Heart Touching Story – Two Babies Talking in the Womb

This parable has circulated around the internet over the last couple of years, and we can’t seem to locate a trustworthy author for attribution.
It is a thought-provoking idea. Enjoy.

In a mother’s womb were two babies.  The first baby asked the other:  “Do you believe in life after delivery?”



The second baby replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery.  Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”

“Nonsense,” said the first. “There is no life after delivery.  What would that life be?”

“I don’t know, but there will be more light than here.  Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths.”

The doubting baby laughed. “This is absurd!  Walking is impossible.  And eat with our mouths?  Ridiculous.  The umbilical cord supplies nutrition.  Life after delivery is to be excluded.  The umbilical cord is too short.”

The second baby held his ground. “I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here.”

The first baby replied, “No one has ever come back from there.  Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery it is nothing but darkness and anxiety and it takes us nowhere.”

“Well, I don’t know,” said the twin, “but certainly we will see mother and she will take care of us.”

“Mother?” The first baby guffawed. “You believe in mother?  Where is she now?”

The second baby calmly and patiently tried to explain. “She is all around us.  It is in her that we live. Without her there would not be this world.”

“Ha. I don’t see her, so it’s only logical that she doesn’t exist.”

To which the other replied, “Sometimes when you’re in silence you can hear her, you can perceive her.  I believe there is a reality after delivery and we are here to prepare ourselves for that reality when it comes…
source:http://www.kidsloverscenter.com/

Is it safe to have hot baths during pregnancy?

It’s best to be cautious about having a hot bath, although having a warm bath is fine – and a good way to relax.
Warm should be comfortable enough so that you can get straight in without having to get in bit by bit. It also shouldn’t affect the colour of your skin and make it red, or make you sweat.

Test the water with your elbow or forearm before getting in. This part of your body is more sensitive to temperature than your feet or hands.

You need to be cautious because a hot bath could push up your core body temperature, and this could be dangerous for your baby. Studies on animals suggest that overheating, especially in the early months of pregnancy, may cause birth defects in their offspring.




The type of birth defects that might arise affect the brain and spine. These are called neural tube defects (NTD). Spina bifida is one example of an NTD. But the risks of overheating are greater with hot tubs and saunas than baths. Baths cool rapidly, whereas hot tubs and saunas are maintained at a constant high temperature.

If the bath water is too hot, you could also feel faint or sick, as the heat can lower your blood pressure a bit too much. This can affect blood flow to your baby, which is unsafe at any stage of your pregnancy.

Tempting though it is to relax in a scented bath, it’s best not to use bubble bath, bath salts or bath oils during pregnancy. This is because they can alter the acidic balance of your vagina and make you more likely to develop thrush. Thrush can be very uncomfortable for you and, if left untreated, could pass to your baby during birth. If you miss the bubbles and want to make your bath more luxurious, try lighting some scented candles instead.
source:http://www.kidsloverscenter.com/

Proper Sleeping Position During Pregnancy That You Should Know

During pregnancy you may find yourself wrestling in bed trying to get comfortable before falling asleep. Unfortunately, your regular sleeping positions may no longer work for you during pregnancy.
There are a number of reasons for this new discomfort, but there are some sleeping positions that you can try that may help you get your much needed rest.

Why Am I So Uncomfortable In My Normal Sleeping Positions?

When you are pregnant your body goes through a variety of changes. These changes tend to disrupt your usual peaceful slumber.

Reasons for your discomfort may include:

Increased size of abdomen
Back pain
Heartburn
Shortness of breath
Insomnia

What Are The Best Sleep Positions During Pregnancy?

The best sleep position during pregnancy is “SOS” (sleep on side). Even better is to sleep on your left side. Sleeping on your left side will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby.

Keep your legs and knees bent, and put a pillow between your legs.

If you find that you are having problems with back pain, use the “SOS” position, and try placing a pillow under your abdomen as well.
If you are experiencing heartburn during the night, you may want to try propping your upper body with pillows.
In late pregnancy you may experience shortness of breath.  Try lying on your side or propped up with pillows.
These suggestions may not sound completely comfortable, especially if you are used to sleeping on your back or stomach, but try them out.  You may find that they work. Keep in mind that you may not stay in one position all night, and rotating positions is fine.

What Sleep Positions During Pregnancy Should I Avoid?

Sleeping on your back: This can cause problems with backaches, breathing, the digestive system, hemorrhoids, low blood pressure and cause a decrease in circulation to your heart and your baby.



This is a result of your abdomen resting on your intestines and major blood vessels (the aorta and vena cava).

Sleeping on your stomach: When you are farther along in your pregnancy, your abdomen undergoes physical changes and makes it more difficult for you to lay on your stomach.
source:http://www.kidsloverscenter.com/

Adorably confused baby meets twins

This toddler named Landon is adorably confused after meeting baby twins for the very first time

 
 His reaction during the encounter is priceless!

one minute she's crying  one minute she's not crying. And how did she get over here so quick??? Mommy what the heck is going on here? hahaha



A guide to your first 40 days as a mother

What are the first 40 days after delivery all about?

If you have just had a baby, you may have been told by your family members that the first 40 days after delivery are important.

The practices during these days may vary depending on which part of the country you are from. But largely, the first 40 days are seen as a confinement period, meant for you to recuperate, gain strength and bond with your new baby.

It’s quite natural to feel that 40 days is too long. You may want to get out of the house before that. Or you may find all the dos and don’t that this period comes with too restrictive.

If your recovery is taking longer than you expected though, you will probably be happy for the excuse of these 40 days to get all the rest you need.

However long you end up spending on your confinement, enjoy this precious time you get for yourself and your newborn baby before the mad rush of life sets in again. Your body will be going through a lot during these first few days of motherhood. Here is how you can make the most of the confinement time to help you recover well.



