Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
6th Month of Pregnancy - Symptoms, Baby Development & Precautions to Take
At the second month of your pregnancy, you are just a trimester away from actually holding your little one in your arms. Can you believe it? Well, yes you will because as you approach your third trimester, the initial signs of pregnancy like morning sickness will subside and instead you will start experiencing different symptoms.
Common 6th Month Pregnancy Symptoms
Here are some of the common symptoms at 6 months.
1. Constipation and Indigestion
Most women experience constipation along with heartburn throughout pregnancy. The cause for the same differs at different stages of pregnancy. Constipation experienced at the early stages of pregnancy is due to the changes in hormones, which slows down digestion due to loosening of the muscles around the bowel. As the months pass by, the enlargement of the uterus puts pressure on the bowels, leading to indigestion. Other reasons include taking multivitamin pills, which, again, tighten the stool, causing discomfort and bloating. In order to control the situation, you can exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, juices and other fluids and consume fibre-rich foods. Curd works wonderfully well in reducing constipation and indigestion. If you face extreme discomfort, speak to your doctor for laxatives.
2. Oedema
As you enter your last trimester you will experience swelling in your feet, ankles, and sometimes hands, too! As your body is preparing for the baby, it retains fluid in the tissues to nourish you and the baby, which causes this swelling. A bit of swelling around the eyes and cheeks is also normal, but if the swelling is accompanied with high protein levels, then it might be a sign of preeclampsia – a serious medical condition that causes blood pressure spikes. In order to avoid oedema try to keep your legs up whenever possible and avoid wearing tight clothes. Try not to stand for long periods.
3. Hunger Cravings and Increased Appetite
At this stage, you are not just eating for yourself, but also for your baby. The baby's organs are developing, so your body needs to supply increased nutrients and vitamins. This is the reason why you will feel sudden hunger pangs and increased appetite around this time. So, it’s better to satisfy your urge without feeling guilty, but, at the same time, eat wisely. Choose healthy food options like fruits, salads, and whole-grain foods over junk foods. Drink plenty of water and have six to seven small portions of meals a day instead of three large ones.
4. Snoring
Many ladies experience snoring at this stage of pregnancy. Again, blame it on the pregnancy hormones. The weight gain causes your neck and head tissues to swell, leading to snoring, and additionally, your mucous membrane also swells. It’s better to use nasal strips while sleeping for better breathing. Snoring might also be an indication of gestational diabetes, which can be monitored through blood and urine tests.
5. Backache
Experienced by most of the ladies, backache starts from your initial stages of pregnancy and goes on till delivery; many times continues even after delivery! The weight gain causes a backache, and also, as the uterus grows, it causes your lower back to curve. The relaxin hormone loosens your pelvic muscles to prepare the body for delivery, which again triggers a backache. Try to maintain a good posture while sitting and keep your legs up whenever possible.
Body Changes During the Sixth Month of Pregnancy
As mentioned earlier, now you finally look pregnant. Your six months pregnant belly will start showing. By now your body will also gain weight, and as the uterus pushes the abdomen, your belly button will also protrude and remain this way until a few weeks post-delivery. Due to the weight of the baby and the growing uterus, you might experience dizziness and light-headedness at times.
What Are Some Common Concerns in the Sixth Month of Pregnancy?
The common concerns ladies face during the sixth month of pregnancy are backaches, leg pain, foot cramps, swelling along with indigestion, constipation, and haemorrhoids. You might witness swelling around your feet and ankles and some even go up a shoe size. This swelling should settle within 6 weeks of delivery.
Every pregnancy has its own share of not so pleasant concerns, which include:
1. Itchiness Around the Abdomen
Around the middle of the 6th month of your pregnancy, you will experience itchiness around the abdomen. This happens because your baby is almost developed and your skin starts stretching to accommodate the growing foetus and enlarged uterus. As a result, your skin becomes dry and starts itching. This is the perfect time to apply those creams and ointments for stretch marks to retain the moisture in your skin and reduce itchiness. Also, keep drinking lots of water to keep your skin hydrated.
