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20 Family Games that Will Brighten Up Your Family Get-Together
Family get-togethers are really the time to have some fun, click some pictures and create a few memories.
Interesting Family Game Ideas to Have Fun Together
Here are some family games to play at home.
Indoor Game Ideas
Here are some indoor game ideas.
1. Doodle With Noodle
Your room is going to be filled with laughter when playing this game. The players being unable to use their hands to create different shapes are the challenge.
Things You Will Need
Noodles or Spaghetti pasta
How to Play
First, take little noodles or spaghetti pasta on a plate. Now, the player has to make a number or a letter with the noodles on the plate. The challenge is that they should be using their lips and tongue.
To make the game even more interesting, you could set a time limit.
If there are so many people in the game, you could make it a group activity and ask each team to form a short word and not a letter.
2. Pass the Story
Your family will need a lot of creative ideas for this one.
Things You Will Need
Blank paper
Pen
How to Play
The player who starts the game must first write down a line, and that part of the paper must be folded horizontally. This player has to write only a few words in the next line and then pass the paper to the next player.
So, the game is that all the subsequent players have to guess the line that was written before completing the incomplete the next line and then add some more extra words in the new line and fold that side of the paper, covering it before the paper is passed on to the next player.
When everybody is finished adding their lines to the paper, one person can unfold the paper to read the entire story.
This story is going to be very funny.
3. Never Have I Ever!
This game will reveal the secrets of your family.
Things You Will Need
Shot glasses
A big bowl
A drink of your choice
A few pieces of paper
How to Play
On a few pieces of paper, write down questions, fold them and put them in the large bowl.
You could write questions like “Never Have I Ever tasted cat or dog food or Never Have I Ever Danced during shower”.
Now the players have to sit in a circle, and everyone should have a shot glass with them.
When each player asks a question, all the players who have done what was said in the question must take a shot. The game gets fun when you take a lot of shots.
4. Drawing Games
This game is really worth trying during a family get-together.
Things You Will Need
Colour pencils or pens
A sheet of paper
How to Play
The first player must draw a random shape on a piece of blank paper.
Pass this piece of paper onto the next player. This player now has to use his imagination and continue that random figure.
All the players must do this and pass the paper on till the paper reaches the last person.
The result will be an amusing figure, or you might even get an amazing art.
5. Bowling at Home
Transform your living room into a bowling alley and watch how interesting it gets.
Things You Will Need
A fluffy ball
10 bottles of water (they should be of the same size)
How to Play
Now, the water bottles can be used as bowling pins. So, place these pins on a corner properly arranged.
Use rolled up bed sheets or towels mark a bowling lane.
Now, the fluffy ball will be your bowling ball and try the game out. When the water bottles fall, you win.
6. Hot Lava
This family game is quite tiring but enjoyable to play.
Things You Will Need
Only a few players
How to Play
The starting and the endpoints must be marked in the living room.
Each player must start at the starting point, and the goal is to reach the endpoint. What is interesting is that the players are not allowed to step on the floor because the floor is said to be lava.
Now, the players will have to jump from one couch to another, chairs, and table tops that are around the living room.
The player loses the game when he/ she steps on the floor. All the players who stay away from the hot lava for the longest time and reaches the endpoint the first wins!
7. Family Minute-To-Win-It
All the minute-to-win-it games can be played using the objects available at home. The time limit is one minute and that why it is called so.
Things You Will Need
A few cookies
A timer
How to Play
The player must sit on a chair and keep a cookie on his forehead.
Without using their hands, they should move it to their mouth using only their facial muscles.
The timer should be started when the player starts, and the player must try to get the cookie into their mouths in just one minute.
8. Devils in the Dark
This game is almost like hide-and-seek, but really fun for a night party.
Things You Will Need
Only the players
How to Play
All the lights in your house must be switched off.
In the group of players, one player must be the seeker, and all the other must go and hide all around the house.
When the seeker almost finds or comes near a hiding player, this player can hear the scream and scare the seeker, just like ghosts in the dark.
The bravest of the player wins the game.
9. Flour Game
This is an amazing game to play as a family, and you can click a lot of family pictures for this one.
Things You Will Need
Plate
Any flour
Bowl
Candies
Butter knife
How to Play
Take a bowl and fill it with any flour.
Using a plate, close the bowl and turn it upside down so that the flour forms a shape of a cake.
Now, on the of this cake, place a piece of candy.
All the members now have to carefully cut the flour taking turns.
Ensure that the flour is cut into very thin portions.
The player who causes this flour cake to fall apart, that player now has to take the candy using only their mouths and not their hands.
10. Grouping on a Couch
People who are always sitting on the couch will definitely want to play this game.
Things You Will Need
Only the players
How to Play
The group of players must be divided into two teams.
Now, every member of the team must make an effort to fit all the members of their team on one couch.
