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Turning a Breech Baby Naturally
When you want to be a mother and finally get to know that you are pregnant, you are obviously overjoyed. It feels good to be pampered and taken care of during those crucial nine months. But not all pregnancies are normal. If your doctor informs you that your baby is a breech baby, i.e., your baby’s head is turned bottom down, you will obviously be worried.
It is normal for babies to be in a breech position in early pregnancy, and by the end of the pregnancy, they will turn. But in case it does not happen, you can follow certain techniques and exercises to turn it the right way naturally.
Techniques to Turn a Breech Baby
Your ultrasound report might have shocked you when you came to know that your baby is in breech position. This may be a matter of concern, but the good news is that there exist a number of techniques to turn your baby in heads down position naturally. If you want to know how to turn your breech baby naturally, refer to the following effective techniques:
1. Light
Light can do wonders. When you come to know in your late pregnancy that your baby’s head is not facing downward, you may not know what to do next. But by simply putting a flashlight on the lower pelvic area, you can see the magic happen.
It is known that by the end of the second trimester, the foetus can recognize light from outside. When you put light on your lower pelvic area, there are pretty good chances that the baby would follow the light and move his head towards the bottom. Though there is no conclusive study related to this, there is no harm in trying this simple technique.
2. A Magical Touch of Frost
This is another simple way to turn around your baby’s head in the downward direction. Placing the ice pack or a frozen pea pack would do. All you need to do is place a towel on your tummy, particularly where the head is and then gently keep the ice pack on it. It is likely that the baby would feel the cold and would try to move away from it and that is what you want. Isn’t it?
3. Go the Medical Way
This technique should be considered when nothing else seems to work. The procedure that is widely used for physically turning the baby is called ECV or External Cephalic Version (ECV).
First of all your doctor would help your uterus relax by giving you epidural. Once it is done, the gynaecologist would physically try to move or tilt the baby. This could be painful and is dangerous too. But using the right technique and expertise, it can be achieved without much effort. But one should never ignore the risks associated with the process that could lead to a caesarean section surgery.
4. Try Changing Your Side
Turning to sides can help your breech baby come in the right position. This is because by turning again and again to either side, you make your pelvis flexible and it further aids in giving way for the baby to make a turn. This is a natural process, and you would not even realize in your sleep when your baby tilted back to the heads down position. Sleep on your left side instead of your right side for increased blood circulation. Also bending your legs and knees should be done, and a pillow should be placed between your legs.
5. Experiment Moxibustion Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a great way to turn a breech baby. In this technique, a physician would pinch thin and narrow needles on both of your toes. Then incense called moxibustion comprises a herb called mugwort. This incense is burned, and its smoke is spread around the toes. It is the combination of heat, needle pressure, and smoke that, in turn, leads to turning of the baby in the downward direction.
6. The Soothing Magic of Water
There is no denying the fact that a pregnant woman feels relaxed and light when in water. If you are pro at swimming, you can flip forward and backwards in the water or even try the breaststroke. This can greatly help in flipping the baby to the head down position. Another thing that you could try is headstand under the water. This may sound weird, but it is a useful and an effective technique. However, one needs to be careful when hitting the water and should always take advice from their doctors prior to diving. And, also while going for the headstand under water, do take help from someone who could hold your both feet in position.
7. Make Some Noise for the Baby
You would be surprised to know that a baby starts to respond to noise from outside once you reach the third trimester. Therefore, this method can also prove to work positively. All you need to do is play some calming music and place the headphones on the lower pelvic area. The baby would hear this music and would naturally move down to where the sound may seem to be coming from.
8. The Power of Hypnotism
This is the craziest thing you might be hearing, but yes it is a technique that has led to positive results in the past. The science behind this includes the fact that our conscious mind takes a back seat while subconscious mind dominates our thoughts. A hypnotist would hypnotize the mother-to-be and ask her to relax and forget all her worries. Once the body is relaxed, she would be asked to create a mental image of her rightly positioned baby. This can help in actuating the process in real.
