Having high blood pressure during pregnancy can put you and your baby at risk. Here’s what you need to know about hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, how they affect you and your baby, and what you can do to stay as healthy as possible. What Is It? Doctors use two numbers to measure blood pressure. The top number is the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic pressure....
For example, parents who don’t think their 7-year-old should watch movies that are rated PG-13 may feel pressured into allowing him to go to a party where a PG-13 film will be shown; and if that film is something like “The Dark Knight,” and if your child wakes up screaming and has nightmares for weeks afterward, it’s not a good thing. And just as it can be very difficult to go against the tide for children, it can be tough for adults to do, too....
Types of Car Seats There are two different types of car seats you can choose for your baby: infant and convertible car seats. Infant Car Seats An infant car seat is designed for infants to use and can only be placed rear-facing. These types of car seats usually click into a base that remains in the car and has a handle to make the seat more convenient for carrying and getting in and out of the vehicle....
When your grade-schooler reaches adolescence, hormonal changes will lead to increased oil production and body odor. That’s when you’ll be glad you didn’t wait until then to instill good health and hygiene habits. Here are five fundamental personal hygiene practices to teach your child. Hand Washing Teaching your child how to wash their hands is probably the most important health and hygiene habit. Think about all the different objects and surfaces you touch on a daily basis....
Breastfeeding While Sick You can come down with a minor illness at any time, even when you have a child that is still breastfeeding. For most minor issues, you don’t have to stop breastfeeding. There are a range of common conditions that you can safely continue to breastfeed through. These include: Bronchitis Common cold Cough Diarrhea Fever Flu Mastitis Sinus infection Sore throat Urinary tract infection (UTI) Vomiting Safety Concerns You may be worried that you’ll get your baby sick if you continue to breastfeed while you have a cold or the flu....
The good news? Whether you have just begun your breastfeeding journey or are a seasoned pro, probiotics are safe to use. In this guide, we’ll dig a little deeper into how probiotics work, the possible benefits of using them while breastfeeding, and any safety precautions you should take to protect yourself and your nursing baby. What Are Probiotics? First, a quick biology lesson: Our bodies contain both “good” and “bad” bacteria....
The Risks of Hypertension While Pregnant Chronic hypertension is a risk factor for serious pregnancy complications and may increase the risk of late pregnancy loss in women when high blood pressure is not monitored and controlled. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood exerts a higher than average amount of pressure against the blood vessel walls. Though many people can receive a single high blood pressure reading on occasion without necessarily having a problem, chronic hypertension (high blood pressure that persists over time) is a recognized risk factor for heart disease....
Concerns About Visitation Here are some scenarios that might leave parents feeling hesitant about their children going for visitation with the other parent. Sherry complains that her kids spend more time with her ex’s new girlfriend during visits than with their father. Marc’s kids become so anxious about visits that they can’t sleep for days before and after, crying and telling him that they don’t want to go. Janelle fears for her kids’ safety when she sends them for visits because of her ex’s history of domestic violence and alcohol abuse....
Once you’ve introduced the main ingredients above to your baby, a sprinkle of cinnamon can go a long way in expanding their palate (and making leftovers much more palatable for parents). “The worst thing that can happen is they don’t like it,” says Dr. Corkins. Here’s what you should know before spicing up your baby’s food with cinnamon. Is Cinnamon Safe for My Baby? While there are no guidelines for feeding spices or seasonings to babies, pediatricians generally recommend introducing one food at a time—and the same goes for spices and seasonings....
It’s common for your immune system to weaken during pregnancy, making you more susceptible to catching an illness. On top of it, you’re more at risk for a urinary tract infection (UTI) between six and 24 weeks as the uterus grows and puts more pressure on your bladder, blocking the drainage of urine. “It’s a good idea to start taking a probiotic [after finding out you are pregnant], which will help maintain the good bacteria in your gut and vagina,” explains Andrea Chisholm, MD, a board-certified OBGYN and member of the Verywell Family review board....
In children, eating breakfast is associated with everything from increased attention span and healthy body weight to sharper memory and improved test scores. But our busy lifestyles often mean it’s hard for kids to eat a balanced meal (or any meal!) in the morning. Almost half of all families skip breakfast on a regular basis. That doesn’t always mean that children are not eating at all. They may be grabbing an early morning snack in lieu of breakfast or eating on their way to school....
The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat. It can be spread by a bite or scratch or from contact with cat saliva on broken skin or mucosal surfaces like the nose, mouth, and eyes, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Symptoms Generally, after a scratch or bite from a cat, some pimples will form around the wound as it heals, around 3–14 days after the skin is broken....
The cervix is defined as the lower third portion of the uterus, which opens up into the vagina. It is mostly made up of muscle tissue and serves to allow the passage of a fetus from the uterus through the vagina during birth. When cervical incompetence occurs, a woman may experience preterm birth or pregnancy loss as the cervix is simply too weak to bear the growing pressure from within the uterus....
You can slather on a good coating of zinc oxide cream to help fight off the irritating rash. These ointments have a particularly creamy consistency. They tend to glide on your baby’s skin easily without requiring you to rub the cream into the skin. Depending on which butt paste you purchase, these creams might contain a blend of zinc oxide and other ingredients that increase the barrier between your baby’s skin and his diaper, such as lanolin, beeswax, and/or balsam....
Clomid is taken as a pill. This is unlike stronger fertility drugs, which require injection. Clomid may also be marketed under the name Serophene, or you may see it sold under its generic name, clomiphene citrate. Note: Clomid can also be used as a treatment for male infertility. This article focuses on Clomid treatment for female infertility. Uses Clomid is often the first fertility treatment used if a person has irregular cycles or anovulatory cycles (menstruation without ovulation)....
One pediatrician commonly prescribes the three S’s to patients when they have a cold: suckers, showers, and soup. Lollipops or suckers might relieve a sore throat, while the steam from a shower could help congestion. And of course, chicken soup is a common home remedy for colds and flu. Home Remedies Using home remedies isn’t all about old wives’ tale home cures, such as putting Vicks or Vaseline on your child’s feet when they have a night-time cough or rubbing a nickel on a wart to get rid of it....
It’s important to keep in mind that anyone can develop a mental health problem. Although some teens may be at a higher risk based on genetics and their past experiences, all teens are susceptible to mental illness—including straight-A students and star athletes. Common Mental Health Conditions Faced By Teenagers Educate yourself about the most common mental health issues teens face. Be on the lookout for potential problems and seek professional help when necessary....
The severity of asthma can vary: it can be very mild and barely noticeable, or it can be a major issue that interferes with everyday life, and even be life-threatening. There is no cure for asthma, and certain factors can exacerbate it, including pregnancy. During pregnancy, asthma can affect not only your health but also that of your fetus, which makes controlling the condition especially important. Asthma Signs And Symptoms Signs and symptoms of asthma can vary, and some individuals might have some symptoms, while others might have different symptoms....