This game is not as easy as it sounds because the member so of the other team will be trying to push you down and nobody will be able to win so easily.
Outdoor Game Ideas
You can check out these games for a family games party.
1. Building a Castle
This game will help unleash the family’s creativity at the beach!
Things You Will Need
Lots of sand
Buckets
Other tools you can carry
How to Play
Divide the players present in a few groups and mix all the adults and children.
The sand buckets and all the other tools should be equally distributed to the teams.
You should then set a time limit which could be of duration 45 minutes or an hour.
Each group must now build a unique and creative castle, with beautiful, tall, and wide towers. Let the team’s imagination take control.
2. Water Balloon Pinata
Be prepared to get drenched because of this outdoor game which can be played during the hot summers.
Things You Will Need
Water
Balloons
Thread or string
Stick
How to Play
Fill all the balloons you can find with a lot of water.
Next, you have to tie them up and hang them on a tree, a climbing frame in a park or a hanging roof using a string or thread.
The players must play as individuals, and they must be blindfolded. Hand them a stick and then start beating the balloon piñata down using the stick.
You could also set time limits for this game and see which player was able to beat the balloons the fastest. That player would be the winner.
3. Scavenger Hunt
You can play this game in groups of any size and will definitely make a remarkable story.
Things You Will Need
A timer
Items from your house (you can make a list of stuff you can hide)
How to Play
After you have made a list, hide all of this stuff in many places inside and outside the house.
If there a lot of players, you can separate them in groups and one team can hide the items.
You should then leave a series of clues so that the other teams find them out.
Set a time limit and the team who finds the most number of items in the given time wins.
You could also play the same game individually.
4. Bouncing Balloons
This game requires a lot of focus.
Things You Will Need
Balloon
How to Play
Collect some balloons, and the game is to bounce the balloons.
What is challenging about the game is that the players must use only their foreheads and will be disqualified if they were to use their hands.
The player who bounces the balloon for the longest time is the winner.
5. Potato Sack Race
This game is really fun when there are a lot of players.
Things You Will Need
Pillowcases or potato sacks
How to Play
The players must hop their way to the finish line when they are in the sack.
The winner is whoever crosses the finish line first.
This game will get really interesting, and it is a bit hard because hopping in the sacks is tougher than it looks.
6. Tug-of-War
This game requires a lot of energy so be sure to bring different kinds of refreshments!
Things You Will Need
A whistle
Rope
Red flag (to know the centre)
The strongest family members
How to Play
The players must first be divided into two groups.
Line the two teams up on both ends of the rope.
Check if both the teams have settled down and then blow the whistle.
Both the teams will now battle it out, pulling the other team to their side.
The team, who pulls all the players completely to their side, wins! You could keep a referee to watch the game accurately.
7. Capture the Flag
This game will definitely get you into a rush.
Things You Will Need
Flags of two different colours
How to Play
The players must be divided into two teams, and a flag must be given to each team.
Select an open location where you can set up a base camp, and the flags must be set up there.
Now, the game is to capture the opponent’s flag and bring it to your own base.
When trying to capture the flag, the player must not get caught behind enemy lines where they must be jailed.
The first team to bring the other flag to their side should be declared the winner.
8. Kan-Jam
This is like the Frisbee game but with a twist.
Things You Will Need
A kan-jam game set
Or all you will need is a Frisbee
And a trash can with a cutout slot in the front
How to Play
You can split the total number of players into teams of two.
Each person should stand on one side of the field next to the trash can, which is the target.
Now both of these players must throw their discs to the opposite target and the partner has to try and catch the disc. You can keep points according to the way the discs are thrown, and it’s an instant win if it goes inside the slot.
9. Dinosaur Dig
There’s no other cooler way to be an archaeologist.
Things You Will Need
Kiddie pool (filled with a lot of sand)
Mini dinosaurs (2 sets)
How to Play
This is like a sensory activity for the kids.
How you play this game is by filling a kiddie pool with lots of sand.
Now, hide the dinosaurs inside and ask the kids to look for them
You could also set a time limit and whoever comes up with the most dinosaurs wins.
10. Water Balloon Fight
This is one of the best outdoor games you could try as a group.
Things You Will Need
Water balloons
Squirt guns
How to Play
Prepare for an ultimate battle using water balloons and squirt guns.
You can divide the players into many teams, and each team must have balloons of a different colour.
This way, it will be easy to identify who hit whom.
You could also use squirt guns to get the opponent team wet as much as possible. You are definitely going to have fun with this game.
These are some outdoor and indoor games for a family reunion will make you have an unforgettable time.
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to give children when starting solids?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. After completing the time of six months you should start with dal water and rice water followed by all kind of fruits and vegetables porridge khichadi mash banana mash potato mash sweet potato dairy products and varieties made made out of ragi Suji and oats can also be given to your child
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Few healthy and tasty foods for your baby in winters
Winters !!!!
