TOWER OF THOUGHTS: June 2016

Wednesday 8 June 2016

Pregnancy In Totality

domestic violence screening for all pregnant women that is used by a ...

For many women, being pregnant is something to celebrate. For some, pregnancy might come as a complete surprise or shock. Even if you’ve been planning to have a baby, finding out that you’re pregnant can bring some uncertainty about what lies ahead.

Starting your pregnancy care

If you’ve just found out or think that you’re pregnant, see your GP to start your

Toddler having a temper tantrum credit iStockphoto.com/Jani Bryson

Tantrums are extremely common in toddlers and preschoolers. They’re how young children deal with difficult feelings. It helps to avoid situations that trigger your child’s tantrums, and to have a plan for managing them. Hang in there – tantrums tend to tail off after children turn four.

Tantrums: the basics

Tantrums are extremely common among children aged 18-36 months.
They come in all shapes and sizes. They can involve spectacular explosions of anger, frustration and disorganised behaviour (when your child ‘loses it’). You might see crying, screaming, stiffening limbs, an arched back, kicking, falling down, flailing about or running away. In some cases, children hold their breath, vomit, break things or get aggressive as part of a tantrum.
The causes of tantrums include:

temperament. This can influence how emotional children become when they feel frustrated. Some children just have more tantrums than others
stress, hunger, tiredness and

Image result for tow to to bond with children

The desire for more privacy is a natural part of adolescence. At the same time, teenagers still need your support to make good decisions. Trust is the key to finding a balance between your child’s need for privacy and your need to know what’s going on.

Teen privacy and parent trust

Privacy
As your child gets older, she needs more privacy and more personal and psychological space.
This is because your child is dealing with big teenage challenges, such as working out what kind of person he is. He’s also gaining new physical and thinking capacities, and developing new social interests. Part of becoming a grown-up is learning to handle these challenges with independence and responsibility.
Secrecy
Wanting more privacy and time alone doesn’t necessarily mean your

new survey reveals that teenagers hide their internet activity from ...

Cyberbullying can be hard to spot, so it’s important to know what it is, what signs to look for and how to help your child. This essential guide to cyberbullying explains.

Cyberbullying: what you need to know

Cyberbullying is when a person uses digital technology to deliberately and repeatedly harrass, humiliate, embarrass, torment, threaten, pick on or intimidate another person.
Cyberbullying happens in lots of different ways – by mobile phone, text messages, email, online games or through sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr and so on.
Examples of cyberbullying include:

Women who are pregnant - or thinking about getting pregnant - may be worried about the Zika virus. The virus has been linked to a serious birth defect called microcephaly, which is when a baby has a small head and brain. The virus is a particular threat in Latin America and the Caribbean, where several thousand babies have been born with microcephaly. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika or microcephaly.
Most people who get infected with Zika do not get sick at all and do not even know that they are infected. Those who do get sick usually get mildly ill with symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. The virus can be passed from mothers to babies during pregnancy.
Here are 5 things women should know:

After separation or divorce, children need time and understanding to get used to moving between two homes. Children are very flexible and, with your support, they should adjust well. There are lots of practical things you can do to help.

Living arrangements after separation or divorce

Your child is likely to adjust better to living arrangement after separation or divorce if he feels like he’s had some input. So it’s a good idea to reassure your child that you’ll consider the living arrangements that he wants. You can even involve him in the discussions if you think he’s old enough.
Your child might worry that she has to make a choice that means pleasing one of you and hurting the other. It’s OK to reassure her and let her know that it’s not up to her to make the major decisions.

During the preschool years, your child is learning and developing all the time, and also building more confidence and self-esteem. Understanding your preschooler’s emotions and social development helps you connect with your child during these years.

