I just had to share with you something rather “strange” that I read very briefly.  It seems that in Africa, doctors are going to start offering In-vitro fertilization procedures to women for the bargain price of $200 because they are considered witches or social outcasts if they are unable to bear children.  But, with the cheaper cost also comes cheaper methods of creating the life (i.e. medicines, machinery, etc).  I personally have had friends who have tried numerous times through IVF to conceive a child they so badly desired.  It proves to be very costly as well as emotionally trying.  And, while not all women are successful at it, thankfully for my friends, they are now proud parents of more than one child thanks to the advances in medicine.  Of all the things you see and hear around the world of people going into severe debt over this, wouldn’t it be nice if most major insurance carriers would cover this procedure, or at least part of it, since most of the time women who go through this procedure have some abnormality in their reproductive system.   For everyone who desires to have a family, I wish you the best of luck.  Parenthood is a wonderful blessing! 

My topic of discussion for this time is all about amniotic fluid and how it is important in pregnancy.  I have done diagnostic medical ultrasound for many years now and have encountered everything from high to low levels and believe it or not, even no measureable fluid.  All of these occur for various reasons.  Personally speaking, with my first pregnancy my fluid level was a little on the low side.  My doctor’s remedy was to be on some bed rest and drink, drink, drink the fluids, especially water.  As I did this continually and had my fluid level repeatedly checked, it began to improve.  I should also mention that I also had a condition known as PIH, which is called pregnancy induced hypertension, or high blood pressure that resulted from the pregnancy (this resolved after I gave birth) - problems such as this can be a factor contributing to low amniotic fluid.  My levels were never dangerously low, but low enough for the doctor to give me instructions on how to remedy the situation.  The role of the amniotic fluid is important for such things as maintaining a constant temperature in the womb, it allows the baby adequate space to move around for proper muscle and bone development, protection against infection, it is important in the development of the digestive and respiratory tracts as the baby swallows the fluid and inhales and exhales (the developing fetus does not actually have exchange of gases like we do until they take their first breath after being born).  One other important role is that proper fluid levels keep the umbilical cord from being compressed and interfering with the fetus’s oxygen supply.  The level of amniotic fluid usually peaks at around the 34th week of pregnancy and then starts to decrease toward the end.  Take good care of you and your baby!

I just thought it would be fitting to give a shout out to my friends who have had or are going to have more than one baby.  Recently a friend of mine gave birth to triplet boys, all of whom are doing well.  They were born at 34 weeks and are the cutest little guys!  Another friend of mine is due to give birth to twin boys in July.  Mom is having a little bit of a tough time, but I know she will stay strong and hang in there as long as possible.  It sure helps to have a great support sysem when you are pregnant, whether it be multiples or just a singleton pregnancy.  You know, my little girls are certainly outnumbered.  Between my friends’ kids and my nephew, there are 7 boys to my 2 girls (and that is just including my closest friends!)!!  Anyway, you haven’t heard the last of this multiples theme…..hhmmmm.

If anyone out there is listening……I just wanted to let you all know that very soon there will be a big announcement.  I am very excited to share the news with you….soon.  Stay tuned, it won’t be too much longer now.

Britax, one of the most popular brand of carseats, currently has posted a nationwide recall - the recall is on the Marathon series.  Here you will find instructions on how to determine if your carseat is part of the recall or not.  Britax is the maker of great, high quality car seats. The Marathon, Boulevard and Decathlon series can accomodate a child up to 65 pounds, which would eliminate the need to buy a booster seat, while the Diplomat and Roundabout series can hold a child up to 40 pounds.  Please check the law for your individual state, as the laws for child safety restraint vary state to state.  Another thing was that I thought the fabric covers on the carseats came in all sorts of fun patterns and prints.  Be sure to check them out online because a lot of times the stores only carry a select few.   Here are just two of many available.   The picture above is the Britax Marathon - Ashley Floral.  It retails for $269.99.

Britax Boulevard - Shannon

Retails for $299.99

My product pick for this time is warm and fuzzy……It is the Swaddle Me.  I have found this great product that will keep my daughter warm and snug without the possibility of pulling a blanket too close to her face (especially at night while she is sleeping).  I only wish I would have used this product earlier on when she was first born.  The Swaddle Me is used to wrap the baby using the same swaddle technique they show you in the hospital, only it uses velcro to hold in place.  Alot of babies as they grow bigger don’t like to have their arms confined to their side, so to allow her freedom to sleep with her arms in any position, I just wrap the panels under the pit of her arms.  This way she stays nice and warm and the wrap stays in place.  The Swaddle Me comes in various colors, sizes and fabrics (it even comes in organic!)  Check it out under shopping.

Let’s face it, we all hate to be sick.  What’s worse is when you are pregnant and sick and your choices of remedies are limited.  During my first pregnancy I was extremely sick on two occasions and required prescription medicine.  I sure had the doctors thinking and researching as they tried to figure out what to give me that is in a drug class considered safe for pregnant women.  I had a severe respiratory infection and throat infection.  I coughed so hard it was believed that I actually broke a rib or two.  I was prescribed acetaminophen with codeine and something else I think but can’t remember what at the moment.  For the throat infection I had some sort of big tablets (prescription) that I had to suck on 5 times a day.  While I was not thrilled about taking medicine while pregnant I had no other choice because I was so ill.  As far as over the counter stuff, I did take a lot of TUMS (for heartburn) which my doctor told me to be careful that you can actually OD on these (I was surprised!).  I also took Pepcid for the severe heartburn.  It was so bad the second pregnancy that I actually had to resort to Nexium a few times.  My doctor gave me a chart that listed several common illnesses and symptoms and what you should do to treat them.  Always check with your doctor before taking anything you aren’t sure is safe.  Also, keep in mind that if you plan to breastfeed, almost everything crosses into breastmilk - but again, check with your doctor.  Here’s to a happy, healthy you (and baby of course!).

I don’t know about you but there are nights where I just feel like curling up on the couch with my family and watching a good movie.  What better way to spend some quality time together.  Here’s a great way to rent that movie without leaving the couch…..Netflix DVD rentals.  There are no late fees, and they offer free shipping.  Watch at your leisure and return when you are finished.  Now all you need is a bowl of popcorn, or my favorite movie snack…chocolate covered raisins!  Enjoy.

Well, it has been awhile since I last wrote….just got back from a trip to my parents house for my daughter’s 2nd birthday.  I’ve only been back for a few days and already I feel like I need another vacation.  Probably because the weather back east was snowy, rainy and just plain white.  I’m feeling like something tropical or at least warm.  Speaking of warm and tropical, check out these offers from Travelocity…Hawaii vacation packages when you stay 6 nights or longer - use promo code HAW150; Orlando vacations 4 nights or longer - use promo code ORL75; last minute deals to Florida where you get $25 off your package - use promo code FLORIDA25.  Any one of these deals would be fabulous…..Considering I used to live in Florida and LOVED  it…there was so much to do like the beach and Disney World and all of the other theme parks; and then there is Hawaii…I loved the tropical atmosphere where you could smell the flowers so fragrant, the water so blue and the sea turtles (these are good luck).  Anyone else getting that spring fever yet?

Valentine’s Day may have come and gone but there is always time to remember that special someone in your life.  There is nothing like a personalized gift to celebrate a special occasion.  Things Remembered is offering 20% off on orders over $125. Here you can select from so many items that can be engraved or personalized your way.  Please enter coupon code Love20 at checkout.