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!

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.

While I like to live in the present, I am also the type to plan for the future…especially now that it involves the future of my children.  I think I am like most parents when I say that I would love nothing more than to see my kids go off to college and become successful at whatever they choose to do.  But, let’s face it, college ( a good one!) is not exactly cheap.  And, every little bit towards college would help right?  So I invite you to check out Upromise.  Upromise is a free service, and by adding your credit, debit or grocery card means that you can begin saving money for college every time you shop at participating retailers.  When you dine out at any of over 8,000 participating restaurants, you can earn up to 8% of your bill in college savings rewards!  Sign up today and start saving…it’s never to early. 

Congratulations to the Giants for the well deserved win in SuperBowl XLII!  A good football game is one of my favorite ways to spend a family day on Sundays. While I am usually a Steelers fan, you can’t help but love those Manning brothers.  Whatever will I do with my time now that the season is over?  I guess all of the reality shows will keep me wanting more.  Until next season NFL fans! 

Hello and welcome.  If you are priveleged to be the proud parent of one or more children or are parents -to-be, then I invite you to listen in and look around.  I for one know there are many uncertainties that come along with having a baby, not to mention children in general.  I hope I can provide some insight on where to find this or how to deal with that and how does this work.  There is just so much to know and learn but unfortunately, kids don’t come with an owner’s manual and alot of what we experience is trial and error.  Having a good network of friends and family to help out and share stories with is always a good thing.