How can I recover quickly after birth?

Depending on your birth experience, you may feel well again fairly soon after the birth. But it can also seem like a long time before you are free from aches and pains, especially if you had a caesarean or assisted birth.

It is best to allow your body to heal at it’s own pace. You can help yourself heal by resting, eating well and looking out for the signs of an infection or other postnatal complication.

Rest may not be easy to come by with a newborn. Your little one will probably want to be fed every two hours through the day and night, and will probably pass urine as often. But this is why confinement is such a popular postnatal practice in India. It allows you to rest in the day while your mum, mum-in-law or maid look after the household chores.

Experienced mothers know what you are going through and are usually happy to help out at this time. If you do not have family close by to help you, there are maids specially trained to help new mothers during their confinement. You can consider hiring one either part or full time.

How will I feel emotionally after birth?

Giving birth is an amazing achievement, and every mum responds in her own way. You may feel alert and happy – physically, mentally, and emotionally satisfied. Or you may feel bruised and battered, exhausted, disappointed and even depressed. You may find that you feel very protective and possessive of your baby or on the other hand, happy when someone offers to take care of him for a while.

Many new mums also get the baby blues and a few suffer from more serious postnatal depression. This can cause severe mood swings, sadness and guilt. If you feel extremely depressed and have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, you should speak to your doctor. With the right treatment, you will feel better again.

Use the confinement period to help you get over this emotional upheaval and bond with your baby, so that you are able to enjoy motherhood fully.

Breastfeeding your baby

Doctors, medical experts and the Ministry of Health recommend breastfeeding your baby exclusively for six months.

Though it is the best nourishment for your little one and the most natural one, breastfeeding doesn’t always happen easily. You may have starting troubles. And it’s quite normal to have problems like engorged breasts, breast refusal or sore nipples. In addition, the night-time feeds can take their toll on you.

Fortunately, there are ways to cope with breastfeeding issues. If you have any questions, you will probably find answers in our breastfeeding section.

You might find yourself very happy for the first few days of confinement to spend some quality time with your baby perfecting the art of breastfeeding.

What should I eat during my first 40 days?

Once your baby is here, you are sure to hear a lot about what you should and shouldn’t eat. The traditions vary from region to region and almost from family to family.

Though there might be many restrictions, eating healthily is vital for you to heal well and to produce good breastmilk for your baby.

So make sure you get all the vital nutrients like iron, calcium, vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins in your diet. Eating right will not only help you recover and give you the strength to carry out your new duties as a mum, it can also help you lose weight sensibly.

There are a lot of traditional foods that go along with the confinement period. See some of our traditional confinement recipes.

What practices are usually done in the first 40 days?

There are many customs and traditions followed during the first 40 days after delivery, which vary across regions.

Your mother may give you a special massage or some traditional food meant for a new mum. A well-meaning elder in the family may introduce you to healing exercises and interesting rituals.

Though some of these customs may be difficult to follow, you may find some of them useful.

If you feel like the traditional restrictions linked to this period are difficult to follow, speak openly to your family members about your feelings.

With the exhaustion of the delivery and the baby blues kicking in, it is best to take things at your pace and give yourself the best chances of a quick recovery.

Some of these restrictions were useful at a certain period in the past but might not be as relevant today. Others, such as the traditional post delivery massage, might make you feel good. Just keep in mind that the better you feel, the better you will be able to look after your little one.
source:http://www.kidsloverscenter.com/

Natural Ways to Conceive Twins: How to increase your chances of having twins

Naturally conceived twins occur in about 1 out of every 89 births.  Under normal circumstances, your odds of conceiving twins are slim.  Taking fertility medications or undergoing a procedure like IVF can increase your chances of conceiving twins, but you may be curious if there is anything you can do to naturally increase your chances of having twins.
How are twins conceived?



Most twins are fraternal.  Fraternal twins develop from two separate eggs.  Identical twins are rare and happen as a result of just one egg which splits sometime in early pregnancy.  Fraternal twins are conceived when two eggs are released during ovulation whereas identical twins are more of a random fluke.

Can you increase your chances of having twins?

Yes, there are some things that will increase your chances of having twins, but some of these things are really out of your control.  Having a family history of twins will increase your chances of having twins.  This is true if you have a family history of twins, meaning someone on your mother’s side or father’s side of the family has had twins, especially if they had fraternal twins.  If your partner has twins in his family, it doesn’t help you any.  The reason being is that there may be some genetic component that may cause you to produce more than one egg during ovulation.  This “twin gene” may be passed down from your parents to you.  Identical twins are not thought to be hereditary.

Other factors that may affect your chances of having twins are your ethnicity and your age.  African American women are more likely to conceive twins than Caucasian women.  And, Asian women have a lower chance of conceiving twins.  Twins are also more common in older women.

Things you can do to naturally increase your chances of having twins:

Take a folic acid supplement:  There have been a few studies on the link between folic acid and conceiving twins.  One Australian study found that women who took folic acid before they got pregnant were more likely to conceive twins.  In fact, according to this study, you may have a 40% or greater chance of conceiving twins if you take folic acid while you are trying to conceive.  Some other studies have shown contradictory results making it hard to say for sure if folic acid actually increases your odds of conceiving twins.  Nevertheless, folic acid also helps to prevent neural tube defects so it is a good idea to take a folic acid supplement (or a multi vitamin with folic acid) even if you aren’t trying to conceive twins.

Gain weight:  A study published in the March 2005 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women who were overweight had a higher chance of having twins.  Women who were tall also had a higher chance of having twins.

