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Oral Sex during Pregnancy - What's Ok and What's Not
Several expecting couples feel uncomfortable indulging in intercourse with a lively baby kicking and rolling in his mother’s womb during the act. However, it is important to understand that intercourse is not only important to ensure that the couple shares an intimate and joyful relationship, but also a way for the mother to enjoy her confinement. Besides the positions that doctors may recommend to ensure the baby’s safety, another option couples may want to try is oral sex.
If you and your partner are looking forward to experimenting with oral sex, here are a few things to consider before you go ahead.
Sex and Pregnancy
Your pregnancy is the result of a union of two bodies and minds in love with each other. While pregnancy itself is a truly life-changing experience for you as you ready yourself to bring a new life into the world, making love during pregnancy can be an urge a lot of women have. Sex is an important part of our lives, and you should have enough clarity about it especially during such a delicate phase.
Most pregnant couples have questions about sexual desire during pregnancy, like “Can you make love while pregnant”? and “Can you indulge in oral sex during this period”? Both queries are quite pertinent and should be addressed before indulging in the act.
Remember, your baby is well-protected by the strong muscles of the uterus and its natural protector, the amniotic fluid. Due to this, sexual activity between you and your partner will not affect the baby in any way.
What is Oral Sex?
Stimulating your partner’s sex organs using your tongue, lips,or mouth is known as oral sex. The licking or sucking of a woman’s vagina or clitoris or a man’s penis is included in this act.
Having sexual intercourse or oral sex becomes highly enjoyable during pregnancy due to increased blood supply to the vagina and labia. In fact, according to research, the chances of pre-term labour decreases if you have regular sex during pregnancy.
Is Oral Sex Safe During Pregnancy?
Oral sex during pregnancy is safe provided the right precautions are taken by both partners. While receiving oral sex, the woman should ensure that the partner does not blow air into the vagina. In rare cases, a blood vessel could get blocked due to the blowing of air which could result in a dangerous situation for the woman and her baby.
If you are feeling up to it and are having a normal pregnancy, it is fair enough to enjoy yourself and pleasure your partner as well without having any qualms about it.
Does Oral Sex during Pregnancy Harm the Baby?
Oral sex and pregnancy are related to each other since both conditions share the same body. The baby is unlikely to be harmed due to oral sex unless you get an air embolism, which is basically getting air into your bloodstream through the act. This action can cause complications not only to the baby but the mother too, so you will need to watch out.
Tips While Giving Oral Pleasure During Pregnancy
The human body, male or female, pregnant or otherwise, has its own sexual needs and urges. Oral sex can be as pleasurable as the sexas the complete genital and pelvic area including your uterus are engorged with blood therefore making it ultra-sensitive. If your partner can keep the tips mentioned below in mind while giving you oral pleasure during pregnancy, you could eliminate any complications that could arise:
While receiving oral sex from your partner, ensure he does not blow air into your vagina as this could cause the blocking of an air vessel (also known as air embolism). This sudden air pressure could pose a risk to you and your baby and has proved life-threatening in certain cases. Though there is a limited possibility of this happening, it is best the couple is aware of it while indulging in oral sex
Oral sex increases the chances of bacteria from the mouth to be transferred to the vagina, and vice versa, which could pose a great risk as far as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are concerned.
There are chances that you could go into early labour as an orgasm can bring about contractions, leading to premature labour.
Cold sores from your partner’s mouth could lead to the spread of viruses to your genital area which can lead to further complications. The use of dental dams (a stretchable latex rubber sheet placed over the mouth) by your partner is suggested to prevent infection.
Understand each other’s anatomy well before indulging in oral sex, so the act is pleasurable and not painful.
Swallowing Semen While Pregnant
A common question asked by most expectant mothers who wish to perform oral sex on their male partner is,” Is sperm good for the baby during pregnancy”? In case you swallow your partner’s semen while pleasuring him orally, it is absolutely safe since the semen is absorbed into your system and does not reach your baby. However, it is better to ensure your partner is not infected with an STD as you could contract it too. This could lead to preterm labour and possible miscarriage too, amongst other complications.
