Bump To Birth

We’re sure you’re familiar with the phrase ‘There’s probably an app for that!’ Not an internet meme but a fact, now smartphone apps can help track your fertility. To help predict the best time to try getting pregnant, some apps indicate when your body is best primed for conception, others analyse whether the effect your diet and other lifestyle habits are helping or harming your chances of starting a family. And yet others can assist you and your partner by combining and comparing your individual statistics to rate your chances of starting a family, as a couple. Here are M&B’s top six selections for the best help you can get from a mobile phone app

BY SIMONA TERRON

TODAY we’re using our smartphones increasingly for tasks one couldn’t have imagined would be relegated to technology at our fingertips. And yet here we are, ordering our groceries, food, selecting our entertainment, booking appointments for an indulgent spa date in the same breath as a more prosaic dental hygiene session.

While we’re catching up with world events on the news via Twitter or checking the weather to be better prepared, should it really come as a surprise that the very future of our species now depends on using our smartphones effectively? We did the work for you and have narrowed it down to half a dozen apps for tracking your fertility, picking the best time to make a baby, and of course, ensuring you do everything to succeed in expanding your loving family.

HERE ARE THE SIX BEST FERTILITY TRACKING APPS FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE: 1 FERTILITY FRIEND COST:

You can download and access the basic version of this app for nothing at all but we highly recommend that you fork over the dough for a $45-annual (approximately `3,000) premium membership. Even if you choose to go with the free version, you ought to know that this ranks highly among all the well-appreciated free apps in terms of effectiveness and use.

WHAT IT OFFERS: This will buy you VIP access to message boards where you can discuss issues with others in the same boat, and take advantage of advanced features such as the ‘intercourse timing analyser’ and even a detailed analysis of your fertility signals, especially the ones that can indicate a potential pregnancy. Perhaps this must do with the fact that it claims to have pioneered the concept of online fertility charting. And 15-plus years of experience and 650,000+ pregnancies must account for something, right?

USER-FRIENDLY: This is perhaps the least easy to use, but because the algorithm is so scientifi cally superior, this seems to be a small price to pay in the long run.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.5/5

2KINDARA COST: Free but it works alongside an oral thermometer called Wink, which retails for $129 (approximately `8,700), and syncs automatically to the app.

WHAT IT OFFERS: Kindara uses the information gleaned from monitoring your basal body temperature and cervical fl uid. These give it the lowdown on your body’s current hormone levels and predicts the best time for conception based on this data.

USER-FRIENDLY: Reviewers laud that this app automatically syncs temperature with Wink for better Basal Body Temperaturefriendly tracking. Large numbers of users found it scientific and easy to use but warn that it often takes multiple cycles to understand its patterns. And users who forget to trigger the Save button, the app won’t take auto backup and not sync between devices. But what won the popularity vote were its brief series of articles about how to follow the Fertility Awareness Method, briefly educating users about everything they needed to know, compared to all the masses of literature out there on the subject.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.1/5

3. OVUVIEW COST: Free but the pro version’s ($4.99 or approximately `340) features include sync between devices, auto cloud back-up, advanced full text search and other such rare, exceedingly useful gems.

WHAT IT OFFERS: This app’s design allows for being as singularly focused on specific markers or it can draw a wider, more intricately detailed overall picture to track your most intimate bioprocesses,  omprehend the data and use it to predict more precise patterns and outcomes. The app also allows users to back up their personal data and makes it easily available for sharing with their doctors in formats that are compatible with the clinic database software.

USER-FRIENDLY: A ridiculously simple interface means all you need to do is save your start and end dates of your period for a couple of consecutive months. This helps predict your cycle and track everything you need to predict the best time to get pregnant or avoid doing so. But the feature that has many reviewers gushing is that they appreciate being able to share the data with their partners thus facilitating better communication and combined responsibility.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.5/5

4. GLOW  COST: Free but the premium version is available in monthly, annual and lifetime subscriptions. It has a suite of four apps: Ovulation Fertility, Pregnancy Tracker, Baby for breastfeeding, and Eve Period. While some users
complain that the app is too expensive compared to others in its category, the price tag for each of these are
free, but premium membership of any one, gives you access to the entire Glow family of apps.

WHAT IT OFFERS: This app allows users to add exercise and sleep as factors to track for more informative
results. It is also designed to be used by both men and women, with a feature that links your data and that of
your partner’s to give you a more comprehensive picture of your fertility as a couple. Premium membership
also gets you access to related feature articles from top-rated sources in the whole app family.
The two advanced features are comparative insights and private messaging to other app users. But several
users have reported that this interactive tool resulted in inviting judgement and unsolicited advice from some
members of the community.

