The Most Amazing 9 Months of your Life

When a woman falls pregnant for the first time little does she know that she is about the embark on the most life changing experience of her life.

With this first foray into Parenthood, you may want to examine your current lifestyle choices as you prepare  for your newest family member.

At the early stage of your pregnancy you may be challenged in many ways; from mood swings, to nausea, to vomitting, to abdominal pain to physical exertion to changing feeding habits and so much more.

The reality is that during the 9 months of your pregnancy you would experience, several changes; emotional, physical and even mental.

Some of us are lucky to escape many common symptoms and signs of prenancy while others get the full dose and more.

Women have been known to handle pregnancies differnetly based on their specific circumstances, beliefs, will powers and other varying factors. So do not compare your self to anyone, handle your pregnancy in your own way and to the best of your ability.

Scientifically childbirth usually occurs approximatel 38 - 40 weeks after your last menstrual period. there are several exceptions to this rule which may coour due to varying reasons; premature births, multiples delivery, medical complications and extended pregnancies.

Your Conception: 
Pregnancy usually coccurs as a result of sexual relations/intercourse between a man and a woman; thereafter the female gamete merges with the male gamete [Spermatozoa] in a process called fertilzation or more commonly known as conception. The result is the formation of an egg.
More scientific methods like Artificial insemination and in Vitro fertilization could also bring about conception/pregnancy.
After conception you may experience varied symptoms/signs which are associated with the onset of pregancy.
Although not all of these signs are universally present, nor are all of them diagnostic by themselves, taken together they make a presumptive diagnosis of pregnancy. 
These signs include but are not limited to:

• The presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood and urine
• Missed menstrual period
• Iimplantation bleeding that occurs at implantation of the embryo in the uterus during the third or fourth week after last menstrual period
• Increased basal body temperature sustained for over 2 weeks after ovulation

For more signs go to ....Early Signs of Pregnancy


Your Pregnancy:
Your pregancy if normal and uneventful may last between any where from 38-40 weeks.
Medically pregnancy is believed to have begun when the embryo is planted in the Uterus.

First Trimester [0-3 Months]:
The impalnted Embryo undergoes tremendous growth and changes during this period.
Your doctor would make sure you have enough Vitamin B/Folic Acid during this period [prevents serious birth defects].
Most miscarriages also occur during this period.
During this period most women may experience;

1. Morning sickness
2. Frequent hunger pangs
3. Excess production of Saliva [for some it goes on through out the whole pregnancy]
4. Frequent unrination.
5. Abdominal pains/cramps
6. Aversion to certain foods
7. Cravings for certain foods.
8. Darkened Nipples and Areolas

Second Trimester [4-6 months]:

• Most women feel more energized during this period and also begin to gain weight as symptoms of morning sickness begins to fade away.
• During this period you may begin to feel the movement of the Feutus.
• The placenta is fully fucntional now and the Feutus also begins to produce insulin and urinate.

At twenty weeks you are due for an Anomaly scan - that basically confirms the state and the sex of the baby

Read full details of my Anomaly scan here

Third Trimester [7- Due date]
During this trimester ;

• You will gain the most weight as compared to the first 6 months of your pregnancy.
• The Feutus or your baby will also grow most rapidly during this period as it prepares to join the world.
• You stomach/belly will change in shape and protude significantly and would drop down low as your due date draws near and the baby's head engages in preparation for delivery. 
• In some cases [like mine] you navel will become convex and pop out due to your expanding abdomen.
• Fetal movement is usually quite strong during this period.
• You will experience "Braxton Hicks" contractions during this period
• You become more uncomfortable and may experience a weak baldder and back aches
• Sleeping comfortably during this period is also quite an uphill task.
• Your bags should be long packed in readiness for the hospital

Your Delivery/ Childbirth:

The process of normal childbirth is broken down into three stages;

1. Latent Stage: Labour may last anywhere from some minutes to several days with contractions which are the intensification of the Braxton Hicks contractions
2. Shortening and Dilation of the Cervix: This begins when the thinned Cervix is 3cm dilated and may lead to a rupture of membranes or a blood stained "show",
3. Descent and birth of the infant/baby: This occurs from when the cervix is fully dilated to when the baby is finally born. As the pressure on the cervix increases there is increased uterine contractions so that the baby can be born. The baby's head is fully engaged during this time and birth of the head of the baby signifies a sucessful birth/delivery.
4. Delivery of the Placenta: The uterus expels the placenta [also called after birth] within 15 to 30 minutes after the birth of the baby.

