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17 Weeks Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
Being pregnant with twins or multiples can be unnerving for a woman and if you have reached the 17-week mark of pregnancy, it must be a moment of surprise and awe for you, isn't it? The babies inside your belly would have grown larger than before with strong umbilical cords. You must be all set in your pregnancy routine and by now you will be confident about raising your children. As you reach the 17th week of your pregnancy, the medical tests and checkups will continue unabated, keeping a track of the progress the babies are making as well as your own well-being.
The Growth of the Babies at 17 Weeks
Don’t think that your babies have realized that they have reached the halfway mark of their growth and, hence, will slow down hereafter. On the contrary, their progress will pick up and the babies will start taking a better shape here from now on.
Most of the development that took place until the 17th week focused primarily on getting the organs up and functioning properly, and turning the little embryo into a foetus that functions as a human being. Hereafter, the key growth that takes place is in the form of fat accumulation. Their bodies will start putting on layers of tissues that are necessary to maintain the body temperature and give them all the energy they need. These fat layers would make your twins or triplets cute and soft later in life.
This layering of fat and the relentless growth that is carrying on under them also demands their hearts to beat faster than before. Their heartbeat reaches a peak rate of around 150 beats per minute, which is more than twice as yours or any other adult out there. This constant thumping can be easily heard with monitors or during your scans.
Some babies tend to be in the sac until the previous weeks and have a movement that is kind of restricted. All of that usually changes by this week and your baby will begin to form fingerprints on the tips, by pushing their palms against the uterus.
What Is the Size of the Babies?
Compared to the previous week, most babies are usually as long as 12 centimetres around this week, but twins and triplets might be comparatively shorter. Furthermore, their weight also hovers around 80-100 grams which can make you feel their presence more strongly than before.
Tiny as they might still be, you could compare their size to a pomegranate since that’s how large they would actually be.
Common Bodily Changes
Most of the changes that take place in a woman's body are more internal than external ones, as some of them might still cause discomfort at random times in your pregnancy.
In order to support your growing babies properly and keep them secure inside you, your uterus should expand. This can only happen when other organs allow it to take up space in the abdomen. The intestines and the stomach have to make the most adjustment for it. As your uterus continues to expand around this time and your stomach and intestine compromise for it, all these changes will make the symptoms of constipation, indigestion, and heartburn stronger than before. Furthermore, progesterone secretion will also reach one of its highest levels around this stage of the pregnancy, causing the oesophageal valve to relax and allow acid reflux to enter your throat.
At this stage, the blood circulation is at its peak and continues to grow in order to support the babies and carry large amounts of oxygen and nutrients to them. This enhanced circulation also reaches the vaginal area, leading to its stimulation. Further enhanced by the heightened presence of estrogen, these work in tandem to cause an increased discharge to appear from the vagina. This fluid is usually milk or colourless and does not have any strong smell to it. It is termed as leucorrhoea, and it is a natural way for the body to rid your vaginal region of any harmful bacteria. Most of the times the discharge is free of any blood unless you indulge in sexual intercourse. If the discharge has a foul smell or causes your vagina to itch or burn, a yeast infection could be the culprit behind it.
Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy at 17 Weeks
Many symptoms that pregnant women with twins or multiples face in the 17th week of pregnancy are nothing more than minor discomforts. Some of them can be recurring which end up being frustrating for many.
In the initial weeks of your pregnancy, you might be indulging in weighing yourself every single day and wondering why your weight isn’t increasing much. You won’t have to do that much around this week since your weight gain will be quite evident by now. Carrying twins or multiple babies can cause your weight to increase by leaps and bounds, as they will rapidly keep growing in the coming weeks.
Your body parts will get larger, right from your belly to your breasts as well as your hips. Your skin has to stretch itself to keep up with this enlargement, which would cause it to be highly sensitive and even itchy at times. A simple cream to soothe it will work; refrain from scratch it.
If stretch marks weren’t visible before, they will be around this week. It is recommended to be proud of those marks since these marks are a strong sign of having carried life inside your womb safely. Go for pregnancy massages that can take care of the marks substantially, accompanied with a nice-smelling moisturiser.
Your enlarged belly at this stage would introduce you to the initial stages of losing your balance randomly. Your tummy might not resemble a large football as of yet, but your centre of gravity will definitely shift gradually. Being used to a typical body all your life, your sense of balance might take a hit, once you notice that you can’t walk the same way anymore. In order to keep yourself safe and prevent any inadvertent falls from ruining your pregnancy, it is necessary to work against your muscle memory and walk slowly, ensuring that your ligaments end up supporting you successfully.
