3 Ways To Survive Stress In Pregnancy

Anxiety can actually have very notable and adverse effects on physical health.

This is especially considerable when you're pregnant. For your health, and the health of your developing child, it's absolutely integral that you find ways of reducing stress wherever possible.

Following, several strategies that may help reduce stress will be considered.

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1. Ensure You Have Firm Financial Foundations

As soon as you know you're pregnant, you and your spouse need to line out a financial strategy. This will be the quickest way of getting ahead of future stress, and alleviating that which you're dealing with in the present. It’s important to know that financial stress can be overcome.

There are programs available for expectant couples or single mothers—don't give up before you at least go looking. There are options for wherever you happen to be in life, and wherever your finances are. Also, future tax breaks will become available, so consider that as you budget.

When a couple gets pregnant, the time for easy days where a person comes or goes as they please ends. The man needs to have a stable job, and put his wife and child-to-be ahead of himself. If you're a single mom, this is going to be difficult. You can work until the last month or so of your pregnancy, but that's not good for you in terms of stress.

A better option would be for you to find relief options through local charities and religious organizations. Don't worry if you don't necessarily see eye to eye with those providing assistance. What's important is the end result. No, the ends don't always justify the means. But sometimes it's best to take a gift and not ask questions. You'll need discretion here, and making the right decision is best done as the fledgling family unit you are, rather than individually. This is the time to trust a spouse.

2. Surround Yourself With Family And Those You Can Trust

A pregnant mother needs a support network. She needs her spouse or partner readily available. If they aren't there, her mother should be available at a moment's notice. If there is no available future grandmother, it's integral to have some other family member that can be relied on, or friends at hand who are trustworthy.

Again, if you don't have friends or family, don't be afraid of the support option available through a Catholic charity, or something similar. There are boundless support options just waiting for mothers in need to find them.

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3. Keep Yourself Centered, And Understand The Road Ahead

Do a little looking around online. Your pregnancy will change the hormonal balance of your body. Such changes will lead to mood swings, and how you feel may not be an accurate gauge of how things are.

You have to keep yourself centered, and make sure everything is in perspective as much as it can be. Have the father nearby as much as you can; or at least available at a moment's notice should you need him.

If you have any mentors, you want to talk with them and keep them close to you as your child develops inside. There are ups and downs you'll have to deal with regardless of how well you prepare.

Avoiding Unnecessary Stress

A natural, healthy pregnancy will have its own levels of stress. You need to have support networks in terms of family, friends, and finances beforehand. This will help ensure the safety and health of you, as well as your developing child. The bad news is, there will be stress. The good news is, you can avoid the worst of it, and the joy before you is greater than the stress you'll leave behind.

About our Guest Blogger

Stephanie Bates

Stephanie is the founder of Military Travel Mama; she is the wife of a military professional and mother to two children. Follow her blog for more about military life, military discounts, family trips, healthy eating, and parenthood.

Summer Programs from TULA Philippines

The Ultimate Learning Accelerator or simply TULA, is an award-winning tutorial program founded by international education experts. It is recognized by Globe Future Makers, the Australian Government and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT Solve).  TULA kids consistently get higher grades at school and build essential 21st century skills for their future. 

This summer, TULA is offering two exciting programs, where the kids can either help save the world in KID LEGENDS or create their own world in ART ATTACK. 

Kid Legends

The Kid Legends program will let kids explore real-world challenges affecting the earth and their future. 

Lessons include learning how to protect endangered animals, build solar ovens (Cool, right?), create and launch their very own awareness campaign. 

Kid Legends is offered in three of their branches. 

Art Attack: Create Your Own World

In Attack Attack, TULA kids will unleash their creativity and experiment with different art forms.

Activities include designing their own logo, building their own sculpture and even curating their own art gallery. 

Art Attack is only available at TULA LEGASPI. 

Both these programs will let your kids make new friends, learn more about society, and build essential skills, character, and attitude. 

