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How to Prevent a Preterm Labour
The excitement of a baby being born can be an uplifting experience. However, what isn’t talked about is the fear and anxiety caused during the period of the pregnancy. Every mother-to-be has the fear of something going wrong with the pregnancy or jeopardizing the birth of their child and one of the most common issues that troubles women around the world is the prospect of a premature labour. To alleviate this fear, it is important that you understand what the term premature labour is, what the action consists of and how it can actually affect either you or your child.
What is Premature Labour?
Every pregnancy can be broken down into 3 trimesters or three terms of four months each and a full term of labour consists of nine months. This is because it is estimated that it takes nine months for a foetus to develop enough to be able to handle the outside world and grow independently.
Premature labour is when a mother is unable to carry her baby for the full 9-months term. This can be due to any number of reasons that range from accidents and trauma to unknown or unpredictable illnesses. The term premature labour itself indicates that the baby has been delivered or will be delivered before he/she is physically mature enough to curtail the risks of any disabilities or issues. Premature labour isn’t always preventable, and it can be an extremely scary and nerve wrecking experience. Babies that are born prematurely can be at risk for a number of conditions that can be both minor and major.
15 Ways to Prevent a Premature Delivery
Although not always preventable, premature labour in some circumstances can be prevented. Learning how to avoid preterm labour can help lower the risks of facing this scary situation. Here are some ways to help prevent preterm labour.
1. Talk to a Prenatal Specialist
Talking to a prenatal specialist can help you educate yourself about what the most common causes of a preterm labour are. Understanding the root causes can help you plan your labour a lot better. Make sure you ask them as many questions as you need to best understand the causes.
2. Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal yoga is soon becoming the go-to thing for most mothers. Not only does it keep you fit and help prevent numerous issues like joint pain and headaches, it also helps improve blood circulation and regulates oxygen supply. These factors can help improve the chances of carrying your baby full term.
3. Pregnancy Pilates
Another fun and popular exercise that helps with a full-term pregnancy and combats preterm labour is pilates. This core and pelvis concentrated workout is focused heavily on building and strengthening muscles that are directly involved in childbirth. Pilates can help ease the strain of delivery and also helps regulates your blood flow and relax your joints in the pelvic region allowing for the baby to grow and develop in a safer environment.
4. Fight The Influenza
It is a commonly known fact that women who catch a flu more consistently are at a higher risk for premature labour. Ensure you get your shots on time, follow your doctors’ recommendations for when you have the flu and make sure you get adequate rest. Overexerting yourself when you have the flu can be dangerous and in some cases trigger labour far too early.
5. Take Your Vitamins
One of the most overlooked reasons for premature labour could be a vitamin deficiency. Doctors recommend taking prenatal vitamin capsules that have folic acid combined with them. Ensuring you keep your vitamin counts in check can help prevent premature deliveries.
6. Don’t Smoke
Tobacco is one of the leading causes of babies being delivered early. Nip this bud in the butt and quit smoking during your pregnancy to lower the risk of premature delivery.
7. Avoid Alcohol
It is a commonly known fact that alcohol can harm your pregnancy. What is also commonly known is mothers who drink excessive amounts of alcohol during the pregnancy are at a high risk for preterm labour. Quit drinking for this period to ensure the risk is minimized.
8. Walk
Almost every doctor will recommend exercise during pregnancy. This is primarily due to the fact that exercise improves blood circulation and keeps your heart healthy. This is also known to lead to a healthier foetus which prevents premature births
9. Check and Maintain Your Recommended Weight
Doctors will advise that you stick to a prescribed diet to make sure that your health is in an optimal condition. Too much weight gain will increase the chances of conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia that are known to cause early labour. Being underweight can also cause an early labour.
10. Drink Enough Water
Most of us do not understand the importance of staying hydrated on a daily basis. The importance of this factor increases when you are pregnant. Talk to your OB/GYN about the amount of water you will be required to drink to stay adequately hydrated.
11. Clean Your Teeth
This one might surprise you. Ensuring that you have good gum care can be an important factor in determining that your pregnancy is carried to a full term. Make sure that you keep your dentist appointments and follow good dental hygiene every day.
12. Get Some R&R
Making sure that you get adequate rest and relaxation is vital not just for you and your baby’s health, but it is also necessary to ensure a full term pregnancy. Make sure you ask for help and book yourself a spa day every month.
13. Urinate When Needed
Do not hold your urine if you need to urinate. This can cause irritation to the uterus and the bladder to inflame and cause infections. These infections are known to cause preterm labour.
14. Gap Between Pregnancies
Maintaining a healthy gap between consecutive pregnancies can be beneficial for a full-term pregnancy. Most doctors will recommend that you wait at least 18 months before trying to conceive again.
