Genetics and their influence on your baby

All through our pregnancy we keep fantasizing about our baby, how will she look what will be the color of her eyes, will she have straight hair or curly hair like her father. More than that I guess it is who will she look like? Or whose temperament will she carbon? Will she be tall or short? These questions will keep running across our mind all through the nine months. 

Each parent gives 23 chromosomes to their baby, that means she will receive 23 chromosomes from her mom and 23 from her father respectively. It is always said and heard that the dominant chromosome will finally emerge and the weaker one will subside. But it is a proven fact that babies need not just look like their parents they can even inherit genes from the earlier generations like their great grandparents. In my own experience I have seen a baby born with green eyes, and she was born to a set of parents with dark brown eyes. When asked it was revealed that the baby's maternal grandmother had the same eye color as the baby. Color of the eyes, facial features can depend a lot on the entire family genes, to some extent even the shape of the teeth can go on the family. The hand shape, the length of the fingers, the toes shape even the hair depends a lot on the family genes. My baby has a crooked right big toe since the day she was born and this crooked big toe was identical to my father's big toe, though I do not have it my daughter has inherited her toe from my father. Finger prints for instance also are the same as the family hand prints. To get an idea of what your baby may look like, it will be a good idea to go through some old family snaps of both the sides and surely your baby will look alike to one of the family members either your generation or your parents even your grandparents. Though the babies’ height will predominantly go on the parents but nutrition also plays an important role in it. Averagely if you are about 5 feet and 4 inches and your husband or partner is about 5 feet and 11 inches, then average of both these heights is about 5 feet and 6 inches so if you have a boy he is most likely to be 5 feet and 8 inches and if you have a girl she will be almost 5 feet and 5 inches. This calculation is roughly based genetically, but if the baby is not given the right nutrition even with tall parents the baby may not even reach average height and with proper nutrition and good care the baby may be way taller than her own parents. So to quite an extent the weight and height does go on the genes but only 50, the rest 50% depends on the baby's nutrition and food intake. Overweight parents usually have over weight babies not because of the genes but because of unhealthy eating habits, which the baby has inherited staying with her parent's. 

If you follow a disciplined lifestyle then surely your baby will be of a good height and proportionate weight. Hair color to a large extent also depends on the genes but as proven the darker hair gene are always more prominent than the light blonde color, so if one parent has dark hair and one has blonde hair be sure your baby will  inherit the dark hair color. It feels great to see your child have familiar looks and habits of you or your partner or your parent but that doesn't mean they will not have their own personality. Let the child blossom as they want to and see them grow into perfect adults. Whoever your child may look like or behave like end of the day it is your baby, so love them and cherish them for what they are. And help them grow and blossom into becoming good human beings that is the most important thing.

Signs of Infertility

What is infertility? Infertility is when even after having sex without protection repeatedly for more than a year and still there is no sign of pregnancy. The biggest sign of infertility is not getting pregnant the natural way, this is the most noticeable symptom.

Infertility can have may causes and reasons, majorly age related and health related but there are times one cannot even find the cause or the reason for infertility in some women.

Signs of infertility in women are -

1. Abnormal menstrual cycle- In women the major reason for infertility is abnormal changes in the menstrual cycle like excess bleeding or at times scarce bleeding , irregularity in the dates of your monthly cycle, without a reason excessive delay in getting your periods and at times women also cease to have their periods without any health reason your periods just stop.

Excess pain during menstrual cycle can also at times lead to infertility many women complain of pain in their back , their feet as well as stomach cramps . This is fine if in bearable range but if too much of pain and cramps then you should not take it lightly and show it to your doctor immediately.

2. Hormonal changes and imbalance - Again happens in many cases where hormonal problems have lead to infertility. The signs  for hormonal changes or imbalance are change in the skin color like darkening of the skin as well as sudden appearance of acne, dark and excess hair growth on the face especially on the lips , chin and breast. In many  women they will also realise they are losing a lot of hair as well as thinning and greying of the hair.

3. Sex related- Due to emotional or phycological reason if a women loses her interest in sex or for whatever reason experience too much pain while intercourse this too is a symptom of infertility.

The symptoms and signs of infertility varies from women to women and as  said earlier sometimes even with no signs or reason we have seen infertility in women. More than anything in our times the major reason for the decline in fertility and increase in infertility is because of stressful lifestyle and that needs to be assessed and taken care off.

Signs of Infertility in men-

Though the signs of infertility in men will not come to our notice till he gets all his tests done but these are some signs which you should be aware off 

1. In men look for signs in their hair growth if you see sudden changes like balding or greying show it to the doctor immediately.

2. Uncanny pain , swelling and sensitivity in their testicle ' s can also cause infertility.

3. If a man has suddenly undergone major change in sexual desires or is having a problem in his erection as well as ejaculation is also a major sign of infertility.

Signs of infertility are never the same in men and women everyone has their own symptoms and reason what is important is not losing hope and making changes to live a healthier and active life this will solve 50% of your infertility problem.

Pregnancy makes every women naturally beautiful.