USER-FRIENDLY: The interface is sleek, uncluttered, and fast to load. It also happens to be delightfully
intuitive with predictive abilities within two months of use—that’s almost the blink of an eye in this context.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.6/5

5.CLUE COST: Free. There is no premium version. WHAT IT OFFERS: This app allows for a whole lot of customisation where you ‘teach’ it via inputting your data, and the algorithm uses it to calculate and predict your own unique cycle. For a free app, this high level of tailor-made approach is unusual and thus welcome. But one can expect no less from a German-built tool, considering they are the only medical device industry that is flush with funds for research.

USER-FRIENDLY: The most unusual feature of this app is also what sets it apart from all the apps out there, free or premium. It saves users the time required to input data on a regular basis because Clue sends notifications to your smartphone. All you need to do is click to update the information you’re being prompted for. No need to go into the app or set reminders to do so, at all. A well-designed visual calendar has a layout that gives you everything you need to know at a single glance. And their informative emails are filled with interesting facts in bitesized nuggets.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.6/5

6. DAYSY COST: $375 (or approximately `25,500) WHAT IT OFFERS: This fertility monitor is synced to an app, which uses machine learning technology to glean information from tracking your menstrual cycle. The device requires you to take your oral temperature daily, and when synced with the app, the readings and data entry will help to confirm if you are fertile or not with an accuracy of 99.3 per cent! The app also makes it easy to share your fertility data with your partner and has the distinction of being certified as a medical device with a European registration.

USER-FRIENDLY: The app itself doesn’t sync well between other devices such as smartphones and computers. Customers find this highly annoying given the steep price of the combination product (app + device).

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.9/5

CONCLUSION:
Compare these apps and feel free to scout around while trying to figure what works best for you and your comfort levels. While some of you may be willing to spend a big packet as an investment in your future bundle of joy, there may be those of you who want to take advantage of the free apps as merely a support system to more traditional methods of observing, recording and documenting your fertility-related statistics. Either way, the power is, quite literally, in your hands. Here’s hoping you find the best app in your quest for happiness. ■

 

Tweak your lunch to avoid pregnancy side effects, says nutritionist Louise Pyne

MEET THE EXPERT
Louise Pyne is a registered nutritionist with a focus on women and children’s health, louisepyne nutrition.com

YOU’RE probably already eating a pretty healthy diet to provide your baby with the nutrients he needs to grow and develop. But how about sharpening it up so that it improves your health too? Nutrients in some foods can double up as home remedies for a whole range of pregnancy ailments. Better yet, we’re not talking about expensive superfoods: all of these fix-it foods are everyday ingredients readily available in your local supermarket!

SPINACH
Headaches are common in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, and can range from mild pain to full-blown migraines. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including dehydration, stress, tight muscles, fluctuating hormones and increased blood fl ow. If you’re experiencing strong, persistent migraines, consult your GP, but otherwise eating more spinach could relieve your pounding head. Magnesium, a mineral found in spades in spinach, has been shown to improve blood fl ow to the brain, acting as a headache preventative. It’s also a relaxant: nerves often get overexcited during a headache and foods containing magnesium could help quell this reaction. Its calming effect may reduce stress levels too. Frozen spinach often contains more magnesium than fresh, which may well have been held in storage for a while, unless it’s grown locally. Generally, the darker the leaves, the more nutrients. And it’s more nutritious cooked than raw, so try steaming it lightly. The recommended daily allowance of magnesium is 300mg, and piling your plate with 100g of cooked spinach will give you over a quarter of your quota. Eat it at least three times a week to boost your levels.

APPLES
Another common pregnancy side effect is constipation, which is caused by high progesterone levels. Eating more fibrous foods can help. According to the latest government guidelines, we should be eating around 30g of fibre every day, but most of us only manage just over half that. An apple a day will certainly help. Apples contain a clever combination of fibre: insoluble fibre in the skin has a natural laxative effect, while soluble fibre in the flesh aids digestion. Just one apple contains four gm of fibre, and is also 86 per cent water, which also aids food digestion.

AVOCADO
Many pregnant women suffer foot and leg cramps during the third trimester when the effects of carrying extra weight are in full force, impeding circulation and causing muscle contractions which create the painful spasms. Often worse at night, cramps may be a sign of dehydration or a deficiency in nutrients such as potassium. Eating potassiumrich foods like avocado could provide relief by improving blood fl ow around your body and regulating the muscle contractions. We need 3,500mg of potassium a day and just half an avocado will provide more than a seventh of this. Factor in further potassium-rich options like a medium-sized banana and a cup of coconut water in our recipe, left, and you will reach just under a third of the daily guidelines. Incorporate these into your diet at least three times a week and up to five times if cramps are severe.

LEMON JUICE
Affecting eight out of 10 women, heartburn and indigestion are very common during pregnancy. The burning, bloated feeling is a result of elevated progesterone produced in the early stages of pregnancy. Progesterone relaxes muscles, meaning stomach acid can leak through the valve of your stomach and into your oesophagus.

