Parenting Advice

Stretch Marks and the Anatomy of the Skin During Pregnancy by Wong Darren

Let’s say that you have done all you can to make your skin as radiant as possible during your pregnancy. What happens to your skin during post-pregnancy? To understand what to expect during post-pregnancy, we should understand well what happens during pregnancy.

To begin with, pregnancy entails a massive expansion of nearly all the regions of the body, especially the abdominal cavity. When the stretching happens, the fibroblasts start to lose their potency and the skin suffers. When rapid expansion happens, the collagen levels which are instrumental in keeping the skin healthy-looking and elastic begin to drop dramatically.

When the skin is weakened, we lose the natural protection of the skin. This is where the appropriate application of the right kinds of creams, such as sunscreens and moisturizers comes in. We do not put these products on our skin simply because we want to, but because we need to. Need entails a causal predecessor, and the pregnancy is our specific causal predecessor.

Other concerns

Aside from stretch marks, one of the most disturbing effects of pregnancy and of the hormonal cycle is what is commonly known as “chloasma”. What is chloasma? Chloasma is actually the uneven skin tones that are evident on the skin during pregnancy.

Actually, these uneven skin tones range from light brown to dark brown, and appear on different regions of the body, from the face (near the mouth) or under the arms. Chloasma is often called the “mask of pregnant women” because it tends to hide the real skin color.

What brings about the patching? You might be surprised, but something as ordinary as the sun’s rays bring about the manifestation of “chloasma”.

If you wish to guard yourself against long term skin damage from chloasma, you should take the usual steps (especially during the winter months). These steps include putting more moisturizers on the skin, a healthy diet, some light exercises and plenty of light and calorie-free fluids.

The skin during this period of a woman’s life is decidedly more sensitive to elements from the environment. They are more prone to breaking out with slightest irritation. Care should be taken that the pregnant woman avoids herself from possible irritants and breakout triggers.

These triggers include extreme sunlight, alcohol and extreme cold. If you have been able to take heed of these precautions, chances are good that you won’t have to deal with stretch marks later on, if you don’t have them yet.

It’s all about prevention- what is the use of the most advanced laser treatments if you knew fully well that you could have done something to avert a “skin disaster” called stretch marks?

If you are wondering whether the fluid levels in the body literally increase during the nine-month gestation period, the answer is unfortunately a yes. Just how much is this increase inside the body? Since blood is the greatest fluid constituent inside the human body, the increase can ranged from between 30% to more than 50%.

What does this mean? Well, more blood means more disproportionate color of the skin. With that amount of fluid in the body, prepare yourself also for flushed, ruddy cheeks and red patches on the arms and legs.

Stretchmark-s.com is a health resource dedicated to providing factual information about various Stretch Mark Treatments. This free resource including topics: 1. “Is It Safe to Use Tanning Products for Stretch Marks?” and more.

Article Source: Fun Personality

Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy - What You Need to Know by Helen Moss

This article explores the relationship between hemorrhoids and pregnancy and seeks to give the reader answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that women who suffer from piles during pregnancy ask. It will help to answer some of your burning questions about dealing with piles while you are pregnant.

Here are Just a Few of the Causes of Piles in Pregnant Women

- An expanding uterus due to being pregnant is often what causes the onset of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. This then places additional pressure in the pelvic region of the pregnant women as well as in the vena cava.

- A problem area is the vena cava because it is subjected to a lot of pressure during a pregnancy. This pressure diminishes the circulation and as a result can increase the pressure of the veins in the lower limbs. The pressure that can potentially build up in the veins during pregnancy is thought to be one of the main causes of hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

- When you are pregnant you tend to develop more issues with things like constipation. Being constipated is thought to be one of the common, if not the most common, cause of hemorrhoids.

- Another reported reason for pregnant women getting hemorrhoids is their increased levels of progesterone: the veins tend to be made more relaxed by this particular hormone and because of this they are sometimes able to become swollen easier.