It is a proven fact that every woman looks and feels more beautiful when pregnant. The glow is because for the first time in your life you are eating guilt free or the glow of becoming a mother I can't say. All I know is a woman looks her best when she is pregnant or then in her 40's. The transformation from a lady to a woman is an awesome phase of her life when she is the center of attention everyone wants to pamper her take care of her all this adds to your happiness and if you are happy internally it will show externally. 

Eating healthy and high in nutrition food is  also a reason for your glowing skin, when pregnant we take extra care about everything we have our proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and calcium properly and all this shows on our skin.  Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants make sure you have a daily portion of fruits at least 2 times a day.

Vegetables should be a part of your food daily and in all the meals. Vegetables are a great source of very important nutrients for you and your baby. Calcium is essential be it in form of milk, cheese, butter, cream anything just do not forget your calcium and fact is calcium also has a lot to do with attaining blemish free glowing complexion. 

Nuts are rich in omega 3 and has good oils which are sure to add natural oils and moisturizer to your skin, make sure you are eating a good portion of nuts daily, some nuts are to be avoided when pregnant please check with your health care expert on this. Good nutrition healthy diet and active lifestyle will keep you healthy from inside and when you are healthy from inside you will automatically glow from outside.

Babymoon with your partner.

Babymoon is the time when you take a vacation during your pregnancy with your partner, it is a very crucial time to bond with your partner. Pregnancy leads to various ups and downs in your mood and your health, the truth is the whole of 9 months is always about you in this period your partner can feel neglected and cause a rift in your relationship. A man is as vulnerable as a women emotionally they too are stressed and burdened they are going to become father's too and it is a tiring time for them mentally.  At this time spending more quality time with each other and understanding each other becomes very important.

A babymoon is a perfect getaway where both you and your partner can spend some quality time and talk about each other’s feelings and how and what each one of you is going through. There are certain precautions you need to take when you are planning your baby moon first and foremost check with your health care expert whether it is the right time to plan your vacation, as per me the second trimester is the best time as you are done with your morning sickness and you’re not big still where you need to rest more and be more indoor.

The time between your fourth months to the sixth month is an ideal time to go on your baby moon, try and select a location which does not require long travel hours. Try and choose a beach resort or a green valley kind of a place you need a vacation to unwind not an adventurous holiday so no wildlife resort or mountain resort. Make sure you book your hotels keeping in mind its proximity to the airport as well as a hospital it is always better to be pre- cautious than sorry later. A baby moon is planned to spend quality time chatting or taking walks together having your meals together centre it around that only, avoid places where you will spend all the time sightseeing and land up tired than rejuvenated.

Make sure you are eating your food properly you have carried all your vital vitamins and tablets. Make sure you carry simple and comfortable clothes and wear footwear as per your destination, flats and comfortable shoes is always the best option.

When travelling it is best to carry your pregnancy file along with you just in case of need. Keep physical activities to minimum instead use the entire vacation to unwind with your partner. Baby moon is a time when you and your partner spend quality time together discussing and mentally preparing each other for the new addition to the family, it is a bonding time between you your baby and the father it is a very vital time so make sure you make most of it and create memories for a lifetime.

Essential Skin care oils in pregnancy

Pregnancy is the most beautiful period of a women's life, I know it is a tedious process as you are carrying a baby in your womb there are multiple do ' s and don't ' s but along with that it is a beautiful transition from a young lady to a blossomed woman. Becoming a mother itself is such a high on life that you automatically glow in the happiness, it is your inner happiness that reflects on your face.

In most cases you will always hear women saying how she glowed when she was pregnant it is also referred as basking in pregnancy glow.

Skin care is vital always for a women creams and lotions are available in plenty but I would always recommend to stick to natural lotions rather than the ones loaded with chemicals but if you can use oils instead of lotions then there can be nothing better. 

Olden day’s women always used natural oils to illuminate their skin and those times have returned, nowadays you get plenty of natural oils which are way more beneficial than a cream and lotion.

Some of the oils which are definitely worth a try-

1. Rose and Lavender oil - super oils to relax your mind, the minute you feel stressed and hyper apply a few drops to your temple area , your wrist , the nape of your neck and rest , you will see how beneficial these oils are to calm you down.

2. Tea Tree Oil-  many women are known to get skin breakouts specially in the first trimester, instead of using medicated creams try using tea tree oil being a disinfectant in nature it will cure acne without any side effects.

3. Grape Seed Oil- a natural skin brightener, perfect solution to any kind of skin darkening again a problem seen by many during pregnancy.

4. Argon Oil- most beneficial oil for stretch marks, once you near the end of your second trimester start using this oil on your belly , this oil should be applied daily even after you have delivered your baby, rich in fatty acids and antioxidants,  this Moroccan oil will combat stretch marks to a 100 %.

5. Marula Oil- we go through severe weather conditions and that makes our skin prone to dryness and freckles, to deal with this I recommend Africa’s miracle oil Marula its daily applications will make your skin glow always and has anti-ageing properties.

6. Chamomile Oil - an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibiotic oil perfect for any kind of skin redness due to sensitivity even rash and insect bites. This oil has major cooling properties that will soothe your skin.