Understanding preschoolers: the basics

The preschool years are one of the most important periods in a child’s emotional development.
Your child is building on the confidence and self-esteem he has been developing since the

Image of pregnant woman packing to go to the hospital

The Affordable Care Act requires non-grand fathered health plans in the individual and small group markets to cover essential health benefits (EHB), which include items and services in the following ten benefit categories: (1) ambulatory patient services; (2) emergency services; (3) hospitalization; (4) maternity and newborn care; (5) mental health and substance use disorder services including behavioral health treatment; (6) prescription drugs; (7) rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; (8) laboratory services; (9) preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and (10) pediatric services, including oral and vision care. HHS regulations (45 CFR 156.100) define EHB based on state-specific EHB benchmark plans. This page contains information on the EHB benchmark plans for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.). In plan years 2014 through 2016, the EHB benchmark plan is a plan that was sold in 2012. For plan year 2017 and beyond, the EHB benchmark plan is a

Amanda's Interview After Her 88-Pound Weight Loss With The Tolerance Suppressing Method.

A local woman has documented her incredible 88 pound weight loss with a series of photos showing just how dramatically her body, and self-confidence, have changed.
36-year-old Amanda, used an Advanced Tolerance Prevention System to radically alter her 222 pound frame.
By sticking to this advanced formula and doing “virtually zero intentional exercise,” Amanda managed to shed excess weight, all while gaining self-confidence.

“When I started taking progress pictures, I could only take one photo of myself. I hated the way I looked.”

Amanda documented her amazing transformation online and an astute commenter pointed out the obvious. “Amanda’s smile gets bigger as her waist gets smaller.”
“When I started taking progress pictures, I could only take one photo of

Cinnamon is a highly delicious spice.
It has been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years.
Modern science has now confirmed what people have instinctively known for ages.
Here are 10 health benefits of cinnamon that are supported by scientific research.

1. Cinnamon is High in a Substance With Powerful Medicinal Properties

Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum. It has been used as an ingredient throughout history, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. It used to be rare and valuable, and was regarded as a

Coffee is actually very healthy.
It is loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that can improve your health.
The studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases.
Here are the top 13 evidence-based health benefits of coffee, that have been confirmed in actual human studies.

1. Coffee Can Improve Energy Levels and Make You Smarter

Coffee can help people feel less tired and

How to Calculate Pregnancy Due Date

Calculating the baby's due date is one of the most exciting moments for expecting parents. In humans, pregnancy lasts about 38 weeks from conception, or 40 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP). According to the World Health Organization, normal gestation may last 35 to 40 weeks from conception, or 37 to 42 weeks from the LMP.

When estimating the day of birth, it is important for mothers and fathers to realize that due date formulas are only estimates, and should not be interpreted as exact dates. On average, only 5% of human babies are born on the exact day of their predicted due date. Roughly 67% of babies are born with in +/- 10 days of their expected due date.

Increase the Chance of Conceiving a Boy

There are many reasons why a couple may wish to conceive a boy. Perhaps they already have several daughters, or there are already many girls in the family. Whatever the reasons for wanting to have a son, there are actually many tricks that increase the chances of conceiving a boy. As long as you are fertile and able to become pregnant, you can use the natural methods below to increase the odds of having a baby boy.

First, understand the key differences between Y-chromosome sperm (male sperm), and X-chromosome sperm (female sperm). Male sperm are actually smaller, lighter, faster, and more fragile than their female counter parts. Male sperm live for only a day or two, while female sperm can live for several days. By exploiting their differences, you can create conditions that favor the male sperm reaching the

Drinking Wine During Pregnancy: Safety and Risks

Can you drink wine during pregnancy? A common area of concern during pregnancy is over what you can eat and drink while pregnant. It can be difficult to adjust to pregnancy and change without the help of your favorite comfort food or drink, so obviously you want to find out if your favorite foods and beverages are safe to ingest.
Whether or not you can have wine during pregnancy is a common concern for expecting moms.

Maybe you’re one of those people who likes to unwind with a glass of wine at the end of the day, or maybe you still want to enjoy a fancy dinner at your favorite restaurant. On the internet and from your friends, you may get some mixed answers on whether or not you can indulge in a glass of wine during pregnancy.
A friend may even tell you they had a glass of wine every now and then while pregnant and

Secondary infertility: are you struggling to get pregnant for the second time?

As many as one in seven couples suffer from ‘secondary infertility’, says Dr Venkat, Director of Harley Street Fertility Clinic.

