Pregnancy is a period in life when women experience important emotions. These emotions are not always because of surrounding atmosphere or situations; they are also because of the hormonal changes in her biological system. Basic understanding of physical and emotional changes during pregnancy helps the mother and the people around her to have a positive approach to the whole experience.

First trimester

Initial indication of pregnancy can be through missing a period and learning that the pregnancy test is positive.

Later some physical changes like fatigue, nausea, vomiting and breast tenderness might be seen. These are not necessary symptoms but are quite commonly found.

Often for no apparent reasons the lady might feel depressed, irritated or very happy. When asked reasons for her mood swings she might not be able to give specific reasons. It is commonly believed that the mood changes in pregnancy are caused by hormonal changes.

This situation can be very unsettling for the partner or people around the pregnant lady. The partner might also try to aloof themselves from the lady thinking he is the cause of the trouble. But in stead of retreating the best medicine is to give extra care and show concern towards the lady.

In certain cases even if the pregnancy is planned, there will be an element of surprise that conception has occurred. The lady might also feel uncertain about the pregnancy. In spite of the planning the lady might feel anxious about her career or life ahead. But these are just part of the mood swings that are caused due to hormonal changes.

Threat for miscarriage persists if the lady is not healthy enough. Special care should be taken and doctor’s advice should be properly ensured.

Second trimester

Second trimester is usually peacefull. Morning sickness will gradually fade and threat for miscarriage lessens. The most pleasurable experience during this trimester will be feeling the baby move. This generally occurs during the 20th week. The lady will now start enjoying having the baby and become excited about the pregnancy.

The pregnant lady will be much more energetic and happy during this time. The commonly called ‘Glow of Pregnancy’ comes during this time. Also it is time to prepare for the arrival of the baby.

Third trimester

Third trimester will instill a mix of pride and anxiety about what is to come. Special care should be taken during this time as the baby is now almost ready to see the outer world and the mother is vulnerable during this time.

Also a feeling of eagerness to end the discomforts of pregnancy will creep in. Concerns about changing nature of relationship with one’s partner and also motherhood might worry some. Anxiety regarding the impending labor pains also appears in some.

Summary

Experts say “The feelings and fears experienced during pregnancy are intense and varied. These feelings and concerns are a normal part of pregnancy. Each woman comes to terms with the changes in her own way, with the support of her partner or family”

Note: This article is referred from the research papers at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics website.

The word ‘cramp’ itself is scary, so when in comes to menstrual cramps there is no doubt that it is beyond one’s tolerance. Most women have severe menstrual cramps. But it is always considered normal to the menstrual cycle which is not a complete truth.

If the cramps are not because of diseases like endometriosis or a pelvic infection (which a doctor can let you know off), then it is mostly due to your daily routine that worsens the natural contraction that one gets before the flow becomes normal.

Here are a few tips to ease your discomfort during the monthly menstrual cycle:

Walk: Walking will release the muscle tension and reduce menstrual cramps by improving circulation in the pelvic organs.

“If you’re walking, strike a relaxed pose that lets you swing your hips and arms freely and lets you breathe rhythmically. If your normally brisk pace wears you out during this time, do yourself a favor and slow down,” suggests Robert Thayer, Ph.D., professor of psychology at California State University, Long Beach.

Take refuge in Heat: Hot substances work as pain relievers, so take a warm water bath. Also use a heating pad on your belly and your back. This will ease your spasms and reduce the pain.

Herbal Tea: Herbal tea with gingerroot can work wonders to brighten you up when you are struggling with the pain.

Take a Balanced Diet: Healthier diet may not cure the cramps but it ensures your overall well-being, which is very important to get control of your cramps. Cut out the salty and sweet junk foods as they will make you feel sluggish. Add more of vegetables, fruits, chicken and fish in your diet. Also, instead of taking heavy meals three times a day, space your food in small meals throughout the day.

Say no to Caffeine: Doctors do not recommend caffeine in your intake because it can contribute to menstrual discomfort by making you nervous. So stay away from coffee, tea, cola and chocolate. The oils in coffee may also irritate your intestines.

Say no to Alcohol: Alcohol worsens the problem one faces during menstrual cycle. So, it’s better to say ‘no’.

Yoga: Yoga instructors suggest that yoga can help get relief from the menstrual cramps. A light routine that stretches and limbers the hips and other joints but doesn’t vigorously compress or stretch the abdomen is recommended.

