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40 Unique Birthday Party Ideas for Kids
For every parent, their child’s birthday is a special occasion. They may want to organize a fun, exciting birthday party that is likely to bring a big smile on their child's face and create lasting memories.
Children Birthday Party Ideas
To create a birthday celebration that your child remembers for years to come you need not look for expensive options. The simplest kids birthday party ideas at home can be just as fun and exciting.
For 1 Year Old
Listed below are a few great ideas:
1. Special Party Hat
You can plan a mad hat themed based birthday party. All the other kids can come dressed in different hats of their choice.
2. Musical Party
You can play some popular nursery rhymes or songs and let the kids enjoy dancing or singing along those numbers.
3. Special Cake
Cake cutting time can be the highlight of the party. You can design a cake based on your child’s favourite colour or animal. You can have a musical cake as well.
4. Blowing Bubbles
You can help the kids to blow bubbles or blow the bubbles yourself. Kids can have a wild time chasing the bubbles, trying to catch or blow them out.
5. Bring Your Favourite Stuffed Toy
1st birthday party ideas for boys can include asking all the guest kids to bring along their favourite teddy bear or stuffed animal. Each kid then gets a new stuffed animal friend for their toy as a return gift. The party activities can consist of “pin the tail on the animal”, colouring animal pictures or simply enjoying play time with their stuffed animal.
For 2 Years Old
Some exciting party ideas for 2-year-old can be:
1. Glow-in-the-dark Party
You can convert your living room into an exciting place by adding some glow sticks or stickers, a strobe light and tunes. Kids can enjoy painting themselves or each other’s faces with glow-in-the-dark colours. Glow-in-the-dark play-dough can be a good take away gift.
2. Mud Run Party
You can organise some muddy fun for your kid and his friends as most kids love to play in the mud. In an open space, you can set up several obstacles and let the kids race and have a blast getting dirty.
3. Bugs Crazy Party
Kids of this age tend to love bugs. You can design colourful invites by cutting oval shapes out of decorative paper and glueing it on the card. Draw head, antennae, and legs with a coloured pen to create a bug. As a party activity, kids can make easy DIY bug magnets by glueing pom-poms or coloured cut-outs on craft sticks. They can add googly eyes too.
4. Rock-and-Roll Musical Party
You can make a homemade party invite by pasting coloured copies of your kid’s photo on the card’s cover along with party details. Structured yet simple games like passing the parcel, musical statue work well. The birthday cake can be your child’s favourite musical instrument. Child-sized inflatable guitars or saxophone can make good return gifts.
5. Party-Based on Shapes
Kids of this age understand simple shapes like a circle. A circle birthday party can include polka dots, lots of balloons, bubbles, cheerios. Kids can splash in an inflatable kiddie pool filled with colourful plastic balls or can have some noisy fun with bubble wrap.
For 3 Years Old
You can incorporate the following ideas while planning a birthday party for a 3-year-old kid:
1. Jungle Theme
A jungle themed birthday party is always a hit with the kids. You can ask the kids to come dressed in animal costumes, have animal-shaped food and even create a mini zoo. Kids can be distributed animal paper masks for them to wear.
2. A Puppet Show or Magic Show
You can consider hiring a clown or a local magician to organise a show for the kids. A puppet show may also prove to be very entertaining for the kids.
3. A Fancy Dress Party
Kids can come dressed as their favourite cartoon character, superhero, favourite storybook character. Keep in mind to give ample notice for the guest to prepare the costumes. You can play a game of “10 questions” to guess each guest’s identity.
4. Freeze or Statue Dancing
Play some music and let the kids start dancing. When the music stops playing the kids must stand still like a statue or “freeze”. You can also make a CD of different kinds of music and have the kids change their steps according to the different music styles.
5. Balloon Bursting
You can fill big balloons with candies and little treats. These can be inflated and hung all over venue where they are easily accessible. The kids can have fun bursting the balloons and collecting the goodies.
For 4 Years Old
A birthday party for 4-year-olds can include the following ideas:
1. Messy Party Themes
Messy party themes are very popular among kids. You can organise stations with silly strings, play dough, paint, cupcake decorating supplies. The kids can enjoy being messy and creative at the same time.
2. Treasure Hunts
Treasure hunts are always a winner with kids. Bear in mind to keep age-appropriate clues and the trail not too difficult to solve.
3. Craft party
You can supply the kids with items like pots, plastic plates, t-shirts, bags, picture frames umbrellas and materials like poster colours, stickers, glitters, glue, paint brushes and ask them to paint them.
4. Chocolate-Making party
Most kids like making treats. You can provide the kids with different fun moulds and flavours of chocolate. You can help them melt the chocolate in the microwave and let them enjoy pouring into the moulds. They can get creative while decorating and wrapping the chocolates.