Prenatal Development/ Abdominal growth:

Embryo at 4 weeks after fertilization	Fetus at 8 weeks after fertilization	Fetus at 18 weeks after fertilization	Fetus at 38 weeks after fertilization
Relative size in 1st month	Relative size in 3rd month	Relative size in 5th month	Relative size in 9th month

Good-Luck with your pregnancy and delivery!!!





Winc

Thank God it's Friday -TGF

Oh I heave a sigh of relief that the work week has come to an end....

I feel so wasted after a tumultuous week during which I had to wake up more than twice to tend to my daughter.
So here I am tired, overworked and in need of some time out.

I hope this weekend will go smoothly and promise me unlimited bliss and rest.

I wish you all a blissful, jolly and promising weekend.




Winc

Smart Students! Smarter Lecturer!!

This is a very hilarious piece; Read and Enjoy

 

One night 4 university students were boozing till late night and didn't study for the test which was scheduled for the next day.
In the morning they thought of a plan.

They made themselves look as dirty and weird as they could with grease and dirt.
They then went up to the dean and said that they had gone out to a wedding last night and on their return the tyre of their car burst and they had to push the car all the way back and that they were in no condition to appear for the test.
 
The dean was a just person so he said that you can have the re-test after 3 days. They said they will be ready by that time.

On the third day they appeared before the dean.

The dean said that this was a special condition that all four were required to sit in separate classrooms for the test.
They all agreed as they had prepared well in the last three days.
  

The test consisted of 5 questions with total of 100 marks;

Mid semester Coursework Examination

Instructions: all questions are compulsory.
                                Any inconsistencies on any of the questions among the four students will result in all the candidates getting a zero mark.

Q.1. Write down your name. ----- (2 marks)

 

Q.2. Write the name of the bride and bridegroom at the wedding you attended. ----- (30 marks)

Q.3. What type of a car had a burst tyre?  ------ (20 marks)

Q.4. Which tyre burst?  ------- (28 marks)

Q.5. Who was driving? ---------- (20 marks)

The dean proved that he had also once been a student and that in his practice as Lecturer he had first hand experience in dealing with all kinds of students.

It was really laughable imagining the various “priceless” expressions on their faces as soon as they saw the questions.

 

 

 

Winc

Go Home and Love your Family

When Mother Teresa received her Nobel Prize, she was asked, "What can we do to promote world peace?" She replied, "Go home and love your family." (Source: God's Little Devotional Book for Women)

Her answer was Simple, straightforward and wholly true.

Do you love your family? As we know “Love” makes the world go round.

Take a look inwards and answer this pertinent question which really defines who we are and who our children will be.




Winc

Nine Words Women Use; Pregnant with Meaning

I came acorss this beautiful piece that clearly depicts the typical woman. Men if you absorb the 9 words/phrases below and their explanations, then handling your wife or woman will be a no brainer.
These words though simple are pregnant with meaning.

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.


2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine!

4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!

5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say “you’re welcome”. (I want to add in a clause here – this is true, unless she says ‘Thanks a lot’, that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say “you’re welcome” it will bring on a ‘whatever’).

8. Whatever: Is a woman’s way of saying Get Lost!

9. Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’s wrong?” For the woman’s response please refer to # 3.

Learn and be Wiser!



Winc

100 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife "HER" Way

I received the origninal piece in an email [Author Unknown], and it so aptly captures many salient things our men need to know.
I put my twist on the original piecce by adding, deleting and rephrasing some of the statements below.

Wives please forward this list to your husbands and lets hope it will jolt them into reality.
This would go a long way in educating them in the art of "Love, Romance and Appreciation"
Feel free to re-arrange or re-write the list to suit your own personal needs or beliefs. 

