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Posterior Placenta: All You Need To Know

During pregnancy, your body has one important function; ensuring that your baby gets all the nutrients needed for proper development. To achieve this, your body grows a temporary organ called the placenta.

To perform its unique functions, the placenta needs to be positioned in the right place at the right time, and for the right period. Most times, the placenta can either be in an anterior position or a posterior position.

In this article, we’d talk about the posterior placenta; what it is, how it functions, and the possible effects on pregnancy and childbirth.

Read on to learn more!

What is Posterior Placenta?

The term, posterior placenta, simply refers to a placenta that is attached to (or located at) the back of the uterus during pregnancy.

Thankfully, a posterior placenta is not a cause for concern during pregnancy. In fact, some mothers prefer this placenta position because it allows them to feel stronger fetal movements and baby kicks compared to those with anterior placentas.

What Does the Placenta Do?

The placenta is a feto-maternal organ that develops during pregnancy and is tasked with one primary function as you expect your little one. The primary function of the placenta is oxygen supply to your little one and waste removal from his/her system during pregnancy.

Posterior placenta

In addition to its transport function, the placenta also secretes various hormones like Progesterone that maintains pregnancy, and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) which serves as the chemical basis for positive pregnancy tests.

Does The Posterior Placenta Affect Pregnancy & Delivery?

In most cases, doctors agree that having a posterior placenta does not affect your pregnancy or delivery in any way. Except in extreme cases like placenta previa, the position of your placenta actually has no effect on pregnancy or delivery.

Other Placenta Locations

Like many other things in pregnancy, the location of the placenta is unique for every woman and in every pregnancy.

In addition to the posterior placenta, other positions/locations of the placenta include:

Anterior Placenta

In this instance, the placenta is positioned at the front of your uterus, between your stomach and your little one. With an anterior placenta, it is often more difficult to monitor fetal movements or feel your baby’s kicks. Thankfully, it is also normal and does not affect your pregnancy or delivery in any way.

Fundal Placenta

In this position, the placenta is attached to the fundus at the top of your uterus. The fundal placenta may be further divided into:

  • Fundal-anterior: when the placenta is located at the top but also extends to the front of the uterus.
  • Fundal-posterior: when the placenta is located at the top but also extends to the back of the uterus.

Here’s the good news:

A fundal placenta can still perform all the required functions of oxygen delivery, waste removal, and hormone secretion throughout pregnancy.

Placenta Previa

This is an abnormal placenta position.

Placenta

When this happens, the placenta is positioned at the cervix, thereby blocking the birth canal where your baby is supposed to pass through during delivery. Depending on how much of the cervix is blocked by the placenta, placenta previa may be subdivided into:

  • Total
  • Partial
  • Marginal

How to Determine Your Placenta Position

As we mentioned earlier, the position of the placenta is unique for every woman and in every pregnancy. Nonetheless, you can determine your placenta location at the 12th week of pregnancy through a routine ultrasound scan.

With your doctor’s assistance, you can find out the location of your placenta during an antenatal clinic.

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to remember that a posterior placenta is nothing to worry about during pregnancy. In fact, a posterior placenta performs every expected placenta function during pregnancy. As a plus, having a posterior placenta may even help you feel closer to your little one because you get to feel most fetal movements and those strong baby kicks. You can read more on Eating Placenta here

Enjoy the journey, Mama.

References
  • Zia, Shumaila. “Placental Location and Pregnancy Outcome.” Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association, AVES, 1 Dec. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935544/
  • Cross JC: Formation of the placenta and extraembryonic membranes, Ann N Y Acad Sci 857:23, 1998.
  • Kazandi M: Conservative and surgical treatment of abnormal placenta­tion: report of five cases and review of the literature, Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 37:310, 2010.
  • How your fetus grows during pregnancy. (2020).
  • acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/pregnancy/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy
  • Perlman N. (2019). Retained placenta after vaginal delivery: Risk factors and management. DOI: 
  • 10.2147/IJWH.S218933
  • Benirschke K, Kaufmann P: Pathology of the Human Placenta, ed 4, New York, 2000, Springer-Verlag.

Anterior Placenta: 7 Facts You Should Know About It

Do you know that you and your baby share an organ during pregnancy? This organ, the placenta, is a fetomaternal organ that develops and functions only during pregnancy. In most cases, the placenta is attached to the sides or top of the uterus. However, it can also attach to the front of the placenta, causing an anterior placenta.

In this article, we’ve outlined 10 important facts you need to know about the anterior placenta; including the possible effects on childbirth, and when to call your doctor.

Let’s Get Started!

What is Anterior Placenta?

In plain terms, an anterior placenta refers to a placenta that is attached to (or located at) the front of the uterus. When this happens, the placenta would create extra space between your baby and your stomach, making it more difficult to feel the baby’s kicks.

Anterior Placenta Image and Label

7 Things to Know About Anterior Placenta

Thankfully, the anterior placenta isn’t really something to worry about. In fact, the placenta can attach to any part of the uterus (the bottom, top, or sides).

Nevertheless, we’ve compiled the following important facts about an anterior placenta:

1. It Is Not Strange

Here’s the fact: An anterior placenta is more common than you may imagine. Recent research explains that about 40 to 45% of all pregnant women have an anterior placenta.  Furthermore, women with anterior placentas have no symptoms and it remains largely unnoticed until an ultrasound scan is conducted.

2. An Anterior Placenta Does Not Change

Although the placenta moves as the uterus grows during pregnancy, it will not stop being an anterior placenta. In fact, the placenta only moves upwards in this period. This way, a placenta that is too close to the cervix in the first trimester can move to a safer location in later stages of pregnancy.

Anterior Placenta Foetus Position Placement

3. You May Not Feel the Kicks

In most cases, women with anterior placentas find it more difficult to feel the expected baby kicks, or fetal movements, during pregnancy. This is because of the extra cushion or space the anterior placenta places between your stomach and your little one.

Anterior Placenta Baby Kicks

Thankfully, this would not affect your baby in any way because an anterior placenta still performs the expected function of gaseous exchange and nutrient delivery.

4. An Anterior Placenta Makes It More Difficult to Hear Heart sounds

In the second trimester, your doctors may use a Doppler ultrasound to locate and monitor your baby’s heartbeat.

Just like it is with fetal movements, it is more difficult to hear your baby’s heart sounds when you have an anterior placenta. This is because the placenta is located between the ultrasound scanner and your little one.

In other instances, a fetoscope can be used to detect heart sounds during pregnancy. However, this may also take longer to achieve due to the anterior position of the placenta.

Further Reading: Posterior Placenta

5. It Is More Difficult To Determine Your Baby’s Position

As we mentioned earlier, the extra space between your baby and your stomach due to an anterior placenta would make it more difficult to feel your little one’s movements during pregnancy. When this happens, it also becomes really difficult to conduct belly mapping (a unique strategy that determines your child’s position) during pregnancy.

Anterior Placenta: determining baby position

6. An Anterior Placenta May Lead to Placenta Previa

In some cases, an anterior placenta may grow down towards the cervix rather than upwards and away from the birth canal. This may lead to placenta previa, which is a serious placenta complication during pregnancy.

