Kegel and Pelvic Floor Exercises, Caesareans and Sex

written by Keira Benson

In the many weeks that it takes to recover from a Caesarean, the last thing on your mind is exercise… and even further down that list is sex.  The dissection of your stomach muscles means that just trying to move about is a struggle and the area around your scar is very painful.

However, performing Kegel and pelvic floor exercises is vital to the future health of your pelvic and pubic areas and gentle squeezing of the muscle that you use to control your urine should be tried at the first opportunity.  In most cases, it is possible to perform some gentle repetitions the day after your operation, with the agreement of your health professional.

The most basic Kegel and pelvic floor exercises consist of squeezing your vaginal muscles as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine and then holding the contraction for a count of three before slowly releasing.

This means that these exercises can be done whilst you are feeding your baby, so it’s not something you have to try to fit in to what will become an increasingly crowded schedule.

After this major abdominal surgery, for six weeks, the only thing you should be lifting is your baby.

It’s hard not to want to lose the remaining excess weight of pregnancy and retrieve your figure but, no matter how desperate you are, any exercise should be restricted to gentle walking and Kegel and pelvic floor squeezing.  No crunchies or sit-ups until your stomach muscles have realigned and strengthened enough to cope with that level of exercise.

The thing to focus on is that, all the time that you are doing your kegel and pelvic floor exercises, you are repairing and reinforcing the foundations of a structure that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.

The pelvic muscles are in the shape of a sling and run between your legs from your back bone to your pubic bone.  They hold your bladder, your womb, your vagina and your rectum in place.

Carrying the weight of the baby and placenta on top of the normal organs will have placed additional pressure on this structure.  In the final months of gestation, muscle and tissue relaxing hormones are released which help to allow the cervix and vagina to accommodate the passage of the baby’s head.  The downside of this is that the tension in the hammock of muscles that form the pelvic diaphragm is also affected.  So it is hugely important to assist those muscles to contract back to their normal size to avoid the possibility of any form of prolapse.

As well as preventing problems with prolapse, gently exercising the pelvic floor aids circulation to the womb, bladder, rectum and vagina, so regular repetitions will stop you from becoming incontinent, make your orgasms better and reduce your chances of getting piles.

The avoidance of haemerrhoids is one of the big advantages that a caesarean has over the vaginal method of delivery and our sisters who have had to push!  Piles can become such a nuisance in later life that a few minutes a day now will save you a whole lot of painful irritation later on.

Once your baby reaches 12 weeks old, your health professional will confirm whether your body has recovered sufficiently to start taking on other exercise regimes but these should be in addition to, not instead of, your Kegel and pelvic floor exercises.

At about this time, you can also start to use the various available internal aids which assist with squeezing – cones, balls, barbells and the battery-operated muscle stimulants.  Most of the latter come with a specially-formulated stimulation pattern designed to get your post-pregnancy pelvic floor back into shape.

As the old adage says, Use It or Lose It!  Which brings us to the thorny subject of sex after a caesarean.

This is an issue that will start to become pressing right about 12 weeks.  Now that your scar is less painful, you become aware of the needs of the man who has been supporting you throughout this difficult time.

To be honest, the longer you put it off, the more difficult the subject will become.  Like all new mothers, you will be worried about the changes that he might find in your nether regions.

However, unlike those women who have given birth vaginally, for the mother who has had a caesarean, it is the scar that is the concern.  The redness will diminish over time and, after 12 weeks, it should be able to bear the weight of your partner in missionary position.  If you are concerned, then you can try spooning.

Back at the business end, we have the other major advantage of the caesarean over a vaginal delivery.  The fact that the baby’s head has not stretched the vagina to facilitate its exit means that its appearance and shape should not have changed.

The great thing is that, if you have been doing your Kegel and pelvic floor exercises regularly, the muscles of the vagina will have benefitted from increased blood flow and it will feel tighter and more sensitive than it did pre-pregnancy.  This means that both of you will experience more intense climaxes.

Kegel and pelvic floor exercises.  Helping to maintain the tone of your vagina and pubococcygeus (or love) muscle.

Enjoy!

About the Author: Keira Benson had both her children by caesarean and maintains a regular exercise regime to retain the body she had pre-pregnancy.

