Overview It’s common to experience bouts of blurry vision during pregnancy. You may also find that your eyes become dryer and itchier during pregnancy, and even that your glasses or contact lens prescription temporarily changes. The good news is that, in most instances, these changes are completely normal and there are ways to alleviate these symptoms. For the most part, these changes will resolve on their own. Nonetheless, because blurry vision may be an indicator of a more serious pregnancy complication, like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, it is important to discuss any new vision-related symptoms you experience with your healthcare provider....

This condition frequently occurs when breast milk first comes in, though it can happen at other times as well. While the condition is uncomfortable, it can be relieved by releasing the excess milk from the breast and taking steps to ease discomfort. Here is what you need to know about breast engorgement including tips on addressing the issue. Breast Engorgement After Birth Some degree of breast engorgement is normal during the first week or two after your baby’s birth....

Nutritional Benefits of Breastfeeding a Preemie Premature babies have immature digestive systems, and breastmilk is the perfect food for their tiny bellies. Nutrients in breastmilk include: Proteins: Proteins can be hard for tiny tummies to digest. When children have milk allergies, it is the milk proteins that they are allergic to. One benefit of breastfeeding a premature baby is that the proteins in breast milk are much easier to digest. Breast milk contains more easy-to-digest whey than formula does, and the body digests whey more easily, and thus breast milk more quickly....

This is a common scenario that many breastfeeding parents find themselves in. Their baby is fussy, colicky, has an upset tummy, or is just not acting like themselves, and the parent suspects that something they are eating is affecting their baby. This may be especially true when they’ve eaten something with a strong flavor, such as spicy food. This is an understandable concern because we are often told that what we eat directly affects how we feel....

Case in point: It’s extremely common to notice certain skin conditions popping up during pregnancy. These can range from discolorations like melasma to texture changes such as stretch marks or even acne breakouts. And while the decision to address them with certain skincare treatments, such as laser skin resurfacing, likely takes little thought before you’re pregnant—beyond how much free time you have and what’s in your wallet. During pregnancy, every decision you make regarding your body has the potential to affect both you and your baby....

If you do get a negative pregnancy test result but still think you may be pregnant, test a few days later and/or contact your doctor for guidance. Learn more about situations in which you may be pregnant but get a negative pregnancy test. Testing Too Early Pregnancy tests will always be more accurate if you wait until your period is late before testing. Even a test marketed as giving an early answer can give you a false negative if you test before your menstrual period is due....

Pregnancies that are lost earlier are considered miscarriages and are treated differently by medical examiners. Parents of a stillborn baby, for example, will receive a birth and death certificate while those of a miscarried fetus will not. To many who have experienced such loss, the line between a stillbirth and miscarriage can often seem arbitrary but should in no way suggest that a parent’s emotional response is any more or less profound....

Child Care Options Problems in finding quality child care aren’t limited to those working odd hours. Parents who opt to have one family member work reduced hours, for example, may find that the cost of part-time child care exceeds the value of their paycheck, or that such care is unreliable. Many daycare centers can’t guarantee children a spot on a part-time or on-call basis due to tight child-adult ratio mandates and the fact that a child enrolled full-time provides more profit and stability than one who is there only on occasion....

Sometimes premature babies aren’t able to take their feedings by mouth in the beginning, or aren’t strong enough to take in enough milk to grow. One of the criteria for discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is being able to tolerate feedings and gain weight. Some babies may go home with a feeding tube, but for most preemies, by the time they go home, they are taking all of their feedings by mouth and demonstrating that they can gain weight while doing so....

Also, note that pregnancy and postpartum depression are more frequent in people who have struggled to conceive. This may be partially hormonal and partially from the stress of infertility. Facing pregnancy-related depression does not imply you’re “ungrateful” or a “bad” mother. It is not your fault. Know that you don’t need to hold all your worries inside. Find at least one good friend to confide in. Also, consider seeing a therapist....

Researchers also found that of all the newborns born in the study period, premature newborns and Black, Asian, and other Minority Ethnic groups (BAME) were more likely to experience a COVID-19 infection. The exact reason for this is not known. Overall, the risk of babies developing COVID-19 is considered so low, even among babies of COVID-19 positive parents, that researchers recommend parents and babies remain together after birth wherever possible....

Why people would consider this a helpful option is unclear, given that the drug costs only $10 to $100 per cycle. But it is clearly a practice that some people not only embrace, but also encourage. And that’s a problem. Sure, you may be lucky and score the real drug, but how do you know for sure? With a drug like Clomid, which is meant to promote ovulation, not getting pregnant may be related to any number of factors....

Hormones From Hell Fertility treatment is stressful without adding unstable hormones to the mix. It’s like the difference between standing in the sun for hours on a hot day, versus standing in the sun for hours underneath a gigantic magnifying glass. Hormones from the fertility drugs can be like the magnifying glass; they tend to make everything feel much more intense. Just keeping this in mind can go a long way to making you feel less insane....

No two families strike this balance in the same way. Each must plot a course that accommodates the needs of the children and the parents’ professional and financial circumstances. The one thing, however, that all families have in common is they want what is best for their children. If you work at home (or are considering it), the likely answer as to whether you need childcare is “yes.” How much childcare and what kind of provider is needed varies from family to family....

While egg donor IVF means the intended mother will not be genetically related to the baby, the intended father will be, unless a sperm donor is also being used. This makes it more attractive of an idea than embryo donor IVF. With an embryo donor, neither intended parent would be genetically related to the child. Gay male couples interested in family building with IVF will also require an egg donor....

Understanding the normal portion sizes, which depend on your child’s age, can help to make sure your child is getting the right amount to eat. Remember that your goal isn’t to fill up your child’s plate and then make them eat everything on it until it is clean. Toddler Portion Sizes While many older children choose oversized portions and overeat, toddlers often have the exact opposite problem. They may eat what parents think are small portions and may not even eat three meals a day....

Get Moving Even if your child is stuck indoors, that’s no reason to be inactive. Many game consoles offer children the chance to dance, move, and burn a few calories. If you don’t have one of these consoles, find how-to videos online or on a streaming service. Your tween can take a dance class, do yoga, or even create their own workout. Make a Fort There’s just something fun about grabbing couch cushions, sheets, and blankets and making a fort....