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How to Test for Pregnancy With Salt
The planning and trying is in progress and you have all the information you need, and very soon, you are sure you'll have a little angel growing inside you! But you cannot hold the excitement any longer and you want to check for conception even before you miss your period. Here's a way you can do so without having to spend any extra money on pregnancy kits.
Expecting a little baby along the journey of life is a joy for most people. But a lot of trying, patience and preparation goes on before this phase begins. Trying to get pregnant is a tricky time for most couples and it can lead to impatience, too. At such times a couple may want to increase their chances of getting pregnant as much as possible by following the right diet, the right sleep patterns, tracking for ovulation, the right sex positions, etc. Still, pregnancy may not happen easily for some. Some may need medication, might need to shed some weight or may also have to consider alternate measures in order to conceive. A skipped period is one of the biggest signs of pregnancy, but sometimes the excitement may lead you to purchase a pregnancy test earlier than the expected period dates. However, if you have been trying for a while, buying multiple tests can be an expensive affair. With that conflict of wanting to know and not wanting to spend too much, a lot of couples may look for cheaper alternatives. In fact there are even ways to check for pregnancy without taking a test. Along with store-bought tests and kits, there are certain homemade pregnancy tests too that have been passed on for years.
While there is no concrete proof that these tests give accurate results, a lot of people swear by them. Pregnancy tests with salt, sugar, bleach, toothpaste, vinegar or soap water are the most common ones.
What is a Homemade Pregnancy Test?
Isn’t it easier and more accurate to just buy a pregnancy tests from a chemist? Or are home pregnancy tests worth a shot? Home pregnancy tests are non-medical methods of testing for pregnancy and were formulated when pregnancy testing kits were not available. If you still don’t believe this is possible, read on. As mentioned earlier, people use pregnancy tests with salt, sugar, bleach and many other ingredients to check for conception. All tests work on one principle- they detect the level of hCG hormone in urine.
The choice of ingredients used to test for pregnancy all react with the hormone released during pregnancy, giving a sure shot sign that the baby has been conceived.
Let’s look at pregnancy tests with salt in this article. How does salt help detect the hCG hormone in urine? Read on.
When Should You Do the Test?
If you are opting to try the salt pregnancy test, you need to also when it would be most effective. To get the most accurate results with this salt pregnancy test, you need to try it on the fifth day of ovulation. Since you will already be tracking your ovulation dates, this should not be a problem to figure out. However, before you try this method out, let’s look at exactly what the process is and how do you go about testing for pregnancy using salt.
How Does the Salt Pregnancy Test Work?
Before we read about homemade pregnancy tests, we were surprised to know what reactions urine and common household supplies may cause! We know you are too. And while it’s tough to believe the authenticity behind a pregnancy test using salt, it could be a fun try!
The procedure to doing this homemade test is simple. You will need some salt(of course!), a transparent container and an alarm. Why an alarm? It’s because you need to remember to use only the first urine in the morning for the test to get the most concentrated level of hCG detected.
Take your glass container and collect your urine sample first thing in the morning. Add three quarters of a teaspoon of salt to this sample. Wait for about a minute or two and observe the changes/ reactions that may take place in the solution
What changes are you looking for? If you notice milk-like curdling, this is a sign of conception. Bits of white crumb-like textures were noticed in tests that were positive.
You can follow up with another test to be sure!
In case you are still unsure about the procedure and what a positive result looks like, here’s a video with examples of both positive and negative test results using this salt pregnancy test!
https://youtu.be/pHjbZmB_p1M
Key Takeaway: The video shows you how to do the salt pregnancy test and also identify if you are pregnant or not.
Try this test with the first urine of the day, as chances of pregnancy detection are more accurate then.
The urine curdles and foams if you are pregnant and remains unchanged if you are not.
The high HCG levels in the urine of a pregnant woman react with the salt, forming the foam.
Expectation From a Salt Pregnancy Test
With the salt pregnancy test, you can expect to get early results of pregnancy by a cheap and effective method.
However, most couples feel like store-bought kits may provide a more accurate answer. The truth is much like these homemade pregnancy tests, the store-bought ones too do not give you a guarantee of accuracy. These tests must be done at yours and your partners own discretion. Know that these can only satiate your curiosity and give you some hope as you wait to conceive. Eventually an appointment with your doctor and an ultrasound will give you the most accurate result, you’ll just have to wait a little longer.
In the meantime, enjoy spending time together and enjoy each moment of baby making, after all these intimate moments may be harder to find when you have a little bundle of cuteness crying his eyes out all night!