9. Try a Massage
Prenatal massages have been popular since time immemorial. Massage is like a one-stop solution to every problem a pregnant woman is likely to face. Massage can help relax and get the much-needed break from pregnancy stress and pain.
A massage can significantly help in flipping the baby to the desired position. You should know that when you are pregnant, the ligaments, the tendons, and even the muscles around the pelvic area turn stiff. But with the right kind of massage, your body and mind will relax, and thus make way for the baby to turn downwards.
10. Going the Webster Way
This technique is conducted by an expert chiropractor. This process is carried out with the aim of realigning your pelvic bones and relaxing your ligaments so as to make a natural passage for the baby to move his head in the downward direction. You won't get the desired result in a day and so you need to be patient. You would have to attend sessions at least 3 times a week when you are nearing your delivery date. Also, make sure that your chiropractor is a reputed one with a successful track record in the past.
11. Grab Some Pulsatilla Herb
This involves relying on homoeopathy for flipping over the baby. Pulsatilla is a herb that is derived from the windflower and is recommended for women by their physicians when they are pregnant with a breech baby. If the positioning of the placenta or the uterine aberration is the reason for your breech baby, this herb is not your thing. But if everything is normal except the resistance your baby is showing towards turning over, pulsatilla can prove to be a boon. It is the dosage of this herb that aids in expanding of your uterus, thus added space for your baby to flip over.
Exercises to Turn a Breech Baby
While the above-mentioned techniques would do the needful, exercises can also help turn your breech baby to normal heads down position. Also, exercising keeps you fit and your mood happy, so why not try some to give some space for your baby to move. There should be no problem in turning a baby before 37 weeks with these exercises. However, turning a breech baby at 37 weeks or after should be done only under medical assistance.
1. Slope Your Body
Also called the tilt method, this exercise can be easily done with the help of an iron board. Look for a stable surface like your sofa and rest the ironing board in the slope position with one end on the sofa and the other on the floor.
Lie down on the iron board with your head towards the floor and your feet towards the sofa. But keep someone by your side as balancing could be an issue. This tilt would put some pressure on the baby’s head, and he would probably tuck his chin, thus there is a possibility of him flipping over. Try this exercise for at least 3 times a day with each session lasting for about 10-15 minutes for effective results later.
2. Knee to Chest
This exercise is based on gravitational pull. It is a simple exercise that involves you getting down on your knees on a mat. Next, keep your forearms on the ground, tuck your chin on the rested forearm and elevate your butt in the air. Stay in this position for about 5-10 minutes. This exercise helps the lower portion of your uterus to expand, thus more space for the baby to turn the right way.
It is recommended to do knee-to-chest exercise at least 2 times a day. Also, prefer doing it on an empty stomach or it could add on to discomfort or nausea later. In case you feel your baby turning while doing this exercise, use one of your hands to exert gentle pressure on the baby’s rear part that lies just above the pubic bone.
3. The Cat-Cow Position
Also called the hands and knee position, a mom to be can rely on it in order to turn the baby around. This position can help turn the body flexible so that the flipping over of the baby can be achieved easily. Get a yoga mat or a simple mat for yourself. Now, get down on your knees and hands on the mat. Also, drop your belly low. This position is similar to a cow-posture. Next, elevate your back in a curved position and stay there. This is similar to a cat position. Repeat this 3-4 times a day, and you may notice a miracle when your breech baby is no more breech.
4. Forward-Leaning Inversion
This exercise is similar to knee-to-chest exercise but involves a bit of more effort. Follow the similar pattern as that of a knee to chest exercise. However, this time place your lower body on the couch or the bed and your upper body parts, i.e., the head and elbows on the ground.
Do remember to tuck your chin as this very step would help in pelvic muscle relaxation. Keep someone by your side while you practice this exercise. Stay in the position for about 30 seconds and repeat it 3-4 times a day.
5. Pat Attention to Your Posture
Exercising is one important thing, but what is more important is keeping your posture straight. A perfect posture would provide your baby with enough space to turn over. The right way to maintain good posture is to stand straight with your chin perpendicular to the ground. Let your shoulders rest naturally without attempting to move them in the backward direction. Remember to not stand in the tilted position as if your belly is protruded and pull in your butts so that your body’s centre of gravity stays on them.