15. Eat Healthy
Maintaining a healthy diet is an absolute must for your pregnancy. Not only will it ensure that your developing baby receives all the nutrition she needs, it also makes sure that your blood sugar doesn’t spike often or cause gestational diabetes. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin C, and calcium. These nutrients are all known for helping you achieve full-term pregnancy.
Striving for a full-term pregnancy while also making sure that your baby is healthy is one of the primary concerns most mothers-to-be have. Discuss your concerns with your OB/GYN and make sure that you keep all your health care appointments diligently. Keeping yourself comfortable during pregnancy is key and do remember to stay away from any stress during this period.
Also Read: False Labour Vs Real Labour – How To Spot The Difference Read more
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15 Best Tv Shows to Watch When Expecting
While pregnancy is an exciting time, it is also one of the most uncomfortable and exhausting times in life. Getting used to changes in your body, hormones, and mood can leave you worn out by the end of the day. Cuddling up on the couch with some snacks and a great TV show can be just the thing you need to de-stress and drift away from your own life for a little while.
Sometimes, watching shows about pregnancy or anything related is the last thing you want, but some women like to watch them because pregnant scenes in TV shows are relatable for them. The good times and the challenges that the characters experience can sometimes help them prepare for parenthood's many ups and downs. Here are some great Pregnant drama TV shows for you to binge on when you are expecting.
15 Must-Watch TV Shows During Pregnancy
With the vast number of TV shows covering many different topics, choosing something that will appeal to you or that you will find relatable can be a little tricky. That is why we have compiled a list of family-oriented series and TV shows with pregnancy storylines that will keep you engrossed.
1. Reba
Reba’s ex-husband, Brock, gets his dental hygienist, Barbra Jean, pregnant, and at around the same time, Reba finds out that her teenage daughter is also pregnant. While Reba naturally did not like Barbra Jean at first, she finds herself liking her more as their family tries to navigate this strange new situation.
2. I’m Pregnant and…
This American show captures the stories of different pregnant women and how they handle some complex challenges as they navigate through the nine months of pregnancy. Some of the stories covered are about mothers who suffer from severe drug addictions, mothers who suffer from disorders such as Bipolar, as well as mothers who have to deal with pregnancy while being homeless. The show will tug at your heartstrings and remind you to be grateful for even the smallest blessings in life.
3. The Let-Down
In this Australian series, Audrey, a young mother, is looking for a bit of support as she tries to journey through the hormonal changes, sleepless nights, and unsettled emotions during her pregnancy. With a partner too engrossed with his career, and other mom friends with their own set of problems, she seems to be having a bit of difficulty finding the support she needs.
4. I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant
We have all heard intriguing stories of women who had no idea that they were pregnant until they felt the contractions start a few days before the birth of their children. This TV show is a compilation of stories like these, and it exposes the many medical reasons behind this strange phenomenon.
5. The Secret Life of the American Teenager
After a teenage affair at band camp, Amy becomes pregnant at the ripe young age of 15. Amy, who already had a boyfriend back home, now has to face the many trials of being a teenage mother. With a surprisingly supportive boyfriend, a family who needs some time to come around, and a frustrated baby daddy, Amy is in for the experience of her life.
6. Jane the Virgin
If you want humor with a bit of drama, pregnant TV shows like Jane the Virgin are the choice for you! It follows the story of a young virgin called Jane, who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after being artificially inseminated during a routine visit to the gynecologist. Jane will now need to learn how to handle life while preparing for motherhood, despite being single and a virgin.
7. Babies
This informative series takes you through the development of babies as they get through their first year. New parents will find this extremely helpful and enjoyable as it covers every milestone a baby will hit during this precious time in life, all while featuring a host of cute babies.
8. 16 and Pregnant
This MTV show features the hardships and trials that pregnant teenage girls face. It gives some insight into the lives of teenage girls from different walks of life and how they handle their pregnancies and relationships as they prepare to become young mothers.
9. Baby Daddy
Ben finds himself left with a baby girl to raise when a one-night stand from his past leaves her at his place. Clueless, Ben gets help raising his daughter with the help of his mother, Bonnie, his brother, and two friends. Funny and touching, this series switches things up and focuses on the bond between father and child.
10. Pramface
Teenagers Laura and Jamie are dealt a surprise when Laura ends up pregnant after a teenage party hook-up. While others their age were living everyday teenage lives, Laura and Jamie have to learn how to be both parents and partners as they prepare for the arrival of their baby.
11. Workin’ Moms
Jenny, Kate, Frankie, and Anne are four moms struggling to find some balance between family and work, all while trying not to lose their sanity. They use their “Mommy and Me” classes to bond and share their struggles. This hilarious show covers topics that every parent deals with, making it relatable and enjoyable on another level.