2. Backache and Body Ache
Along with a backache, body ache will also start bugging you. You will feel more tired with each passing day. As the uterus grows, the ligaments from the pelvic area to the abdomen are stretched and put under extreme pressure, which causes lower tummy pain. The pain might continue for a few hours, but you must consult a doctor if it lasts for long and is followed by contractions.
3. Sleepless Nights
Most of the ladies experience insomnia around this time of the pregnancy, the reasons being hormonal changes, frequent visits to the washroom at night, and heartburn or indigestion. Moreover, when the baby kicks and flutters in the middle of the night, it’s obvious you might not be able to have a good night sleep. Some tips to avoid insomnia are to have your dinner 2-3 hours before bedtime and also be careful about what you eat. Secondly, follow a bedtime ritual like a relaxing breathing yoga, reading, listening to music, a warm water bath, etc. Sleep on a comfortable bed and correct room temperature.
4. Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are more or less hereditary and caused because the veins have to push extra blood to your uterus to meet the nutritional requirements of the growing baby. These veins, which look swollen and purple in colour around your thighs and under the knee area, are known as varicose veins. Exercise regularly and try to keep your feet up whenever possible. Also, wear comfortable innerwear and shoes.
Baby Development at the 6th Month of Pregnancy
A 6-month-old baby in the womb is almost fully grown and getting stronger day by day. His organs are still growing and lungs are not completely developed. As the baby’s skin and muscles get matured, you can experience the baby's movements in the form of kicks and squirms. Along with his weight increasing, he also grows in length and is now about a foot long. He starts reacting to sound. You can determine the foetus' position with an ultrasound and see that the face of the baby is developed and the head is in proportion to the body. He can even sense light and darkness by this time, and also starts developing white blood cells to fight against diseases. The face of the baby would be complete by now including his eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. The growth of hair depends upon genetics and some babies are born with a lot of hair while some are totally bald.
6th-Month-Pregnancy Diet
It is better to avoid junk food and stick to cleanly cooked home-made stuff. Ensure that a continuous supply of folic acid, iron and calcium is being taken, as the baby needs nutrients to develop completely. 6th month of pregnancy food includes green leafy vegetables, nuts, fruits, and whole-grain foods in your diet for a steady flow of nutrients and minerals. Fruits like apricot, cherries, guava, grapes, berries, apple, mango, pineapple, etc. have a great amount of antioxidants and minerals. Vegetables like carrot, beetroot, spinach, pumpkins, tomatoes, onions, celery, broccoli, etc. are some highly recommended foods that you can include in your diet.
What to Expect During Your Visit to the Ob/Gyn
Once you enter your 6th month of pregnancy, the doctor visits will be more frequent. You might have to visit the doctor once every 3 months. The doctor will check the baby’s heart rate with a stethoscope. After this point, the doctor will check and measure the growth of the uterus, your limbs for swelling and varicose veins, and your body weight, and also recommend alterations to your diet, if required. If you are anaemic, or likely to be, the doctor may prescribe molybdenum along with other vitamins like iron, folic acid, B12, and copper.
Tests
You will be required to undergo the following tests during the 6th month of your pregnancy:
Blood pressure check-up
Weight measurement
Urine test for measuring protein and sugar
Gestational diabetes test wherein you will be asked to drink a glass of glucose water and blood test will be done after 2 hours.
Measuring the fundal height of the uterus
Examining the foetus position and size of the uterus
Examination of feet and limbs for any signs of varicose veins or swelling
Symptoms to Be Discussed With Your Doctor
An experienced and friendly doctor will always put you at ease, so you need to speak to the doctor in case you experience any of these cases:
Severe bleeding from the anal lining, as this could be a sign of some serious illness.
Bleeding from the vagina
Experiencing pain during the passing of urine
Continuous vomiting
Bursting of the water bag
Extreme discomfort or pressure on the lower pelvic area
Less than 10 foetal movements in an hour.
Extreme pain or prolonged pains in the abdomen area
Severe pain in the lower back
More than five contractions in an hour
To-Do List For Moms-To-Be
First and foremost, take good care of yourself.
Regularly exercising will help you stay fit and active during your pregnancy. Try practising Kegel exercises.