Things to Keep in Mind
Flipping a breech baby can be a challenging task. And, if you try the above techniques and exercises, you may get to achieve what you desire for. However, there are some things to keep in mind so as to avoid any issues during the course of pregnancy or during the labour.
A breech baby position is a normal thing till you reach your 30th week of pregnancy and fine until you reach the 32nd week.
Always take advice from your gynaecologist before trying any technique or exercise as there may be health risks associated with your specific condition.
In case your baby is still breech by the end of 37th week of pregnancy, medical assistance is strictly recommended. It is important to note that ECV or External Cephalic Version for manually turning a breech baby would be conducted in such cases.
You need to be confident and positive and you should not mourn why this happened to you.
If you have any pain or discomfort during exercising, stop immediately.
Drink as much water as you can. Drinking fluids are one effective solution for al body problems, and there is no denying this fact.
ECV is not a recommended technique for pregnant women who are expecting twins or for pregnant women who have a heart shaped womb and not a pear-shaped one.
Trust yourself, your baby, and your body; sometimes all you need to do is wait and to get your baby turn into heads down position naturally. Panicking is not the solution here.
Turning a breech baby becomes important in order to avoid problems in babies such as hip dysplasia or even lack of oxygen that reaches the brain.
Talking can be helpful sometimes. It is the words that come from the heart that can prove to be helpful. Talk to your belly; let the baby hear what you want and what he needs to do in this situation.
Lastly, a C-section is the last option if no other technique works. It is always better to pre-plan for your C-section in order to avert any issues later.
Looking at the above information, you would know by now what a breech baby is and what you could do about it. Maintain your calm and meditate to steer clear of any stress. Also, knowing that this is a normal situation and only about 3% of babies do not turn in the heads down position by the end of 37 weeks becomes important here. Take it as an add-on tip; remember to trust yourself and your instincts rather than believing in everyone what others have to say.
Also Read: Umbilical Cord around Neck Read more
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Eating Meat during Pregnancy - Is It Safe?
When you are pregnant, you crave a variety of foods every day. You have to keep in mind that whatever you eat should be good for your baby as well. This is why most pregnant women are conscious of their eating habits.
If you love to eat meat, then it will be hard to give it up. When you are pregnant, you will wonder if you can eat meat or not. So, read to know if you can eat meat during pregnancy.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Meat?
Yes, pregnant women can eat meat. Moreover, meat is recommended for pregnant women owing to its high protein value. However, there is a catch here. If you consume undercooked or ground meat, it can be harmful to you and the baby.
What are the Risks of Eating Meat while Pregnant?
There are certain risks involved when you consume excess meat or raw meat during pregnancy. Read on to know how it is harmful to you:
1. Listeriosis
Deli meats are highly susceptible to bacteria that may cause an infection called listeria. Such an issue could further lead to meningitis, gastrointestinal issues or even an infection in your blood. A study shows that a pregnant woman has 17% chances of contracting listeriosis.
2. Toxoplasmosis
Be it lamb, pork, or venison meat; the chances of developing toxoplasmosis increases when the meat is not thoroughly cooked. Avoid eating undercooked meat as toxoplasmosis could even pass on to your baby, and that is not at all a favourable situation.
3. Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women who devour red meat during pregnancy in more than desirable quantity are likely to develop gestational diabetes. When such a condition arises, your blood sugar levels increase consequently. If you do not pay heed to this health concern, it may result in your baby being overweight or you developing type-2 diabetes.
4. Food Poisoning
There are certain kinds of fish that may lead to food poisoning. Non-smoked fish, shark, and raw shellfish are a complete no-no if you are pregnant.
Tips to Eat Meat the Right Way
The following tips could help you opt for healthier eating options.
1. Cleanliness
It is strictly recommended to wash your hands before and after chopping meat, seafood, or poultry. Also, wash the utensils to ensure they are bacteria free.