Dreams can get stronger and vivid around this time. If your twins or triplets move around quite a lot at night, your brain could include those in your dreams, too. Some of them could be scary as well, and it is necessary to not let those dreams affect your well-being or trigger a thought process of worry and anxiety.
Twin Pregnancy - Belly at 17 Weeks
As you approach the halfway point of your pregnancy, there will be a substantial change in your belly, which would be visible outside, too. What was a gentle curve earlier would now morph to be a proper baby bump. Even a simple sight of this in the mirror will trigger a sense of motherhood in you and you will wait for the day when your twins finally come out in the real world.
Most people who are in close proximity to you physically will bring the belly to your notice. Hug your closest friend, and they will notice the gap instantly. Your stomach will be rather firm and the movements of your babies will be felt easily by the mother internally.
Twin Pregnancy at 17 Weeks - Ultrasound
With most genetic tests and amnio tests conducted in the previous week, most ultrasounds in the 17th week of pregnancy may not have any more tests. An additional cordocentesis test or an umbilical blood sample test might be conducted, only if the previous tests did not yield any conclusive results.
The development of fat on the body of your babies will make it easier for you to spot the twins and triplets easily in the ultrasound scans. When observed closely, you may even start seeing a semblance of a skeletal structure in the little ones. These bones are still pretty flexible and soft and begin to harden in the coming weeks.
What to Eat
Around this week, your calcium intake should be optimum. Although other nutritive elements ought to be present in good quantities, calcium-rich food items should not be compromised. Properly cooked fish products and other items rich in Vitamin E are a good choice as well.
Pregnancy Care Tips
Pregnancy care in the 17th week requires just a few tips to keep yourself on a track of calm and happiness.
Do's
Take proper support when you walk around and keep your movements slow and precise.
Keep a notebook next to your bed so that you can write down any dreams when you wake up.
Dont's
Stay away from sugary substances or any kind of sodas since they can upset your stomach easily.
Avoid lying down immediately after having a meal. Take a light walk or just sit up for a couple of hours.
What You Need to Shop for
Buying a few books that can help you understand the process of childbirth can help to allay any fears. Also, invest in a nice soap or scented candle to smell when you wake up and counter the morning nausea.
Connecting with your twins or multiple babies at 17 weeks of pregnancy can help in establishing the bond that defines the very connection between a parent and the child. Your babies can sense when you rub your hand on the tummy, letting them know that you are there for them throughout their life. Enjoy this feeling and have a happy pregnancy.
Previous Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 16
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 18 Read more
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
16 hours ago
Q. Can I check baby heartbeat in 9th week of pregancy?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
15 hours ago
A. See that can only be monitored with a proper ultrasound or a machine which can check the heartbeat of the child otherwise there is no third way to figure it out further if you need to know more you can get a sonography done with your gynaecologist to have better clarity
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15 Easy to Make Bread Recipes for Kids
There probably isn’t a single child who isn’t a picky eater. With a wide variety of choices, kids are reaching for chips, chocolates, and fast food in lieu of healthy snacks. In your quest to get your child to eat more healthy foods, the humble bread can take on many forms to offer tasty and nutritious snacks. Even better, since these recipes are quite simple, you can even introduce your child to cooking and helping around the kitchen with these recipes.
Simple Bread Recipes for Children
1. Chilli Cheese Toast
Ingredients Needed:
Multigrain bread – 4 slices
Diced onion – ½ cup
Green chilli – one, cut finely
Diced capsicum – ½ cup
Butter
Grated cheese
How to Make:
Spread an even layer of butter on one side of the bread. In a bowl, mix the diced onion, chilli, and diced capsicum. Place this mixture on top of the buttered bread. Place a general amount of grated cheese on top of the bread. Place the loaded slices of bread on a baking tray and pop it into the grill for five minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles. Let the bread slices cool a little and serve to your little one with ketchup on the side.