Other facts
1. Will Oral Sex Induce Labour?
Doctors may ask you to abstain from sexual activity, especially when the due date is nearing as orgasms are known to promote contractions, though whether they can induce labour is yet to be scientifically validated through proper studies.
2. Does Pregnancy Lower Sexual Desire?
With pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many physical changes, not to mention the psychological ones. Your body bloats, your breasts become heavy and sensitive to touch while mood swings are also rampant.
Although the desire to have sex becomes dormant for a while, you would want physical proximity with your partner to satisfy sudden urges. The growing body though is a huge physical and emotional hurdle which both the partners find unsurmountable. Oral sex may be the best option in such a case, but this too will depend on the mental and emotional state of the mother-to-be, especially as the big day approaches.
Also Read:
Sex during Pregnancy
Masturbation during Pregnancy
Sex Drive in Pregnancy Read more
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Your Baby This Week : 4 Month Week 1 Old
Kids love to look themselves in the mirror. Hold your baby in front of a mirror and take a look at his expressions. He does not understand that it’s his own reflection until he’s about 7 or 8 months old. You can be early to get a push from an over-zealous grandmother, or friends with young children to introduce solids. Make sure to wait until the 6 month mark.
Read more
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25 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect
Mothers-to-be, it is that time during your pregnancy when your body is undergoing a host of changes and you are more than eager to understand how the work-in-progress that you have been carrying for the past 25 weeks is faring. It is time to understand these feelings and learn to address them with the necessary facts.
Your Baby's Growth During Pregnancy- Week 25
It is a wonderful feeling to have made it to the third trimester where your baby is making its presence felt through increased movements. It can hold on to the umbilical cord now thanks to its new and improved grip that is quite firm at this time. At week 25, your baby’s first bowel movement is being formed. It is called meconium which is thick and dark, and it is likely to be excreted immediately after they are born. The baby’s hair is growing, and its texture, as well as colour, is now distinct.
What Is Baby’s Size?
When you are 25 weeks pregnant, the baby’s size is about 13 and ½ inches in length and weighs around 700 grams. Some of the baby fat that it accumulated is being shed, and your baby now looks longer and leaner than before. Imagine an acorn squash or a large cauliflower, and you can visualize the baby’s size.
Common Body Changes
Your baby is now growing rapidly and is taking up a lot of space around your midsection. However, with the baby’s growth, your body will gain weight to support you and help you to carry its weight. A pound a week (0.45 Kg) is common weight gain during this time. Among the other body changes during pregnancy, you will notice expanding stretch marks on your body, dark nipples, dark skin patches on the face, and traces of hair from the belly button to the pubic area.
Symptoms of Pregnancy at Week 25
While your energy levels may not differ much from the previous week, your baby’s growing size will weigh you down. The common symptoms of pregnancy at Week 25 are:
Sleep-related issues:
There can be many reasons for not being able to sleep comfortably, and these could include your ever-burgeoning tummy, nightmares about the delivery, or probably your hormones. One way to get undisturbed sleep is to limit your intake of water as you get closer to bedtime so you will need fewer bio breaks during the night.
Constipation & Haemorrhoids:
This is a common condition that will trouble you now, so make sure you drink enough water, exercise, and include fibre-rich foods in your diet to help your digestive system and avoid constipation. Haemorrhoids are quite common during the second trimester since the baby is pushing the digestive tract.
Heartburn:
As the baby grows, it pushes against the digestive tract, and this elevates the acid levels up your oesophagus, leading to the burning feeling in the chest and throat. Avoiding oily and spicy food, especially at dinner, can help you to address this issue and keep heartburn away.
Belly At 25 Weeks Of Pregnancy
If you are within 25 weeks of your pregnancy, you would have gained around 7-8 kilograms till now, and this could be a major source of anxiety for you. While it is common to gain weight faster during the second trimester, remember that it may be due to water retention. There will be fluctuations in your weight gain, but your doctor can help you by creating a diet plan that can help keep it under control and prevent it from surging in a very short period.
At 25 weeks, the foetal movement will be more pronounced. Your baby is probably sleeping when you do not feel kicks so do not worry about it. If you want reassurance that all’s well inside, listen to music or get a light massage, and before you know, you will be rewarded with a few kicks.