2. Isolation
Meat and other food items should be kept at a safe distance. This step helps avoid transmission of any bacteria to your other food items including vegetables, fruits, and salads.
3. Refrigeration
It is recommended to keep your meat frozen until you cook it. No matter what, refrigerate your meat to avoid adverse consequences.
4. Thorough Cooking
As already mentioned, raw meat is strictly not recommended for pregnant woman. Therefore, always cook any form of meat.
5. Avoid Marinades
The ingredients that are used to soften cutting of meat are called marinades. Avoid reusing them as they may be prone to harmful bacteria.
6. Keep Away from Fresh Pre-Stuffed Poultry
Fresh pre-stuffed poultry is generally prone to bacterial development owing to the presence of raw meat juices present in it. Thus, always choose a better option, i.e. frozen pre-stuffed poultry.
FAQs
1. How to Ensure that Meat is Safely Cooked?
Use a food thermometer to measure how well your meat is cooked. If your beef, pork, or lamb is about 145° F, it is more than enough. Also, you could judge by colour whether your meat is thoroughly cooked or not. If your meat does not appear pink in the middle, it means it is cooked well.
2. Is It Safe to Eat Lunch Meat or Smoked Meat or Cured when Pregnant?
Deli meat or lunch meat should not be served to a pregnant woman until steamed well up to 165° F. Same, goes for smoked meat and meats that you have cured yourself. This is because these meats are more prone to bacteria that may even continue to multiply under refrigeration. Therefore, steaming is the only viable option available.
3. Can Pregnant Women Eat Blackened or Grilled Meat?
Eating grilled or blackened meat on an occasional basis is more than fine. But if you love such meat and eat it frequently, it may lead to severe disease like cancer. This is because frying or grilling can lead to the production of cancer-laden acids called heterocyclic amines.
4. Is It Okay to Eat Meat from Livestock that were Given Antibiotics?
If your meat is thoroughly cooked, there is no harm in eating meat from livestock that was given antibiotics. The only harm would pertain to the fact that such meat may contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Looking at the vital information about how meat could affect your pregnancy, you would be sure by now what kind of meat you should eat.
Also Read: Eating Chicken during Pregnancy Read more
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The Greatest Joy of Parenting Kids With a Large Age Gap That No One Told You!
I will start here with a modest confession. When we had our first child (and that was 10 years back), we were just married! We were kids ourselves who had taken a dive into the tidal waves of marriage and were bestowed with much larger responsibility! Having another baby after over 9 years was like riding on a big sea wave amidst a cyclone! To be brutally honest, going back to changing diapers scared the shit out of me (pun intended!).
Now, 5 months after becoming a mom again, I realise what a sheer joy it is to be parenting kids with a large age gap! Here you go with some fun and exciting facts that make it a beautiful journey:
1. You Actually Get Time to Enjoy Motherhood
With the older child being more independent in the case of a large age gap between the kids, there are less things for you to worry about. Your older child can bathe himself, feed himself and even pack his own school bag without you needing to run behind him. That gives you more time to focus on the little one and steal away some time for yourself too! After all, this may be your last chance to be parenting again and you do want to thoroughly live it!
2. No Sibling Rivalry
Now that's quite a big deal, isn't it! Your older child may still be in love with his toys and other belongings, but there will be less fights over cartoon channels, toys and toffees! You won't hear yourself howling and yelling to foster the concept of sharing and caring between them. The two of them will have a separate line of essentials; be it clothes or toys and you will see them seldom fight over these.
3. Small Hands, Big Help
Being a new mom means going bonkers between changing nappies to long feeding sessions. However, you will breathe a sigh of relief when you see your older one rendering helping hands with those numerous unending daily errands; be it helping to fetch a diaper or a nappy; or even to keep a watch on the new baby as you take a quick break or need to make a short trip to the kitchen. A little help with a new baby goes a long way!
