Stretch mark prevention is important to prevent or reduce the development of stretch marks during pregnancy. What can you do if you’ve developed stretch marks? What are the stretch mark treatments to get rid of stretch marks?

There are several treatment options for stretch marks. The degree of success with any treatment will be impacted by your age, and your skin tone.

Stretch Mark Cream and Lotion

There are many stretch mark creams available in the market that help to minimise stretch marks by nourishing the skin. You may ask your doctor to recommend one.

Cosmetic Laser

Cosmetic lasers are a new method for removal of stretch marks. Unlike traditional treatments like stretch mark creams and gels, lasers are used to stimulate new collagen growth and fill the stretch marks. The laser energy is absorbed in the dermal layer of the skin stimulating the production of new collagen.

Using lasers to remove stretch marks repairs the skin’s natural synthesis of collagen. Collagen is a protein rich compound occurring in the body that repairs and rejuvenates skin tissue. Cosmetic laser treatment for stretch marks works to stimulate renewed growth of depleted collagen. It removes damaged skin tissue, seals broken blood vessels and repairs the fibres of the middle skin. This helps to “fill in” the stretch marks.

If you want to find out more info about cosmetic laser to remove stretch marks, you may visit Dermlaze Skin Laser Centre, located in Damansara Utama, or their website at:

http://www.dermlaze.com.my/content/stretch-mark.shtml

Tags: cosmetic laser, Stretch Mark, stretch mark cream
Posted by Nelson | No Comments »

Many pregnant women will develop stretch marks during their pregnancy. Stretch marks are also known as striae gravidarum. It looks like purple or red lines which sometimes may be vary in color depending on the color of your skin. Most lighter skinned women develop pinkish stretch marks, whereas darker skinned women tend to have stretch marks that are lighter than the surrounding skin.

During pregnancy, most women develop stretch marks on the abdomen area. Stretch marks are also common on other areas of the body such as the breasts, thighs, hips, buttocks, and underarms.

What causes stretch marks during pregnancy?

Stretch marks are often the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or weight gain during pregnancy that overcomes the dermis’s elasticity. Most women develop stretch marks during the later trimesters of pregnancy, but there are women develops them in the beginning of pregnancy when their bellies start growing.

Here are pictures of stretch marks during pregnancy:

Stretch Mark Prevention

There are many stretch mark creams available in the market which help rebuild and rejuvenate the skin. It may help moisturize your skin and reduce itching. Drinking plenty of water helps to strengthen the skin layer as it helps to retain the moisture in the skin.

The best thing you can do to minimize stretch marks aside from using stretch mark cream is gaining the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy. Doctors recommend most women gain between 25 and 34 pounds. Gaining much more than this can cause you to develop more stretch marks.

Tags: Stretch Mark
Posted by Nelson | 1 Comment »

Are you wondering if you can get a massage during pregnancy? The answer is yes… there is something call pregnancy massage. Is it safe to massage during pregnancy? Pregnancy massage is safe as long as you look for a certified pregnancy massage therapist. It means the therapist has taken special training and knows what is safe practice for mother and her baby. It is also not recommended to get the massage in the first trimester.


Is there differences between regular massage and pregnancy massage?

The mother’s body must be positioned and supported properly during the massage, using pillows and padding to ensure comfort and safety for the mother and baby.

One must be very gentle when massaging a pregnant woman. Certain areas of the body should be avoided. Avoid using deep pressure and percussive strokes.


Here are some of the benefits of pregnancy massage:

• Reduces stress and helps the mother to relax
• Relieves muscle spasms, cramps associated with the stress of extra weight bearing and physical changes that occur during pregnancy
• Increase in blood circulation, which can reduce swelling
• Provides emotional support and physical nurturing
• Helps maximize breathing capacity which is needed during labor and delivery

Please take a look on the following video which explains pregnancy massage and how it differs from regular massage, so you can see what it is like.

Pregnancy Massage Video

Tags: pregnancy massage, stress
Posted by Nelson | 3 Comments »

Traveling while you are pregnant is a good idea and a great way to get some rest and relaxation. It is generally safe to travel during pregnancy as long as there are no identified complications or concerns with your pregnancy. The ideal time to travel during pregnancy is the second trimester, as many women are plagued by morning sickness during their first trimester and very tired during their third trimester. Though, every woman is different and you may feel ready to travel at a different time.