5. Circus party
A circus themed birthday party is very enjoyable for the kids. You can design homemade entry tickets, lemonade booths, the vintage popcorn tins and cotton candy, polka dots cups and plates, straws with moustaches toppers, whirly pops and even hire a clown to entertain the kids.
For 5 Years Old
The following children’s birthday party ideas can prove useful:
1. Backyard Carnival
You can create a festive carnival feel in your backyard by setting up different stations like the tattoo station, popcorn and cotton candy stand, face painting, hotdog/ burger stands. Various games stalls like ring toss on bottles, a mini-golf course, a bean bag toss, stack and tumble game can also be set up.
2. Camping
5 year old boy birthday party ideas can include camping. You can pitch tents in an open space and invite young campers to participate in a host of exciting outdoor activities. You can take the kids for an adventure walk during which they can collect interesting rocks, leaves and explore nature closely. And lastly, don’t forget to provide the kids with s’mores for extra fun!
3. Rainbow Party
You can throw a colourful rainbow party for your kid. You can organize a multi-coloured extravaganza with colourful party streamers, balloons, rainbow cake, rainbow paint station, rainbow lollipops. Kids can make friendships bands or headbands with multi-coloured beads.
4. Lego Birthday Party
Lego is currently very popular with kids. You can build towers using Lego bricks and ask the kids to knock them down with a toy car or a ball. You can put Lego bricks in a jar and ask the kids to guess the correct number. Lego bricks can be used for decoration purposes also like making a cupcake stand or a napkin holder.
5. Firefighting’s Party
You can entertain the kids by engaging them in fun activities like water play, making fireman truck out of cardboard boxes, fire hydrant ring toss games. You can have a tutorial on how to make a firefighter’s hat.
For 6 Years Old
Try and have lots of activities so that kids can win many prizes. Some party ideas can be:
1. Sports Themed Party
Guests can dress in their favourite sports gear or like their favourite sports star. Kids can joyfully be engaged in sports activities like racing, mini golf, marshmallows soccer, croquet or you can even use cardboard boxes to fashion an obstacle course.
2. Disco Party
You can play all the popular musical numbers and let the kids enjoy some freestyle dancing.
3. Dragon Party
Kids can dress up as dragons, damsels in gowns and knights with swords and indulge in some role-playing.
4. Movie Themed Party
You can give the kids an experience of the movie theatre by organizing a screening of their favourite movie. You can provide every kid with a movie theatre snack box which they can enjoy while watching the movie.
5. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt can be very thrilling for the kids. Do pay attention to the things that you will be hiding. Try to create some sneaky clues like you can put the message in the form of a poem in a bottle. Divide the kids into groups and let them race against each other to find the buried treasure.
For 7 Years Old
A kid of 7 years may have certain definite ideas for the birthday party. At this stage, it is quite normal for the kids to want gender specific parties like an all-boys bash or an all-girls bash.
1. Classic Party Games
You can organise classic party games for the kids like musical chair, charades, twister, ring toss, freeze dancing, telephone game. 7 year old boy birthday party ideas can include parties based on popular series like the Harry Potter or superheroes like Superman, Batman, Ironman.
2. Fishing the Prizes
Collect small prizes like coloured markers, fancy erasers, small notepads and attach them to huge paper clips. You can place all these prizes in a “fish pond” which can be a big box or even a rug. Each kid gets a fishing rod which has a magnet at line’s end. The kids can have a great time fishing for their prizes.
3. Cowboy Party
You can get creative with homemade wanted posters. You can have horse riding races, balloon stampede, lasso toss, rodeo rides to rustle up some entertainment for the kids. Kids can wear cowboy hats, bandanas and boots.
4. Hula Hoopla Party
Kids can have amazing fun spinning the hula hoops. You can organise contests between the kids like who can spin the hula hoop for the maximum time.
5. Mummy Wrap Game
Mummy wrap game can be lots of fun. You can split the kids into two groups. The groups then compete with each other to see who can finish wrapping their chosen “mummy” in toilet paper first.
For 8 Years Old
With this age group, it may become a bit of a challenge to keep them entertained. You may have to think of newer games and themes. 8-year-old kids can comprehend more complex instructions and rules. Kids birthday party decoration ideas can be according to the chosen theme, and you may not go overboard with it. Some exciting birthday party ideas can be:
1. Team Sports
You can organise team games like three-legged races, relay races, blind man’s bluff, spoon race games, for the kids.
2. Mad Science Party
You can hire a professional to demonstrate easy science experiments and teach the kids some DIY projects as well.
3. Charades
It is better to follow a theme like a movie, an action or a word. You can divide the kids into two groups. One group will have to enact the word while the other group needs to guess it correctly within the given time.
4. Sleepover Party
You can host a sleepover party or a pyjama party for the kids where guests are invited to stay overnight. Kids may stay awake whole night playing games, watching a movie or simply talking.