7. Anterior Placenta Does Not Affect Your Delivery Plan

Thankfully, having an anterior placenta would not change the expected due date or alter your delivery plans. In fact, most babies with anterior placentas are born without complications. Sometimes, a mom may never even know that she has/had an anterior placenta.  

Nevertheless, it is important to note that an anterior placenta may increase the chances of difficult labor or C-section.

Further Reading: Retained Placenta

When Does an Anterior Placenta Become A Problem?

As we mentioned earlier, anterior placentas don’t often cause problems during pregnancy. However, it is important to remain observant and attend regular antenatal clinics to monitor your and your baby’s health in this unique period.

In addition, you should call your doctor immediately if you observe any of the following at any point:

Furthermore, you should report any accident or direct hit to your stomach during pregnancy to your doctor. This way, he/she can conduct an ultrasound scan to monitor the health of your baby and the placenta.  

Conclusion

Finally, it is super important to attend your clinics and allow your doctor to monitor your placenta and your baby during pregnancy. With proper prenatal care, an anterior placenta can be managed properly without complications.

The good news is that an anterior placenta usually causes no problems during pregnancy.

References

Ahn KH, Lee EH, Cho GJ, Hong SC, Oh MJ, Kim HJ. Anterior placenta previa in the mid-trimester of pregnancy as a risk factor for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. PLoS One. 2018 Nov 2;13(11):e0207061. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207061. PMID: 30388184; PMCID: PMC6214571.

Circumvallate Placenta: Risk, Causes, and Treatment

The placenta is a really important organ in pregnancy. As your little one develops, the placenta supplies nutrients and oxygen while removing waste products from your baby’s blood. Sometimes a placental complication called circumvallate placenta can arise during pregnancy.

In this post, you’d learn about the risk factors, causes, and treatment of circumvallate placenta. Also, you’d find reliable info about the effects of circumvallate placenta on pregnancy and childbirth.

What Is Circumvallate Placenta?

Circumvallate placenta is a rare placenta complication that occurs when the covering layer of the placenta on the side of the fetus folds backward around its other edges. In most cases, this abnormal folding happens because the fetal part of the placenta is too small.

Placenta
placenta

What Are the Risk Factors?

Although there’s no telltale sign of circumvallate placenta, certain medical conditions before and during pregnancy may increase the chances of having a circumvallate placenta.

These risk factors include:

  • Maternal Infections (Uterine or Vaginal)
  • Multiple Pregnancies
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Birth defects due to genetic or chromosomal abnormalities

Thankfully, routine medical examinations and history taking during your antenatal clinics would help your doctor identify these risk factors and begin any of the treatment options mentioned later in this article.

Causes of Circumvallate Placenta

Here’s the fact: Circumvallate placenta is caused by a variation in placenta development.

placenta
stethoscope

However, medical experts haven’t identified the actual cause of circumvallate placenta. However, researchers agree that there’s almost no way of preventing this condition from occurring.

Furthermore, it is important to note that this condition is very rare as it only occurs in 1-2% of all pregnancies globally.

Symptoms of Circumvallate Placenta

Interestingly, the circumvallate placenta may not cause any symptoms in pregnancy and only be discovered after the placenta is delivered. In other cases, the condition can raise certain red flags that your doctor can identify during your regular antenatal clinics.

The common symptoms of circumvallate placenta include:

Fetal Growth Restriction

In some cases, fetal growth restriction may occur in women with circumvallate placenta. The placenta is a fetomaternal organ that supplies vital nutrients and gases for the fetus to grow. Therefore, anything that affects placental development can prevent the baby from growing well.

foetus

Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

This happens when the amniotic sac ruptures before the onset of labor. Although PROM is an important pregnancy condition, which has various causes and risk factors, it can also be a symptom of circumvallate placenta.

Vaginal Bleeding

This is the most common symptom of circumvallate placenta.

Women with a circumvallate placenta often experience persistent vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. In fact, recent medical research shows that circumvallate placenta may cause vaginal bleeding in all three trimesters of pregnancy.

What Are the Effects of Circumvallate Placenta?

Due to its unique features and functions during pregnancy, placenta abnormalities like Placenta Previa can affect both the mother and child during pregnancy or delivery.

The major effects of circumvallate placenta include:

Preterm Delivery

When it happens, circumvallate placenta may cause the amniotic sac to rupture before the due date. This would lead to preterm delivery.

placenta

In this case, your doctor may decide to keep you in the hospital and administer IV fluids that relax the uterus and stop the process of labor. In addition, he/she would provide drugs that spur your little one’s lung development as you prepare for delivery.

Chronic Lung Diseases

As we mentioned earlier, circumvallate placenta can cause premature birth.

When a child is born before the due date, there’s a high chance that his/her lungs aren’t developed enough to handle gaseous exchange outside the womb. Therefore, researchers agree that circumvallate placenta can increase the occurrence of chronic lung disease in infants.

Placenta Abruption

This is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the placenta suddenly detaches from the uterus.

Placenta abruption is considered an emergency condition because it can place the baby at serious risk due to deprived oxygen supply. When this happens, an emergency cesarean section is conducted to save the life of the baby and prevent possible organ damage.

placenta

In addition, placenta abruption can cause serious hemorrhage that also places the mother at risk.

Low Birth Weight

As we mentioned earlier, fetal growth restriction is a common symptom or feature of circumvallate placenta. Therefore, children of women with circumvallate placenta often have a low birth weight.

low burth weight

Oligohydramnios

In plain terms, oligohydramnios means insufficient amniotic fluid.

It occurs when there is less than 300 mL of amniotic fluid present by the time the baby gets to term. Oligohydramnios is a serious condition because your baby depends on amniotic fluid for his/her lung, muscle, and bone development. In addition to this, the amniotic fluid cushions the baby and provides essential nutrients during pregnancy.

Miscarriage & Stillbirth

Sadly, circumvallate placenta can lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth if any of the effects mentioned earlier is left untreated.

How to Diagnose Circumvallate Placenta?

As we mentioned earlier, there’s no telltale sign of circumvallate placenta during pregnancy. In fact, doctors often diagnose this condition when they observe the placenta after childbirth.

However, a combination of proper medical history (to identify the risk factors) and routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy may help a doctor diagnose circumvallate placenta.

Thankfully, a proper diagnosis before birth would help your doctor begin proper treatment to minimize the risk of low birth weight and placenta abruption.

Circumvallate Placenta Treatment

While treating circumvallate placenta, the goal is to reduce the risk of complications.

In all cases, one of the major effects of circumvallate placenta is low birth weight; your doctor would monitor this by recommending routine ultrasound scans. However, if the baby is still not growing as fast as it should, he/she would recommend early delivery.

Although a C-section is often preferred for early deliveries, it is also possible to have a vaginal birth.

In cases of placenta abruption due to circumvallate placenta, your doctor would recommend any or all of the following:

  • Hospital bed rest
  • Early delivery
  • Emergency C-section

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to note that there’s almost nothing you can do to prevent circumvallate placenta. In fact, when it occurs, it is not your fault or due to something you did wrong.

Thankfully, it is very rare and can be managed with proper medical care to minimize the risk of complications.

Everything would work out fine.