After your first baby, it’s common for couples to want to extend their family with a second baby.
However, it’s not unusual to experience infertility when trying for a second or third child. The situation can be stressful and upsetting and also difficult to process, especially if the first pregnancy went without a hitch. Dr Geetha Venkat, Director of HSFC answers the many questions that couples facing this issue often ask.

Get Rid of a Pimple on or Near the Neck

It can be difficult to get rid of a pimple that occurs on the back of your neck, your throat, or under your chin. The skin tissue in these areas is soft and delicate, and popping zits in these areas is difficult. Often, these zits don't even have visible heads that you can pop. The best way to get rid of pimples on the neck and throat is to desiccate them (dry them out) and reduce inflamation in the area. This can be done with a combination of medicine and ice.

The first step is to make the pimple dry out. Cover it with a layer of calamine lotion, clay-based facial masque, or any acne medication that comes in the form of a paste. Place a small square of tissue over it, and let it dry. Apply one more layer of medication over the tissue. This creates a hard shell over the pimple that will desiccate the blemish. Leave the hard shell on your neck over night.

Packing for the hospital can be a daunting task. It is best to get some things ready before your due date just in case you go into labor a little earlier. This is a guide about things that many new moms have found useful during their labor and deliveries.

Essentials (and a few non-essentials) for Mom

Health insurance card
Pre-registration forms from the hospital
Nursing bra(s)– This supports swollen, tender breasts, and

Need Twins or Triplets Here is How to Conceive

Fertility treatments often yield multiple births, and twins and triplets occur more frequently these days as more and more women seek such treatments. Whether by taking fertility drugs that stimulate the ovaries, or by having several embryos implanted at once, a woman can easily conceive twins or triplets by artificial means.

However, there are many ways to increase your chances of having twins naturally. Even if you have no family history of twins on your mother's side, you can make your body an environment that is favorable for conceiving twins or triplets. Here are some tips.

First, understand the two types of twins that can occur: monozygotic (identical), and dizygotic (fraternal). Identical twins arise when a fertilized egg splits into two identical embryos. Fraternal twins arise from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two different sperm. It is easier to conceive fraternal twins than identical twins.

6 Factors That Increase Your Chance Of Having Twins Or Multiples

6 Factors That Increase Your Chance Of Having Twins Or Multiples

To increase your chances of having twins or triplets, you should improve your chances of having a baby in the first place. Take folic acid every day, starting several months before you think about conceiving. Put on more weight, quit alcohol and tobacco, and consume more dairy to help you concieve.
Eat foods that encourage your ovaries to release more eggs during the ovulation cycle. For example, yams have compounds that over-stimulate the ovaries, and many women who eat them frequently have a higher rate of conceiving fraternal twins and triplets. Foods that encourage progesterone production, such as walnuts, whole grains, eggs, and chicken, can also

Time to dig out the family tree and have a think about your diet – these factors both increase your likelihood of having twins or multiples…

So, you’re TTC – and visualising yourself brandishing a dirty nappy while your partner wrangles with a babygro.
That picture in your head includes one baby, not two or three, right? Thought so. Still, there are factors that can increase your likelihood of conceiving twins or multiples.
‘Identical twins, which make up around a third of twin pregnancies, come from one egg and are basically a fluke of nature – there’s no known common factor in those,’ says David Davies, consultant obstetrician at Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital. ‘But with non-identical twins or triplets, which come from different eggs, there are several shared influences.’
From what you eat to the size of your

Image of cell division at conception from a multiple pregnancy

The numbers of multiple pregnancies have increased over the last twenty years. This increase is primarily due to the fact that one third of women who are having babies are over the age of thirty, and these women are more likely to conceive multiples.
Another reason for the increase in multiples is due to fertility drugs and fertility procedures. There are two basic types of multiples: identical/monozygotic and fraternal/dizygotic.

What are identical/monozygotic multiples?