12. Call the Midwife
This BBC period drama follows the challenges that midwives faced in the 1950s and early 1960s. The rather heroic attempts of the midwives to safely deliver babies, despite the odds against them, are highlighted in this intense and captivating drama. They brought severe topics like poverty, abuse, healthcare, incest, and prostitution to the show.
13. Offspring
This Australian show follows an OB-GYN, Nina Proudman. This comedy is a work-related show covering many pregnancy-related topics and gives excellent insight into many different aspects of parenthood and life. Some scenarios include unexpected family dynamics, surrogacy, pregnancy loss, IVF, babies who were switched at birth, sperm donation, and so much more.
14. Parenthood
This show dives into the complicated dynamics of a family and parenthood as it follows the Bravermans through many generations. The four main characters are siblings, Adam, Crosby, Sarah, and Julia, each going through a different experience while raising their children. From being a single parent to helping your child through puberty, almost every topic is covered in a relatable and touching way.
15. Catastrophe
This British show follows Rob, an American, and Sharon, an Irishwoman, as they find themselves bonded for life after a one-night stand leaves Sharon pregnant. The pair now have to figure out parenthood together, resulting in a hilarious clash of cultures and accents. This show brings to attention all the good things and the challenging parts of parenting, all while bringing in endless humor.
When you are tired and pregnant, TV shows can sometimes be your best friend at the end of the day. They are a low-energy form of entertainment that gives you the option of getting engrossed in someone else’s story, leaving reality and all the stresses that come with it behind for a little while. So, pick a show that interests you and get started.
Also Read:
Listening to Music in Pregnancy
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Is It Safe to Watch Scary Movies in Pregnancy Read more
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Amazing Fish Facts for Kids
Fishes are beautiful creatures that can mesmerize both children and adults! Their gentle movements, delicate and shiny skin, unique colors, sizes, shapes, and scales make them worth learning about! Fishes are not just for aquariums; there are so many types of fish, small and large, living in the great oceans and lakes. They are an essential part of the lake, river, and oceans since the ecosystem depends on them. If you want a lot more “fish information,” then read on to learn more!
What Are the Various Species of Fish?
There are over 32000 types of fish species living in different kinds of water bodies around the world. A few popular fish species names are:
Swordfish: Commonly known as broadbills, these are usually predatory fish that migrates a lot each year due to seasonal changes.
Atlantic Cod: This is a popular type of fish that people hunt for food. The average lifespan of this species of fish is 25 years.
Mackerel: Present in the temperate and tropical seas around the world, this type of fish lives along the coast and offshore. They are preyed upon by larger mackerel, Atlantic cod, seabirds, sharks, dolphins, whales, and tuna.
Trout: The rainbow trout lives in the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The fish usually prefer colder currents and sometimes come back to the freshwater bodies to spawn.
Shark: The Great White Shark is a larger version of the mackerel and lives along the coastal surface waters of the world’s major oceans. Killer whales are their only natural predators.
Siamese Fighting Fish: Considered to be one of the most beautiful fishes in the world, the Siamese Fighting fish is a very popular type in the aquarium trade. However, they are highly aggressive when it comes to fights because of their highly territorial behaviors.
Goldfish: These are common freshwater families that are native to East Asia. The scientific name of fish here is Carassius auratus.
The Northern Pike: This is a carnivorous fish that live in brackish and fresh waters in the Northern Hemisphere that come in beautiful olive green colors with yellow and white shading.
Guppy: Popularly known as the Million fish, the Guppy is a widely distributed tropical fish famous for its attractive and vibrant colors and patterns on its body.
Sloane’s Viperfish: When tooth size is compared to the size of the head, this is the fish with the biggest teeth.
Where do They Live?
Fishes are found almost everywhere where there are bodies of water that are deep and large enough. These bodies of water can be high up on the mountains as streams or in the deepest currents of the oceans, from the cold Arctic seas to the warm springs. Around half the species of fishes discovered so far live in freshwater bodies like rivers, lakes, and streams, while the rest live in the oceans and seas. Freshwater fishes tend to stay in the river basin or an inlet, while they live in coral reefs in oceans. However, fishes cannot remain in extremely salty water, and one example of where there is no fish is in the Great Salt Lake present in the western United States.
What do Fish Eat?
The diet of the fish depends on whether it is a carnivore, omnivore, or herbivore. Fishes that are carnivores get most of their energy from eating other animals around them. This can include smaller fishes, insects, and invertebrates like snails, worms, shrimps, and more! The herbivore fishes go for a plant-based diet for their survival. This primarily includes wild plants under water and algae. However, very few fishes are considered herbivores since most fishes depend on a balance between meat and plant. These fishes are called omnivores, and these are the easiest to take care of and keep as pets.
How Long do They Live?
The life expectancy of a fish depends on the species of the fish. Typically, fishes living in the ocean and the seas live longer than fishes in freshwater bodies like rivers and lakes. Some fishes have a year's life expectancy, while many can live as long as 50 years. There are species of fish that can live for a century! As on average, fishes live for around 20 years.