Eat dairy products:  According to a recent study by Dr. Gary Steinman, a physician at Long Island Jewish Medical Center who is well known for research on multiple birth pregnancies, women who eat dairy are five times more likely to conceive twins than women who don’t.  Dr. Steinman’s study compared women who ate a regular diet with vegan women and vegetarian women who consumed dairy products.  Vegans appear to be less likely to conceive twins according to the study.   But, it may not be so much that consuming dairy increases your chances of having twins; but rather, that consuming milk or other dairy products from growth hormone treated cows increases your chances of having twins.


Continue breastfeeding:  If you are breastfeeding and would like to conceive twins, you may want to hold off on weaning your little one.  According to one twin study, women who were breastfeeding when they conceived were nine times more likely to conceive twins than women who are were not breastfeeding.

Try to conceive shortly after discontinuing birth control pills:  Sometimes when a woman quits using birth control pills, her body gets “out of wack” as it tries to start regulating its own hormone production again.  If a woman has been using the pill for six months or more her body adjusts to the birth control controlling her hormones so when she stops taking the pill, her body may take a cycle or two to get her hormones working the way they are supposed to.   When this happens, women sometimes receive a little too much hormone stimulation.  This can cause the ovaries to release one too many eggs during the first ovulatory cycle or two after discontinuing the pill.  So if you want to have twins, the first cycle or two after stopping the pill is a great time to try!

Eat wild yams:  We are not sure if this one will really work but it can’t hurt.  The theory behind eating yams is that there may be a chemical in wild yams, or cassava root, which may cause hyperstimulation of the ovaries, resulting in the release of more than one egg during ovulation.  We are not sure if this is true or not but one town in Africa, Igbo-Ora, is known for having a high rate of twins.  This small town in Nigeria claims to have the highest rate of twins in the world, 4 times higher than the rest of the world’s population.  Researchers started looking into the diet of this African town and concluded that the reason for the high rate of twins might be due to their diet.  People in the town of Igbo-Ora consume a large amount of cassava root, a wild yam.  Researchers believe that the wild yams may play a role in the high rate of twins conceived in this town.

Have a big family:  Having a big family also naturally increases your chances of having twins.  It makes sense, the more times you are pregnant, the more likely it is that one of your pregnancies will be twins.

Try to get pregnant when you are older: Women who are older are more likely to have twins.  Women over 45 have a 17% chance of conceiving twins, but they also have a lower fertility rate so it probably won’t make sense to wait until you are older just to conceive twins.  Still, if you are older and are able to conceive, you are more likely to have twins than someone younger.  The reason being is most likely related to the fact that older women start producing higher levels of FSH, follicle stimulating hormone.  FSH is a hormone that tells your ovaries to start maturing an egg for ovulation.  As you get older, you have less eggs and lower quality eggs, so to compensate your body starts producing more FSH.  This increase in FSH production may cause an older woman to be over stimulated and result in the release of more than one egg during ovulation; thus, increasing the chances of conceiving twins.
source:http://www.kidsloverscenter.com/

What to do when your breastfeeding baby bites

Should I stop breastfeeding now my baby has teeth?

There’s no need to stop breastfeeding once your baby has teeth. Though babies’ first teeth usually come through at about six months, some take longer. A few are even born with teeth.

Though many breastfed babies have teeth, most never bite their mums. In fact, if your baby’s well attached, he can’t bite, because his tongue covers his lower gum ridge while he’s feeding. To bite you, he’d need to pull his tongue back to expose his teeth, which is impossible while he’s latched on.

He shouldn’t bite you with his top teeth, either. Babies, like everyone else, bite up, not down. Their bottom jaw moves, but their top jaw stays fixed.




To get the best possible latch, make sure that your baby’s mouth is open wide (gaping) and ready to take in your breast. His head should be tipped back, with his chin leading. If his head is tipped forward, his top teeth may press down on your breast.

Why does my baby bite when he’s breastfeeding?

Apart from being poorly attached, there are other reasons why babies bite:

Older babies can be easily distracted. If they turn to look at something, they can forget they still have mum’s breast in their mouth, and then close their jaws.
Some babies bite at the end of a feed. As soon as you feel your baby starting to withdraw his tongue, make sure he lets go of your breast completely.
Your baby may bite if he falls asleep during a feed. Keep an eye out for when his jaw movements slow down and weaken, and then ease him from your breast before he dozes off.
Your baby may have a cold, or an ear infection, that’s making it hard for him to swallow. Try holding him more upright while he’s feeding, to make it easier for him, and less painful for you.
Babies are curious, and some bite just to see what happens.
If you notice your baby’s jaw tightening before he bites, put your little finger into the corner of his mouth, between his gums. He should then bite your finger, rather than your breast. Don’t pull him off while he’s biting, though, as it will make you sore.


How can I stop my baby biting?

You can try various tactics to stop your baby biting. The approach you take will depend on your baby’s age and how much he can understand.

Your baby’s new teeth are sharp. If they graze or fasten on to your breast, chances are you’ll let out a yell! Your strong reaction might shock your baby so much that he won’t do it again. He may even be so startled that he refuses your breast.

The more usual reaction to your scream, however, is that your baby is curious and repeats the bite to see if it works again. For him, it’s a bit like experimenting with a push-button toy or rattle.

If this happens, try to stay calm and quiet, but stop feeding him. Make eye contact and say “no” firmly. Your baby needs to associate biting with losing your breast. Most babies will dislike this separation.

You may be tempted to wean your baby if he’s biting, but there are lots of things you can try first. Here are some tips on how to discourage biting:

If your baby keeps biting, put him on the floor for a short time straight after he bites.
For an older toddler who’s a regular biter, be positive when he doesn’t bite. Give him hugs, kisses and praise.
If you think your child is after attention, give him lots of eye contact, and talk to him while he’s feeding.
Try feeding your baby in a different position.
Learn to recognise when he’s finished feeding.
Don’t feed him unless he’s really hungry.
Take him off your breast if he’s falling asleep.
Give him a teething toy before or after feeds.
source:http://www.kidsloverscenter.com/

WARNING : Here’s How You Can Use Your Phone to Determine if Your Child Has a Deadly Form of Cancer !