2. Potato Bread Patties
Ingredients Needed:
12 bread slices
2 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed
½ teaspoon grated ginger
½ teaspoon diced green chilli
1/3 cup green peas
½ teaspoon dried mango powder
¼ teaspoon coriander powder
Milk – ½ cup
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying
How to Make:
Heat a pan with a teaspoon of oil. Once hot, add the ginger and chillies. Let it roast for a minute. Add the dried mango powder and coriander powder. Add the peas and potatoes, and stir until everything is incorporated. Add salt to taste. Dip the bread slices in milk to make it wet. Spoon in the potato mixture into the middle of the slice. Wrap the soft bread around the potato and seal the edges by pinching. Heat the oil on a medium high flame and deep fry the bread until golden. Serve hot with a cool mint chutney.
3. Nutella Cinnamon Bread Rolls
Ingredients Needed:
6 slices of milk bread
1 tablespoon strawberry jam
2 tablespoons castor sugar
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon regular sugar
3 tablespoons Nutella
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 tablespoon custard powder
How to Make:
Mix the castor sugar and cinnamon powder together, and place it on a flat tray and set aside. Mix the sugar, milk, and castor sugar in a bowl and set aside. Cut off the crust of the bread slices and flatten with a rolling pin. Spread an even layer of Nutella on one side of the bread slice and the strawberry jam on one edge of the slice. Roll the bread slice from the side that has the jam and form a tight roll.
Do the same with the rest of the bread and dip into the milk and custard mixture. Heat the butter in a pan. Once it becomes hot, add the bread rolls and cook evenly until it becomes a light golden colour. Take the rolls out of the pan and coat it with the cinnamon and sugar dry mix.
Serve this yummy bread roll recipe for kids hot, with more jam and fresh cut fruits.
4. French Toast
Ingredients Needed:
1 loaf white or milk bread, sliced thick
2 eggs
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons caster sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
2 tablespoons butter
How to Make:
Beat the eggs and the milk together until it slightly froths. Add the castor sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg powders, and mix well. Dunk a slice of bread into the egg mix. Let it soak for a couple of minutes. Heat up a little butter in a skillet on a moderate heat. Place the egg-soaked bread in the pan and cook on both sides until golden brown. Serve with apples, bananas, and other fruits to make for a healthy breakfast!
5. Bread Upma
Ingredients Needed:
4-5 slices of 1-day old bread
One small potato, boiled and diced
One small onion, diced
One green chilli, cut finely
½ inch ginger, grated
One small tomato, diced
¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pinch of hing
Salt to taste
Butter – 1 tablespoon
Oil – 2 teaspoons
How to Make:
Cut the bread into one-centimetre squares and lightly toast in one tablespoon butter. Set aside. In a vessel, heat the oil over a medium heat. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and wait for it to crackle. Add cumin seeds, ginger, and hing and let it fry for 30 seconds. Add the onions and fry until translucent. Add the diced boiled potato and turmeric and mix well. Add the tomatoes and salt and cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy. Add the toasted bread squares and mix well. Pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix.
Serve hot. This is one those bread recipes for kids that Indians love to make.
6. Bread Pizza
Ingredients Needed:
Bread slices
Capsicum, diced
Onion, diced into large pieces,
Mozzarella cheese, grated
Pizza sauce
How to Make:
Toast the bread slightly with the minimal change in colour. Spread a teaspoon of pizza sauce on one side of the bread. Place the diced capsicum and onions on the sauce and grate a generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
Place it on the grill for five minutes or until the cheese melts and bubbles. You can make this a non-vegetarian option by adding toppings like cooked and sliced sausages, chicken breasts, meatballs, etc.
7. Bread Pakoda
Ingredients Needed:
4 Bread slices
1 large boiled potato, mashed
¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon chilli powder
½ cup gram flour
¼ teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup corn flour
Water
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying
How to Make:
Mix the gram flour, corn flour, turmeric powder, and baking soda in a bowl. Add water bit by bit until you have a smooth and loose consistency. Season to taste and set aside. Heat up a pan and add a teaspoon of oil. Once hot, add cumin seeds and the mashed potato. Add the chilli powder, mix well and remove from the flame. Put the oil for frying for heating.
Make sandwiches with the potato filling. Dip the sandwich into the gram flour batter and deep fry until golden brown. Serve this tasty vegetable bread recipe for kids hot, with ketchup.
