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Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting during Pregnancy
When the reason behind vaginal bleeding or spotting isn’t clear, it is always a reason for worry. This may turn to serious concerns when you are pregnant and experience spotting. However, the best way to get through this is to educate yourself about the causes, consequences, and remedies of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
Video: Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting During Pregnancy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJVH6YKVO-c
Is Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting Normal?
Light spotting or bleeding is common during pregnancy. It usually happens during the early stages (1st trimester). Around 20% women experience spotting or bleeding. Although it is normal to experience spotting or vaginal bleeding you should always consult your doctor if it happens.
It is a good idea to undergo some tests and ultrasound to ensure that the baby is fine and to rule out any complications.
Difference Between Spotting and Vaginal Bleeding
The answer to what is bleeding and spotting in pregnancy is in the colour and quantity of blood. If the blood stain is somewhat brown like what you see at the end of periods it is spotting and if it is red in color then it is bleeding. The amount of blood is also a differentiator, spotting does not soak the sanitary pad, bleeding does.
What are the Causes of Spotting
There are few reasons that could cause spotting
1. In the 1st trimester
Implantation bleeding - This bleeding happens during the earliest part of pregnancy. The implantation of the embryo in the wall of the uterus causes spotting. It usually occurs sometime before (or around the same time) as your periods or approximately at about 6 to 12 days after pregnancy. Spotting is lighter (light pink to brown colored) than the periods and lasts for a few days.
2. In the 3rd trimester
Spotting in the 3rd trimester occurs when you lose your mucus plug.
Sexual intercourse or internal pelvic exam - Pregnancy causes the cervix to become tender and swell with blood vessels and any minor bumping (sex or internal exam) may irritate the cervix causing it to bleed. This type of bleeding happens anytime during pregnancy and mostly does not indicate any problem.
Vaginal infection (bacterial vaginosis) or cervix - If you have a vaginal infection, your cervix is inflamed during this time and thus, you might experience little spotting.
Subchorionic bleed - Accumulation of blood in the folds of the outer fetal membrane next to placenta or between the uterus and placenta can cause spotting. It usually resolves on its own.
Causes of Vaginal Bleeding
Heavy bleeding during pregnancy is not a benign sign because it can be accompanied by some other complications. Here are few reasons for bleeding during pregnancy
1. In the 1st Trimester
Ectopic pregnancy is where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. This requires immediate medical attention. Ectopic pregnancy may cause heavier bleeding with severe abdominal pain sometimes with rectal pressure, light-headedness, fainting.
Molar pregnancy is a rare condition. In this, the placenta becomes a mass of cysts accompanied with a deformed embryo. This will cause bleeding (bright red to dark brown) and you will experience severe nausea, vomiting, and cramps.
Miscarriage (loss of pregnancy before the 20th week) is often caused due to a chromosomal or genetic disorder of the embryo. It can be caused by hormonal factors too. In this, there is heavy vaginal bleeding with clotting similar to having a period. This may be accompanied with severe cramping in the abdominal area.
Other reasons
Your cervix may be irritated.
There is a chance that you have fibroids.
You may have an inherited disorder known as Von Willebrand Disease, which makes clotting of blood difficult.
If you have a miscarriage it does not predict that you are unfit to carry a healthy baby to term later. According to research, 40% pregnancies end in miscarriage.
2. In Late Pregnancy
The most common reason for bleeding in late pregnancy is a problem with the placenta. In some cases, it might also be due to some abnormality in the cervix.
Placenta previa - The placenta connects the baby to the uterine wall. It can cover the cervical opening partially or completely. Bleeding because of this is called placenta previa. During later stages of pregnancy, the walls of the cervix are dilated preparing for labor. Some of the placental blood vessels get ruptured. This is the cause of vaginal bleeding in the 3rd trimester 20% of the times. Risk of placenta previa is high when –
There have been multiple pregnancies
Prior C-Section delivery
Prior placenta previa
Placental abruption - In this medical condition the placenta is separated from the wall of the uterus and blood fills up between the placenta and uterus. This condition occurs in 1 out of 200 pregnancies. The cause for this is unknown. Risk of this condition occurs when -
Blood pressure is high (140/90 or more)
Trauma
Use of cocaine or tobacco
Abruption in prior pregnancies
Uterine rupture: This is a rare condition, but is very dangerous. In this, the uterus splits open which causes the baby to be expelled into the abdomen. It occurs mostly in women who have had a uterine rupture or prior surgery of the uterus. The rupture could happen either before or during delivery. Other risk factors for uterine rupture are:
More than four pregnancies
Trauma
Excessive use of oxytocin(Pitocin)
When the baby is in any position other than head down
When the baby's shoulder gets stuck on the pubic bone during labor
Fetal vessel rupture: The blood vessels from the umbilical cord can get attached to the membranes in place of the placenta. The baby’s blood vessels are passed on to the entrance of the birth canal. This condition called vasa previa.