Get at least eight hours of sleep in a day.
Try to sleep on your side in order to promote kidney functions and also to put less pressure on your rectum.
Keep a relaxed body posture and try to keep your feet up whenever possible. It is better to take Vitamin B6 on prescription to reduce the ache on your hands and limbs.
Get all the information and details about childbirth. Read articles on 6th-month-pregnancy precautions and childbirth. Don’t be scared. Try to go with the flow and not take things to heart.
It is very important to keep your mind positive and relaxed. Practice breathing exercises, a warm water bath, listening to music, watching funny videos, and anything that makes you happy and relaxed.
Handy Tips For Dad-To-Be
As everybody focuses on the mommy-to-be once your pregnancy news is out, we must never forget that it’s an overwhelming feeling for the dad-to-be as well. It is very important that you share all the information and details with your hubby, too, as he has no one else to address his concerns to. You can start by explaining how he can be helpful and do things during your labour. It would be great if you two can attend the happy parenting seminars to prepare yourself for parenthood. Always try to visit the doctor together so that you both understand the situation well enough and can openly speak to the doctor. The dad-to-be's active participation in your 6th-month pregnancy care plays a vital role in your journey together.
Indulge in fun topics together like discussing baby names, or planning an adorable nursery for welcoming your little one. Time will fly past sooner than you can imagine, so just enjoy this phase of life without missing on a thing.
As every person is different from another, every pregnancy is different and unique! The tips and observations stated here are based on the experiences of various mothers and as per doctor’s observations. Make a note of all the unique symptoms of your pregnancy and share it with others. Don't think too much and just relax and enjoy the incredible journey of motherhood!
Also read: Common Skin Changes During Pregnancy Read more
Check out this new Memory
Shivangi Agrawal
Mom of a 5 m old girl
2 mins ago
#lilsuperstar
1 Likes
0 Comment
Suggested for you
Listening to Music during Pregnancy
There is no doubt that music is a mood enhancer. Listening to your favourite music whenever you are feeling down is sure to lift up your spirits a good deal. But what about babies in the womb? It has long been believed that unborn babies can indeed hear things like the sounds of fluid in the womb and the pulsing of their mother’s heart. It is widely believed that by the second trimester, the baby can also hear external sounds such as the mother’s voice, music, and other loud noises.
Does Listening to Music Affect Foetal Development?
Research has been ongoing to determine if playing pregnancy music for baby has an effect on foetal development. Some studies state that the foetus reacts on hearing sounds, but the difficulties in observing an unborn baby have made it hard to come up with conclusive proof. A study published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) does indicate that babies familiarize themselves with external sounds while in the womb. It claims that babies who heard a particular song while in the womb appeared to calm down when they heard the same song after birth.
When Can an Unborn Baby Hear Music?
It is believed that unborn babies can hear music in the second trimester, but they start responding to noises and sounds only in the third trimester. The formation of baby’s ears begins as early as nine weeks of pregnancy. By eighteen weeks, babies start hearing, and their sensitivity to sound starts improving each day from this point onwards. When you are about 25 to 26 weeks pregnant, your baby is likely to start responding to external noises and sounds. By the third trimester, your baby will be so familiar with your voice that he or she recognizes it immediately.
Does Listening to Music Make an Unborn Baby Smarter?
There are two schools of thought on this, with one side claiming that babies who listen to music in the womb turn out smarter than their peers while the other states that this is not so. Though there is no study or report to prove that listening to music when in the womb makes babies smarter, it is recommended to play music for your unborn baby. Brain development may or may not happen, but this will certainly encourage your little one to develop a liking for music early on.
How to Play Music for Unborn Child?
The best way to play music for your unborn baby is to connect your audio device to some speakers while you do your chores. Using headphones on your belly might result in over stimulating the baby since the music would be too close and loud. Amniotic fluid does not muffle the sound, contrary to popular belief. So, if you must use headphones, ensure that you do it only for a short while each day.