8. Chicken and Mayo Sandwich
Ingredients Needed:
Brown bread slices
One chicken breast
½ cup mayonnaise
4 Gherkins, diced
Lettuce
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Butter
How to Make:
Toast the brown bread slices with or without butter and set aside. Wash and clean the chicken breast. Pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. In a pan, heat one tablespoon of butter and cook the chicken breast. Set the cooked chicken on a wire rack and let it cool. Once cool, shred or dice the chicken finely and place into a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, pepper, and gherkins and mix well. Place the chicken and mayo mix in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Once cold, remove from the fridge and place the chicken and mayo filling between two slices of toasted brown bread and a lettuce leaf. Nothing beats the taste of this delicious bread sandwich recipe for kids.
9. Chicken Burgers
Ingredients Needed:
250 grams minced chicken meat
One egg yolk
Breadcrumbs – ¼ cup
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
4 onions, finely sliced
2 tablespoons sugar
2 sliced tomatoes
Onion rings
Cheese slices
Lettuce leaves
Burger buns
Butter
Water
How to Make:
Mix the minced meat with the egg yolk, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, nutmeg, rosemary, pepper, and salt in a bowl. Once incorporated, place in the fridge. In a pan, heat up the butter and add the sliced onions. Wait until the onions become translucent and add the sugar. Add a splash of water and cook until the onions reduce down into a paste. Cut the burger buns in half horizontally and butter both sides. Remove the chicken mince from the fridge and make patties.
Heat a grill to a searing heat and add butter. Place the patties on the grill and grill on both sides until brown. Place a cheese slice on top of the patty and splash some water on the patty and cover with a lid. This is to allow the steam to cook the patty fully while the cheese melts without burning. Place the burger buns buttered side down until golden brown. Place the lettuce leaf on the bottom half of the bun and layer with a tomato slice and onion ring.
Remove the patty and cheese slice from the grill and place on top of the onion ring. Place the top part of the burger bun on top and serve.
10. Bread Pudding
Ingredients Needed:
6 slices of 1-day-old bread
2 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup raisins
4 eggs
2 cups milk
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make:
Preheat your oven to 175 degrees. Cut your bread into one-inch squares. Place the bread snugly into a baking tray along with the raisins. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon powder. Pour the melted butter on top of the bread. Then pour the egg and milk mixture on the bread and push down with a fork to make sure that the bread has soaked up the liquid. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Serve hot with some ice cream.
11. Cheesy Garlic Bread
Ingredients Needed:
5 slices of bread
4 tablespoons softened butter
2 tablespoons minced garlic
½ cup grated cheese
Black pepper powder to taste
Red chilli flakes to taste
Salt to taste
Dry oregano to taste
How to Make:
Mix the minced or grated garlic with the softened butter until fully incorporated. Add salt if needed. Spread this garlic butter on one side of the bread slice. Put a generous amount of grated cheese on top. Flavour with red chilli flakes, oregano, and black pepper powder according to your taste. Grill until the cheese melts and browns slightly. Serve hot with ketchup.
12. Bread Pasta
Ingredients Needed:
3 slices of one-day-old bread
1 teaspoon roughly chopped garlic
1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
75 grams uncooked pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon Olive oil
Salt to taste
How to Make:
Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. While the pasta is cooking, cut up the bread into one-inch squares. Heat a pan with one tablespoon butter and roast the bread squares until toasted entirely. Keep aside. Once the pasta is cooked, drain all the cooking water except for ½ cup. Keep aside. Run the cooked pasta under cold water to prevent further cooking and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Heat the olive oil and remaining butter in a pan. Once shimmering, add the red chilli flakes and garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the cooked pasta and splash some of the cooking water and stir the pan vigorously. Once most of the water has evaporated, add the toasted bread pieces. Mix well and check the seasoning. Serve hot.
13. Mushroom Bread
Ingredients Needed:
200 grams button mushroom
One large onion
2 tablespoons butter
Salt to taste
½ cup grated cheese
4 slices of bread
How to Make:
Chop the mushrooms and onions finely. You can even use a food processor as long as you take care to not make the onion and mushroom into a paste. Heat the butter in a pan and tip in the chopped onions and mushrooms. Add salt and pepper and stir. Once the mushrooms start to release their moisture, reduce the heat and let it cook slowly while stirring occasionally until all the liquid has evaporated. Keep aside.
Toast the bread until the colour just changes. Spread the mushroom mixture on top of the bread. Put a generous helping of cheese on top. Grill the bread until the cheese melts and is golden brown in certain spots. Serve hot with ketchup.