5. Memory Game
Kids of this age have good retention power. You can create interesting memory games where the kids are shown certain things at the beginning of the party. And later you may ask the kids to recall those things.
It is important to plan out the budget of the party first. Picking a theme for your child’s birthday party makes it easier to decide other party details like the location, invitations, food and fun-filled party games. It is possible to create enjoyable party games, beautiful invites and decorations by being creative and imaginative without spending much.
Also Read:
Birthday Party Themes Ideas for Girls
Birthday Party Themes Ideas for Boys
Menu Plan and Foods to Serve in Kid's Birthday Party Read more
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Preterm Labour and Birth - Reasons, Signs & Treatment
Throughout the entire cycle of pregnancy, a baby proceeds through multiple stages of growths, right up to the very final weeks of the due date. However, there might be scenarios that labour is induced and the baby is born before it has had a chance to grow fully.
What is Premature Birth?
If a baby is born before it completes the requisite 37 weeks of pregnancy, such a birth is generally termed as a premature birth.
If a baby is born around the 35th week of pregnancy, he generally does not have any serious issues. A small percentage of such babies may develop some respiratory related difficulties.
If a baby is born earlier than the 35th week but has completed 28 weeks of pregnancy, he still has its internal organs struggling to cope with the demands of a real life. He is generally very weak and find extreme difficulty in suckling milk or breathing properly.
But if a baby is born before 28 weeks of pregnancy are completed, the chances of it surviving are very low. Even the ones that do manage to survive develop complications and disabilities that can be debilitating ahead in life.
How Common is it?
Out of 100 babies that are born in India, nearly 13 babies are born prematurely. The number of premature births here constitutes for about a quarter of premature births taking place in the entire world.
What Causes Premature Childbirth?
The reasons for premature birth range from medical factors to social and lifestyle choices and cannot be conclusively pinpointed on a specific factor as such.
The presence of twins in the uterus can slightly raise chances of a premature birth.
A weak cervix is also known to cause preterm labour.
If there is a bacterial infection inside the mother’s vagina, it could be a trigger to induce premature birth.
If the mother bleeds heavily during pregnancy, the body could react to it by inducing premature birth.
Certain abnormalities of the uterus could be a possible reason as well.
A history of previous abortions is a known reason for having a premature birth later.
If the mother has had miscarriages previously in early stages of pregnancy, they could be indicative of a premature birth for the current one.
The early breaking of the water is a strong sign as well.
If the mother has grown up in a violent family or has faced domestic violence, the chances of premature birth are slightly higher.
Any woman with a history of smoking and drug abuse is known to face preterm labour.
If the mother’s job involves long and arduous physical work, even during pregnancy, then the risk of premature delivery increase threefold.
Being underweight or overweight can further increase the risk of complications, including preterm labour.
Signs and Symptoms Premature Delivery
Preterm delivery symptoms can be recognised by observing the baby closely for specific signs.
The baby has a small sized body, but the head is extremely large and out of proportion.
The features of the baby can be instantly recognized. This is because of a lack of fat for the baby’s growth, leading to the development of sharp facial features.
The baby’s body is covered with a lot of fine hair.
Since the baby’s body lacks the necessary amount of fat of a full growth cycle, its body temperature would be comparatively lower, especially right after the birth.
The baby would struggle to breathe or seem to perpetually be in distress withdrawing in required amounts of air.
The reflexes that a baby requires being able to suck for food and swallow it would be weak or missing. This further leads to difficulties in feeding the baby.
Diagnosis of Premature Birth
In most cases, doctors prefer to know the entire history of your current pregnancy as well as any previous ones. Certain tests such as urine tests, vaginal swabs, blood tests, amniotic tests, might be conducted to check various biological factors of the pregnancy.
The cervix might be examined by the doctor to check if it has reduced and started opening. Once labour has begun, it cannot be stopped either by medical professionals or by forcing yourself to rest. In case you have not completed 34 weeks of your pregnancy, a drug to delay your delivery temporarily might be administered.
A dose of steroids would have to be given to allow the baby’s lungs to mature properly. Since the lungs are not fully developed until 36 weeks of the pregnancy are complete, premature delivery is bound to cause breathing problems for the infant. Steroids help them grow in a shorter duration of time.
Preterm Delivery Complications
Some complications that may arise during preterm delivery are,
1. Short-Term Complications
The weak respiratory system of the baby will result in breathing issues. If the lungs are missing the essential substance for expansion and contraction, termed as a surfactant, the baby might experience extreme respiratory distress. They may also develop lung disorders or have long pauses between their breaths, which is termed as apnea.
Premature babies may also have a heart defect when they are born. Certain defects such as PDA, where an opening that exists between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, does not close off on its own, other untreated defects can lead to heart failure in certain cases. Babies may have low blood pressure leading to injection of IV fluids, medicines, or carrying out blood transfusions.
