Hence whenever we arrange ANCs we make it a point to keep a separate session for the expecting fathers where we talk and discuss about their perspective and apprehensions while they are entering this new role as a father.

While discussing the role of a father here we will consider 3 aspects:

• During pregnancy
• During labour
• Post pregnancy

During Pregnancy

They say it’s not just the mother but also the father who experiences pregnancy, although not physically but mentally and emotionally;

Take a few minutes every day to discuss your doubts and queries

Since the breasts become tender especially during the early weeks of pregnancy be careful when you get intimate. Avoid sexual intercourse in case of bleeding and pain. You can still keep the romance alive with some foreplay (let her know that despite of the weight gain and hormonal imbalance she still is as appealing as before).

Discuss your finances and investments with your wife to assure her that you do have a plan. This will ascertain her financial stress is reduced.

Help her with good sleep since the stress and anxiety will do a lot of talking.

Try to accompany her with every prenatal check-up.

Try to be around her when she is going through the “Morning Sickness” phase since this will be accompanied with a lot of mood swings (understand it’s the hormones talking).

Although there is a lot of literature on preparing to be a father, along with enlightening yourself by reading this you may also join a Lamaze class (which teaches you a father’s role during pregnancy and labour).

Pregnancy includes a lot of healthy eating and avoiding junk, try to be a part of this healthy eating carnival with you wife to support her and show her that even you a part of this change. Once in a while you may want to exhibit hands on your culinary skills “as an experimental chef” just to surprise her (then even if it means blending a milkshake and presenting it in an exotic way).

Encourage her to exercise under an expert with the doctor’s consent preferably through  an antenatal class.

During Labour

As the due date starts nearing a mixed feeling of excitement and anxiety will encroach upon you and your expecting wife

Calm yourself first and then try to calm your panicking wife (your meditation and breathing exercise lesson will be your savior here).

Since you would be already on a paternal leave you must read a bit on 3 stages of labour.

Anxiety can lead to pregnancy induced hyper tension in expecting mothers hence you need to divert her from the same. Lighten the environment by playing her favorite movies, music, call over some close friends for an evening chat over some tea or coffee

As the days pass by they may seem long so instead of waiting and anticipating enjoy each moment with her

Make sure that the mom-to-be has packed her bag if you are planning to have the delivery outside your home (hospital or birthing centre).

Stock the house with essentials so this saves you from running around post-delivery.

Update yourself with the knowledge regarding the Brackston Hicks contractions (false contractions) from your concerned gynecologists. Learn to time the contractions.

Make sure you are well hydrated and stuffed with some healthy food to remain energetic

Once the contractions begin these may last up to 14 to 16 hours or even more.

While she is being taken to the labour room run her through the breathing exercises that you learnt in your Lamaze class.

During the second stage of labour as the baby is being pushed out comfort the mother with some light massage on her forehead and hands. This is “sparsh chikitsa” (touch therapy by the ones who love you!)

If the mother is unable to maintain the much-required skin-to-skin contact you can do it to help your baby know its father (some men even get topless to get a better feel)

Complications:

When things don’t go as per the plan, it becomes a bit disheartening for the mother as well as for you. This could be in case of an induced labour which an emergency call taken by the doctor in case the contractions don’t begin even once the due date arrives

In any situation, you as a father must remain as strong as possible as this will help the expecting mother to gain more confidence

In case of pregnancy induced hypertension help the expecting mother calm down with the breathing exercises.

Post- Pregnancy:

Now that you have successfully welcomed your little angel, this little one has come with a lot of added responsibilities.

Say goodbye to your sleep since for initial few days you may have to go on night shifts while the newbie mommy recovers from the labour exhaustion and gets some good sleep.

Try to have a domestic help as laundry and cooking are your two new friends!

While you make sure that the new mom is eating well you must do it too.

Help her begin her exercise routine as soon as the doctor gives a green signal.

Learn things like changing the diapers, sponging your baby, massaging the baby occasionally, putting the baby to bed. This will not only make your wife feel better but also improve your bonding as a father with your baby.

Post-partum depression is a serious case and needs to be handled very delicately. In case you feel your wife is suffering from one do not hesitate to take her to a counselor asap. Together you can overcome this phase as well!