For help and advice on Kegel and pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy, visit: http://kegelandpelvicfloorexercises.com

For more information on the various internal aids, go to: http://www.tightenmyvagina.info
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Solving a Baby Sleep Problem

As any parent will be aware, good quality baby sleep is an essential basis for a child’s future health and development. The pleasure in seeing a baby sleep is hardly measurable but having to see (and hear) your baby when they just won’t or can’t go to sleep can be torture for a parent.

To help in solving a baby sleep problem and to teach your baby to sleep through the night, getting your baby into a regular, fuss-free, sleep routine is so important.

If you haven’t already, you should seriously consider establishing some sort of bedtime routine for your baby. Routine helps to establish baby’s sleep pattern and once it is established your baby will be happier, more content, and more likely to sleep through the night.

Here are several things you can do to establish a bedtime routine for your baby:

Most of us have some kind of winding down routine before we go to sleep and this should be no different for your baby. Perhaps the sleep routine could begin with a bath, followed by a slow dimming of the lights (so they realise it is getting near to sleep time), then a change of nappy or diaper, putting them in the crib or cot and finishing with a bedtime story or lullaby.

You don’t need to follow the above routine to the letter, you may wish to do it in a different order, or have a different routine entirely, but the important thing is that you create a baby sleep routine that you follow night after night after night until it becomes a habit for your child.

Whenever you begin this routine, your baby will know that sleep is expected to follow. Babies and infants are creatures of habit, they enjoy the predictability of a sleep ritual and so a regular routine like this can help settle your baby more quickly and also increase the chances of him or her sleeping through the night.

Providing a routine and the same sleep environment each time is crucial to providing the ideal scenario for restful baby sleep.

You should begin a bedtime routine in the early weeks of your baby’s life if at all possible but if your baby is already older than this, just get a routine established as soon as you can.

If you already have some sort of sleep routine for your child but they still have a baby sleep problem, take a close look at the bedtime routine you have created for your baby to see if can be improved.

You should also create a daily naptime routine too when it is feasible to do so as this helps night time sleep very much.

If your baby is having sleep problems then take a look at The Baby Sleep Solution audio program. It’s the quickest way to solve your baby sleep problem – guaranteed!

Introducing the Family Dog to the New Baby

After welcoming your baby into the world you are probably concerned about how your dog is going to react to him or her. Many people relinquish their pets to shelters for fear of thier infant being harmed after their dog exhibited jealousy upon the baby’s arrival. Yet many families have been successful in introducing their dogs to the new baby.

Introducing your dog to your baby is a process that needs time and the utmost of care to ensure a happy and safe welcoming process! The steps to ensuring your dog acts appropriately around the baby when he or she is finally taken back to your home are twofold: preparing your dog for the infants arrival and introducing your dog to your infant.

Preparing your dog

Preparing your dog for the baby’s arrival in advance is one of the best ways to help avoid friction and jealousy between your baby and your dog. Your dog is used to your attention and pampering, some jealousy will naturally surface when your new baby becomes the center of attention. Taking some precautions, a few minutes of quality time and some extra treats can go a long way!

Be sure to: 

• Take your dog to your local Veterinarian for a complete checkup a few months before the baby arrives. 
• Worms and parasites can be harmful to your baby so be sure to worm your dog before the baby arrives and at the normal intervals to keep on top of this problem.
• If your dog is not spayed or neutered, this is also the time to get it done. 
• Encourage friends with infants to visit your home to accustom your pet to babies. Supervise all pet and infant interactions. 
• Allow your dog to explore the baby’s sleeping, diaper changing areas, and related items such as baby powder, lotions, and diapers to become familiar with the new smells and objects. Apply baby lotion or powder to your hands, for example, and allow your dog to sniff the new smell. Dogs rely on their sense of smell, so familiarity with the new baby smells will help him or her recognize the baby as a part of the family. If possible, allow your dog to smell clothing that your baby has used before you bring the baby home. 
• Accustom your pet to baby-related noises months before the baby is expected. For example, play recordings of a baby crying (there are CDs out now for this exact training purpose – (see www.soundtherapy4pets.com/ for CDs with baby noises), turn on the mechanical infant swing, and use the rocking chair. Make these positive experiences for your pet by offering a treat or playtime. 
• Do not allow your dog to sleep on the baby’s furniture or play with the baby’s toys. Your dog should know that the furniture is not for him or her and should treat it as such. Provide toys for the dog that do not resemble baby toys. A dog may take the toy from the baby’s hand and unintentionally injure the infant. 
• If the baby’s room will be off-limits to your pet, install a sturdy barrier such as a removable gate (available at pet or baby supply stores) or, for jumpers, even a screen door. Because these barriers still allow your dog to see and hear what’s happening in the room, your dog will feel less isolated from the family and more comfortable with the new baby noises. 
• Use a baby doll to help your pet get used to the real thing. Carry around a swaddled baby doll, take the doll in the stroller when you walk your dog, and use the doll to get your pet used to routine baby activities, such as bathing and diaper changing. 
• Finally and very importantly, be sure that your dog knows that you and your family are alpha over him or her – this is crucial to ensure you can reprimand your dog should any jealous signs show when the baby is brought home.