Some of the lesser common causes of bleeding during late pregnancy are injuries in the cervix, cancer and varicose veins.
What Should You Do when You Notice Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting?
About 50% of women who have bleeding during pregnancy have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. When you notice spotting or vaginal bleeding you should consult your doctor immediately to discuss the symptoms. If the bleeding is heavy, similar to bleeding during periods then you should make sure that there is no other complication. Heavy bleeding during the later part of pregnancy may cause harm to the baby.
Diagnosis
A woman who has vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should be examined thoroughly and promptly. Certain causes for bleeding like ectopic pregnancy can lead to haemorrhagic shock. Haemorrhagic shock occurs when you lose more than 20% of the blood from your body. The loss of blood makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood into the body leading to organ failure. Your doctor may conduct -
A thorough check of the vital signs for fever and signs of hypovolemia.
Pelvic and abdominal examinations. Doppler ultrasound probe to check on the fetal heartbeats. Pelvic examination would include an inspection of external genitals, speculum examination, and bimanual examination. An inspection of the cervix should be done to check for discharge, dilation lesions.
Treatment
Treatment for vaginal bleeding and spotting differs on the basis of the duration of pregnancy.
Treatments in the first Trimester
If you have been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy by ultrasound, you may be given medication(Methotrexate) or taken into surgery. Surgery is conducted for women who do not meet certain criteria for receiving treatment with methotrexate, and for those who are too sick to wait for the methotrexate to work.
If you are diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage, your doctor will give you instructions on how to carry out precautions and return for follow up check-ups.
If there has been an incomplete abortion then you will have to be admitted to the hospital to remove the fetal tissue that has been left behind. This process is known as dilation and curettage and prevents complications such as hemorrhage or infection.
If there has been a missed abortion, you may be admitted to the hospital for a D&C or monitored at home so that the tissue is passed without surgery. This depends on the age and size of the fetus.
If there has been complete abortion you may be sent home after the fetal tissue has completely passed out.
In the case of molar pregnancy, an immediate D&C is necessary along with obtaining a check for B-hCG level to check for chronic carcinoma, a type of cancer.
Treatments in Second and Third Trimester
In the case of bleeding during late pregnancy, monitoring for loss of blood and signs of shock should be done. Your baby will be monitored for signs of distress. Treatment will depend on bleeding, condition and the baby’s age.
A) Placenta Previa
C-section delivery is the preferred method if you and your baby are in danger of severe bleeding.
If you have contractions then you may be given IV medicine to slow or stop them.
If your pregnancy is less than 36 weeks and bleeding is not that severe, you will be admitted to the hospital for observation. If your pregnancy is more than 36 weeks then the doctor will monitor the baby’s lungs to check if they are mature. If they are mature then you may go in for C-section.
In this case, all deliveries will be C-section deliveries.
B) Placental Abruption
Vaginal delivery is always the preferred delivery method.
C-section will be done only in case of emergency.
If the baby is more than 36 weeks then you will have a controlled vaginal delivery. IV medication is prescribed to help contractions.
If your pregnancy is less than 36 weeks and bleeding is not that severe, you will be admitted to the hospital for observation. The baby’s heart rate will be monitored and blood checked for anemia.
C) Uterine Rupture
If there is a high chance of the uterus rupturing, you will have to undergo a C-section delivery.
Chances are that your uterus may be removed.
The doctors may be able to repair the uterus if your condition is stable.
If there is a high suspicion of rupture of the uterus, you will have an immediate C-section delivery.
A lot of blood transfusion is required.
Fetal bleeding is treated by performing an immediate C-section delivery.
Prevention
There are few things you can do to prevent bleeding and spotting in pregnancy:
Getting plenty of bed rest until the bleeding stops.
While you are bleeding use pads and not tampons.
Avoid sex while you are bleeding.
Light medication like paracetamol to relieve you from the pain if required.
Report any changes in your condition to your doctor immediately.
If the bleeding and cramping are severe then you should drink only fluids.
Do light physical activities like a walk around the house or do light chores.
Keep your feet at an elevated level whenever possible
Avoid lifting items that weigh more than 10 pounds
Will It Harm Your Baby?
Spotting or light bleeding is generally harmless. Hence your baby is likely to be fine. Many pregnancies complete term despite bleeding problems.