Be responsible to accompany your child and your wife for regular check –ups post pregnancy

For the first six months while the mother will be busy feeding the child exclusively the breast milk, help her ease down the back with some soothing massages. Attend the lactation classes with her to help her get a better ”breast feeding” experience.

In case of working and ambitious mothers let them know that you respect their work and encourage them to go ahead and follow their dreams. Remember it’s important to let her know that although she has acquired a new role as a mother with new responsibilities, she still has a life of her own and can choose to do whatever she aspires to do.

Blog by – Dr. Kranti Nimkar Kumta

Do’s:

• Stay hydrated: This is the most crucial thing to do in summers. During pregnancy, you are unable to eat or drink much due to the pressure on your stomach. Hence, keep sipping water continuously to stay hydrated. You can also go for homemade flavoured water. Other beverages like nimbu paani (fresh lime water), chaas (buttermilk) and aam panna also help you with hydration.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables: Fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables provide you with the necessary nutrients required during each season. Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, tomatoes, plums etc. are full of moisture and nutrients. Have them regularly.
• Slather on the sunscreen: The high level of estrogen in your body during pregnancy makes you more susceptible to dark patches of skin called melasma. So, slather on the sunscreen to prevent such patches from appearing on your skin.
• Choose safer sandals: I know that flip-flops seem like the ultimate footwear for hot summers. But they are the worst footwear to wear during pregnancy because they don’t offer any arch support. During pregnancy, you are carrying extra weight which puts pressure on your feet. So opt for comfortable footwear which offers good arch support.
• Wear breathable fabrics: Wear light weight and breathable fabrics like cotton and mulmul. These help you to keep cool.
• Stay cool: It is imperative to stay cool during this time. If you are a swimmer, go ahead and indulge in a cooling swim. Carry facial mists with you to spray on. This will instantly refresh and cool you. You can carry a spritzer filled with rose water for a refreshing feeling. You can carry wet tissues with you too.
• Summer proof your office space: Stock things like extra water bottle, some healthy snacks and a hand fan maybe. Also keep a pair of your most comfortable shoes handy in office. Have a good cushion to support your back. Whenever you get time, try and elevate your feet for some time.
• Exercise at cooler times during the day: Exercising during the hot time of the day can increase your discomfort.
• Pamper yourself: Look your best during pregnancy. Go for your regular facials, manicure, pedicure or head massage. Avoid any kind of chemical treatments though.
• Relax and rest: It is very important to lie down and rest during the day.
• Stay happy: Happy mom equals to happy baby. The heat and the humidity along with your hormones tend to make you irritable. Try and indulge in relaxing and calming activities that make you happy.

Don’ts:

• Don’t wear constrictive clothing: Too tight clothes will make you very uncomfortable and sweaty.
• Avoid sodium: Avoid packaged and salty food. The excess sodium in these will lead to water retention and swelling in the body.
• Stay away from too much sugar: Avoid too much sugar in any form. Stay away from sweets, bakery products and packaged juices.
• Don’t eat for two: This myth of eating for two has long been busted. Yes, you do need extra calories, but you don’t have to double your intake. Have nutrient dense food and focus on nutrition more than calories.
• Don’t go out in the sun during the mid day: The sun during the mid day is quite harsh and hence it is better to be avoided.
• Don’t take any diuretic: Diuretics lead to a loss of many important electrolytes from the body. Hence, don’t take them unless suggested by your doctor.
• Don’t stress: Stress is bad for you and your baby. So stay away from it.
• Don’t take any medication on your own: Consult your doctor before consuming any medicine or even before using any topical creams.
• Don’t compare: Each pregnancy is different, hence don’t compare your pregnancy with anybody else’s. This will give you undue stress.

Hope these pointers will help you sail through the summer like a song!

Stay healthy, Stay happy 

About Sarika:

Sarika is a diet and lifestyle consultant. She is very passionate about health and loves to help people be healthy the right way! She consults both online and offline. She is an avid blogger who writes informative articles about diet, nutrition and healthy recipes.

This is the time when your little one is fully engaged with the world, thereby learning something new every day and surprising you every now and then. With the tiny steps of growth they undertake in each passing minute, you know there are precious moments you’ve spent with the apple of your eye, you’ll never get back again.