If a baby is born very prematurely, he carries an extremely high risk of internal brain haemorrhage. Most of them are mild and do not have a large impact but the ones with a lot of internal bleeding might suffer from permanent brain injuries.
Premature babies lack the fat that is necessary to generate energy and maintain the body heat. Hence, they have trouble maintaining the right body temperature which can sometimes dip too low and cause hypothermia. This further leads to breathing problems and a drop in blood sugar levels. Sometimes, the infants use up all energy just to maintain the body temperature and fail to leave anything for other aspects of their growth. In such cases, an incubator is used for these babies to help them maintain proper body heat levels.
With immature gastric systems, premature babies face the risks of injuring cell linings in the bowels which can be a problem when they start feeding. Breastmilk is known to reduce chances of it.
Most premature newborns suffer from anaemia or jaundice since they lack a good amount of red blood cells. Also, the skin and eyes of the baby might be yellow coloured due to excess bilirubin in the blood.
Premature babies may suffer from hypoglycaemia due to improper metabolism. As compared to fully grown babies, premature babies do not have large enough stores of glucose within them. They also struggle with converting stored glucose to active glucose that is necessary for metabolic activities.
A major risk for premature babies is a heightened risk of infection, given that they have weak immunity. Any infection can instantly spread throughout the body through their bloodstream.
2. Long-Term Complications
When the blood flow to the infant’s brain is not enough, the brain fails to develop as needed which results in a disorder called as cerebral palsy. This affects the bodily movements, muscle mass, and the general posture. It could also be a result of an infection or an injury to the brain.
Most premature babies suffer from learning impairments causing them to not proceed at the pace of kids their age.
Certain premature kids are known to have a visual disease called as retinopathy. This is where blood vessels grow in the light-sensitive area behind the retina in humongous quantities. These, over time, may scar the retina and detach it. If left untreated, this can cause full vision impairment, leading to blindness.
Nearly all premature babies undergo a hearing test to check for hearing loss since that is one of the most common problems premature births have to face.
Late tooth emergence, discolouration of teeth, and misaligned teeth are issues that premature babies are at a higher risk of.
Beyond physical, premature babies can have certain psychological problems that can manifest later during their growth.
Most children who were born prematurely, constantly fall ill with infections, suffer from asthma, primarily due to weak immunity. Certain infants may also have a risk of SIDS, termed as sudden infant death syndrome, requiring immediate hospital care.
Treatment for Premature Birth
Some treatment options for premature birth are,
1. Supportive Care
An incubator will ensure that your baby is able to maintain a healthy body temperature throughout.
Vital signs of your baby would be monitored using various sensors attached to it. In case of breathing issues, a ventilator would be used for your baby.
Fluids and feeding might be conducted via an intravenous tube. Breastmilk would also be supplied externally through the tube until it is strong enough to start sucking it naturally.
Bodily fluid balance and minerals will be maintained and monitored by replenishing them intravenously.
If your baby is suffering from jaundice, he would be placed under special bilirubin lights. This helps break down the excess bilirubin in your baby’s blood. Your baby might wear an eye mask to sleep under those lights.
If multiple blood tests are being conducted or your baby has circulation issues, blood transfusions might be undertaken.
2. Medications
Surfactant might be administered to allow the lungs to function normally.
Aerosolized mist and IV medications would be used to strengthen the baby’s heart rate.
If ill and infected, antibiotics will be administered to the infant.
Diuretics might be utilized as well to maintain a good urine output.
The eye might be injected with medication to prevent retinopathy from occurring.
Certain medications to help heart defects from healing might be administered, too.
3. Surgery
Doctors might advise you to undertake surgery for your baby to treat certain complications. It is necessary to understand the risks associated with each and the necessity of each procedure as well.
4. How to Take Care of Your Baby at Home
Once your baby is breathing fine, has a good and stable body temperature, can breastfeed, has shown weight gain, and is healthy, doctors might allow you to take your child home. Certain precautions related to the living arrangements at home, the baby’s siblings if any, other relatives and additional pediatric care might be suggested by the nursing professionals.
How Can You Reduce Risk of Premature Childbirth?
As to how to prevent premature birth from taking place, even though the exact causes are unknown, certain precautions can help reduce those chances.
The presence of a short cervix or a history of premature delivery might require the use of progesterone supplements to reduce the risk of them happening again.
A surgical procedure, termed as a cervical cerclage, might be undertaken, where the cervix is closed to provide extra support to the uterus.
Premature Baby at Different Gestational Ages
For Boys
Gestational age
Weight
Length
Head circumference
40 weeks
7 lbs., 15 oz.
(3.6 kg)
20 in. (51 cm)
13.8 in. (35 cm)
35 weeks
5 lbs., 8 oz.