Dates and Schedule 

The admission fee is P500 only, which already includes a cap and a notebook. They also have awesome and pocket-friendly payment schemes where you can pay P800 weekly or pay P5,600 upfront (and save P800!).

If you're ready to sign up, just click on the picture of your chosen program below.

         

To learn more, you can visit the TULA Facebook Page or their website. #LearnmorewithTULA

How To Throw An Unforgettable Birthday Party For Your Kids - The Do’s and The Don'ts

There are wonderful ideas for throwing your kid an awesome birthday party on the internet. Unfortunately, some of the writers of these ideas either never had a child, or never threw their kid a birthday party.

As with everything in a parents universe, a party is only fun if it is functional. If you have to use phrases like “Don’t touch that!” or “Here, let me reach that for you.” you are either a glutton for punishment or you have missed the mark. Your child's birthday party is for your child. It is designed for a child's skill level. It should be cute and fun, but not to impress the adults. With that in mind, we are going to give you some ideas that will let you be the envy of other parents and make your child feel like he is king for a day.

#5YearsLater : Life Goals Achieved

Happy New Year everyone! I have to admit that this blog has been neglected for a long period of time. I started this blog a long time ago when I was still a wee medical student and I wanted to document my life as I struggled between med school and motherhood. Looking at my sidebar profile, I realized that a lot has changed since then.  

For starters, I am not a twenty-something anymore. I now belong to the Thirtysomething Gang (Gilmore girl reference). Aside from my age, I hope that those added years gave me more wisdom.  

I’m proud to say that the lawyer-in-making has finally achieved his ultimate goal last year. The results of the bar exam came out on the 2nd quarter of last year and he passed it on his first take.  

And my little boy, well, he’s not so little anymore. He grew an average of 1/2 an inch per month in 2017.  

May 2017 when the husband signed the rolls of attorneys

December 2017

He’s turning 10 years old this month and almost a tween. From making homemade playdoh, he now loves playing Roblox on his laptop. But, he’s still as sweet and ever.
  

As for me, I am now licensed to heal. I passed the medical boards 3 years ago. It seems like only yesterday when I was picking out my clothes for my first day of internship. 

After the boards, I went straight into residency. This is why I haven't been updating the blog. I am now training to be an OB-GYN. I still have years left before I am done with it but I know that with the grace of God, he will allow me to finish this and guide me on this new journey. 

How has your life changed from 5 years ago? I would love to hear about your story in the comments section. 

Sleep Apnea and Children

Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by temporary loss of breath during sleep. As frightening as this sounds, the loss of breath is almost always non-life-threatening. However, sleep apnea often leads to sleep disruption, which can take a major toll on your mind and body. Sleep apnea is also considered a predictor for more serious conditions, including cancer, depression, and cardiovascular disease.

Sleep apnea is relatively rare in children. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 1% to 4% of children live with sleep apnea, the majority of which fall between the ages of two and eight years. However, these percentages represent between 742,000 and 2.97 million children in the U.S. alone. This post will discuss symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for children with sleep apnea. First, let's look at how sleep apnea is currently defined.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is classified as a type of 'sleep-disordered breathing'. Two primary types of sleep apnea have been identified, as well as a syndrome that is essentially a hybrid of the two others.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea diagnosed in children and adults today. OSA is characterized by physical blockage to the upper airway that leads to episodes of shallow breathing or loss of breath during sleep; each episode lasts roughly 20 to 40 seconds in length ― though more than 100 episodes may occur in the span of just one hour.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is not caused by obstruction, but rather poor communication between the brain and the breathing muscles. CSA is quite rare in children and healthy adults, and most commonly diagnosed in patients 65 and older who have experienced a stroke, heart disorders, and other conditions that impair the brain's ability to send signals to other areas of the body.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome (CSAS) is diagnosed in patients who experience both OSA and CSA symptoms. Like CSA, CSAS is primarily found in older adults; this condition affects roughly 15% of men and 5% of women.