Although bleeding and spotting are generally harmless, it can be a sign of miscarriage when accompanied with stomach cramps and if the bleeding is getting heavier. The spotting or bleeding usually tends to stops on its own. However, it is advised that you consult your doctor if bleeding occurs. Read more
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Your 6 Week Old Baby - Development, Milestones & Care
Every mother feels like one only when the baby seems to accept that fact as well. And this is one of the stages when that can happen. At the 6 week mark, your baby has spent a good amount of time with you and has become accustomed to you. There’s a lot more that has gone on internally and his growth has been a lot more than before.
Your 6 Week Old Baby Development
With the passing weeks, your 6 week old baby growth spurt will be more evident now. He will be able to distinguish you from other people and form a bond of trust at the sight of your face or on hearing your sound. This is also the time when there is a higher chance of your baby actually recognizing you and smiling on seeing you. Even if that doesn’t happen, it should happen in a couple of weeks following this. Your baby will prefer to spend more time with you and make a lot of cooing sounds and noises on noticing that it is you near them.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Development]
Six Week Old Baby Milestones
By this stage, it is important to schedule a full checkup of the baby with your doctor. As the growth preceding this time duration has been tremendous, the 6 week old baby weight gain can be somewhere around a half to a full kilogram from the last time you checked. Your doctor will double-check that and ensure that the weight gain is healthy and on track. All the important joins of the body such as the legs, hips, and even the spine will be examined and heartbeat would be observed. Your doctor might ask you certain questions about the daily schedules and how certain problems are being handled. On similar lines, it is also necessary that you, as a mother, get a checkup done for yourself, too.
This stage is important since by now, the hearing capabilities of your baby would have developed completely. He will be able to perceive a lot more sounds than earlier and understand the nuances between various tones as well. You can start playing music for your child as well, something that is light and happy and calming, nothing loud or extreme. Later, you could hum back this music to your child and watch him listen intently or coo in admiration.
The facial expressions and communication start reaching new heights as your baby starts to learn how to smile and begins to use his facial muscles to make other expressions. The faces your baby makes during this stage range from adorable to hilarious. He might flutter his lips, look at you with an expression of surprise, or reflexively raise one eyebrow at a time, leading to some epic moments.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Milestones]
Feeding
Around this stage, a 6 weeks old baby's feeding amount undergoes a slight change. Their demands to be fed are not as frequent as before and there is a fair chance of the feeding sessions to be spread out through the day. There might a semblance of a schedule set in. Your baby might also discover that you have more than one breast, and then want to feed on the other one. This could happen even in the middle of the feed, where he suddenly goes for the other breast to continue feeding. If his hunger has increased, he could want more milk than usual and go for the other breast because of it.
For bottle-fed babies, you will notice that the formula tends to get over sooner than usual since their demand for food would have increased. At times, your child might feed slightly more than has been mentioned on the pack, or slightly less, too. That is completely fine as long as the weight gain is on track.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Food]
Sleeping
Another thing that undergoes a chance is the amount of sleep. For a 6 week old baby sleep patterns are massively different from what was before. Earlier, when your baby would sleep undisturbed for long hours, he might wake up within half an hour or so and either want to be fed, or play around. Though this might be natural, it is important to put your baby back to sleep since they need a specific amount of hours of sleep every day.
Making them used to be nursed or rocked prior to sleep could become a habit and lead them to not sleep immediately after feeding. Try inculcating the habit of sleeping in them by simply laying them down in their cradle.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Sleeping]
Behaviour
As your baby grows drastically through the week, you might need to get new clothes for him since he’ll soon outgrow them. Some babies tend to grow more weight or less weight than others, so don’t make it a comparative exercise. As long as the weight gain falls within the healthy range, your baby is fine.
If your baby sees you now, there is a good chance he starts recognising you and shows you that with a smile. Even simple smiles can convey a lot between the both of you and help build a strong bond.
Crying
The awake times of babies around this stage seem to increase. This could, at times, lead them to cry if they are bored or they don’t get enough sleep. If a 6 week old baby sleep schedule gets disturbed, they could have trouble falling asleep again, leading them to be irritated and upset.
At times, the stimulation of toys and people could get overbearing for them. Or being by themselves for long hours could cause them to vent their frustration by crying out aloud. During such times, trying to feed them or playing around with them may not calm them down and they will continue crying. Taking your child in your arms and walking around with him, distracting him with other conversations, and cuddling him, could calm him soon and put him to sleep or stop his crying.
At times, extreme hunger or pain could also cause him to be upset and cry a lot. Figuring out the reason behind your child’s wailing can be quite a task. It is only through multiple incidents that you can start getting a hang of it and make them feel better.
