Pregnancy is an important phase in the life of any couple. There are a number of physical changes that occur for the woman, and a number of psychological, emotional and logistical changes that occur for the couple. All this change makes it all the more crucial to monitor every aspect of the pregnancy. There are many alarming signs in pregnancy, such as the decreased movement of the fetus, low fetal heart rate, etc. But bleeding is something that you have to be extremely cautious about. Bleeding can be harmless, or it can be an indicator of a serious underlying problem. To provide the best care for the mother and fetus, any bleeding is considered to be serious till the actual cause is found. What are the things to consider if there is vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy? Vaginal bleeding is something to be taken very seriously during the first trimester, as it may point to a miscarriage. But once you enter the second trimester, the causes of vaginal bleeding vary. Here are few things to note if you are bleeding in the second trimester: Check the quantity of bleeding: if it is minor spotting and little staining on the underwear, there is usually nothing to worry about.

What is C-section or cesarean? In ancient times, normal delivery was the only known method of delivery. Over time, with revolutions in medicine and healthcare, various new techniques were introduced for different procedures. Caesarean section or C-section is one significant procedure developed in the area of childbirth. In C-section, a cut is made in the tummy and the womb of the mother, and the baby is taken out from the mother’s womb. What is the procedure? A series of steps are carried out to ensure successful delivery of the baby with the help of the cesarean operation. First, the doctor talks to the mother and ensures that she is in an active state of mind. It is essential that she does not panic during the procedure. The mother is given anesthesia in such a way that the abdominal area, and the surrounding structures, are anesthetized. It ensures that the mother is fine during the procedure. The health status is continuously monitored, which includes the heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure as well as the blood oxygen levels. Once the areas are anesthetized, the doctor makes a cesarean incision in the area of the lower abdomen and uterus. The baby is pulled out, and then the doctor removes the placenta.

Saving stem cells from the child’s umbilical cord which may be used in medical transplants is called “cord blood storage.” The cells in the cord blood include hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). Cord blood storage can be used to treat over 80 diseases, including cancers like lymphoma and bone marrow. In comparison with other sources, removing stem cells from the umbilical cord is completely safe for the mother and does not affect the growth of the child either. This cord blood collected can be stored successfully for many years. Current clinical trials and treatments administer cord blood cells in a patient’s body to repair damaged tissue while speeding up the healing process to treat major diseases. However, parents and families still have mixed feelings on removing stem cells from the umbilical cord and cord blood storage owing to myths surrounding the idea. Some firmly believe removing stem cells from the umbilical cord will mean the child will lose vital stem cells needed for growth. Also, some parents emphasize on delayed cord clamping hold onto their beliefs and notion that choosing to delay the cutting of the child’s umbilical cord will help the blood to drain back into their baby and prevent future iron deficiencies.

Becoming a mother is the most incredible feeling in this world. It’s a miraculous nine-month journey. It is necessary for pregnant women to stay healthy and exercise caution during this period. From diet to exercise, the soon-to-be mother and her family should be careful about a few things, to avoid any complications and ensure a healthy baby. Read on for a list of common mistakes that pregnant women make, which should be avoided: Saying No to Exercise A woman may or may not have been following an exercise regimen before pregnancy. Irrespective of that, it has to be kept in mind that the delivery of a child is a rigorous process. The mother must prepare herself physically to ensure a natural birth for her baby. A gynaecologist is eligible to advise her about any exercise regime that she ought to follow as part of that physical preparation. Mundane household activities cannot be a substitute for exercising. Simple regimes like yoga, walking, and swimming can be a great health booster. Exercises during pregnancy help the woman relieve stress hormones and boost blood circulation as well. Hence, as a necessary precaution, she must begin exercising from the initial days of pregnancy on her own or hit the gym.

Babymoon is a vacation that couples go for before the birth of their baby. The to-be parents enjoy the time before the coming of the baby by taking a relaxing holiday. Couples can go on a babymoon in the second trimester, but the timing ultimately depends on the priorities and choices of the couple. There are a number of reasons why you should go for a babymoon vacation. You and your partner can bond and spend the last bit of alone time you can have before the kid arrives. The most important reason to take a babymoon is that, as pregnant women, you need a refreshing vacation – as pregnancy brings with it a lot of tiredness and stress. But if you are planning a babymoon, then you need to ensure that you have taken adequate precautions against the Zika virus. The Zika virus has affected hundreds of young babies all across the country. This is spread by the Aedes mosquito – the same mosquito responsible for the spread dengue as well. The two main types of Aedes mosquitoes which spread the Zika virus are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Recommended Read: Anemia During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know Pregnant women need to take special care to avoid exposure to these mosquitoes, as well as any other mosquitoes.