Introducing your dog to your infant

The actual introduction of your dog to your newborn baby is of utmost importance and the first few meetings can often dictate how your dog responds to your baby in an ongoing basis. For this reason, it is crucial to undertake the introduction process slowly and properly.

Tips for the first meeting include:

• When the baby comes home, another person should hold the baby while you greet your dog. Your dog has missed you and it is important to pay attention to him or her when you first get home. 
• Greet your dog happily and bring him or her a new toy as a gift to associate the baby with something positive. After your dog’s excitement about your homecoming has dissipated you should start introducing your baby to the dog. 
• If you are unsure of you dog’s behavior, leash or restrain him or her during the introduction. Talk to your dog, pet and encourage him or her to get a good look and sniff the baby’s hands and feet. Do not force a reluctant dog by pushing the infant in front of the pet. Allow the pet to explore the new smells at their own pace. Never leave your baby unsupervised with your pet. An infant is incapable of pushing the animal away and your dog may inadvertently smother the child. The actions of a baby may scare your dog and cause it to bite in self-defense. If your dog reacts aggressively, put him or her in another room until it is calm and try the introduction again. 
• After the initial greeting, you can bring your pet with you to sit next to the baby; reward your pet with treats for appropriate behavior. Remember, you want your pet to view associating with the baby as a positive experience. Again, to prevent anxiety or injury, never force your pet to get near the baby, and always supervise any interaction.
• Life will no doubt be hectic caring for your new baby, but try to maintain regular routines as much as possible to help your pet adjust. And be sure to spend one-on-one quality time with your pet each day—it may help relax you, too. With proper training, supervision, and adjustments, you, your new baby, and your pet should be able to live together safely and happily as one (now larger) family. For more information on dog training techniques and how to deal with problem dog behavior (like accustoming your dog to children), check out Secrets to Dog Training. It’s the complete manual for dog ownership and is designed to fast-track your dog’s learning.

Baby monitors – How to Choose the Ideal Monitor for Your Baby

When you are expecting a baby, you want to make sure that the nursery is complete. You have the crib, the changing table, the dresser and the mobile, but do you have a baby monitor?

A baby monitor is an electronic device that allows you to hear your baby crying even if you are in another part of your house.

A baby monitor comes in two pieces. The transmitter, which is placed in the nursery and the receiver that is placed in whatever room you are in.

Standard baby monitors can transmit up to six hundred feet but there are some deluxe models that can transmit up to three thousand feet.

A baby monitor receiver runs on batteries (so that it can be portable and you can carry it around the house with you), while the transmitter is plugged into an outlet. Most will have back-up batteries in case of power failure.

When you are shopping for a baby monitor, it is important to test it before you buy. Most retailers understand your needs and will have no objections. You are looking for a clear sound. If you hear static, then move on to another brand. Remember you get what you pay for. It is better to spend a little more now and have the assurance that your baby’s needs won’t go unattended because you didn’t hear him or her.

As you would expect, some baby monitors are very basic whereas others have all of the possible ‘bells and whistles’. Some of the features you may wish to consider when buying a monitor are as follows:

An indicator light on the receiver that will alert you when the batteries are low and need to be changed. You don’t want to think that all is quiet in baby’s room only to find that in fact your batteries have run out.

Another light display on some monitors will allow you to see if your baby is crying without turning up the volume. There is a set of lights on the receiver. The louder your baby cries, the more lights are lit up.

If you have a large home or enjoy working in your garden, it is possible to buy multiple receivers for different areas of your home.

For those who want to monitor the baby even more closely, there are some baby monitors that have motion detectors, and even video so you can see what your baby is doing.