The season with a lot of food varieties, green vegetables and colorful fruits.
When it comes to feed our babies, every mother is super conscious about the nutrition, protein and quality of the food item. Babies need special care in winters and there are a few mouth watering foods which will make your baby happy and healthy.
Here I am discussing few:
Dates: Dates are rich in minerals. You can start giving dates to your baby after 6 months. Give in moderate quantity, 1 date a day and increasing it to two in a day. Feed him in low quantity as it can stuck in his tiny throat. Dates are good for hemoglobin as well and will keep your baby warm internally. Stomach issues will also be resolved.
Egg: As we all know that eggs are super loaded with protein. You can start feeding egg after 8 months to your baby. 2 or 3 times in a week is sufficient. Make omelet with adding few vegetables, salt and black pepper. You can also boil the egg and feed him.
Fish and chicken: Once your baby is one year, you can feed him fish or chicken as well. Make sure it is properly cooked. It is full of protein. Fish is very soft to eat so the baby will definitely love it.
Soup: Soup is always a good idea for everyone. Once your baby is on solids, you can start introducing soup. It may be vegetables or chicken.
Ghee: Desi ghee is full of minerals and really good for babies in moderate quantity. You can add ghee in lentils, khichdi, oats and cereal as well.
Honey: Once your baby is one year old, you can introduce honey. Give him honey a half tea spoon once or twice in a week. It will save him from cold and will keep the throat issues away.
These were few foods that will help your baby to stay warm and healthy in these winters. Hope you all will like it. Read more
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How to Identify and Get Rid of Brain Fog?
If you complain to a doctor about brain fog, you're likely to be informed that it's not a recognized condition. However, if you describe brain fog to a friend, they will immediately correlate to the condition. Foggy thinking, difficulty concentrating, fumbling for the correct word, and sudden numbness or slowing down of the brain are common in brain fog. In reality, brain fog is not a medical condition in itself, rather a warning sign for your body.
What Is Meant by Brain Fog?
Confusion, forgetfulness, loss of attention, and lack of mental clarity are brain fog symptoms. Excessive work, lack of sleep, stress, and excessive time spent on the computer could be the causes of brain fog. On a molecular level, it is believed that brain fog is produced by elevated levels of inflammation and changes in the hormones that regulate mood, energy, and focus. Hormone imbalances cause the entire system to malfunction. Additionally, brain fog syndrome can develop additional illnesses such as obesity, irregular menstruation, and diabetes mellitus.
Causes of Brain Fog
Depression, bacterial overgrowth from sugar consumption, or even a thyroid disease can cause brain fog. Other typical reasons for brain fog include overeating, inactivity, lack of sleep, persistent stress, and a poor diet. Common causes of brain fog are:
1. Hormonal shifts
It's normal to go through hormonal fluctuations throughout your life. One study indicated that 60% of women have trouble concentrating during menopause. Mood or sleep changes may be contributing to your foggy brain, but it might also be due to shifting hormone levels as your body tries to rebalance.
2. Sleep issues
A lack of sleep, or exposure to blue light before bed, alters your circadian rhythm or internal body clock. This causes brain fog in several ways. Blue light exposure before bedtime reduces the hormone melatonin, which is required for deep REM sleep. Memory consolidation and processing require both REM and non-REM sleep. Being active between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. disturbs the body's normal detoxifying process and might contribute to fogginess.
3. Inadequate diet, food sensitivities
Vitamin B12 builds red blood cells and maintains the nervous system. That's why a B12 deficit will leave you feeling tired and drained. Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to reduced cognitive performance and can cause brain fog. Unidentified dietary intolerances can also contribute to brain fog.
4. Stress
Though stress is a popular and harmless term, persistent stress can cause serious health issues. Stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), or the fight-or-flight response. This response causes the body to release epinephrine and norepinephrine, diverting energy away from normal operations. This can impair your ability to think effectively or focus and weary your brain sooner.
5. Medication
Certain prescription and OTC drugs have been linked to brain fog. Though a hazy head after taking medication may appear typical, it isn't.
6. Mood disorders
Anxiety and depression have been proven to impair executive function, attention, and memory. The loss of energy and motivation is connected with mental health disorders or physiological impacts on the brain that make optimal brain function harder.
7. Metal poisoning
Heavy metals are existent in our food, beauty products, and even dental fillings. Heavy metals include Arsenic, Mercury, Aluminum, Lead, Thallium, and Cesium. While small levels of these metals may not be hazardous, persistent exposure can induce immunological malfunction, hormone imbalance, weariness, cognitive fog, and high blood pressure.
