Category Archives: Tips

How to Create a Birth Plan: A Checklist for Parents

A Birth Plan is nothing but a planned, organized and, well-thought written document that the parents, especially the mother, decide upon as to how her labor and delivery process will go through. It is ultimately the wish list of the parents as to how their birthing experience will be.

Creating a Birth Plan is a simple process that involves all the necessary questions answered which the parents think of about a child’s birth experience which involve thinking about where the delivery is supposed to take place, do you want the baby to be in the same room as the mother after birth in the hospital nursery, and many more.

Every mother’s labor and delivery experience is different and every mother goes through different emotions at the time of giving birth but these differences can not stop one from creating a birth plan guide for themselves as creating a birth plan is not exclusive to women who expect a normal delivery but also for women who are giving a C-Section birth.

How to create a Birth Plan Guide?

When creating a birth plan guide, the parents should keep in mind that labor and the delivery process is a natural process and should always be prepared for any unpredictable turn of events that might not be in line with the plan that they created. Creating a birth plan guide would not mean that the delivery process will be free of surprises, but it will at least make you ready for these turn-in events. Prioritizing the most important objectives of a birth plan that the parents feel would mean the most to them should be kept on top of the list.

Checklist of Birth Plan.

There are a few basic things that are necessary for the parents to checklist while creating a birth plan guide. Firstly, the place of birth is the most important to think of, as the mother needs to be in a comfortable environment and at a place of her choice where she feels comfortable giving birth. Secondly, the people present at the time of birth should be thought of as there are a lot of unwanted visitors and the parents should make sure to ask as to how many visitors are allowed at the birthing site at the time of delivery.

Moreover, many other technical aspects of childbirth need to be included in the birth plan guide like whether to give the mother pain relief medication, if the mother should get an episiotomy for delivering the baby, asking the doctor to cut the umbilical cord, or getting the umbilical cord cut by the father of the baby. You can even find affordable cord blood banks at $19.99/month.

There are a few post-birth decisions the parents have to make in advance regarding the umbilical cord donation or banking, circumcision, and birthing the baby in the same room as the mother or the nursery in the hospital. Many parents prefer privately banking the umbilical cord of their baby as it is rich in stem cells and is seen as a valuable medical asset as it treats many life-threatening illnesses. The umbilical cords can also be donated to public cord blood banks which is also an option for the parents. Circumcision of boy babies is also the choice made by the parents.

Some hospitals allow the parents to let their baby be in the same room as the mother, rather than the hospital nursery. This decision can either be made before delivery or can be made post-delivery as well. Some hospitals may give options such as keeping your newborn with the mother, getting the baby to the mother’s room after recovery, letting you keep the baby with the mother I during day time but not during night time, or baby staying in the nursery and be taken to the mother only during when the baby needs to be fed.

A good birth plan should ultimately be more than a list of preferences, but also should tell a little about the parent’s personal information so it helps the hospital staff to know you much better so it would be easier for them to take much better care of the mother.

The better the staff knows the patient the better service and care they would be able to provide. The Birth Plan should be well discussed and thought through by the parents and should be discussed with the gynecologist beforehand and raise any questions related to the plan with the doctor to minimize the complications up ahead.

How can Naturopathy Help in Healing Men’s Health Issues?

Naturopathic treatment is an alternative form of medicine that relies on non-prescription drugs by making lifestyle changes. It involves using massage, acupuncture, exercises, herbs, and other natural remedies to heal the body. Naturopathic medicine can treat all health concerns ranging from physical to psychological. This alternative form of medicinal therapy includes a holistic form of treatment. It focuses on treating the root cause of the illness rather than just the symptoms.

Compared to women, men are more vulnerable to various health issues due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, delayed treatment for diseases, and lack of proper screening. Naturopathy can help heal several health disorders such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, digestive disorders, cardiovascular diseases, prostate enlargement, athletic injuries, and mental disorders. Naturopathic doctors use nutritional supplements, herbal products, acupuncture, exercises, and other complementary therapies to cure health issues in men.