Risk Factors and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Children

Obesity is considered one of the major risk factors for childhood sleep apnea. Family history of apnea and sleep-disordered breathing is another important consideration. Other factors may include oral or facial defects that restrict the amount of airflow, or unusually large tongues that move around inside the mouth. Back-sleeping has also been linked to higher incidences of sleep apnea; side-sleeping is considered a better alternative for people with this condition.

For most children (and adults) with sleep apnea, the most common symptom is severe snoring. This symptom is also one of the most overlooked, due to the widespread misconception that snoring is innocuous (if not a little annoying).

Other sleep apnea symptoms shared by children and adults include heavy or shallow breathing while sleeping, fitful sleep, and nighttime waking. Additionally, children with sleep apnea often experience enuresis, or bedwetting. Daytime sleepiness and behavioral problems in school have also been noted in children with apnea; in many cases, apnea symptoms are mistaken for attention deficit-disorder (ADD) and other learning disabilities.

Diagnosing and Treating Children with Apnea

If you suspect your child is experiencing sleep apnea, the first step should be to consult a pediatrician that specializes in sleep disorders. The ASA notes that polysomnography testing is the "only tool for definitive diagnosis and assessment" of sleep apnea in children. Polysomnography involves an overnight stay in a sleep research laboratory, during which the child's sleep patterns will be monitored and evaluated. Be sure to prepare children for this experience, as it can be somewhat unsettling, particularly for young kids.

Due to the rarity of sleep apnea diagnoses in children, formal treatment is typically reserved for patients who exhibit moderate to severe symptoms. Children are rated using two scales: the apnea index (AI); and the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), which measures both apnea symptoms and hypopnea events, such as shallow breathing or low respiration. An AI index score of 5 or higher usually warrants treatment, as does an AHI index score of 5 to 10; both of these scores indicate moderate to severe apnea in children 12 and younger.

For a large segment of children with sleep apnea, the best treatment will be a simple adenotonsillectomy, since overgrown tonsils and/or adenoids can cause OSA through airway obstruction. These procedures eliminate all symptoms in roughly 70% to 90% children with sleep apnea.

If surgical procedures don't work, then a good alternative may be continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This form of therapy requires a machine that increases air pressure in the nose and throat. CPAP machines are designed for nightly use. This form of therapy does not eliminate apnea symptoms, but will reduce them on a nightly basis for as long as they are present. Your child should be tested to determine proper air pressure levels prior to using a CPAP machine.

An oral appliance may also help alleviate apnea symptoms in children as young as six. The appliance should cover the entire hard palate. Improvements have been noted in most users after continuous daily use for six months to one year.

Tips for Pediatric Sleep Apnea Management

In addition to medical treatments and positive airway pressure therapy, parents can help their children manage sleep apnea symptoms in the following ways:

• If your child is overweight and experiencing apnea symptoms, then try restricting their diet and encouraging them to get more exercise in order to lower their body mass.
• Limit the amount of sugar and caffeine (found in soft drinks and chocolate) your child consumes before bedtime. These substances increase alertness, which can exacerbate their sleep disruption and nighttime waking.
• Since back-sleeping is considered a risk factor for sleep apnea, you can help your children learn to sleep on their sides. Another alternative is buying them an adjustable bed that allows them to elevate their upper body while sleeping.  

Ben Murray is a writer and researcher for sleep science hub Tuck.com. He can usually be found running, hiking, biking or kayaking around the Pacific Northwest ― though he enjoys a good nap as much as the next person.

Yes Mommy Workshop: How to Talk so your Child will Listen and Understand

Isn't it frustrating that even if how many times you say "No!" to something your kids would want to have or do, they would not stop making kulit until they get it?

Often times, I would explain to Henry why he can't do this or that. But still, he would not listen and I in turn would lose my patience and start raising my voice. At this point Henry would give me this heartbreaking look, smoothen my angry forehead and say, "Mommy, please don't get mad." Oh, the many times that I wished it would not get to that point and that I would not see that sad look on his face that makes me feel like a bad mother.