4. Strong and Deep Bond
With a large gap between kids develops a much greater bond of love and compassion. The older child gains respect and trust while the younger one receives ample care and protection from the older one. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how the older child learns the art of nurturing the little one and learns to be patient. Your older child can read bedtime stories to the little one. Both of them will benefit immensely from this ritual and this will strengthen their relationship. Your joy will know no bounds when you see your older one taking the role of a parent more than a sibling!
5. Feel Much Younger Once Again
As they say, you are never too old for a Disney movie! Becoming new parents means extended years of watching cartoons! And you thought that age was catching up on you :) It's like teaching those tiny feet again to walk, but with more of an experience and less things to worry!
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
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Eye Problems in Kids - Causes and Treatment
When you look into your child's eyes, you see a sense of warmth. The eyes of a child reflect everything - his pain, his joy - everything is written there. But if anything happens to his eyes, you start panicking. And there's every reason to panic. Eyes are extremely sensitive and any eye problem in kids should be dealt with carefully. There are numerous conditions which can impair vision in children and if such a condition is suspected, they should be referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist for further evaluation and diagnosis.
What Are the Common Eye Problems in Children?
Here are some of the commonly observed eye problems that affect children:
1. Astigmatism
It is a condition that affects a child's vision due to an improperly shaped cornea. If a child suffers from this condition the objects both at distance and near appear blurred.
Cause
The front portion of the eye (cornea) has a physical defect in its curve in the form of irregularities or flatness. When light enters the eye, the irregularities do not allow it to focus sharply on the retina resulting in a blurred vision. It could also be caused by an irregularly shaped lens.
Treatment
If it causes blurred vision, glasses are recommended.
2. Strabismus
This condition is commonly known as ‘crossed eyes’. In this condition, one or both the eyes are misaligned by turning in, out, up, or down. The eyes are unable to aim at the same object consistently. If this condition is left untreated and a child's visual function reaches full maturity, then it will be impossible to treat it.
Cause
This condition is genetic but can also be caused due to trauma to the muscles that control the movement of the eyes or the nerves.
Treatment
Strabismus does not recover on its own. Eye patching is used to force the brain to work the misaligned eye harder. In severe cases, surgery is suggested.
3. Short-Sightedness or Myopia
It is a refractive eye problem where children are able to clearly see objects that are close. But, the objects at a distance appear blurry.
Cause
The condition is genetic and an individual may get affected by it in early childhood too. The cause behind myopia is that light cannot focus on the retina and hence the object placed at a distance appear blurry. In this condition, the light rays focus images in front of the retina and not on the retina. This may be due to the eyeballs being too long or the cornea having too much curvature.
Treatment
Vision can be corrected with prescriptive lenses that need to be changed as the condition progresses.
4. Long-Sightedness or Hyperopia
This condition is the opposite of myopia. If a child is affected by this condition, the objects placed at a distance will appear clear to him but the object nearby will appear blurry.
Causes
The eyeballs in individuals with hyperopia are a little shorter than normal and the cornea has a flatter curve. This causes light rays to have a focus point that is beyond the retina when looking at objects that are close by. This condition could be genetic.
Treatment
Prescriptive lenses are used to bring the focus sharply on the retina.
5. Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
This condition develops when one of the eyes is poorly developed even though it looks normal. The lazy eye functions less and the brain eventually turns it off and stops receiving signals from it.
Cause
It is most often a result of strabismus or when one eye functions much better than the other (in cases where there is a significant difference in refractive errors). The weak stimulation from the lazy eye stops the neurological pathways from developing before it reaches full potential.
Treatment
Treatment involves making the lazy eye work harder to stimulate the neurological pathways. Eye patches and special glasses to block the stronger eye may be used.
6. Cataract
A cataract is a condition where the normal clear lens of the eyes gets clouded. Cataracts can severely obstruct light, leading to vision problems in a child or sometimes may even result in blindness in a child.
Cause
Since the condition can be inherited, some babies are born with this eye disease. The clear lens of the eye appears cloudy as the protein that forms the lens clump together.
Treatment
If the vision is severely hampered, surgery may be required to remove the clouded lenses. The natural lenses are replaced with an intraocular lens.