Signs & Symptoms of Brain Fog
Feeling down or stressed out on occasions is natural. However, if you've felt anxious, tense, depressed, or despair for more than two weeks, you may have difficulty thinking coherently and may divert your focus from the tasks at hand. Some symptoms of brain fog are:
Insomnia
Headaches
Irritation
Depression
Lack of energy
Forgetfulness
Inability to focus
Lack of motivation or ideas
Absent mindedness
Impaired mental health
Mood swings
How Long Does Brain Fog Last?
Brain fog can linger anywhere from a few minutes to years. Because mental fog is a symptom rather than a serious condition, it is critical to determine the underlying reason. Consultation with a physician and administration of a test may be the simplest way to determine the cause. Even if the cause of fog, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, is identified, treating it may not be as straightforward.
When to Consult a Doctor?
A person should consult the doctor if they have additional symptoms that indicate an underlying medical illness, if their brain fog started or worsened abruptly, or if their symptoms do not improve despite lifestyle adjustments.
Before testing, a doctor will typically request information about the patient's mental health, diet, and other symptoms.
How Is Brain Fog Diagnosed?
Consult your physician if your lack of clarity persists or worsens. A single test is incapable of diagnosing brain fog. Because brain fog may indicate an underlying problem, your doctor will conduct a medical examination and inquire about the following:
Diet
Mental health
Medication or supplements being taken
Physical activity
If you notice additional symptoms, consult the doctor immediately. For instance, someone suffering from hypothyroidism may experience brain fog in addition to hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, and brittle nails.
Blood tests can assist your doctor in determining the reason for brain fog. A blood test can be used to determine the following:
abnormal glucose levels
liver, kidney, and thyroid function deficiencies
malnutrition
infections
inflammation-related disorders
Your doctor will decide whether to pursue the matter based on the results. Other diagnostic tools may include imaging tests that examine the body, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans. Additionally, the doctor may perform allergy tests or a sleep study to rule out a sleep condition.
Treatment for Brain Fog
Depending on the cause of symptoms, your doctor may be able to assist you. While not all cases of brain fog can be easily resolved with medication, certain lifestyle modifications can help clear brain fog instantly.
There are numerous technology tools available in the digital age that can potentially assist you in changing your condition. Whether it’s a programmable timer set to remind you to take your medication at a specific time, a digital calendar to remind you when and where you need to be next, a software that helps you block out distractions while you work, or a note-taking app that helps you organize your day, the key is to incorporate fail-safes that can assist you as you go about your daily activities. These tools, referred to as ‘external memory,’ can significantly impact how you navigate the environment when coping with brain fog.
Caffeine consumption in excess might result in further difficulties, such as a racing heart or raised blood pressure. Additionally, most energy drinks are high in sugar and include many ingredients that may cause health problems. Preferable recommendations include increasing daily movement - this may sound counterintuitive, but the more we move, stretch, and discover ways to be active, the more energized we feel.
Various Supplements That Help Stop Brain Fog
It is possible to experience brain fog for various reasons, such as a medical condition, stress, unhealthy diet, lack of sleep, and certain medications. Various supplements may be effective in alleviating symptoms that are caused by a medical condition.
Fish Oil: Fish oil is a type of long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that includes DHA. Salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines are the primary sources. It has been shown to improve cognitive function, motor abilities, and vision.
Ginkgo Biloba Extract: The benefits of ginkgo Biloba include improved cognitive performance, a more positive mood, higher energy, improved memory, and a reduction in symptoms associated with a variety of chronic conditions. Additionally, it may help lessen the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Choline Bitartrate: Choline is a vitamin that chemically belongs to the B group of vitamins. Such vitamins are necessary for cell membranes formation and synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in memory and muscular function.
Gamma Oryzanol: It is believed to increase neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system. Additionally, it aids in mood relaxation and comfortable sleep.
L-Theanine: It aids in relaxation and sleep by raising serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels. L-theanine is classified as an anxiolytic, which means that it serves to alleviate anxiety.
Phosphatidylserine: It is a critical molecule that performs a variety of functions in the body. It is a structural component of the cell and plays a critical role in maintaining cellular function, particularly in the brain. Phosphatidylserine supplementation may help alleviate some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Additionally, it aids in the improvement in the thinking capacity, attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity (ADHD) of children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Inositol: It was previously regarded to be a component of the vitamin B complex. It is involved in the neurological system and the metabolism of fat. It aids in forming healthy cells in the bone marrow and creating the cell membrane – the myelin sheath. Additionally, it is necessary for hair development.
Ginseng Extract: Ginseng is an adaptogenic herb that efficiently modulates the immune response and hormonal changes associated with stress, promoting homeostasis. In addition to preventing the onset of psychological ailments such as anxiety and depression, ginseng protects against physiological diseases connected with stress.
Soy Lecithin: Phosphatidylcholine-based, Soy Lecithin enhances memory and the ability to learn. Additionally, it assists in lowering the danger of gallstones and improving liver function. It has been shown in research to boost brain function and help prevent dementia.