Calcium a must: Calcium maintains the normal muscle tone and therefore prevents cramps.

Step up the magnesium: Magnesium optimizes calcium absorption in your body. So you will lose less calcium which will indirectly reduce cramps.

Be particular about Vitamins: Healthy intake of Vitamins and minerals is sure to prevent cramps.

Medication: Say ‘yes’ to drugs! Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen (Advil) relieve you from cramps and also nausea that you get due to cramps. They do not cause any side-effects.

“The trick to easing your pain is to take medication at the very onset of pain or discomfort and repeat every six hours until the pain subsides. Don’t save the medication for times of severe pain,” says Andrea Rapkin, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine.

Remember - Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent discomfort during menstrual cycle.

People often opt for alternative medicine and other holistic approaches to prevent and treat several ailments. But some of these useful natural herbal remedies might prove harmful on certain stages like pregnancy.

Though there are some herbs that are useful and completely safe during pregnancy, there are others that are unsafe and hence should be avoided during pregnancy. Herbs like Bilberry, Chamomile, Blue Cohosh, Echinacea, Burdock Root, Ginger Root, Lobelia, Nettles, Peppermint, Red Raspberry and Wild yam are completely safe to be consumed during pregnancy.

The herbs that are harmful and which should be completely avoided are:

1. Avoid coffee as it contains caffeine, which when taken in excess amount can cause premature birth or miscarriage in women who are sensitive to caffeine.
2. Eucalyptus oil is difficult to get eliminated through the kidneys and hence need to be avoided.
3. Angelica, Lovge, Golden seal, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Tansy, Wild Ginger and Warmwood are some of the herbs that can cause uterine contractions.
4. Pennyroyal, Rue and Yarrow can cause abortion.
5. Cinchona has oxytocic effects; it can promote menstruation and so should be avoided during pregnancy.
6. Ma Huang has antihistamine effect and increases the pulse rate and blood pressure; so this herb should be avoided during pregnancy.
7. The cooking herbs that should be avoided are: Basil, Caraway Seeds, Celery Seeds, Ginger, Horseradish, Savory, Marjoram, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Parsley, Tarragon, Thyme, Watercress, Carrot Seed and Licorice Hops.
8. Anthraquinone laxatives should be avoided during pregnancy as they stimulate muscles, including the uterus, possibly causing miscarriage. Aloe, Buckthorn, Cascara, Sagrada, Docks, Meadow Saffron and Senna are laxatives.
9. Essential oils Calamus, Cayenne, Fennel, Juniper, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Passion Flower, Rosemary, Sage, Thuja, Thyme and Yarrow should be avoided as it affects both the pregnant woman and the growing fetus.

Natural herbs for curing menopausal symptoms have become very popular because of its safe nature and also because of its effectiveness in providing relief. Here are some commonly used natural herbs to deal with the symptoms of menopause.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

This is one of the most popular herbs used during menopause. It reduces and gives relief from hot flashes, mood swings, depression and memory loss. It also reduces cramps and congestions, and improves the thickness and elasticity of vaginal tissues. The dried root of this herb is used.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus)

Chasteberry is widely used to bring the hormonal fluctuations (experienced during menopause) to control. Dried fruit of this tree is used.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

During menopause, because of hormonal imbalance, your liver might get under trouble. Dandelion is an excellent herb for your liver. Leaves, roots and tops of Dandelion are used.

Sage

The cooking herb sage is very good for hot flashes. It helps eliminating night sweats. Fresh or dried leaves of the herb are used.

Valerian

Insomnia is a common symptom during menopause. Valerian easily helps you drift into deep sleep.

St. John’s Wort

Mood swings during menopause can also be cured by St. John’s Wort. Fresh or dried flowering plant is used.

Dong quai

Roots of the herb Dong quai helps in reducing the symptoms of estrogen deficiency.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Leaves of Gingko bilobia give relief from symptoms of fatigue, depression and memory problems.

Raspberry

Raspberry acts directly on the muscles of the uterus and tones the weakened muscles. Fresh or dried leaves and fruit of the herb are used.

Wild yam (Dioscarea villosa)

This estrogenic herb is helpful in giving relief from menopausal arthritis. It also helps reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. Dried roots and rhizomes of the herb are used.