(2.5 kg)
18.1 in. (46 cm)
12.6 in. (32 cm)
32 weeks
3 lbs., 15.5 oz.
(1.8 kg)
16.5 in. (42 cm)
11.6 in. (29.5 cm)
28 weeks
2 lbs., 6.8 oz.
(1.1 kg)
14.4 in. (36.5 cm)
10.2 in. (26 cm)
24 weeks
1 lb., 6.9 oz.
(0.65 kg)
12.2 in. (31 cm)
8.7 in. (22 cm)
For Girls
Gestational age
Weight
Length
Head circumference
40 weeks
7 lbs., 7.9 oz.
(3.4 kg)
20 in. (51 cm)
13.8 in. (35 cm)
35 weeks
5 lbs., 4.7 oz.
(2.4 kg)
17.7 in. (45 cm)
12.4 in. (31.5 cm)
32 weeks
3 lbs., 12 oz.
(1.7 kg)
16.5 in. (42 cm)
11.4 in. (29 cm)
28 weeks
2 lbs., 3.3 oz.
(1.0 kg)
14.1 in. (36 cm)
9.8 in. (25 cm)
24 weeks
1 lb., 5.2 oz.
(0.60 kg)
12.6 in. (32 cm)
8.3 in. (21 cm)
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-birth/symptoms-causes/syc-20376730Source
Premature birth is unavoidable if it is bound to happen. However, with certain precautionary measures, and being prepared to handle any unforeseen consequences, one can ensure a healthy delivery of the baby and help the child lead a normal life no matter what.
Also read: Helping Your Premature Baby Gain Weight Read more
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Bed Rest During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a difficult journey. You will need to alter your diet, lifestyle, and activities in many ways. Your doctor visits will multiply. You might suffer from morning sickness, weight gain, and so on. However, sometimes the best thing to do during your pregnancy is nothing at all. Read on to find out what bed rest during pregnancy means, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
Bed rest during pregnancy can mean several things, from staying in bed a few hours every day to checking yourself into a hospital. Known as activity restriction, bed rest is meant to keep your energy reserves high to avoid any risks or complications associated with your pregnancy, such as premature birth or stillbirth. Bed rest can last anywhere from a couple of days to several months. Until a few years ago, strict 24/7 bed rest was recommended by most doctors but now is only suggested in worst case scenarios. This is because prescribing bed rest has not been proven to improve a complicated pregnancy in many cases. However, there are still several reasons for your doctor to prescribe bed rest during your pregnancy.
Why is it Essential during Pregnancy?
The need and the importance of bed rest will always vary depending on the type of pregnancy you have and your existing medical condition. 70% of pregnant women are advised at one point or the other during their pregnancy. A 9-month bed rest is usually never recommended, however, depending on your condition your doctor may suggest if you need complete or partial bed rest. Some of the reasons for bed rest are:
1. Placenta Previa
In this condition, the placenta is located lower than usual. It blocks the cervix, which is the exit for the foetus. So take bed rest to avoid putting excess pressure on the cervix and placenta.
2. Cervical Insufficiency
Cervical insufficiency means that the cervical muscles are not strong enough to keep the growing foetus in place within the uterus, increasing the risks of a third-trimester miscarriage. Bed rest is very strongly recommended to avoid any undue pressure on the cervix.
3. Preeclampsia
One of the most common pregnancy-linked conditions, it appears in more than ten percent of pregnant women. Symptoms include increased blood pressure, urine protein, facial and feet swelling. Extreme cases of preeclampsia could risk both your and your baby’s life, and requires you to stay at a hospital so you can be constantly monitored.
4. Overly Active Lifestyle
If you lead a very active life and don’t pay much heed to your nutritional requirements, you might be asked to take a bed rest. Staying relaxed and consuming balanced meals will promote the healthy development of the foetus.
5. Pregnancy Bleeding
Occasionally, there might be some small amount of blood that appears during pregnancy. This might be for several reasons such as placental abruption, uterine tears or an injured cervix, any of which might lead to a miscarriage. In any case, bed rest during pregnancy's first trimester is recommended to avoid worsening the bleeding.
6. Fluctuations in Blood Pressure
Random fluctuations in blood pressure are symptomatic of eclampsia. Eclampsia can lead to severe seizures and multiple organ failures if not monitored, so a hospital stay is mandatory.
7. Oligohydramnios
Oligohydramnios is the condition in which amniotic fluid volume is lower than required to sustain your unborn child. As there are too many risk factors involved with low fluid levels and therefore clinically-regulated bed rest is suggested so the doctor can keep an eye on you.
8. Multiple Pregnancies
If you are going to give birth to multiple babies, bed rest becomes absolutely essential. This is because multiple pregnancies are more prone to risks and complications, and the safest bet is to just stay on a bed until your baby is born.
Will You Have to Stay in Bed All the Time?