References

Placenta: What It Is and How It Forms During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body undergoes various changes to ensure that your little one gets all the nutrients needed for proper development. To achieve this, your body does an amazing thing – it grows a brand new, but temporary, organ called the placenta.

In this article, you’d learn all you need to know about the placenta; what it is, how it’s formed, its functions, and possible complications.

What is Placenta?

The placenta is a temporary organ that develops during pregnancy. This unique organ supplies oxygen and nutrients to your baby during pregnancy. In addition to this, it also removes waste products and carbon dioxide from your little one’s circulatory system.

placenta

The placenta is called a fetomaternal organ because it has two components:

  • The Fetal Part
  • The Maternal Part

In normal conditions, the placenta attaches to the wall of your uterus (often at the side or on the top) and is connected to your baby through the umbilical cord. However, in placenta previa, the placenta blocks the cervix and obstructs the path that the baby should come out from during vaginal delivery.

When Does the Placenta Form?

The placenta begins to develop in the third week of pregnancy. This involves changes in the wall of the uterus where implantation occurred and the chorionic sac (a bag-like structure that contains the embryo). Furthermore, the blood vessels in the uterus undergo various alterations that also contribute to the formation of this important organ.

When does placenta form

In most cases, this special organ is fully developed by the eighth week of pregnancy when it takes over hormone production, nutrient transport, and gaseous exchange. At this point, you would likely get a positive pregnancy test result due to hCG production from the placenta.

Functions of The Placenta

1. Oxygen Transport

During pregnancy, your little one depends on you for his/her oxygen supply. The truth is, this gaseous exchange is one of the primary functions of the placenta. The large surface area of the placenta allows oxygen-poor blood from the fetus to mix with oxygen-rich blood from the mother. This way, your baby has a steady supply of the right amount of oxygen needed to function and grow.

placenta

2. Nutrient Transport

Another important function of the placenta is nutrient delivery from the mother to the baby. Nutrients absorbed into the blood from the mother’s diet, are delivered to the growing baby through the placenta and umbilical cord. That’s how all of a pregnant mum’s meals get to the baby without them having to take a single bite!

Some of the nutrients transported include:

  • Glucose
  • Water
  • Amino Acids
  • Vitamins

3. Hormonal Function

The placenta secretes important pregnancy hormones that support the baby’s development. Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, which is the major hormone produced by the placenta, maintains pregnancy and stops menstruation after implantation has occurred. Furthermore, hCG serves as the basis of pregnancy testing.

Pregnancy test strip

In addition to hCG, the placenta secretes other important hormones like:

  • Human Chorionic Somatomammotrophin (hCS): which functions in breast development and improves breast milk supply after childbirth.
  • Progestrone: This really important placental hormone maintains the pregnancy and prevents spontaneous abortion. In addition, progesterone increases uterine secretions thereby promoting nutrient supply to the developing embryo.

4. Waste Removal

The placenta serves as the only route for your baby’s waste removal during pregnancy. Waste products of metabolism and development are passed into the amniotic fluid and to the placenta before it is eventually removed from the mother’s body via urination or defecation.

How Long Does The Placenta Stay?

Although each pregnancy is unique, the placenta usually begins functioning fully by the eighth week of pregnancy and lasts for the entire duration of pregnancy.

What Happens To The Placenta After Birth?

In vaginal delivery, the placenta is also delivered through the birth canal after the baby has been delivered. Medical experts often refer to this process as the third stage of labor.

After childbirth, you would continue to experience mild contractions until the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus and is expelled. To aid this process, your health care provider may administer a drug called oxytocin or gently massage your lower abdomen until the placenta is removed. You might be asked to give a final push to expel the placenta in some cases.

During a C-section, your doctor would remove the placenta from your uterus as a part of the surgical procedure.

After delivery, your doctor would examine it to make sure that there’s no remnant placenta tissue left in your uterus as this may cause postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding after delivery) or uterine infections if left unchecked.

If you want to, you can ask to see the placenta before it is disposed of.

Possible Placental Complications

Placenta Previa

This is an important medical condition that occurs when the placenta blocks the cervix. When this happens, the placenta blocks the birth canal which is the baby’s route during vaginal delivery. Depending on its exact position in the uterus, placenta previa may be marginal, partial, or complete.

Placenta Previa types

Women with placenta previa often experience light to heavy bleeding, accompanied with abdominal cramps or serious back pain.

Although there is no drug to cure placenta previa, this placental complication can be managed by limiting blood loss until the baby can be safely delivered. A Cesarean section would be conducted to deliver the baby and remove the placenta in cases where the bleeding is heavy and incessant.

Placental Abruption

This happens when the placenta peels away from the uterine wall before delivery. Placental abruption can reduce the amount of oxygen getting to your baby during pregnancy, which can lead to poor growth, brain injury, low birth weight, or premature birth.

When it occurs, placental abruption often requires an emergency cesarean delivery (even if the baby is not up to term). If the baby is still preterm and the separation is minimal, close monitoring, bed rest, and medications to help the baby survive outside the uterus are recommended until it is safe enough to deliver the baby.

Placenta Accreta

This happens when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterus. In this instance, it becomes very difficult to separate the placenta from the uterus during delivery. Therefore, this condition can lead to excessive bleeding from the uterus. Sadly, this condition is life-threatening and may require surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) to stop the bleeding.

Other placental complications include:

Symptoms of Placenta Complications

In most cases, women with any of the placental complications mentioned earlier often experience:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Abdominal pain
  • Back Pain
  • Severe uterine contractions

If you notice any of these symptoms at any stage of your pregnancy, please contact your doctor immediately.

Risk Factors for Placenta Complications During Pregnancy

Sometimes, a normal and healthy pregnancy may eventually lead to a placenta complication.

However, medical researchers have identified the following as the major risk factors for placenta complications during pregnancy:

  • Increased maternal age (above 35)
  • Genetics
  • High blood pressure
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Previous C-section
  • Substance (Alcohol or Illicit Drug) use
  • Abdominal trauma

Thankfully, attending regular antenatal clinics would provide your doctor with all the info he/she needs to identify these risk factors if they exist and monitor you closely

How to Prevent Placenta Complications

Here’s the good news:

You can reduce the possibility of these complications during pregnancy by:

  • Avoiding alcohol or illicit drugs
  • Checking your blood pressure regularly
  • Following a healthy pregnancy diet
  • Attending regular antenatal clinics
  • Reporting any strange symptoms or feeling to your healthcare provider

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to remember that the placenta is an important and unique organ of pregnancy. It ensures efficient oxygen and nutrient supply to your baby during pregnancy. However, various medical conditions could affect it in the course of pregnancy.

If you notice any of the symptoms of placenta complications mentioned in this article, please contact your doctor immediately. You can read more on Eating Placenta here and positive signs after embryo transfer

We are always here for you.

References
  • How your fetus grows during pregnancy. (2020).
    acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/pregnancy/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy
  • Perlman N. (2019). Retained placenta after vaginal delivery: Risk factors and management. DOI: 
    10.2147/IJWH.S218933
  • Benirschke K, Kaufmann P: Pathology of the Human Placenta, ed 4, New York, 2000, Springer-Verlag.
  • Cross JC: Formation of the placenta and extraembryonic membranes, Ann N Y Acad Sci 857:23, 1998.
  • Kazandi M: Conservative and surgical treatment of abnormal placenta­tion: report of five cases and review of the literature, Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 37:310, 2010.
  • Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al: Williams’ Obstetrics, ed 23, New York, 2009, McGraw-Hill.