There are a few disadvantages to having a baby monitor. It is sometimes possible to hear conversations of nearby neighbors if they are using a cell or cordless phone. This has been a concern since the inception of cordless phones and can create a problem if you have a cordless phone in your own home also. Baby monitor companies have recognized this problem however and have developed monitors that have multiple channels. With these, all you have to do is change the channel and the problem is eliminated.

The peace of mind a parent gains from knowing that baby is sleeping happily is immeasurable. A carefully chosen baby monitor helps to give you that peace of mind wherever you are in your house.

If your baby is having sleep problems then take a look at The Baby Sleep Solution audio program. It’s the quickest way to solve your baby sleep problem – guaranteed!

Baby Sleep Safety – Reducing the Risk of SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the largest known cause of death in children under the age of one. This terrifying syndrome occurs while the baby is sleeping. To date there is no known cure, or reason for that matter, as to why some children are affected while others aren’t. But the simple fact is that
over 2,500 babies die in the US each year from SIDS. Although the number of deaths have been lowered by around 40% by taking several preventative approaches and incorporating baby sleep safety methods to safe guard children from SIDS, there is no known way to fully avoid the occurrence of SIDS.

Baby Sleep Safety Tips

Here are some tips that can help to reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Lay baby on his or her back. SIDS has been closely linked to children sleeping on their tummies.
• Use a firm mattress. Avoid fluffy toys or pillows that may cause suffocation.
• Don’t let baby get over heated during the night. Babies have a higher body temperature than we do and don’t require as many blankets – Don’t let baby freeze either though!
• Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs before or after baby’s birth. Cigarette smoke is a known contributor to SIDS.
• Participate in early and parental care clinics, especially if you are a first time parent.
• Breast feed baby if at all possible. Babies that are breast-fed are statistically less likely to die from SIDS.
• Offer your baby a pacifier during the first year of life. It is not known why but babies that are given pacifiers in the early stages of life are less likely to be claimed by SIDS.
• Don’t sleep with baby in the same bed or let baby sleep in an adult bed. The baby has a greater risk of suffocation when in a bed designed for an adult. It is ok to comfort and feed baby in bed as long as he or she is returned to his or her proper bed afterward.

SIDS is unlike any other syndrome or disease. Most conditions surrounding an infant’s death are diagnosed by the symptoms associated with the death. SIDS on the other hand is only given as a diagnosis once all other possibilities are ruled out.

Risk Factors

There are several specific risk factors or notable trends that can be seen in data relating to SIDS. These risks should be addressed and noted by parents that have babies in a high-risk category.

• More boys than girls die from SIDS. There is not much that can be done about this statistic, it is more of
  a notation.
• Smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use are believed to be among the main contributing factors to SIDS. Simply put, if you value the life of your child, refrain from using harmful drugs such as these!
• Poor parental care. Inexperienced or young parents are the highest risk. As long as a parent takes the time to get early and regular parental care checks and have the support of family and friends, there is much less risk of this occurring.
• Premature babies are at a high risk of SIDS. Premature babies are born with a disadvantage to begin with and are usually very weak and under developed. This is more a notation than a prevention.
• Mothers who are younger than 20 are at risk of having a baby die from SIDS. This can be for a variety of reasons such as inexperience or unintentional neglect.

By using the above tips and making yourself aware of the risk factors and taking baby sleep safety precautions you can reduce the likelihood of losing a child to SIDS. For parents who have lost a child to SIDS there are many wonderful support groups available to help go through the grieving process.

If your baby is having sleep problems then take a look at The Baby Sleep Solution audio program. It’s the quickest way to solve your baby sleep problem – guaranteed! Take a look now at:  Baby Sleep Solution  

 

IMPORTANT: The information found on this blog is a general educational aid. Do not use this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider about any medical or health-related questions.

Colic

Symptoms: an otherwise content and health baby cries or screams for extended periods for no apparent reason (baby’s not hungry, wet or sick) and usually occurs during the evening.
There is no commonly accepted explanation for colic and this condition usually appears within the first two weeks of life (if it starts after four weeks, it’s not colic) and tends to disappear, often very suddenly, before the baby is three to four months old. If your baby’s colic last more than four hours, or lasts longer than four months be sure to call your physician.

Home treatment:

It has been suggested that some colic, or excessive crying may actually be a healthy stress release requiring support and soothing. Even though your baby may seem inconsolable try cuddling, stroking or rocking.  Also, many parents have found a link between food and colic.  If you’re breastfeeding try changing your diet starting with cow’s milk as it seems to be the most problematic. 