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate: It is essential for the synthesis of acetylcholine. It aids in the improvement of cognitive functions and dementia. This amino acid can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and modulate the brain's neurotransmitter levels.
Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate): It is a critical component of the human body. It is required to keep the skin, cartilage, teeth, bone, and blood vessels healthy. Additionally, it is employed to protect the body's cells from injury. It is a well-known antioxidant. Additionally, it aids in the regulation of body temperature and hormonal production.
Vitamin A Acetate: It is a fat-soluble vitamin of critical importance. It enhances vision and protects against night blindness and eye problems. Vitamin A contributes to the correct functioning of the immune system. Additionally, it is required for optimal cell growth and development. Another critical function is that it acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from free-radical damage.
Vitamin E (DL-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate): It neutralizes free radicals and helps prevent the development of diseases. Certain isomers of vitamin E provide potent antioxidant properties that help reduce free radical damage and inflammation, thereby naturally slowing cell aging and combating health problems such as heart disease, hypertension, aging, and cancer.
Vitamin B Complex: B complex vitamins assist your body in converting food into energy, forming red blood cells, and performing several biological activities. Vitamin B1 is a neuropathy treatment. Vitamin B2 aids in the conversion of food to energy. Vitamin B3 aids in the normal functioning of enzymes in the body by assisting the body in utilizing other B vitamins. Vitamin B5 supports a healthy digestive system and skin. B6 is necessary for immunological function and brain development. It is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Vitamin B12 is necessary for red blood cells and DNA synthesis. It is also necessary for the metabolism of proteins.
Exercises for Preventing Brain Fog
While you are certainly aware that regular exercise strengthens and protects your body, you may be shocked to learn that these benefits extend to your brain as well. While scientists do not fully understand all of the mechanisms at work, evidence consistently demonstrates that physical activity improves cognitive health.
1. Exercises to prevent brain fog
Walking briskly for 30-60 minutes, 3-5 times a week, resulting in demonstrable improvements in cognitive functioning.
Resistance training (planks, pushups, squats, weightlifting) and cardiovascular exercises (such as walking, jogging, swimming, and biking) can be more beneficial to your brain than stretching exercises.
Lifting weights twice or thrice a week for older persons with mild cognitive impairment improve cognitive performance and increase muscle tone
Natural Remedies to Treat Brain Fog
The good news is that you can make lifestyle adjustments that can help minimize chronic inflammation and reduce or eliminate brain fog. Try these natural brain fog cures:
1. Eat properly
Your diet is your first line of defense against any health troubles. Diet is vital to your body's functioning, including your brain. Consume lots of healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory foods to feed your brain.
2. Sleep well
Plan your day in a way you get 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
3. Reduce stress
If you're always stressed, take actions to manage and lessen your stress, prioritize self-care, add mindfulness or meditation, etc.
4. Regular exercise
Staying active has been linked to greater memory and mental sharpness. For one thing, exercise generates cytokines and endorphins, both of which revitalize the brain.
5. Take correct supplements
Vitamin D is essential for most people, and its link to brain health requires further proof. Add a B-complex vitamin to avoid B12 deficiency.
6. Eliminate foods
Avoid common dietary allergens (gluten, dairy, soy) and vices (alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, etc.) to see if food sensitivities have caused your brain fog. Repeat and observe the results after abstaining from each food type.
7. Consider Intermittent fasting
It offers several advantages, including enhanced brain function. Numerous studies show how intermittent fasting improves cognitive performance.
8. Buy an air filter
If you suspect air pollution is causing your brain fog, invest in a high-quality air filter or air purifier. While you can't influence the quality of the air outside, you can spend most of your time inside.
With changing human age, the functions and capabilities of the brain also deteriorate. This is also a result of the age of the brain, which is unrelated to human age. Mental decline is a common occurrence and one of the most feared effects of aging. There are several strategies to assist in maintaining brain function, including limiting your use of a smartphone, tablet, or computer, getting adequate sleep, eating healthy foods, and supplementing with critical nutrients suggested by a team of experts. These can aid in memory enhancement, stress reduction, and emotional balance.
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Foetal Monitoring
The progress of science and its application in medicine has made it possible for doctors to monitor pregnancy and labour in great detail, and intervene when needed to safeguard the baby and the mother. Once such way of monitoring the baby during pregnancy, labour and childbirth is foetal monitoring.
What Is It?
During labour and delivery, your doctor will be monitoring the baby’s heartbeat to check on the tiny heart’s status and its response to your contractions. This monitoring may also be done before labour as a part of regular check-ups during the pregnancy or when you notice any change in the frequency of baby kicks. Foetal monitoring can detect an abnormal heart rate which may be useful in detecting any health problems your baby could be facing. It is a reliable method of checking the baby’s heartbeat and helps the doctor take corrective measures.
Why Is It crucial During Labour?