Stage 4 Baby Food: Five Recipes and Options To Try

Baby food comes in stages. In fact, most food brands would classify your baby’s food into 4 groups. This age-based classification is really important because your child’s diet must be perfectly suited to meet his/her nutritional demands.

In this article, you’d find all the info you need about stage 4 baby food; the ingredients, recipes, and things to note while feeding your stage 4 baby.

Let’s Get Started!

First, What Are The Baby Food Stages?

As we mentioned earlier, baby food comes in stages.

These age-based baby food stages are specially designed to ensure that your little one gets all the nutrients needed for a healthy life in the right quantity and quality. However, it is important to remember that there is no ultimate guide for grouping baby food.

Most pediatricians and nutrition experts group baby food in the following manner:

  • Stage 1 Baby Food: These are single-ingredient meals like rice, oatmeal, fruits, or veggies. Most times, they are pureed into a smooth consistency that’s easy to put in your baby’s mouth. In fact, these stage 1 baby meals are really easy to digest because they are often thin and runny.
  • Stage 2 Baby Food: By this time, your little one’s digestive system is now able to handle basic food combinations. At this stage, most parents begin to combine two or more simple ingredients to create the perfect stage 2 baby food. It is also important to note that stage 2 meals are thicker than stage 1 baby food options.
  • Stage 3 Baby Food: These meals have more texture, solid components, and are more chewable than stage 2 meals. The right stage 3 baby meal would teach your child how to chew because they are often thicker and chunkier.
  • Stage 4 Baby Food: In plain terms, stage 4 meals are ‘adult meals in baby portions‘. A stage 4 baby can actually eat the same food you eat (in little portions). This is because his/her digestive system is developed enough to handle most adult meals.

Although these baby food stages are age-based, each child is unique and the timelines may differ from child to child. As your child navigates through the various baby food stages, it is important to monitor the milestones, and let him/her set the pace regarding introducing solids.

Stage 4 Baby Food Recipes

Before starting stage 4 meals, your baby should be able to:

  • Sit up with minimal assistance
  • Take food from a spoon
  • Rest between bites
  • Stop eating when full

Most times, babies tick all these boxes at the end of their first year (or the beginning of their second). To help you find the right meal for your stage 4 baby, we’ve compiled the following stage 4 baby food options for you:

1. Egg Custard

Eggs are a rich source of protein and other nutrients essential for your child’s growth. You can either boil, fry, or steam them for your little one. We recommend encouraging your toddler to eat the entire egg, especially the yolk, whenever you boil it. You can also scramble the egg, steam it, or make an egg custard.

Stage 4 baby food

What You Need To Make Egg Custard:

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar

How To Prepare:

Dissolve the sugar in water. Add the egg and milk then whisk thoroughly. After this, you can steam the mixture for about 10-15 minutes.

Once this is done, your baby’s egg custard is ready to be served.

2. Fish and Meat

Once your baby is ready for stage 4 meals, you can introduce fish or meat as another food option. Most stage 4 babies can take:

  • Lean meat
  • Salmon
  • Chicken
  • Sardine

3. Beans

This is another important protein source for your baby. However, you should ensure that your baby’s beans are soft or mashed to make it really easy for him/her to chew.

Stage 4 baby food

4. Yoghurt

This is a great source of calcium that builds your baby’s bones. In addition, yogurt contains proteins that repair body tissues and vitamins that supply essential antioxidants.

To spice things up, you can provide different flavors of yogurt.

5. Fruit Salads

Fruit salads provide an effective way of introducing your child to different flavors at a young age. You can mix varieties of fruits like banana, apples, pineapples, watermelon, and others into a fruit salad that is attractive and tasty.

stage 4 baby food

You can even spice things up by making a classic banana pancake.

What You Need To Make A Banana Pancake:

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 2 tablespoons pf baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon of white sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Procedure:

Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and bananas. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture. Place a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat.

Then scoop the batter into it and cook until the pancakes are golden brown on both sides.

6. Grains

Now is a great time to introduce your child to cereals. Important cereals to try out include:

  • Wheat
  • Millet
  • Oats
  • Rice
  • Maize.

You can also offer slices of bread and crackers.

Things to Note While Feeding Your Toddler

  1. You are the first influence on your child: This means from that very young age, your child is watching you and will most likely develop the attitudes you display. Therefore, cultivating a healthy eating habit and following a healthy diet would also help your child acquire healthy eating habits.
  2. You know what is best for your child: Each child is unique. In fact, what works for one baby may not work for his/her sibling. Carefully observe and decide what is best to eat, when to eat and where to eat.
  3. Don’t force it: If your child is rejecting a particular food, it does not mean he or she is being picky, they’re just not familiar with the food yet. Instead of forcing it, serve the meal in small, interesting looking portions and large time intervals.
  4. Plan Well: You can draw up a regular meal schedule that gives your child enough to eat each time. Having a regular time to eat prepares your child’s mind for “breakfast, lunch or dinner time.”
  5. Don’t use food as a reward: This will make your child eat only in response to job done or some other achievements like a good potty training day. In most cases, using food as a reward promotes unhealthy eating habits in children.
  6. Use child-size cutlery: This helps to curb excessive eating and also helps you to feed him/her with the food in the right proportion.

Conclusion

As you gradually introduce new meals to your baby, it is super important to remain observant and patient, to look out for any allergic reactions. In addition to this, regular visits to your pediatrician would ensure that your little one is getting all he/she needs per time.

With a proper grasp of the various baby food stages and the recipes in this article, we’re certain your little one is set for a healthy childhood!

References

Antonella Calabretti, Massimo Calabrese, Barbara Campisi, and Paolo Bogoni (2017). Quality and Safety in Commercial Baby Foods. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 5(8), 587-593. http://pubs.sciepub.com/jfnr/5/8/9/index.html

Stage 2 Baby Food: Meaning, Recipes & Options To Try

The transition from breastmilk to solids isn’t automatic. Your little one needs time to adjust to baby food, discover preferences, and become used to new flavors. In this period, your baby needs all the love, care, and support you can provide.

Understanding the baby food stages would help you do this.

The different baby food stages would help you plan your child’s diet, prepare feeding schedules, and monitor progress. In addition, there are easy homemade recipes you can try out for each stage.

This article contains everything you need to know about stage 2 baby food; the options, timelines, and recipes. Furthermore, you’d find the major differences between stage 1 and stage 2 baby food options.

Let’s Get Started!

What Is A Stage 2 Baby Food?

Stage 2 babies are babies between ages 6 to 9 months.

These foods have a thicker texture compared with the stage 1 foods and are either strained or mashed. In contrast to stage 1 baby meals that are more watery, stage 2 foods are slightly more solid and easier to feed.

In addition, stage 2 baby foods usually combine more than one ingredient.