Under IATA guidelines, pregnant women are allowed to fly in weeks 36 to 38 if the flying time does not exceed four hours. However, many airlines will not accept pregnant women after 36 weeks - make sure you check with the airline before booking. Airlines normally refuse to fly pregnant women who have previously given birth prematurely (pre-term) or have had blood clots in the veins of their legs.

Here are some pregnancy travel tips to ensure a safe and comfortable trip:

Check with your doctor
The most important thing is to check with your doctor or gynaecologist before traveling. If your doctor says it is ok for you to travel, make sure you follow their advice and suggestions for traveling during pregnancy.

If you’re traveling outside of the country, check to see if there are immunizations you need and whether or not you may receive such immunizations safely during pregnancy. If possible, avoid traveling in malarial zones as pregnant women are more liable to catch the disease.

Check your insurance
Check your insurance to ensure it’s valid for pregnancy and make sure that you’ll be covered for all eventualities, as most policies don’t automatically cover pregnancy related conditions. Also check for any restrictions that may apply when you travel to foreign countries.

Be prepared
Bring a copy of your pregnancy records along. It is also a good idea to do some research on the medical facilities in your vacation destination in case of emergency. If you plan to fly during your vacation, then you may want to check the airline’s policy before you book your flight as many airlines have restrictions for traveling while pregnant.

Take frequent breaks
Pregnant women run an increased risk of inflammation and blood clots in veins of the legs and should avoid sitting still for too long. You can get up, stretch and move around as much as possible to help prevent soreness and stiffness. A pregnant woman should have an aisle seat and move around as much as possible - at least 15 minutes every hour. This can also be supplemented with some leg exercises.

Dress appropriately
Be sure to dress appropriately and wear layers so you can cool down or warm up as you need to during the trip. Wear comfortable shoes and socks and elevate your feet whenever possible, as your feet and legs are likely to swell during pregnancy.

Take snacks
Make sure you bring health snacks to enjoy at any time you want. Snacking on long trips can help to ensure that you are well nourished. This can help ease common discomforts of pregnancy.

Keep hydrated
The air humidity in the cabins of passenger aircraft is kept at only 8 per cent, so pregnant women should drink plenty, particularly on long flights. Carry bottled water with you wherever you go and do not drink untreated water, including ice cubes in drinks.

Tags: travel during pregnancy
Posted by hoho | No Comments »

From my post 2 days ago, you now know what is HypnoBirthing®. Do you want to know more or interested to find out other childbirth hypnosis classes in Malaysia?

Let me introduce you to Dr. Selina Chew, PhD. She is a Certified Hypnotherapist and First Certified HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Educator in Malaysia. She has been featured on numerous magazines and on TV3 regarding the use of hypnosis for childbirth.

A TV interview on HypnoBirthing with Selina Chew, as featured on TV3, Malaysia.

She is going to conduct a BirthConfidence™ Workshop:

Date: 15 March 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 9.30 pm – 5.00 pm
Venue: Bukit Rahman Putra, Sg. Buloh, Selangor

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could have a comfortable, confident childbirth instead of feeling anxious, tense or fearful? With BirthConfidence™ Workshop, you can learn the techniques to achieve this!

BirthConfidence™ Workshop is a practical workshop for expectant mothers to have a better and more positive birth experience using hypnosis, visualizations and affirmations. Expectant mothers will learn techniques to manage labour pains with hypnosis.  Husbands will also learn techniques to get their wives into hypnosis and to assist their wives to remain in a deep state of relaxation throughout labour.

Attend this workshop and be CONFIDENTLY PREPARED for CHILDBIRTH!

Here are 7 phenomenal ways you’ll benefit:

1. Avoid the intense pain of childbirth.
2. Reduce / eliminate painkilling drugs.
3. Remove fears and anxieties around giving birth.
4. Eliminate fatigue and hyperventilation.
5. Less likelihood of medical intervention.
6. Less likelihood of postpartum depression.
7. More rapid postnatal recovery.

Now, you too can learn the secrets to a more calm, confident and comfortable childbirth!

Special rate for expectant moms:
- RM597 per mom (Normal fee: RM980)
- RM537 each (for 2 or more moms signing up together / Baiboo member)
- Husbands attend at RM20 only!

What you will receive:
- Certificate of Attendance
- BirthConfidence Kit with notes and support materials

For more info on this BirthConfidence™ Workshop, please visit:

http://www.life-inspirations.com/birthconfidence-classes.htm

Tags: Baiboo, HypnoBirthing
Posted by Nelson | No Comments »

What is HypnoBirthing®?

