Posted by: marvelousgirl on: December 20, 2009
Amazon has some great last minute magazine deals. Click Here to see all offers. Here are just a few..
$5.00 1 Year Subscriptions
This Old House, Health and Southern Living
$8.00 1 Year Subscriptions
Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar
This is a great inexpensive gift for those who are hard to buy for.
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: December 18, 2009
Pregnancy.org, a company dedicated to the lives of women trying to conceive, pregnant or whom have kids already, has released a study with alarming results. The survey, which interviewed over 400 pregnant women, revealed that 78% admit to a poor diet, inadequate exercise or not taking a prenatal vitamin daily. The survey also showed:
61% don’t take a pre-natal vitamin daily as they feel it makes them more nauseous
55% did not seek expert advice on which pre-natal vitamin was suitable for them
Over 25% of respondents admitted to consuming alcohol, cigarettes or caffeine
Folate and Iron are the most sought after vitamins/minerals in a pre-natal vitamin but over 50% respondents don’t know what foods naturally contain them
When asked what they look for in a pre-natal vitamin price was considered more important than absorption rates or ingredient quality
80% don’t change their pre-natal vitamin formula from pre-conception to breastfeeding Founder and General
Manager of Pregnancy.org, LLC, Mollee Bauer, said “Our community boards are always buzzing about how pregnant moms struggle with diet, exercise and taking their daily pregnancy or prenatal vitamin and much of it can be attributed to feeling nauseas. In response we have created the first ever prenatal vitamin with a 100% anti-nausea GUARANTEE and an online nutrition clinic.”
Many women don’t realize that their vitamins may be making them feel unwell, adding to typical morning sickness symptoms. Typically, prenatal vitamins include iron, an essential nutrient during pregnancy, but when taken with other vitamins and minerals it can be hard to absorb and cause an upset stomach. The new anti-nausea formula allows moms to take a separate, highly absorbent iron + Vitamin C capsule and a prenatal multivitamin with B12, which has been shown to reduce symptoms associated with morning sickness.
The company enlisted the help of Beverly Hills Registered Dietitian, Deborah Klein, to develop the new anti-nausea vitamin. “In the last fifteen years of practice I’ve worked with thousands of moms-to be and as a mom myself I know the importance of getting enough nutrients and choosing the right prenatal supplement. Our aim was to create a pre-natal vitamin with everything a mom and baby needs that could help alleviate nausea not create it. If mom’s try any of the products and it doesn’t help we offer a 100% anti-nausea money back guarantee!!”
The new range of prenatal and pregnancy vitamins are exclusively available through Pregnancy.org. The clinic also provides information on how to eat right during pregnancy and online consultations with Registered Dietitians.
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: September 10, 2009
Did you know it’s riskier to have a baby in the U.S. than in Cuba or the Czech Republic?!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 7 of every 1,000 babies born in the United States will die before their first birthday, and the rates among African American, Hispanic and Native American populations are even higher. Premature births occurring before 37 weeks and low-weight babies (less than 5 pounds) account for the highest number of these deaths.
Since September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway—a board-certified ob-gyn, an advocate for quality healthcare and patient safety and author of The Smart Mother’s Guide to a Better Pregnancy—offers these SMART tips to help pregnant women improve their chances of having a healthy baby.
S = Seek prenatal care early. Tests for potential chromosome problems, including mental retardation and spina bifida (a condition that causes paralysis) can be conducted only in the first and second trimesters. A first trimester ultrasound is also the most accurate in terms of determining a due date.
M = Mention all risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, Rh negative blood, premature labor, bleeding problems or genetic conditions to your healthcare professional as soon as possible. Do not omit information such as smoking or using “recreational” drugs because such activities can affect your baby.
A = Ask to have your cervix measured during your ultrasound if you have a history of premature contractions or delivery. A cervical length of 2.5 centimeters or less is a risk factor for preterm labor. If you are at risk for delivering before 37 weeks, ask your healthcare provider about receiving steroids to help your baby’s lungs develop.
R = Research your hospital and prospective physician or midwife carefully. Is the physician or midwife skilled in managing high-risk conditions? Will your care continue if you lose your insurance? Has the newborn nursery had any recent outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant infections? Is the hospital a level-three facility?
T = Test for potential problems such as gestational diabetes, sickle cell trait and cystic fibrosis, and check for appropriate fetal growth with an ultrasound.
The United States is one of the most industrialized countries in the world, yet The World Factbook indicates that we rank below Cuba, Taiwan, Greece, Ireland, Canada, England, Czech Republic, South Korea and other countries in national infant mortality rate. Being aware of your risk and following these SMART tips will help you to have a healthy baby
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: July 30, 2009
Do you ever wish you could eat chocolate every single day? Well, some lucky women are getting the chance as scientists are looking for women willing to eat chocolate every day for a year — for medical science of course!
Researchers in England are trying to prove chocolate lowers the risk of heart disease and need 40 women to conduct their study.
The majority of the women must eat two bars of “super-strength chocolate specially formulated by Belgian chocolatiers” daily for one year while undergoing several tests on the health of their hearts. The remaining participants will eat regular chocolate as a placebo.
Volunteers for the research should be menopausal but aged under 75 and have type two diabetes. Peter Curtis, the study’s coordinator, said, “A successful outcome could be the first step in developing new ways to improve the lives of people at increased risk of heart disease.”