The following three months will see the coming of more firsts starting from advancing motor skills to uncanny attachments with funny soft toys.

Look out for these milestones your baby will be achieving on his 7^th, 8^th and 9^th months of

7^th Month:

After weeks of rolling sideways and flipping into their tummies, the tiny tot finally starts sitting without support and balancing his/her weight with those tiny legs well enough to bounce when you hold him/her, in the seventh month.

Your junior is now more sensitive to the tone of your voice thereby actually responding when you call his/her name and sensing your warning when you say “no”. It is also quite important to know that your baby thrives on the interactions he/she has with you at this stage, so shower them with instant games, cuddles and replies to encourage their communication skills. It’s a critical time for their language development.

Do childproof your home and keep the space safe for him/her to explore.

8^th Month:

By the time your bundle of joy is 8 months old, he/she is not only an eager explorer but also more cautious and curious about things around them. He/she would amuse himself/herself by putting things in containers and taking them out again. By trying to comb his own hair, drinking from a cup and even pretending to talk on the phone for that matter.

Watch out for these!

You might notice your little baby crying on seeing other babies cry, which is nothing but ‘reflexive crying’. This is him/her developing the feelings of empathy, pity and compassion.

Your 8-month-old baby’s mealtime should now start including baby cereal, fruits and vegetables as well as mashed and pureed meat. His/her diet should slowly start switching to solids from liquids at this stage even though he/she might still require 16-20 ounces of breast milk till his first birthday.

9^th Month:

Three-quarters of the way through your munchkin’s first year and your baby has come a long way from the time you first brought him/her home from the hospital. This is the time when your cute little baby will babble on to glory. Little do we know that this is when they’re actually trying to talk to us- we just fail to understand them yet. Your little one also develops social skills and will turn into quite a social animal, responding to gestures like blowing kisses or waving.

He/she will also become quite the mimic, mimicking away your expressions and actions. Separation anxiety will also be at its peak at this time and you can help them by warning people to approach slowly or let your baby make the first move.

Babies this age might soon be able to cruise along the edge of the couch or the coffee table to your surprise. They can also pull themselves to a standing position perfectly enough to amaze you.

This is also a tough phase to travel with your fast-growing baby since travelling might disturb her routines and your child expects predictability. Do be prepared for a grumpy, clingy version of your little one during this time and be prepared with distractions to cope with it.

Your baby might either reach milestones ahead of schedule or might even lag behind. What is important to remember here is that it’s pretty much normal and there shouldn’t be any reason to worry. However, consulting your baby’s doctor regarding this wouldn’t be a bad idea after all.

At the end of the day, every baby is different in their own way and develop at their own pace. Make sure you don’t miss out on these milestones and cherish each and every moment as they pass by.

The next few months are the time when you know your baby is stepping onto those tiny but crucial development stages, which you absolutely don’t want to miss. From almost growing teeth to looking like the Leaning Tower of Pisa when trying to sit up, there are quite a few firsts you’ll witness during this period.

Time to be awestruck by your baby’s 4^th, 5^th and 6^th month milestones!

4^th month:

Right when you think you know enough about your child, is when you’ll realize you were wrong. Your little one will keep surprising you at every step of your life, whether 4 months or 20 years old and that is when you know he or she is growing up.

The fourth month is when he or she starts teething. You’ll know their first tooth is on its way when they excitedly start rubbing their gum with their pocket-sized fists. Watch closely for this sign.

This is also the time when you’ll watch your tiny tot rolling over from one side to another in glory!

One of the most incredible accomplishments at this phase is hearing your toddler babble some vowels and ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ when you’re least expecting him or her to. They finally become efficient communicators with their cute laughs and squeaks.

5^th month:

Your baby will double up in size as compared to the time of birth, when he or she is five months old looking cute as a button. However, you need to make sure that everything around you remain cleaner than ever since, as there’s a possibility of all of it ending up in the naughty one’s mouth every now and then.Five months is also the time when the apple of your eye begins to make real and long eye-contact with you and everyone around. Surreal, isn’t it? His ability to point out bright coloured objects is also considerably higher at this point. Do notice.

The best feeling is to watch your baby taking a solid, undisturbed nap looking as peaceful as a dove, after months of his birth. Setting up a proper bed-time routine will further help ensure this.