Benefits of Listening Music While Pregnant
Despite the lack of concrete evidence to support the benefits of playing music during pregnancy, there can be no doubt that music is uplifting and serves to cheer you up every time. The positive vibes thus created will be passed on to your baby also. Here are some other possible benefits of listening to music during pregnancy:
Hones auditory senses: Music will appear to be rhythmic sound waves to your baby. The baby concentrates on these, and this stimulates cognitive skills and auditory senses while improving reflexes.
Promotes personality development: It is believed that the type of music you listen to during pregnancy can help formulate the personality of your child as he or she grows up. Thus, soothing music might encourage a calm and quiet demeanour while loud music might bring aggressive traits to the fore.
Eases stress: Music relaxes you and calms you when stressed or anxious. This, in turn, soothes and calms your baby too. It is thus an effective way of dealing with stress during pregnancy.
After birth lullaby: Researchers believe that the familiarity with a particular tune or music stays with the baby after birth and it might come in handy when trying to calm your child.
How Much Music Should You Make Your Unborn Baby Listen?
As with everything else, too much is not good when it comes to music for pregnant women. When using headphones to enjoy your favourite music, make sure you do not use them for more than one or two hours each day. And if you like placing your headphones on your belly, then be sure to do it only for five to ten minutes at a time and not for more than an hour or so across the day. If playing music on a speaker, you can do it throughout the day at a normal volume and not on high. It is important to remember that your baby needs to sleep and rest at regular intervals. So, by playing too much music, you might be causing an interruption in your unborn child’s sleep patterns.
Should You Listen to Only Soft Music?
Experts say that simple tunes are ideal to play to your baby. But as long as you like something and enjoy it, it is suitable to play to your unborn baby. The type of music you play will depend on your mood at a particular time. You can also play pop numbers if you like that type of music as these have a particular rhythm and pattern which makes it easier for babies to recognize and recall. It is thought that the baby’s breathing pattern changes in accordance with the beats and sounds that it hears. So, loud or jarring music genres might not be suitable for your baby except for a very short duration as it can lead to unwanted stress.
At any time you find yourself at a loss for good tunes, check out the popular music websites where you will find playlists compiled exclusively for pregnancy.
Can You Listen to Classical Music?
The classical genre is not just soothing music for pregnancy, but it is also thought to have certain complexities which prompt the brain to solve spatial problems much faster. Thus, listening to classical music is thought to have more advantages for the brain than other types of music. A study carried out on the impact of Indian classical music on pregnant women indicated that there was a positive impact of the music on both the mother and the unborn child. It was found to have improved the baby’s reflexes and responses as also mental faculties while having a calming effect on the mother. Thus, it is evident that it cannot hurt to listen to classical music at a normal volume while pregnant.
How Do You Know If the Music is Too Loud?
Anything over 80 decibels is likely to be too loud, such as the sound of a ringing phone or a toilet flush. If playing music for a long time, it is best to keep the volume around 60 decibels. Unborn babies can get startled by loud noises, and you will feel your baby jerk inside the womb when this happens. An occasional loud noise or a rock concert will not do any harm to your baby. But consistent exposure to music louder than 70 decibels can have an adverse impact on the baby and you. It can cause you to develop hypertension while it may slow down your baby’s motor skills and learning skills.
Sound Level to Keep in Mind
Using headphones on your belly can make it very loud for your baby. You should aim to keep the volume of external sounds in the 50-60 decibel range. This would be the decibel level of a regular conversation taking place. It is important to adhere to these volume levels because there are many noises reaching the womb, such as your heartbeats, the gurgling of your tummy, and the sounds of respiration. Loud music or noise on isolated occasions is fine but ensure that it does not happen on a regular basis when pregnant.
Mozart Effect Music
There is a theory which holds that listening to music by Amadeus Mozart can have a positive effect on intelligence even before birth as it increases neuron pathways in the brain. This theory was pioneered in the 1990s by Frances Rauscher and some other contemporary scientists. It postulates that those who hear Classical Era and Baroque music in the womb go on to be more musically-inclined as they grow up.
Tips For Your Baby’s Musical Nourishment
Irrespective of whether or not music helps increase your baby’s IQ levels, you can always create a musical environment for your unborn baby.
Choose soothing music: Relaxing with some soothing music is good for both you and the baby. Keep the volume low and avoid loud music that can do more harm than good.
