Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Pack Your Bags

You should have your bag packed when you’re in your 8th month of pregnancy. Some
things you’ll need during labor and other items after you have your baby. 
  • Picture ID
  • Insurance card
  • Birth plan
  • Bathrobe
  • Book or magazine
  • Phone & charger
  • Comfort Items (favorite pillow, blanket, music)
  • Cosmetics, hair items
  • Toiletries- deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush
  • Comfortable clothes to wear home

Don’t Bring
  • Jewelry
  • Money
  • Medication
  • Vitamins

For Your Baby
  • Going-home outfit
  • Car seat

For Your Coach
  • Camera, memory card & charger
  • Cell phone & charger
  • Comfortable shoes and clothes
  • Snacks
  • Cash for vending machines and parking lot. 

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Monday, December 12, 2016

Minor Discomforts and Remedies

Pregnancy is a joyful experience that can also bring some minor discomforts.Here are the reasons you may feel the way you do and suggested remedies.

You might  have morning sickness from an increase of pregnancy hormones, dehydration, and an empty stomach.
*Eat crackers 15 minutes before getting out of bed, sip water during the night.

You might have a backache because your spine is supporting the weight of the uterus.
*Have good posture, take a walk, apply a heating pad, wear low heels.

You might have breast tenderness because the milk glands are enlarging.
*Wear a larger, cotton bra with firm support both day and night.

You will have to urinate frequently because the uterus is pressing on your bladder.
*Avoid wearing tight clothing and empty your bladder as needed.

You might get sharp abdominal pain when the ligaments around the uterus are stretched.
*Slowly bend toward the cramp or take a warm bath.

You might have nasal stuffiness because hormones that increase mucus production and membranes in the lining of your nose will swell.
*Use saline solution, apply a warm, wet cloth to your face, use a humidifier.

Your gums might bleed from increased blood circulation and the pregnancy hormones.
*Use a soft toothbrush, be sure to floss and get dental check-ups

You might be more prone to getting headaches caused by tension or congestion.
*Rest in a darkened room, do relaxation exercises for your neck and shoulder area.

You might get heartburn caused by progesterone relaxing all the soft tissues in your esophagus allowing acidic fluids to rise from your stomach to your throat.
*Eat smaller meals, avoid spicy, fatty sugary foods, don't lay down after eating.

You might have sleeping difficulties from uncomfortable positions.
*Drink warm milk before bed, take a warm bath or shower, use a pillow between your legs and tucked under your abdomen.

You might have dizziness which is caused when progesterone dilates your blood vessels, making blood pool in your legs and decreasing your blood pressure.
*Move around often when standing, try laying on your left side and eat every 2 hours.

You might be constipated or get hemorrhoids because your bowels will function more slowly.
*Increase fiber in your diet, drink prune juice, walk, drink warm liquids in the morning.

Dehydration will cause low blood volume and increase the level of oxytocin which triggers premature labor.
*Make sure you are always drinking liquid throughout the day and night. If you are dehydrated go straight to the hospital!


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Monday, December 5, 2016

Old Wives Tales

Tales, in general, have been passed down from generation to generation before information was recorded, published and read. Old wives tales explained things that people didn’t understand. Here are some examples:
  • Pregnant women should not take baths.
  • Pregnant women shouldn’t lift her hands over her head.
  • Heartburn means the baby has lots of hair.
  • More babies are born during a full moon.
  • If you sleep too much labor will be harder.
  • A woman will lose a tooth for every baby she has.If a pregnant woman drinks too much coffee the baby will have a brownish birthmark.
  • Pregnant women should eat for two.

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Friday, December 2, 2016

Fine Motor Development

Fine motor skills involve the control of muscles in the hands, fingers, feet and toes. Also the muscles of the tongue and lips that help children speak and sing. Improving fine motor skills will lead to self-care.
tying shoes 
zipping and unzipping
buckling and unbuckling
playing games that require precise hand and finger control
pinching objects between fingers
using locks and keys
manipulating buttons and snaps
putting small objects together
doing puzzles
Small finger muscles can be challenged with nesting toys, puzzles
Smaller blocks to stack and arrange
Arranging and gluing  beads, pasta, cereal and string
Encourage children to turn the pages of books and to point to things on pages.


Dexterity means having the ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Discussion: Can you think of some occupations that require precise manual dexterity?
Musical Instrument Builders Repairers and Tuners
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Upholders
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Surgeons
Dentists
Pilots
Nurses
Hairdressers, barbers
Make-up Artists
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
Automotive Mechanics and Service Technicians
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Sewers
Craft Artists
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Aircraft Mechanics and Services Technicians
Plastics Molder
Landscaping, horticulturist
Drywall Installer
Culinary Arts, Baker, Chef
Glass Cutter
Sign Maker
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Wood Patternmakers
Machinist
Medical Lab Techs
Electricians
Jewelers

Brick masons and Block masons
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