Treating Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Getting hemorrhoids while you are pregnant is very common, but how should you deal with them when they occur? The good news is that most cases of piles can be treated easily at home. Many women find that their piles will actually go away by themselves after a few days. There are certain things that are known to help most pregnant women to deal with the problems associated with hemorrhoids when their pregnant.

- A favoured remedy is to apply ice to the affected area, this is well known to help reduce swelling and it can also limit the amount of discomfort that hemorrhoid suffers feel.

- Sitz baths can also prove great for giving relief to anyone suffering from piles: by adding salts to the bath it can help make the bath even more soothing.

- If you are treating your piles at home, then it is highly advisable to keep your anorectal area as clean as you possibly can.

- You will need to wipe the affected area after every bowel movement and you will want to use moist towelettes for this. To avoid any further irritation to the problematic area it is normally recommended that you use towelettes that are non-perfumed and that also contain no alcohol.

- If you plan to use over-the-counter medications for the treatment of hemorrhoids, you should first speak with your doctor. You have to keep in mind that not everything is appropriate for a pregnant woman to take and this includes some over-the-counter remedies. If you visit your doctor, he will normally be able to prescribe something for treating your hemorrhoids that is more appropriate.

- If your hemorrhoids last longer than a week, then they might be classed as being severe and a doctor should assess you; it may be necessary for your doctor to use other methods to deal with the hemorrhoids.

If you simply want to get rid of your hemorrhoids quickly so that you can start enjoying your pregnancy, then take a look at the Treatment for Hemorrhoids website.

Article Source: Fun Personality

Some Theories on The Significance of Imagination with respect to Small Kids by Nolan Barton

Imagination Gives Strength to Life

All aspects of our lives are related to our mental well being and creative health. Without creativity and imagination we will not be able to continue progressing and moving upward in life. We will do more for our success with our imagination than we will with the analytical portion of our brain. We create better solutions and better lives when we allow our minds to work creatively as do little children. When we use our imagination we are able to accomplish much more for our lives than we can with any other activity.

Allow Your Child to Create

Teaching our children to learn and grow through using their imagination is a crucial part of parenthood. We have become who we are because of the experiences we have had and the experiences we have created for ourselves. Teaching our children to use their imagination is not a difficult thing to do as it comes naturally for them. With children you usually do not need to force them to play and imagine but only offer the opportunity. It is important that we let our children know that we believe in them and their abilities to create whatever world they desire to live in whether real or imaginary so they can create their own true reality. Our responsibility as parents is to help our children create the future they want to have and enjoy.

What Possibilities Await us

When we allow for different and creative outcomes in life we will see more happen to bring us happiness. When we allow imagination to work within us we will see more than we currently believe possible manifest itself in our lives. Allowing creative thought that is often shunned will accomplish more than being “grown up” will ever do for us. We should spend our days and hours imagining a better world so we can create just such a place. When you stretch your mind to allow new possibilities, new possibilities will manifest themselves to you.

The Final Frontier is not Final

We need only a little imagination to bring to pass new and amazing possibilities for us in life. It seems that our final frontiers are always bigger and grander than they were yesterday. There is always something greater than the final frontier we currently see or recognize ans the next great thing. Growth is eternal and our abilities to do more will carry us to new heights every day of our lives if we let them. We will be able to bring more marvelous things to fruition as we continue to exercise our creative abilities.

With imagination and playtime your children will grow and learn. Help this process out with many great childrens fairy wings costume. Props can often increase the willingness to explore new areas of the mind and imaginative play. At LittleFairyWings.com you will find a great selection of princess dress and more to play with!

Article Source: Fun Personality

If Your Child Is Smoking Cigarettes, They Could Be Headed For Other Troubles As Well by Aydan Corkern

Do you have any children? Are they really young or are they young teens? Do you really want them smoking cigarettes or even the other nasty stuff? When you were growing up the only thing that you had to smoke were cigarettes but now marijuana is also everywhere. These kids even have all of the other drugs that most of you never even heard of. All of these are so much worse than the cigarettes, but we need to make them understand that just because these cigarettes are not as bad, they will still hurt them. Many young people start out smoking cigarettes because all of their friends are doing it, but before long they will often follow other things their friends do too.

