Sex begins to feel more like a chore, becoming less about love and connection. This can put tremendous stress on a relationship.

Beyond that, though, there are other reasons not to wait that pertain to your fertility itself.

If you try to time sex only for ovulation, you’re more likely to miss your opportunity. If you’re waiting and waiting for ovulation signs, you could miss them or they could occur when sex just isn’t possible.

Research does say that sex during the six days prior to ovulation does indeed have the possibility of resulting in pregnancy. If you plan on having sex two to three times a week, regardless of fertility signs, you’re likely to have sex at least once during this six-day time period. This is less stressful than trying to time sex for a particular few days.

In addition, research studies have shown that after 10 days of abstinence, sperm quality and quantity is greatly diminished. Sperm quality and quantity peaks, however, after one or two days of abstinence.

If you’ve waited to have sex until you have signs of ovulation, and you haven’t had sex for several days before, the sperm your partner provides may not be as fertile. You may be at your most fertile time, but he won’t be at his peak fertility.

Why Do I Sometimes Feel Pregnant When I Am Not Pregnant?

2009-04-02T04:56:00.000-07:00

Feeling pregnant? Maybe you have been trying to get pregnant for a while and have months when you think you’re pregnant, only to find out that, nope, you’re not. If yes, you are not alone.

The experience of feeling pregnant when trying to get pregnant isn’t uncommon. Spend any time on fertility message boards, and you’re bound to hear members refer to "imaginary pregnancy symptoms." You probably have experienced imaginary pregnancy symptoms yourself.

Imaginary Pregnancy Symptoms

Imaginary Pregnancy Symptoms (IPS) are exactly what they sound like — symptoms a woman experiences that make her think that she may be pregnant. Don’t expect to hear your doctor use the term IPS; it’s not a technical term. The phrase was invented on fertility message boards around the world as a loving way to refer to those “symptoms” that make us feel pregnant.

The time between ovulation and your expected period is when you’re most likely to be anxious about whether or not this month will be the month. It’s natural to assume that you may imagine some early pregnancy symptoms, such as tender breasts, fatigue, bloating, emotional sensitivity, light cramping and even food cravings. Much like an oasis in the desert, you want to be pregnant so much that you’re sure you can feel it.

Feeling Pregnant — Not Completely Imaginary?

What may surprise you is that these feelings aren’t all in your head. They’re real reactions to the hormones in your body that are preparing for possible pregnancy. Our bodies are optimistic when it comes to pregnancy potential, and as soon as ovulation occurs, the body prepares itself for new life, even if conception did not take place.

One of the hormones responsible for many imaginary pregnancy symptoms is progesterone, which increases just after ovulation and drops when your period comes (if you’re not pregnant). Also, if you’re taking fertility drugs, their side effects can sometimes be mistaken for early pregnancy symptoms.

It’d be nice if we could just feel whether we’re pregnant or not, and it sure would cut down the anxiety of the 2-week wait. The symptoms of early pregnancy, though, are practically indistinguishable from normal premenstrual symptoms.

The Bottom Line on Feeling Pregnant

While your "pregnant feelings" aren't 100% imagined, you can feel worse the more you focus on the feelings. It helps to remind yourself that whether you feel pregnant or not, it doesn’t mean anything. Some women are sure they are pregnant, complete with throwing up in the morning, and then find out they’re not. Some women feel absolutely nothing and find out they’re pregnant after all.

The only way to know if you’re pregnant is to wait out the 2-week wait and take a pregnancy test when your period is overdue.

Is It Safe to Have Sex During Pregnancy?

2009-03-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

If you're having a normal pregnancy, sex is considered safe during all stages of the pregnancy.

So what's a "normal pregnancy"? It's one that's considered low-risk for complications such as miscarriage or pre-term labor. Talk to your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider if you're uncertain about whether you fall into this category.

Of course, just because sex is safe during pregnancy doesn't mean you'll necessarily want to have it! Many expectant mothers find that their desire for sex fluctuates during certain stages in the pregnancy. Also, many women find that sex becomes uncomfortable as their bodies get larger.

You and your partner need to keep the lines of communication open regarding your sexual relationship. Talk about other ways to satisfy your need for intimacy, such as kissing, caressing, and holding each other. You also may need to experiment with other positions for sex to find those that are the most comfortable.

Many women find that they lose their desire and motivation for sex late in the pregnancy - not only because of their size but also because they're preoccupied with the impending delivery and the excitement of becoming a new parent.

When It's Not Safe

There are two types of sexual behavior that aren't safe for any pregnant woman:

If you engage in oral sex, your partner should not blow air into your vagina.

Blowing air can cause an air embolism (a blockage of a blood vessel by an air bubble), which can be potentially fatal for mother and child.

You should not have sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you or who may have a sexually transmitted disease, such as herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV. If you become infected, the disease may be transmitted to your baby, with potentially dangerous consequences.

If your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other pregnancy health care provider anticipates or detects certain significant complications with your pregnancy, he or she is likely to advise against sexual intercourse. The most common risk factors include:

-a history or threat of miscarriage

-a history of pre-term labor (you've previously delivered a baby before 37 weeks) or signs indicating the risk of pre-term labor (such as premature uterine contractions)

-unexplained vaginal bleeding, discharge, or cramping

-leakage of amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby)

-placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta (the blood-rich structure that nourishes the baby) is situated down so low that it covers the cervix (the opening of the uterus)

-incompetent cervix, a condition in which the cervix is weakened and dilates (opens) prematurely, raising the risk for miscarriage or premature delivery

-multiple fetuses (you're having twins, triplets, etc.)

Common Pregnancy Myths

2009-03-29T21:59:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy myths may vary from generation to generation and from region to region. Myths your grandmother in Texas claims are true might be different from what your uncle in Alaska believes. Here are a few of the most common pregnancy myths:

Myth: Standing on your head after sex can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Truth: Although some experts say that lying down after sex for 20 to 30 minutes can boost your chances of conception because it keeps the sperm inside you, standing on your head has not been proven to aid in conception (and you might hurt your neck while trying to do it!).

Myth: The shape and height of your belly can indicate your baby's sex.

Truth: The popular belief that women carrying boys carry low and that women carrying girls carry high just isn't true. The shape and height of your belly is determined by your muscle tone, uterine tone, and the position the baby is in. That's why someone may think you're having a boy because you're carrying low, when actually the baby just dropped lower into the pelvis because you're closer to delivery. So, what's the most accurate way to determine your baby's sex? Talk to your doctor about getting an ultrasound.

Myth: Fetal heart rate can indicate your baby's sex.

Truth: A normal fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute (bpm), although some people think if it's faster (usually above the 140 bpm range) it's a girl and if it's slower it's a boy. But there have been no studies that conclusively show that heart rate is a predictor for a baby's gender. Your baby's heart rate will probably differ from prenatal visit to prenatal visit anyway - depending on the age of the fetus and activity level at the time of the visit.

Myth: The shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate your baby's sex.

Truth: Every woman gains weight differently during pregnancy, and every woman experiences different skin changes. If people tell you that because your face is round and rosy you're having a girl, they might be right - but it's just as likely that they're wrong!

Recipes: Creamy Broccoli Soup

2009-03-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

Prep time: 30 to 45 minutes (includes cooking time)

Ingredients:

1 c. onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 clove garlic, chopped
6 c. broccoli, chopped (about 2 crowns)
2 c. low sodium chicken broth
2 c. skim milk
ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large soup pot, combine onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
Add the broccoli, cover the pot, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until broccoli is tender.
Allow the soup to cool and transfer the soup to a blender. Add skim milk and blend until smooth.
Transfer soup back to the pot and reheat the mixture slowly until heated through.
Serves: 6

Serving size: about 1 cup

Nutritional analysis (per serving):

101 calories
8 g protein
1 g fat
0.5 g sat. fat
17 g carbohydrate
6 g fiber
3 mg cholesterol
142 mg sodium
169 mg calcium
1 mg iron
183 mcg folic acid

Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

This soup is high in folic acid because of the amount of broccoli used. Adequate folic acid intake is important, especially during the early weeks of pregnancy, to help prevent birth defects.