6 Week Old Baby Care Tips
Feed your baby appropriately by taking into account reduced feeding if breastfed, and increased feeding if primarily bottle-fed.
Make sure your baby gets enough sleep even with the intermittent sleep cycles, and make sure to put him back to sleep if he does wake up.
Unless your baby’s crying is too loud, frequent, and lasts long, you don’t need to worry about it and can simply soothe the baby by cuddling him.
Ensure proper hygiene at all times.
With a better hearing power, listen to light music at certain times of the day and let your baby revel in it.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Care]
Tests and Vaccinations
Around the 6 week mark, two major vaccinations are scheduled to take place.
The first is the triple vaccine DPT, or diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccine. This vaccination is instrumental in preventing a number of illnesses of the respiration system from occurring, including a whooping cough. The first tetanus shot is also given at this stage.
The second vaccine is the IPV polio vaccine. As a result of both the vaccines, your child might have a very light fever and even some pain and swelling in the area where the vaccine has been applied.
Games and Activities
Your baby is still too young to form words by himself. However, his visual powers have grown and he can start attempting to remember items or make similar sounds. This is where all the pamphlets that come with newspapers or old boxes of cereals or formulas even, can be quite helpful. Old comics with large pictures are great to be introduced, too. Show your child the images or colours and say their name loud and clear. Try and take simple words like “blue” or “yellow” and see if your child tries to make similar sounds by cooing or grunting. You can hang tiny objects of animals over his cradle as well.
He might also be able to stay on the tummy for a little longer than usual. You can make the best use of it by lying him down on a small sheet on the bed. As he lifts his head or tries to use his arms, gently pull the sheet towards you. This will give him an illusion of movement and make him understand that behaving in such a manner can help him move.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Games and Activities]
Consult a Doctor If
If there are signs of 6 week old baby fussy or upset, there is a chance he might be suffering from some illness.
Check his temperature. If it is more than 100.5 or so, let your doctor know about it. Do not try to administer any medication by yourself since that could be quite risky. At the same time, if your baby has reduced appetite by quite a large amount, doesn’t feel like feeding, is lethargic and generally unhappy, it is important to get him properly examined by a doctor for any serious conditions.
With nearly a month and a half spent with your baby, your bond with him will start getting stronger day by day. As your communications increase and your schedules start falling into place, you will start finding some time for yourself as well as let your child have a safe environment around him, too.
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15 Number Recognition Activities for Preschool Kids
As a parent or a pre-school teacher, one of the most important skills that you would want to impart to preschool kids is to make them understand numbers and how to count. Learning numbers for toddlers can be a fun activity using games rather than something that is taught by means of rote learning.
15 Number Counting Activities and Games for Kindergarten Children
Here are some fun and engaging number games for preschoolers that can be easily played and does a great work at making kids grasp numbers.
1. Connect the Dots
Connect the dots is one of the most fun and fastest ways of helping toddlers understand how numbers are sequenced. Connect the dots is an interesting puzzle where kids can connect dots which are numbered in ascending fashion (dot numbered 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and so on). Once completed, the dots create a picture which kids can colour later.
What you need:
You can get connect the dots puzzles in daily newspapers. There is also an option of downloading existing templates from the internet and getting them printed or you can make your own puzzle using some pen and paper.
How to do:
Mark the dots with the numbers marked over them sequentially, which forms an outline of a simple shape or a closed figure when completed. Ask the kid to connect the dots using a pencil starting sequentially from the dot numbered 1 and moving ahead to bigger numbers to complete the figure using lines to join the dots between two numbers.
2. Painting Using Numbers
In this fun and informative game, preschoolers are made to colour according to colour schemes that are coded with fixed numbers. Children are supposed to colour the picture according to the colouring code that they receive with the sketch. This game not only teaches the child to understand numbers but also to associate them with a specific colour.
What you need:
You can easily get online templates for colouring which can be directly printed out to use for this activity. You can also create your own sketches by creating a colour code using a sheet of paper, a black sketch pen, or a marker, and a box of colouring pens, pencils or crayons.
How to do:
Make your own sketch with colouring scheme made on top as to what number should be coloured with which colour. Add numbers accordingly to the sketch that you made. Ask the kid to paint the sketch according to the colours corresponding to the numbers in the figure. This activity not only helps the child with understanding numerals but also in relating to corresponding colours.
3. Abacus
An abacus is an educational toy that has been in use for thousands of years and was a predecessor to out modern-day calculator for counting things. It consists of movable beads on wires fixed to a stationary wooden or bamboo frame. An abacus can be used for learning higher arithmetic operations and it also strengthens the child’s counting skills.
What you need:
An abacus can be bought online or picked up at any educational or recreational toy store.