7. Ptosis
This condition is characterized by the drooping of one or both of the upper eyelids. It covers the eye slightly and blocks the visual field. It can eventually lead to a lazy eye.
Causes
It is hereditary in nature and a child may be born with the condition.
Treatment
It does not improve over time and would require corrective surgery to improve vision.
8. Pink eye or Conjunctivitis
It is an inflammation or redness of the conjunctiva, which is the clear thin mucous membrane covering the whites of the eye. Pink eye is a common disease among school children and can be contagious when caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
Cause
Conjunctivitis is commonly caused by bacteria or viral infection of the conjunctiva. They can also be caused by allergies. The infection is spread by physical contact while playing or using the objects of another infected child.
Treatment
Antibiotic eye drops are prescribed to control the infection.
9. Nystagmus
People with this condition have involuntary, rapid, and recurring movement of the eyes. Instead of fixing on the object the eyes rapidly swing from side to side. They may also move circularly or up and down.
Cause
Children with nystagmus are often born with the condition. The area of the brain responsible for eye movements doesn’t function normally and hence causes the rapid motion. Injuries, brain tumours, certain medications, and multiple sclerosis can also cause it later in life.
Treatment
To treat nystagmus, its underlying cause has to be treated.
10. Chalazion
It is a small painless swelling in the eyelid that is caused when a gland of the upper or lower eyelid is blocked. It can cause redness and swelling of the eyelid sometimes accompanied by the yellow ooze.
Cause
Blocked oil gland in the eyelid.
Treatment
This condition may resolve on its own. it also responds well to eye drops or warm compresses. Severe cases might require surgery.
Why Is Early Diagnosis Important
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent eyes from damaging further. Improper vision and inability to see the blackboard can make it difficult for children to learn and they may face difficulties in school. Sudden signs of eye problems in children can also be an indicator of other complications in the brain or the onset of type 1 diabetes.
Look for these common signs of eye problems in kids to make sure he gets the earliest treatment possible. Some of the signs of eye problems in children include:
A white appearance in one or both the pupils.
Continuous discharge or watering in the eyes.
One of the eyes seems fixed while the other moves frequently.
Oversensitivity to light or glare.
The child often tilts head to one side.
Books are held at a close range and they sit close to the television for a clear picture.
The eyes do not look the same or symmetrical, one may look larger than the other.
How Can You Prevent Eye Problems in Kids
There are numerous ways to prevent eye problems in children by changing their lifestyle.
Teach your child to maintain a good posture while he is studying or sitting in front of the TV or the computer.
Encourage your child to play outside and discourage the use of video games. Playing outdoors is extremely important for children for their overall development. When they play outside, they look around frequently, hence their eyes are constantly moving, which is a good exercise for their eyes. Also, exposure to sunlight is found to prevent the development of myopia as per certain studies.
Green leafy vegetables and foods rich in protein and amino acids are crucial for the development and maintenance of the eyes. They also have 'lutein', an antioxidant essential for good vision. So, make sure your child eats green leafy vegetables.
Regular eye checkups are key to discover any problem and to stop it before it gets worse.
Maintaining a healthy diet is essential. If there is a history of diabetes in the family, low intake of sugary foods is ideal to curb the onset of diabetes and to prevent eye problems.
When you suspect an eye problem in your child, take him to an ophthalmologist immediately to get it checked instead of waiting for it to resolve on its own.
Ask your child to wash his hands whenever he comes from outside. Do not let him touch his eyes with dirty hands.
If your child has an eye infection such as a pink eye, do not send him to school until his infection subsides completely.
If you notice symptoms such as squinting, headaches and frequent blinking, take your child for an eye examination.
Agewise Vision Screening Recommendations
Vision screening is highly recommended for children as it focuses on detecting eye disorders in them to treat in the early years of life. Here is the vision screening recommendation for children.