Recipes: Pasta and Cheese

2009-03-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

Prep time: 40 minutes (includes cooking time)

Ingredients:

8 oz. bowtie pasta, uncooked
2 1/2 c. skim milk
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. broccoli, chopped
1/2 c. red pepper, chopped
1/2 c. onion, diced
3 tbsp. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 c. reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Add butter, broccoli, red pepper, and onion to a medium saucepan and sauté over medium heat. Add the milk and heat through.
Gradually whisk in flour and dry mustard. Simmer for 1 minute and whisk occasionally.
Remove the mixture from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat the pasta.
Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch square baking dish and bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serves: 6

Serving size: 1 1/3 cups

Nutritional analysis (per serving):

321 calories
19 g protein
10 g fat
7 g sat. fat
40 g carbohydrate
2 g fiber
34 mg cholesterol
346 mg sodium
376 mg calcium
2 mg iron
110 mcg folic acid

Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

This recipe is high in calcium and is a dish that other kids in the house can enjoy as well.

Note: This recipe is especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but it can be a nutritious part of almost anyone's diet. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to consume extra calories and eat a variety of nutritious foods to contribute to their baby's growth and development.

Recipes: Apple French Toast

2009-03-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

Prep time: 15-20 minutes, plus overnight soak, plus 1 hour bake time next day

Ingredients:

2 medium apples (Cortland, Granny Smith, etc.)
1 c. egg alternative
12-oz. can of evaporated skim milk
4 slices of cinnamon swirl bread
½ c. granulated sugar, divided
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg

Directions:

Spray 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Line bottom with 4 slices of cinnamon swirl bread.
Mix egg alternative, evaporated skim milk, ¼ c. sugar together.
Pour half of egg mixture over bread.
Arrange apple slices over egg-bread layer.
Pour remainder of egg mixture over apple slices.
Mix remaining ¼ c. of sugar with cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle evenly over top of apple-egg layer.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Next day: Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit (176° Celsius). Bake for 60 minutes until fluffy and golden brown and egg mixture is set.
(Note: French toast will "deflate" when taken out of oven).
Makes: 6 servings

Serving size: 1/6 of pan

Nutritional analysis (per serving):

209 calories
10 g protein
1 g fat
0.2 g sat. fat
40 g carbohydrate
2 g fiber
3 mg cholesterol
210 mg sodium
232 mg calcium
1 mg iron
32 mcg folic acid

Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

This recipe is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and riboflavin, which are essential during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

This is a great make-ahead breakfast dish for the whole family. Serve with turkey bacon or soy sausages and maple syrup.

Note: This recipe is especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but it can be a nutritious part of almost anyone's diet. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to consume extra calories and eat a variety of nutritious foods to contribute to their baby's growth and development.

Recipes: "Baked" Candied Sweet Potato

2009-03-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 medium sweet potato
1 tsp. butter spread with canola oil
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Wash and dry sweet potato; prick with fork.
Microwave potato on high for 6 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix together butter spread, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Carefully remove potato from microwave, wrap in foil, and let sit for another 3 minutes.
Remove foil, cut slit in center of potato, and add brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.
Makes: 1 serving

Serving size: 1 potato

Nutritional analysis (per serving):

178 calories
2 g protein
2 g fat
0.5 g sat. fat
38 g carbohydrate
4 g fiber
2 mg cholesterol
96 mg sodium
42 mg calcium
1 mg iron
14 mcg folic acid

Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Why this recipe is good for pregnant or breastfeeding women:

This recipe is an excellent source of vitamin A and a good source of fiber, which are important during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Note: This recipe is especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but it can be a nutritious part of almost anyone's diet. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to consume extra calories and eat a variety of nutritious foods to contribute to their baby's growth and development.

Childbirth Options

2009-03-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

As you are approaching the last few weeks of your pregnancy you will be getting quite anxious. This period can be traumatic, but you’ll be more at ease if you and your partner are prepared for this life changing experience.

Planning Ahead for Childbirth

Learn all you can about the birthing process. Most hospital and birth centers offer antenatal classes that go through the birth process, so be sure to take your partner along. These classes will teach you about the different stages of labor and what to expect at each stage.

At your prenatal classes and during your doctor or midwife appointments, be sure to ask about these important issues:

* When to go to the hospital (if you are having a hospital birth)
* What to expect when you get there
* What pain-relief options will you be offered (if any)
* What possible emergency situations may occur
* What resources are available to you
* When would it be necessary for you to have a cesarean section
* What will happen immediately after giving birth

How Does Labor Begin?

Although labor begins differently for each woman, there are some definite signs that the baby is on the way:

* You experience contractions
* Your water breaks
* You have the "bloody show"; this is a vaginal discharge of blood-tinged mucus

Normal Vaginal Delivery (NVD)

Most women should be strong and healthy enough to deliver their baby with an uncomplicated NVD. During delivery, your doctor or midwife performs certain procedures such as:

* Vaginal examination: Performed regularly to monitor your progress
* Enema: May be given to empty the colon to prevent defecation (passing of stool) during labor
* Intravenous line: May be inserted into you arm to administer fluids or painkillers
* Fetal monitoring: An external ultrasound monitor is placed on your tummy to monitor your baby’s wellbeing if your cervix has not fully dilated. If your water has broken, an internal monitor could be used.

Assiting Procedures

Here are some common procedures used to assist during delivery when nature needs a little hand:

* Inducing labor: Contractions are stimulated by using medication or by amniotomy (breaking of the waters by making a tear in the amniotic membrane by using a small plastic hook). Reasons for inducing labor could be post-term pregnancy, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes mellitus, previous stillbirth or premature rupture of membranes.
* Episiotomy: A small cut, done under local anesthetic, is made to enlarge the vaginal opening when the baby’s head is crowning to prevent the muscles from tearing
* Vacuum extraction: Used to assist the mother if she becomes too exhausted or if the baby shows any sign of distress. A small cup is placed on the baby’s head and a slight suction is applied.
* Forceps: Instruments used to guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal

If these methods are applied and fail and the mother is still struggling or the baby is in distress then a caesarean section may be necessary.

5 Reasons to Talk to Your OB About Your Pregnancy Weight Gain

2009-03-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

Weight gain and pregnancy do go together, but that doesn't make it a pleasant or easy conversation. You should be sure to talk to your practitioner about what special needs you may have if you experience any of the following issues during pregnancy:

1. You have special diet restrictions or needs.

If you are a vegetarian, vegan or have other special needs in pregnancy, it is important to discuss with your practitioner about your weight gain and dietary needs. It is possible to have a very healthy pregnancy without meat and/or dairy, however, you will need to be informed and committed to your dietary needs.

2. You're overweight.

Being overweight when you're pregnant will get you a lot of pressure about your weight gain. The important thing to remember is that you must gain weight. Some practitioners recommend that you only gain between 10-15 pounds. You should choose a weight gain goal based on a discussion with your doctor or midwife. Having someone to guide you might help each pound count and make your weight be less of an issue. Keeping your weight in check can also help to stave off certain pregnancy complications that may be more likely to occur when you're overweight.

3. You're underweight.

When you are starting a pregnancy being underweight it may be more important for you to also gain weight early in pregnancy. Your pregnancy may take its toll on your body in many ways, the calories you take in for you and your baby are important. Some practitioners will advise you to gain slightly more weight than average, between 35-45 pounds, depending on where you are starting. Some of this may also take into account how healthy you are and why you are underweight.

4. You have a history of an eating disorder.

Past or present eating disorders can play havoc with you in pregnancy. It is imperative that you confide in your practitioner and continue having a dialogue. Weight gain is a necessary part of pregnancy and even many years later, it can cause issues for women with disordered eating.

5. You are expecting twins or higher order multiples.

How to determine what you should gain is also dependent on how many babies you are busy growing. The truly important part with multiple pregnancy is also the pattern of weight gain. It is very important for you to gain weight early in pregnancy since multiple pregnancies tend to be shorter. So consider gaining about 20 pounds by around the 20th week of pregnancy. This can help increase the weight of each baby helping to prevent low birth weight in the event of preterm labor.

Your midwife or doctor should discuss your nutritional needs as well as weight issues. You should talk to them about your thoughts and feelings about gaining weight. You should also consider asking for a referral to a dietitian or someone who specializes in nutrition and pregnancy, particularly related to your above issue.

It is possible to have a healthy baby even with a pregnancy that requires special attention. The good news is that, unlike other complications or issues, what you eat is completely in your hands.