How Does Naturopathy Help?

Some of the benefits of naturopathic interventions include the following.

 Helps to reduce stress and anxiety

 Increased level of energy

 Improves cognitive functions

 Reduces weight

 Enhances the immunity level

Naturopathy can help treat several illnesses in men- sleep disorders, prostate hypertrophy, autoimmune conditions, allergies, digestive issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, depression, anxiety, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and athletic injuries. This form of treatment has so much to offer men in treating their health conditions.

Stress and anxiety

Men often experience stress and anxiety due to family and work-related problems. While a low level of stress is permissible, persistent and; prolonged anxiety and stress can have detrimental effects on health. The stress hormones cause erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men. Stress also reduces sperm production and leads to other related problems. Naturopathy focuses on reducing stress and anxiety using acupuncture, herbal medications, meditation, and exercises to calm the mind.

Sleep disorders

One of the common health disorders that men face today is the inability to sleep properly. Waking up in the middle of the night, trouble falling asleep, waking up feeling tired are some of the symptoms of sleep disorders. It can affect your overall health as lack of sleep causes fatigue, poor appetite, mood swings, poor libido, lack of concentration, and poor memory. Sleep disorder is the cause of an underlying health issue. It could be due to stress, emotional trauma, or other health concerns. Naturopathic treatment will help break the cycle of insomnia and improve your sleep quality. Herbal medications and acupuncture prove effective in improving your sleep patterns.

Apart from these health concerns, naturopathic treatment helps treat various illnesses in men. Health disorders such as prostate enlargement, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular diseases are common among men. A healthy lifestyle and early screening can help prevent most of these ailments before it becomes difficult to treat.

Better Health Tomorrow Begins by Making Better Choices Today

Everybody wants to live life to the fullest by being happy, healthy, and strong. But still, most of us choose unhealthy lifestyles which, could have dire consequences in the future. Good health is not sheer luck or coincidence. It is the outcome of healthy habits practiced for a consistently long time. To age well and obtain better health tomorrow, you need to start young and develop healthy habits today.

So, what do you need to do for healthy tomorrow? You can start early by making changes to a few simple choices in life.

A balanced diet and regular exercise

That may sound cliché, but a well-balanced diet is essential for a healthy body and mind. Have nutritious food without depriving yourself of proteins and healthy fat which, are vital for the body. In addition to food choices, eating habits are also equally important. Take your time to chew the food properly and breathe in between bites. That will help in proper digestion which, will affect your overall health. Remember to feed your body with food rich in nutritional value. Movement is necessary for the body as it helps to maintain healthy bones and muscles. There is no need to do rigorous exercises to stay healthy. Brisk walking, swimming, and playing can also keep you on the move and healthy. It is essential to get moving to stay healthy during your old age.

Manage your stress level

It is impossible to live in a world free from stress but, we can learn to manage them. Short-term anxiety is beneficial to our health as it enhances our cognitive ability. Experts believe that it can also boost our immunity levels. On the other hand, long-term stress can be detrimental to health. It can affect our physical and emotional well-being. Fortunately, there are different ways to manage stress. You can engage in physical activities to calm your body and mind. Exercises such as walking, biking, running will help to release tension and calm the mind. Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and prayer will also help manage stress. Life is all about going with the flow of the ocean; rather than standing against it.

Moderate alcohol and no smoking

The benefits of consuming alcohol are applicable only when you drink in moderation. Heavy drinking can cause several health issues such as liver cirrhosis, cancer, and damage to the heart muscles. Smoking is another reason for poor health in the long run. Although most people are aware of the consequences of smoking, they cannot fight the urge to light up. Smokers are more likely to develop serious illnesses such as heart attacks and cancer.

Apart from these simple changes that you can make in life, cultivate the habit of gratitude. Count your blessings and learn to perceive the glass as half-full. Grateful people are happier, less anxious or stressed, and even healthier.