How to use it:
Ask the child to count the number of things in the house, like windows or chairs by recording it on the abacus. The child can do this by moving the number of beads on the abacus corresponding to the number of things being counted in the exercise. This strengthens a child's number recognition ability and improves his counting skills.
4. Number Treasure Hunt
Children love treasure hunts! This is one of those number games for children that satiates their inquisitive and adventurous spirit and helps them learn as well. Creating a treasure hunt with numbers, where the kids have to collect numbers by exploring different places ensures that the children recognize numbers and do it in an engaging and enjoyable way.
What you need:
You will need sheets of paper that can be cut into small cards, a pair of scissors, a double-sided tape, a pen or pencil, a marker and a place to carry out the treasure hunt.
How to do:
You can cut the sheets of paper into smaller cards, on which numbers need to be written down and stuck in different places at the location where the activity is being carried out. Ask the child to explore the place and find as many numbers as possible in the time allotted.
5.Tracing Numbers Using Terracotta
This activity focuses on using the clay to trace numbers on paper. This is educational as well as recreational for the children. They learn how to write numbers, apart from reading and recognizing numbers in a fun and easy way.
What you need:
A standard packet of play dough or clay, sheets of paper, and a pencil or pen.
How to do:
Trace the outline of the numbers on the sheets of paper. Now hand out the sheets of paper to the children along with instructions to fill the outlines with clay and recite the number that was traced along with the activity.
6. Counting Cars of Different Colours
A road-trip is incomplete without car games, be it I-spy or just singing songs. Make your road-trip with children fun and informative with counting game. The objective of the game is to count the number of cars of a specific colour that you pass by.
What you need:
All you need is time and will to play the game during the journey.
How to do:
You can do this activity by choosing an uncommon colour for cars, like green or sky blue, or red. Then you can tell the child to keep his eyes out on the road for counting the number of cars of the same colour you pass by. This activity will boost colour as well as number recognition in your child and prepare him well for preschool.
7. Maze of Numbers
Create a puzzle in the form of a maze of numbers. It will help children in understanding the sequence of progression of numbers effectively. While doing this activity, children can start from the point numbered as 1 and keep following the numbers in sequence to complete the maze.
What you need:
A place to create the maze, some sheets of paper and a marker.
How to do:
Mark the different checkpoints in the maze with numbers starting from 1. Ask the kid to start at point number 1 and move ahead in sequence to reach the end of the maze by sticking to the sequence. This helps the child understand the sequence of numbers and effectively comprehend and apply it in a real-life situation.
8. Counting Using Styrofoam Cups
This activity can be carried out using multiple styrofoam cups wherein the kids can be asked to count and sort different varieties of products. This activity can improve a child’s counting as well as shape recognition and sorting skills.
What you need:
4 to 5 Styrofoam cups and different items like toffees, erasers, blocks and marbles in different quantities. You would also need a pen or a sketch pen to mark the cups as well.
How to do:
Mark the cups starting from 1 to 5. Arrange items in quantity as per to the numbers on the cups, for example, 1 toffee, 2 blocks, 3 erasers, 4 marbles and so on. Give the mixture to the child and ask them to sort the different items first. Then ask them to count the different items separately and drop them in the styrofoam cups with the numbers as per the quantity of the respective item. This is one of the most powerful counting activities for preschoolers as it teaches them to count and recognize the number corresponding to the counted quantity, apart from also teaching them effective sorting skills.
9. Counting Dice
Dice are very simple toys used in board games for children. A die has six faces, each with a different number of dots from 1 to 6. Dice can be used as powerful educational tools to teach kids how to count and recognize numbers effectively.
What you need:
You can carry out this activity with children using just a pair of dice.
How to do:
Roll a pair of dice on a table with kids and ask them to count the number of dots on both the dice separately and cumulatively to make the child adept at counting and adding numbers.
10. Matching Playing Cards
This is a fun exercise where you can ask kids to match the face value of one card with the face value of another card. This can help the child in relating and equating same numbers by counting as well as by understanding the way of writing the numerals.
What you need:
You can carry out this activity with a standard deck of playing cards.
How to do:
Ask the child to pick a card from the deck (make sure that it is a number card and not a face card). Next, you can ask her or him to find the cards equal in face value to the card selected by the child. You can repeat the same with other numerals.
11. Counting Flower Petals
This activity makes the kids go out into nature and enjoy its beauty in addition to teaching them how to count effectively in a fun manner.
What you need:
A flower with many petals.
How to do:
Take the children to a nice blossoming garden with multiple blooming flower beds. Ask them to collect a specific number of flowers. Once they collect the number of flowers allotted to them, ask them to count the total number of petals on the flowers they have collected.