Twin Pregnancy : How Much Weight Will I Gain?

2009-03-26T03:18:00.000-07:00

Women are always concerned about the amount of weight they will gain during pregnancy, worrying about how it will affect their figure. As you might suspect, a woman who is having multiples will see more of an increase on her scale than if she were only having one baby. It's not just that she's eating more. The extra weight can be attributed not just to the babies' combined weights, but also to extra fluid, tissue, uterine growth and the increased blood volume needed to supply the placenta(s) with nourishment for two or more babies.

Generally, a healthy pregnancy requires that a woman gain 25 to 30 pounds during the nine month gestation period. But that's for just one baby. Like everything about having multiples, more is required. Doctor recommendations vary, but most women gain about 35 to 45 pounds during a twin pregnancy, with about 10 additional pounds for every additional baby in a higher order multiple pregnancy. In most cases, about a third of the weight belongs to the babies.

Although the thought of gaining weight can be daunting, it's vitally important for the health of the babies, and for mom, too. It takes an incredible amount of energy to sustain a twin or multiple pregnancy. Maternal fat stores supply some of that energy, especially in the last trimester, when the babies are taking in every bit of nutrition that mom can ingest! That's why it's important to eat a healthy diet throughout pregnancy, and build up the fat stores to sustain your health in the later months.

Discuss your nutritional needs with your doctor or caregiver, and don't worry about the soaring scale. You've got your babies' best interests at heart!

How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?

2009-03-26T03:14:00.000-07:00

Weight gain during pregnancy should be gradual with the most weight being gained in the last trimester. According to the ACOG, you should gain about 2 to 4 pounds during the first three months of pregnancy and then 3 to 4 pounds per month for the rest of your pregnancy.

Total weight gain should be about 25 to 30 pounds. This will decrease the risk of delivering a low-birth-weight baby. The Institute of Medicine recommends that women who have a low Body Mass Index (BMI) -- the ration of weight to height -- should gain 28 to 40 pounds during pregnancy and women who have a higher BMI should gain 15 to 25 pounds. Check with your doctor to determine how much weight gain during pregnancy is healthy for you.

Weight gained includes 6 to 8 pounds for the weight of the baby. The remaining weight consists of a higher fluid volume, larger breasts, larger uterus, amniotic fluid, and the placenta.

Make sure to visit your doctor throughout your pregnancy for an assessment of your weight gain. Your doctor can make recommendations about how much weight you should be gaining to ensure that your pregnancy is progressing smoothly and that you are getting the right amount of nutrients.

Healthy Eating during pregnancy for teens

2009-03-26T03:12:00.000-07:00

Being pregnant, and a teenager, doesn’t mean eliminating your favorite foods from your diet. However, pregnancy does mean that you are providing nutrition for two. Both you and your baby are dependent on what you put in your mouth for nutrition. By learning to make healthy food choices you can increase your baby’s chance of being born healthy.

1. Most teens eat lots of sandwiches and hamburgers. Be sure to put lettuce, tomatoes, and other sliced veggies – the more the better – on your sandwiches and burgers when you are pregnant to increase the nutritional value of your meal.

2. If you are trapped in a “white bread world,” pregnancy is a good time to learn to use only whole-grain breads and rolls.

3. Pizza is not always an unhealthy choice for pregnant teens. Make your pizza healthier by adding lots of vegetables and extra cheese instead of fat-laden meats such as pepperoni and sausage.

4. Fruit juices and milk are an especially important component of a pregnant teen’s diet. Sodas and coffee consumption should be minimal during pregnancy.

5. Eat lots of fresh veggies and fruit when you are pregnant. Just don’t try to make them “tastier” by adding additional fat such as butter, creams, or sauces.

6. Always a good idea for reducing fat and particularly important for pregnant teens is to prepare meats by baking, broiling, or grilling instead of frying.

7. Calcium is vital for the healthy development of your baby and the health of your own growing bones and teeth. Instead of eating ice cream when you are pregnant, try eating more low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese.

8. Baked potatoes without butter or sour cream are a far healthier choice during pregnancy, or anytime, than french fries.

9. Instead of eating candy bars or cookies for snacks, try eating fresh dried fruits or raw veggies.

10. Everyone loves desserts, but traditional desserts such as pies, cakes, and cookies are not a healthy choice for pregnancy. Make dessert time a healthy choice by choosing fresh fruit or yogurt next time.

Pregnancy & Nutrition

2009-03-26T03:08:00.000-07:00

Good nutrition before you’re pregnant will mean a healthier you and baby. If you’re already eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet now few, if any, changes will be necessary during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, also referred to as the ACOG, recommends that pregnant women increase their pre-pregnancy servings of the four basic food groups to include the following:

* At least four servings of fruits and vegetables. This is important for making sure you consume enough vitamins and minerals through food, in addition to any prenatal vitamins your health care provider has suggested during your pregnancy.

* At least four servings of whole-grain or enriched bread and cereal to ensure you have enough energy during your pregnancy.

* At least four or more serving of milk and dairy products (not including butter or margarine) for the calcium you need during pregnancy.

* You’ll also need to consume at least three servings of meat, fish, poultry, chicken, eggs, nuts, dried beans, or peas to ensure an adequate level of protein in your diet.

A well-balanced diet during pregnant helps ensure that both you and your baby are healthy. The only necessary recommended daily allowance or RDA that is difficult to achieve through diet is iron. In most cases, your physician will prescribe an iron supplement during pregnancy. Also, be sure to follow any additional diet or vitamin supplementations recommendations that your personal physician recommends during your pregnancy.

Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

2009-03-26T03:03:00.000-07:00

* Swollen, tender, or sore breasts and/ or nipples

Often this is the first physical sign of pregnancy. In fact, some women know when they are pregnant based on this sign alone. The reason breasts and/ or nipples are often sore, swollen, or tender during early pregnancy is because the breasts are undergoing changes to prepare for breastfeeding. The reason for this is the increased production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone that occurs and the breasts and/ or nipples are often particularly painful during a first pregnancy.

* Fatigue or unusual tiredness

Early pregnancy is time when a woman’s body is working very hard to keep up with the changes that occur. This means increased hormone production, as well as the fact that the heart is pumping harder and faster due to the escalation of blood flow – necessary to bring nutrients to the growing fetus. Increased progesterone production is the primary reason for the extra fatigue most pregnant women experience early in their pregnancy. Progesterone, known to cause sleepiness and a natural central nervous system depressant, is the reason this occurs. Another reason for fatigue and unusual tiredness during early pregnancy are the emotional extremes experienced often during pregnancy. It’s not uncommon for a pregnant woman to burst into tears for no apparent reason other than the hormonal fluctuations that occur during this time. This symptom is also a sign to get more sleep before your baby arrives when you’ll need your energy to care for your newborn baby.

* My Period is Late, Am I Pregnant?

The most common reason for missing your period is pregnancy and this is often the first sign that makes you suspect pregnancy. Only a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam, can tell you positively whether you are pregnant. Once your health care provider rules out pregnancy as the cause of your late or missed periods, the next step is usually to rule in or out several other possible explanations for absence of menstruation or amenorrhea.

* Light bleeding and/or cramping

The most common reason for light bleeding during early pregnancy is implantation. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining and usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Bleeding caused by implantation is very light, often the only sign you might notice that indicates implantation has occurred is a small (can be as small as a pinhead followed by no further bleeding) spot of blood left on your panties.

Cramping that is similar to menstrual cramps occurs very early during pregnancy and happens when the uterus begins to expand to make room for the embryo to develop into a fetus that continues to develop for a total of 40 weeks gestation when your baby is born.

* Morning sickness

Nausea during pregnancy can occur with or without vomiting. While morning sickness is most common between weeks four and eight during pregnancy, many women experience this symptom beginning about two weeks from their date of conception.

Morning sickness is a misnomer since it can, and often does, occur at anytime of the day or night. The most common reason for this symptom seems to be the rapid rise in estrogen, produced by the fetus and placenta. Another trigger for nausea is odors. During pregnancy, a woman’s sense of smell increases considerably and can make almost anything from everyday household odors, foods, perfume, and smoke, to name a few, trigger a bout of morning sickness or nausea and vomiting.