It is as critical for doctors to carry out foetal heart monitoring during labour as it is to monitor it through the entire pregnancy. This process helps the doctors keep track of the baby’s heart rate and times the duration of the contractions you are experiencing. It is an extremely reliable method for your doctor to know if your baby is doing well or facing any problems. The purpose of foetal monitoring during labour is to ensure that the foetal heart rate stays normal. This assures you and your doctor that the delivery can proceed normally if there are no other problems.
The primary aim of foetal monitoring is to identify if the baby could be hypoxic (deprived of adequate oxygen levels) so that other assessments of foetal well-being can be carried out. If the results are positive, the doctor could decide to deliver the baby by caesarean section or instrumental vaginal birth.
Foetal monitoring at home is also an option if the right kind of equipment can be made available. This is mostly done when the mother has been recommended to stay at home or to make minimum movements.
Types of Foetal Monitoring
There are three different methods of monitoring the baby’s heartbeat, and these are carried out depending on the need of the hour. These intrapartum foetal monitoring methods are divided into internal and external monitoring, and they are as follows:
External Monitoring
What it is: Also known as Auscultation, this is a process where a small, hand-held device called a Doppler transducer or a special stethoscope is used to carry out foetal auscultation. In this process, the transducer is connected to a foetal heart rate monitor or the Doppler Foetal Monitor through a set of wires. Your doctor will place the transducer and move it all over your abdominal area till the device picks up your baby’s heartbeat, which is then transferred to the foetal or pregnancy monitor.
When it is done: This method is used to monitor what the doctor considers to be safe or low-risk pregnancies, and this is considered routine in this case. There are pre-set times when your doctor will check the baby’s heartbeat, such as during the routine check-ups, and the frequency will be increased if the doctor notices any abnormality in the heart rate.
Risks: While there are no known risks of auscultation as it is used only periodically during labour and delivery, the method of electronic foetal heart monitoring may pose some issues for the expectant mother. They are:
During EFM (Electronic Foetal Monitoring), you will need to restrict your movements as even a slight movement could interrupt the signals and the machine could spout incorrect readings.
It limits the movement of the pregnant woman which could be uncomfortable and make it difficult for the woman to deliver the baby naturally. However, with technological advances, portable devices that can be connected wirelessly to your body are also being increasingly used in hospitals.
Benefits:
The sound of the baby’s heartbeat is reassuring for the mother and may help dissipate uncertainty and stress
Detection of any anomalies may enable the doctor to take remedial action to protect the baby
Limitations:
The movement of the mother is limited during monitoring, and this may cause discomfort
Routine monitoring is not recommended in low-risk pregnancies
Internal Monitoring
What it is: In this method, an electrode is placed on that portion of the baby that is nearest to the cervix, which is usually the baby’s scalp, and the baby’s heart rate is monitored. However, in this method, since your contractions will not be monitored, the doctor will have to insert a pressure catheter into the uterus to understand its frequency.
When it is done: When your doctor is unable to receive the necessary data of your baby’s heartbeats through external monitoring, he may have to opt for the internal monitoring method.
Risks:
The electrode may cause a little abrasion or tiny bruises where it touches the foetus
You could feel uncomfortable when the electrode and the pressure catheter are inserted
This method is not recommended for mothers who are HIV positive or infected by herpes since the virus is likely to be transferred to the baby
Benefits: Internal foetal monitoring produces more accurate results than external foetal monitoring
Limitations: Internal monitoring can be carried out only after the amniotic sac has burst (after the water is broken) and this could cause delay in monitoring the baby’s heart rate
Continuous Electronic Foetal Monitoring
What it is: This monitoring is conducted using a special Foetal Monitor. A set of wide, stretch bands is used to hold two electronic disks, also known as transducers, in place. These transducers have two different functions to perform when they are held against the abdomen. While one transducer tracks your baby’s tiny heartbeats, the other transducer monitors your labour contractions and times it to perfection. The readings are transferred from the transducers to the monitor which records and prints it on a chart for doctors to check and take necessary action. This monitor can also reproduce the sound of the baby’s heartbeat for parents-to-be to hear. This method is also known as the Continuous Electronic Foetal Monitoring method due to the frequency at which the monitoring of the baby’s heartbeat is carried out.
When it is done: Continuous foetal monitoring is done in late pregnancy and during labour
Risks: A woman who opts for continuous foetal monitoring is more likely to have an assisted birth, as doctors are likely to suggest an emergency C-section even if the risk to the baby is only a perceived one.
Benefits: Continuous monitoring not only comforts you as you can hear the baby’s heartbeat but is also believed to reduce chances of a seizure after the baby is born. A seizure is a symptom of brain damage which may have occurred due to lack of oxygen.
Limitations: Electronic Foetal Monitoring does not cause any pain to the mother or the baby in any way. However, the to-be mothers can experience a certain amount of discomfort due to the limited movement it causes.