Age
Tests
Referral Criteria
Newborn-12 months
Vision assessment
Ocular history
Inspection of eyes and lids externally
Pupil examination
Red reflex examination
Infants who cannot track well after 3 months
Infants showing abnormal red reflex
History of retinoblastoma in parents or sibling
1-3 years
Pupil examination
Ocular history
Visual acuity testing
Objective screening device
Infants with Strabismus
Infants having chronic tearing or discharge
Children who fail photo screening
3-5 years
Ocular history
Vision assessment
Inspection of eyes and lids externally
Children who can’t read a minimum of 20/40 with either eye
Should be able to identify most of the optotypes on 20/40 line
5 years and above
Pupil examination
Red reflex examination
Visual acuity testing
Photo-screening
Ophthalmoscopy
Children who can’t read from the blackboard
With inputs from - https://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/131
Although eye problems are a cause for concern, timely treatment can avoid any further damages. So, look for any signs of eye problem in your child and take him to a doctor immediately to avoid the condition from worsening in future.
Also Read: Simple Tips for Child Eye Care Read more
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Do Identical Twins Have the Same DNA?
You may have come across identical twins who have similar facial features and who behave in a similar way, but are they exactly alike? Identical twins look alike, they often dress the same (well, when their mothers dress them in similar clothes), and it's hard to tell the difference in them. Identical also twins tend to share the same features and mannerisms. But do identical twins also share the same DNA? Read this article to find out.
Who are Identical Twins?
When the same pregnancy bears two offspring, they are known as twins. In a normal scenario, only one egg gets fertilised by a single sperm. However, when the egg gets fertilised and starts to divide and develops, it can split into two. After the split, as the two zygotes travel to the uterus, each continues to grow. This is how identical twins come about. Identical twins are also known as monozygotic twins as they develop from one egg. Twins that develop from two separate eggs that are fertilised by two different sperms are called fraternal or dizygotic twins.
Do Identical Twins Have an Identical DNA?
Identical twins fertilise from the same egg and are thus known to carry the same genes. They may share the same DNA but they may not be identical and may not be alike always. The moment the single zygote splits into two embryos, immediately the DNA starts to diverge for each of them. The difference in DNA is not detected in ordinary tests but if the entire genome of both the twins is tested, these differences can be seen. Everyone's DNA invariably differs and that stands true even in case of twins. For example, the fingerprints on an identical twin pair differ too.
When Would Identical Twins Have a Different DNA?
A person’s DNA gets modified due to epigenetic mechanisms over a period of time such as DNA methylation. This results in changes in the chemical structure of the DNA and also affects the activeness of certain genes, based on the lifestyle and other differences. The DNA of identical twins can change with the environment they grow up in. Environmental factors can influence a person's physical appearance too.
Identical twins are most often described as clones of each other. They most certainly have the same genotype since they develop and are born from the same fertilised egg but they may not be exactly alike.
Also Read:
Interesting Facts about Twins You Must Know
Amazing Facts of Conjoined Twins (Siamese Twins)
Mirror Twins - All You Need to Know Read more
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Looking for Supporting a Noble Cause? Sponsor a Child
Many of us are trying to get by in life and make the right decisions wherever possible. We work hard to provide for ourselves and our families, and at the end of the day, we are happy when we see our kids with plenty of food and water and pretty much every comfort that life can offer. But sadly, we all are aware that there are so many children out there with no parents or family and who get only the basic essentials, sometimes not even that. By sponsoring children, we can help them, even if we think we aren’t doing much.
Why You Should Sponsor a Child
Here are some reasons you should consider sponsoring a child:
1. It Makes a Difference
It is not that expensive to sponsor a child, and when you do, it makes a world of difference to that one child. With the money you sponsor, the child will be able to have new clothes, food, and clean drinking water and may even be able to go to school.
2. You Give Hope
Children living in poor conditions are often left to feel like nobody in the world cares for them. When you sponsor a child, the child’s view of the world changes. Such children can see some positivity in the world and will know that someone out there cares about them.
3. You Help More than One
If you sponsor a bright but poor child's education, he will go on to become an asset for his company as well as the nation.
4. Your Children Learn
We often shield our kids from the harsh realities of life, but by sponsoring children, your own children will see that there are other children who do not have all the things they do. It will instil gratitude and compassion in them.