The most common foods to trigger morning sickness are coffee during the first weeks of pregnancy, meat, dairy products, and spicy foods. However, it’s essential to understand that literally anything can trigger nausea and/ or vomiting during pregnancy. In fact, I personally know someone who became nauseated during one of her pregnancies every time she passed a microwave in operation.

* Running to the bathroom

During the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s easy to believe you might have to “move” into your bathroom since it seems you are constantly running to make to the bathroom. The growing uterus causes frequent urination during pregnancy. The first and third trimesters of pregnancy are typically when the most intense frequent urination happens.

Don't Drink Alcohol in Pregnancy

2009-03-26T02:55:00.000-07:00

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy amounts to sharing your cocktail with your tiny, developing baby. The same level of alcohol you ingest is also ingested by your baby, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Why is alcohol consumption during pregnancy so bad for your baby?

Mainly because alcohol consumption during pregnancy affects the cognitive and physical development of your developing baby. The highest risk from alcohol to your developing baby is during the earliest stages of pregnancy, when baby's critical organs are forming, and cells are dividing very rapidly. The more you drink during pregnancy, the greater health risks faced by you and your baby. Since there is no known level of safe alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the ACOG recommends eliminating all alcohol consumption during pregnancy to optimize your chances for a healthy baby.

According to ACOG, if you are a heavy drinker before, during, or after pregnancy you face a slew of serious health problems such as:

* Vitamin and mineral deficiency
* Damage to your internal organs including your brain, liver, and digestive system
* Depression
* Increased risk of certain types of cancer

For baby, the effects of alcohol abuse include:

* Miscarriage
* Fetal alcohol syndrome, the most common cause of mental retardation in babies
* Physical defects
* Low birth weight
* Hyperactivity
* Decreased attention span

If you find yourself unable to stop drinking and you're pregnant, don't be ashamed to talk with your obstetrician. She can recommend ways for you to find the help and support you need to stop drinking for your sake, and for your precious baby's sake.

Pregnancy Fitness and Exercise

2009-03-26T02:42:00.000-07:00

Exercise is a great way to stay in shape and feel super. Pregnancy does not change this for most women. Despite the differences in your body, exercise is still important. Some studies have suggested that exercise during pregnancy will help with an easier and shorter labor and birth, fewer cesarean surgeries, a quicker recovery postpartum, a quicker return to your pre-pregnancy weight, not to mention a healthier feeling pregnancy.

When you might need special attention or limited exercise

* Heart Problems
* Asthma or Chronic Lung Problems
* High Blood Pressure
* Extreme weight problems (Under or Over)
* Muscle or Joint Problems
* History of premature labor
* History of several miscarriages
* Multiple Pregnancy
* History of Incompetent Cervix
* Persistent Bleeding
* Placental Problems (Previa, etc.)

What is your current level of fitness?

One of the things that you need to determine before you get started is where you are fitness wise. If you have previously been a couch potato this is not the time to take up most sports. If you have been very active before and are participating in an activity that is safe for pregnancy or can be modified for pregnancy, generally you can continue to participate. However, most women are not able to maintain the same pace that they did before the pregnancy, so keep that in mind.

If you previously were a couch potato this is not the time to take up a new sport. However, all is not lost. There are several exercises that you can do while pregnant, even if you were previously sedentary. These would generally be walking, swimming, and specialized pregnancy aerobics. The key, as with any exercise in pregnancy, is to take it relatively easy and to listen to your body.

Planning for the occasion

So, now that you've decided to exercise what comes next? First of all you want to exercise on a regular basis. This is what will give you the most benefit. When you exercises you need to make sure that you warm up and cool down, have plenty of water available, and are cleared by your care provider. Dressing appropriately is very important. This means you should wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, non-skid shoes that are supportive, and a decent bra, preferably a sports bra. If you are large breasted consider wearing a maternity/nursing bra under a sports bra for added support.

Know your limits

Now that we've convinced you that this is a great idea, what are your limitations during pregnancy? Again, let me emphasize that you should discuss this with your practitioner, they can give you information specific to your pregnancy. You should strive for the following

Watch your center of gravity

After the fourth month it changes and you can quickly find yourself off balance. While your baby is very well protected by the amniotic sac should a fall occur, the best protection is prevention!

Stay off your back

After the fourth month your uterus has grown out of your pelvis and the weight of it, when you are on your back, can depress the vena cava. This reduces the amount of blood flow, and therefore oxygen, to your baby. Most women will find that they will also become dizzy or light-headed if they lie on their backs. This is something that should always be avoided, not just during exercise.

No bouncing or jerking

Bouncing exercises are not great for your joints or bones at any point, but especially during pregnancy. Your body produces a hormone called relaxin that actually softens the ligaments allowing your bones to spread for the birth of your baby. This is a great thing, although it does predispose you for a higher risk of injury when doing bouncing or jerking motions.

Don't over do it

This includes overheating. Raising your core temperature too much can affect the baby adversely. Always drink water before, during and after exercising. Listening to your body when something hurts or doesn't feel right, that means stop!

Stop Signs

* Dizziness
* Faintness
* Headaches
* Shortness of Breath
* Uterine contractions
* Vaginal Bleeding or fluid leaking
* Heart Palpitations

Heart rates Generally we tell women that they should keep their heart rate under 140 beats per minute. However, for some women this may be too high. So, the easiest way to do this is what is called the talk test. Simply put, if you are too winded while exercising to carry on a conversation, you are doing too much.

When Can I start back after my birth?

Generally this will be about four to six weeks postpartum for a vaginal birth and six to eight weeks for a surgical birth. Again, talk to your practitioner about returning to exercise. There are also special exercises, like kegeling, that can be started immediately after the birth.

Exercise should make you feel better during pregnancy (and life!). Remember to find a sport or exercise that suits you well.

10 Reasons to Exercise in Pregnancy

2009-03-26T02:38:00.001-07:00

1. Helps decrease fatigue, even in the first trimester. This is also true of insomnia.

2. Can help women have a shorter labor. This is particularly true if you use movement in labor by changing positions.

3. Has been shown to help women lose pregnancy weight faster.

4. Helps with endurance during pregnancy and labor. We know labor is a marathon - so train for it!

5. Decreases aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

6. Can help reduce likelihood of tearing or severe trauma from episiotomy.

7. Can reduce the number of cesareans that are necessary.

8. It's fun and feels great!

9. Leads to a faster postpartum recovery. Add breastfeeding to kick start the weight loss of postpartum.

10. It's a habit that once started will lead to a lifetime of good fitness.

4 Great Exercises for Pregnancy

2009-03-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

The recommendations for exercise in pregnancy tell us that pregnant women need to be exercising 30 minutes a day most, if not all, days of the week. The benefits of exercise are many in pregnancy including:

* Fewer physical complaints
* Decreased pregnancy weight gain
* Decreased time in average labor
* Fewer labor complications
* Faster postpartum recovery
* Faster postpartum weight loss

With these benefits in mind, many pregnant women are eager to exercise. Their problem is that they are not sure where to start. Here are some great exercises that work well for many women.

1. Walking

Walking is a great form of exercise and can be modified for many fitness levels, including beginners. Other than a decent pair of walking shoes you don't need fancy equipment and it is a great workout for muscles and aerobic fitness. Many pregnant moms like to walk because the intensity is controlled by them and not someone else. Walking can also be maintained postpartum.

2. Yoga

In pregnancy the combined exercise and relaxation that yoga brings is a welcomed addition to your exercise routines. Many of the mothers that I have worked with have used yoga poses in their childbirth classes and then enjoyed it so much that they continued doing it. You may take pregnancy specific classes or modify certain poses in pregnancy, as lead by your instructor. There are also DVDs available with pregnancy specific yoga poses available. I really liked using yoga to help me stretch and focus in pregnancy.

3. Pilates

Pilates is a very popular form of exercise. Women who were doing pilates prior to pregnancy are asking if they can continue to do Pilates now that they are pregnant and the answer is yes. Pilates can be modified for anyone and is also great postpartum. Since the core muscles are prime in Pilates and very used in pregnancy be sure to find an instructor who is qualified to work with pregnant women.

4. Swimming

Many mothers enjoy swimming in pregnancy. Not only does it help you stay cool in the warm months but it also provides near immediate relief of many aches and pains in pregnancy. The water is a known comfort in pregnancy because it helps relieve stress and strain on muscles that are being stretched and challenged in pregnancy. It also helps mom deal with the added weight her body is carrying by lightening her load while she is in the water.