6^th month:

6 months old and the junior is already halfway through his first year! Amazing, isn’t it? This is the ideal time for your baby to start weaning onto solids and indulge in foods apart from the mother’s milk since the ability to start chewing also begins at this stage. It indeed turns out to be one of the most memorable and unforgettable times in both your and your child’s life.

This is also the quintessential time to play with your babies and make learning fun for them from the very beginning. They will be up and active throughout the day after the perfect night’s sleep and that is when playing and exploring should happen. It’ll strengthen their free, ingenious brains and keep them busy. Watching your tiny ones pick up things fast will brighten up your day!

Last but not the least, the stage after sitting and before walking marks the glory of your six-month old wonder! From initially watching him commando crawl all over the house to balancing on his or her knees and hands and eventually standing up, it’ll all happen now! They might even surprise you by entering your room in the middle of the night.

Nonetheless, every child is different in their own way and hence develop at their own pace. However, if you’re worried about your child’s development do consult a health professional.

No matter how challenging and exhausting parenthood is, at the end of the day, you know it is way too beautiful and fascinating! Relish and capture every milestone of your munchkin, because these precious moments won’t come back!

International Women’s Day is a day when we celebrate the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. This day also marks for accelerated ‘gender parity’. It all started back in the year 1908, when a group of 15,000 women marched on New York streets and openly demanded for their rights, better pay and shorter working hours. Since then, every year on 8th March, the entire world joins hands together to support, raise, inspire and motivate women across all fields of work. Every year, there are new challenges to female success, which make it difficult to achieve gender equality in all aspects of their lives. So, people across the globe come together to inspire and celebrate women’s achievements. The entire world rejoices in the extraordinary acts of women by standing together, as a united force to advance gender equality around the world.

Past years have focused on various themes such as ‘Woman and Human Rights’ and ‘World Free of Violence Against Women’. Last year, the IWD theme was ‘Pledge for Parity’. It was around asking people all over the world to pledge to help women achieve equality with men. This was to encourage women and girls to achieve their ambitions, face challenges and sustain against all odds and create inclusive flexible cultures.

This year, the theme for International Women’s Day was #BeBoldForChange. This theme was around women empowerment where the objective was to take bold steps to change today’s scenario where women are still striving hard to prove and stand up for themselves and fight against the stereotype belief of the society. The best part of such stand is that the society is changing; Changing in a better way! According to the recent National Family Health Survey 4:

• The gender ratio at birth has increased to 919 per 1000 men compared to 914 per 1000 men NFHS 3.
• The number of hospital births has increased to 78.9% from 38.7%
• The number of mothers receiving full antenatal care has rose to 21% which was 11.6% in the last decade.

The color of the theme is Purple that symbolizes dignity and justice which are the two important goals of IWD aim to achieve for all women in all parts of the world.

Babycell understands that, the current conventional thoughts of the society towards women need to be changed and hence came up with #KillTheStereotype campaign in a humorous way. Here, we encouraged couples to talk about women killing the orthodox patriarchy, existing social beliefs and doing something extraordinary in various aspects of their lives. We also asked the husbands to share, in what way are they supporting their wives to kill these social-conventional opinions. Being in 21st century, it is high time that the women stop bearing all the social barriers and stand tall against all odds. For this, we all should take a step forward to #KillTheStereotype. This campaign is a tribute to all women across the globe for their great courage for proving that they are equal or better than the men.

The simple six-letter word ‘family’ has thousands of emotions and warmth attached to its meaning. But have you ever stopped for a second to wonder what a bond in a family actually means? Did you ever realise why that ‘bond’ is so important and precious to each one of us?

Well, the answer to all of these questions will take us back to that one exceptional thing that keeps a family together. It is nothing but the ‘Cord of Love’!

In this world full of insecurity, fear, anxiety and where every other frightful emotion dominates, there is one priceless thing that helps us overcome each adversity. That one thing is the ‘Cord of Love’ which we are fortunate enough to share with the most special people in our lives: our parents and our children!

The bond a parent shares with their child is one of the most powerful and strongest bonds of nature. Whether you’re a single parent, a step-parent or even an adoptive parent, you’re sure to form an unbreakable bond from the birth of your little bundle of joy. However, apart from parents, we also share a certain emotional attachment with our grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and siblings which may not overpower the ‘Cord of Love’ shared with parents. Yet it manages to hold a strong position in our lives. It gives us strength and keeps us all together in good times and in bad.