Sing or hum: Make it a point to sing or hum to your baby frequently. You do not have to be a great singer to do this. Just hearing your voice will relax and calm the baby.
Get the family to join in: Ask your partner and other members of the family also to talk and sing to the baby regularly. Their voices will sound familiar to your baby after birth.
Mix up music styles: Expose your child to different styles of music to make it an eclectic mix – from reggae to salsa to classical.
Remember that pregnancy is the time when you get to exclusively bond with your baby. After birth, there will be the entire family and relatives or friends wanting to know your baby. It will also be difficult for you to spend some truly quiet musical time with your baby. So, make the best use of the opportunity while it lasts. The key is moderation, and by listening to music you love for short periods of time throughout the day, you can ensure your well-being as well as that of your child.
Disclaimer:
This information is just a guide and not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified professional.
Read more
Suggested for you
Pregnancy Line (Linea Nigra) - Causes & Prevention
When you stand in front of the mirror during the second trimester of your pregnancy, you might notice a dark line running below your navel right into the pubic area. This is called Linea Nigra, otherwise known as the pregnancy line.
What is Linea Nigra?
Linea Nigra as the name suggests is a dark line that appears in the 5th month of your pregnancy. It is actually a pale line, which is almost invisible prior to your pregnancy & could suddenly become visible. It is called Linea Alba (White Line). This line on belly during pregnancy is perfectly normal and harmless.
When Does Linea Nigra Appear?
Linea Nigra is actually the darkened Linea Alba, which was already present on your belly but was not very visible. So, you might feel that it might have appeared during your pregnancy. Linea Nigra is not actually black; it is more of a browner shade. It is a vertical line running on your tummy from your navel to the pubic bone; sometimes it might appear from your ribs too.
What Causes Linea Nigra?
Linea Alba is the place where the connective tissues of your abdomen muscles meet. Initially, it is very pale and unnoticeable. It darkens due to the hormonal changes in your body during pregnancy. The line on your belly appears to darken during the second trimester as oestrogen goes up causing extra melanin to be secreted. This melanin causes darkening of the skin and hence Linea Nigra appears. It gradually darkens as the pregnancy progresses. The dark line on pregnant belly is about ½ -1 centimetre wide. You may also notice that if your skin has dark patches or any existing scars they turn darker because of the increased melanin too.
Reasons to Love Linea Nigra
Some women might be worried about Linea Nigra but there are some reasons to love it.
It’s a natural thing: The appearance of Linea Nigra during pregnancy is perfectly normal. It just indicates that there is more melanin in your body now. You will also notice that the areolas and clitoris darken during this period too. This is not a sign of worry so just sit back and enjoy this beautiful phase. The pregnancy line is a wonderful reminder of the life within you.
Disappears on its own: You can be assured that the pregnancy line will disappear on its own a few months after childbirth. After delivery, your hormones begin to stabilise and so will the melanin, getting you back your original skin colour.
It's harmless: The pregnancy line is harmless for your baby. It occurs due to a natural phenomenon in your body during pregnancy. There is nothing to worry about and certainly no reason to prevent it from occurring. It is best to avoid any applying any cream to prevent Linea Nigra as it might cause other problems. Instead of worrying you can embrace it and feel proud of your ability to nurture life.
You can cover it up: Although the Linea Nigra is unavoidable there are some ways that it can be minimised. If possible avoid the sun & apply a good sunscreen when you are outdoors. This might prevent it from becoming darker. Some researchers also believe that the Linea Nigra is related to low folic acid levels. Therefore, you can also try consuming a good quantity of folic acid from natural sources such as spinach to lighten it.
What Can You Do About Pregnancy Line?
Linea Nigra cannot be prevented but you can try and minimise its appearance. As mentioned earlier, some simple measures such as avoiding the sun, applying sunscreen & covering your tummy can help reduce melanin production, thereby preventing it from becoming darker. There is no specific Linea Nigra treatment as such and so, it is better to avoid using any topical creams or medications.
How to Prevent Getting Linea Nigra?