Most important of all because I know how stressful and exhausting this can be: never, ever shake your baby!  It can cause permanent damage to your child’s brain such as mental retardation, paralysis, and blindness. It can even cause death. Just remember this will pass and believe it or not it passes fast.

 

IMPORTANT: The information found on this blog is a general educational aid. Do not use this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider about any medical or health-related questions.

How to Prepare for Bringing Your Newborn Home

• Have your baby supplies ready at home: safe and firm sleeping space, diapers, clothes and blankets.
• Make sure to learn how to use your infant car seat correctly before your baby is born.
• Arrange to have your partner or family member bring the car seat to the hospital the day you go home.
• Ask friends and family to help with older children, preparing meals and housework.
• Let visitors know your visiting guidelines before your baby is born.
• Discuss with your partner what they can do to support you. Such as: a plan to share in the care for your baby, responsibility for making meals and housework.
• Have your partner arrange time off from work.

Choosing the Right Crib for Your Baby

Your baby will spend many hours in their crib so it needs to be a safe and peaceful place to be. 

Here are some helpful guidelines to help choose the right crib:

• Currently all crib manufacturers must comply with specific safety standards to ensure the safety of infants. The slats should be no further than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent a baby from becoming trapped between them.
• Most baby cribs have an adjustable side rail so make sure you test the rail mechanism making certain that it can be easily operated with one hand but not so that it can be too easily pushed down.
• Mattress supports are also an important feature to consider.  Make sure it is adjustable to position the baby closer to you. When the child gets older and is capable of pulling himself up you must be able to lower the mattress.
• After assembling the crib make sure the crib’s frame is sturdy and doesn’t wobble. Also, there should be no exposed hardware or pieces that the baby can reach.

Safety tips for using your crib:

• Remove bumper pads, thick comforters, pillows or large stuffed toys from the crib.  These items can suffocate your child. If you have toys strung across the crib remove them when your baby is able to push themselves up on their hands or knees as the parts can get caught on the crib and possibly strangle your child.
• Always remove bib, necklace or anything tied around your child’s neck as they can get caught on the crib and strangle your child.
• Do not place your baby’s crib near a window as they can fall out.  Also, make sure blind cords are cut short and tied out of reach. Blind cords and curtains are common strangulation hazards to your child.
• Always lock the sides of the crib in the upright position after placing your baby in it.

Baby Eczema

Symptoms:  It usually starts with a red rash on the infants face and gradually gets worse until the skin becomes ridged and cracked. It is characterized by itching, and red, scaly skin on the scalp, face, arms or legs. It’s not contagious.

The exact reason for eczema is unknown. Infantile eczema tends to run in families and usually starts when they are 2 to 3 months old. Fortunately, most of these cases are cleared up before the child reaches 2 years of age.

Mothers who have asthma are also more likely to have a baby that has the condition but allergic rhinitis and food allergies can also play a part.  If the cause is food-related, discovering the food(s) responsible can be removed from the diet completely. Removing the guilty food comes down to trial and error. Start with eliminating specific foods from their diet. There are some common foods that should be looked at first including: milk products, fish, shell-fish, wheat flour products, eggs, tropical fruits and chocolate.  After the eczema has cleared up, introduce these foods one at a time, a week apart, so that the problem food can be identified.

Home treatment:

• Apply oils or moisturizers to the to the skin
• Avoid  harsh soaps and detergents
• To relieve dryness let the child soak in warm water but after bathing coat the skin with oil to seal in moisture.
• Avoid rough or scratchy clothes
• A baby’s nails should be kept as short as possible to prevent itchy skin from becoming further damaged or infected from excessive scratching.

Medical treatment: Unfortunately, baby eczema sometimes needs further help and in these cases, the doctor might prescribe the use of antihistamines to relieve the itching; when required a hydrocortisone ointment may be prescribed to help reduce inflammation.  Bacterial infections will be treated by a physician with antibiotics.

One thing is certain; this skin disorder is very common, yet remains a difficult form to control and fully overcome.

Visit Cure Your Eczema in 14 days for simple and effective techniques to cure your eczema fast with an all natural eczema cure.

 

IMPORTANT: The information found on this blog is a general educational aid. Do not use this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider about any medical or health-related questions.