14. Banana Bread
Ingredients Needed:
2 medium bananas, mashed
1 ¾ cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup plain yoghurt
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoon coconut oil
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make:
In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, yoghurt, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Mix the wet and dry mixtures until fully incorporated. Grease a loaf pan with butter and pour in the banana bread batter. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees. Place your loaf pan in the oven and cook for 55 minutes.
15. Caramel Bread Pudding without Eggs
Ingredients Needed:
6 slices of day-old white bread
5 cups whole milk
6 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
How to Make:
Cut the bread into small pieces. In a pan, mix the milk, 4 tablespoons sugar, and cornstarch so that there are no lumps. Heat this mixture on the stove without bringing to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the flame and add the bread pieces. and use a masher to break up the bread entirely. Add the vanilla extract and keep aside.
In a separate pan, make a caramel using the remaining sugar and bring it to a golden brown. Pour the caramel into a pudding mould and spread evenly. Then gently pour the milk and bread mix into the pudding mould. Gently place the pudding mould into a larger cooker and pour water on the sides that stand 1.5 inches above the base. Cover the pudding mould with aluminium foil with some holes poked in to release escaping steam. Cover the cooker with its lid and let it cook on a medium flame without the weight for 20 to 25 minutes.
Once the cooker has cooled, remove the pudding mould and keep in a cool place. Once fully cooled, keep it in the fridge for a couple of hours. Serve cold with strawberry jam.
There are many bread recipes that you can make for your child in a jiffy. These dishes are tasty and you can even have your child involved in the cooking process. This is a great way to ensure that your child learns essential cooking skills that are sure to come handy later in life.
Also Read: Healthy Snacks for Kids Read more
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Jojoba Oil for Babies and Kids - Benefits and Usage
Jojoba oil can be used as both carrier oil and essential oil. This oil is widely used for skin care as the chemical composition of the oil is closely related to natural human sebum. This makes it safe to use on the skin directly and is good for sensitive skin. This is one of the biggest reasons why this particular oil is widely recommended for babies and kids.
What Is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant, and in its raw form, it looks like a golden liquid wax. On refining, this liquid becomes colourless and odourless. This oil provides many advantages and works for both adults and kids.
Jojoba oil is found to be very effective in treating skin-related conditions in children. One skin condition that affects babies the most are diaper rashes. You can cure these rashes by taking a few drops of jojoba oil in your palm and applying it gently on the affected area. It will soothe your baby's skin and treat the rashes without any side effects.
Benefits and Uses of Jojoba Oil for Children
Jojoba oil offers amazing benefits for a child’s skin, hair, and health. Some of the benefits of jojoba oil for children include.
1. Moisturises the Skin
Jojoba oil is a perfect moisturiser. Continuous use of this oil will keep your child's skin soft and supple. Jojoba oil is a rich source of ceramides and thus keeps a child's skin hydrated for long. This oil can also be absorbed by the skin easily. Using this oil will also strengthen the skin barrier, protecting his skin from various allergies, dry skin, and even dust. This oil can be used for baby massages, too.
2. Reduces Skin Inflammation
Jojoba oil can be used to reduce inflammation of the skin as it contains antibacterial properties. This kills the bacteria and heals cuts or wounds. Jojoba oil can be used against infections like warts and cold sores. You can apply jojoba oil to reduce the redness or swelling which is a result of an injury.
3. Treats Skin Conditions
Jojoba oil can treat skin disorders in children. Jojoba oil can cure baby eczema, psoriasis, and cradle cap. All you have to do is take a cotton ball, dip it in the oil, and apply directly on the infected parts of your baby’s skin.
4. Strengthens the Hair
Jojoba oil can be used for the skin as well as hair. The hair and the scalp of the babies are prone to breakage and dryness. This is one of the best oils to use on babies as the oil is good at strengthening the newborn's weak hair. This natural oil will also help smoothen their hair cuticles.
5. Cleanses the Scalp
Jojoba oil works best when it comes to cleansing scalps. It will reduce hair fall and breakage and your child will remain healthy and clean because of the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of this oil. Using jojoba oil, your child can also get rid of the sticky buildup and other airborne particles in his hair.
6. Improves Skin Elasticity
Vitamin E works as an antioxidant. It is excellent when it comes to strengthening the walls of the capillary in the skin and improving the elasticity of the skin. These antioxidant properties in the jojoba oil also help in reducing the chances of skin cancer as the oil protects the skin from UV rays.