5. You Feel Better
It may sound selfish, but it is the only acceptable outcome anyway. When you help someone less fortunate, you feel a bit better because you did something positive for them.
6. Right Thing to Do
We have so much, and while we do work hard for it, these innocent children are not responsible for being born less fortunate than we were. Giving them a chance to make their lives better is the right thing to do.
How Can You Sponsor an Underprivileged Child in India?
To sponsor a child, find a good NGO and do as follows:
Choose a child. You may want to go for one who is bright and shows promise.
According to your budget, make a commitment either yearly or monthly.
Send the donation.
How Can You Sponsor a Child With Special Needs?
To sponsor a special needs child, you will need to:
Pick an NGO that deals with such children.
Go through the list and understand the special needs of the child. These children will have different conditions and therefore different requirements which you will need to be prepared for.
Choose a child.
Make a commitment.
Send the donation.
Your donations will go to provide them specialised education, school supplies, healthcare and proper food and water. This will enable them to educate and equip themselves for better jobs in future and prevent them from being exploited.
List of NGOs in India Who Can Help You Sponsor a Child
Here is a list of NGOs that will be able to help with sponsoring a child in India:
1. Save The Children
This global non-profit organisation works in 19 states in India for the welfare of children and their rights. They provide healthcare, help in emergencies, education and also protect and rescue children from abuse. This is also one of the few organisations that caters to special needs children. To know more, visit their website.
Website: https://www.savethechildren.in/resource-centre/articles/how-can-a-person-sponsor-a-special-child
2. Plan India
This not-for-profit organisation works towards establishing equality and children’s rights for young girls. It falls under the Plan International Federation. You can visit their website to look at what they do and get involved with one of their projects.
Website: https://www.planindia.org/sponsor-a-child
3. World Vision
A humanitarian organisation that focuses on helping children from very poor backgrounds educate themselves, sees to their material needs and ensures that they have the tools they need to carve out a better life for themselves in the future. This organisation also caters to children with special needs.
Website: https://www.worldvision.org/our-work/disability-inclusion
4. CRY India
Child Rights and You is an organisation that people who want to help the children in need can approach. They aim to create happy children who are not exploited but treated with respect and who are able to have a better future.
Website: https://www.cry.org/our-approach
5. Nanhi Kali
An aim to provide underprivileged young girls get primary education is the main mission of Nanhi Kali. Through educating young girls, they hope to be able to provide them with a better future than they would have if they remained uneducated. They hope that educating young girls will soon put an end to the system of dowry and child marriage. If you are more interested in playing a part in a young girl's future, try to sponsor girl child education in India. This will make a big difference in the life of that child and will give her a more hopeful future.
Website: https://www.nanhikali.org/who-we-are/index.aspx
Sponsoring an underprivileged child is not very expensive, but it will change their life. There are many children in different circumstances that can use your help, so if you have a heart for children with disabilities, who come from broken homes or if you want to sponsor an orphan child in India, there are programs available for you. Just go through the different websites and choose an amount that suits you best.
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Rashmi has added a new answer
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Q. #asktheexpert Ma'am I am two months pregnant now....can I continue breastfeeding my 17 month old baby ?
Rashmi
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45 mins ago
A. No I’m afraid you’ll have to quit breastfeeding your child because it is not advisable to feed your child when you’re pregnant with the second child is not healthy for you neither for your coming child so you’ll have to skip and quit onto your breastfeeding
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
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A. in this case it is important to rule out urinary tract infection for which urine report as well as urine culture needs to be done.
in the report if it is found that there is positive urine culture then dr gives antibiotics for around 14 days after which culture report is repeated to see if the infecdtion is gone.
kindly take plenty of fluids to drink to and maintain hygiene of the urinary area and contact your doctor for relevant examination and investigation
at the earliest d
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
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A. because of the pressure of gravid uterus. 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
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A. Post vaccination swelling may be a common thing specially after DPT vaccine which may be painful for two or three days and the swelling may remain fheven up to month so if it is not causing any pain or other symptoms nothing to worry.
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