the9months

No article could state the fears that dads-to-be face better than this one. It is written by Jerrold Lee Shapiro, who is a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of Becoming a Father (Springer), The Measure of a Man, and When Men Are Pregnant.

From the moment you learn of your partner’s pregnancy, you’re thrust into a strange new world and encouraged to participate in the pregnancy and birth process. Yet, you may feel awkward about sharing your fears and insecurities. That’s only natural. Here are seven common fears faced by fathers-to-be:

Security fears

The biggest fear men face is the one most deeply hardwired into our culture: Will I be able to protect and provide for my family? (more…)

Many Muslim women fast during pregnancy though it is not a must for them to do so. The following is an interesting article on Ramadan and pregnancy. You can also find it at http://www.babycenter.com.ph/pregnancy/nutrition/ramadan/pregnant-fasting/ At the end of the day, observing a fast is your personal choice.

Is it safe?

There is no clear answer, even though medical studies have looked at the effects of fasting (Cross 1990, CIA/NHS 2007). At the moment, we don’t know if fasting is completely safe for pregnant women and their babies (NHS Choices 2008). (more…)

Most pregnant ladies out there must be experiencing this symptom where you forget things or simply get distracted while working. Found a superb article on the pregnancy brain and what it does and why it does that (http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/forgetfulness.aspx).

What it is: Pregnancy-induced brain fog, a true (and truly frustrating) hallmark of pregnancy. You may forget appointments, what you just walked into the store for, where you left your purse, whether you turned off the stove — and maybe, your phone number. (more…)

Most women breastfeed in a sitting position although research suggests that breastfeeding newborn babies lying down may boost the chances of success (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6612573.stm). A study of 40 mothers breastfeeding in different positions found that babies’ natural reflexes kicked in more easily when the mothers were lying down.

The position seemed to trigger primitive reflexes usually seen in young mammals, the Royal College of Nursing conference heard. Many women struggle with breastfeeding and give up after a few weeks. (more…)

Breastfeeding has been linked to many benefits for the mother and the baby. Research suggests that women who breastfeed their babies may be lowering their own risk of a heart attack, heart disease or stroke (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8008678.stm).

A US study found women who breastfed for more than a year were 10% less likely to develop the conditions than those who never breastfed. Even breastfeeding for at least a month may cut the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. (more…)