There is no specific remedy or way to prevent getting Linea Nigra. Doctors advise mothers not to try any remedies to prevent it as it will only cause harm to the baby. There might be some claims of preventing the pregnancy line but in reality, there is no way one can prevent Linea Nigra from appearing or disappearing.
Does Pregnancy Line Predict the Gender of Your Baby?
There are some myths relating to gender prediction based on the pregnancy line but those should be taken with a pinch of salt. If old stories are to be believed then, it’s a boy if the Linea Nigra runs from the pubic bone to the belly button and stops there. If it continues further up to the rib cage then it’s a girl. Although this is fun to know, always remember that gender prediction is never reliable and there are equal chances of conceiving a boy or a girl. Remember, what matters is a healthy baby.
Does Linea Nigra Affect Your Baby?
Linea Nigra is completely harmless. It is restricted only to external cells and in no way connected to your baby. Your baby is safe in your womb.
Is it Normal Not to Have a Pregnancy Line?
It is perfectly normal not to have a pregnancy line because in some cases if the melanin content is less, the line doesn’t darken.
What Happens to the Pregnancy Line After Delivery?
After you deliver your baby, the body begins to get back to normal, which means that your hormones are all starting to fall into place. The pregnancy line disappears on its own. If it still persists then you might consult a doctor for some creams that might help the line fade away. However, any over-the-counter creams or medicines are strictly prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Linea Nigra might actually be a little embarrassing for some women but in reality, it is just a dark line present for a few months during pregnancy and naturally disappears after birth. This, in fact, is the least of your concerns as it is perfectly normal and safe.
Also Read: Stretch Marks During Pregnancy Read more
Suggested for you
Home First Aid Box - What Should Be in Your Home First Aid Kit
Every home should have a properly stocked first aid kit in order to handle any emergency. It should be kept handy in the personal vehicle too. A handy first aid kit can reduce the risk of any infection and tone down the severity of any injury. The supplies in a first aid kit can treat burns, sprains, scrapes and cuts, stings, splinters or strains. The ultimate idea of keeping a first aid kit is ensuring the safety of the family at home and even on the road. The first aid kit can be comprehensive or basic. If professional medical help is a long distance away, you need to be medically trained to provide emergency assistance.
How to Make and Maintain a First Aid Box at Home?
One should always keep in mind that emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere, so keeping a first aid kit ready at home is a good emergency preparation. Making a first aid kit at home can have an added advantage wherein you can personalise it to suit your personal needs. Apart from this, it is not very difficult to make a smart and equipped first aid box for your home.
Given below are the ways how to make a first aid kit at home:
1. Choose a Nice Container
One should look for a suitable container which is large, water-resistant, translucent, flexible or rigid with a zipper closure or latch top lid. The box should have enough space to contain things, be accessible and portable as well. The items should be easily separated by type, for which there should be inbuilt partitions. The box should be easily identified, so 'FIRST AID' should be marked with a permanent marker.
2. Keep the Kit Safely Accessible
The first aid kit should be kept at a consistent spot which is clearly defined, and each and every member should be aware of it. You must remember to keep it beyond the reach of small children, but they should know where it is kept.
3. Teach Family Members the Use of the First Aid Kit
Every adult member in the house should know when the first aid kit should be retrieved. They should also be well aware of the use of the equipment in the first aid kit. Younger children should just be aware of the location, but should not be able to access it. Older members should be well-versed with the use of it as well.
4. Keep the Kit Updated Always
You should always keep track of the supply of medicines and their expiry dates. Just the way you need to check the battery of your inverter, the status of the first aid kit also requires to be checked.
5. Include a Checklist in the Kit
It is a very good idea to stock the first aid kit well and note every item on a sheet of paper. Whosoever retrieves the kit can immediately know what it includes and also which items are ready to use.
