One of the most important things you can teach your child is respect. Teaching a child to be respectful is not as difficult as it may seem. The best way to teach respect is to show respect. But first, we must understand what it means to show respect.

Respect is an attitude. It is a response to others that may be verbal and non-verbal. Respect is the attitude of admiration or esteem – to hold in esteem or consider well-regarded – towards others, oneself and one’s possessions. A respectful child takes care of belongings and responsibilities, and a respectful child gets along with peers, parents and figures of authority.

Respect, unlike mathematics or grammar, is an abstract concept. There is no step-by-step model to apply to teach a child respect. Just as the best way to teach a child how to love is to show love, the best way to teach respect is to show respect. Children model the behavior of the adults in their lives. Keep in mind the saying “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

When a child experiences respect, they know what it feels like and begin to understand how important it is. Start early – start to teach your children as soon as they may begin to understand what you say to them. It is always much more difficult to show and teach respect to a teenager who has not really been held accountable.

While your child is learning respectful behavior patterns, it is essential to modify inappropriate behavior. If your child does something that is not respectful, take time to point out, in quiet and non-threatening ways, that their behaviors towards others or you are not respectful. Always begin that dialogue in a safe manner for them and build upon their strengths. Be sure to offer them alternate ways in which the situation may have been better handled.

Let’s take a peak:

Four-year old Chloe is on school field trip to the aquarium. Her mother is one of the parent chaperones for the trip. The field trip has Chloe’s mother feeling a bit uneasy due to Chloe’s outbursts in most situations. Mom fears that Chloe will have a tantrum in front of her teachers and demonstrate how little control she has over Chloe.
The trip proceeds smoothly until Chloe discovers the gift shop. She eyes up a huge blue dolphin that she states will need to come to sleep with her tonight. Chloe’s mother proceeds to explain to Chloe that the dolphin is quite expensive and she will need to pick out something less expensive.

At that point Chloe begins to call her mother names such as stupid, and dumb. Chloe’s mother is often uncomfortable to confront her daughter when she is showing disrespect towards others. Not knowing what to do, and being caught between embarrassment in front of teachers and her feelings toward her daughter, she takes Chloe by the hand and leads her to the lobby.

The response to Chloe’s behavior is crucial in successfully modifying inappropriate behavior. The scene can be played out in one of two ways:

Accepting inappropriate behavior: If mom is not aware of the ways to deal with disrespectful behavior, Chloe will most likely be spoken to in a harsh manner: threatening her future freedom (“If you don’t stop right now, you will never go on another field trip again) or bargaining in an attempt to stop the incident (“If you stop calling me stupid, I’ll buy you the dolphin”). Neither response will teach Chloe the respect that she will need as she encounters similar situations in her life. If the parent responds in a manner that shows the child that their behavior is acceptable, the child will not modify their behavior and will continue to act inappropriately.

Modifying inappropriate behavior: If mom is comfortable confronting her daughter and has handled these types of behaviors in the past with Chloe, she will quietly lead Chloe out to the lobby and sit her down in a safe space. She will review the trip and tell her what behaviors Chloe demonstrated today that were exemplary and then discuss the behaviors that were less then acceptable. Chloe’s mother will then discuss ways in which Chloe could handle her feelings in a more positive manner. The discussion ends with a gentle reminder that respect must be a part of how they treat each other and that Chloe will have the opportunity to have a new toy or treat upon her next positive behavioral display. No threats, no bargains… just an honest discussion about how the child behaved appropriately and which actions were not appropriate.

Respect requires:

1) Early Introduction: Introduce the concept of respect early (as soon as the child is able to understand when being spoken to) by identifying positive and negative behavioral patterns.

2) Model: Show your children how to respect by interacting respectfully with your spouse and with others.

3) Awareness: Talk with your child at those times when they demonstrate behavior that is less then respectful. Showing them in the moment is most beneficial.

4) Build On Strengths: In discussions with your child, begin by building on the strengths that they have shown, the positive behaviors in which they have engaged, and how to improve the undesired behaviors.

Always ask for assistance when unsure of how to proceed.