Common types of stage 2 baby foods include:

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Chicken
  • Oats
  • Peaches

When To Start Stage 2 Baby Food

The truth is, the baby food stages aren’t automatic; there is no standard formula or unit of measurement for when exactly to start.

baby food stages

In fact, some babies may not be ready for stage 2 meals until they are seven or eight months old. However, you can be certain your child is ready for stage 2 foods if he/she:

  • Shows good tongue reflex
  • Does not push food out of his/her mouth
  • Has become unsatisfied with stage 1 baby food

Stage 2 Baby Food Recipes: 5 Common Examples

Below are five great examples of stage 2 baby foods, what you need to prepare them, and how to make them. They are great in the sense that they provide your baby with the necessary vitamins and minerals they need and also provide energy.

1. Apple, Raspberry and Vanilla Baby Food Puree

What you need:

  • 2 apples
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup of vanilla bean pod
  • 1/3 cup of water

How to prepare:

Add the apple chunks and water in a saucepan and steam in medium heat until the apples are tender. You can prick it with a fork to be sure it is done. After this, cut the vanilla seeds out of the pod and then add the vanilla and the raspberry to the saucepan containing the apple.

Boil for 5 more minutes.

Pour all the ingredients into a food processor or blender and puree until a smooth consistency is attained. Furthermore, you can add a little water if you need to.

2. Banana, Blueberry and Avocado Baby Food Puree

What you need:

  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup of blueberry
  • ½ peeled avocado

How to prepare:

Put all the ingredients into a food processor and blend for about 2 minutes at a very high speed. However, if the puree is too thick, add some more water until you get your desired smooth consistency.

3. Berries and Apple Baby Food Puree

Stage 2 baby food

What you need:

  • 1½ cup of combination of blackberry, blueberry and raspberry
  • 2 apples
  • ¼ tsp fresh rosemary
  • ¼ cup liquid (which can be water, formula or breastmilk)

How to prepare:

Heat the apple and the liquid over medium heat in a saucepan for about 10 minutes. After this, you can add the berries and stir gently. Allow it to cook for 5 extra minutes.

Once this has been completed, you can place the apples, berries, and rosemary into a blender. Puree for about 2 minutes until you have achieved your desired consistency.

You can add additional liquid, like yogurt or milk if need be.

4. Banana, Cherry and Beet Baby Food Puree

What you need:

  • 3 medium bananas
  • 2/3 cup cherries
  • ¼ cup red beets
  • 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

How to prepare:

Steam the beets for about 8 minutes. You can use a fork to check if it is soft enough. After this, place the cherries, beets, bananas, and lemon juice into a blender and puree for about 2 minutes.

You may add little water until your desired consistency is achieved.

5. Mango, Pear and Kale Baby Food Puree with Ginger

Stage 2 baby food

What you need:

  • 2 mangoes
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ cup kale
  • 2 pears
  • ½ cup water

How to prepare:

First of all, peel and pit the mangoes, then chop them. Core and chop the pears. De-vein and chop the kale too.

Once the cutting is completed, boil a little water over medium heat then put the mangoes, pears, and kale in a steamer basket over the boiling water. Cook for 6-8 minutes. After this, put the steamed mango, pear, and kale in the food processor. You can also add some ginger and puree until a smooth consistency is achieved.

Important Tips For Stage 2 Feeding

  • Avoid Raw Honey: Children under the age of one should not consume honey. This is because it puts them at risk of an infection called botulism. If you plan to sweeten your baby’s purees, you can try other natural sources of sugar, like dates.
  • Avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn: This is because it is easy to choke on these foods, as your baby is not yet able to fully control swallowing them.
  • Practice safe feeding. Don’t leave your child alone with the food. Always keep an eye on your baby while feeding.
  • Avoid Juice: According to the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) guidelines, juices are not allowed for children in this age range. Stick with breast milk, formula, or little water.
  • Start Small: As we mentioned with the stage 3 baby foods, the best way to feed your child is to start small and increase progressively.

Conclusion

As your baby makes the switch from breast milk to adult food, it is important to remain patient, caring, and observant. In fact, we recommend speaking to your doctor before trying out new baby food. Once you get this approval, your baby can begin to try out these great meals. This also applies to picking stage 4 baby food options for your child.

References

Helena Čížková, Rudolf Sevcik, Ales Rajchl and M Voldřich (2009). Nutritional Quality of Commercial Fruit Baby Food. Czech Journal of Food Sciences 27:S134-S137. Accessed on 15th September, 2021 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236170955_Nutritional_Quality_of_Commercial_Fruit_Baby_Food

Yu-Chin Koo, Jung-Su Chang, and Yi Chun Chen (2018). Food claims and nutrition facts of commercial infant foods. PLoS ONE 13(2): e0191982. Accessed on 15th September, 2021 from https://10.1371/journal.pone.0191982

Patrizia Alvisi, Sandra Brusa, Stefano Alboresi, Sergio Amarri, Paolo Bottau, Giovanni Cavagni, Barbara Corradini, Linda Landi, Leonardo Loroni, Miris Marani, Irene M Osti, Carlotta Povesi-Dascola, Carlo Caffarelli, Luca Valeriani and Carlo Agostoni (2015). Recommendations on complementary feeding for healthy, full-term infants. Italian Journal of Pediatrics 41, 36. Accessed on 15th September, 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-015-0143-5

How To Check Your Newborn’s Heart Rate

Sometimes, babies do things that seem problematic but are actually normal. Like having crossed eyes, pooping explosively, and making sudden jerky movements or strange noises. Especially for new parents, these things could be scary, even though the baby is fine.

Did you know that it’s normal for a newborn’s heart rate (or pulse) to be really fast?

This article provides you with the basic knowledge of the heart rate and how to take your newborn’s heart rate. In addition, you’d learn about normal and abnormal heart rates, their causes, and an extra tip on when to call your pediatrician.

What’s A Pulse?

Heart rate is also known as pulse. It is the number of times the heart beats in one minute. It can vary throughout the day depending on how much activity you do. The general rule for heart rate is that as the body size increases, heart rate decreases.

Therefore, babies have the highest heart rate in humans.

What makes a newborn’s heart rate so fast?

Interestingly, even while at rest, the heart of a newborn beats as fast as that of an adult who either has a health condition or is working out.

Amazing, right?

Each time the heart beats, it supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the whole body. This provides the body’s cells with all they need to function and grow.

The truth is, a newborn’s heart rate is so fast because their bodies are doing the amazing work of growing from little, cuddly bundles to crawling at the speed of light to opening doors and running around on their own.  

How to Count Your Child’s Heart Rate

You can measure your newborn’s heart rate easily with your fingers. You shouldn’t use your thumb, as it has its own pulse and can give a false reading. Place your index and middle fingers on any of the following places:

  • Wrist
  • Elbow
  • Side of the Neck
  • Top of the foot.

These are sites where an artery lies just beneath the skin and is palpable. However, the most common, accurate, and easily accessible location is the wrist.

Put your fingers beneath the thumb and feel the pulse of blood passing through your child’s radial artery (the artery on that side of the hand is known as the radial artery). You will feel the pulsatile movement of blood when you have accurately gotten the spot.