The answer to this question depends entirely on your doctor. In some situations, your doctor might ask you to avoid certain activities such as intense exercises, moving large objects or performing difficult chores. In others, you might be confined to your bed and forbidden from lifting even a finger except to go to the bathroom or to the doctor.
Levels and Types of Pregnancy Bed Rest
Earlier, doctors would categorise bed rest in four major categories namely scheduled resting, modified bed rest, strict bed rest and hospital bed rest. However, with changing times, the categorisation has been further simplified. There are two main types of bed rest during pregnancy nowadays. These are:
1. Minimised Activity at Home/work
Many doctors will ask you to spend less time at work when you are in your last few weeks of pregnancy. It is important to rest often and avoid any activity that requires unnecessary exertion such as cardio, walking, or standing. However, you might still be allowed to take short walks on some occasions, and perform simple chores.
2. Minimised Activity at the Hospital
In cases where the pregnancy has a lot of complications, the doctor will recommend an extended stay at the hospital so the patient can remain under constant observation. Luckily, given the inactive nature of hospital bed rest during pregnancy, your doctor will make sure you stay fit by suggesting some simple exercises or a physical therapy course.
Here is a chart of the different levels of bed rest. How Much Sleep Per Day
Level
Daily sleep requirement
Daily bed rest requirement
Permission to leave the house
Level of activity allowed
Need for assistance
Permission to self-prepare meals
1
Min. 6 hrs
As you like
Yes
Light exercises
If you want
Yes
2
8-10 hrs
At least 2 hrs
Yes, but only for short distances
Simple chores
For tough chores
Yes
3
8-10 hrs
Most of the day
No, except to visit doctor
No housework
For all chores
Small meals only
4
8-10+ hrs
All day long
No, except to visit doctor
Can only move to and from bathroom
Yes, for everything
No, let someone else cook
5
8-10+ hrs
Hospital bed rest
No
No movement allowed
Yes, for everything
No, let someone else cook
What are the Benefits of Bed Rest for You & Your Baby
Aside from practising bed rest during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage, it has several benefits that safeguard your unborn baby. These include:
Bed rest keeps your circulatory system working efficiently, ensuring your baby gets all the nutrients it needs.
Studies have shown that bed rest reduces the concentration of stress hormones called catecholamines, which could induce early labour when produced in excess.
Your cervix, placenta and uterus remain free from excess pressure during bed rest.
Bed rest is known to improve blood flow throughout the body, preventing fluids from accumulating and leading to oedemas.
Discomforts of Bed Rest and How to Deal with Them
Lounging around on your bed all day sounds amazing! However, the lack of movement is soon going to cause joint pains, muscle loss, reduced flexibility and worsened blood circulation. In addition to changing from side to side and eating balanced meals, here are some exercises you can do to help soothe these discomforts:
Rotating your arms and legs in slow circular motions helps maintain your mobility and ease any muscular or joint aches.
Squeezing stress balls help prevent joint pains in the wrist and fingers.
Placing your hands and feet on the mattress and exerting a gentle pressure improves flexibility.
Tightening and relaxing the muscles in your limbs improves blood circulation.
Best Position for Resting on a Bed
This will entirely be based on the extent of pregnancy, disease history and any complications you might be facing. Women who have to be on bed rest for long stretches of time are asked to sleep on their side to prevent the uterus from putting pressure on the large veins of the body.
In this position, keep your knees bent like a foetus. You might also be told to lie flat on your back with your hips raised above the chest.
Risks
Lying down for days or weeks will definitely have its own risks. Some of the complications of bed rest include:
1. Blood Clots
Lack of movement can cause blood clots in pregnant women, especially in the legs. This is known as Deep Vein Thrombosis.
2. Depression and Anxiety
Staying in bed all day might make you feel like you are being a burden, which might initiate symptoms of depression or anxiety.
3. Family Stress
There could be stress in your family as your roles, such as working, home care or child care, are taken care of by other members.
4. Financial Worries (When You Have Stopped Your Job)
Many companies do not offer extended pregnancy leave, and even then you are allowed to avail it after birth. This might mean a loss of salary or even your job.
5. Low Birth-Weight of Your Baby
Bed rest implies a reduction in your cardiovascular health, which is associated with low birth weight and foetal growth problems.
6. Slower Recovery After Delivery
As there is minimal movement during bed rest, it will take you longer to get back on your feet after you give birth.
7. Weakened Bones and Muscles
Lack of exercise can cause bones to demineralise and muscles to atrophy, which can result in serious complications.
Do's and Don'ts to Discuss with the Healthcare Provider
While exhausting activities are out of the question, here are a few things you might be able to do. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about what you are and are not allowed to do during bed rest.
Mild exercise
Walking
Cooking
Having sex
Driving or riding
Washing yourself
How to Stay Healthy During Bed Rest?