Most people take photos of their kids because they’re cute. But what if we told you that you can also do it to detect cancer?

Retinoblastoma is a dangerous and the most common form of eye cancer that affects children. It usually diagnosed in children under 4 years old, and 18 months is the average age of diagnosis.

Fortunately, retinoblastoma is highly treatable with an early detection which can save a child’s vision — and their life because when retinoblastoma advances and spreads, it can be deadly.

You can easily check to see if your child has it with the use of your phone!

Retinoblastoma can often be detected with a photo because the flash can cause the pupil to turn white if it’s present.



What you need to do is turn on the flash, and snap a photo of your child – simple as that!

If you see white in one or both of your child’s pupils unexplained by lighting conditions — especially if you’ve noticed other retinoblastoma symptoms like squinting or lazy eye, redness or swelling not due to infection, a change in iris color, or vision loss — make sure you pay a visit to the doctor.

Also, make sure to share this with your friends and family members who have kids. Not only could you help them save their kids’ vision, but also their lives in case this dangerous form of cancer is present!
source:http://www.sportonlinegroup.com

This Mother Put Her Child To Bed With An Onion, Here Is Why

This Mother Put Her Child To Bed With An Onion, Here Is Why
borce_civic@hotmail.com December 17, 2015 This Mother Put Her Child To Bed With An Onion, Here Is Why2015-12-17T10:55:52+00:00 Health No Comment



When you think of onions, your first instinct is probably to view them as something to put on a cheeseburger. Did you know, though, that onions have a long and storied history as a homeopathic remedy? It’s true! Onions have been used as a natural cure for everything from bee stings to the build-up of excess ear wax for hundreds if not thousands of years. In a world where we increasingly scorn anything that doesn’t come with a physician’s prescription, such a notion might seem odd, but ask your grandparents and see what they say. The chances are good that if they grew up in the countryside, they probably fell asleep at least a few times with the scent of onions filling their nostrils. What’s more, many people still swear by such cures today. To learn more about the fascinating medical uses of this humble little plant, just keep reading!

MOM-PUT-HER-SON-

It’s an established fact that when we’re sick, our moms are the first person we turn to, no matter how old we might be. Of course, it might seem a little weird if she sends you to bed with an onion poultice instead of Netflix and chicken soup, but don’t worry, she’s got her reasons! Here’s just a small sample of the maladies and misfortunes onions can help you conquer:

• Various bites and stings, most notably bee stings
• Ear infections, ear aches, the build-up of excess earwax, dizziness arising from any of the above, and similar ear conditions
• Colds & allergies and their related symptoms (a cough, congestion, and so forth)
• Bladder infections and related urinary issues
• Croup
• Inflammation (onions are particularly useful in reducing glandular swelling)

As you can see, there’s more than one good reason why moms should put their children to bed with an onion when they’re feeling unwell!

The Health Benefits of the Onion

In addition to the simple delivery of several vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients you can get simply by eating the various parts of onions on sandwiches, in salads and soups, and as part of a million other dishes, onions have many medical benefits. For example, their skins contain extremely high concentrations of a beneficial flavonol known as Quercetin (2, 4). In addition to its well-known anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, this compound also exhibits allergy-fighting properties and, according to some researchers, the possible ability to ward off cancer. Onions also act as a stimulant once they enter your body, giving you a nice boost of energy and well-being when you need it most – who doesn’t need a pick me up when they’re sick? – and calming aching throats and ears through membranous stabilization. Finally, its expectorant action helps break up the mucus that causes and enables stubborn coughs.

Practical Applications of the Onion in Homeopathic Healthcare

It’s all well and good to say that the onion is medicine’s unsung miracle bulb, but what good is all that praise if you don’t know how to use it when you need it? Below, you’ll find several ways in which you can prepare the onion for use as a remedy for what ails you:

• An onion press applied to the skin will calm and relieve most cases of chest congestion arising from colds, allergies, croup, and so on.
• A nice, hot bowl of French onion soup will not only keep you toasty during the winter, it also works wonders on bladder infections!
• A slice of onion on a bee sting will soothe the pain and draw the stinger out, setting you right as rain in no time.
• Do you suffer from boils? Can’t stand the smell of garlic? Suffer no more!

Onion poultices are a fantastic remedy for the pain and embarrassment of boils.

• A few drops (or a cycle of administrations depending upon the severity of the condition) of onion juice dropped into the ear will calm most common ear aches and ear infections.
• A mixture of onion, boiling water, and honey will soothe a throat ravaged by coughing fits – and it’ll help kick a cough, too!
• Dice a slice of raw onion and eat it with a couple pieces of bread. It doesn’t sound pleasant, but if you suffer from heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD, the relief it brings will have you jumping for joy.

Advisories / Potential Contraindications

If there’s a fallback to this treatment, it’s that the compounds in onions are extremely quick-acting. They work, and work well, but you’re going to have to apply them often. That means you’ll have to be extra diligent in your care plan, which is no fun at all if you’re the one who’s sick. It also means you’re going to go through a lot of onions, so don’t be surprised if you cry a little!
source:http://tophealthylifeadvices.com

Photographer Captures The Moment Babies’ Heads Are Born

Once you’re holding your newborn baby in your arms, gazing down at those beautiful big eyes, it can be hard to believe the baby came out of you. If it wasn’t for that all too real memory of crowning and the associated burning sensation, you might not believe you birthed the baby at all. Not many mamas get to see the moment their baby’s head is born, after all, it would take some pretty impressive flexibility to be able to see down there at nine months pregnant! Marry Fermont, a professional birth photographer from the Netherlands, has created a photo series capturing the exact moment babies’ heads are born. Fermont wrote on her blog, “When I was just starting out with birth photography in 2011, I was terrified of missing something. I focused on the parents’ emotions, and everything else I could get on camera was a bonus.”