25 Weeks Ultrasound
If your doctor feels you need some additional monitoring at 25 weeks, you may undergo an ultrasound. Your baby has already developed a sense of balance and will have more hair on its head, which will be visible during the ultrasound. Depending on your condition, you may have to undergo the glucose screening test (if you haven’t had it in the earlier week) to check your body’s capacity to process sugar. This is done to ensure you do not have gestational diabetes, in which case additional testing may be required.
What to Eat?
In the 25th week, you should ensure that your food includes key nutrients like Vitamin D and Calcium so that your baby has strong teeth and bones, develops strong muscles, and has a healthy nervous system. Since Vitamin D supports your body in absorbing calcium, your 25th-week pregnancy food should include dairy products like paneer, curd, milk, green vegetables like spinach and amaranth (chauli) along with pulses like rajma and soya beans. Eggs, Milk and Fish are also great sources of Vitamin D.
Tips & Care
Here is a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts to keep in mind in the 25th week of pregnancy:
Do's
Drink lots of water during this period as it will help you to avoid constipation and related problems. It will also help to keep your skin supple and ready for stretching while preventing itching too.
As you near your third trimester, you should get your birthing partner ready. It is generally the husband who is willing to take that role, but if not, then you need to make a quick choice.
A healthy and nutrient-dense diet along with adequate fluids is essential in the 25th week of your pregnancy.
Don’ts
Do not consume water which is unhygienic since water-borne viruses can make a pregnancy more difficult than it already is.
Do not sleep on your back as this can put additional pressure on your intestine and spine. It will also lead to improper blood circulation. It is recommended to sleep on your left side instead.
Do not consume excess coffee and tea immediately after dinner as this could prevent your body from absorbing iron which is necessary for your body. It is best to cut down on caffeine as much as possible during pregnancy.
What You Need To Shop For
Apart from shopping for baby clothes and maternity clothes for yourself, make sure you have chosen and preregistered yourself at the hospital of your choice. It is also time to review your life and medical insurance and get your life/medical insurance advisor’s contact details in place. You can also create a birth plan that will help you in easing your fears and list out the steps to be taken before, during, and after delivery.
Now that you have been pregnant for around 6 months, you may already feel like a veteran, but there is plenty of time left for D-day. The final stretch can be a crucial one and keeping yourself healthy and relaxed will ensure that your delivery is a joyful time for you and your spouse. Now that you have all the important information in hand, make sure you can implement it well and bring home your bundle of joy with lots of love and care.
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Yoga for Diabetes - 10 Poses to Try
In order to stay healthy, it is important that we exercise and eat nutritious food. For people with diabetes, this becomes all the more important, since they have a hard time healing or recovering from illness or injuries. In India, Yoga has been a part of the lifestyle for many people for a very long time and the physical exercises that it involves help make our body stronger and encourage us to lead a more balanced lifestyle.
How Is Yoga Beneficial for People with Diabetes?
It is common knowledge that yoga is good for health because it combines breathing techniques, body movements, and postures along with techniques for learning meditation, all of which will have an impact on your overall health. Here are some ways how yoga helps a diabetic patient.
It helps improve blood circulation.
It improves the functioning of the pancreas, which is responsible for stimulating the production of beta insulin cells.
It helps to lower blood pressure and sugar.
It lowers the levels of depression and anxiety.
Yoga helps improve immunity.
It helps in weight loss.
It improves energy levels.
Best Yoga Asanas for Diabetes
The movements and body postures that are learnt in yoga are called Asanas. Here we have some of the best yoga Asanas for type 2 diabetes:
1. Legs Up the Wall
A pose that helps in reducing the levels of stress by improving circulation will lead to lower levels of blood pressure and blood sugar.
Impacted Muscles
This asana will help strengthen your front torso, hamstrings, pelvic muscles, back of the neck, and lower back.
How To Do
Use a yoga mat, a blanket, or just a mat to perform this asana.
Sit close to a wall in your room. Your legs should be stretched in front.
You should face the wall.
Lie gently on the yoga mat and slide up your legs on the wall.
Your back should be straight on the mat and your legs should be straight on the wall. You will be at an angle of 90 degrees.
