DP Nguyen

Signs of Pregnancy Before Missed Period

October 2, 2013 by DP Nguyen 83 Comments

The very early signs of pregnancy before missed period can be subtle, and they can also strike one or two weeks before your menstrual period is scheduled to arrive.

Though a missed period is often the first clue that you have a bun in the oven, it’s not the only pregnancy sign you may notice. From implantation bleeding and cramping to extreme exhaustion, there are a number of very early signs of pregnancy that may pop up in the weeks leading up to your period.

Most women won’t notice these early pregnancy symptoms, but if you are trying to conceive, you may notice slight differences. For example, your pregnancy fatigue can be easily mistaken for PMS fatigue by some women, but women who are in tune with their body may notice that this fatigue feels different. [Read more…] about Signs of Pregnancy Before Missed Period

Hot New Trend – Selling Used Positive Pregnancy Tests on Craigslist

September 3, 2013 by DP Nguyen 1 Comment

It’s been in the news lately. The Drudge Report first reported it, and now news outlets all across the United States are reporting this new hot trend – women are selling their used, positive pregnancy tests online, most notably on Craigslist.

Used, positive pregnancy tests are being sold anywhere from $20 to $40 a test. With home pregnancy tests pretty cheap to buy – $1 at dollar stores and discount marts – this is a pretty ingenious way to make some extra cash.

The APGAR Score – Your Baby’s First Test

August 23, 2013 by DP Nguyen 1 Comment

The APGAR score is a quick assessment performed immediately after your baby is born, usually between one to five minutes after delivery. This simple test gives the doctors and nurses an idea of your baby’s overall health and well-being.

Childbirth can sometimes be traumatic to infants entering the world, and the APGAR test can give your healthcare team vital information on how a baby tolerated birth, and whether your new child needs additional medical care.

APGAR Scoring can range between 0 (a deceased or stillborn baby) and 10 (a perfectly healthy baby). [Read more…] about The APGAR Score – Your Baby’s First Test

News: Circumcision Rates on the Decline

August 22, 2013 by DP Nguyen Leave a Comment

An interesting new government report, just released in August 2013 from the National Center for Health Statistics, says that the in-hospital circumcision rates have decreased around 10 percent in the last 30 years – from 65 percent in 1979 to only 58 percent in 2010.

The drop was most noticeable in Western states, according to the report. In these states, the rates dropped to 40.2 percent in 2010. This is almost a 20 percent drop in parents choosing not to circumcise their sons. In the Midwestern states, however, circumcision rates remain high – around 71 percent.

Circumcision is the removal of a baby boy’s foreskin from his penis. It is a routine surgical procedure that is typically performed within the first few days of a little boy’s life.

The growing decline in circumcision may be due to a number of factors – from the growing anti-circumcision movement within the parenting community to the growing immigrant population in the USA, to the fact that the federal Medicaid program for lower income families has stopped paying for infant circumcisions in about 18 states.

Historically, circumcision is a mandatory ritual in the Jewish community, and a very common practice in the Muslim community. Outside of these faith communities, many Americans choose to have their sons circumcised for the potential health benefits – including decrease the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in their son, reducing the risk of penile cancer later on and even STDs, such as AIDS.

In recent years, circumcision has been a hot button topic across the country, with some areas wanting to ban the practice. Proponents of circumcision see it as a unnecessary procedure.

In response to this anti-circumcision movement, in August 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement saying that the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risk of the surgery itself. Risks of infant circumcision includes bleeding, infection, reaction to the anesthesia, injury to the penis and surrounding areas.

What are your thoughts on the decline in circumcision rates? Sound off in the comments!

Travel and Periods – How Traveling Affects Your Period

August 10, 2013 by DP Nguyen 41 Comments

In this article, you will learn how travel can affect your period, including why irregular periods and missed periods can be common when you’ve been traveling.

Travel can affect your period, just like any other “lifestyle change.” Even though your travels are temporary, it is still a disruption in your normal routine. Because the hormones that rule your menstrual cycle can be sensitive to anything new – from stress to your change in eating habits – you can have a delayed period and sometimes, even a missed period – due to your travels.

International travel, in which your body undergoes more of a shock, can definitely cause more of an upheaval to your menstrual cycle than a short weekend trip.
[Read more…] about Travel and Periods – How Traveling Affects Your Period

Why Sip & See Parties Are Taking Over Baby Shower World

June 10, 2013 by DP Nguyen 1 Comment

After-delivery get-togethers are starting to become more popular, with more and more people using them as a way to let people get a peek at the baby after he’s been sequestered with Mom at home for a month or two. Sip & See parties started mostly in the South, and they’ve started to gain traction in other parts of the country. They’re often held as an alternative to a baby shower.

First and foremost, everyone gets to see the baby, which is the whole point to begin with, right? You get a chance to introduce your little buddy to your wider circle of family and friends all at once instead of having people dropping by unexpected. And you can use a lot of the same decorations and theme ideas you did for the original baby shower to make things easy. People drop by, have a few cocktails, drop some baby advice to the parents and then head home. [Read more…] about Why Sip & See Parties Are Taking Over Baby Shower World