Have a happy baby-making phase and a happier pregnancy!
Also Read: Simple & Reliable Homemade (DIY) Pregnancy Tests Read more
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Swine Flu (H1N1) in Babies
Swine Flu is a seasonal infection caused by the H1N1 virus, which was initially found in pigs. Children, pregnant women, and elderly people are usually more prone to this virus. This article aims to equip you with all the necessary information about the virus, enabling you to take the right precaution at the right time.
Video: Swine Flu H1N1 in Babies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1IWOrfTn9M
What is Swine Flu (H1N1)?
Swine Flu (H1N1) is a type of virus which is similar to the flu virus that affects pigs. There was a swine flu pandemic in 2009 with the H1N1 virus spreading like wild fire from one person to another across many countries around the world.
The World Health Organisation had then announced that the virus would be under control by 2010, but this did not stay true for too long, at least in India. There was another serious outbreak of this virus in India in 2015. Thereafter, H1N1 virus circulates every year as a flu virus, usually before the monsoons.
Common Symptoms of H1N1 in Babies
Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus and can have adverse effects in babies. This virus affects the respiratory tract and causes serious health complexities. Hence, recognising the right swine flu symptoms in children and adults alike, at the right time, is important. If your baby is suffering from prolonged fever and experiencing chills, then you need to take precautionary steps. This could be an early symptom of swine flu, and you must consult a doctor immediately.
The most common symptoms of H1N1 are:
Very high fever
Tiredness
Cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Headache
Muscle and joint pain
In some cases, especially in cases of young babies, the symptoms include the following:
Dehydration
Sinus or ear infection
Bronchiolitis
Febrile seizures
Pneumonia
Abdominal pain
Diarrhoea
Swine flu is a potentially fatal virus. If you observe the above-mentioned swine flu symptoms in babies, make sure you consult a paediatrician without delay.
What are the Causes of Swine Flu in Babies and Toddlers?
The causes of swine flu are the same as any other flu. It gets transmitted when you come in contact with someone who is already infected by the virus. Since babies and children are not very mindful of their surroundings, they are more prone to contract the disease than adults.
When an H1N1 infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus gets suspended in the air. This way the virus can infect anyone who is close by
The virus, once suspended in the air, can also settle down on any object and can stay alive for 24 hours. If children touch these contaminated objects and place them near their mouth or nose, then they will get infected by H1N1
Also, if a person suffering from swine flu coughs or sneezes in his hands and touches others around him without washing his hands, then he infects others with the virus too
Recent reports indicate that the H1N1 virus does not spread by eating pork or preparing pork. However, coming in direct contact with an infected pig may increase chances of catching the virus.
When Should You Call for Immediate Care?
Children with a weak immune system and chronic health issues like diabetes, asthma and obesity catch this flu virus more easily than others. If your baby has a high fever and is sleepy, or does not want to interact and has stopped drinking any fluid, it is advisable to get him medically screened for swine flu.
If the baby displays any of the following symptoms, immediate attention may be needed:
Has seizures
Can’t wake up
Is short of breath
Skin is turning bluish
Is complaining of chest pain
How H1N1 flu is diagnosed
You may be wondering now, ‘What are the tests to diagnose swine flu?’ Well, diagnosis of H1N1 flu is usually made by sampling fluid from the patient’s body. To take the sample, your doctor may swab your nose or throat and send the sample to the lab for genetic analysis to help identify the exact type of virus.
Treatment for H1N1 Swine Flu
There is no definite cure for swine flu. Swine flu treatment for babies starts like any other cold or flu treatment where the focus is on easing the symptoms. Hence, medication is given to bring the fever down and to ease the symptoms. Antivirals are only given if the symptoms don’t go away even after 5 days of medication and also if the symptoms become severe or the child is admitted to the hospital.
Children suffering from H1N1 flu should be kept at home for seven days and require a lot of rest. They need to take in a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration. They should be encouraged to eat small meals whenever they feel like and should drink only cooled, boiled water.
Infant Paracetamol can be given on the doctor’s advice to bring down fever. Keeping the child cool by sponging the head and arms can also help in bringing down the temperature. It helps to be in constant touch with the doctor to report your child’s progress.
Swine Flu Vaccine
There are different types of swine flu vaccine for babies available in the market. However, the flu vaccine cannot be given to babies younger than six months. It is recommended to have a discussion with your doctor on getting vaccinated for swine flu during pregnancy in order to protect your baby for the first six months after birth.