HypnoBirthing® is a complete birth education programme, that teaches simple but specific self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques for a better birth. HypnoBirthing® provides the missing link that allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing.

HypnoBirthing® teaches you how to use your mind to relax your body. When your mind and body are relaxed, you eliminate fear. Without fear, there is no tension in your muscles. Without tension, there is no pain!

You will learn proven techniques for achieving a deeply relaxed state of mind and body using guided imagery, visualization, and special breathing techniques. You will learn how to work with, not against, your body.

HypnoBirthing® is much more than just self hypnosis or hypnotherapy for childbirth.

• With HypnoBirthing®, you’ll discover that severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labour
• You’ll learn how to release the fears and anxieties you may currently have about giving birth, and how to overcome previous traumatic births
• HypnoBirthing® lets you discover and experience the joy and magic of birth - rather than the horrific ordeal everyone else seems hell-bent on telling you about

HypnoBirthing® doesn’t mean you’ll be in a trance or a sleep. Rather, you’ll be able to chat, and be and in good spirits - totally relaxed, but fully in control. You’ll always be aware of what is happening to you, and around you.

In this course, you will gain an understanding of how the birthing muscles work in perfect harmony–as they were designed to–when your body is sufficiently relaxed. You will learn how to achieve this kind of relaxation, free of the resistance that fear creates, and you will learn to use your natural birthing instincts for a calm, serene and comfortable birthing.

HypnoBirthing® Advantages:

• Eliminates the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome before, during and after birthing.
• Eliminates or greatly reduces the need for chemical painkillers.
• Shortens the first stage of labor by several hours.
• Eliminates fatigue during labor, leaving mother fresh, awake, and with energy for actual birthing.
• Eliminates risk or hyperventilation from “shallow” breathing methods.
• Promotes special bonding of mother, baby, and birthing companion.
• Fosters more rapid postnatal recovery.
• Returns birthing to the beautiful, peaceful experience as Nature intended.

If you are interested in attending the HypnoBirthing® class in Malaysia, check out the following:

HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Education Group Class - Mar 09

Date: 14, 21, 28 March, 4, 11 April 2009
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Venue: Puchong
Fee: RM560 per couple, inclusive of the HypnoBirthing® textbook, Rainbow CD & handouts

Below is the class outline:

UNIT #1: Building A Positive Expectancy
*Introduction
*HypnoBirthing®
*Rationale for comfortable birth
*How the Uterus Works
*What’s Wrong with Labor?
*How Fear Affects Labor
*Origin of Pain Concept
*Hypnosis and Deep Relaxation/Creating Positive Birth Outcomes
*HypnoBirthing® videos of labor & birth

UNIT #2: Falling in Love with Your Baby/Preparing Mind & Body
*HypnoBirthing® Stories - 3 and 4
*Prenatal Bonding Techniques
*Relaxation and Visualization for birthing
*Rapid and instant relaxation techniques
*Breathing techniques for birthing
*Progressive, Instant, and Deepening Techniques
*Hypnotic Relaxation and Visualizations

UNIT #3: Getting Ready to Welcome your Baby
*Looking at your estimated due date
*Making hospital, home or birthing center plans
*Preparing the Body for Birthing
*Light touch birthing massage
*Birth Stories Videos 5 and 6
*Preparing your birth preferences sheets
*When Baby is Ready
*Avoiding Artificial Induction of Labor
*Your Body Working for You And with You
*Releasing Negative Emotions, Fears and Limiting Thoughts

UNIT #4: Overview of Childbirth–A Labor of Love
*Birth Stories Video 7 and 8
*Onset of Labor–Thinning and Opening Phase
*Arriving at the Hospital
*As Labor Moves along|
*Birth Companion’s Role
*If Labor rests or slows
*Protecting the Natural Birthing Experience
*As Birthing advances–Nearing Completion
*Birth Rehearsal Imagery

UNIT# 5: Birthing–Breathing Love, Bringing Life
*Birthing Video
*Mother Nears Completion–thinning and opening phase ends
*Birth Explained Simply
*Breathing Baby Down
*Birth of the placenta
*Bonding with your baby
*Forest Fantasy Metaphor

For more info, please visit: http://www.hypnobirthing.com.my/

Tags: breathing techniques, HypnoBirthing
Posted by Nelson | No Comments »