If you are like me, you are probably skeptical of things that sound too good to be true. Hypnosis promises an easier and possibly a pain-free childbirth. Is it a laboring woman’s advantage to use self-hypnosis? Can a woman really be free from pain in labor without an epidural? It seems hard to believe that hypnosis can be that effective.

While I was studying to teach Lamaze classes, I was introduced to hypnosis for childbirth. Since I am a doula, I advocate anything that will help my clients have an easier, safe delivery. However, I was extremely leary of the whole idea. I grew up believing that hypnosis was of the devil, but still was intrigued with the concept of a painless, non-medicated birth. As I further studied hypnosis, I found that it is self-taught, allowing the person to be in complete control. Hypnosis is simply deep relaxation. Relaxation is what we teach our students in Lamaze. Self-hypnoses is just an extension of this skill.

What I have found in my experience is that hypnosis works. Really! Women who practice self-hypnosis in pregnancy have an easier, shorter and more controlled childbirth. With hypnosis, some women appear to be sleeping during active and transition phases of labor. One of the benefits of practiced hypnosis during pregnancy is when a woman becomes afraid or uncertain in labor, her experience with relaxation takes over and she will be able to calm quickly. Who wouldn’t want that?

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis is deep relaxation, self taught. For some, it takes very little time to become relaxed. For others it is a taught skill. The more you practice, the easier and faster you can achieve relaxation. The feeling of deep relaxation is a heavy feeling or a light/ floating feeling. You may even feel a tingling sensation.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

When a woman experiences fear in labor, she will have tension. With the tension, comes pain. The relaxation takes away the fear and tension, thereby, reducing or eliminating the pain of childbirth. The more a mother-to-be practices before labor, the less chance fear will creep in during childbirth. The mother who practices relaxation or hypnosis will have an advantage over others who have not practiced. The incentive of practiced hypnosis is that it results in a shorter childbirth and a relaxed mother. An extra bonus is there is less need for medical interventions.

HOW TO START

First get a relaxation CD that is soothing to you. Find a comfortable spot without interruptions. Lay or sit comfortably. Breathe in and out deeply and slowly. For beginners it is best to have a relaxation CD where someone is talking you through it. The more you practice the better. Practicing a minimum of 15 minutes daily for at least 4 or more weeks before delivery can be helpful in reducing the fear and, thereby, reducing the pain. A pre-natal yoga class is very beneficial as well.

So! DOES HYPNOSIS REALLY WORK?

Yes, it does work for a mother who truly practices and remembers what she has practiced during labor. Hypnosis is a powerful aid because it empowers the mother.

Where to Go for More Information:

There are many childbirth hypnosis methods out there. Any hypnosis childbirth class can help achieve an easier childbirth experience if the mother practices. For others who prefer to study in the privacy of their home there is “Hypbirth.” This is a home childbirth hypnosis study program. Please visit www.birth-angel.com for more information on this product and other pregnancy and childbirth resources.

What is prenatal massage? Prenatal Massage is a form of therapeutic bodywork that is geared to meet the unique needs of the pregnant woman. Promoting better function of muscles and joints, prental massage also improves circulation and overall body tone. Additionally, prenatal massage decreases mental and physical fatigue as well.

Mutually beneficial, by having regular prenatal massage therapy, mothers are more relaxed; thus allowing the new life inside to be nourished. Prenatal massage is usually begun during the 2nd and/or third trimesters of pregnancy. While lying on her side, a pregnant woman can be massaged on her side, in a semi-reclining position, and even on her belly, with the use of a specially-designed pillow. With low lighting and soft music, prenatal massage is performed via gentle massage strokes over the back and entire body.

Helping to relieve sciatic nerve pain and multiple other conditions experienced during pregnancy, prenatal massage is an effective therapy for helping to calm, and promote overall wellbeing. To learn more about prenatal massage or if you are interested in becoming a prenatal massage therapist, feel free to peruse our holistic practitioner and healing arts schools directories today at HolisticJunction.com.

Until the moment I became a mother, I couldn’t quite understand or comprehend the depth when people say “Mothers are the strongest, most noble and loving people in this whole wide world” It’s just a whole bunch of cliché stuff that I could live without, thank you very much!