5 Strange Pregnancy Symptoms

2009-03-26T02:03:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy is an odd thing to live through. Though most women expect certain symptoms to come with pregnancy. Nausea, vomiting, even backache are expected by most moms-to-be. Here is a list of five pregnancy symptoms you may not have even thought about!

Nose Bleeds & Nasal Stuffiness
Your nose is so far away from your uterus, how could it be involved? But nose bleeds and stuffiness can be very common. Treat the symptoms with natural remedies like a humidifier or snorting salt water. If that doesn't help, talk to your doctor or midwife for other options.
Vaginal Discharge
When you're pregnant you expect your periods to stop. You probably don't expect an increase in vaginal discharge. This discharge is normal and healthy. If it bothers you, simply wear a panty liner. It will increase in amount until the birth of your baby. If there is ever a change in color or an odor, you should report it to your doctor or midwife.
Insomnia
When you think of pregnancy you probably think of being extremely tired. Sometimes, with or without the fatigue, you can experience pregnancy insomnia. This can manifest itself in the form of an inability to fall asleep or as the inability to fall back to sleep after being awakened (like your nightly trips to the potty). Exercise, decreasing caffeine and relaxation are the mainstays of non-medicinal relief.
Gastrointestinal Distress (Burping & Gas)
The hormones of pregnancy have sent your gastrointestinal tract in a spin. The unladylike affliction of belching, burping and gas are fairly common. Try to avoid offending foods and remember to just let it all hang out. Holding it in can cause a lot of pain.
Constipation
Yet another lovely affect that pregnancy can have on your body. The hormones of pregnancy cause your intestines to slow down and become sluggish. Exercise, drinking plenty of water and eating high fiber foods can be very helpful in this issue. If this doesn't help, be sure to talk to your midwife or doctor for additional measures you can take.

Morning Sickness - An Infamous Pregnancy Symptom

2009-03-26T01:52:00.000-07:00

When does morning sickness occur in pregnancy?

Morning sickness tends to be the first pregnancy symptom most women experience. It can start nearly as soon as the pregnancy test is positive, though many women will not notice morning sickness until about the sixth week of pregnant.

Is it only in the morning?

You may experience morning sickness at any time of the day or night, though most women do experience some uneasiness of the stomach early in the morning, probably because their stomachs are empty. If you are unlucky enough to suffer from this pregnancy symptom at work, there are things you can do to try to ease the symptoms and deal with it.

What does it feel like to have morning sickness?

Some women have nausea and vomiting, while others may experience only queasiness. Neither is pleasant. A few women state that actually vomiting usually makes them feel better, others find no relief. Try to figure out what helps you feel better, whether it be eating, sucking on suckers or candy, or even avoiding certain foods.

What kind of treatments are available for this pregnancy symptom?

There are many things that women can do to help alleviate this annoying pregnancy symptom:

Avoid offending foods (often high fat or spicy foods)
Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to help stabilize blood sugar
Try suckers or hard candy, particularly sour stuff like lemon
Certain treatments as prescribed by your doctor or midwife, including medications
Try non-medicinal aids that don't require prescriptions or drugs.

Is morning sickness ever dangerous?

Morning sickness can cause you to experience dehydration if you are unable to eat, drink or constantly lose your food through vomiting. When this happens it is called hyperemesis gravidarum.

Though usually some IV hydration and sometimes tube feedings can usually solve this problem. Medications are occasionally used, particularly in severe cases.

Do You Recognize the 25 Early Signs of Pregnancy?

2009-03-26T01:48:00.000-07:00

If you're like everyone else you're trying to figure out what the signs of pregnancy or pregnancy symptoms are and how likely they are to mean that you are pregnant. You can ask other people, you can worry in silence, but the best thing is to read through the categories and add up the signs. The more you have the more likely you are to be pregnant.

On the chart below are 25 of the most common signs of pregnancy and what they mean. You can also click the sign to get more information on each sign of pregnancy. The three categories of pregnancy signs are: possible, probable and positive.

Pregnancy Sign	Category
Missed period	Possible
Unusual or abnormal period	Possible
Just "feeling" pregnant	Possible
Nausea and Vomiting	Possible
Changes in libido	Possible
Soreness of the Breasts	Possible
Enlargement of the Breasts	Possible
Increased Urination	Possible
Strange Cravings	Possible
Fatigue	Possible
Montgomery's Tubercules	Possible
Skin Changes	Possible
Stretch Marks	Possible
Enlarging Uterus	Possible
Movement	Possible
Colostrum from Breasts	Possible
Enlarged Abdomen	Probable
Change in uterine shape	Probable
Braxton Hicks Contractions	Probable
Palpation of the Baby	Probable
Positive Pregnancy Test	Positive
Fetal Heart Tones	Positive
Ultrasound Detection	Positive
X-ray Detection	Positive

What comes next?

2009-03-26T01:32:00.000-07:00

If the test is negative.

You should expect your period to start within the week. If your period does not start within the week you should retest. If you still get a negative result it is time to consult your doctor or midwife for further testing.

If the test is positive.

Congratulations!

Be sure that you are avoiding things that are bad for your baby and pregnancy like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs and even some medications. If you take a regular medication call the prescribing physician immediately to ask what you need to do.

Take a prenatal vitamin. The ones at the store are fine for now. Your midwife or doctor will tell you if you need something else.

Call your midwife or doctor to make an appointment. Sometimes it takes awhile to get in. Don't worry. If you have questions or problems you can still call for help prior to your appointment.

Reading the Test

2009-03-26T01:30:00.000-07:00

Most pregnancy tests are designed with two windows: a control window to tell you that the test was working correctly and a testing window to give you your results.

You should always have a line in the control window.

If there is a line present in the testing window then you are pregnant. Some pregnancy tests use lines, some use pluses, and others use other types of signs.

Be sure to look specifically at the instructions for your pregnancy test.

You should also be sure to follow the time instructions on reading the test, most say not to read the test after a certain period of time.

When to collect urine?

2009-03-26T01:28:00.000-07:00

Your first morning urine (FMU) is the most likely to contain large enough amounts of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Pregnancy tests work by detecting small amounts of hCG in your urine.
Since you tend to not get up to go the bathroom in the middle of the night more hCG builds up in your urine.
Most pregnancy tests request that you wait until the morning that you expect your period or the next day prior to testing.
Some tests are designed to test a couple of days before that, but they are still best done when you await until the date you expect your period. hCG builds in amount as you advance in your pregnancy.
Blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests.

Hit or Miss?

2009-03-26T01:27:00.000-07:00

If your test kit included a small specimen cup for you to catch your urine, or if the instructions tell you to aim for the pregnancy test stick and you're worried about it, never fear!
You do not need to use that exactly.
It is perfectly acceptable to collect your urine in a clean cup and simply dip the test stick in the collected urine or use the dropper included with your test. This makes it potentially less messy and requires less aim on your part.

Opening the test

2009-03-26T01:26:00.000-07:00

Only open the sealed portions of the test when you are ready to take the test.
Have a clean space set up for you to lay the components down.
Be sure that you have everything you need before you begin.
The watch really is the crucial part that many people forget.
Having the watch can help you answer many questions about the reading of the pregnancy test.

Read the instruction

2009-03-26T01:25:00.000-07:00

Even though pregnancy tests are fairly simple, be sure that you read all of the instructions before starting the test. You can easily blow the simple test by not following the instructions.
Most test kits provide you with a number to call if you have further questions.

The instructions usually also come with drawings and in English and Spanish.

Be sure to ask the company if you have any questions, before or after taking their pregnancy test.

Purchasing a Pregnancy Test

2009-03-26T01:23:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy testing is not a difficult task. However, it is one that carries a lot of importance to the test taker. This means that you will want to be sure to read all of the instructions before taking the test to ensure that you do it properly and that you don't make simple mistakes. This will help you have the most confidence in your pregnancy test results.

You will first need to select a pregnancy test and purchase it. Some women feel more comfortable with certain brands or types of tests. Most tests are fairly equal to one another, despite branding, packaging and cost. You may wish to look into purchasing a multiple pack of pregnancy tests as many women like to confirm the first test in a few days. It can also save you money to purchase tests in bulk, even if it's only two or three tests.