Capturing The Moment Between Womb And World

The turning point came in 2012 when the birth photographer was able to get a clearer image of a baby crowning. A baby was born was the cord wrapped around his neck, and the midwife chose to cut the cord when only the baby’s head had been delivered. This allowed Fermont and her camera to capture an amazing image of the baby being born. When Fermont shared the photo online it sparked an intense debate about whether or not the midwife had made the right call. Fermont says of the image, “I loved the photo so much, that I decided I wanted to take a photo like it far more often!” Speaking to BellyBelly, Fermont said: “This is a moment that just happens. Most women don’t even realise their baby is born, they are in a different place. To have a photo like this and to really look back at this moment is very special.”

The intimate nature of the photographs mean Fermont isn’t often able to share them online. She told BellyBelly, “Normally I can’t share these images because a lot of women find this a really personal moment, although you don’t “see” anything. But this moment is magical. This is when you actually realise there is a whole baby inside that belly! It’s also the moment that you are ‘almost there’, in most cases: one more push and the baby is born. Technically they’re are not born yet, they are born as soon as the shoulders have appeared”.



The photo series has given a veil of anonymity to the women featured, allowing the photographs to be shared with the world. The stunning photographs capture that moment just before a baby is born, as they enter the world for the very first time.

Birth Position Controversy

There has been some controversy about the images, with some people complaining that all of the births seem to have taken place while the mamas are lying on their backs. Fermont told BellyBelly, “It would have been nice to have more photos of women birthing not on their back! Unfortunately, that’s still something you see often here in the Netherlands, although it’s the worst position to birth your baby.” Upright positions are generally better for labour as they allow gravity to play a part in helping the baby to travel down the birth canal. You can read more about the benefits of upright labour here.

source:http://www.kidsloverscenter.com/

Meet The Very Cute Baby Who Was Born Without A Nose

Eli Thompson was born with no nose due to a rare malformation known to affect just 1 in 197 million babies. Despite the noticeably absent facial feature, his mother says he’s doing just fine.

Eli was born March 4 in Alabama, but it wasn’t until doctors handed him to his mother, Brandi McGlathery, that she realized he had no nose.
Eli, who immediately started breathing normally through his mouth, McGlathery told the Mobile Press-Register, was taken to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, after his condition was discovered.


Eli was 5 days old when doctors performed a tracheotomy to assist with his breathing, and since then “he’s been a much happier baby,” McGlathery told the paper.
Because of the procedure, however, Eli doesn’t make a noise when he cries and his mother must keep a constant eye on him.
Known as congenital arhinia, the malformation is extremely rare.

According to a 2014 article published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine on a similar case, at the time, there had been only 43 recorded cases of congenital arhinia since the first was reported in 1931.
It can potentially be life-threatening by causing breathing and feeding problems, but there are known cases of babies making it well into adulthood.
The chances of being born with the malformation, his mother said, is 1 in 197 million.
“He’s perfect the way he is.”

McGlathery told the Press-Register she’s already made contact with parents who have had children born without a nose and other patients who have grown up with the malformation.
She and a lactation consultant researched online together on how breastfeed Eli after the tracheotomy, and she has consulted with doctors on what she and her family will have to know to care for the baby at home.
Meanwhile, McGlathery told the Press-Register that she and Eli’s father, Troy Thompson, have decided not to do any plastic surgery until he grows up and decides on his own whether to go that route.
“Until the day he wants to have a nose, we don’t want to touch him,” she told the newspaper. “We have to take it day by day.”
Until then, McGlathery said, “he’s perfect the way he is.”

Eli’s story has spread online, with one friend creating a Facebook page to keep everyone updated on the family’s progress.
And since the family now faces years of surgeries and expensive medical costs, family friends set up a GoFundMe page to raise money.
As of Tuesday evening, more than $5,000 had been raised.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Eli got to go home.

source:http://www.buzzfeed.com/

Top 10 Exercises To Keep Yourself In Shape During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it becomes increasingly important for women to remain healthy and fit in order to reduce any incidents of pain. It is highly recommended that women should exercise during pregnancy for at least 30 minutes a day for at least 5 days a week. This will help them to build up stamina for the delivery process. Here are some easy and effective exercises for women to keep in shape during their pregnancy.

Exercise During Pregnancy – Top Effective Exercises

1. Pilates

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Pilates are generally performed by women during their second trimester. Therefore, this form of exercise is not strenuous at all. It helps women to remain strong and flexible. It involves lying down on a mat preferably, and performing various breathing exercises and pelvic thrusts. Alternatively, this helps in minimizing any back pain or muscle strain that is a natural consequence during a pregnancy. Breathing exercises during pregnancy are also important and these are being covered in this pilates.

2. Prenatal Yoga:

Prenatal yoga utilizes yoga postures that will help pregnant women to relax, stretch their muscles and also help them connect with their baby in the womb. These exercises are appropriate for any trimester. There are a couple of breathing exercises that are involved to ensure a calming effect. As the name itself suggests, this is a perfect pregnancy exercise.

3. Kegel exercises:

Kegel exercise during pregnancy is absolutely essential to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles which help during the delivery process. These kegel exercises during pregnancy should be performed in a sitting posture. They involve contracting the pelvic muscles. Women can also do quick contractions or they can alternatively hold contractions for 10 seconds before releasing it. This process is repeated for at least 10-15 minutes.

4. Abdominal exercises:

Abdominal exercise for pregnant women involve lowering the rear end until the body assumes a flat posture during pregnancy. This is followed by tightening the abdomen and lifting up the abdomen slowly from the mat and transferring that weight to the spine. These exercises reduce the incidence of back pain by strengthening the back and shoulder muscles.