According to studies based on a food frequency questionnaire, women whose 40 percentage of calorie intake is from fat, have about 15 percent more risks of having breast cancer than those women whose calorie intake from fat is only 20 percent.  This is true in the case of all types of fat like saturated, monosaturated and polyunsaturated). In laboratory animals, both saturated fats and polyunsaturated fats containing omega-6 fatty acids have shown to increase the growth of breast tumors.

“Other studies have also found these associations; the higher the fat intake, the higher your risk for breast cancer.” says Dr. Anne C. M. Thiebaut from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.

In a country like the United States where there are very high incidences of breast cancer, the fat makes up to 34% of their calorie intake. Dietary fat has also shown to increase the risk of breast tumor in laboratory animals. There are studies which have shown that consumption of olive oil reduces the risk of breast cancer. Fish oil also reduces the growth of tumors.

Frequent problems in a marriage may lead to stress and depression in couples, leading to ill health. Here are some simple tips to improve your marriage, without much effort:

1. Chore therapy: Helping your wife in the kitchen and with the washing can improve your marriage and sex life. It has been found that men who perform the most chores appear extremely sexually attractive to their wives and have good relationships. What more, it also teaches your children good values and the importance of helping and caring for each other. The wives feel more loved and this increases their interest in sex.

2. Seal with a kiss. According to studies, kissing your partner goodbye in the morning and night, improves your marriage in some days. You can make a huge difference to your relationship with simple gestures like this.

3. Don’t take your problems to bed: Forget your tiffs and problems before going to bed each night. Look beyond your differences and communicate with your partner. Sharing your happiness and problems can give you marital bliss and a great comfort level in bed.

Also read: Divorce Is Bad For Your Health .

Pregnant women who suffer from influenza (flu), pneumonia or a sexually transmitted disease are at an increased risk of having a child who will develop leukemia.

A study found that a maternal history of influenza or pneumonia, that occurs between 3 months before conception through the end of breastfeeding period raises the risk of leukemia in the child by as much as 89 percent.

And a history of sexually transmitted disease, such as herpes or chlamydia, has an even stronger effect on the risk of leukemia, increasing the odds by more than sixfold.

These studies emphasize the importance of maintaining good health to ensure smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Also read: Home Remedies For Morning Sickness During Pregnancy .

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) often causes discomfort to most women. PMS is caused by hormonal changes that occur around the time of menstruation. Women suffering from PMS often experience painful cramps, stress, acne breakouts and fluid retention. Women are also likely to face headache, mood swings, tiredness, irritability, back or lower abdominal pain and feeling of bloating.

It is that time of the month and you are are feeling irritable and awful. Here’s what you can do to get relief:

1. Drink plenty of water. Water helps to cleanse your system and get rid of toxins.

2. Avoid food that is too cold, like curd, iced water, ice creams, and cucumbers.

3. Avoid eating 3 heavy meals. Instead, consume smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day, say 5 to 6 times a day. Women with PMS need to stabilize their blood sugar levels.

4. Reduce your intake of salt and sugar.

5. You may think that a cup of coffee can boost your mood instantly, but caffeine infact, depletes essential Vitamin B from the body, which in turn can cause hormonal imbalance. Coffee increases depression, irritability and anxiety.

6. Get enough sleep during the night. Listen to some soft music, read a good book, or take a warm bath to relax you before hit the bed.

7. A good diet and exercise helps a lot. Eat a balanced diet, containing enough fruits and vegetables. Eat a diet that contains plenty of complex carbohydrates like wholemeal bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, etc. Also include enough potassium in your diet by including broccoli, fish, beans etc.

8. Exercise regularly. You can do aerobics or jogging. Exercise helps to get relief from PMS symptoms, but it should be done regularly, not just when you suffer from PMS.

9. Eat plenty of beans, nuts and seeds.

10. Avoid red meat and fatty foods, as it increases estrogen levels in your blood and can aggravate the symptoms of PMS.

11. Take magnesium supplemets daily to get relief from PMS symptoms. Calcium supplements may also help. Intake of vitamin B6 also helps in blood circulation and water retention.

12. Take a hot bath to relax the muscles and relieve your cramps.

13. Avoid stress at home and work.

Breast Implants have become a rage with women who are not satisfied with the natural appearance of their bodies. Women who are rich enough to pay for it do not think twice going-under-the-knife in the name of vanity due to its easy access and availability. What more, even under-age girls whose bodies are not fully developed are going for a boob job, thanks to the endorsements done by celebrities and clinics. But come to think of it, nobody really likes the sight of over-busty Pamela Anderson or Carmen Electra for that matter. And who can forget Hollywood actress Tara Reid’s famous boob-job gone wrong.