A couple of months ago, I came across Optimommy.com, a website that focuses on positive parenting. Jayme, the Optimommy, encourages parents to practice patience with your children and gives tips on how to communicate with children persuasively and lovingly. Since then, I've been following her blog and sometimes when Henry is makulit and I feel like I'm about to lose my temper, I take a moment and ask myself, WWJD? (What would Jayme do?)

Now, Jayme, together with Manila Workshops, presents to us Optimommy.com's advocacy of positive parenting with a workshop called, "Yes Mommy: How to Talk so your Child will Listen and Understand". This will happen on December 15, 2012 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Pasig City. For more details, check out the poster below.

"Yes Mommy" will focus on practical tips and tools to build a foundation of good communication with our young children. Topics include:

• Self Talk for Mommies: Why positive communication begins with you
• How to understand your child’s personality
• How to adjust your communication style based on your child’s personality
• The Three Elements of Positive Communication: Crucial factors to encourage your children to listen and understand
• How to say "no" by saying "yes"

Interesting, isn't it? If you think this will help you, do join  and sign up through this form. I know I'm going. Hope to see you there too!

UPDATE: Good news! Since it's the Season of Giving, Jayme decided to give you, my blog readers, more than 50% off. Just type OPTIMOMMYDITAS in the discount code box and you get to attend for only P500. 

Workshop fee already includes lunch and snacks plus give away goodies from their generous sponsors.

Taming Toddler Tantrums: Tips that Really Work

photo credit: tacit requiem (joanneQEscober ) via photopincc

Young parents get scared when they hear stories about the terrible twos. Take courage, though, you will survive the toddler stage.  It's not easy to understand why your toddler has a tantrum but at such a young age, a child is consumed with thoughts of themselves.  Everything is about them and how they feel.  Until they are taught how to share, every toy or piece of food they see automatically belongs to them.

Toddler temper tantrums can have a variety of effects.  Your first thought might be that everyone is focused on you and your screaming child, but getting embarrassed wonít diffuse the situation.  Besides, as a parent, you have many more years of embarrassing situations to look forward to courtesy of your children.  So worrying about what others think during this situation is simply going to stress you and make you feel worse.

Here are a few tips to help you cope during tantrums:

1. Ignore the tantrum.  This technique works best when at home.  In public places, you don't want to ever leave your child unattended as a form of punishment.  Good behavior in public begins at home.  Ignoring a toddler is not harsh.  If your child is squirming on the floor screaming for a cookie, continue to talk to them as if you never noticed.  Eventually, they will get the hint and stop screaming.

2. Avoid instant gratification.  In public, toddlers throw tantrums when they are denied something that they want.  Some parents give in to keep their child quiet but a child learns quickly.  Tantrums will continue if they know you will cave.  Simply tell them ìnoî and keep moving.

3. Don't get angry.  When you scream and they scream the situation is wildly out of control.  Youíll end up crying and your toddler will still be screaming.  In any situation, raised voices mean civilized conversation has ended in favor of basic primal instincts.  Donít revert back to the days of early man.  Keep using the same calm voice you use when they are behaving to get your child to calm down as well.

4. Praise your toddler when they behave well.  Positive reinforcement is better than negative.  In the absence of positive attention a child will behave badly just to get some attention at all.  Acting out and throwing tantrums may be a cry for attention.  Don't let it get to this point.  Clap and celebrate when they go to the potty successfully and when they put away their toys.  Good manners such as saying "please" and "thank you" deserve a smile and a hand clap as well.

5. Run errands after nap time.  Kids get punchy when they get tired.  A toddler misbehaves more often if they are dragged around when they are tired.

6. Carry snacks with you.  Low blood sugar can lead to tantrums.  If you are out longer than anticipated and lunch or dinner time is close at hand, let them eat a healthy snack to keep their hunger pains at bay and sugar levels stable.

7. Be consistent in your punishment.  At home, you might use "time out" to deal with a tantrum for bad behavior.  In public do the same.  Sit your child on a bench for five minutes or take them to the car.  Eventually they will learn that you are not a pushover and they will begin to behave.

You will survive the toddler years.  Nip temper tantrums in the bud with the above tips.