Prolonged inactivity is not only boring but also unhealthy. Here are some things to do while on bed rest to stay healthy both physically and emotionally:
1. Physical Health
Stretch your arms, legs, neck, back, and basically anything you are able to, so they retain their strength.
Maintain a strict pregnancy diet, eat smaller meals more frequently and avoid foods that could cause indigestion.
Lie down as comfortably as you can, and changing position to ameliorate any developing muscle numbness or skin irritation.
2. Emotional Health
Entertain yourself with television, books or surf the internet. Don’t let yourself get bored.
Visit friends if possible, or have them drop by. You may not be able to catch up with them as often as you'd want once the baby is born.
Don’t stress about your situation. Many women have gone through the same thing and have had happy and successful pregnancies.
How Does Bed Rest Affect Your Family?
If you are spending most of your time in bed, your family will have to learn how to adjust to their new roles. Your partner might now be in charge of all the daily household activities such as washing, cleaning, shopping for groceries, and taking care of your children if you have any. While your partner takes care of your previous roles around the house, you should also ensure that they don’t get bogged down by taking care of you. If you have children, especially small ones, you might have to hold off on playing rough; instead, keep them entertained by reading to them or watching television with them. If possible, get a family member or close friend to entertain them.
How to Make Best Use of Bed Rest
Seeing as you might be spending a while on the bed, here are some things you can do to make the most of your time:
Make sure you have all the necessary supplies like a crib, diapers, milk bottles, maternity clothes, breast pumps, and so on.
Do some online research about your stage of pregnancy and any potential complications.
Inform yourself about vaccinations, breastfeeding, baby development, and other parenting techniques.
Eat enough nutritious food like fruits, veggies and whole grain cereals.
Read about important prenatal and postnatal supplements.
Don’t forget to do gentle exercises to keep your limbs active and healthy.
Keep a strict routine to re-establish a sense of control.
Organise your photographs, do your taxes, and other small projects pending at home.
Have a positive attitude to those helping you around the house with chores and jobs.
Drinking enough water keeps you free from constipation and inflammation.
Checklist of Any Item You May Need
Keep a checklist of items you might require within arms’ reach:
Water and snacks like fruits, veggies and nuts.
Mobile phone and laptop to keep in touch with people.
Stationery like pens and paper.
Grooming items like combs, brushes, nail cutters, and mirrors.
Books, magazines and newspapers to keep yourself entertained.
The best advice you can get during your pregnancy is to keep calm, however hard it might seem. Never forget that you are taking all these extra precautions and steps for your and your baby’s safety, even though it might not be enjoyable to you. The more you relax and take it slow, the higher your chance of having a healthy baby.
Also Read:
How to Deal with Restless Leg Syndrome during Pregnancy
Lower Back Pain during Pregnancy
Climbing Stairs during Pregnancy Read more
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Brain Development in Premature Babies - Before and After Birth
Babies born before the 37th week are termed as premature. This may lead to many health and developmental issues in babies. The brain, in most preemies, is badly affected leading to learning and intellectual disorders. It may also cause communication problems, behavioural problems like ADHD and also neurological problems like cerebral palsy.
Preemie Baby Development
The moment a baby is conceived, her brain starts developing. If born after the 37th week, she will be born with a developed brain of more than 100 neurons. However, if a baby is born way before the due date, her brain will not be developed enough and as such she may be born with several health problems as well as disabilities.
1. Inside the Womb
The brain develops rapidly inside the womb. Within the 3rd week of gestation, three parts of the brain are formed. By the end of the first month, the brain starts functioning. In the second trimester, the brain connects to all parts of the body. In the third trimester, brain growth, as well as the head growth, is the most rapid. However, since preemies are born before this crucial phase, their brain is not developed properly.
2. Outside the Womb
Since preterm brain development is compromised, preemies suffer from health hazards as well as neurological problems and brain damage which may lead to several disabilities. The baby’s brain continues in its developing process even after birth. However, a full term baby’s brain which develops in the dark, inside the mother’s womb with closed eyelids, hardly any audible sounds floating in the amniotic liquid. Whereas a preemies’ brain gets stimulated by the various sounds, touch, sights and senses while it is developing. This is not good for the brain.
What are the Effects of Premature Birth on Brain Development?
Brain damage in premature babies can lead to severe and lifelong intellectual, behavioural as well as developmental disabilities. Since a preemie is born with an underdeveloped brain, the brain fails to work as it should in a normal set up. Blood vessels in the brain develop and become strong only after the 32nd week. Therefore there may be brain bleeds in premature babies born before this period. In such a situation, the baby may face certain challenges like –
They may not be able to grow physically as normally as other children
They may face learning disabilities
They may suffer from speech disorders and as such communicating with others could be a problem.
