How to Fight Winter Depression in Pregnancy

by DP Nguyen Leave a Comment

When winter arrives, it’s easy to get in a bum mood. The days are shorter; there’s less daylight to enjoy; and the weather is cold and miserable, especially when it’s snowy outside and you’re cooped up inside the house.

Winter depression – called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects over 20 million people every year. It also affects many pregnant women.

An estimated 14 to 23 percent of pregnant women experience depression, and this depression can also lead to full-blown postpartum depression after the baby is born.

But when you are pregnant, how do you cope with your winter depression?
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How to Keep Baby Warm in Winter

by DP Nguyen 2 Comments

How do you keep your baby warm in winter, especially when it is freezing outside? This most recent winter is the harshest most of the United States has experienced for fifteen to twenty years. And if you have a new baby at home, you might be worried on how to best keep your little bundle of joy warm and comfy.

Keeping a baby warm in the winter can be tricky, because piling on layers of blankets and bedding is simply not an option with a young baby. You don’t want to run the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which can affect any child under age one. Too many blankets or bedding can also run the risk of a baby overheating, and accidental suffocation.

So, what’s a new parent to do?
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What is a Chemical Pregnancy?

by DP Nguyen 6 Comments

A chemical pregnancy can be very upsetting, especially if you’ve been actively trying to conceive and desperately want a baby. It gets your hopes up for a pregnancy, but in the end, it’s just a very early miscarriage.

Here’s how a chemical pregnancy goes down – you take a home pregnancy test around the time of your missed period, and you are delighted to see that it shows a faint positive. (Of course, you are super excited and you share the news with your husband and maybe your family members.) Then, only a few days later, you start bleeding and have a heavy menstrual period. You are so bummed out, and if you ask your OB/GYN or doctor, he or she will just tell you that it was a “chemical pregnancy” – or a very, very early miscarriage. [Read more…] about What is a Chemical Pregnancy?

Signs of Pregnancy Before Missed Period

by DP Nguyen 84 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

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

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