Out of all the relationships a person is involved in during his lifetime, it goes without saying that the ‘Cord of Love’ shared with our mothers is a clear winner. It is said to be the most powerful and unadulterated form of love as mothers develop a feeling of anticipation and emotion right when the baby is in their womb. That is when a strong establishment of relation and the ‘cord of love’ is already set with the baby.

Same might not occur with the father but even here, there’s no way the bond with the child would suffer. They share a bond of respect. The father’s love towards his child is developed when he holds his baby for the first time in his arms. That’s when the ‘Cord of Love’ begins.

The strength of every mother’s emotional bond with her child is so fierce, that it has the ability to triumph every other bond. A child’s physical attachment with the mother may end once the umbilical cord is cut, but the emotional and psychological attachment begins right then.

The umbilical cord provides everything the baby needs to survive inside the womb, but little do people know how it keeps providing even when the baby is outside the womb. Through ups and downs and thick and thins, through every life-threatening disease, this real ‘Cord of Love’ will always be there to protect and shield your little one. This unbreakable ‘Cord of Love’ will be shielded by none other than, Babycell!

No one can imagine life without parents! The tiny things that we do for each other, the love, the respect, the care, it all strengthens the bond and this is where the ‘Cord of Love’ gets more meaningful and glorious.

Love is always around us, it’s always available to us. If we choose to embrace this love towards our parents and children, the ‘Cord of Love’ will keep getting powerful and unbreakable through all our thick and thin and everything in between.

After 9 months being a roller-coaster ride for you emotional and physically, your baby finally comes home!

Are you ready for this rollercoaster ride? Maybe, maybe not.

Here’s what you can expect for the next 3 months –

Your baby’s first smile

The first three months of your little munchkin’s life is all about eating, sleeping, pooping and a lot of crying (which you will take time to adjust to). During this period of time, your baby will be trying to understand your actions and may respond by making silly sounds which is one of the many firsts you will experience! If you are one of the lucky mothers, the bonus reaction of your little one is a smile to you which surely will make your day!

Your baby will be curled up in one position

After making your womb his/her home for 9 months, your newborn is going to be curled up in one position. It’s fine if your baby has a curved spine in the beginning, its bones are all soft for now. This is perfectly normal. In no time you will see your little one stretching his/her body.

Your baby’s first blinks

Your baby’s vision is not completely developed when he/she is born. All new parents need to get ready during the 3^rd week of parenthood, as your baby will be able to recognize your face. At this time your baby can see at a distance of 8-12 inches. Blinking is caused due to dry eyes, babies often do not blink much due to their eyes remains shut for a longer time as they sleep more during their initial days. Also, the baby’s vision takes time to develop. Their first view of the world is indistinct and only in shades of gray. By the 6^th week, the baby might surprise you with an adorable smile!

Your baby opens and shuts his/her hands

For an initial few weeks your baby has no idea about the existence of hands attached to its body. The sooner your little munchkin realizes it, he is going to be fascinated when they accidently come into view. It is a cute sight to see your little one getting excited while playing with his/her own hand. You can try to examine your baby by giving him/her a rattle and see if he/she grips it.

Your baby gobbles its finger as a milk bottle

After a good 10 weeks, your baby starts to find a comfort from sucking on its thumb or fingers. There is no problem in that, but you should make sure not to make it a habit for your little sweetheart.

Your baby will be sleeping for a longer period

Over a period of time, your little one will gain several kilograms and will be sleeping for a good 3 to 5 hours in the day as well. Although, he/she may still wake you up at midnight when he/she is hungry. This will usually occur in the third month. Most of the babies seem to lose the ability to roll onto their sides independently within the first month. Usually, babies start turning after the 3^rd month.

All said and done, the first three months of parenthood are very challenging, no matter how much help you have or how prepared you think you are. But again, it is the most beautiful and special time in your life.

Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food, and folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin.

Where is it found?

Foods that are naturally high in folate include leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), okra, asparagus, fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons) beans, yeast, mushrooms, meat (such as beef liver and kidney), orange juice, and tomato juice.