12. Making Number Tower using Numeral Blocks
This exercise involves forming a tower of numerals using blocks with numbers on them in ascending order.
What you need:
You need a toy with blocks having numerals printed on them from 1 to 9.
How to do:
This exercise involves guiding the kids to build a tower made of blocks with numerals printed on each one of them. This helps the children to understand number sequencing and recognizing numerals through a classic method.
13. Chores List using Dominoes
This can be an interesting activity in kindergarten, wherein the children are asked to pick up a domino and asked to count the number of dots on it and list down chores equal to the number of dots selected for the day.
What you need:
A set of dominoes, a sheet of paper, and a pencil.
How to do:
Get a set of dominoes and ask the children to pick a domino. Next, ask them to count the number of dots on the selected domino. Once they successfully count the number of dots, ask them to list down the chores for the day on the sheet of paper, equal to the number of dots counted on the domino and complete them throughout the day. This activity imbibes basic planning skills in addition to counting skills in a preschooler’s mind.
14. Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a fun game which has squares which are numbered in ascending order and the kids playing it hop one-legged to the square on which they are supposed to land. This can be a fun way to make the kids understand numbers as well as promote outdoor activity.
What you need:
This exercise would require a space to make the hopscotch tiles and a chalk to mark the squares.
How to play:
Make the hopscotch tiles according to the usual standards with numbers marked in the ascending order on them. Call out a number and ask the kids to jump to reach the square with the number called out to them. In this way, the children learn to recognize numerals along with getting an enjoyable playing session.
15. Bowling with Numbered Plastic Bottles
This is an interesting and extremely fun activity with plastic bottles which are numbered from 1 to 10 arranged in the form of bowling pins. Kids can bowl the pins over with a softball and count the pins accordingly.
What you need:
10 empty plastic bottles, a softball, a permanent marker, a whiteboard marker, and a whiteboard.
How to do:
Mark the empty plastic bottles with numbers from 1 to 10 using the permanent marker. Arrange them in a formation similar to bowling pins. Ask the child to bowl with the softball on the marked plastic bottles. After bowling, ask the child to count and record the number of bottles that are up and the number of bottles that are down.
These were a few of the fun activities that can be carried out to creatively engage preschoolers and make them learn about numbers and reinforce number recognition in their impressionable minds.
Also Read: 15 Fun Learning Activities for Kids Read more
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Ultrasound Scan and Fertility
Ultrasound scans are very essential for the assessment of fertility in women, who face difficulty in conceiving naturally. It helps a doctor diagnose possible causes for infertility such as evaluating the ovaries, endometrium, uterus, and the fallopian tubes. Based on the diagnosis, the doctor recommends a suitable fertility treatment.
What is the Use of Ultrasound Scan for Fertility?
An ultrasound probe emits high-frequency sound waves, which bounces off the organs and tissues in the body and reflect on the probe. When attached to a computer, these reflections are reconstructed into images on the monitor. A doctor uses the ultrasound for fertility testing and assesses reproductive organs and the pelvic areas to rule out any possible pathological or structural reasons of infertility, described as follows.
1. Ovaries
If you are facing difficulty in conceiving, your doctor will examine your ovaries, their shape and size, and check for the occurrence of any normal or abnormal cysts. Presence of numerous small cysts, appearing like a pearl necklace can indicate the possibility of a polycystic ovarian syndrome, whereas, a larger endometrioma cyst can mean endometriosis.
2. Antral Follicles
Antral follicles measure between 2 and 10 mm in diameter and consist of a fluid-filled cavity known as antrum. These follicles become visible through a transvaginal ultrasound on day 2, 3, or 5 of your cycle. Measuring the antral follicle count helps in:
Evaluating ovarian reserve.
Diagnosing the primary ovarian insufficiency.
Determining your fertility potential with respect to your age (a low count indicates poor reserve and high count may indicate PCOS).
3. The Uterus
The technician takes note of the shape, size, and the position of your uterus. He may look for possible indications of uterine masses such as polyps, fibroids or adenomyosis in the uterus using a hysteroscopy or sonohysterogram, if required.
4. Endometrium Thickness
The doctor will also keep a check on the endometrium, the uterine lining as your menstrual cycle progresses. He will examine whether the lining at a stage is as thick as it should be.
5. Fallopian Tubes
Your doctor can see the fallopian tubes through 2D scan only if it is filled with fluid or is swollen. He may use an HSG test or HyCoSy to check if your fallopian tubes are clear or blocked, and the condition hydrosalpinx.