They may suffer from behavioural problems like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Moving around may become a problem if they are physically disabled due to Cerebral palsy in which the brain, the spinal cord and nerves get affected
FAQs
Listed below are some frequently asked questions on brain development in preterm babies.
1. Can Breastfeeding Boost Brain Development in Premature Babies?
Breast milk is certainly one of the best can give to her newborn. A mother’s milk has several nutrients that boost a baby’s immunity. Also, it has been observed that the brain of the preemies who have been breastfed develop faster instead of those who have been given formula milk.
2. Do All The Difficulties and Problems in Premature Births Arise Right After Birth?
No. Some problems and difficulties as a result of brain damage due to premature birth may arise even during childhood and even as late as adulthood.
It is imperative for mothers-to-be to avoid preterm labour by being careful with their diet and to consult their gynaecologist immediately in case they sense any problems during pregnancy. A little caution can help in giving birth to a healthy and full-term baby.
Also Read:
Corrected Age for Premature Babies
Effective Tips for Bottle Feeding Premature Infants
How to Wean a Premature Baby Read more
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A note to working mum's: The journey of impossible to possible
9 months of my magnificent motherhood came to an end and so did my maternity break at office.
Reminiscing the transition from a happy-go-lucky woman to a responsible mum, progressing through the phases of c-section delivery, intense breastfeeding, sleepless nights, emotional outbreaks, weight gain stress, the journey had been reviving though it felt like a fish out of water oftentimes.
During the break, I always pondered over the thought of rejoining to work and weighed the pros and cons of being a working mum and a stay-at-home mum. Every time I would experience cognitive dissonance – the state of having contradictory thoughts and I would end up being in two minds.
Once and for all, I decided to resume work; for I couldn’t cherry-pick something without knowing what it was and how it would feel. After all, it was a work from home job and my baby would be at my close range.
The initial days of being a working mum were a cakewalk. But as the real work pitched in, it became a tough row to hoe alongside motherhood responsibilities.
I had an insecurity of my job skills having taken a long break in career. I was too careful to let my seniors pity/blame me. I committed to deliver work in stringent timelines in an attempt to prove that my motherhood hasn't affected my capabilities. I exaggerated my tiny mistakes and eventually deemed myself incapable at work.
Casting light on my motherhood side, I was stumbling badly clueless of ways to balance my duties. Skipping out on few motherly tasks had become a new norm. Motherly guilt soared up high and I deemed myself 'failure-as-a-mum'.
Life always teaches us the most valuable lessons in the hardest way. As time went by, I made peace with my motherly guilt and my career. To all working mum's out there, here's what I have to tell you:
Out of office for months together doesn't mean you can't cope up with the current pace. Do away with your unrevealed insecurity!
At work, commit to only what is possible. If people blame you citing your motherhood as a reason, care not!
If you have an option, choose a lighter workload. You still can roar your skills one day!
It's ok to make mistakes at work and home; for to err is human!
Get rid of your motherly guilt. Even if you are a stay-at-home mum, you will still have your own chores to do and so is your job!
Take sufficient breaks personally and professionally to revive your inner spirit. Ultimately, only if you are doing good, you can take care of everyone and everything! Read more
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
9 hours ago
A. hello dear this is not about which is better this is all about your body and the condition of the baby no doubt the normal procedure is the painful but side effect are not there but after C6 you have to be little more careful and you have to take more precaution but again I am saying that this is not about the better one this is about the condition of your pregnancy
Santu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
1) till how many days after delivery baby needs to keep on uterus temperatures/warm temperature?
2) Can baby & mother both take bath after 24 hours of delivery?
Santu
Mom of 2 children
7 hours ago
A. It depends on moms and babys health I feel and suggest It's better to check with your doctor and follow their advise. That would be one of the best and safest option for your baby as of now. Take care.
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. dual marker test is for what purpose??
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
6 hours ago
A. The double marker test helps determine whether the unborn baby has any risk of developing neurological abnormalities or mental disorders
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Mom of a 7 m old child
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts
How to cure constipation in Babies
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. Constipation in Babies less than 1 year is very common and more in formula fed babies and also when initially the semi solid food has been started after 6 months .
you can give bonnisan drops and some enzyme preparations in proper dose suggested by doctor angyd cow's milk should be avoided before 1 year of age . Medications are required but it shobuld be given only in medical supervision .
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. Hello, I'm a hypothyroidism patients consumes 25mg tab,
can I take apple cider vinegar?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. I don’t think so ACv is going to be a problem but it would be better that you check with your doctor because Apple cider vinegar has couple of side-effects also also which a lot of people are not aware about so do not take it without your doctors advice and consent
Anitha S has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
58 mins ago
Q. #asktheexperts can i go for long trips with my 7 months old baby
Anitha S
Mom of a 7 m old boy
28 mins ago
A. if you want you may go by taking all the necessary things for baby but see through that your baby doesn't feel any discomfort
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