Once you’ve gotten this spot, apply a little pressure, gently. If you cannot feel your child’s pulse at the wrist, there’s no cause for alarm, it may be due to the rather thin artery children have.

Start your timer or stopwatch and count for 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can count for 30 seconds or 15 seconds and then multiply by 2 or four, respectively.

Newborn's heart rate

Normal Newborn Heart Rate Range

When assessing a newborn infant’s heart rate, you should measure your newborn’s heart rate when he or she is resting and not running or crying or fussy. The table below shows the age, resting heart rate, and the normal range for heart rate. (Note that bpm stands for beats per minute)

AgeAverage Resting Heart Rate (bpm)Normal Range (bpm)
0 to 3 months143107 to 181
3 to 6 months140104 to 175
6 to 9 months19498 to 168
9 to 12 months12893 to 161
12 to 18 months11688 to 156

What Can Increase My Newborn’s Heart Rate?

Your child’s heart rate can be normal, fast, or slow. A fast heart rate is also known as tachycardia. However, it is important to remember that newborns’ heart rates are usually high, even in the absence of any disease condition.

Commonly, a baby who is excited, active, crying, or ill will have a faster heart rate.

However, any of the following specific conditions can increase your newborn’s heart rate:

  • Dehydration: Sometimes, dehydration can make your little one’s heart beat faster than it should. This can happen if your baby isn’t getting enough formula or breast milk supply.
  • Neonatal Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): This is caused by an abnormal (or additional) electrical pathway in your baby’s heart.
  • Wilm’s Tumor: This is a type of childhood cancer that increases heart rate in newborns.

What Reduces A Newborn’s Heart Rate?

A slow heart rate is also known as bradycardia. As is expected, when your baby is resting or asleep the heart rate will be slower.

Some of the following specific conditions can cause bradycardia in newborns:

  • Hypoxia
  • Pneumothorax
  • Hypothermia
  • Head Injury

Abnormal Heart Rates

In case your child consistently presents with an abnormal heartbeat, your pediatrician may order tests to confirm the presence or absence of any underlying heart condition. Some of these tests include checking your child’s blood pressure, ordering an electrocardiogram (also known as ECG).

heart rate

The ECG helps your doctor to check for the rhythmicity or the electrical activity of your child’s heart. It also helps your doctor to see if the heart is enlarged or overworking.

Some other tests you may be required to do include blood tests such as a complete blood count or a thyroid test to check for underlying infections and conditions like hyperthyroidism or anemia that can affect your child’s heart rate.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

First of all, you don’t need to regularly check your newborn’s heart rate. However, if your baby has a medical condition that requires you to monitor his/her heart rate, your pediatrician will tell you how often to check it. Especially if there was an initial need for neonatal resuscitation.

Too fast or too slow heart rate can be a cause for a medical emergency, especially if it is associated with any of the following symptoms;

  • Difficulty in breathing (too fast or too slow)
  • Turning blue (on the lips, nose, or fin gertips)
  • Becoming limp or
  • Dehydration (Less than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours, sunken eyes, crying without tears, sunken soft spot on skull)

If you observe any of these signs in your baby, please call your pediatrician Immediately.

Heart rate for newborn

You should also reach your pediatrician if your child seems to always be at either the upper or lower limits of normal.

A heart rate that is consistently above the upper limit of normal may be a sign of an underlying heart condition. It may also be a sign of other problems in the body such as an infection or a metabolic condition.

In summary, even though newborns usually have a fast heart rate, if you notice any irregularities in your child’s heart rate, you should contact your doctor.

REFERENCES

Owen, C. J., & Wyllie, J. P. (2004). Determination of heart rate in the baby at birth. Resuscitation, 60(2), 213–217. Accessed on 18th August, 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2003.10.002

Marek Kozar, Ingrid Tonhajzerova, Michal Mestanik, Katarina Matasova, Mirko Zibolen, Andrea Calkovska & Kamil Javorka (2018). Heart rate variability in healthy term newborns is related to delivery mode: a prospective observational study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth volume 18, Article number: 264. Accessed on 18th August, 2021 from https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-018-1900-4

John P. Finley & Sherwin T. Nugent (1995). Heart rate variability in infants, children and young adults. Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System. Volume 51, Issue 2, Pages 103-108. Accessed on 18th August, 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1838(94)00117-3

Top 5 Best Baby Food Pouches For You

All babies need good food to grow strong and stay healthy. If you’re a parent who travels a lot, you probably spend time worrying about how your little one would get to eat without stress.

Don’t fret: All you need is to find the best baby food pouch for you.

Baby food pouches provide an excellent option for feeding your baby. Even when you are on the road, there are special baby pouches made to serve you and your little one effectively. In fact, the right baby food pouch should always be a part of your child’s travel kit, together with other essentials like a car seat, stroller, and baby travel bed.

In this post, you’d find all the info you need to get the best baby food pouch. Furthermore, we’ve compiled five of the best food pouch options for you and an extra tip on how to clean your reusable baby food pouch.

What’s A Baby Food Pouch?

A baby food pouch is a bag with a straw-like sprout designed to store your baby’s food in a clean and convenient manner. Although it is common to put fruit and vegetable purees in a baby food pouch, you can also experiment with some other foods like yoghurt and pudding.

With the right food pouch, you can store your baby’s food or puree in a healthy way for as long as you need to. It is even safe enough to store baby food for trips without having to worry about spillages.

white baby food pouch

How To Find The Best Baby Food Pouch

While searching for the best baby food pouch, the first thing to consider is the material. Always ensure the material it is made from is safe and allergen-free. In fact, we recommend choosing products that are PVC, PBA, Phthalates, and Lead-free.

Secondly, some reusable baby food pouches are made with freezer and dishwasher-safe materials. If these are important to you, double-check before buying to ensure that the product is dishwasher and freezer-safe.

The last thing to consider is size.

This is really important because you don’t want to end up with an oversize or undersize baby food pouch. In addition, you also have to consider your baby’s appetite. Any food pouch you select should easily accommodate the quantity of food your little one can eat at a go.

To make the choice easier for you and guide you on this unique journey of parenting, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best baby food pouches available on the market.

5 Best Baby Food Pouches

1. Kiddzo Squeeze Breeze Food Pouch

The Kiddzo Squeeze Breeze Food pouch is a great baby food pouch option for several obvious reasons. Firstly, it is reusable; so all you have to do is use, clean, and re-use. Secondly, each set of Kiddzo Squeeze comes with 50 food pouches that are BPA, Lead, PVC, and Phthalate-free.

Furthermore, this affordable food pouch option is also freezer and dishwasher-safe. In addition, each Kidzzo baby food pouch also has certain unique features like:

  • A top-loading double seal
  • A comfortable base which allows the pouch stand on its own
  • A clear lining to record dates and contents

2. Squeasy Snacker Food Pouch

If you’ll be needing a baby food pouch for an upcoming road trip, this is the best option for you

Blue baby food pouch

The Squeasy Snacker baby food pouch is silicone-based, durable, Phthalate, BPA, and PVC-free. In fact, it is also dishwasher and freezer-safe.

This unique and dependable product comes in multiple sizes (3.5 ounces, 6 ounces, and 16 ounces) and also features an effective no-spill insert.