Here are some bitter-facts about breast implants …

• A study by a maker of saline breast implants, found that 27 percent of implants had to be taken back within three years, due to side effects.
• Around 25 to 40 percent of women who get breast implants need another operation to correct something wrong with the first one.
• Breast cancer patients have more complications with implants, than people without them.
• Around 9 percent of saline implants deflate within just 3 years. And the complications become more and more common for each year implants spend in the body.
• An FDA study found that even in women who had not complained of any trouble with implants, their MRI scans showed two thirds of them had ruptured implants on at least one side.
• Sometimes there can be cultures of microorganisms growing inside saline implants. Even the silicone gel ones are not safe as there can be some kind of stuff growing inside them too.
• Though this is rare, there can be complications so severe that the breast ends up getting amputated and the chest wall can be injured. This affects your lungs and heart and may sometimes even lead to death.
• And some doctors do not accept blood or organ donations from women who have silicone in their bodies. So how can they claim to be safe.
• If you are from Europe, where oil-filled implants are allowed, British doctor Rahim Karjoo warns that oils leaking into the body can absorb calcium, and if the resulting soaplike material enters the bloodstream, it can create fat emboli, which can kill you without warning. So the British government recently withdrew its approval for oil-filled implants.
• If there are any infections, surgery in fatty tissues can be dangerous. Infections with implants are harder to treat and the implant may have to be taken out before the infection can be controlled.
• One of the fastest growing businesses by surgeons is repairing the errors and complications of previous breast jobs done by other doctors.
• One doctor who calls saline implants absolutely safe, George Beraka, from New York still admits that some breasts can end up ‘as firm as your thigh’ due to scar tissue.

What Are The Risks Associated With Breast Implants ???
The risks of getting breast implants include:

1. Breast implants may make it more difficult to detect breast cancer on a mammogram. Implants can interfere with mammography readings and possibly delay breast cancer detection by hiding a suspicious lesion.

2. Capsular contracture. This is one of the most common problems caused by breast implants, when scar tissue around the implant hardens and begins to squeeze the implant. This can cause hardening of the breast tissue and changes the shape of the breast and may lead to uneven breasts. This can make breasts hard and painful. Corrective surgery may be needed to remove the scar tissue or replace the implant when capsular contracture develops.

3. Rippling caused by implant weight. This can occur, especially when heavier implants settle and drag the skin, causing a rippled effect. This is most likely to occur when textured implants are used in the breast enlargement process.

4. Loss of feeling in the nipples or breast tissue due to nerve damage.

5. Difference in size and shape of the breasts after surgery. Or there may be shifting from the original place, giving the breasts an unnatural look.

6. Infections can occur at any time, but it often occurs during the first week after surgery. In some cases, the implant may have to be removed for sometime and then replaced.

7. Hematoma or blood collection under the skin. Although this is uncommon, some women may suffer from this condition.

8. Abnormal scarring.

9. Formation of calcium deposits in surrounding tissue, causing pain and hardening.

10. Fibromyalgia/Fibrositis-like disorders including pain, tenderness and stiffness of muscles and ligaments.

11. Autoimmune disorders like joint pain, swelling, skin tightness, redness, swelling of hands and feet, rash, unusual fatigue, unusual hair loss, muscle weakness or burning etc.

12. An injury to the breast can damage the implant, causing it to leak, deflate, or rupture.

What To Think About ???

Breast enhancements do not prevent age-related sagging, or changes in the breast as a result of pregnancies, weight gain or loss. And just think about it - are bigger breasts really worth it ???

Are There Any Safe Alternatives ???

The best way to a better bust size is not by having breast augumentation surgeries by having loads of chemicals inserted into your body. Indeed, the best thing you can do is eat a well balanced and nutritious diet and follow a regular exercise program to naturally give a perk to your twins. Instead of investing in those surgeries, invest in eating healthy and better quality food.

Start making these positive changes in your life and with the passage of time, you will soon overcome this ‘breast size fixation’ and will be less bothered about it. You will atleast have a healthier body by the time you grow old. Stop worrying about your bust-size and put your long-term well-being in top priority.

Morning sickness refers to the nausea and vomiting that most women experience when they are pregnant. It is very common early in your pregnancy and tends to go away later in the pregnancy. But for some it may last all through the pregnancy. Usually women feel sick throughout the day and not just in the morning.