Vaccines like Vaxigrip and Influvac are prescribed for children below five years. Fluvax is another vaccine available in the market which is only prescribed for children above 9 years old as it has severe side effects in younger children. It is important to consult a doctor before vaccinating your child against swine flu.
A seasonal flu vaccination is also available in the market which is recommended for people with weak immunity, chronic respiratory conditions, and pregnant women.
The government of India does not provide the flu jab as a part of scheduled childhood immunisation. Hence, it is a paid immunisation.
How to Prevent Swine Flu in Babies?
Swine flu in babies can be prevented by following a few measures religiously.
Since H1N1 virus easily spreads from one person to another, it is important that you keep your baby away from an infected person
Always wash your hands before holding your baby, especially if you have just returned from work or the market. The germs carrying H1N1 get easily transmitted through contact
Whenever you cough or sneeze, always cover your mouth. It prevents any flu virus from spreading
If your baby is diagnosed with H1N1, make sure that you keep them indoors and administer the prescribed medicines on time. This will prevent the virus from spreading to other children.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is swine flu transmitted and is it contagious?
Yes, swine flu is contagious and spreads from one person to another either by inhaling the infected droplets suspended in the air while coughing or sneezing or by touching an object contaminated by the virus.
2. How long would swine flu last in babies?
Swine flu works like any other flu and takes the same time to get cured. Swine flu fever lasts for 2 to 3 days with symptoms like a runny nose for 1 to 2 weeks and cough for 2 to 3 weeks. In some cases, swine flu fever may stay for almost 4 to 5 days.
3. Are there specific doctors who treat swine flu?
For babies, you need to consult their paediatrician in case of any flu. All general physicians can treat swine flu. There are no specific doctors for treating this condition unless a comprehensive probing is required to treat different symptoms. In such cases, your child’s doctor will refer you to the right specialist.
4. What are the risk factors associated with swine flu?
The risk factors of getting swine flu are like any other flu. Anyone who comes in contact with an infected person or spends time in an area with a good number of infected people may easily get the virus. The following people are at a higher risk factor than others:
Adults over 65 years
Children below 5 years
People with weak immune system
People with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
5. Are there home remedies to cure swine flu in my baby?
Yes, there are a few home remedies that can help you to treat or prevent any flu virus in your baby including swine flu. These measures can be adopted just before and during the rainy season to prevent or treat flu viruses.
Eating 5 tulsi or basil leaves every day in the morning keeps throat and lungs clear and improves immunity
Boil 1-foot long giloi (Tinospora cordifolia) with tulsi leaves, strain the juice, add some rock sugar (misri) and pepper and drink this to treat any flu
Make your baby drink a cup of warm milk with turmeric (haldi) to prevent any sort of flu
If your baby can eat garlic, then chewing 2 pods of garlic every morning on an empty stomach is a good idea for better immunity from the flu
To get rid of body ache during the flu, mix a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with water and give it to your baby every day
Please consult your doctor before opting for any home remedies as it may not be suitable for all body types.
Swine flu is a highly contagious infection that can affect your baby and cause a lot of distress. Keep the above signs, precautions and remedies in mind to protect your baby. Read more
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Single Mom? You Don't Need a Man to Help your Son be one!
Are you plagued by the age-old question: can mothers teach their sons to be men? If so, sate your questionable mind with some well-known facts about how single moms of today can rise up to the challenge and nurture boys bristling with values.
Raising your son without a father doesn’t mean he won’t grow up into a man with good values and a personality to boot. There are many women who've filled the shoes of both parents and have had their sons turn into successful men. With a little advice and a few words of wisdom, you can do the same too. Here's how.
How Single Moms can Teach their Sons to be a Man
1. Be a Role Model
Mothers can do what a man can do. They can be a role model and teach their sons morals and discipline and raise them to be well-balanced individuals. While raising your son single-handedly, make a mental note of other single moms who've done a fine job at it. Use them as role models and let them inspire you when you hit a rough patch.
2. Play The Invisible Man
Don’t wait till your son grows up to introduce him to all the manly stuff that men do. Start when he’s a toddler. Give him toys he ought to like, such as cars, trucks, and GI Joes. As he grows older you can even gift him his own male grooming kit and explain to him its use in his daily grooming regimen. Never fail to mention that these are the things men do, so you’ll be gearing him up for adolescence.