Ninth Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:19:00.000-07:00

Your baby’s organs have been finished forming for a long time. Now is the time for finishing touches. For example, the lungs make final preparations for birth by secreting surfactant to help them expand at birth. Your baby’s kidneys are still producing lots of urine every day, helping to make up the almost two pints of amniotic fluid.

While your baby may be putting on half a pound a week up until about week 37 at which point weight gain slows drastically. The average birth weight is still about seven and a half pounds. Your baby will measure between 18-22 inches at birth.

Your due date is a guess as to when your baby may arrive. The majority of babies will show up from two weeks before this date to two weeks after this date. Labor is caused by the baby’s signals to the mother’s body that he or she is ready to be born.

Good luck and good birth!

Eighth Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:17:00.000-07:00

Your baby is really getting ready to be born. Every day in the uterus is said to be two less days your baby would spend in the hospital at this point. Red blood cell production is done entirely by your baby’s bone marrow. Amniotic fluid is still present and your baby urinates into it daily, about a half a liter of urine a day.

The baby's irises can now dilate and contract in response to light. He or she opens and closes their eyes at will. Even the finger nails reach the end of the fingers. Some babies might even need a nail trim at birth! Your baby may have a lot of hair on their head or none, both extremes are normal.

The weight gain has been fairly incredible recently. Your baby has put on about 2 pounds of weight, mostly fat and muscle tissue, since last month, bringing the total to an average of three pounds eleven ounces (1.7 kilograms), and measurements to 40 cms or 15.8 inches!

Seventh Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:16:00.000-07:00

Baby’s movements at this point in pregnancy have gone from wild kicks and flurries to smaller movements as the room becomes crowded in the uterus. At about week 28 babies begin to start turning head down. This is automatic in most babies and they seem to like it that way.

Your baby can sense light and dark in the uterus. This may also effect the pattern you notice of sleep and wake cycles. The uterus is also not a silent environment. While the baby can hear your heart beat, your digestive system, etc. your baby can also hear your voice as well as others close by. Think of what you can hear in a pool.

Your baby's eye lashes are developing, as subcutaneous fat is deposited. If you have a baby boy, his testes will probably begin descending. Your baby is about 13.8 inches long (35 cms) and weighs about 2 pounds 4 ounces (1 kilogram)! A baby born at this time has a good chance of survival with the help of medical technology.

Sixth Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:15:00.000-07:00

Eye brows are forming now and the lanugo darkens in color. Your baby is moving and practicing breathing for when he or she will be born. The practice contractions that you may or may not notice don’t bother your baby one bit. Your baby may or may not be head down, because of the amniotic fluid your baby can move all around still.

Your baby is also depositing brown fat. The brown fat will help him or her regulate body temperature at birth. This brown fat will continue to be laid down until birth.

S/he weighs in at 1 lb 5 ounces (595 grams) and 30 cms or 11.8 inches total length. A few babies are born this early. They do have some chance of survival depending on many factors.

Fifth Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

No new organ structures are really forming at this point in pregnancy. Though the pads of the fingers and toes are forming. Your baby is also developing his or her finger prints. Your baby is also forming permanent teeth buds behind the baby teeth that are already formed. A baby girl will also begin to develop primitive eggs in her ovaries. Gender is usually visible by ultrasound, though accuracy varies.

Your baby’s movements may be more apparent. Loud noises may even cause your baby to startle. It’s still pretty unusual for your to be able to feel your baby move at this point unless this is not your first pregnancy. You may be aware of sleep wake cycles in your little one.

Your baby is also covered in a fine hair called lanugo and may begin to develop a lotion like substances on their skin called vernix. The weight is now up to 10 ounces (283 grams) and the baby measures about 25 cms total length, about 9.8 inches.

Fourth Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:12:00.000-07:00

The placenta has taken over production of the hormones needed to sustain your pregnancy. Your baby is also making some of its own insulin and bile. Your baby even urinates into the amniotic fluid in small amounts every 45 minutes or so.

Your baby’s heart pumps about 25 quarts of blood a day. This will increase to be about 300 quarts by the end of your pregnancy. All of the teeth have formed and you even have a scalp hair pattern!

Your baby is about 3 ounces (85 grams) and 6.3 inches (16 cms). The gender may be detectable by ultrasound. Though gender predictions at this point are much harder to rely on.

Third Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:10:00.000-07:00

During the third month of your pregnancy, your baby’s bones begin to ossify or harden. Your baby is already moving spontaneously, but you usually can’t feel these movements for awhile yet. Your baby’s eyes are large and open. Eyelids will form later. External ears have formed.

External genitalia begin to differentiate, though it’s still very difficult to tell whether your baby is a girl or a boy without genetic screening. Your baby moves from being an embryo to the fetal period, now called a fetus. S/he also loses their tail!

Your baby’s head is the biggest part of their body. It is about 1/2 the size of the rest of the body. While the head is large, the brain’s structure is similar to what it will be at birth. S/he weighs about 14 grams and is approximately 3.54 inches in total length. By the end of this month you should be able to hear your baby’s heart beat with a Doppler.

Second Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:08:00.000-07:00

The second month of pregnancy is a critical month in fetal development. Your baby goes from being a blastocyst to an embryo. Early on in this month your baby’s heart will begin to beat. First it beats slowly, then very rapidly, later in pregnancy the heart rate will slow a bit more.

In the beginning of this month it’s hard to tell which way is up on your baby. As this month progresses it becomes very easy to tell which end is your baby’s head is and which end is your baby’s bottom. By the end of the month your baby’s upper and lower limb buds will also appear. And the primordia of the liver, pancreas, lungs, and stomach are evident. While your baby is a girl or a boy, it is not yet apparent without genetic screening.

Your baby is now measuring between 8-11 mm from crown to rump (CRL). By the end of this month heart activity is always present on ultrasound. Toe and finger rays are present, though not quite enough for you to count yet.

First Month of Pregnancy

2009-03-26T01:07:00.000-07:00

The beginning portion of what we consider the first month of pregnancy is actually your period until you ovulate. You are not actually pregnant during this time frame, but knowing the first day of your last normal period (LMP) we are able to more accurately calculate your due date.

Conception usually occurs within 24 hours of ovulation, about 14 days before the start of your next period. The egg and the sperm meet in the outer third of the Fallopian tube and travel over the course of the next seven to ten days, down the tube to the uterus. Once in the uterus, the fertilized egg will implant into the fluffy, nutrient rich lining of the uterus. Immediately chemical signals are sent to your body that pregnancy has occurred. Ovulation will halt. Your period will not come.

Your baby is called a blastocyst as it implants. The baby measures about 0.1-0.2 mm. At the end of the fourth week of pregnancy, the chorionic villi are formed. The yolk sac is helping to sustain the pregnancy until the placenta is fully formed. You might even begin to suspect you’re pregnant.

Pregnancy: Amazing journey

2009-03-26T00:54:00.001-07:00

Pregnancy is an amazing journey.

While we often talk about it lasting for nine months, pregnancy is generally measured by weeks, lasting 40 weeks or 266 days from conception. Each month brings unique changes for your baby’s growth and development. Enjoy a tour through the entire length of pregnancy in ultrasound pictures and descriptions of how your baby is growing and changing at each stage of pregnancy.

These months are designed to be generic and may or may not specifically relate to your pregnancy. Please direct any questions you have about your baby's growth or your progress to your doctor or midwife. Pregnancy is a normal process and questions are a natural part of that process.

Physical Activity and Pregnancy

2009-03-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to cope comfortably with your changing shape and weight gain. You are also more likely to get back into shape after the birth. Physical activity is also an excellent way of relaxing. Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport, or dancing, or just walking to the shops and back) for as long as you feel comfortable. Try to keep up regular exercise at least three times a week. If you can't manage that, any amount is better than nothing. Don't exhaust yourself and remember that you will need to slow down as your pregnancy progresses, or if your doctor advises you to. If in doubt, consult your doctor or midwife.

Exercises for a fitter pregnancy: Try to fit these exercises into your daily routine. They will strengthen muscles to take a bigger load, make joints stronger, improve circulation, ease backache and generally make you feel well.

Foot exercises: Foot exercises can be done sitting or standing. They improve blood circulation, reduce swelling in the ankles, and prevent cramp in the calf muscles.Bend and stretch your foot vigorously up and down 30 times. Rotate your foot eight times one way and eight times the other way.