Here are some tips to relieve your morning sickness through your eating habits:

• Eat smaller meals throughout the day, say after every 3 hours, so that you never feel too hungry or too full. Don’t skip your meals.
• Avoid food that is rich, fatty, greasy, fried or spicy.
• Drink some lemonade or suck on a lemon.
• Ginger is very beneficial for alleviating nausea. Try mixing some ginger pieces with honey and sucking whenever you feel nauseous. Or suck on ginger hard candies. You can also try ginger ale.
• Avoid foods with smells that bother you. Cooking food in the microwave usually produces lesser smells.
• Eat enough carbohydrates like plain baked potato, white rice and toast.
• Try non-caffeinated teas like peppermint and ginger tea.
• Eat some chicken soup. Eat something salty just before a meal, so that you don’t vomit during the meal.
• Eat salted crackers and other bland foods whenever you feel nauseous.
• Try peppermint candy, plain crushed ice, gelatin desserts (Jell-O), flavored frozen desserts, icecreams and pretzels.
• Eat plain crackers or a bowl of cereal in the morning.
• Chew a piece of spearmint or other mint gums. The minty flavor helps your stomach to settle down.
• Eat frequent protein snacks like nuts, seafood, eggs and beans.
• Try eating apples that are a little sour. Or drink apple juice, that is a bit sour.
• Drink small amounts of fluids thoughout the day to prevent dehydration. Drink slowly, a few sips at a time. But avoid drinking between meals.
• Cold foods have less nausea inducing smells.

Other important tips to help you:

• Avoid very warm places, because sometimes heat can also increase the nausea.
• Take small naps during the day, but not right after eating. Lack of rest also increases your sickness.
• Get enough sleep at night.
• Try using acupressure wrist bands or motion sickness wrist bands that people use when travelling by sea. You can get them at most boating stores or travel agencies.
• Get out of bed slowly in the morning.
• Use exhaust fans and windows while cooking to avoid strong odors.
• Take a walk in fresh air, and keep your windows open.
• Stay away from cigarette smoke.

Also read: Caring For Your Teeth During Pregnancy, Underweight Women & Miscarriage, Pregnant Women Should Not Take Paxil Antidepressant.

Good news for all ya women who work at home - A new research shows that women who exercise by doing the housework can reduce their risk of breast cancer.

The study conducted on 200,000 women from 9 European countries found that doing household chores was far more cancer protective than playing sport.

We have long known that physical exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer, but we are glad to know that something as simple and cheap as doing housework can help. Tasks like cleaning, cooking, washing, dusting, mopping and vacuuming are all better than having a physical job.

The latest study took both pre and post-menopausal women into account and studied a range of activities, including work, leisure and housework. It was observed that housework can cut breast cancer risk by 30% in pre-menopausal women and 20% in post-menopausal women.

The results suggested that moderate forms of physical activity, such as housework, may be more important than less frequent but more intense recreational physical activity in reducing breast cancer risk. Doctors also suggest men and women to maintain a healthy weight and do regular exercise to reduce the risk of cancer.

Bone loss is a major problem today in young adults. During your childhood and adolescence, your bone mass increases and you have healthier bones. But once you hit 30, the pendulum swings the other way and you start losing more bone than you build. Women, ofcourse, lose bone faster due to declining estrogen. Other reasons may be low calcium intake, less physical activity, chronic stress and decreased ability to absorb calcium as you age.

Follow these tips to prevent bone loss:

1. Increase your intake of calcium: Consume low-fat milk, yoghurt and calcium-enriched juices everyday. Also include beans, green leafy vegetables, cereals, soy foods and cottage cheese in your daily diet.

2. Be physically and aerobically active. Take a walk every day. You can also jog or bike for 30 minutes a day. But do not overdo jogging or running. This strengthens the leg bones and muscles and lowers excess body fat.

3. Keep your stress levels under control through meditation and breathing.

4. Simply jump up and down for 2 minutes. This is the best exercise for preventing osteoporosis. But don’t lock your knees when you land and wear athletic shoes. The jolt that your hipbones get instructs them to make more bone. You can also try yoga, Tai Chi, gigong, pilates and martial to help build and maintain strong bones.

5. Lift weights atleast twice a week. This increases muscle mass and strength, stimulates bone building and increases your calorie burn.