The pain. The joy. The sacrifices. The love. The fear. The confusion. The anxiety, panic, loss of time, loss of privacy. The internal battle between a person’s own inner personality conflicting with those of being a mother. The need to be alone and oneself roughly pushed aside because a child needs caring, loving and affection. The loss of sleep, the loss of opportunities.

I knew but I never understood.

Now that I am mom, everything within me is screaming for attention. My needs to be the best mom in this whole wide world and the need for me to be the best that I can be. Now, I realize the weight of the statement. We are the noblest people in this whole wide world.

There are many different sensations which come along with being a mother. Some good and some bad.

Best moments of motherhood

1. Seeing your baby’s first smile (does it matter that it could have been wind in tummy? Nah!)

2. Breastfeeding

3. Baby cooing and smiling when she sees you

4. Baby calms down when you give me a nice warm cuddle

5. Baby’s first tooth

6. The first giant wobbly step

7. The first word

8. The first baby utters ‘mamma’ or ‘mommy’

9. Getting down for tickle-time…right after story time

10. Seeing your child/baby overcome an obstacle without your help

11. The start of potty training (Very huge accomplishment)

12. The first A, B, C…

13. The first 1, 2, 3

14. When your baby comes over to you for a hug (for no apparent reason at all)

15. When someone tells you that your child is handsome or pretty

16. When someone compliments you on how well-behaved your child is

17. Child learns how to dance

18. Enjoying the off-key singing of your child

19. Seeing your child make new friends

20. Your child is able to love someone else other than you and herself.

21. You can dance around naked with your child with no inhibition

22. Going shopping with your teen.

23. Kissing your child in the morning before leaving for work

24. when your child gives you something to show you what a wonderful mother you have been to him/her.

Worst moments of motherhood

1. colic

2. First month as a mother

3. Teething problems

4. Inability to understand what your child is yabbering about (when learning to talk)

5. Sleeplessness

6. Awful excess of weight

7. First few months returning to work

8. Separation anxiety (for both mother and child)

9. Missing your child when you’re alone

10. The inability to watch a single TV program or movie right to the end uninterrupted

11. Missing out with all your unmarried, child-less friends

12. Missing out on those romantic diaper-less moments with your spouse

13. Baby giving your health shock 3 times a week

14. The first few days of weaning baby onto solids

15. Weaning baby from the breast

16. You feel like complete old hag in a disco or party.

17. First few times baby starts walking (toddling)

18. Throwing a tantrum of your own in response to your child’s

19. Clinging child when you’re tired from work or rushing to meet a deadline

20. Starting preschool

21. Employing a new nanny

22. When your teen gets his/her driving license….oohhh….the tension and stress!

23. When your teen tells you she’s got a boyfriend…worse still, she doesn’t tell you a ting and you find out about it from your neighbor.

Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep track of your child’s physical growth. During each checkup, the doctor will measure your baby’s length, weight, and head circumference. The doctor can then compare the measurements for your baby to a chart of national averages for infants of the same age and sex.

The result is that the doctor will be able to tell you what percentile your baby is in when compared to average baby growth around the nation. For example, if your doctor tells you your 4-month-old is in the 86th percentile for weight, that means 86 percent of the two-month-olds in your country weigh less, and that 14 percent weigh more. A baby that is at the 50th percentile in either height or weight is right at the national average.

Typically, parents seem to worry quite a bit about these percentages, and that worrying is usually needlessly blown out of proportion. There are many factors that come into play when determining where your baby’s statistics will fall in the percentile chart.

It is very important to remember that no two babies are the same and that every child, due to body chemistry, heredity, diet, and many other factors will grow at their own pace.

Some babies will have growth spurts right from the start and others will take a bit longer to begin major growth periods. These measurements, charts, and percentile points are merely guides for a doctor to help in assessing your baby’s growth.

In addition to the measurements that your pediatrician will take during regularly scheduled doctor visits, you may also want to track your baby’s growth at home.

Keep in mind that the measurements you take at home may or may not be as accurate as the measurements your doctor takes, but they can provide a certain degree of insight into the growth of your baby and many new parents have found it to be a fascinating way to participate in the parenting process.

Here are some tips that can help you, as inquisitive parents, track your baby’s growth at home using commercially available scales and other measuring devices.