5. Stretching Exercises:

Stretching exercises are important for blood circulation and preventing back pain during pregnancy. Stretching exercises are usually performed on a mat or a chair and involve reverse shoulder exercises, leg stretching with the help of a band, and neck tilting from side to side. These exercises are to be performed with care to avoid muscle pulls.

6. Pregnancy squats:

Performing squats during pregnancy is important for gluts and legs. Stand shoulder width apart. While you lower your body, push your rear end back and it is important to tighten your abdomen. Also, ensure that your knees don’t go past your toes. These exercises should be repeated at least 15-20 times.

7. Cardio Exercises:

Cardio exercises during pregnancy are vital to keep you in shape and ensure that back pains and abdominal strains do not become a major cause of worry. You can start by lifting your knees and then kicking with your legs for better results. This is followed by swinging your arms gently from side to side along with the kicking. These exercises will increase your heart rate and keep you fit during pregnancy. It will also increase the blood flow to your baby.

8. Wall push-up exercises:

Wall push-up during pregnancy helps in toning the arm muscles as well as strengthening the legs and back of women during their first two trimesters. All you need to do is place the palm of your hands on a wall and push up and down. Ensure that your back is inclined and your rear is in line with your back for effective results.

9. Cycling:

Cycling during pregnancy is also a great way to exercise. All you need to do is ensure that you cycle slowly to ensure good blood circulation in your legs. While peddling, try to raise your knees and put all your weight forward. Also, keep breathing while you cycle. This will strengthen your back and keep your knees and legs strong as well as reduce pain.

10. Lunges:

Lunges are beneficial during pregnancy as they strengthen the pelvis, abdominal muscles and also provide a good workout for your knees, gluts and legs. Take a long step forward and then go down on one knee, and while you push yourself up, exhale. Ensure that your chest and shoulders are straight. This motion should be repeated at least 10 times on each leg.
source:http://www.stylecraze.com/

Debunking 5 Myths about the Flu

1​The flu shot doesn’t cause the flu. The shot is an entirely dead virus— it’s impossible for it to replicate in your body and cause infection. The nasal spray is a very weakened strain (imagine a sprinter without legs or a bumblebee without wings) that is unable to replicate in the lungs to cause disease.The most common side effects after the shot or nasal spray are fatigue, low-grade fever, and runny nose (from the nasal spray).

2You may feel like you “don’t get the flu.” Well, chances are that you do or you might. Research shows that anywhere from 5% to 20% of all adults get influenza every year. Anywhere from 10% to 40% of all children get it annually as well. Sometimes it’s just a mild infection; sometimes it’s far worse. You may not know you’ve had it unless a clinician tests you.

The flu shot doesn’t work. It does work, but like every shot, it’s imperfect. It is possible for someone to still get the flu after a flu shot, but the infection is far less severe when he or she has had the shot. Each year the flu shot can change in effectiveness due to differing strains that are included in the shot and that may circulate in your community. You need a flu shot every year because the influenza virus mutates while moving around the globe.



I’m healthy, so I don’t need a flu shot. We’re lucky that we’re healthy, but don’t let that fool you. Healthy children and adults die from the flu every year. Often about half of the children who die from influenza (usually a couple hundred each season) are healthy infants and children. About 30,000 people die every year from flu in the United States. The flu shot you get now can help protect you.

If you don’t “do” flu shots but you now have a child, you must change. Your children, particularly those younger than 4 years, and those infants too young to get a shot (younger than 6 months) are utterly dependent on you getting a flu shot so you don’t bring influenza home to them.
source:https://healthychildren.org

My mom-in law killed my unborn child, while my husband stood silent

In this family that I was married into, it was perfectly acceptable to demand lacs and lacs of money from the daughter-in-law’s father, but if the daughter-in-law walks out of the house to work and earn money, it is believed to damage the family’s so-called prestige. I am sure, the likes of this family are thriving in every nook and corner of this nation. Strange is the direction of the thought process that guides such people. If the bride supports the family with her hard-earned money, the inflated ego of the husband gets hurt. But, no one will know when the father of the bride transfers money from his account to his son-in-law’s account. No one will know when the mother of the bride brings her jewelry in a lunch box and hands them over to the mother of the groom to sell them or use them to her heart’s desire.No one will know.

“I have retuned that money to dad.” I replied. “Abhi told me he wanted that money only to show, not to use, so once the purpose was met; I transferred the money back to dad’s account.” I replied to my mother-in-law.

“What? You returned all that money to your father? What an Alaksmi girl God has given me as a daughter-in-law! Why did you return the money to your father?””Because that was my baba’s money, and it belonged to my baba’s account.”

“Really? Good. You are your baba’s daughter and you belong to him as well. Now just like the money is back in his bank account, you go back to his house.” She said pulling my hand and dragging me out of my room. I tried to free my wrist from her fastening, but she had a firm grip.”Leave my hand, maa. If you want me to go, I will go, let go of my hand.”



“Why are you talking to my maa like this, Meera?” Abhi reprimanded me, himself intimated by his mother.

“Leave my hand, maa. I will go.” I tried some force to pull my hand out of her grip while she pulled me near the staircase.

“Fine, go then.” She stood at the edge of the staircase and pushed me down with all her strength. I rolled over to the first division of the stairs. I had fallen flat on my stomach, I suffered an acute pain. A pain I had never felt before. ‘Oh! What kind of pain is that!’ I placed my right hand on my stomach trying to pacify the pain. It didn’t help.

I tried to pull my left hand too, to place it on my stomach. But I realized, I couldn’t move my hand. And then I felt a throbbing pain in my left wrist too. I just couldn’t move my left hand. I turned my head at my immovable hand, it appeared disfigured. It’s not the way my hand is supposed to look.