Mistakes to Avoid When Parenting Teenagers

... for Parents: Dear Parents... (Talk about Church with Your Kids

When it comes to parenting teenagers, many parents become apprehensive. They enjoy being a mother or father to a young child who can still be shaped and molded, but when they reach the point of making their own decisions, parents can get scared of making too many mistakes and corrupting their teenagers. However, these mistakes can be avoided with proper parenting skills.
1. Lecturing Your Teenager
As children get older, lecturing tends to become more and more ineffective. Teenagers who have lecturing parents feel as though they are still being treated as a little kid, thus ignoring their words. For example, missing curfew will not be remedied by a father launching into a 15 minute spill about respect and obedience. While teens still need to be guided and given advice, a better way to do so is through discussion. Rather than stepping on the soapbox and bellowing your beliefs to your teenager, sit down and have a conversation. Allow him to talk about the problem areas, and assist him in working out a solution to the issues.
2. Always Expecting the Worst
Some parents dread the teenage years, and when they approach, they assume their children will turn into uncontrollable monsters. Because they have read and heard stories of

Ways a Mother Can Bond with Her Teenage Son

It can be a challenge for moms to spend quality time with their teenage sons. Often a busy mother might feel successful if just a few minutes were spent with a son who has his own busy schedule. Sadly, these short moments could be wasted with the details of the time he needs to be home and so forth.
As a mother, you need to find ways to bond with your teenager to be more than a manager of his life. The reality is that teenagers are torn between asserting themselves as adults and being children that need reassuring. Teenagers are more vulnerable than they will let on. If you do not reach out and provide the nurturing and reassurance that your teenage son needs, it is likely that he will try to meet his needs elsewhere; this could make him more vulnerable to pressure from peers. This often leads to bad associations and complicated situations that could dramatically affect the entire family. Thus the reasons for bonding with your teenage son are greater than just finding an enjoyable way to

For work-at-home moms with teenage children, teenage parenting can be a challenge. Raising a teenager is tough enough by itself, but when you're trying to mesh that with working at home, a whole new element of difficulty is introduced. These tips may help you be a good parent to your teenager, while accomplishing what you need to for work.
Tip 1: Set Boundaries
Having a clearly laid out set of boundaries can help both you and your teenager eliminate confusion as to acceptable behavior. In addition to basic respect, you should come up with a

Teenage pregnancy happens every day in the United States; nearly a million teenage girls and teenage boys get involved in pregnancy. As a parent, you may be feeling a wide range of emotions--shock and worry to disappointment and grief. Other parents feel guilty for not protecting their child enough while others get embarrassed. Whatever your feelings are, once you find out that your teen's carrying another child, recognize that it's a difficult phase not only for your child, but for the entire family. This is one of

Becoming aware that your teen has become sexually active can be devastating. The reality is that teens have become more sexually active at faster rates. Despite your own views on premarital sex, teens will generally wind up doing as they wish. There are, however, effective ways to educate your teen so that proper precautions and perhaps changes in lifestyle are adopted as a result.
Communication is Key
The most important thing to remember with any sensitive issue is that communication is the first step in reaching an understanding. This will include taking into consideration your teen's opinions as well as sharing your own feelings. Your teen's decision to become sexually active has to

Talking with kids and discussing sex with them is a responsibility of a parent. Why is there a need for such? The need to understand sexuality will help them fight off peer pressure during the adolescence stage, take charge of their lives when they're already adults, and it will also protect them from sexual abuse or from becoming sexual offenders themselves. Children and teenagers are less likely to have problems with sexuality and taking sexual risks if they have enough information about the subject.
The Best Time

It is best to start talking and

How to talk to your kids about sexual issues can present certain challenges. First, the subject itself can be awkward. However, if you have an open door policy in your house, it may not be too problematic. It is important to have this discussion with your kids as soon as it seems appropriate. Discussing safe sex is an essential component of sexual education and one of the main responsibilities of parents which should not be taken lightly.

Step 1: Be Realistic and Casual

Don't make a big deal about the subject of safe sex with your

Dear Moms Of Adopted Children: I Know Nothing You Have Was Easy

Photo: istock

Kathy Lynn Harris

I recognize the fierce determination. The grit. The fight.

Dear Mom of an Adopted Child,

I met you in adoption education class. I met you at the agency. I met you at my son's school. I met you online. I met you on purpose. I met you by accident.

It doesn't matter. The thing is, I knew you right away. I recognize the fierce determination. The grit. The fight. Because everything about what you have was a decision and nothing about what you have was easy.