Trunk Curls: Start in a box position (kneeling on all fours) with knees under hips, hands under shoulders, fingers facing forward. Keep your stomach muscles tight and back straight.
Pull in your stomach muscles and raise your back up towards the ceiling, curling your spine and allowing your head to drop gently forward.
Take care not to allow the elbows to lock.
Slowly return to the box position.
Never allow your back to hollow.
It should always return to a straight position.

Pelvic floor exercises: Pelvic floor exercises help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor which come under great strain in pregnancy and childbirth. If your pelvic floor muscles are weak, you may find that you leak urine when you cough or sneeze.

However, you can strengthen the muscles by doing the following exercise: close up your back passage as if trying to prevent a bowel movement; at the same time, draw in your vagina; hold for five seconds; repeat this exercise in sets of five, ten times a day.

Protect your backSit up straight with your bottom against the back of your chair.

Tuck a small cushion behind your waist if you wish.

When you pick something up, bend your knees, not your back.

Try to stand tall.

How will I feel after a cesarean delivery?

2009-03-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

Like any new mother, you'll probably feel both euphoric about and overwhelmed by the new person in your arms. But you'll also be recovering from major abdominal surgery while dealing with typical postpartum issues such as engorged breasts, mood swings, and vaginal discharge.
C-section patients typically stay just three or four days in the hospital before going home. But your recovery will be measured in weeks, not days, so once home you'll need help taking care of yourself and your new baby. What's more, if you have other children, they may be feeling needy after you've been away from them for a few days, to say nothing of the fact that you're returning home with a new baby! Plan to get all the help you can.

The Cesarean Section FAQ

2009-03-25T07:20:00.001-07:00

Frequently asked questions regarding Cesarean Section are: What are the indications that one needs a Cesarean?Following are the commonest indications for a cesarian operation:
Prolapsed cord (where the cord comes down before the baby)
Placenta abruptio (where the placenta separates before the birth)
Placenta previa (where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix)
Fetal malpresentation (transverse lie, breech )
Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), meaning that the head is too large to fit through the pelvis
Maternal medical conditions
foetal distress,
Repeat cesarean What type of pain relief is offered before and after a cesarean? -A regional anesthetic (epidural or spinal)-A general anaesthetic-A pre- operative sedative is usually avoided because it can reach the baby and make it difficult for the baby to breath.-Post operatively pain can be reduced by medication.What is the procedure for a cesarean? The basic steps followed are:
A catheter inserted to collect urine
An intravenous line inserted
An antacid for your stomach acids
Monitoring leads (heart monitor, blood pressure)
Anesthesia
Anti-bacterial wash of the abdomen, and partial shaving of the pubic hair
Skin Incision (vertical or midline(most common))
Uterine Incision
Breaking the Bag of Waters
Disengage the baby from the pelvis
BIRTH!!!! (Accomplished by hand, forceps, or vacuum extractor)
Cord Clamping and cutting
Newborn Evaluation
Placenta removed and the uterus repaired
Skin Sutured (Usually the top layers will be stapled and removed within 2 weeks.)
You will be moved to the Recovery Room (If the baby is able s/he can go with you.) What is an emergency Cesarean? Done in the cases of -placental abruption-prolapsed cord-foetal distressWhat will be the recovery like? Everyone's recovery will be different, depending on your age, body type, and general health. You may be plagued with gas pains from being opened, incisional pain, uterine contractions (your uterus will take time to get back to it's original shape). Do not lift anything heavier than your baby. Can I breast feed if I had a cesarean? Certainly you can. It may take some more effort on your part, but do not hesitate to ask for help. Start breast feeding as soon as possibleIf I had one cesarean (or more!), will I have to have another cesarean? Recent studies have shown that there was an over 80% success rate for Vaginal Birth After Caesarian.

Cesarian delivery

2009-03-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

Cesarians are done when it is considered to be to dangerous, for you or child, to deliver vaginally. Like any type of surgery, having a c-section does have its setbacks. Recovery is more painful and takes longer than that of a vaginal delivery. The most common reasons your doctor would suggest that you undergo this surgery are long and difficult labors, fetal distress, and if your child is breeched (not coming out head first).
During the preparations for a c-section your abdomen will be shaved including the top portion of your pubic hair line. An IV tube is inserted into the arm and a catheter into your bladder. Usually the patient is kept awake during this procedure, but in an emergency, faster working anesthetics may be used putting you to sleep. Incisions are made in both the abdomen and uterus to allow the baby to be delivered. Delivery will take place about 10 minutes after the incisions are made. After the delivery, the incisions are closed using stitches or staples, which generally takes about 30 minutes.

Your hospital stay after c-section will be three to four days, and during this time you will most likely need pain medications. You are likely to be sore for a few days even after you have been discharged from the hospital. Rest is very important for your body after having a c-section, you will need your strength for you new baby.

Tips for Family Communication

2009-03-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

Good communication starts with time spent together.

Perhaps one of the best daily times for conversation is mealtime. Guidelines need to be set that open the way for conversation to take place -- such as no TV, radio, reading material, or toys at the table. Another gambit for conversation is open-ended questions such as: What was the best part of your day? Or what was your least favorite part of your day? Even young children can participate in such discussions.

With busyness of life, many families don’t eat any meals together. Parenting includes making this a priority as often as possible. If daily family dinner doesn’t work on a regular basis, maybe Saturday or Sunday breakfasts can be together times. Parents may want to make individual “dates” with teenagers just to get that time to converse with them.

Plan family activities where all members are present. Go for walks or bike rides, play games, and even be spectators at the children’s activities. These can be family events, where all can participate and communicate together. Taking excursions, like a picnic or a family vacation can be great events for conversation. Include all family members in the planning stage to heighten the opportunities for communication and lessens misunderstanding. Learn about the likes, dislikes, fears, and expectations of family members. The discussion can center on what activities are available in the area you are traveling to that might appeal to various members of the family.

When communicating with children, learn how to communicate on the child’s level. Even the youngest children want to be heard and often have a lot to say. When possible, get down to their level or move them up to your level so that you can look them in the eye while talking to them. The child wants to see that you are indeed listening to them, as any adult wants to know. Teenagers respond to people who will communicate about issues that are important to them. All individuals appreciate being listened to without interruption, judgment, correction, and condescension. How awful it would be to have stopped the flow of wonderful sharing conversation just by criticizing the manner in which it was presented!

Parents can teach children from a young age that it is acceptable and helpful to share emotions in their conversation. If they are taught to express that the monster in the closet is fearful to them, without feeling silly or overly childish, they will be more likely to share what is fearful to them as they grow older. If they are taught to put their feeling into words early in life, they will be more apt to share those emotions as they grow older. When parents react in anger, disgust, or shock as their teenager confides in them, the teenager is much less likely to confide in them the next time.

Respectful conversation can and should be practiced within the family unit in order for it to exist outside of the household. Listening to each family member speak without interruptions, encourages, more than one viewpoint and these are skills that can be learned in the course of good family communication.

Confidence is important

2009-03-24T22:54:00.000-07:00

Have you often admired the person who is friendly, relaxed and talks easily in a crowd? Most of us have wished that we had more of these outgoing attributes to help us in our work and daily lives.

Confidence comes easily and naturally for some, for many others it seems impossible. The good news is that it is a habit that can be learned to some degree by anyone. It will take some training and practice, but what a great way to be more successful and to feel better.

"The control of the thinking machine is perfectly possible. And since nothing whatever happens to us outside our own brain; since nothing hurts us or gives us pleasure except within the brain, the supreme importance of being able to control what goes on in that mysterious brain is patent. Without the power to dictate to the brain its task and to ensure obedience - true life is impossible." - Arnold Bennett (1867-1931)

A great source for learning self-confidence is of course books. You haven't been alone in the need for information on improving your ability to interact positively with people and there are numerous self-help books available to get you started. Just take an easy approach and read a variety of the best sellers that you feel will benefit you the most.

Using autosuggestion, by repeatedly filling the mind with thoughts of calmness and composure, can improve self-assurance. Picture in your mind, as vividly as possible, a scene in which you are performing very successfully. Picture this again and again so that your mind is totally occupied with your easy performance. This will push out doubt as there is not room for both trains of thought. Every time a negative thought pops up, immediately replace it with positive thoughts.