Relax in this position for about five minutes.
Slide your legs back down and do a few more reps.
2. Reclining Bound Angle
An excellent pose for calming the nervous system and aiding the functioning of the kidney, bladder and abdominal muscles.
Impacted Muscles
This asana works on your groin muscles, pelvic muscles, adductors, and psoas.
How To Do
Lie down on a yoga mat and press the soles of your feet together. Your knees will be on the sides.
Relax your hips.
Rest your hands; they should be next to your hips with your palms facing up.
Remain in this position for ten minutes. Inhale and exhale slowly and let your thighs stretch.
Slowly release by pushing your knees together with your hands.
Sit up slowly and repeat this asana.
3. Seated Forward Bend
This Asana helps lower blood pressure, relieve anxiety and fatigue, and aid in weight loss.
Impacted Muscles
This works the erector spinae, gastrocnemius, pelvic muscles and gluteus maximus.
How To Do
Sit with your legs stretched out, using a cushion under your knees if you need it.
Keep your feet straight with the toes pointing toward the ceiling.
Bend forward at the hips and keep moving your hands towards your feet.
Rest your hands on the floor, leaning over your legs for at least three minutes before releasing.
4. Plough Pose
This asana helps in stimulating the thyroid gland and increase the circulation of blood and reduce stress levels.
Impacted Muscles
This works the muscles in the hamstrings, rotator cuffs, spinal extensors, and trapezius.
How To Do It
Rest your shoulders on a yoga mat and rest your arms alongside your body.
Lift your legs straight up in the air using your arms to help balance.
Place your hands on your lower back for support so that your fingers face upwards.
Bring your feet together and try to reach the floor above your head.
Remain like this for at least one minute before releasing.
5. Cobra Pose
This asana can help lower your blood pressure and build strength.
Impacted Muscles
It works your triceps, quadriceps, hamstrings, spinal extensors and glutes.
How To Do
Lie on your stomach with your toes flat on the floor.
Keep your legs together and your body straight.
Your hands should be under your shoulders.
Breathe in and lift your head and chest up and hold the position for at least thirty seconds.
Return to the resting position and do a few reps.
6. Bow Pose
This will open the chest cavity and may also lower blood sugar levels.
Impacted Muscles
This asana works your quadriceps, hamstrings, pectorals, and glutes.
How To Do
Lie on your stomach with your feet hip-width apart. Keep your arms aside.
Bring your lower legs up such that your knees are lifted.
Hold onto your ankles and hold this position for about 30 seconds before relaxing.
7. Half Lord of the Fishes
This twisty asana, also called as ardha matsyendrasana, helps lower blood sugar and boost energy.
Impacted Muscles
This works out your spine and your pectorals.
How To Do
Start by sitting cross-legged.
Bring your left leg over your right thigh and place your foot (of the left leg) on the ground.
Sit straight and twist your body towards the left.
Your right arm should go around your left leg, and your gaze should be over your shoulder.
8. Supine Spine Twist
This asana stimulates the abdomen, which helps in lowering the blood sugar. It can also help in relieving pain in the lower back.
Impacted Muscles
This will work your spine, abdomen, and pectorals.
How To Do
Lie on your back.
Bring your knees up towards your chest.
Keep your arms on the floor by your side, palms facing down.
Keep your back on the floor but bring your knees down to the right side, keeping them together.
Remain like this for at least thirty seconds.
Repeat the asana.
9. Child Pose
This asana will help you relax, which may help to promote the beta insulin-producing cells.
Impacted Muscles
This works on your spine, glutes, and hamstrings.
How To Do
Kneel on a yoga mat.
Your knees should be together and your feet too.
Sit on your heels and bend. Your forehead should touch the ground and arms should be extended forward.
Remain in this position for at least five minutes then repeat.
10. The Corpse
This asana helps in relaxation and reduce blood pressure.
Impacted Muscles
This pose helps in relaxing the muscles of the body after a session.
How To Do
Lay on your back and keep your arms at your sides. Keep your feet spread out.