3. Let Him Have His Boy Time
Enroll your boy in sports activities or a cadets club where he will him learn to mix with other boys his age. It will nurture in him a competitive spirit in a male environment. If he gets into disagreements don’t go running to his rescue. Allow him to fight his own battles and guide him if he oversteps his boundaries. This will boost his self-esteem from a sense of belonging in the male world.
4. Fine Tune Him into a Gentleman
Teach him etiquette and infuse in him a sense of responsibility from a young age. Allow him to open the door for you or any other female member in the family.Don't saddle him with responsibilities all at once. Let him come into his own, so that he naturally learns to appreciate what responsibility and being a gentleman is all about.
5. Feed His Talent and Encourage His Questions
Recognize your little boy’s inner strengths and talents and feed them by giving him opportunities to showcase them. Let him know that he doesn’t need a father for all his questions to be answered. Be open about teaching him the difference between love and sex, and if it gets too awkward, ask a male relative to step in and help you out.
If you think you won’t be able to get by raising a son in a fatherless household, you most certainly won’t. If on the other hand you can take the reins in your hand, it will ensure your son grows up into the kind of man you'd be proud of. Read more
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Chicken Momos / Dumplings
These dainty sacks filled with chicken kheema filling, bursts with flavour the moment you take a bite. Momos can be steamed as well as deep fried. We prefer steaming over deep-frying because when you steam a momo, it makes for a healthy as well as a luscious mouthful of goodness. All good things come in small packages; doesn't this recipe precisely prove the point?
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
15-20 Minutes
20-25 Minutes
Ingredients
200 g chicken, minced
100 cup refined flour
spring onion, chopped
ginger, chopped
garlic, chopped
green chilli, chopped
2 tbsp soy sauce
Method
Step 1
In a bowl, take refined flour and water and knead a soft dough.
Step 2
Mix minced chicken, spring onion, chopped garlic and ginger, soy sauce and salt together in another bowl. Keep it aside.
Step 3
Divide dough into 12 parts each. Roll out thinly. Place, the stuffing on one side of the dough and close the other ends tightly. Bring all edges to the centre and roll it like pleats.
Step 4
Steam in steamer for about 15 minutes.
Step 5
Serve hot with tomato ketchup.
Nutritional Information
Calories
172 Kcal
Proteins
17.6 gm
Total Fat
1.8 gm
Total Carbohydrates
20.0 gm
Cholesterol
39 mg
Sodium
484 mg
Potassium
148 mg
Tip -You can add boiled sweet corn, broccoli, green peas, carrots to the stuffing along with chicken. Read more
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6 Things You Must Do To Keep Children Germ-Free This Winter
Coughing, sniffing, fever, spots on the skin - there is no end to the problems that seem to come along for our kids every winter. These diseases seem to simply float through the air and attack our children! Well, most of these infections can be blamed on germs. They travel through air, water or touch from an infected person to a healthy person. When they invade the body, they can manifest in the form of several diseases! As parents, protecting kids against such potential infections becomes one of our primary responsibility. But how can you keep these pesky germs away?
Keeping a little baby away from germs seems to be a mammoth task. He is so delicate and sensitive that there is no end to our anxiety. But when your baby grows up, the problem only gets worse! Kids are explorers and can go around the entire house scouting and hunting to satisfy their inquisitive nature. This activity exposes them to dirt, dust or pests that could be the carriers of infectious micro-organisms. This is why we as parents must undertake certain measures to keep germs far away from the little ones.
The good news is that it does not take a complicated arsenal to build a germ-free house. All you need to practice is a little hygiene, and you can go a long way in protecting your family against common diseases.
This winter, make sure you follow these practices to keep germs and infections far away from your children:
1. Hand-Wash After These Activities
Washing hands is of prime importance and must become a house-rule - both for children and adults! Not washing hands can give access to germs who take advantage of the body's lowered immunity during the winter season. When your child is little, you can keep his hands clean by periodic sponging, wiping, and moisturising. But when your baby grows up, he needs to be taught the importance of hand wash. Plus, if you have both a tiny baby and an active toddler at home, you need to be doubly careful. Make sure the children in the house (and adults!) wash hands after:
Playing with mud
Playing with a pet
Putting hands in the mouth
Going to the toilet
Before and after eating food
It should be made a point and a strict rule for every family member to wash his hands properly after all the above mentioned activities are carried out. No exception!
2. Play Area Precautions
Keep the play area in the house clean and tidy. The floor of the play area should be wiped everyday with a disinfectant. All the toys should be given a regular wash to bust off the dirt particles settling on them. For the cloth toys, a regular hot-water cleaning regime is required to disinfect them.