How do Fish Swim?
Most fishes swim in the water by pushing their body against the fresh or salty water. They can do this due to the presence of a flexible backbone that is lined with powerful, large muscles that allow them to bend their entire body into a curve that resembles an S. The fish first turns in one way and then does it in the other way, and this is done in a wavelike rhythm that passes through its body sequentially. The left and right opposite movements cancel each other out, and this way, fishes tend to move forward.
Whom are The Fishes Afraid of?
Fear in fishes depends on their size, past experiences, and temperament. It also depends on whether the fish is prey or a predator, and this requirement to survive drives its actions. This is why some fishes flee when there is a disturbance in the water while the others swim towards it. Therefore, a prey fish would run from disturbances thinking it’s a potential threat while the predator fishes swim towards the disturbance thinking there is food.
Fish Anatomy for Children
There are over 35000 species of fish globally, and though all of them come in different sizes, shapes, forms, and colors, they all have almost the same body parts. These are:
Fish Eyes: Fishes have no eyelids, and these always stay open even when they are sleeping. The shape of the eyes of that fish depends on what it feeds on and its habitat. For example, the eyes of a prey fish are present on the sides of their heads, while predators have eyes that are more forward-facing. Some species of fish have a color vision, while some see the world in UV light.
Mouth: The mouth also varies for different fish species; this depends on how they hunt and their eating habits. They also have different teeth in various shapes, depending on their diet. The location of the teeth also depends on the species of the fish, which one can locate on the jaws, lips, mouth, tongue, and even the throat!
Gills: Fishes breathe using their gills, unlike all the other mammals. The gills can be divided into three parts- gill filaments, fill arch, and gill rakers. The gill arch supports the gill filaments. These filaments are responsible for the absorption of oxygen from the water, and a continuous passage of the water from the mouth of the fish to the gill and then back will help the fish breathe. Comb-like structures are called gill rankers, and these are responsible for filtering food from the water before it reaches the gills for absorbing oxygen.
Vertebral column: When compared to other animals, fishes have a more straightforward structure of skeletal system wherein the skeleton protects the organs and supports the connective tissues. The backbone or the vertebral column is made up of smaller bones called vertebrae, and these bones have holes that hold the spinal cord in place. Between the vertebrae, some spaces allow the backbone to bend.
Fins: These are delicate structures made of minor skin-covered cartilages and tiny bones. The fins are responsible for keeping the body stable while swimming, and in some cases, it also helps in protection. There are two kinds of fins that most fishes have- the pairs and the median. Some fishes use their fins and tails for specific purposes like swimming swiftly or moving quickly in different directions.
Scales: Scales are present in most fishes to protect their skin. The different types of scales are cycloid, placoid, ganoid, and ctenoid scales.
Lateral line: Lateral lines are present in most fishes- these are an anatomical structure with holes that goes through the fish’s entire length. The function of a lateral line is to sense vibrations in their immediate surroundings and locate prey, predators, and obstacles.
Other Fun Facts and Information About Fish for Children
A few other fun facts about fishes you might like are:
Fishes are so social that they can form relationships and interact with one another in their same or different species.
Fishes do have great memories, and some fishes can even recognize humans that constantly give them food. They can also remember specific musical tunes as well.
Fishes are known to avoid situations they think will cause them pain and will look for experiences that are advantageous to them. They are also known to use tools when necessary, and an example of this is the usage of rocks to crack open bivalves like mussels, oysters, and clams.
Though fishes do not have vocal cords, they can still communicate with each other using various methods like scents, sounds, electrical pulses, and more.
Certain species of fish can migrate highly far distances and reach thousands of kilometers away from their home.
Most fishes have the ability to change the colors of their body depending on the time of the year, environmental conditions, and other requirements.
Fishes have smaller sizes of brains when compared to most animals relative to their body size.
Fishes are in abundance in the marine world, and now that you know so much about them, you can easily identify the prey from the predator the next time you go to the aquarium. So, take this information and show off your knowledge to your friends, introducing them to the world of fishes as you do so!
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Starfish Facts for Children
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Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
14 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
13 hours ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
13 hours ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
12 hours ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. 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
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Sarika gupta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
11 hours ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Sarika gupta
Mom of 2 children
2 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much and it is better to avoid this at this time and also if you want to eat burger then it is better to make it a home . Thanks and take care
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
11 hours ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. 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
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
4 hours ago
Q. I am 7 month pregnant with second baby I have severe abscess pain in armpit and buttocks pls tell me remedy for this ...Dr recommend antibiotics and ultracet pain tablet I have taken some doses of it but worried about the foetal development..does it hurt my baby
Read moreDr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
continue antibiotics regularly
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