If baby is too small to stand upright on the scale, you can try using this procedure:

· With your baby in your arms, step onto a standard bathroom scale.

· Make note of the weight displayed on the scale and write it down on a piece of paper.

· Put your baby down and step onto the scale alone this time.

· Make note of the weight displayed and subtract this number from the combined weight of you and your baby. The resulting number is your baby’s weight.

To measure your baby’s length all you need to do is lay her down on a flat surface (her changing table is a great place for this task) and stretch a measuring tape from head to toes.

For the measuring of head circumference all you need to do is wrap the measuring tape around your baby’s head. You should wrap the measuring tape just above your baby’s eyebrows, so the tape falls right at the top of the ears. What you are trying to measure is the point around his head that has the largest circumference.

When taking your baby to the doctor your pediatrician will perform more accurate measurements. Pediatricians do the “baby measuring thing” on a daily basis and will be able to achieve a much more accurate result than you will at home. This is due to the fact that they are accustomed to the things babies do that can result in an inaccurate measurement and they have very accurate measuring tools made specifically for the purpose of measuring the characteristics of babies, such as proper baby scales equipped with cradles.

Your doctor will most likely take measurements several times during one visit and average the results together to ensure accuracy and to compensate for any discrepancies that may arise. It is crucial for the doctor’s measurements to be as accurate as possible because a discrepancy of as little as a few millimeters in length or a few grams in weight can make a difference where your baby falls on the charts.

Since the results of these measurements may determine changes to your baby’s diet, and other possible changes to how your baby is fed and treated during her first year, it is important that these results are as accurate as possible.

Your pediatrician will measure the following characteristics of your baby:

Weight:

After calibrating the scale the doctor or nurse will place your completely naked baby on a baby scale. There are electronic and traditional beam-type versions of the baby scale, but most will typically have the same type of baby holding stainless steel cradle. After your child is able to stand on her own, your pediatrician will most likely use a standard upright scale.

Length:

Like weighing, until your baby is able to stand up on his own, your doctor will perform the height/length measurements with your baby lying down. Your doctor may use a tape measure, much like you use at home, or may utilize a special “baby-measuring device”, which consists of a headboard and movable footboard to obtain the most accurate results possible.

Head circumference: This measurement will be taken in almost the same way you did at home. The doctor will take the measurement at the point where the head is at its largest circumference, right above the ears and around to the back of the head where the neck meets the cranium. Usually the pediatrician will record this measurement to the nearest 0.3 cm (1/8th of an inch).

The head is different from other parts of the body in that the brain is not fully formed at the time of birth and therefore the head will continue to grow during baby’s first year.

Baby’s head is a particular point of concern for the doctor because a head that is growing too rapidly can be a sign of hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and a head that is growing too slowly can be indicative of nutritional or developmental problems. Regardless, you shouldn’t be too concerned if your baby’s head appears a bit disproportional compared to the rest of her body, as this is completely normal for the first year of life.

With you or without you, your baby will be learning from the moment she is born and starts to take in her new surroundings. Every sight and sound will be a part of her learning process; she will observe everything you do and listen to every word you say. And as the months pass, she will eventually start to copy.
Fully conscious teaching, with books and other articles of learning, will come much later on; but of course, it is entirely up to you.

With our baby daughter, Saffron, I started reading her a bed time story at about six months old. She could not understand fully, but it gave her exposure to books, and the comfort of a bed time routine, with my voice and sounds, and the pictures in the book. It did not matter that every evening it was Goldilocks and the Three Bears, or one of the other old favorites in the book. Here in the Philippines there are not many books of children’s stories in the stores.

Repetition does not matter, in fact it is part of the comfort for the baby. That routine helped to ensure that she slept contented every night, and has only woken once since. That was recently when she seems to have had a bad dream. A quick cuddle, and she was back to sleep again.

One thing to always bear in mind is that your baby, whatever age, will know and understand far more than you think. All the while, when she is not talking, she will be picking up words and their meanings. Those words will eventually come out verbally, even if they don’t sound quite right to begin with.

Personally, I think it is important to speak to a baby in a normal, adult like way and never limit your speech to what you think she knows. A bright child especially will take in just about everything you say when they are past 6 months, and remember it longer than you would expect. One day they will surprise you, and follow your instruction over something you had no idea they could understand.