In all, the Simple Modern reusable pouch is perfect for all on-the-go families because it is safe, affordable, easy to fill, and reusable.

3. Squooshi Reusable Food Pouch

This is another reliable baby food pouch option that should be at the top of your shopping list.

Colored baby food pouch

The Squooshi reusable food pouch comes in two sizes, 3.5 ounces and 6 ounces which are also dishwasher safe and freezer safe.

This unique product also features a base and a double zipper seal. Furthermore, each Squooshi baby food pouch is specially designed to fit perfectly into your little one’s hands. This is made possible because the sides of this product are rounded, smooth, and easy to grab.

Here’s another fun fact: The Squooshi Pouch may come with adorable animal designs on the outside which are still transparent enough for you to monitor its contents.

4. Simple Modern Reusable Food Pouch

The Simple Modern Reusable Food Pouch is an affordable and easily accessible product. Each pouch is free of BPA, PVC, phthalate, and lead.

yellow baby food pouch

Also, they come in two sizes—5 ounces and 7 ounces—which is good for your growing children. The Simple Modern Reusable Food Pouch also features a wide variety of fun designs and patterns, including a whole Mickey and Minnie Mouse line.

Here’s the best part: This option is so easy to fill and seal.

Furthermore, there’s a double-lined zipper which ensures that there’s no spill, so you don’t have to worry about your car seat getting soiled.

Another major pro of this pouch option is that it is super easy to clean; you only need to give the zipper seal and top sprout a quick rinse before sanitizing on the top rack of your dishwasher.

5. Baby Brezza Food Pouch

Making purees and filling them into little pouches is really a big deal. Therefore, you need to select a product that has a wide opening at the base.

For that, all you need is the Baby Brezza Food Pouch

Baby Brezza pouch is tailor-made to reduce the stress of filling. Each set of pouches comes with a funnel for a precise and mess-free filling. The closure which is at the side, instead of the bottom, provides a wider opening.

Although this product is available in just a 7-ounce size, it is Lead, BPA, and Phthalate-free.

How to Clean A Reusable Baby Food Pouch

Here’s the deal:

To clean a reusable baby food pouch, start by washing with warm water. As you do this, pay close attention to the corners, zipper, and mouthpiece. If you’re using a dishwasher-safe pouch, you can put the pouch on the top rack to further sanitize it. However, if you don’t have a dishwasher, you can sanitize your baby’s food pouch the same way you sanitize your baby’s bottles.

Conclusion

You may feel under a lot of pressure to give your child all he/she needs for a healthy life. However, there are a lot of good, safe, and healthy options available for you.

If you need to get a baby food pouch, any of the products listed above are guaranteed to provide all your baby needs at every stage.

References

Berthold Koletzko, Christoph Bührer, Regina Ensenauer, Frank Jochum, Hermann Kalhoff, Burkhard Lawrenz, Antje Körner, Walter Mihatsch, Silvia Rudloff, and Klaus-Peter Zimmer (2019). Complementary foods in baby food pouches: position statement from the Nutrition Commission of the German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ, e.V.). Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics. Accessed on 2nd August, 2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6403273/

Berthold Koletzko, Nathali Lehmann Hirsch, Jo Martin Jewell, Margherita Caroli, Joao Breda and Martin W. Weber (2018). Pureed Fruit Pouches For Babies – Child Health Under Squeeze. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 67(5):1. Accessed on 2nd August, 2021 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325726679_Pureed_Fruit_Pouches_For_Babies_-_Child_Health_Under_Squeeze

Kristen Finn, Yvonne Lenighan, Alison Eldridge, Brian Kineman, and Susan Pac (2016). Pouch Use Among Infants Does Not Impact Exposure to Other Forms of Fruits and Vegetables: Data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS). Current Developments in Nutrition, Volume 4(2): 982. Accessed on 2nd August, 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa054_054

Singleton Pregnancy: All You Need To Know

Each pregnancy is unique for every woman; from the symptoms to the duration, and even the number of growing babies. Although it is less common, it is possible to have more than one baby growing in your uterus at the same time. In this article, we’d walk you through the commoner alternative; a singleton pregnancy.  

Read on to learn more.

What’s A Singleton Pregnancy?

In plain terms, a singleton pregnancy means being pregnant with only one baby at a time. It is the direct opposite of a multiple pregnancy, which occurs when a woman is expecting more than one baby in the same pregnancy.

A woman with a singleton pregnancy

Are Singleton Pregnancies More Common?

Yes.

Medical studies show that singleton pregnancies are more common than multiple pregnancies. In fact, the American Pregnancy Association postulates that there are only about 32.6 multiples per 1,000 births per year in the United States.

This means that you’re 96.74% more likely to have a singleton pregnancy.

However, it is important to remember that any of the following factors can increase the possibility of having a multiple pregnancy:

  • Age
  • Genes
  • Fertility Treatments

Antenatal Care for Singleton Pregnancies

Proper antenatal care is an important part of pregnancy, even for singleton pregnancies.

This is a form of essential healthcare with the ultimate aim of ensuring a healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery for both mother and child.

Regular antenatal clinics would help your doctor monitor your pregnancy, identify potential complications, and guide you to a healthy delivery.

A singleton pregnancy doctor with nylon gloves

During your singleton pregnancy, your antenatal care may include:

  • Routine Blood Tests: to check for anemia, HIV, blood type, genotype, hormonal fluctuations and other blood-related factors during pregnancy.
  • Blood Pressure Checks: This is very important to reduce the possibility of high blood pressure or preeclampsia during pregnancy.
  • Ultrasound Scans: to monitor your baby’s growth and heart rate
  • Weight Measurement
  • Dietary Advice

Your doctor may even recommend special breastfeeding or baby care classes that would teach you how to breastfeed and care for your little one effectively.

Postpartum Care for Singleton Pregnancies

Although most of the hype is usually about antenatal care and staying healthy in all the stages of pregnancy, postpartum care is also very important.

In most cases the postpartum period lasts for about 6 to 8 weeks, starting from the day your little one is born.

During this period, most women undergo a lot of physical and emotional changes as they learn to care for the newborn.

Proper postpartum care after a singleton pregnancy includes:

1. Proper Rest

Rest is super important for all new moms. With the right amount of rest, your body gets all it needs to return to its pre-pregnancy state. Getting enough rest also helps to keep your skin firm and healthy after pregnancy.

After a singleton pregnancy, you can get enough rest by:

  • Sleeping when your baby sleeps
  • Reducing your caffeine intake
  • Eating well
  • Receiving help from friends and family

2. Healthy Diets

A healthy diet is very important for every new mom.

In addition to providing your little one with all he/she needs for a healthy life, a healthy diet would strengthen you and help your body heal faster.

As you recover from the rigors of pregnancy, you can follow a diet that is rich in:

  • Fluids
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Protein
  • Healthy Fat

3. Proper Vaginal Care

Vaginal care is another essential part of postpartum care after a singleton pregnancy. If you’re experiencing any form of vaginal soreness, urination problems, vaginal discharge, or postpartum cramps, please visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Differences between Singleton and Multiple Pregnancies

1. A Smaller Bump

Although most moms-to-be may not notice this, one of the major differences between a singleton and twin pregnancy is the size of your baby bump.