Intermittent Auscultation
If you are an expectant mother, you must already have experienced this method during your prenatal visits to the doctor. In intermittent auscultation, during the first stage of labour, the nurse or doctor checks the heart rate every 15 to 30 minutes and then increases the frequency to every 5 minutes during the second stage. The doctor keeps a check on the baby’s heart rate in between your contractions, to gauge if it falls between 110 to 160 beats per minute. This also allows the doctor to get a sense of the baby’s tolerance to your contractions.
Comparing Continuous Monitoring to Intermittent Auscultation
While both are external foetal monitoring processes, they differ in the frequency of monitoring done. Intermittent auscultation records the foetal heart rate at pre-decided intervals or periods, while, as the name suggests, continuous monitoring is done throughout the labour or delivery.
Intermittent auscultation uses a device known as a Doppler transducer to measure the heart rate, while the foetal heart tracing (heart rate) in continuous monitoring is reviewed by the doctor on a regular basis using transducers and monitors for the display of information and data.
Intermittent foetal monitoring is carried out for women who are considered to have low-risk pregnancies. When the doctor anticipates issues related to the delivery, he carries out continuous monitoring so that corrective action can be taken at the right time.
What Is Category 2 Foetal Heart Tracing?
All Foetal Heart Rate patterns that do not fall in either the normal (Category I) or the abnormal (Category II) range are considered to be category two foetal heart tracing. These tracings are then classified as atypical. If your doctor comes across such a pattern, he may attempt to change your position to reduce the cord compression and enhance blood flow to the placenta.
What if My Baby’s Heart Rate Is Abnormal?
Your doctor will evaluate your baby’s heart rate throughout labour and keep a watchful eye for any signals that indicate a problem. He will be monitoring the baby’s baseline heart rate to know if it’s normal and evaluate the changes if any.
In the event of your baby’s heart rate being abnormal, the doctor will advise a few more checks and tests before arriving at a decision. Remember, an abnormal heart rate does not always indicate that something is wrong with your baby, and the tests which follow will determine the actual issue.
If your baby moves, its heart rate will go up during that time, and this is normal. It mirrors the increase in your heart rate when you exercise. It is only the unchanged fast heartbeat that can be disconcerting for the doctor.
As a corrective measure, the doctor may take steps to change your position or provide additional oxygen to you. Giving you the necessary fluids through an intra-venous method can also give positive results. In case these measures do not yield the expected result, the doctor may decide to deliver the baby using the caesarean method or by applying forceps or vacuum to draw the baby out.
Foetal monitoring is an important way to monitor the health of the baby before birth. Some level of monitoring is performed on a regular basis, and even if the doctor recommends extra monitoring, it should not give you any cause for concern. Make sure you speak to your doctor if you are worried, and take his advice to ensure your baby’s safety.
Also Read: Foetal Echocardiography Read more
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Can Painful Periods Affect Your Ability to Get Pregnant?
Mild to moderate menstrual discomfort is a common phenomenon most women experience while having their monthly cycles. In some women, this pain or discomfort reaches a different level - they experience severe pain during their periods.
However, if you are a woman who suffers from dysmenorrhoea or period pain, you might want to know if this pain will hinder your ability to get pregnant. Read on to find out more.
Causes of Period Cramps
Prostaglandin is a chemical that is present in different parts of your body including your uterus, which is responsible for causing your period cramps too. The main function of this chemical is to regulate body temperature, regulate inflammation, aid cell growth, muscle dilation and constriction.
When you have your period, this chemical causes contractions in your uterine muscles and also helps in expelling the uterine lining. However, in the case of higher amounts of the chemical in your body, more severe contractions occur.
These severe contractions lead to severe menstrual pain and cramps. Dysmenorrhoea is further categorized into two types - primary dysmenorrhoea causes mild to moderate pain and is usually related to the shedding of the uterine lining only. Secondary dysmenorrhoea, on the other hand, could cause severe pain and could be indicative of an underlying medical condition that can affect your fertility or ability to get pregnant.
Can Intense Menstrual Cramps Affect Your Fertility?
Intense menstrual cramps or secondary dysmenorrhoea may indicate the following medical conditions, which could adversely affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant or conceive:
1. PID Or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is usually triggered by (untreated) sexually transmitted infections or STIs; however, in some cases, PID may get triggered by unrelated infections of reproductive organs too. One of the most common problems with this condition is that it sometimes becomes difficult to detect because the main symptoms such as unusual vaginal discharge and pain during sex either go unnoticed or are not present. Sometimes this condition may not cause severe pain, but it can still affect one's fertility. This is because untreated sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis or chlamydia may cause scarring in the reproductive organs (fallopian tubes, ovaries or uterus) and thus affect the fertility of a woman.