3. Sneezing and Coughing
These two are the biggest problems many children face in winter - and also the biggest source of problems! When kids sneeze or cough, they dispel germs into the air which can travel into the body of another baby in the house, or some other family member. Since this is a common problem in winter, it is essential to try and limit the damage. If your kids are old enough, teach them to cover the mouth while coughing or sneezing, and not to sneeze or cough on anyone’s face. Also, they must wash hands if they sneeze or cough into their hands - every time. Around your child, practise these 'good manners' yourself or you may end up spreading germs involuntarily!
4. Keep These Objects Away From The Child
In winter, when the immunity of the body dips, it is easy to get germs from regular household objects. As a rule, some objects must be kept at a distance from the child. These include:
Nappy buckets
Unwashed fruits and veggies
Dustbins with open lids
Brooms and dustpans
Dirty laundry
It is likely that some of these objects may really interest your child. Kids find the strangest things intriguing and end up being fascinated by these things more than with their toys! Please keep them away. Ensure he does not end up playing with them!
Warning: Toilet and Bathroom Precautions!
These two are two areas of the house that are rife with germs. Don't allow your child to touch or play with old soap-cases, cleaning material or the toilet seat. Another sure-shot way of germ-busting your kids is to flush only after closing the lid of the seat. Teach your family members also to flush only after shutting the lid of the toilet seat. Flushing with the lid up can launch germs into air, and those can then land on faucet handles, doors and other things in the washroom.
5. Breast-feeding
No match to this one - it is a sureshot way of keeping your child germ-free and infection-free! The antibodies present in breast milk are essential for the baby as it helps in strengthening his immune system. It also enhances the child’s brainpower and reduces the risk of developing the highly prevalent insulin dependent diabetes in children during their later ages. (Also, if you're feeling under the weather in winter, owing to seasonal blues, this is a great idea for moms to feel better owing to the hormonal rush!)
6. The Right Diet and Sleep
The body needs added strength and immunity to fight against germs in winter. Make sure you serve these fruits and vegetables in the meals: green leafy vegetables, carrots, beans, oranges and apples. They must be included in their daily diet, as they provide vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development. Also make sure to clean your child's lunchbox regularly, as it can serve as carriers of germs from the playground or daycare. Use a disinfectant to clean them properly.
Together with the right diet, adequate sleep is also essential. A child should have good, sound sleep of a minimum of 8-10 hours in a day. Most of the metabolic reactions take place in his body while he is asleep. Not getting this sleep makes his body more susceptible to a germ attack, followed by illness.
As your child grows up, generate more awareness about germs. Teach them that washing hands properly, brushing teeth, having a bath twice a day and wearing clean clothes are some rules to be followed to remain healthy and germ-free. So, fear not, moms. Just follow these easy steps and those harmful germs will stay away from your darlings! Read more
Anu Sharma has added a new answer
Expecting Father due in 3 months
4 hours ago
Q. My wife taking tablets for UTI it caused fever last week she took paracetamol and Pan D in IV and now for the past 5 days taking Nitrofurantoin tablet IP I have two questio
1) Will this tablets and IV affect my baby in any way and it's growth inside
2) She says still feeling some pain groin and abdomen area comparatively lesser than previous days
3) Any diets to avoid this UTI in future
Read moreAnu Sharma
Mom of a 1 yr old boy
3 hours ago
A. UTI infection is common in pregnecy. Better to consult gyne
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. ma lmp 28.9.2023 edd date 5.7.2024 ma age 25.7.1999 ma beby boy or girl plsss tell me mam
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. be not possible to tell. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
3 hours ago
Q. Hii...., Is it safe to eat jackfruit in 4th month of pregnancy, daily 2 ...
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
3 hours ago
A. dear mam, you can eat jackfruit during the 4th month of pregnancy. there is no problem in having it. you can eat all types of seasonal vegetables and fruits even green leafy vegetables.
shahin has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
2 hours ago
Q. is that positive result??? my Due date is tommoro I am having vomitting and nausea and back pain etc please reply asap
shahin
Mom of a 6 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. yes
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. Hi I'm in 23weeks pregnancy
my afi is 26 I have no diabetes or any other issues
is that risky ? what to do for making normal delivery possible
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. yes AFI level is very high and yes you need to be very careful to have regular follow up with your doctor take the precautions advised by your doctor and regularly keep a watch on baby movements
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. nasal congestion during 9th week pregnancy is normal or something serious?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. it's ok . take steam twice daily or you can use nasal drops
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
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