Hyperpigmentation - Skin Discoloration - Pregnancy Mask
August 26, 2010
First and foremost I want to start by emphasizing that it can take quite a while to get rid of discoloration! It can take months to years! You will have to be patient and consistent!
Ingredients that will help fade spots include Vitamin A, Kinetin, AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), Azelic Acid, Kojic Acid, Vitamin C, Mulberry Extracts, Saxifrage Extracts, Algae, Licorice Root and so on…. and of course Hydroquinone (a synthetic skin lightening ingredient)available in strength of 2% OR 4% . Each ingredient has its strengths and weaknesses. The most widely used and frequently prescribed ingredient is hydroquinone though contreversial. Hydroquinone is stronger than ingredients such as vitamin C and the ones listed above so works quicker. Hydroquinone is a more agressive and fastest way to treat discoloration and for some too strong so alternative products (above) may be for you. Do not abuse or overuse hydroquinone because it can eventually lead to skin lightening called hypopigmentation.(white spots) . If you chose hydroquinone, limit its use to four to six months and stop using the product once the desired result is achieved, making sure to use sunscreen when you are outside or they will return.
Problems Associated With Teen Pregnancy
August 7, 2010
Pregnancy is one of the pivotal moments of a woman’s life but not when you’re young with a bright future ahead. Teen pregnancy is one of the most difficult experiences any young woman can go through. The stress of pregnancy, revelation of pregnancy to parents, and moving on despite the shame and worry can be nerve-racking. Indeed pregnancy especially during teenhood will never be easy.
According to studies, teenage pregnancies in the United States have decreased steadily over the years. In 1991, there were 60 out of 1000 young women who gave birth and in 1998, 51 out of 1000 gave birth. This decrease may be due to the effective use of birth control and decreased sexual activity among teens.
Yet teen pregnancy rates remain high. According to Women’s Health Channel, in the United States alone, approximately 1 million teenage girls experience pregnancy every year. At least 5% of young girls give birth and in 1997, at least 13% of the births in the US are of teenage girls. ?? Health risks to the baby and children out of teen pregnancy are more likely to experience health, social, and emotional problems. An increased risk for complications such as premature labor in teen pregnancy and socioeconomic consequences are present.
Pregnancy Fashion - Look And Feel Great During Your Pregnancy!
July 18, 2010
Have you ever wondered what makes women tick? Well among other things it is good, no wait? great fashion sense!
If you are pregnant or soon will be, it can sometimes seem like a daunting task trying to remain fashionable and pregnant all at the same time.
Many women at least initially lament the loss of their pre-pregnant figures. The good news however, is that there are literally hundreds of online maternity fashion shops that offer quality, great looking and fun maternity wear at reasonable prices!
Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you have to suffer from a fashion perspective. In fact, finding the right fashion wear might be just what you need to jump-start your pregnancy and make you feel great about yourself.
When To Start Wearing Maternity Fashions
Many new moms wonder when they should start wearing maternity clothes. You definitely won’t be needing them your first trimester, where you alone are probably the only person that can tell that you are pregnant.
Most women start wearing maternity items at about the fourth or fifth month. Now, this varies from woman to woman. Second time moms often start showing earlier than their first time counterparts, and women with multiples start showing even sooner.
Weight Loss After Pregnancy - The Final Word
June 28, 2010
One point can’t be emphasized enough. Weight loss takes time after pregnancy. A sensible goal would be to lose 1-2 pounds per week, particularly if you are looking for the weight you gained to stay off.
Eating a well balanced diet and partaking in regular exercise are the critical success factors for weight loss after pregnancy. Fad diets will not work, and may actually work against you in the long run.
Exercise is a vital component of weight loss after pregnancy. Many people simply are not able to lose the weight they gained unless they exercise, particularly if there metabolism has slowed at all in the months post partum.
If you are getting exercise on a regular basis and eating well, but still not losing weight a year or more after you give birth to your baby, seek out the advice of your health care provider. There are a number of conditions that may arise after delivery that can contribute to weight gain, none the least of which are thyroid abnormalities which are sometimes very common after pregnancy.
Finding Time To Exercise After Pregnancy
June 8, 2010
If exercise is so obviously the answer to losing weight after childbirth, then why aren’t more women doing it? The answer isn’t as tricky as you may think.
One problem most new mothers will report is that they don’t feel that they have enough time to exercise after birth. This is a complaint among just about anyone who has ever attempted to set up a routine exercise program, not just women who have given birth!
While it is true that taking care of your newborn should be first and foremost in your mind, it is also important that you set aside time for your own health and well being. This includes setting aside enough time to engage in routine exercise. Finding time may be as simple as blocking off a certain number of hours during the day to work out.
