Insparenting

Your womb enlarges up to 1,000 grams during pregnancy. And, it will shrink about 50 grams right after delivery.

The shrinking process occurs while you have contractions for you are producing a hormone called oxytocin.

That’s why doctors ask you to breastfeed the baby right away after delivery. Because while you breastfeed, your gland also releases oxytocin.

So, it’s good for you, it’s good for your baby.

Before knowing hot to take care of your legs, lets first find out what are those, Varicose Veins and Spider Veins and why do these appear mostly in the legs, also, what does it have to do with pregnancy?

Varicose Veins are gnarled, enlarged veins which can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue, and spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are milder.

And now about the legs. Why legs? Because the force of gravity and the pressure of your body weight increase the pressure in the veins in your lower body. Not only that, the task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart can also be the cause.

How are these related to pregnancy? The amount of blood in your body increases when you’re pregnant. This adds to the burden on your veins. The increase of your progesterone levels during pregnancy also causes the walls of your blood vessels to relax.

So, what you can do about it?

• Get yourself low-heeled shoes. They can help strengthen your calf muscles and improve circulation.
• Encourage the blood circulation in your legs by keeping your legs elevated when you sit or lie down, at least at the same level or even higher than your heart; exercising regularly; avoiding standing or sitting for a long period; not crossing your legs when sitting
• Watch your weight to reduce the burden on your legs’ veins.
• Take good care of your legs by keeping them clean and you can soak your feet in warm water.

Adwina and I have just talked about what we are giving our Mom this Mother’s Day…so I think it would be nice to list what I (as a mother) would like to get from my kids (later when they grow up and decide to visit me on Mother’s Day)…

• Flowers (lots of them)
• A beautiful frame with my picture with her/him, smiling beautifully
• The latest, most modern gadgets
• Books! (not just cooking books, but any books)
• A lovely bag
• A pendant with our photos in it
• A gym voucher (to keep me healthy)
• A mug saying “I love you, Mom” so I can remember her/him when I use it
• 2 around the world tickets (one for me and one for their Dad)…only if hubby and I haven’t done it
• Boxes of chocolate (hope I don’t have diabetes)
• Pens (yes, just like my mother, I have this huge love for pens, I collect them…and pens are one of the things I might give my Mom this year)
• My grandchildren’s drawings…(sweet, isn’t it?)
• A beautiful family dinner…

Those might be simple but love in those gifts make them beautiful…

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy TT!

Based on old wives tales about pregnancy, you can indicate the sex from the shape of your belly. If it’s lower and fuller, you’re having a baby boy, and if it’s wider and higher, you are pregnant with a baby girl.

But, is it true?

Some still believe it but science says that the way you carry the baby is determined by muscle and uterine tone as well as the position of your baby. If you’re carrying high, this may be because it’s your first pregnancy or that your body is in good shape. Your stomach muscles have a tendency to become more elastic with each pregnancy, so if you’ve had more than one pregnancy, your belly may hang a little low.

If you’re still curious about the sex of your future child, you can check it out by taking an Ultrasound Scan after week 18. Even though it’s the most effective way, it’s not always 100% accurate. It could be that when you check it out, the baby is facing the wrong way or the genital organ is covered so it’s not too clear.

Yet, whether you are having a girl or a boy, you must be very happy for being granted the best gift ever, and…never forget to take a picture of your belly to show your kids one day!