From a very early age, it is best to “explain while you talk while you do”. If you are feeding her potato, tell her it is potato; if you are preparing a bottle of milk, tell her you are making her milk. Every time you do something in front of her, it is an opportunity to teach her about what is happening around her. By doing so you will speed her knowledge and understanding, expose her more to language, and also help to build your relationship with her. By conversing with her all the time, you are showing her respect as an individual, and that will help her confidence and feeling of belonging. If you treat her as dumb, she will be dumb.

There is no need to force a baby to learn anything. To be effective and useful, it needs to be done in a natural and relaxed way. Saffron is now 20 months, and for many months now she has been the one to decide what she wants to do at bedtime: a story, nursery rhymes, her new teaching cards. Respect her choice, and you help her mature as a child; but let it be known it is her bed time. If her demand is to get up and play again, then you need to be firm, or you will stack up problems for later. You should be the boss, but she should be able to make a reasonable choice.

Sometimes she will surprise you. Saffron got bored with the bed time stories recently, and all she wanted for a few nights was something to hold. For a few bed times, she wanted a book to hold as she lay down, despite the fact there was no chance of reading it once the light was out. Then it was one of her dolls, and next back to stories and nursery rhymes again.

All learning should be pressure free, and fun for the baby. If she wants to learn alone, let her. If she wants your help, help her. Teaching your baby can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. You will probably find she will, in a way, teach you what she wants to learn about. If you stimulate her mind, and she is observant, she will be pointing out things from a very young age. It is important for you to participate with her. If she points at the moon and gets excited, explain to her what it is; if she points to a bird, do the same.

Babies learn an enormous amount in a short time. By conversing with them in a normal way, they will understand simple instructions before you know it. But they do make simple associations and follow those instructions literally. At about 15 months, Saffron often left a bit of her food at meal times and I would finish it for her. After this went on a few weeks, I remarked that I was her garbage bin. A few weeks more passed, and she had finished eating an apple one day, and offered her mum the core. Her mum said: “Put it in the garbage.” Saffron went toddling off, not to the garbage bin, but to me. I was the garbage bin to her, because that is what I had “taught” her a few weeks earlier.

That brought lots of laughs, but when she was corrected the revised knowledge stuck, and now in the same situation she wanders off to find the real garbage bin.

Teaching your baby is a daily and ongoing activity, but one that can just be melded in with your normal activities. It’s a fun time for both of you, so enjoy it while you can.

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You’re having a new baby! Now, on to the serious stuff. You’re going to get yourself prepared for your new baby, mentally, physically and you will need to adjust your house and car for the new baby too!

Mentally preparing for the new baby

Remember this, women adjust to having a new baby faster than men; so, don’t expect husbands to start being all fatherly after the pregnancy is announced. They’re not like that. Women adjust better to the new baby, mentally, because they experience physical, emotional and psychological changes. These changes help them adjust to the new baby quicker. However, men start feeling the new baby when they see the bump or feel the flicker of baby movement over mommy’s belly.

Physically preparing for the new baby

There’s nothing much a new father can do to prepare to the new baby. What needs to be done by a father needs to be done BEFORE the new baby is conceived. However, the new father can try quitting smoking, quitting drinking and other vices once the new baby is conceived. Needless to say, the new mother needs to do the same too.

Planning for the new baby: the house and car

With the new baby, depending on whether you’re planning to co-sleep with the baby or whether you’re planning to plonk the baby in a separate room affects the changes to your home. Either way, we recommend having a separate room for your new baby, even if the new baby is going to be sleeping with the new parents for the first couple of months. A baby crib, some toys, a place to put all the baby’s clothes, shelves to convenient grab lotions, creams, diaper wipes, diapers, etc. off near the changing table is a MUST.

You’ll also need to think about getting a baby chair too; baby chair for the house (at the right height for the dining table) and also a baby chair for the car (for traveling). Some baby chairs can be adjusted to fit the adult dining chair AND fit into the car at the same time. They are a little bit more expensive than the conventional baby chairs, but the multi-function is extremely convenient PLUS it’s downright comfortable for your new baby.