Some experts agree that a singleton baby bump may be about 20% smaller than a multiple pregnancy belly. Thankfully, a lighter (or smaller) baby bump is less stressful for the uterus and mother.

2. Reduced Fatigue

Here’s the fact: more babies come with increased demands on your body and mind.

Although fatigue is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, women with singleton pregnancies usually don’t have to deal with as much fatigue as moms with multiples.

This may be a function of hormonal fluctuations, increased urination, and sleep interruptions during pregnancy.

To reduce the severity of fatigue during pregnancy, you can:

  • Drink less caffeine
  • Eat healthy
  • Move your bedtime earlier

3. Reduced HcG Levels

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is an important pregnancy hormone which forms the basis of pregnancy tests. In fact, home pregnancy test kits are specially designed to detect this hormone in your urine to confirm pregnancy.

If you’re trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment, your doctor may conduct some blood tests to establish your average hCG level. After this, he/she will continue to monitor your numbers for any drastic changes.

In 2018, a research study showed that women pregnant with singletons may have lower hCG baseline levels than those pregnant with multiples.

4. Single Heartbeat

With a fetal doppler, it is possible to hear your baby’s heartbeat as early as the 8th or 9th week of pregnancy.

A singleton pregnancy due date calculator

In a multiple pregnancy, the doctor may detect a second heartbeat and schedule an ultrasound scan to get a clearer picture. However, this is not the case with a singleton pregnancy.

5. Reduced Weight Gain

Weight gain is a common concern for most moms-to-be.

A singleton pregnancy reduce weight gain

Although this difference may not become obvious till the later stages of pregnancy, women with singleton pregnancies usually don’t add as much weight as those with multiple pregnancies.

In addition to the changes listed above, studies show that women with singleton pregnancies tend to get to term and have vaginal deliveries a lot more than those with multiple pregnancies.

Conclusion

Every pregnancy, whether singleton or multiple, is an exciting and unique process. Although it comes with some changes and risks, it is important to focus on your health and seek proper antenatal care during pregnancy.

It is also essential to note that the early signs of pregnancy may not confirm whether or not you have a singleton, however, proper prenatal tests can.

If you have any concerns or worries about your pregnancy, please contact your healthcare provider.

We are always here to help you.

References

How To Calculate Your Conception and Baby Due Dates

If you’ve been trying to conceive, a positive pregnancy test result would bring a lot of joy, excitement, expectations, and questions. In fact, one of the top questions on your mind may be how to calculate your conception and due dates.

Don’t fret: we’re here to help you.

In this article, you’d learn the process of calculating your conception and due dates, and also find answers to every question you have about these dates.

Keep reading to find out.

First, What Is Conception?

In plain terms, conception is the fertilization of a mature egg by a mature male sperm. This unique process occurs as a fertile sperm cell moves up through your vagina and into your uterus.

During ovulation, your body releases an egg from your ovaries. As this egg travels to your uterus, the sperm cell joins and eventually fertilizes it.

Conception date: sperm hitting the egg

After fertilization, the egg continuously divides as it moves down the fallopian tube. In about a week, the fertilized egg would have traveled to the uterus and become a growing mass of living cells called a blastocyst.

Eventually, this blastocyst attaches to and subsequently becomes embedded into the uterus through a process called implantation. If this process is successful, it causes your body to release certain pregnancy hormones which stop menstruation and promote the growth of your little one.

A culmination of all these specific processes is what is commonly referred to as conception.

How To Calculate Your Conception Date

For women with regular 28-day periods, conception usually occurs between the 11th and 14th day after the first day of her Last Menstrual Period (LMP).

Experts agree that pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks and it begins from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP).

The estimation of your conception date is usually based on this. However, it is difficult to be 100% certain because it is not easy to know exactly when ovulation occurred. Furthermore, this process is even more tricky for women who have irregular periods or do not remember the first day of their last period.

Notepad for baby due date and conception date calculation

If this is the case, we recommend getting an ultrasound scan done for a more accurate estimation of gestational age or conception date.

Nevertheless, these calculations aren’t fixed. Only a few women get to deliver on their due date. Therefore, we advise that you consider the date as a possible range and not a fixed fact. Considering Jerky Spastic Movements During Pregnancy can also be handy

How Can I Calculate My Baby Due Date?

If your periods follow a regular 28-day cycle, you can calculate your due date using any of these two methods:

1. Pregnancy Wheel

This is the method your doctor is most likely to use.

In fact, it is very easy to calculate your due date if you have access to a good pregnancy wheel.

A pregnancy wheel, or gestation calculator, is a small calendar that uses your LMP to calculate your due date.

Pregnancy wheel in how to calculate baby due date

The first thing to do is locate the date of your LMP on the wheel, then line that date up with the indicator and the wheel would display your due date.

However, it is always important to remember that the due date is just an estimate of when you will deliver your little one. It is actually not set in stone, and the chances of actually going into labor or giving birth on that exact date are very slim.

2. Naegele’s Rule

This method involves a simple calculation.

Here’s the stuff: Add 7 days to the first day of your LMP and then subtract three months.

For example, if your LMP was July 1, 2021:

  • Add 7 days ( July 8, 2021)
  • Subtract three months (April 8, 2021)
  • Change the year (if necessary)

Due Date: April 8th, 2022

What If I Can’t Remember The Date of My Last Menstrual Period (LMP)?

Don’t worry. This is actually more common than you think.

Thankfully, you can still calculate your due date even if you can’t remember the first day of your LMP.

All you have to do is speak with your doctor and tell him/her the week you had your last menstrual period. With this info, your doctor can easily estimate your due date.

However, if you don’t know when you had your last period, your doctor can still determine your due date by conducting an ultrasound scan.

Can My Baby Due Date Change?

Yes, your doctor may change your date if your little one is smaller or larger than the average size at a particular stage of pregnancy.

In most cases, your doctor will conduct or order an ultrasound to determine the gestational age of your baby if your LMP is uncertain, there’s a history of irregular periods, or if you got pregnant even though you weren’t trying to conceive.

This ultrasound scan would enable your doctor to measure the crown-rump length (CRL) – the length from one end to the other of your little one. In the first trimester, this measurement provides the most accurate estimation of gestational age.

Ultrasound check for baby health

Your doctor may change your due date based on the CRL measurement gotten from an ultrasound.

Why Do I Have Two Due Dates?

It’s not uncommon to have two estimated due dates.

After an ultrasound, your doctor will write a report based on his/her observations and include two possible due dates:

  • The first is calculated using your LMP date
  • The second is based on the measurements gotten from the ultrasound

Most times, these dates are different.

prenatal-development-baby-due-date

Furthermore, if you have more ultrasound scans, each report will have a new due date based on the most recent measurement gotten. However, measurements taken in the second or third trimester will not cause a change in your expected due date.

In Conclusion

Conception and due dates are more accurate in the early days of pregnancy. In addition, it is helpful to remember that these dates are just estimates and things may eventually follow a different timeline. Thankfully, ultrasounds provide more accurate information on how your little one is growing and when he/she would come to join you in this world.

Enjoy the journey, Mama.