Affirmations are a similar technique that can work wonders. This is the repeating of positive words about yourself, concerning what you wish to do. The words cram the mind with confident thoughts that have a direct effect on how you feel and act. As an example, if you have to make a presentation - ' I have nothing to lose. They like me and I feel good and comfortable with these people. I am concentrating on them, not on myself. They are not here to be critical of me. I am doing everything slowly, calmly, surely. I am relaxed and breathing deeply and easily. I feel confident about this and am in control.'

"They can because they think they can." - Vergil (BC)

Its All Coming Back To Me Now: Lyrics

2009-03-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

There were nights when the wind was so cold
That my body froze in bed
If I just listened to it
Right outside the window

There were days when the sun was so cruel
That all the tears turned to dust
And I just knew my eyes were
Drying up forever

I finished crying in the instant that you left
And I can't remember where or when or how
And I banished every memory you and I had ever made

But when you touch me like this
And you hold me like that
I just have to admit
That it's all coming back to me
When I touch you like this
And I hold you like that
It's so hard to believe but
It's all coming back to me
(It's all coming back, it's all coming back to me now)

There were moments of gold
And there were flashes of light
There were things I'd never do again
But then they'd always seemed right
There were nights of endless pleasure
It was more than any laws allow
Baby Baby

If I kiss you like this
And if you whisper like that
It was lost long ago
But it's all coming back to me
If you want me like this
And if you need me like that
It was dead long ago
But it's all coming back to me
It's so hard to resist
And it's all coming back to me
I can barely recall
But it's all coming back to me now
But it's all coming back

There were those empty threats and hollow lies
And whenever you tried to hurt me
I just hurt you even worse
And so much deeper

There were hours that just went on for days
When alone at last we'd count up all the chances
That were lost to us forever

But you were history with the slamming of the door
And I made myself so strong again somehow
And I never wasted any of my time on you since then

But if I touch you like this
And if you kiss me like that
It was so long ago
But it's all coming back to me
If you touch me like this
And if I kiss you like that
It was gone with the wind
But it's all coming back to me
(It's all coming back, it's all coming back to me now)

There were moments of gold
And there were flashes of light
There were things we'd never do again
But then they'd always seemed right
There were nights of endless pleasure
It was more than all your laws allow
Baby, Baby, Baby

When you touch me like this
And when you hold me like that
It was gone with the wind
But it's all coming back to me
When you see me like this
And when I see you like that
Then we see what we want to see
All coming back to me
The flesh and the fantasies
All coming back to me
I can barely recall
But it's all coming back to me now

If you forgive me all this
If I forgive you all that
We forgive and forget
And it's all coming back to me
When you see me like this
And when I see you like that
We see just what we want to see
Al coming back to me
The flesh and the fantasies
All coming back to me
I can barely recall but it's all coming back to me now

(It's all coming back to me now)
And when you kiss me like this
(It's all coming back to me now)
And when I touch you like that
(It's all coming back to me now)
If you do it like this
(It's all coming back to me now)
And if we

Because You Love Me: Lyrics

2009-03-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Every night in my dreams: Lyrics

2009-03-24T07:26:00.001-07:00

Every night in my dreams
I see you. I feel you.
That is how I know you go on.

Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on.

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never go till we're one

Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

There is some love that will not
go away

You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

Everyday I love you: Lyrics

2009-03-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know but I believe
That some things are meant to be
And that you'll make a better me
Everyday I love you
I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do
You know that I learn somethng new
Everyday I love you
'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.
It's a touch when I feel bad
It's a smile when I get mad
All the little things I am
Everyday I love you
Everyday I love you boy
Everyday I love you
'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul
If I asked would you say yes?
Together we're the very best
I know that I am truly blessed
Everyday I love you
And I'll give you my best
Everyday I love you

Everything I do - I do it for you: Lyrics

2009-03-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Look into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way

Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you

Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Meaning of Life

2009-03-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

The meaning of life is deeply mixed with the philosophical and religious conceptions of existence, consciousness, and happiness, and touches on many other issues, such as symbolic meaning, ontology, value, purpose, ethics, good and evil, free will, conceptions of God, the existence of God, the soul and the afterlife. Scientific contributions are more indirect; by describing the empirical facts about the universe, science provides some context and sets parameters for conversations on related topics. An alternative, human-centric, and not a cosmic/religious approach is the question "What is the meaning of my life?" The value of the question pertaining to the purpose of life may be considered to be coincidental with the achievement of ultimate reality, if that is believed by one to exist.

What is life?

2009-03-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

Even though we all seem to know what is meant by saying something is "alive", it's not very easy to describe what "life" is. It's almost as hard as describing where life came from. In another sense, living things do not die: they begin again, from a tiny cell, and scavenge the dust, the air and water, to find the elements necessary to fashion an aspidistra, an elephant, or an attorney-general, using only the raw materials to hand and energy from a thermonuclear reactor 93 million miles away. The freshly minted, self-replicating organism then grows up, grows old and melts away, but not before imparting a fragment of itself to generate yet another copy, but not an identical copy. The process is visible and transparent, everywhere on the planet, but it is ultimately mysterious. It has been going on for at least 3.5bn years, but researchers may never satisfactorily explain how it ever got started.

The mystery may endure because, once up and running, the life machine kicked up enough dust to cover its original tracks. It altered the air, muddied the water and recycled the rocks around it. For at least 30 centuries, thinkers ascribed the beginning of life to an extraterrestrial agency: they talked of the hand of God, the divine afflatus, the vital spark, or of "seeds" of life travelling through the cosmos. By 1850, however, chemists, physicists, geologists and biologists - many of them deeply religious, and all of them familiar with the religious tradition - had begun to take the problem seriously, and concluded that complex life had in some sense evolved from simpler beginnings, exploiting the materials around it for its own survival.

But as far as we know, life exists on Earth and nowhere else. This is a puzzle because, at one level, the universe looks as though it was set up to generate life. In the first place, the constants of physics are so finely tuned that, were they even infinitesimally different, there would be no stars or planets, no carbon atoms, no oxygen, no aspidistras, elephants or attorney-generals. In the second place, the space between the stars - where no life could ever exist - is rich in life's prime ingredients: the organic chemicals. Astronomers have identified more than 100 of these, including cyanide, formaldehyde, alcohol, ammonia, and acetylene. Comets are rich in hydrocarbons. A meteorite that fell to Earth in Australia in 1969 has so far yielded more than 70 amino acids. These are the building blocks of protein. In 1953, two Chicago chemists filled a flask with ammonia, methane, water and hydrogen - the Earth's primitive atmosphere must have contained all these - and ran an electric current through it. After just a week, they had 13 of the 22 amino acids that are the constituents of protein, the stuff of all living material. If that happened in one week in one laboratory, they reasoned, it could certainly have happened through a billion years of lightning strikes.

But it is a big jump from life's building blocks to self-replicating, planet-altering life, so big that the astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle famously argued that life had as much chance of emerging from a chemistry set by accident, as a jumbo jet had of appearing from a windstorm in a junkyard. Yet life exists, it shares a common biochemistry, and species are grouped in such a way as to suggest common ancestry. But how it began, and precisely when and where, remains a mystery.

Life looks after itself, but humans look after the classification of life, and humans argue.

Read it carefully

2009-03-24T06:56:00.001-07:00

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax; I'd limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after the other, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had it to do over again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dance; I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

The story behind this quotation

Love

2009-03-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

Love is patient, love is kind. It has no envy, nor it boasts itself and it is never proud. It rejoices over the evil and is the truth seeker. Love protects; preserves and hopes for the positive aspect of life. Always stand steadfast in love, not fall into it. It is like the dream of your matter of affection coming true. Love can occur between two or more individuals. It bonds them and connects them in a unified link of trust, intimacy and interdependence. It enhances the relationship and comforts the soul. Love should be experienced and not just felt. The depth of love can not be measured. Look at the relationship between a mother and a child. The mother loves the child unconditionally and it can not be measured at all. A different dimension can be attained between any relationships with the magic of love. Love can be created. You just need to focus on the goodness of the other person. If this can be done easily, then you can also love easily. And remember we all have some positive aspect in us, no matter how bad our deeds maybe. And as God said "Love all"