Other essential stuff for your new baby

Frankly speaking, the essentials depend wholly on your own preference, budget and lifestyle. You can live without some of these things if you think you’d rather not waste the money.

If you’ve had previous babies before, you probably don’t need too many new baby clothes. New babies outgrow their clothes terribly fast and it’d be a waste of money to splurge on new clothes. You can get hand-me-downs from nieces and nephews too, if you want. What you should probably get are blankets, sweaters, coats, and clothes for going out. At home, your new baby’s not going to mind old clothes. In fact, it’s a fact that your new baby is probably going to like wearing the old clothes better than the new clothes. Don’t forget the feeding utensils like baby bowls, breast pump (if you’re planning to pump breast milk for your new baby at work), baby bottles, cloth nappies, diapers, baby wipes, lotions, shampoo, bath gels, towels, baby blankets, baby bedding, bibs, stroller, etc.

And don’t worry, you’ll do fine. The best thing to do is to get unbiased referrals from friends and family.

Every parent hopes and prays that their newborn will be healthy and safe. Normally a pregnancy lasts nine months. The gestation of a full term pregnancy is traditionally between 37 to 42 weeks. Any baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature.

Premature Babies face many challenges that full term babies often escape. This includes the possibility of being born with organs that are underdeveloped. Many premature babies have respiratory problems, as the lungs are generally one of the last organs to develop completely during gestation.

Fortunately modern technology has provided hospitals with the ability to care for infants born prematurely. In times of old infants born before 34 weeks faced many challenges, and were much more likely to die. Modern technology has allowed babies born as early as 26 weeks to still survive. There are several factors which might contribute to a mother’s likelihood of having a premature infant. These include the following:

• Having delivered a premature baby before, which increases your risk up to 40%
• Multiple gestations – the parents of twins generally face delivering prematurely
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• High Blood Pressure
• Pre-eclampsia – a condition in the mother experiences high blood pressure and
  edema, normally resulting from a buildup of toxins in the body
• Malnutrition
• Accident or injury
• Fetal Distress

Some premature babies have to stay in the hospital for several weeks after birth, until they are strong enough to venture home with mom and dad. Babies born before 34 weeks are often given steroids to help the lungs mature, in the hope that respiratory problems might be minimized. Some premature babies are too weak when born to suckle at mother’s breast. Moms however are still encouraged to place their premature infant at their chests. Studies show that babies who have skin to skin contact when born prematurely are more likely to thrive and gain weight faster than those who are not.

Mothers who give birth to a premature baby sometimes have to pump for the first few weeks in order to establish an adequate milk supply. If you find this is the case, you might consider renting a hospital grade pump to allow for optimal milk supply maintenance. Premature babies can be fed breast milk through a bottle. Premature babies will benefit from having the antibody rich milk from their mother’s breast.

Some babies born after 34 weeks require little extra assistance. Many leave the hospital after a few days, though the majority of babies born prematurely are not discharged until a time near their original due date. Signs that your baby is thriving include the ability to eat and a regular pattern of weight gain. The hospital staff will also take great care to ensure your baby is breathing well on his own. Some infants are born with a condition called jaundice, and are placed under special bilirubin lights to help the body break up the materials causing jaundice.

All newborns are at risk for infection because their immune systems need time to properly mature. This is even more so the case for premature infants. Many physicians recommend that you not take your infant into public/crowded places until they are at minimum three months old, to reduce the likelihood that they will catch a potentially life threatening cold.

Many babies born prematurely eventually catch up to their peers within a year. Thanks to modern technology a majority of babies born prematurely will do just as well as those born at or around their due date.

If you are pregnant, there are things you should know about pregnancy and tanning booths. Tanning beds safety while pregnant has become very questionable. A better choice might be to use the sunless tanning spray booth equipment to keep your golden tan.

Initially it was believed that the use of a tanning bed after the first trimester was okay. During the first trimester the concern was about overheating yourself and the baby. However, in the past few years health officials are taking a harder stance and are encouraging pregnant women to not use the tanning bed at all.

You’re pregnant, feeling a little less attractive than you normally would. Well you shouldn’t! Pregnant women look beautiful with a glow that cannot be achieved any other way.