If you are having trouble finding time to exercise, there are a number of things you can do to ensure that you stick with some type of exercise routine:
Set aside a specific time every day to exercise. Even if you just set aside 10 minutes of time in the morning, your body will benefit from regular exercise. Remember that stretching, yoga and other forms of activity are also considered exercise, and will help your body return to its pre-pregnancy shape much more quickly.
How Fast Will I Lose The Weight I Gained During Pregnancy?
May 20, 2010
Remember as with any weight loss and exercise program, moderation is the key! How fast you lose weight will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of weight you gained during your pregnancy.
Most women will lose anywhere from 10-14 pounds within the first 2 weeks of delivery. This weight may be attributed primarily to the loss of excess fluid in the body, the baby’s weight, the placenta and amniotic fluid. Some women might lose a little bit less, and others might lose a little bit more.
As the uterus shrinks back down to its normal size and your hormone levels continue to fall, you will lose weight. Most women gain at least 7 pounds of fat during pregnancy. This fat is meant to help women store energy while breastfeeding. How fast this weight comes off will depend on a number of factors including: genetics, your overall health, diet and exercise.
Weight Loss After Pregnancy - The Importance Of Setting Goals
May 1, 2010
One of the best things you can do is set some goals for yourself. Goal setting is an important aspect of any successful weight loss strategy. The type of goals you set will depend on the amount of weight you have to lose and your personal fitness goals and desires.
It is important that you set goals that are SMART. What are smart goals? They are goals that are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Acceptable
- Realistic
- Tangible
You want to set ’specific’ goals rather than abstract ones. What is an example? "I want to lose 1 pound per week" is an example of a specific goal. "I want to lose some weight" is not very specific, and won’t set the stage for a successful weight loss program.
You also want to set goals that are measurable. You can for example, monitor your progress at weight loss or monitor the amount of food you put into your body every day.
Obesity And Pregnancy
April 11, 2010
If you are overweight when you become pregnant, your physician will likely recommend that you gain less weight than a woman who is average or normal weight. You should not diet during pregnancy because it is vital that you supply your body and unborn baby with an adequate number of nutrients. What you can do however to minimize your weight gain is to ensure that you eat a healthy selection of foods during your pregnancy.
One of the best things you can do to avoid too much weight gain is ensure that you have a healthy selection of snacks handy when at times when hunger strikes. Think about things like yogurt, raisins, nuts, fruit and other healthy selections that are not only convenient but also taste good.
There are health conditions that being overweight or obese increases the risk for during pregnancy. Among these include:
- Preeclampsia
- Premature Birth
- Gestational Diabetes
- Cesarean Sections
Giving Birth to Children with Obesity Problems
Unfortunately women who are already overweight prior to pregnancy are more likely to gain excessive amounts of weight during pregnancy. Several studies have suggested that more than 80 percent of overweight and obese women will gain too much weight, defined as weight exceeding 40 pounds or more, during their pregnancy.
Pregnant Mothers and Starbucks
March 23, 2010
Many mothers are addicted to caffeine and cannot handle going without during the nine months of pregnancy. The damage done to the fetus is a very critical issue in this time of development. Occasionally we see pregnant women come into Starbucks and buy a cup of coffee and wonder if we should say something. We do not of course and mind our own business. They are probably well aware of the risks they are causing their future child. Maybe they do not believe the reports or figure one more cup will not hurt. And maybe that one cup itself will not, but day after day we see them there again.
As we move towards a national health care system, we will be responsible for this child as they grow older. We as a nation, you and I as taxpayers, will be footing the bill in the case of special education classes if that child has issues with learning. So much for the Child Left Behind Act. If the baby has any early complications well we may end up paying for that too. If the child grows up and becomes un-trainable, un-teachable or uncontrollable we are the one’s who will foot the bill with additional education costs, additional police, jails, prisons and rehabilitation.
Can a Woman With PCOS Get Pregnant?
March 4, 2010
One of the most common questions I get from women who are newly diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome is "Will I ever get pregnant?" I have not been able to find specific studies regarding fertility and PCOS-likely because it is so hard to track those who are successful in getting pregnant without medical intervention. One source said that women with PCOS have an 80-90 percent chance of having a baby, but I was unable to find any research studies to back this up. While some women with polycystic ovarian syndrome will not be able to get pregnant, I believe that the majority can and do eventually have healthy babies.
First, 5-10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS. If their symptoms are mild they are often undiagnosed. If they have even one child, many physicians will say they can not have PCOS. This is ridiculous if you look at the diagnostic criteria. The most common criteria for diagnosis include a failure to ovulate regularly. However, for many women this means they have long cycles (35 days or longer in many cases) but they DO ovulate.