You as parents now days have more things to worry about when it comes to the subject of trying to keep your kids safe. There are so many things besides cigarettes that your child can come in contact with and you need to be informed about all of the signs that can come from their uses. You can find some of this information by getting in touch with your police, social services, or go on-line to check out some of their web-sites. There are so many different signs that a person that you may know is smoking cigarettes or worse, that you really need to study up on these signs. This way you might be able to help.

If a child is smoking cigarettes, they later might try other things as well. If you tried marijuana in your younger days you would be able to tell the difference in the smells. Most of you will not know the other signs or the side effects of any of the other unless you check out this information. You all love your children, so learn the signs and symptoms of cigarette and drug users before you accuse them of doing any of these things even cigarettes.

If you are like most of us you, really want what is best for your children. Sometimes they think you are being over protective and just too nosy and of course they will fight back in some cases by tooth and nail. If you do find out that they are using any of these items, try to help them any way you can to get them to quit. Cigarettes are definitely bad enough, but if you discover your child or teen is using other drugs, check with your doctor and law enforcement agencies to get their opinion as to what to do first. Then you will want to go from there.

Aydan Corkern is a writer and you can visi his sites for more information:
e cigarette and e cigarette wars

Article Source: Fun Personality

Bella Bands Are a Must-Have Pregnancy Fashion Accessory by Amy Jarman

If you are looking for a low-cost way to expand your maternity clothes wardrobe and stretch your dollar at the same time, consider investing in a few Bella Bands by Ingrid & Isabel. This simple maternity wardrobe accessory can be worn throughout your pregnancy and postpartum. It is a must have fashion item that many pregnant women are finding to be indispensable to their closet.

Bella Bands can be worn over your belly or hips or folded over and worn under the belly. In early pregnancy the Bella Band allows your to fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans or pants unbuttoned by wearing the band folded in half over your jeans to help hold them in place on your hips and hide the fact they are unbuttoned at the top.

You may also find that your pregnancy tops are getting shorter as your chest expands and waist size increases. The Bella Band, when worn over your belly, can give your tops a bit more mileage while hiding any peeking bellies and giving the polished look of a fitted long cami or tank layered under your top. The variety of colors will give you the option to match to what you are wearing for the day.

As your pregnancy progresses and you are ready to invest into some maternity jeans and pants, you are usually better off going a size looser so your pants will fit you longer into your pregnancy. The Bella Band will help hold up a loose pair of jeans when worn over the belly and give your tummy a smooth look at the same time.

By your third trimester you may find that your expanding belly is pushing your jeans further down your hips and you are constantly tugging your pants up. The Bella Band can be worn folded over your hips and lower belly for extra support in comfortably keeping your jeans on and allowing you to wear those tighter maternity tops a bit longer without flashing any belly flesh.

After you have your baby, the Bella Band can be worn over the belly for a smoother and flatter look across your tummy. You can also wear it to help hold up your now loose maternity jeans. When you are ready to try and wear your pre-pregnancy jeans, the Bella Band can be folded and worn over your unbuttoned jeans for added support until they fit comfortably again.

The Bella Band comes in 4 different sizes and a variety of colors. There is now a lace version in various colors as well which gives a hint of elastic lace on the bottom of the band to peek out over your jeans . Many women find they continue to wear the Bella Band long after they have their baby to give their tummy a smoother look and a longer layered style to their tops.

Most important the Bella Band can really stretch your wardrobe during and after pregnancy so you don’t have to buy all different size pants for maternity and postpartum.

Amy Jarman is owner of the maternity clothes and nursing clothes store Tummystyle.com, with a selection of clothes for you pregnancy by designers such as Japanese Weekend, Majamas, Maternal America, Olian Maternity Clothes, 1 in the Oven, and Bravado. TummyStyle proudly sells Bella Band.

Article Source: Fun Personality