 Benefits of Folic Acid

Folic acid is used for preventing and treating low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency), as well as its complications, including “tired blood” (anemia) and the inability of the bowel to absorb nutrients properly. Folic acid is also used for other conditions commonly associated with folate deficiency, including ulcerative colitis, liver disease, alcoholism, and kidney dialysis.

Folic acid is used for memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related hearing loss, preventing the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reducing signs of aging, weak bones (osteoporosis), jumpy legs (restless leg syndrome), sleep problems, depression, nerve pain, muscle pain, AIDS, a skin disease called vitiligo, and an inherited disease called Fragile-X syndrome. It is also used for reducing harmful side effects of treatment with the medications lometrexol and methotrexate. Some doctors recommend to apply folic aciddirectly to the gum for treating gum infections.

Importance of Folic Acid before and during pregnancy

If you’re pregnant or might become pregnant, it’s critically important to get enough folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9, also known as folate. Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant must take folic acid to prevent miscarriage and “neural tube defects,” birth defects such as spina bifida that occur when the fetus’s spine and back do not close during development.

 How much folic acid you need?

To reduce your baby’s risk of developing a neural tube defect, experts recommend that you take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid a day, beginning at least a month before you start trying to get pregnant. Don’t take more than 1,000 mcg per day of folic acid unless your healthcare provider advises you to. This is particularly important if you are a vegetarian. Vegans are at risk of being deficient in vitamin B12 and taking too much folic acid would make it hard to diagnose that deficiency.

Is the supplement recommended?

Yes. Many authorities, including FOGSI, ACOG and the March of Dimes, recommend that all women of childbearing age take a multivitamin with folic acid or a folic acid supplement every single day

Signs of a folic acid deficiency

The signs of folic acid deficiency can be subtle. You may have diarrhea, anemia, loss of appetite, and weight loss, as well as weakness, a sore tongue, headaches, heart palpitations, and irritability.

If you’re only mildly deficient, you may not notice any symptoms at all, but you won’t be getting the optimal amount for your baby’s early embryonic development.

 References

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1017-folic%20acid.aspx?activeingredientid=1017&

https://www.drugs.com/folic_acid.html

So why not do something different for a bit? What better way than spending time watching movies? So here are 6 beautiful movies that will not only prepare you for motherhood but also give you that much needed me-time. They are fun and relaxing to watch and we can’t think of a better way for you to welcome this New Year at home!

What to Expect When You Are Expecting.

The most obvious pick for pregnant women, this holiday season. It follows the lives of six women who are having a baby, including Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz. This movie covers all the pregnancy problems that are possibly out there. It also fun to watch and you can relate to it.

She’s Having a Baby.

This might be an old movie from 1988 but this rom-com is a ‘must watch’. After all, you have Kevin Bacon playing the lead. It follows the life of a happy couple who is a bit unprepared for the reality of parenthood. Enjoy this one with a tub of ice-cream!

Raising Arizona

If you just want to sit back and laugh, you should definitely pick this one! This movie is about a couple that can’t get pregnant. When they see the chance, they steal one of a rich man’s quintuplets. Who needs five babies anyway? Right? And as you can predict, drama and hilarity ensue, making their life more complicated than they thought it could get.

Finding Nemo

A Disney movie has to be on your list and this universally acclaimed one should be THE one! ‘Finding Nemo’ shows the beautiful relationship between a father and son, as the former swims through the ocean looking for his lost son.  Enjoy the emotional roller-coaster with these two as they fight all odds to be reunited!

Salaam Namaste

One of the top pregnancy movie in Bollywood is ‘Salaam Namaste’ starring Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan as the lead pair. The movie deals with two Indians in a live in relationship in Australia which ends up in an unplanned pregnancy. The movie is fun, dramatic and also has some incredibly catchy songs!

Knocked up

Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen’s PG- 13 movie- ‘Knocked Up’ would be the slightly raunchier movie on our list. This hilarious movie follows the story of a very incompatible and unlikely pair that have a one night stand and end up with an unplanned pregnancy. Watch how they maneuver through the hilariously unexpected situation and come out stronger in the end!

So sit back and enjoy these movies with your spouse or by yourself and have an educational, yet enjoyable holiday! Don’t forget to keep a tub of popcorn ready!