You are the kind of woman who Makes. Things. Happen. After all, you made this happen, this family you have.

Maybe you prayed for

Sexy Phrases GUARANTEED To Get Him All Hot And Bothered

In — or out — of the bedroom!
Having a large repertoire of dirty phrases that you can use on your man is important if want to keep things exciting in the bedroom (and outside the bedroom) — it's scientifically proven that dirty talk works to increase sexual pleasure.
Below are 17 dirty talking phrases that you can use on your man during sex right now, whether you are in bed, you are sending him a text message, you're on the phone, or you are both walking down a crowded street.
But before I give you each of these phrases, there are a few crucial things that you must know about talking dirty to your man and making it work. This is simply because there is just no point in learning the words if you don't know how to use them properly. Let me explain.
First, Know HOW To Do It ...

She's frequently naked—but that's not all

When you’re out of the house, things might get a little freaky—and we’re not just talking about your girlfriend’s solo sessions with her vibrator.
“We try to be the best version of ourselves around our man,” says DeAnna Lorraine, a Los Angeles-based dating coach. “So as soon as he leaves, we binge on weird behaviors that we’re afraid would turn him off.”
But it’s not just pimple-popping that happens once you’re off the property. Your girlfriend may also indulge in a few rebellious—and sometimes sexy—pleasures.

“Being a ‘good girl’ can feel like a straitjacket,” says life coach Sasha Cagen, author of Quirky Alone. “So when a woman is alone, she can be bad, and do the things she’s not supposed to do.”
Here’s what she might be up to

From wiping to washing, here’s your complete guide to “down under” hygiene

Illustration by Shutterstock

Do you know how to wipe your butt?

It seems like a silly question, since you’ve likely been wiping your butt longer than you’ve been able to write your own name. But if we’re all doing it the right way, then why are skidmarks a common occurrence?

If you’ve had an embarrassing incident with skidmarks, even once in a rare while, it’s time to take a closer look at your butt-wiping technique.

Dr. Joel Krachman, MD, the Chief of Gastroenterology for New Jersey-based AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, says there aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to wiping—except that you probably shouldn’t do it hard and fast. Up or down, paper folded or bunched, all the methods offer the

Ways to Stop Sweating After Your Workout

Squeezing a workout into your jam-packed day is only half the battle. You also have to figure out how to jet from the gym to your desk without showing up drenched in sweat.
Avoid being the sticky guy at the office with these tips from Mike Tipton, Ph.D., a thermoregulation expert at the University of Portsmouth in the U.K.

Control Your Shower Temperature
As soon as you finish your workout, jump in the shower and keep the water right below your body temperature. Hot temps just add to your

Things You Totally Don't Need to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

When it comes to figuring out exactly what to pack in your hospital bag, the Internet is chock-full of ideas for you. But while reading some of these lists — and after having two babies of my own — I am inclined to believe that many of these people have never actually given birth or are chronic over-packers.
I get it — I am sort of a chronic over-packer myself, who lives and dies by the motto that it’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. But unless you want to look like a tourist embarking on a tropical vacation when you arrive at the hospital or birth center with your entourage of luggage, you should probably reconsider some of those items in your bag.
These are just a few things that (in my humble opinion) are pretty unnecessary to pack in your hospital bag.

1. Your laptop

I remember being a teenager when my Mom first assured me that I would be extremely fertile, and that I had “good birthing hips.” I’m sure as a teenager I was horrified to hear such things.
When I actually got married, I was in no hurry to get pregnant. My husband and I waited four years to travel, finish up school, and be “ready,” although no one is ever really ready. When it was time to start trying, I remembered what my Mom had told me my whole life: It would be easy. But, I also worried because I married into a family where there were fertility issues. Would my husband have problems if I didn’t?
When we were finally ready, it took me four months to conceive. I remember a little pang of disappointment each time the test came up negative. But when it came up positive, we were elated. Two-and-a-half years later, when we were ready for our second, I got pregnant on the first try. It was “easy.”
By the time I was ready to try for my third though, I was living closer to the family that struggled with the fertility issues. And, when, like clockwork, I got pregnant on the first try once again, I found myself afraid to