“Abhi…” I stretched my right hand towards him seeking help. He was standing beside his mother at the edge of the staircase looking down at me, trying to understand what had just happened. He was about to come down the stairs, but his mother held his hand and yelled, “Papushona! If you dare help her, know that you are not born out of one father.”He froze.

“I wasn’t shocked that Abhi didn’t come down to help me. I wasn’t shocked at his cowardice. I was shocked at my stupidity of asking help from him. I regained the control of my mind. I knew, I was the one who was hurt, and I was indeed the only one who could help.


I pulled my hand back and pressed my lower abdomen. My left hand lay motionless just like my legally, socially, religiously wedded husband stood static upstairs looking down at me. I tried to find some support on the wall, somehow trying to pull myself together. I could feel something on my palm. Something wet. I brought my right palm in front of my face.

I looked at my hand, I found blood. Soon, my yellow saree was drenched in red. I could see the blood flowing down the stairs. I couldn’t feel the pain in my abdomen or wrist any more. Because the pain that emerged in my heart was greater than the physical ordeal my body was going through. My eyes followed the blood flowing out of my body, and covering the steps of the stairs, one after the other.

Toffee (my pet) rushed in. Though my mother-in-law tried to stop her by blocking her way, she hurried towards me. She sniffed the blood, and then looked at me. As I kept my hand on my abdomen again, she licked my hand. My tormented face had a throbbing expression. I was gasping for air. My throat became dry. No tears. Tears, I guess, I saw in that animal’s eyes while she sniffed through the blood that was flowing down the stairs and then looked into my eyes. Abhi’s mother went down stairs to get a mop. Once his mother was out of sight, my husband gathered some courage to come down to me. He walked me to the washroom and stood outside while I cleaned myself. The blood would just not stop. The white tile of the bathroom floor was red with my blood. I had never witnessed a sight as dreadful as that ever.

“Papushona…. tell her, not to touch the bathroom walls with her bloody hands. We got the house white-washed just before your wedding.” I heard my mother-in-law’s voice from inside the kitchen downstairs, loud enough to be heard inside the bathroom on the first floor.

I somehow managed to drain my blood down the washroom pit, and struggle to wrap the towel around me with my right hand. My left hand was still numb and appeared disfigured. But I couldn’t afford to give much attention to my hand; I was fearing a far greater loss. On opening the bathroom door, I found Abhi standing still. My heart warned me against looking into his eyes, but I looked.

They say, eyes of a man are the reflection of his heart, mind and soul. So I dived into his eyes that day. I tried going deep into him through his eyes, and explore every corner of his soul. I was desperately trying to find some remnants of human conscience. But I failed. I failed myself. I looked away. I was just about to place my only conscious hand on the wall outside the bathroom when I saw Abhi extending his hand to catch mine. I froze my movement for a while.”It’s okay, Abhi. I have washed the blood off my hand. Don’t worry. I won’t mess up the wall.”



My heart refused Abhi’s support, and this time I didn’t disobey its decision. I scaled through the wall to my room. I was careful enough not to touch Abhi for support or let him hold me. With great struggle, I had washed his last remains from my tired body.”Don’t touch me anymore, Abhi. I will be sullied. This fatigued body of mine has no strength to clean itself again.”
source:http://www.timesfull.com/

Amazing 8 Year Old Kid Sings Like Luther Vandross [VIDEO]

the golden voice of Luther Vandross may have been silenced by a stroke in July 2005, but his soulful sound can still be heard today on the radio, and through the voice of this 8 year-old Filipino boy.



Enjoy him singing ‘Dance With My Father’.

Could he be the next singing superstar from that region of the world? When legendary rockers ‘Journey‘ were looking for a new lead singer,  Arnel Pineda of the Philippines was discovered during a web search.
source:http://lite987.com/

A 28-Day-Old Baby Was Raped By A 25-Year-Old Man, This Is What Humanity Has Come To!!!

Such is the case of the parents of a 28-day-old infant, from Bullandshahr in UP, who found their child in agony and bleeding profusely when they returned from voting in their local elections.
The infant was was allegedly raped by a 25-year-old man in village Asif Nagla, under Khurja Dehat Police Station.

The incident took place on Saturday when parents of the 28-days-old girl child had gone to cast their vote for Gram Pradhan elections, SP (Rural) Pankaj Pandey said.



On Sunday the victim was taken to a government hospital in Khurja by the parents where doctors seeing her condition referred to higher care centre, police said.

An FIR against one Namino (25) of the same village has been lodged by the infant’s father, Mukesh, police said adding that the accused is absconding.

But this poses a disturbing question to all of us? How can such dreadful incident even happen. How can such inhumane and animalistic cruelty even exist!
source:http://www.timesfull.com/

35 Doctors Couldn’t Stop Son’s “Melting” Skin… Then Mom Makes Stunning Discovery

Stephanie Smith spent the first year of her son’s life searching for answers on a serious skin condition that left the newborn with a burn-like rash over most of his body. Imagine her shock when she found the answer lay in the treatment she was using.
Smith’s son Isaiah began showing signs of the skin inflammation at just three months old. What started as a ring around a cut on his cheek quickly spread and became a raw, red rash whenever he would come in contact with people wearing perfume or clothes with fabric softener.


Her pediatricians diagnosed eczema and prescribed a low dose of corticosteroids, which are available over the counter.

“His skin cleared up but a week later it came back, so we applied more,” Smith said.

“This went on in a cycle over two months. Then his hair started to fall out. He became sick and lethargic. But all the doctors I took him to just said it was eczema. They told me to stop breastfeeding him as the milk protein could make it worse.”

