C-Section
The most popular questions when you are having a C-Section :
- I’m afraid of having a C-section because I have an abdominal hernia
- Will a c-section protect my baby from group B-streptococcus infection?
- Elective Cesarean Sections: Choosing Not to Labor
- If my baby measures big, do I have to have a C-section?
- I want a C-section because I’m afraid of delivering vaginally
- Why Are More Women Having Cesarean Sections?
- Considering the Safety of a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section
- I accidently got pregnant 5 months after having a c-section; is my uterus healed?
- Cesarean Sections
- What will the scar from my C-section look like?
- Is it better for my body to deliver vaginally or by C-section?
Wait until the next entry for the answer ;)
Labels: what
Boy or Girl?
Boy or Girl? Fact or Fiction?
Whether you believe it or not, every woman will hear some magical way to determine the sex of her child. Scientifically, the only ways to find out whether your baby will be a girl or a boy is to have an ultrasound performed sometime after the 20th week of pregnancy or, if you're having an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling done, you can ask about your baby's sex. If you are thinking of getting pregnant and want to learn more about the latest scientific methods on this subject, take a peek at How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby.
Alternatively, you can wait until your baby is born and see for yourself. However, if you want something a bit more fun (although not necessarily very reliable), here are some old wives tales that claim to be able to determine the sex of your baby. You can try some for yourself and see if everyone is predicting the same sex for your baby.
Carrying High, Carrying Low
The way you are carrying during your pregnancy is one of the most oft cited ways of determining the sex of your baby. The general story goes that, if you're carrying low, you're having a boy. If you are carrying high, then you must be having a girl. Science says "NO, NO, NO!" to this: the way you carry is determined by muscle and uterine tone as well as the position of your baby. But who's to say that boys don't like being lower in their mom's stomach while girls prefer a view from the top?
What Your Urine Says
This next test to determine a baby's sex may not be for everyone, although it is very simple. Just take a sample of your urine and mix it with Drano. Depending on the color change of your urine, you will have a boy or a girl. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on what color equals which sex. So, if you do decided to try this and your urine turns bluish yellow, brownish, brown, black or blue you will be having a boy. If your urine looks more greenish brown, green, blue or doesn't change at all, then you're having a girl. But be warned: if you decide to do this test, there could be some pretty harsh fumes produced - not to mention the possibility of an explosion!.
Heartbeats
One belief that has been around for some time, and even had some acceptance in the medical community at one point, is that the fetal heartbeat differs for boys and girls. If you're having a girl, then the fetal heart rate will be above 140. A boy will have a heart rate below 140. However, that pesky science has reared its little head again to say that this is complete fiction. A baby's heart rate is not affected by its sex until it is born, when a girl's heart rate will increase considerably compared with boys during labor.
Craving Something…Sweet?
Many people believe that your cravings are caused by the sex of your baby. So, if you can't get enough chocolate, you could be having a girl. Does the idea of drinking straight lemon juice sound delicious to you? Then those sour cravings are a result of the little boy inside of you. However, if you go by the scientists, then some of them will claim that you're not even having cravings because cravings just don't exist.
Weight Gain
Thankfully, this one doesn't refer to your weight gain. The belief is that, if your husband puts on weight during your pregnancy, then you will be having a girl. If he doesn't put on a pound, then you're carrying a boy.
Is Her Face Round and Full?
Some say that the shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate your baby's sex. Every woman gains weight differently during pregnancy, and every woman experiences different skin changes. If people tell you that because your face is round and rosy you are having a girl, they might be right - but it's just as likely that they are wrong!
At-Home Tests
Here's a test that you can do next time you change or get out of the bath. Look in the mirror at your breasts. If the right one is larger, you're having a boy! A larger left breast indicates a girl (if they're the same size, does that mean you're having one of each?).
H old a pendant over your hand. If the necklace swings back and forth, you're having a boy. If it is more of a circular motion, then it's a girl. This can also be done by suspending a ring on a string above your belly.
Do you have acne? Some believe that getting acne during your pregnancy indicates you're carrying a girl. Maybe the acne is caused by twice the amount of female hormones?
Pick up a key. If you've picked it up by the thinner end, you're having a girl. Picking it up by the bottom, rounder part means a boy is on the way. Did you pick it up by the middle? Then congratulations! You're having twins!
Ask yourself what you think you're having. In a study that asked women with no previous knowledge about their baby's sex, the moms-to-be correctly guessed the sex of their baby 71% of the time.
Labels: what
folic acid
Does folic acid use help prevent birth defects?
There is good evidence that the risk of certain birth defects (spina bifida and anencephaly) are reduced by taking a daily dose of 400 micrograms folic acid, from 1 month before conception through the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, if you would like to become pregnant in the near future, you should take a multivitamin with this amount of folic acid.
Women who had a baby with a neural tube defect will need a higher dose of folic acid during this period. If you have had a baby with a neural tube defect, you should take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day even when you are not planning to become pregnant. If you plan to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor and increase your folic acid intake to 4 milligrams each day during the month before you become pregnant until at least the 12th week of pregnancy.
Healthy Babies
Older Moms, Healthy Babies
The best thing you can do for your baby is to be in good health before you become pregnant. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet, lose weight if you are overweight, and take a prenatal vitamin that has at least 400 micrograms of folic acid.
You should have a full medical exam before you become pregnant. Tell your doctor that you are planning to become pregnant and ask about potential health risks. For example, if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, it could affect your pregnancy. Also, after age 35 you are more likely to develop high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy.
If you have a chronic condition or other health problem, work with your doctor to get it under control before you conceive. You should also stop any unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drinking, or using drugs before you become pregnant. A healthy mother is more likely to have a healthy baby.
After age 30, women experience some decrease in fertility, but it's unlikely to prevent you from becoming pregnant. It may just take longer to conceive. However, if you do not successfully become pregnant after six months, you may want to talk with your doctor.