The third trimester of your pregnancy is from week 28 to week 40, which is usually 7-9 months. The feelings during this trimester tends to vary from nervousness to excitement about the baby coming.

Here is a week by week guide to your third trimester pregnancy.

Week Twenty Eight

By this week, your baby weighs nearly over 1 kilogram. At about this time, your baby can open his/ her eyes and turn his head. His fat layers are forming and his new shiny fingernails appear. At this stage, you will be nervous and excited about the baby. Start selecting possible baby names and begin planning the baby’s arrival!

Week Twenty Nine

Your baby’s head is getting bigger, and brain growth is very rapid at this time. Nearly all babies react to sound by the 30th week. During this time, your baby needs the maximum amount of nutrients and so you need to eat a large amount of protein, Vitamin C and calcium. In this week, the baby’s skeleton hardens even more and the brain, muscles, and lungs continue to mature.

Week Thirty

While your baby may soon slow up growing, but only in length. He/she will continue to gain weight until he or she is born. In this week, your baby continues to open and shut his eyes. As you and the baby continue to grow, don’t be worried if you feel breathless. This is because, as the baby is growing your uterus is pressing against your diaphragm.

Week Thirty One

You may notice lesser moments of your baby in your tummy. The baby is growing and does not have enough space to move. You’ve probably gained about 2 kilograms this month. Gaining weight is normal during this time.

Week Thirty Two

Your little one’s lungs won’t be fully developed until just before birth. The baby when awake will be practising all necessary skills like breathing, kicking and sucking. Some babies have a crown of hair already, others have only a few wisps. In this week, your body begins to start prepping for delivery by flexing its muscles. If you feel your uterus bunching or hardening periodically, those are Braxton Hicks contractions. These are like a pre-labor rehearsal before the real moment.

Week Thirty Three

Your baby should already be getting ready for delivery by turning upside-down i.e. his head should be pointing down for a normal delivery.  Your doctor will be paying careful attention to your baby’s position in the coming weeks. Keep visiting your doctor regularly.

Week Thirty Four

Your baby is getting rounder as she/he will need the fat layers later to regulate the body temperature. If you don’t already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start. If you’ve been nervous about going into premature labour, you’ll be happy to know that most babies born at week 34- 35 and can survive outside the womb.

Week Thirty Five

By this week the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light for your baby.  Also, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles. This week, your little one is now sporting fingernails and has a fully developed pair of kidneys.

Week Thirty Six

You may begin to feel an increased pressure in your lower abdomen and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. This is called lightening or engagement, and your lungs and stomach will finally get a chance to stretch out a little.

Week Thirty Seven

By this week, many babies now have a full head of hair, with locks around one inch long. But don’t be surprised if his or her hair isn’t the same colour as yours.

Week Thirty Eight

Babies at week 38 weigh about 3 Kgs and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your little one’s organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity.

Week Thirty Nine

Your baby has reached full term this week and is waiting to greet the world! If your water breaks, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Here are a few common experiences that you go through during your third trimester:

1. Craving or eating too often

With your trimester going on, you would be gaining weight. Sometimes while eating you may even feel full as your uterus is pressing your stomach. Here are some of the interesting cravings pregnant women have during their pregnancy.

2. Keep moving

As long as you’re not at risk for delivering a preterm baby, exercise is safe in the third trimester. But if you’re used to doing exercise, discuss with your doctor whether you should continue your routine.

3. Rest up

Feeling uncomfortable and going to the bathroom a lot at night can leave you tired. Use a body pillow when sleeping and limit your liquid and food intake after 6 p.m. To combat fatigue during the day, take a five-minute break every hour. Sit back, relax, do deep-breathing exercises or take a walk to rejuvenate yourself.

4. Anxiety

All pregnant women are nervous about how they are going to handle motherhood especially if they are expecting their first child. Babycell has an initiative “Mummy Ki Paathshaala” where they teach women about the journey towards motherhood

5. Planning the future

All to-be-parents, plan their baby’s future well in advance. They plan their child’s school, clothes, food, etc. Some parents also bank their baby’s stem cells with private banks. Babycell is one of leading stem cell banks in India –

Hope this helps you through the final leg of your pregnancy!