Deep breath and remain in this position for about 20 minutes.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about yoga for diabetes:
1. Can Yoga Prevent Diabetes?
As many of the poses in yoga tend to massage the pancreas and increase the production of insulin, yoga has the ability to prevent diabetes. Many studies have also shown that it can work wonders for the prevention and management of diabetes. For people with Type 2 diabetes, yoga asanas can prove effective.
2. Can Yoga Protect Me from Gestational Diabetes during Pregnancy?
About 18% of women experience gestational diabetes during pregnancy. High blood sugar during pregnancy can cause many other problems as well including preeclampsia, which brings with it many other problems. Yoga for high blood sugar can help to solve this problem by reducing perceived and oxidised stress, which is a huge factor for causing high blood sugar.
3. Does Yoga Help Control Blood Sugar?
Yoga helps reduce adrenaline and cortisol levels in the body, which make it a great way to help in managing your blood sugar levels. Many different types of yoga asanas can affect your blood sugar differently. There is yoga to help with high blood sugar and yoga for low blood sugar as well.
Diabetes is often the result of a bad lifestyle, so it becomes necessary that you follow a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Yoga has been practised for thousands of years and can bring about a balance in your lifestyle, both mentally and physically. Yoga when coupled with a balanced diet, it can do wonders in helping you regain your health and control your diabetes.
Also Read:
Health Benefits of Hot Yoga for Losing Weight
Reasons for Starting Yoga Immediately
Unique Yoga Poses for Woman to Try Out Read more
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Tips for Parents to Get Their Children to Eat Good Food
Getting my son, a picky eater, to eat food that is good for him has always been a challenge. How I overcame this challenge is something that I have covered in some of my previous blogs too.
I recently tried feeding him gud and til, because the famous nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar calls them wonder foods, but alas, he spat it out. So I grilled my brains on how to feed him food that gives him the benefit that is necessary for his age without stepping into a war zone with him, and here's what I tried:
Mixing sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gud) with pancakes or cake batters.
Making purees out of veggies like spinach, beetroot and making colourful dosas out of them. These can be used for making cheelas too.
Grating veggies like bottle gourd, carrot, chopping fenugreek leaves and adding them to the dough to make paranthas and roti.
Fortunately, I have a home garden that has herbs like basil, bhrami, celery, parsley, mint, etc. I make use of a variety of herbs to make dal, pasta sauces, etc.
I even made jam at home to cut down on my child's sugar intake.
You can make sooji ka halwa or other halwa with jaggery instead of sugar.
My son is not a rice eater but you can always use veggie purees or chop them to make fried rice or pulao.
I even make laddoos for him using dates, dry fruit powder, sesame seeds and chocolate.
You can roast makhanas in ghee and sprinkle some chaat masala or salt on them.
Cheese will always come to your rescue to camouflage food.
Make it a habit to get your children to taste everything that is on the table. Insist on taking just one bite so that they understand the taste of different types of dishes. Hope these tips help make your meal times easier and fun. Kids don't need exquisite food; a little playing around with food will help you win your little battle. Happy eating and feeding mommies.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
10 hours ago
Q. #AskTheExpert hello dr.
baby planning kar rhi kuch tips btayiye conceive ho jaye
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. it's a natural process ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. when baby is kick? I'm 13 weeks pregnant
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. during first pregnancy you may feel the baby movements after 24 to 25 weeks of pregnancy and till then only mild flatters may be felt but which you may not be feeling if you are doing some work
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
8 hours ago
Q. I’m in my 31 week 1 day of pregnancy. What will be my delivery date??
As I have low lying placenta with grade 1 maturity.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. you had to correlate is ultrasound examination. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
8 hours ago
Q. My hemoglobin is 6.4 from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now I’m 31 weeks pregnant. What should I do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. Haven’t when you having some kind of iron supplement because they’re very good during the time of pregnancy if you are not having one you need to start with and whatever tabs you take you should just take it with any good juice specially pomegranate juice that’s going to help in doubling the impact of the medicine that you’re taking secondly try and include more of Iron which diet like spinach broccoli beetroot pomegranate black rice sweet potato these things are exceptionally healthy for you to consume
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
7 hours ago
Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
now I'm 24 weeks. Sometimes I'm feeling pain in my thigh.
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. For thegh query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Onlfine consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
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