Homemade First Aid Kit Essentials
All emergency essentials are contained in a homemade first aid kit. It is intentionally extensive so that you don’t forget anything and all the emergency requirements are readily available. Here is a home first aid kit checklist so that nothing remains forgotten:
1. An Array of Bandages
If there are minor cuts and scrapes, a variety of types and sizes of bandages can be required. The first aid kit will come in handy when you have multiple options to choose from. Keep all the bandages in a clear zip-lock bag, neatly labelled. The different types of bandages are as mentioned below:
Various sizes of adhesive bandages
Gauze pads
Cloth adhesive tape – 1 roll
Triangular bandages
Wide roller bandage
Sterile dressing
2. Basic Medical Tools
Now that you have your bandages, you will require other articles that will either help with cutting the bandages, or be used for other things. Remember that a household medical kit should be transparent so that the content in it is clearly visible. Here are the other medical tools you'll need:
Zip close plastic bags for disposal of medical waste
Wipes for cleansing
Hand sanitizers for cleaning hands on the spot
Instruction booklet for first aid
Cold compress for instant use
CPR breathing barrier mask
Cotton swabs and balls
Oral thermometer – non-mercury
Non-latex gloves for infection protection
Tweezers
Sharp, small scissors
Plucking splinters
3. Non-essential Useful Medical Tools
Try to always keep the kit simple and small. Multi-use items are often required. Some items that are non-essential but can serve as useful medical tools are:
Baster (for flushing out wounds)
Safety pins
Needle for sewing
Petroleum jelly
Duct tape
Aluminium finger splint
Warming blanket (pre-packaged space)
Eye protection
4. Create a Separate Section for Medications As Well
Your first aid kit should be made comprehensive with important medicines that might come in handy. It's best to find travel-size packs of the medicines you need, as it is easy to carry around. Make sure to check the expiration dates of all your medicines, and update your kit with new medicines regularly. Here's a list of medicines you need for your first aid kit for home:
Medicine for cough and cold
Hydrocortisone cream for itchy bites and to reduce inflammation
Pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen) for mild pain
Antihistamine cream for bad conditions of rashes
Antacids
Laxatives
Anti- diarrhoea medication
Calamine lotion
Aloe vera gel for burn relief
Aesthetic spray for itching rashes or insect bites
Antibiotic cream to apply on wounds
5. Family Medicines Should Be Kept to Personalise the Kit
The prescription medicines should be included for members of the family.
Maintain a close watch on the expiry dates of prescription medicines.
If there is a history of some severe allergy, keep some of the medicine in the home kit so that even a visitor can provide assistance during an emergency.
If the medicine supply gets depleted, keeping a small stock of personalised medical supplies can be useful. All the members of the house should be trained on how to administer the medicines. You must also keep the phone number of the regional poison control centre. A first aid kit for everyday use should be available in your car as well.
The three primary goals of a first aid kit are the 3 Ps - preserve life, prevent any further injury, and promote the recovery of a person. The person using the first aid kit should also know about the 3 Bs - breathing, bleeding and bones is the order to follow. The first thing that needs to be done is to check the breathing of the patient.
The person using the first aid kit should be able to give first aid treatment during an injury or illness. One first aid kit should be made available in the vehicle and also at the workplace. Home first aid kits are usually made to treat minor traumatic injuries. Care should be taken to discard the items safely after the expiry date.
Also Read:
Amazing Health Benefits of Holy Basil
Tips for Preventing Swine Flu
Health Benefits of Including Prunes in Your Diet Read more
Suggested for you
Apply For Maternity Leave Like a Pro
A request for maternity leave isn't the same as applying for annual or privilege leaves. It entails a longer period of absence from work. How you apply for it makes all the difference, as you would also want to get all the benefits due to you during this phase.
Stepping out of your job for three months can be stressful for you and your colleagues no matter how happy the impending occasion is. You want to make sure that everyone around you at work is prepared for your absence. Moreover, you need to know when to take maternity leave so that it doesn’t cause anyone inconvenience. So, if you find out you’re pregnant here are some guidelines to help you apply for maternity leave like a pro.
The Professional Way of Applying for Maternity Leave
1. Follow the hierarchy
You may be brimming with excitement and can’t wait to tell your colleagues. But you should hold on to your feelings and tell your boss first. You don’t want the news getting to your boss before you can tell him or her. So act like a professional and be the first to tell him.
2. Don’t be clueless
Writing a maternity leave application letter is an important aspect of a well-arranged pregnancy. Before you pen down your application, you should be aware of the full maternity benefits offered by your company and its maternity leave policy. If you're in doubt about anything, find out from your boss or the person who'll be sanctioning your leave.