However, if you are a little down and missing that sun-kissed skin of previous years, the safest tan you can achieve is from a bottle or a booth. The ingredients in self tanners are harmless to you and your baby. So you can get that golden tan without worrying about hurting your baby.

Not only are sunless tanners safe, they’ve come a long way in the past few years. No more orange skin or weird uneven finishes. You can choose from spray, lotions, or mousse. Apply evenly and within a few hours you’ll be golden gorgeous!

Although there is no conclusive evidence that a tanning bed will harm your baby, there is plenty of proof that it’s harmful to you. So if its harmful to you it only makes sense it could be harmful to your baby. So error on the side of caution and don’t do anything to harm your baby.

Tanning beds have been directly linked to skin cancer. So if you can increase your risk of skin cancer, doctors are becoming concerned that you may also increase your baby’s risk.

One very big concern with direct implications to your baby is “heat”. Lying in a tanning bed raises your body temperature. The increase in body temperature can be hazardous, even deadly to your baby. Studies have shown the first trimester to be the period of highest risk. However, many doctors believe that risk continues throughout the pregnancy.

Having a temperature above 102 degrees F during pregnancy has been associated with spinal malformations on developing babies. Your body temperature in a tanning bed always exceeds 102 degrees F. So why would you want to take the chance of causing a serious birth defect to your baby?

There are also concerns that lying on your back too long can restrict blood to your heart and thus to your baby. When this happens, you’ll know because you’ll become light headed. Restricting blood to your baby can have serious consequences.

Finally, pregnant woman with sensitive skin are more prone to chloasma. Chloasma are those dark skin splotches that appear on the face and arms during pregnancy. Perhaps not dangerous to the baby but certainly not attractive and that’s what this tanning thing is all about right? Looking better.

From the moment you found out you were pregnant, the health of your baby became your biggest concern. You stopped socially drink, if you were a smoker you quit smoking. You started eating healthier and exercising regularly. You started taking better care of yourself for both of you.

So why would you risk the unknown, just to have a tan. Yes I admit a tan does make you feel good about yourself. There’s something about deeply tanned skin that makes one feel attractive. But you can get that beautiful tan right from a bottle or from a spray tan booth. The sunless tanning has been shown to have no bad effects to your baby. So you can have the best of both worlds.

You can have that wonderful glow that pregnancy brings to a woman and you can have that tan you so desire. Take good care of yourself and your baby!

When a woman in the child bearing years undergoes gastric bypass surgery to lose weight one of the first things she will hear from the nay-sayers is that after surgery she cannot have a healthy pregnancy because of presumed nutritional deficiencies. The contrary is true. Morbid obesity results in a high rate of complicated pregnancies and a high rate of miscarriage. Women who become pregnant after achieving weight loss with gastric bypass generally have lower risk pregnancies than morbidly obese women.

The United States Surgeon General lists several reproductive complications associated with pregnancy in women who are obese. Complications include an increased risk of death in both the baby and the mother and increases the risk of maternal high blood pressure by 10 times. In addition to many other complications, women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to have gestational diabetes and problems with labor and delivery.

The Surgeon General concludes that Infants born to women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to be high birth weight and, therefore, may face a higher rate of Cesarean section delivery and low blood sugar (which can be associated with brain damage and seizures). Obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

In a study by Dr. Alan C. Wittgrove, past president of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and pioneer of the laparoscopic technique, post-gastric bypass pregnancy indicates fewer risks than commonly reported by women who are obese during pregnancy. His study was conducted with nurse-practitioner Leslie Jester who had a low-risk pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby after gastric bypass surgery.

The Wittgrove Center has an active patient list of over 2000 people. The patients are informed to contact the Center when they become pregnant. In the study 41 women in the patient population became pregnant. Using personal interview, questionnaire, and review of perinatal records, pregnancy-related risks and complications were studied.

The study found less risk of gestational diabetes, macrosomia, and cesarean section than associated with obesity. There were no patients with clinically significant anemia.

Dr. Wittgrove concluded, “Since the patients had an operation that restricts their food intake, some basic precautions should be taken when they become pregnant. With this in mind, our patients have done well with their pregnancies. The post-surgical group had fewer pregnancy-related complications than did an internally controlled group that were morbidly obese during their previous pregnancies.”