1. Start and/or end each day by holding hands and praying together with your wife.
2. Pray for her when you are apart and make it a point to pray with her when she is troubled.
3. Communicate with her instead of "barking at" her or "shutting her" out emotionally.
4. Talk to her respectfully without demeaning her or hurting her feelings.
5. Compliment her uniqueness and qualities; big and small [Be specific]
6. Show interest in her friends and family and give her time to be with them.
7. Do something active together to lift her spirits -even taking a walk hand-in-hand.
8. Show and tell her that you need and value her.
9. Show enthusiasm for the things that she's excited about-let your actions show it.
10. Arrange activities or events that would make you laugh together.
11. Put your arms around her when she needs comfort, holding her silently.
12. Surprise her by doing something you think she would want done before she asks.
13. Do not take important decisions with out consulting her first.
14. Show interest in that which she values as important in her life.
15. Allow your wife to teach you things without being defensive.
16. When you feel you must correct her, be gentle -speaking the truth in LOVE.
17. Doesn’t sweat the small stuff -We all have peculiar habits and preferences?
18. Show her that she matters more to you than any activity you could do, or any one you could be with, that somehow threatens her sense of security in your marriage.
19. Be a good listener. Show her you value what she says.
20. Plan regular get a ways, where the two of you can spend quality time alone together.
21. Go shopping with her and be patient as she trod to and fro through all the shops haggling with joy.
22. Take her out to breakfast or bring her breakfast in bed.
23. Make the time to set specific goals with her to achieve together for each year.
24. Be graceful and forgiving when she has wronged you.
25. Find ways to let her know you are her partner in all areas life.
26. Be polite, courteous, and well mannered in your deals with her - do not take her for granted.
27. Exhibit humility, admit your mistakes, and ask for forgiveness. She'll appreciate that!
28. Defend her to others-especially to your family.
29. Don't underestimate her intelligence or belittle her contributions or efforts.
30. Massage her or just cuddle with her to help her relax.
31. Get up in the middle of the night (letting her stay in bed) to take care of your upset child.
32. Be caring and protective when she is not feeling well.
33. Answer her in details when she asks a question not in Monosyllables.
34. Thank God for her by name when the two of you are praying together.
35. Try not to argue over money. Peacefully discuss current and future expenditure.
36. Don't embarrass her by arguing with her in front of others.
37. Lead your family in their spiritual relationship with God. This is important to her.
38. Make eye contact when she is talking to you and when you are talking with her.
39. Show her that you enjoy her company-give her attention when you are with her.
40. Openly communicate with her about your work or an outing when apart.
41. Stay away from web sites, chat rooms, preying females or anything that gives you sexual gratification from anyone other than your wife.
42. Be helpful and cooperative when you have guests coming to visit. If you are clueless take a lead from her.
43. Brag about her to others; In front of her and when she is not with you.
44. Surprise her from time-to-time with a card and flowers or a little gift.
45. Remember to tell her or call her as soon as you know you are going to be late.
46. Give her your undivided attention when she wants to talk.
47. Guard your tongue from saying "unwholesome words" or down-grading her.
48. Refuse to compare her unfavorably with others.
49. Encourage her to relax in some way while you clean up after dinner.
50. Be an involved partner and parent by helping her raise your children.
51. Maintain good grooming habits so you look and smell good. It shows you care.
52. Be supportive; Push her to achieve educationally and otherwise.
53. View and treat her as if God put a sign over her that said, "Make me feel special."
54. Run errands without complaining.
55. Be thoughtful kind and considerate to her family members.
56. Don't compare her family with yours.
57. Sit close to her - even when you are just watching television.
58. Be verbally supportive and honor her in front of the children.
59. Make plans together duly acknowledging that she is an equal partner.
60. Pro-actively do things that makes her feel cherished as a woman and as a wife.
61. Do not betray her trust; be careful in your dealings
62. Ask her and then listen to what makes her fearful and insecure (without judging).
63. Pray about and act upon what you can do to alleviate those fears.
64. Find out what her sexual needs are (and then try to fulfill them).
65. Surprise her with a 15 second kiss (with no expectations to go any further).
66. Keep yourself in as good of shape as is reasonable so she's proud to be with you.
67. Make it a point to write a mission statement together for your marriage and family.
68. Take the time to touch every day-even if it's only for a minute or two.
69. Be kind to her; Men are often kinder to strangers than they are to their spouses.
70. Be sensitive enough not to hurt her during sex; put her needs first before yours [Hard but doable].
71. Go out of your way to make her feel valued.
72. Grant her equal right to your finances; especially if she is a SAHM.
73. Continue to court her. You dated her before you married which helped you to fall in love, now date her to STAY in love.
74. Choose your words carefully when you are angry; Hurtful or hateful words often cut deep and the wounds don't heal easily.
75. Show affection for her in front of friends.
76. Make sure your children speak to her and treat her with respect.
77. Make it a point of duty to remember; your anniversary, her birthday, and other special occasions.
78. Provide for her financially [If she is a SAHM] and support her [Even if she has a job]
79. Hold her close and vocally express your love and care for her when she is hurt, discouraged, or burdened.
80. Trust in her abilities.
81. Share the responsibilities around the house (without looking for special recognition).
82. Don't tease her about "sore" things or shortcomings.
83. Be patient with her at all times.
84. Don't forget to hold her hand in public like you used to do when you were dating.
85. Criticize her gently and with an intention to teach; not to condemn
86. Don't focus on the physical features of another woman (because, whether you understand her reasoning or not, this can make your wife jealous and insecure]
87. Be sensitive to her needs- and do not wait for her to ask for help.
88. Endeavour to spend time with her and the children; family bonding experiences.
89. Be romantic ask her out to dinner and treat her like a date.
90. Be sympathetic when she is in pain or sorrowing
91. Take over the mothering once in a while and let her have a much needed rest.
92. Honor her by not disagreeing with her in front of the children.
93. Don't ignore the small things that bother her and let them build into bigger issues.
94. Surprise her by doing some things around the house that she's wanted done.
95. Tell her (and show her) you love her often.
96. Call, email or text her during the day when you are apart from each other so she knows you are thinking of her.
97. Surprise her by suggesting you go to a marriage seminar or weekend retreat together to draw even closer in your marital relationship.
98. Drop little love notes around the house for her to find.
99. Show her affection without sexual intentions.
100. Love her in sickness and in health, in good times and bad times.