2. Endometriosis
This condition is one of the most common reasons of intense menstrual cramps that also affect a woman’s fertility. Endometriosis occurs when the lining, which usually grows inside the uterus, starts growing on other reproductive parts such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The lining growing on other reproductive organs weakens them, resulting in infertility issues. Endometriosis can be easily diagnosed through a laparoscopic procedure. If you experience pain in your lower back, pain after having sex, or nausea, there are chances that you may have this condition. However, it is important to remember that having severe menstrual cramps does not mean that you have this condition, or conversely, that if you have endometriosis, you won't be able to conceive. In other words, if you have painful periods and can’t get pregnant, it is not necessary that you have endometriosis.
3. Adenomyosis
This condition is somewhat like endometriosis, but in this case, the inner uterine lining starts growing on the uterine walls instead of on other reproductive organs. This medical condition can be characterised by lower abdominal pain, painful cramps and bloating during periods. There are several studies being conducted to understand why this condition occurs in women. Some studies indicate that it may be caused due to hormone fluctuations in the body, which include progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and oestrogen. Adenomyosis causes intense menstrual cramps. However, there is limited evidence available on whether there is a connection between heavy, painful periods and fertility in this scenario.
4. Fibroids And Ovarian Cysts
Approximately 30 per cent of the women in the age bracket of 30 to 45 years may have fibroids, which are noncancerous tumours. These tumours are present either inside or close to the uterine lining. These benign growths usually obstruct the flow of blood, causing severe pain during periods. Your ability to become pregnant depends on the severity of the condition, which means that the size and location of the fibroid may hamper your fertility. In some cases, if a woman has fibroids and conceives, it can sometimes lead to an abortion or miscarriage.
Ovarian cysts, as the name suggests, are fluid-filled sacs that are present in the ovaries. Like fibroids, ovarian cysts are noncancerous too. They usually get better on their own; however, if they are big in size and present in places like fallopian tubes or the ovaries, they might cause a hindrance in the process of conception.
Does Treatment of Painful Periods Cause Infertility?
If you are in severe pain, there is no point waiting for your ordeal to get worse. Seek professional help for the same. In most cases, your doctor may advise you to take hormonal birth control pills to ease your pain. However, that may not be recommended in case you are trying to get pregnant. Some of the readily available over-the-counter or OTC painkiller medicines can prove to be helpful too, but many women fear that taking such medicines can affect their ability to get pregnant.
Some available research suggests the negative effects of taking medicines such as ibuprofen on fertility. Also, in one of the studies, the effect of naproxen was found to the delay ovulation in women, and further delays were noted in women who took higher doses of the same medicine. The impact was not that severe, but it was substantial.
Some women may have to go for surgical procedures to get relief from the painful periods. However, before the decision for surgery is made, it is important that you talk to your reproductive endocrinologist to know the effect of surgery on your ability to conceive. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, then it may be a good decision to go in for the surgery as it may not only help you to get rid of the annoying period cramps but it may also increase your chances of getting pregnant.
If you are experiencing any kind of severe menstrual cramps, it becomes important that you bring it into your doctor’s notice to check whether it may affect your chances of getting pregnant or not.
Also Read:
Antidepressants and Fertility
DHEA and Fertility
Eating Figs to Boost Fertility: Is It Safe? Read more
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. can I take zanocin 200 during breastfeeding
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. I’m not aware about what medicine it is for I can only tell you that these basic medicines you can take throughout your lactation it’s not a problem the medicines that you could take before your pregnancy can always be taken during the time of lactation
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert mam iam 33 weeks now when can I expect delivery date
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. The basic delivery date is normally 39 to 3 40 weeks of your pregnancy whenever you are ready for your delivery and whenever you hit your labour that’s going to be the right time for you further move your Dr is going to tell you when are you going to deliver with the help of an ultrasound
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. iam 33 weeks pregnant now
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. What is your question associated with your pregnancy that you haven’t mentioned clearly can you please repost your question providing all the necessary details so at least I know and understand what are you willing to ask and accordingly I can give you help and assistance on that
Jennifer has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
5 hours ago
Q. I am 23 weeks 1 day pregnant. I was feeling the movements actively until today. Baby movements were not that good or maybe I didn’t feel it that way today. Is it a cause of concern? Should I wait for a day or two or should I go and see my gynaecologist?
Please suggest!
Read moreJennifer
Mom of 6 children
4 hours ago
A. please consult ur gynae asap.
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. she doing from yesterday at night time only once and she having breast milk as well as formula feed nan pro 1 ,I have concern about like this potty yellow and grey ,I want to know it's normal ???
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. Loose motion are most of the time infective where it is associated with fever and vomiting and its known as gastroenteritis where symptbomatic treatment along wjith management for dehydration is required if loose motions are associated with foul smell mucous high grade fever than it could be bacterial infection which needs antibiotics treatment
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