It got so bad that they took him to the emergency room, where doctors injected him with steroids. It got better, but only for 48 hours. Then the rash came back, worse than before. This time, his skin was oozing and bleeding.



“We couldn’t even hold him,” Smith said.

“Every time our skin touched his, it would blister and ooze like crazy,” she said. “I couldn’t even touch my cheek to his. We couldn’t use towels, because they were too rough on his skin. Instead we used thin cotton sheets. He was most comfortable in his bathtub, the water pouring over him in the sink. But he was still in pain.

“He would wail, and I would cry along. People asked what we had done to our baby. They asked, ‘has he been in a fire?’ He looked like he had third degree burns. I once heard a nurse say, ‘you have got to come and see this kid’ … We saw 35 doctors altogether. They all said it was eczema.”

As his condition got worse and the family withdrew more, Smith stumbled upon a forum about corticosteroid withdrawal. By the symptoms that were being described, she suddenly realized what she was using to treat her son’s illness could actually be causing it.

“It was all about the side-effects of topical steroids, and how skin conditions can get worse when you stop using them,” she said.

“I scrolled through picture after picture of children with skin like Isaiah. Red raw skin, flaking off and oozing.”

Smith stopped using the steroids and instead turned to a home remedy of lemongrass and zinc. Slowly but surely, things began to improve.

“As time went on we saw patches of clear skin,” she said.

“Isaiah would walk to the kitchen island, where I kept the balm, point at the jar and point to his face. It clearly soothed him. I took about 50 photos a day to see the progress, because it could change moment to moment.”

Ten months later, Isaiah has entirely clear skin.

“He is like any other toddler,” Smith said. “He chatters away, runs everywhere and is into everything. He helps me around the house. He’s so sweet spirited. We lost the first year of his life. I wasn’t able to kiss him or hold him.

“Now we squeeze him all the time. He is a squeezable little guy.”

Please like and share on Facebook and Twitter to spread this important message about the possible effects of corticosteroids on children.

source: http://www.liftbump.com

7 early pregnancy signs

When you’re hoping to be pregnant and you haven’t missed your period yet—or it’s a day or two late—it’s pretty easy to interpret nearly any physical symptom as a sign of pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to feel symptoms in the first week or two of your pregnancy—or even earlier.

“Some women experience pregnancy symptoms from the moment of conception,” says Karen Nordahl, a general practitioner and obstetrician in Vancouver and co-author of Fit to Deliver. “Usually, this is second- or third-time moms who remember a particular sensation, such as increased gas.”

But many first-time moms miss these signs because the very earliest symptoms of pregnancy aren’t necessarily the ones we associate with having a baby on the way. So, yes, while some women experience nausea or hypersensitivity to smells, these seven symptoms are among the most common during the first few weeks of pregnancy
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1. Increased gas
Being gassy—or, less eloquently, “farty”—is no problem when you’re chillaxing alone in your threadbare sweatpants, but it’s next-level horrifying when you’re out and about anywhere else. Unfortunately, it’s a common sign that you’re pregnant. Expect flatulence during not only the first few weeks of pregnancy but also the next nine months. Inevitably, your unruly gas will strike right in the middle of a work meeting or during a cool-down in your silent yoga class.


2. Sore breasts
Before you start cursing your bra for suddenly feeling more like a contraption from the hardware store than the lacy lingerie that took a serious chunk out of your paycheque, consider that your newly sore boobs could be a sign that you’re pregnant. Breast tenderness is another common early sign of pregnancy, according to Nordahl. For many women, what can make this symptom particularly confusing is that breast soreness is also a very common sign of your period. But early on in your pregnancy, your breasts may hurt because they’re expanding in preparation for producing milk.

3. Heartburn
Digestive changes are one of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy, says Nordahl. If you feel a burning sensation in your chest after scarfing down your usual black coffee and egg-salad sandwich from the deli near your office, it might not be that the deli changed the recipe to include green onions or switched coffee brands; it could actually be pregnancy-related heartburn. One telltale sign of heartburn is that the burning sensation can feel worse when you bend over or lie down. It’s safe to reach for an antacid to relieve the burning, but also try to avoid certain foods, such as citrus fruits.

4. Bloating
Can’t zip up those light-wash jeans that fit like a glove a few weeks ago? It could be that extra-large soda and popcorn you inhaled while transfixed on the onscreen hunk at the cinema last night, but it could also be a sign that you’re expecting. Like breast tenderness, abdominal bloating is a symptom that’s common before your period, making it hard to tell apart from monthly premenstrual symptoms. The usual tactic to fight extra bloating is to ease up on excess salt and stay hydrated with water, both of which are good habits, whether you’re pregnant or not. But you might also want to buy a pregnancy test.

5. Lower pelvic cramping
Pelvic cramping as a pregnancy sign? Yep, it can be, according to Nordahl. That might seem counterintuitive, as cramps are super-typical symptoms of Aunt Flow. You were probably hoping that being pregnant meant you could kiss cramps goodbye, but sadly that’s not the case. Light cramps can be caused by early pregnancy hormonal shifts and implantation of the fertilized egg on your uterine lining.

6. Fullness
The unusual sensation of feeling “full” is yet another early sign of pregnancy. “Fullness can be experienced before a period is missed, but a first-time mom may miss it,” says Nordahl. “A second- or third-time mom may pick up on it right away, especially if she is actively trying to conceive.” If you’re getting a feeling of déjà vu from previous pregnancies that you’re experiencing at the gut level (literally), congrats, you could be preggo!

7. A missed period
Well, duh, of course a missed period is an early sign of pregnancy. For many women who haven’t been pregnant before, this is usually the first symptom they notice, explains Nordahl. But hindsight is often 20/20. “A first-time mom usually thinks back and realizes that a few things were different but wasn’t sure what they meant,” she says.
source:http://www.todaysparent.com/