3. Communicate correctly
When applying for maternity leave be sure to communicate your requirements correctly, so that there’s no confusion in the weeks surrounding your due date. Be specific about the start date and the desired length of your leave. Don’t forget to mention your due date and attach a copy of your doctor’s certificate in support of it. Include your planned return date too. If you feel you would need extended leave, mention it in your letter and specify the duration of the time required.
4. Give adequate notice
Be sure to check your company’s policy to find out the adequate notice period of handing in your leave application. Better still to hand over the maternity leave notice well in advance, so that you and your colleagues or superiors can plan ahead. Even make necessary arrangements to cover your period of absence.
5. Plan your absence
A long absence from work is always going to be inconvenient for you, your colleagues and your boss too. If your maternity leave is going to coincide with important work then you need to decide upon a few things. Can you rely on anyone else to step in for you? How much of it can you put on hold? Do you need a replacement? You need to be able to set things up in your absence to ensure work is not hampered and that you don’t return to a complete mess.
If you’re in an organization where there are people to fill your shoes in your absence, consider yourself lucky. If you can follow these guidelines in applying for maternity leave correctly it will help you enforce your rights in the event of a disagreement and ensure a smooth transition in the weeks preceding your due date. Read more
Suggested for you
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. @ the time of birth baby weight 2.475kg but after completed 6weeks baby weight approx 3kg, why baby weight gain very slow, till breast-feeding milk and urinate 6-7 times and potty 2-3 times. can u please suggest why slow in progress in weight gain???
Read moreDr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. the average birth weight of neonates is about 3 kg.
during the first few days after birth, the newborn loses
extracellular fluid equivalent to about 10% of the body
weight.
most infants regain their birth weight by the age of 10 days. subsequently, they gain weight at a rate of
approximately 25 to 30 g per day for the first 3 months of life.
thereafter they gain about 400 g weight every month,
for the remaining part of the first year. x
an infant usually doubles his birth weight (taken as 3 kg) by the age of 5 months. the birth weight triples at 1 year and is four times at 2 years of age.
the weight of ca child at the age of three years is usually
five times that of the birth weight.
Manisha Singh has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert mera baby 3 month ka h use gas bhuat banti h is karan wo bhuat rota hai
Manisha Singh
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
2 hours ago
A. it's very common for babies having gas problem ...you should recommend your doctor for this
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. Hi
what to give 6 months old baby to eat
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello dear! Once your baby completes 6 months you can start giving small quantities of semi solids like homemade cerelac, mashed bananas, apple puree, ragi and so on. Continue with breastfeeding. Keep Babyhug tummy roll on handy
Dr Muhsina has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. now I am in 30 weeks of pregnancy I have vomiting.I couldn't control what the reasons for this vomiting
Dr Muhsina
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
1 hour ago
A. Some women may have vomiting throughout their pregnancy. The most common reason for vomiting during the third trimester may be gastritis. Make sure you eat small frequent meals, preferably every 2 hours. If your baby's weight during checkups are adequate..u needn't worry much about this. You can also consult your doctor and take anti emetics and PPIs if the vomiting is bothering you or interfering with your daily activities.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
18 mins ago
Q. Is it okay is the baby does not pass stool for one day?
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
17 mins ago
A. For breastfed infants it depends on age. During the first month of life, stooling less than once a day might mean your newborn isn't eating enough. However, breastfed infants may go several days or even a week between bowel movements, using every drop they eat to make more baby, not poop.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
15 mins ago
Q. Is it okay if my baby does not pass stool for one day?
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
15 mins ago
A. Yes it is ok dont worry.
Check out this new Memory
Dilpreet kharoud
Mom of a 7 m old boy
1 min ago
#happybaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Inderjeet Kaur
Mom of a 1 yr 4 m old girl
2 mins ago
#walloffame
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Inderjeet Kaur
Mom of a 1 yr 4 m old girl
3 mins ago
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Jyoti Kumari
Mom of a 5 yr 8 m old boy
3 mins ago
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive