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How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy
If you’ve decided to get pregnant, chances are that you would want your body to be well prepared to nurture a new human being. Preconception planning is common among many women who want to increase their chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Also, the healthy lifestyle changes that you make during pregnancy may last even after pregnancy and become a part of your life.
12 Tips for Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy
Here are a few tips that you can keep in mind in the process of getting your body ready for pregnancy.
1. See Your Doctor
The first thing you will need to do is get an appointment with a doctor for both you and your partner. The doctor can analyse your family's’ medical history and rule out the possibility of complications. In case there are complications, you will be provided with remedies. The doctor will also check if you are immunized against major diseases. You will need to be vaccinated against chickenpox and rubella, and you will have to take these shots three months before you try to conceive.
Your doctor can also screen you for sexually transmitted diseases and suggest that you follow the necessary precautions and treatments to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
On the other hand, if you have any underlying medical conditions that require you to take regular medication, like epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma, you will need to visit a doctor to make any necessary changes to your course of treatment before trying to conceive.
2. Stop Birth Control
You will need to discontinue the use of any form of birth control that you have been using. If you have an IUD, you can have it removed by a gynaecologist. While some women tend to get pregnant within the next two weeks after stopping birth control, others may take longer.
3. Fix Your Diet
Cut out the unhealthy food items from your diet, prepare your body for a pregnancy with healthier and organic food choices, and drink plenty of water. Switching those carbs and junk with healthy snacks like nuts and fruits can do you good and lower your exposure to toxins. Also, avoid eating raw eggs or undercooked meat to rule out the risk of salmonella. It is especially important to get to a healthy diet if you have a BMI over 30 and are obese. Being underweight can also be a problem as it can affect your menstrual cycle and can cause you to have missed periods. This essentially means that you will not be ovulating every cycle. It is best to get to a healthy BMI range of 19 to 25 in case you are trying for a healthy pregnancy.
4. Include Exercise
You will need to incorporate moderate work out sessions of about 30 minutes for at least four to five days every week. If you are starting from scratch, a 20-minute walk should help you get moving before you try more vigorous workouts. If you exercise regularly, you can try and squeeze in about 45 minutes of exercise five or six days a week.
5. Stack up on Multivitamins
Most doctors advise women to take multivitamins to make up for the lack of certain vitamins in their body. These prenatal vitamins can help bridge any nutritional deficiency that you may have right before getting pregnant. You will need to boost your intake of iron and calcium-rich foods items as well.
6. Folic Acid
You may need to add folic acid on top of your vitamin supplements. Folic acid helps prevent the possibility of neural tube defects during pregnancy. Although it is available over the counter, you can check with your doctor about these supplements. 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid is recommended on a daily basis during preconception. Once you are pregnant, your doctor may change the dosage accordingly.
7. Lay off Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs
All three activities are undoubtedly detrimental to both you and your baby. Smoking can expose you both to a lot of toxins and reduce your blood flow. It also affects fertility and may cause preterm delivery, miscarriage or even stillbirth. Alcohol can have long-term problems and developmental issues in the baby, and can also put your baby at the risk of foetal alcohol syndrome. Using drugs is illegal and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, etc. Drugs like heroin and cocaine can even lead to drug-dependent babies. It is wise to ask your partner also to quit smoking in case he does, as smoking is also related to low sperm count. Exposure to smoke is also not ideal, especially during pregnancy. It is also best if you limit your intake of caffeine every day as pregnant women are recommended only 300 ml of caffeine each day.
8. Try Stress Relief Measures
Trying to conceive can be quite stressful. But managing your stress is vital as stress can shoot up your cortisol levels, preventing ovulation and lowering your sex drive. You can try out various stress relief measures like yoga, meditation, music, reading, etc.
9. Get Plenty of Sleep
A good night’s rest every day can put your body on track to work the way it is supposed to. Lack of sleep can cause stress, lower your sex drive and make your more tired.
10. Get a Dental Check-up
Gum disease is linked to preterm labour and low birth weight in babies. Ensure that you schedule a visit to your dentist and have the issue resolved before you get pregnant.
11. Get All the Information
Understand how conception works. Talk to your doctor and get all the information you need before you begin conceiving. It is also important that you read as much as possible to know what you have in store for the following months. Also, track your cycle. Knowing when you are ovulating can increase your chances of pregnancy significantly. You can use ovulation kits for this purpose.
12. Involve Your Partner
Conceiving and preparing to conceive is as much his responsibility as it is yours. You can ask him to start taking folic acid too as it helps with the sperm count. He should also make an effort to stay fit and healthy and give up on smoking, alcohol, or other drugs. It is important for both of your to have a healthy lifestyle to facilitate a healthy pregnancy.
It is also recommended that he visit a doctor and get checked too, as about 30 percent of the infertility cases are the result of male infertility.
As you get ready to welcome a new human being into your home , it is important that you prepare yourself mentally for the task too. You will need to care for and nurture the baby and provide it the best possible atmosphere to grow up in. Making a few fundamental lifestyle changes can contribute very well towards that task.
Also, remember that conceiving may be easy for some and equally difficult for others. Do not lose hope if you don’t conceive immediately. You will need to give it time and have patience, and most importantly, enjoy the process. In case you face serious problems, do check with your doctor about the possible reasons and ways in which you can rectify them.
Also Read: Pregnancy Planning: Things To Do Before Getting Pregnant Read more
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What Goes Into a Traditional Sargi Thali for Karva Chauth?
Fasting holds great significance in the Hindu culture, and one festival where a fast is observed is Karva Chauth. This festival is predominantly celebrated in the northern part of India, but many women across the country observe this fast too. The Karva Chauth fast is observed by married women for the long and happy life of their husbands, but unmarried women observe this fast too, praying to get an ideal match. This auspicious day is observed every year in the ‘Kartik Maas’ during Krishna Paksha, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. One of the most important parts of this fast is the ‘sargi’, and this post discusses this aspect in detail. If you wish to know what sargi is and what needs to be included in it, read on.
What is Sargi in Karva Chauth?
Karva Chauth is a pious fast that is observed from sunrise to moonrise. Everyone who observes this fast gets up at dawn and eats special food for the pre-dawn meal or the sargi. In most states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the sargi holds great significance and value. This is because the food for the fast is not something that is procured from the market. And if you are wondering who gives the sargi during Karva Chauth to the fasting woman, well, it is the mother-in-law. The sargi is symbolic of a mother-in-law’s love and blessings for her daughter-in-law. This pre-dawn food is given to the daughter-in-law to provide her good wishes for the successful completion of the fast and to have a blessed and long married life.
When to Eat Sargi During Karva Chauth
The sargi is a pre-dawn meal, which means that it should be consumed before sunrise. Ideally, women wake up at around 3 or 4 a.m. because that is considered the ideal time to do so. After taking a bath, women take the sargi from their mothers-in-law. If a woman's mother-in-law stays far away in a different city, the contents of the sargi can be parcelled too. However, if she is no more, the sargi can be given by the elder co-sister or the sister-in-law of the woman. It is considered a good omen to share the sargi with friends and relatives. It is also considered auspicious to have the sargi with other fasting women. After having the meal, the nirjala vrat begins.
This fast is also called the nirjala vrat because women abstain from eating food and water until moonrise. The sargi holds great importance in the fast because this is the only meal that a woman consumes for the duration of the day. Therefore, the meal should be nutritious enough such that it keeps the fasting women going throughout the day without feeling weak or tired. Therefore, the Karva Chauth sargi food holds great importance.
What Foods Can Be a Part of the Sargi?
Traditional value is not the only thing associated with the foods that are part of the sargi during Karva Chauth. It also provides ample energy to a woman to sustain without food and water throughout the day. Here are some food items that are included in a conventional Karva Chauth thali.
1. Sevayyian
Popularly known as ‘feniyan’, this delicacy is prepared with milk and sugar, and it is a very important item in a sargi thali. It is prepared with milk and sugar, which makes it very nutritious and yummy.
2. Fresh Fruits
Fruits like bananas, apples, etc., are also a part of the sargi. Fresh fruits contain ample amounts of fibre and water. Since this fast involves staying without food and water, eating fresh fruits will keep the woman feeling fuller and also satiates her body’s water requirements.
3. Dry Fruits
Dried fruits like almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts, etc., are included in the sargi too. Nuts are considered auspicious, but they are also high in nutritional content and calories. Being calorie-dense, a handful of nuts provide ample energy and nutrition for the day.
4. Lightly-Cooked Foods
Simple home-cooked foods that are easy to digest can also be part of the sargi. A couple of rotis and a simple sabzi and halwa will suffice to provide enough energy. Avoid any heavy, oily foods that can lead to lethargy.
5. Sweets
Indian tradition places great importance on eating sweets before beginning anything pious or important. Therefore, a sargi thali should have sweets. The sugar in the sweets is great for providing much-needed energy for the day.
The sargi is an essential part of a Karva Chauth fast and now you know what goes into a traditional sargi thali. We wish you happy fasting!
Also Read:
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Diwali Makeup Trends - All You Need to Rock the Festive Season
2018 began with the runways glittering and bursting with colour, which gave us good insights into the trends to be expected for the coming year. Three main looks stood out and two were at completely opposite ends of the makeup spectrum - a natural and dewy look on one end, dramatic and sparkly on the other! With the festive season approaching, keep these tips and tricks handy to make sure that your Diwali makeup shines through!
The 3 Main Trends for Diwali 2018
The best aspect of the Diwali makeup trends this year is that it caters to people who are on polar ends of the makeup spectrum - those who love to rock the ‘no makeup’ look and those who want to go all out. But for those who like the 'in-between' look, fret not - there's something for you as well!
1. The Dewy and Natural Look
Beautiful glowing skin, flushed pink cheeks and lips, and an even complexion are the highlights of this look. Even those who aren’t fans of makeup tend to appreciate the natural prettiness this look provides, and with good reason! Take into consideration Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt’s latest appearance on Koffee with Karan - both stars were glowing, looking like they weren’t wearing a stitch of makeup! Here’s how you can achieve a soft glow with defined features:
1. Start off with a good primer, which will provide the foundation for your makeup. It’s essential to choose one that is long-lasting so that your makeup stays intact amid all the activities you’ll be doing.
2. Apply an even layer of BB Creme all over your face, which helps to even out your complexion. Following this, dab on some concealer to cover dark spots an blemishes.
3. Use a blush that suits your complexion (shades of pink such as powder, peach or brownish-pink are popular options) to give your cheeks that just-been-pinched look.
4. Your brows are an important part of your look! If you’re blessed with full brows, Provide them with some glam and structure by brushing them out with a spoolie, then filling them in with some black or brown eyeshadow.
5. For your eyes, draw a thin even line on your upper eyelid, keeping it subtle. Sweep a muted or natural shade of eyeshadow over your lids and make your lashes pop with a coat of mascara.
6. Finish off the look with a lip colour that’s just a shade lighter than your natural lip colour. You can add a hint of gloss to brighten them up too. Coral lips are quite trendy right now - all you have to do line your lips with a coral lip liner and fill it in with a matching shade.
And voila! This makeup look will definitely have people wondering whether or not you’ve amplified your natural beauty but it will be difficult for them to find out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBhR9y9IVmI
Source: https://www.youtube.com/user/corallista
KEY TAKEAWAY: Follow the steps provided in this video by Corallista for a really fresh and dewy look that you can also carry forward after Diwali too, for an everyday look. You can also customize it with the products you use normally.
2. The Dramatic Fashionista Look
This one is for those who love to make a statement with their makeup and really have some fun with colours and sparkle! Dramatic eyes and strong lips with plenty of glitter in tow - here’s how you can achieve a strong Diwali makeup look!
1. Here too, primer and BB creme will form the base for your makeup, because the foundation on which you apply your products needs to be strong and even. Use a highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bones, down the centre and on the tip of your nose, and the inner corners of your eyes too. A bronzer will help accentuate your glow, and yes, this applies to dusky beauties as well! Find a shade that is 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone and apply it on your forehead, the hollows of your cheeks, the edge of your jawline, and on the sides of your nose. Remember to use the bronzer before applying blush on your cheeks.
2. As we mentioned earlier, it’s all about shine and sparkle and glitter this year, and what better time to implement these styles than the festival of lights! For your eye makeup, move away from blacks and browns, and amp up the traditional smoky eye with bright colours that complement your outfit. Use glitter eyeshadow to highlight the inner corners of your eyes.