 Good Luck in Love!

 

 

 

Winc

 

 

"Hope for Haiti"

It is excellent news that the "Hope for Haiti" Telethon yeilded over $57 Million  which will go toward aid efforts in Haiti.

As I watched parts of the Telethon on TV I was moved to tears and relieved the whole tragedy again.

I tried to explain the happenings to my 4 year old son who was also watching avidly and his rhetorical question was;"Mummy where was Jesus when the earthquake was destroying the churches" I paused for a while and said "He was there and he is still there to holding the hands of the survivors, they have a lot to be thankful for and are worshiping him in open air assemblies around the town".

I could tell this did not make sense to him but he let it go.

More Aid is expected from around the world even from Africa; Rwanda is planning a concert to raise funds for Haiti. All the churches in Nigeria have open a drive to collect funds for aid efforts in the small devastated Island.

Haiti born of a successful slave revolt by a population in which majority had been born in Africa is one of the poorest nations in the world despite it's status at the 2nd Independent Nation in the Western Hemisphere.

According to an Editorial in Lancet; "It is scandalous that it took a seismic shift in tetonic plates for Haiti to earn it's place in the international spotlight" 

It is unfortunate indeed that much needed financial aid will come to Haiti on the back on a major natural disaster.

In the midst of the rubble, chaos, tragedy and immeasurable loss, they have been some miraculous survivours

Miracles in Haiti:

1. Wismond Exantus - aged 24; Pulled out after 11 days
2. Emmanuel Buso - aged 21; Rescued after 10 days
3. Marie Carida - aged 84; Saved after 10 days
4. Mendji Bahaina Sanon - aged 11; Trapped for 8 days
5. Lozama Hotteline - aged 25; Rescued after 7 days
6. Elizabeth Joassaint - 15 days old; Buried for 7 days
7. Ena Zizi - aged 69; Rescued after 7 days.

We should pray for the dead which today are over 150,000 as recorded in the capital city alone - Port -au- Prince. Not forgetting the displaced who are leaving in make shift tents and shelters all around the capital.

Special attention should be given to the orphans which have been largely misplaced; Some have been relocated to the US by adoptive parents but a whole lot of kids/children have become orphans due to this devastating natural tragedy.