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: July 29, 2009
Elizabeth Stein, a leading midwife and women’s health expert with 25 years of experience in fields of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health gave Marvelous Girl her Top Tips for Expectant Mothers:
1. Vitamins: Take prenatal vitamins with folic acid and essential fatty acids, starting 2-3 months before conception (when you start having unprotected sex in order to get pregnant). Take at least 800 micrograms of folic acid per day. Folic acid prevents open neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The neural tube closes approximately day 24 of pregnancy. Also take a supplement of essential fatty acids (omega-3, 6, & 9) each day. Essential fatty acids can be found in many foods, but have been added to most prenatal vitamins. They have been shown to be good for babies’ brain and eye development, as well as moms.
2. Dental Health: Have a dental check up prior to conception to make sure there are no infections in your mouth. This is important because bacteria in your mouth may cause preterm labor and preterm delivery (premature baby).
3. Clean Living: Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use street drugs. Cigarettes expose the embryo/fetus to over 200 toxic chemicals which can interfere with the growth of the baby, causing the blood vessels to constrict. This constriction of the blood vessels causes as increase in blood pressure and a decrease in oxygen and nutrients going to the developing fetus.
4. Sleep: Once pregnant, rest as much as possible. During pregnancy you should not take any sleeping medication, but you can have a glass of warm milk to help you relax. 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep every night is usually sufficient, although sometimes your body wants more sleep. A nap during the day or late afternoon will provide a wonderful “pick me up.”
5. Stay Hydrated: Drink lots of water. At least two quarts of water a day is recommended. If dehydration occurs during pregnancy, it can cause your mouth to feel dry and your uterus may cramp, which is very concerning when pregnant. Also, avoid adding salt and sugar to anything you eat or drink.
6. Watch your weight: A pregnant woman’s goal should be to gain no more than 25-35 lbs. Being pregnant is not a license to pig out and gain 40-50lbs or more. Nutrition during pregnancy is very important and a meeting with a nutritionist can be helpful. Try to eat three servings of protein a day (3 ounces each, about the size of a credit card). All protein should be thoroughly cooked. Also, eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Carbohydrates are important too since they are the energy food (bread, rice, potatoes, pasta). Average calories per day should be 1800-2000 and that includes the 300 extra for the pregnancy (per fetus).
7. Eat Small Regular Meals: Eat and drink within a half hour of waking and then every three hours (5-6 small meals per day rather than three big meals). You need to have a continuous intake of food (known as grazing) so your body can break it down to provide glucose to your pregnancy on a continuous basis. If you don’t eat small, frequent meals you will feel very light headed (hypoglycemic).
8. Office Visits: Find a midwife (or physician) you are comfortable with and keep your appointments.
9. Stay Informed: Bring a written list of questions to every visit. Questions may be whatever concerns you. Be sure to discuss your expectations for labor and delivery (natural, vaginal, epidural, cesarean delivery) and breastfeeding.
10. Know who will deliver you! Ask who will be delivering your baby. Will it be the midwife or physician you see every visit or someone else in the practice? Sometimes midwives and physicians have cross coverage among practices, so it is important to ask these questions and not assume your midwife or physician will be there on delivery day.
To learn more about Elizabeth Stein and Ask Your Midwife, please visit www.AskYourMidwife.com
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: June 25, 2009
The Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson, was recently rushed to a Los Angeles hospital.
Jackson, 50, apparently went into cardiac arrest and received CPR in the ambulance. According to the Los Angeles Times, he was reportedly not breathing by the time paramedics arrived.
The singer’s father, Joe Jackson, told E! News that he was “not sure what’s wrong.”
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: June 17, 2009
Despite an ailing economy, pet owners are showing they are more than willing to splurge when it comes to the health and happiness of their animals. According to industry research firm IBISWorld, the pet business is expected to generate $51.6 billion this year, an increase of 1.3 percent from 2008, with trends in health and nutrition altering the market.
Veterinary services are forecasted to grow the fastest, at an average annualized rate of 4.3 percent in the next five years—accounting for an estimated $22.3 billion in revenue this year.
“Pet healthcare is a big business, as awareness in health is driving growth in this area” said George Van Horn, senior analyst at IBISWorld.
Veterinary practices are now expanding their range of services in order to cater to the health-related needs of animals. Chiropractics, ophthalmology, dentistry, and dermatology, to name a few, are becoming more readily available.
Pet Food production can expect steady growth in the next five years, and is projected to generate approximately $15.2 billion this year. This sector is also being affected by and adjusting to trends in natural and organic products. In recent years, over half of all pet-owners have shown concern in what their pets are eating, causing a greater shift in demand for premium pet food—ranging from breed-specific brands, to weight-loss diets, to special or natural-ingredient foods claiming nutritional benefits.
The Pet Grooming and Boarding sector, expected to generate $2.69 billion this year, is comprised primarily of pet-care, training, and pet-sitting—all of which are experiencing growth within the industry. Such practical services accommodate convenience to the increasingly busy American lifestyle, and pet stores are starting to incorporate these services in recognition of this growing need. For instance, PetSmart offers “Doggy Day Camp,” an indoor facility where owners can drop their dogs off seven days a week to pet-loving professionals.
Pet stores are expected to generate revenue of $11.45 billion this year. The majority of their in-store revenue comes from pet food, pet supplies and medicine. Live animal purchases contribute the least in sales, and this will continue its decline as companies become socially responsible in response to ethical concerns surrounding puppy mills, as well as overpopulation issues of homeless animals in shelters. Major pet store retailers now affiliate themselves with organizations that help dogs and cats with adoption. For instance, PETCO now hosts an in-store adoption center, introducing the philosophy “Think Adoption First.”
In 2009, the population of dogs and cats as pets is approximately 169 million, which has increased roughly 2.4 percent since last year. Of those, 18 percent of cats and 10 percent of dogs have been adopted from animal shelters.
“Americans consider their pets as members of the family, making businesses that cater to our four-legged friends a stable, growing market,” said Van Horn.