7. Promotes Hair Growth
Jojoba oil encourages hair growth. It reduces clogging of pores which reduces the amount of hair fall. The oil dissolves and clears the blockages in the pores which results in the development of fresh cells thus encouraging the growth of hair.
8. Treats Cradle Cap
Another important property of jojoba oil is that it is hypoallergenic. This makes it safe for babies. This oil can be used to loosen the dried flakes and dissolve the patchy crusts caused by cradle caps. The oil also protects the scalp from irritation by deeply moisturizing it.
9. Treats Dry Scalp
Just like controlling the production of excessive oil in the scalp, jojoba oil also prevents the hair and the scalp from becoming excessively dry. You can get rid of the brittle and flaky skin with the oil. Jojoba also helps in moisturising the scalp as the oil goes deep into the pores without getting evaporated. The pH of the scalp is also balanced keeping away bacteria.
10. Works As a Body Oil
This acts as an ideal body oil, and you can apply this on the baby’s face as well as the body before bathing. Enough hydration is provided to the skin which is easily absorbed.
Treats Newborn Acne
Jojoba oil can also be used for treating acne in babies. Mix jojoba oil with lavender oil and gently apply it to the affected areas on your baby's face. His acne will soon disappear.
Jojoba oil is one of the best oils to use on kids as well as adults because it contains many minerals and vitamins including iodine, zinc, vitamin E, and even B-complex. You can also use this oil in combination with other essential oils. Jojoba oil is highly popular for its calming and moisturising properties and suits all skin types.
Also Read: Are Essential Oils Good for Babies and Children? Read more
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Is It Safe to Eat Octopus While Pregnant?
A healthy diet helps maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Eating nutritious food keeps you feeling good, boosts brain development, and reduces the chances of complications of anemia, low birth weight, and congenital disabilities. While some people may cringe at the idea of ordering a plate of tentacles to the table, octopuses are boneless sea creature that has been considered a culinary delicacy by many cultures. However, most pregnant women worry about their diet as many foods that they love are vetoed during this stage. More so in the case of fish and shellfish, as despite being good sources of high-quality protein and other key nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, some contain more mercury than others that can pose a danger during your pregnancy. Octopus and pregnancy, for instance, have been a subject of concern among health experts who recommend avoiding octopus for women who’re expecting. Thus, it is important to make an informed decision before consuming your favorite seafood.
Is Octopus a Sea Food?
Seafood includes sea fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Due to their diversity as a food group, it can be confusing to classify them as safe to eat by a pregnant woman. The octopus is a mollusk and belongs to the cephalopod family and is classified generically as “shellfish” even though it lacks a shell. A well-cooked octopus gives a similar taste and consistency as lobster.
Like most shellfish, an octopus must be thoroughly cooked to make it safe for pregnant women to eat. Since it doesn’t have a strong flavor, it can take on the same smell and texture as the decadent shellfish. Most often, the meat of the octopus is influenced by the ingredients used when cooking it, which is why most restaurants serve it with a sauce for added zest.
Octopus is also seafood that you can enjoy in cold and raw form. However, when served raw, octopus is perfectly soft and chewy while it takes on a tougher consistency than when cooked well.
How Safe Is Octopus to Eat While Pregnant?
Since Octopuses have low to medium mercury levels, less than some sea fish; therefore, they are generally considered safe to be incorporated into a pregnant woman’s diet in moderation. Moreover, safety precautions need to be followed properly while cooking octopus which usually destroys all the germs of this kind of shellfish.
However, cooking alone doesn’t eliminate the heavy metals that involve risks to a woman and her baby. Avoid consuming more than two servings of 6 ounces of octopus per week. This quantity per week is enough to prevent an excess of heavy metals while still enjoying the benefits of these foods. Preparation of raw octopus can be tricky as you don’t want to end up with undercooked octopus, that’s very rubbery and extremely difficult to eat.
Eating grilled octopus when pregnant is considered safe as eating octopus prepared by boiling or baking, ensuring the octopus is fully cooked and tastes great. This process is mostly done by cutting the thickest part in half and checking that the inside is hot and cooked all the way through. Raw, only marinated, or undercooked octopus should be strictly avoided. It may host harmful pathogens, parasites, and organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that cause diseases and severe complications during pregnancy.
Benefits of Eating Octopus During Pregnancy
Octopus is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also low in fat, making it great for weight loss. Of course, its health factor can depend on how it’s prepared. Frying it or cooking octopus in butter or oil can add extra fat and calorie content to your meal. Here are some benefits of eating octopus during pregnancy.