We should also applaud the various aid agencies and bodies who are working tirelessly to salvage what is left of the nation Haiti.

The medical personnel should get a special Kudos; there are literally performing miracles - working non-stop without the right equipment and under hellish conditions to save lives.

Special thanks go to the;

• Brazilian Peace Keepers/UN
• The Israeli Peace Keeper
• The US Military
• Doctors Without Borders
• Hospital for Surgery
• The Hope for Haiti Groups/Yele Foundation
• Red Cross
• Unicef
• And all other Groups/Countries who have shown care and lent support 

To help reconstruct Haiti contact any of the agencies;

• Action Against Hunger, 877-777-1420
• Agape Flights, 941-584-8078
• Airline Ambassadors International, 866-264-3586
• American Red Cross, 800-733-2767
• American Refugee Committee, 800-875-7060
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, 212-687-6200  
• American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900
• AmeriCares, 800-486-4357
• Beyond Borders, 866-424-8403
• B'nai B'rith International, 202-857-6600
• CARE, 800-521-2273
• CarmaFoundation
• Catholic Relief Services, 800-736-3467
• Childcare Worldwide, 800-553-2328
• Church World Services, 800-297-1516
• Clinton Foundation, 501-748-0471
  Text "HAITI" to 20222 to donate $10 to Haiti relief
• Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
• Concern Worldwide, 212-557-8000
• Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998
• Cross International, 800-391-8545
• CRUDEM Foundation, 413-642-0450
• CRWRC, 800-55-CRWRC
• Direct Relief International, 805-964-4767
• Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392
• Episcopal Relief and Development, 800-334-7626
• Feed My Starving Children, 763-504-2919
• Food for the Poor, 800-427-9104
• Friends of WFP, 866-929-1694
• Friends of the Orphans, 312-386-7499
• Habitat for Humanity, 1-800-422-4828
• Haiti Children, 877-424-8454
• Haiti Foundation Against Poverty
• Haiti Marycare, 203-675-4770
• Haitian Health Foundation, 860-886-4357
• Healing Hands for Haiti, 651-769-5846
• Hope for Haiti, 239-434-7183
• International Child Care, 800-722-4453
• International Medical Corps, 800-481-4462
• International Rescue Committee, 877-733-8433
• International Relief Teams, 619-284-7979
• Islamic Relief USA, 888-479-4968
• Lions Club International Foundation, 630-203-3836
• Lutheran World Relief, 800-597-5972
• Medical Benevolence Foundation, 800-547-7627
• Medical Teams International, 800-959-4325  
• Meds and Food for Kids, 314-420-1634
• Mennonite Central Committee, 888-563-4676
• Mercy Corps, 888-256-1900
• Mission of Hope Haiti, 816-246-7774
• Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 800-306-9950
• New Life for Haiti, 815-436-7633
• Operation Blessing, 800-730-2537
• Operation USA, 800-678-7255
• Oxfam, 800-776-9326
• Partners in Health, 617-432-5298
• RHEMA International, 248-652-9894
• Rural Haiti Project, 347-405-5552
• The Salvation Army, 800-725-2769
• Samaritan's Purse, 828-262-1980
• Save the Children, 800-728-3843
• ShelterBox
• UN Central Emergency Response Fund
• UNICEF, 800-367-5437
• United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583
• World Concern, 800-755-5022
• World Hope International, 888-466-4673
• World Relief, 800-535-5433
• World Vision, 888-511-6548
• Yele Haiti, 212-352-0552

Danny The Dragon "Meets Jimmy"

I feel so privileged to have been asked by the publishers of the children's book Danny The Dragon "Meets Jimmy" to write a review for the book.


Review:
I found Danny The Dragon "Meets Jimmy" very interesting. It was easy reading for my children
In it Jimmy got two magical friends in one fell swoop and he was in seventh heaven


I read the book out loud to my kids and they were entranced by Jimmy's magical shell, they asked me to repeat the whole story several times.  Thereafter they asked countless imaginative questions I almost called for help.

This book is a must read for children everywhere as it helps build their imaginations.

Tina Turbin is a very imaginative writer who really understands the world from a child’s perspective.


To get this book log on to http://dannythedragon.com/
 



Winc