3. Don’t restrict yourself to the same old line that you draw on with the eyeliner. Experiment with a daring cat-eye or a negative-space look, to really make a statement.
4. Follow up with a strong coat of mascara. Explore options in different colours to create some drama! Don’t forget to define your brows as well.
5. Keeping in line with the trend of glitter glam, matte lipsticks won’t really make the cut. Dab on a shade of glossy lipstick (neons and metallic shades are in vogue!) to complete the look, but ensure that the shade doesn’t compete too much with your eye makeup. In fact, if you can find the right shade of red lipstick for your skin tone, it’s the main weapon you’ll need in your makeup arsenal!
6. An additional touch of sparkle you can add to your lash line or outer corners of your eyes can be with crystals or the easy Indian alternative that is sparkly bindis.
And that’s how you make a bold statement!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEUE9f9t8ws
Source: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreenCreation
KEY TAKEAWAY: This is how you carry off a dramatic look with plenty of glitter and colour! This tutorial on the channel 'Smithad Beauty' provides instructions on how to pull off a bold look for any festive celebration!
3. The Best of Both Worlds
Now if you’re someone who loves both looks but are confused about which one to go for, choose an option from both trends by playing up your assets. You can go for a dramatic eye, complete with a bold eyeshadow, luscious lashes, and lined really well. If the thought of doing elaborate eye makeup sounds too complicated for you, emphasize your lips with a bold lip colour and define it with a liner. You can also accentuate your Cupid’s bow with a tiny amount of highlighter, just to give your pout that ‘oomph’ factor! Additionally, make sure that the makeup you’re wearing is waterproof and suits your skin type (dry, normal or oily) so that nothing can disturb it and spoil all those selfies you’re planning to click. In the case of this look, it's best to keep things a little more on the shimmery side so that your makeup doesn't look too natural, which is why using a highlighter and bronzer is a must!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1rklpk6fwM
Source: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUskg-yRKc6CGWDgyjdBOVQ
KEY TAKEAWAY: In this video, Pooja Rai demonstrates how to achieve a look that's neither too subtle nor too dramatic. She sports a strong lip and plays up her eyelashes while keeping everything else on the neutral side. This look is perfect for those who are not very keen on extremely bold colours but would like some shimmer and glow.
With very few days to go before Diwali dawns, make sure you take good care of your skin with moisturisation and hydration. Avoid experimenting with any new product so close to the occasion lest it reacts negatively with your skin and causes it to break out. Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen everytime you step outside.
While keeping up with the trends, make sure to choose the look that you'll feel most comfortable and confident in, so that you're able to carry it off with panache and rock your Diwali parties and celebrations!
Also Read:
Trending Styles to Dress Up Your Child This Diwali
4 Must-Have Festive Looks for Your Little Fashionistas
Diwali Home Decoration On Your Mind? Try These 9 Ideas Read more
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Badam Phirni
Phirni, a delicious Punjabi dessert, is famous for its taste and thick creamy consistency. It is prepared on festive occasions like Diwali and Karwa Chauth and traditionally served in the clay / earthen pots. This sweet course is made of almond paste and rice paste, which gives it that creamy flavour and thick consistency.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
3 People
20 - 25 Minutes
10 - 15 Minutes
Ingredients
4 tbsp basmati rice
3 cups milk
10 almonds, blanched
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
4 - 5 saffron strands, dissolved in milk
2 almonds, sliced for garnishing
2- 3 pistachios, chopped for garnishing
1 tsp raisins, for garnishing
Method
Step 1
Take the blanched almonds in a grinder and grind it to a smooth paste. Keep aside.
Step 2
Rinse basmati rice in water and soak it for half an hour.
Step 3
Transfer the rice after draining the water to a grinder. Grind it to a smooth paste by adding little water. Mix 1/2 cup milk to this paste and keep it aside.
Step 4
Heat the remaining milk in a heavy bottom pan. Bring it to boil over low medium flame.
Step 5
Once the milk starts boiling, add the rice paste into it. Keep stirring continuously and cook on low flame until it gets thick. This may take around 5 - 6 min.
Step 6
Add sugar, cardamom powder and dissolved saffron strands into it. Keep stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 7
Add the almond paste that was prepared earlier. Mix well until blended. Cook for another 1 - 2 min.