1. Improves Cardiac Health
Octopus has Omega-3s that can reduce blood pressure levels and decelerate plaque buildup in your arteries, reducing stress on the heart. It reduces triglycerides and fats in your blood, increasing the risk of stroke, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and heart disease.
2. Reduces Chances of Cancer
The taurine in octopus has an amino acid that helps fight inflammation in the body and works as an antioxidant that protects cell damage associated with cancer. Octopus also contains high levels of other antioxidants that may reduce cancer risk, like selenium, vitamin B12, and folate.
3. Boosts Cognitive Health
Octopus contains magnesium that supports healthy brain activity like memory power and learning processes. It may reduce the risk of degenerative diseases like dementia or Alzheimers.
4. Relieves From Depression
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the two omega-3 fatty acids found in octopuses that can prevent or lessen the symptoms of depression and other mood disorders.
5. Prevents Neural Tube Defects
Octopus is rich in vitamin B12 and iron that combats anemia may prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly.
Risks of Eating Octopus in Pregnancy
Mercury is a metal found naturally in the environment and is released into the open air by industrial pollution. When mercury settles in water bodies, bacteria transform it into a more dangerous form that accumulates in the fatty tissues of fish. As traces of mercury are found in almost all fish species, it tends to concentrate more on large predatory fish like octopus, which has the highest accumulation of mercury because they feed on other fish and have a longer lifespan. Here are some of the potential risks of eating octopus in pregnancy:
The mercury content in octopus can be harmful to the fetus’s developing nervous system. Mercury poisoning can affect the nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems that can be fatal. It can also damage the organ system such as the skin, lung, kidney, and brain when treatment is delayed.
Anisakis, a nematode worm, spends its life cycle in the digestive system of fish and marine mammals and causes food poisoning or toxoplasmosis. This infectious disease can be fatal for your baby.
Octopus may contain microorganisms or dangerous pathogen like Salmonella that causes food poisoning.
Mercury Level in Octopus
As octopus is eaten worldwide, it is difficult to assume the exact mercury level. It may depend on its size and the source of harvest. The American Pregnancy Association has listed this shellfish as having a low mercury level. Nevertheless, the mercury level doesn’t vary in the different ways in which the octopus is prepared. The Environmental Defense Fund has also listed octopus as having a ‘moderate’ amount of mercury. So, with the declaration of these two sources, and in the absence of any scientific tests, the octopus can be presumed to be in the low to moderate mercury category.
What Octopus Dishes Are Not Safe When Pregnant?
Since there is more than one way of cooking octopus, their safety level depends entirely on preparation mode. Here are some Octopus dishes that can be marked unsafe when pregnant.
Pre-made salads with octopus prepared in restaurants can be a matter of concern for most women who’re expecting. However, while pregnant, octopus salad can be eaten only if the octopus is fully cooked, served cold, and stored properly.
Various types of pre-bagged or pre-cut salads with octopus are more susceptible to listeria contamination than the freshly prepared ones. Octopus salad is best when prepared at home, where all the salad veggies have been washed to maintain the hygienic level of the dish.
Common in the Mediterranean countries, Octopus Carpaccio is thin slivers of dressed octopus, usually served cold. Most often, it is served with raw Octopus or preboiled Octopus. Eating raw octopus while pregnant can be unsafe since it may contain harmful bacteria.
Marinated or pickled octopus is a common Mediterranean dish served as an antipasto or appetizer. The octopus in this recipe is cooked by boiling before marinating to improve its texture. However, some traditional recipes use raw octopus in the marinade. So it is better to check with the restaurant or person who cooked it if the octopus is raw, then avoid it. Pre-cooked octopus that has been put in the marinade can be considered safe to eat.
Octopus Sashimi is a popular part of Japanese cuisine that varies in preparation. If it has been boiled briefly first before cooking, it can be eaten by pregnant women. However, if the octopus is raw or even alive, in some cases, then it is best to avoid this dish.
It is best to exercise caution and make the right food choices, keeping in mind the dilemmas around seafood consumption during pregnancy. However, in case of any specific allergic reaction with octopus, it is better to consult the doctor before deciding to include this shellfish in your healthy pregnancy diet.
Also Read:
Eating Crab while Pregnant
Eating Sausage in Pregnancy
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