6. Adhesions
Adhesions can occur as a result of prior pelvic infection or endometriosis, and they block the free motion of the reproductive organs. It can be diagnosed by gentle pressing of the transvaginal probe on the ovaries, to see how they move in the pelvic cavity and whether they adhere to each other.
7. Blood Flow to Reproductive Organs
Using a colour Doppler scan, the doctor evaluates the blood flow around a mass or cyst. It is beneficial in distinguishing between a healthy cyst, an ovarian tumour, or an endometrial cyst.
8. Conception Check
An early pregnancy scan after you have been tested positive can help rule out the risk for ectopic pregnancy or a blighted ovum. It can also help detect the foetal heartbeat indicating an ongoing pregnancy.
Types of Ultrasound Scan for Infertility
Ultrasound scans play a significant role in investigating complex issues concerning the fertility of a woman. The type of ultrasound performed depends on the stage of your pregnancy or fertility treatment at a given moment. For women in their mid to late pregnancies, abdominal ultrasounds are more common, whereas, for women undergoing fertility testing or infertility treatment, a majority of the scans are carried out are transvaginal. The different kinds of ultrasound scans are described in brief as follows.
1. Abdominal Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound is the most commonly performed scan to monitor a woman's pregnancy. In this scan, you will be asked to keep your bladder full for the procedure. The full bladder pushes the intestines away a bit, so the image appears clear. In an abdominal scan, a gel will be applied over your abdomen, which will make it smooth and easy for the ultrasound probe to be slid over your skin.
2. Transvaginal Ultrasound
In this case, the ultrasound is performed vaginally so that the doctor can assess the reproductive organs more closely. Here the transducer is shaped in the form of a slender and long wand. A condom is pulled over the wand, and a lubricating gel is applied on the tip before placing it inside the vagina, right before the cervix.
3. Antral Follicle Count
This test is performed through the transvaginal ultrasound device and requires specialization by the technician. It helps in determining your ovarian reserve and diagnosing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
4. 3D Ultrasound
The ultrasound scans usually produce 2D images, but with the help of advanced technologies, it is possible to generate three-dimensional images. It helps detect the problems in fallopian tubes and uterine abnormalities which are not easily visible in two-dimensional ultrasound scans.
5. Sonohysterogram
In this scan, the doctor transfers a saline solution through a catheter into the uterus. As the saline fills the uterus, it gets easier to visualize the shape of the uterus and check for any existing adhesions within the uterus.
6. Hysterosalpingo - Contrast Sonography (HyCoSy)
Here the doctor sends a mixture of dye or saline along with air bubbles, via a catheter, through the fallopian tubes, to determine if the tubes are open or blocked. The test was earlier done by hysterosalpingogram (HSG), a special x-ray. But HyCoSy is preferred over HSG because:
There is less discomfort as compared to HSG.
No exposure to iodine or radiation.
Can be performed simultaneously with an ultrasound scan.
What Can an Ultrasound Not Diagnose?
A basic ultrasound for fertility check often falls short of diagnosing certain serious issues. Some of them are listed as follows.
1. Blocked Fallopian Tubes
The doctor can examine the fallopian tubes only through the help of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy). However, a basic ultrasound scan won't be able to diagnose the fallopian tubes.
2. Endometriosis
An ultrasound may indicate severe cases of endometriosis. It is recommended to use the laparoscopic surgery to detect moderate and less severe cases of endometriosis.
3. Uterine Abnormalities
Certain uterine abnormalities are unlikely to be diagnosed through a simple ultrasound scan. You require hysteroscopy or a sonohysterogram for complete uterus evaluation.
Ultrasound Scan during Infertility Treatment
Ultrasound scans prove vital for infertility treatment, as the doctor can examine the pelvic organs, to check for the growth of ovarian follicles, intrafollicular structures, and endometrial changes during the menstrual cycles. Using ultrasound for infertility problems become more frequent in case of hormone-stimulated cycles as they are required to be performed during ovulation, induction, and at later dates.
1. Baseline Ultrasound Scan
Your doctor may call you to schedule blood work and ultrasound within the first few days of your menstrual cycle. It is the baseline pelvic ultrasound for fertility, which is done to check for the presence of any unusual cysts on the ovaries to determine if fertility drugs could be started for the cycle or should be delayed till the next one.
2. Follicle Growth
You shall be required to frequently visit the clinic for ultrasound scans for follicle monitoring. The fertility medications prescribed to you largely depend on the follicle growth. Based on your treatment and number of mature follicles, you may be scheduled an egg-retrieval, or the cycle may be cancelled if the number is huge.
3. Endometrial Thickness
It is very important to check the uterine endometrial changes during your treatment cycle. The technician will also check for your endometrial thickness because after checking your endometrial thickness, the doctor will be able to alter your medication dosages to ensure a successful cycle.
4. Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
Apart from monitoring purposes, ultrasound is also used to guide some of the treatment, which includes embryo transfer and egg retrieval for IVF where a needle is used to retrieve eggs from the ovaries.
Ultrasound scans play a very important role in your fertility treatment. These scans are performed to monitor your ovulation, thickness, and pattern of the uterine lining, and perform diagnosis for conditions like endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy or presence of pelvic masses. These scans are important to perform as they can ensure a successful pregnancy.
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Does Consuming Antidepressants Affect Fertility Read more
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Aishwarya Rai Reveals The Secret Of Her Relationship With Abhishek and Aaradhya
Life is that intangible thing that changes in a matter of moments. Today, we are in our childhood home, relishing moments with Mom and Dad, and tomorrow, we have a little person to call us Mamma! We battle with problems, people, situations…but it is our loved ones who keep us going. Bollywood Mom Aishwarya Rai has also had her fair share of problems in life - media interference, career ups and downs, relationship issues. But there is something that has kept her bond with her husband and her daughter untouched and strong. As she opens up about her approach toward the important people in her life, we cannot help but feel all fuzzy and warm inside…
It was the year 2007 when Aishwarya got married to Abhishek Bachchan – a good nine years ago! And then in 2011, Aaradhya came along, with her tiny hands and feet and a smile more endearing than anything Aish had ever seen…Her little daughter is already five years old now. It has been a journey full of learnings and memories. It has been a journey that has taught Aishwarya a lot.
Can you guess what it is that has helped this Mom understand her daughter and help raise her into a strong, independent individual? Hint – It is something you strongly believe in as well!
Watch: Aishwarya Talks About Daughter Aaradhya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=utDgZfJNTGw
“I’m not here to dictate to her or choose a life for her. I’m here to be her mom in a way, which I’m discovering on a day to day basis. I just want to see her happy, healthy and grow to be a secure person. A person who is comfortable being herself. You see God through your child and that’s what you want to experience for her, with her and through her.”
There, Aish’s secret is the freedom of choice. It’s the gift of independence. Respecting your child as an individual, right from the time they are little, sets the right foundation for their future. Of course, all independence comes with responsibility, and as parents, we also need to be careful and strict at times. Aishwarya too, guides Aaradhya to the best of her ability. “If it involves, giving her a direction, I will most definitely give that. There’s no rule book that you walk around with. Knowingly or unknowingly you give to your child what you’ve imbibed and what you’ve been inculcated with.
This is why Aish sometimes take her daughter along on shoots, when she is shooting in Mumbai. The mother and daughter spend fun moments on the set, doing homework and filling worksheets. Not only does Aaradhya get some early lessons in time management but she also becomes a deeper part of her mom’s work and life. Similarly, her mom is always there at her annual functions, school events, and special occasions. If you only plan time well, everybody is happy!
“Why give up ‘together time’? I take along all her activities and worksheets so she’s engaged. We laugh when she calls the vanity van, ‘the bus office’.”
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="647"] Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/[/caption]
Needless to say, Aish has had a lot of support in her journey from her husband. Abhishek has always been there to support her, share her responsibilities, and love her. As a couple, they have been through a lot together, career struggles and media jibes notwithstanding. But Aish hasn’t let anything take them apart. We wonder, what has kept them together? Aish also revealed their relationship secret.The secret is exchange. Communication. Friendship.
“You need to have that ‘exchange’ in all your relationships, be it with your parents, with your friends, your professionals and most importantly marriage. There’s a lot of adjustment, a lot of give and take. There will be agreements and disagreements. But it’s important to keep the communication going. After all, doesn’t it all start with friendship? Abhishek is a guy you can have fun with, you can have an intense conversation with. And he’s my man, the father of my child.”
You stole our heart with that one, Aish! Friendship is indeed the foundation for so much in life – whether it’s your bond with your husband, your children, or even your parents. Put together with communication, respect and the willingness to take out time, we would say Aish has hit upon a magic mantra for being happy in her own, private world. And at the end of the day, disappearing into the calming embrace of our loved ones is all we could ask for, right? Read more
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
2 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. I cannot assist you on that because other things are also associated with the particular particular report so I think it’s better that once a gynaecologist is available she’s going to take up your query and she will be able to give you a better clarity as per the situation
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Please do not take any medicine without consulting with your gynaecologist. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. Actually on the ovulation time only you can conceive so yes if things are right with you you can go ahead with the conception but with what the details you have mentioned it would be better to have a discussion with your gynaecologist prior to you proceed to your ovulation and conception
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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