Step 8
Switch off the flame and transfer it to a serving dish.
Step 9
Garnish it with almonds, pistachios and raisins. Let it cool and then replace it in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 hours. Serve chilled.
Nutritional Information
Calories
289 K cal
Proteins
10.1 g
Fat
7.2 g
Carbohydrates
48.4 g
Cholesterol
20 mg
Sodium
118 mg
Potassium
212 mg
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Encouraging Young Children to Play Independently With Toys
Many toddlers get into the habit of playing only with others and never alone. Encouraging independent play in toddlers is essential for the child to create and explore. Invest in a few toys that you can give to your child one at a time to encourage them to play independently.
As a parent, you cannot spend each and every minute with your child playing, even if you are a stay-at-home parent. Independent play for toddlers helps the child build creativity and critical thinking. Studies suggest that children who start to play with a new toy on their own are more likely to discover what the toy can do than when a teacher or an adult explains it to them.
5 Tips to Encourage Toddlers to Play Alone With His Toys
1. Start gradually
Independent play doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to leave your child alone in a room. You can sit quietly in a corner in the room watching your child as he plays without interfering, unless they ask for your help. Once the child is absorbed in play, you can move out of the room and keep checking on him at intervals.
2. Praise generously
Encourage your child to play independently by praising him when they play alone. It’s a milestone that they have achieved, and your praise encourages them to play alone more often. Even if they play with a toy in a way that is different, encourage them. For example, if they use train tracks to build a bridge do let them know that what they’ve done is very interesting and don’t forget the praise.
3. Start young
Generally, more than the child it's the parents who're happy to play with the child all the time. In their zeal to focus all their energy on the child, parents teach the child to be dependent on them for playtime and entertainment. Let the child play alone for sometime without interruption. In this manner, the child can get used to playing alone as he/she gets older.
4. Appropriate toys
To encourage independent play in your child, it's important to get the right toys. Pick those that encourage them to think creatively and use their imagination, rather than toys that just need a push of a button. Toys such as blocks, tea sets, and kitchen sets, dollhouses, train sets and play dough encourage a child to use their imagination.
5. Limit screen time
Very often when parents are occupied in their own chores and work, they switch on the television for their child or hand him a smartphone to play with. While these gadgets let the child play without disturbing you, they're not doing much in terms of helping his development. Rather than putting your child in front of a screen, hand them a piece of paper and crayon to scribble with.
Encouraging independent play in 13 months old baby may seem like a tough task, especially if your toddler is clingy and wants your attention all the time. Doing it slowly and patiently is the trick. However, don’t overwhelm your child with too many new toys at once, as it will just make the child feel distracted. Get your child one toy at a time, so you can extract the maximum potential from the child, and the toy. Read more
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Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. Bread feeding mother can have green tea
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. absolutely no problem to have green tea ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. In my growth scan doctor found that 2 round cord has been partly around baby necks. Is there any problem with this. will I get normal delivery?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
3 hours ago
A. A lot of times normal delivery is actually seen in these cases also if the doctor is quick and the child cooperate then yes normal delivery is very much possible but some doctors don’t take a chance with the health of your child and so they normally suggest C-section so let’s see what’s your situation by the end when you are into your labour
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. I m preganant in 5 month in twin baby. Last lmp is 22/12/2023. my expected due date
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 mins ago
A. 29.9.24. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Sunita Mahato has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 m old child
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts How to increase quantity of milk production?
Sunita Mahato
Mom of 3 children
1 hour ago
A. to increase milk take latction supplement as lactare...
take green papaya bottle gourd bitter gourd fennel seeds garlic oats ragi dalia sabudana ...
regular pumping increase milk use Babyhug electric breast pump...
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
1 hour ago
Q. hi doctor from two days i am eating milk cream with sugar and i want to burn it in my stomach I am 5 month pregnant plzz help ??
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 mins ago
A. at present weight no exercise is other than moderate walking. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
28 mins ago
Q. I am in my 8th month of pregnancy (last week), and for some reason I am continously facing lot of fatigue. I am feeling deprived of energy and I don't have any energy to do anything. resting isn't Helping in any way and taking small walks isn't too. what can be the possible reason and how to overcome this.
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 mins ago
A. yes that can be both physical and psychological problems during pregnancy ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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