You may find that the symptoms are worse during the first trimester when progesterone levels are at their highest, although many women experience acid reflux from around week 27 onwards as their growing bump takes up more and more abdominal space. But there’s an easy fix! Lemon works as a natural antacid to readily treat symptoms. Although generally thought of as acidic, it has alkaline effects when eaten, and naturally helps to balance out acid levels, minimising indigestion. It’s best consumed on an empty stomach first thing in the morning to increase the production of digestive juices to neutralize the acid. Try it half an hour before meals too if symptoms are severe. Fresh lemon juice is best.

YOGHURT
Pregnancy makes you more susceptible to infections such as thrush, which is caused by an increase in vaginal discharge. You should always consult your GP if you get an infection, but it’s also worth taking preventative measures from the get-go. Eating natural yoghurt rich in probiotics is one of the most effective dietary cures to help combat thrush. Probiotics are good bacteria which live in your vagina as well as your digestive system, so eating foods rich in this protective bacteria will internally restore the correct balance of organisms. So if you’re susceptible to thrush, ensure that yoghurt forms part of your daily diet. Read the label and choose probiotic yoghurt which contains the species lactobacillus acidophilus, as this is the main type of microfl ora in the vagina.

Welcome back to the Prenatal Class series. You’re in awe of your baby’s development and your changing body. And while you may watch your baby grow at every check-up, what you don’t see is brain development. This class, we won’t only focus on the physical development and the changes of your baby, but also discuss how your baby’s brain is developing, too. Sounds interesting, right? Let’s dive right in

THE first thing that your doctor will help you with is calculating your due date. Pregnancy is not just nine months but nine months and one week. So if your last menstrual period date was January 1, 2017 then your expected due date would be October 8, 2017. Most women will want to share the pregnancy news by about the 12th week and this is also when you are most likely to start showing a small bump. However, there are some women who don’t show till they’re well into their second trimester. Don’t be alarmed, this is all quite normal.

And while you may notice the physical changes to your body, you’re not quite sure what’s happening inside your womb. Here’s what you can expect:

 MONTH ONE: Fertilisation occurs in the Fallopian tubes and the fertilised egg rapidly divides to form the placenta and the fetus. Even though  the baby’s features and form will not be identifi able, the basic structure of the face with eyes and mouth has taken form. The fetal heart will start beating by the end of the fourth week.

 

 

MONTH TWO: You baby’s brain starts to develop and facial features become more prominent. Tiny buds which will eventually form the arms and legs are formed. By about six weeks, you will also be able to hear the fetal heart beat at your doctors clinic. At this time your baby is just about 1 inch long.

 

 

MONTH THREE: Your little one’s arms, hands, fingers, feet and toes are now fully developed. By the end of this month your baby is fully formed and is about 4 inches long. The end of this month marks the end of the critical period of development, and hence your chances of miscarriage also are now greatly reduced.

 

 

MONTH FOUR: Finer parts of development take place. For example, the formation of nails, eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows etc. will soon start to take shape. The reproductive organs are fully developed and your baby is now about six inches long.

 

 

 

MONTH FIVE: During this month, hair begins to grow on your baby’s head as well as the rest of his body. The body is also covered with a whitish coating called Vernix Caseosa, a greasy deposit which will protect the baby’s skin while in the womb. The baby is also gaining strength and you may begin to feel your baby move as he is developing and exercising his muscles. Your baby is now about 10 inches long.

 

MONTH SIX: Your baby will now be able to open and shut his eyelids, and his skin will appear very wrinkled. He will also respond to sounds. You may also feel rhythmic movements as your baby hiccups. Your baby is now about 12 inches long.

 

 

Smart answers to your pregnancy problems

HAVE BREAKFAST IN BED
Eating a few bites of food before you get up will settle your stomach. There’s nothing better than a banana: it’s easy to digest and delivers essential nutrients, including vitamin B6, which is thought to help counter nausea. Give yourself 10 minutes to digest it, then sit up slowly and ease yourself into a standing position to avoid stomach acid
sloshing round.

FOLLOW YOUR CRAVINGS
If you fancy eating something, and it’s safe in pregnancy, try it, even if it’s not what you’d normally choose. While fatty and greasy foods are generally best avoided, be guided by what your body is telling you. Bread, biscuits, crackers and dry toast are gentler on the stomach. And small, frequent doses of carbs, such as popcorn or pretzels, will help stabilise your blood sugar.

HYDRATE THE CLEVER WAY
Nausea makes it hard to drink enough, but getting dehydrated makes symptoms worse. Sucking an ice cube or crunching crushed ice delivers a slow dripdrip of liquid. And try taking tiny sips of liquid through a straw to avoid triggering nausea. Water is your best bet, but try  different tastes to tempt you too: flat cola and herbal teas are mum-to-be faves.

EAT GINGER
Easing sickness with ginger is a centuries-old remedy, and recent research is adding scientific weight to its effectiveness: it calms the stomach and may also act on the brain to control nausea. Keep a packet of ginger candy. it’s an effective way to deal with the uneasiness.

USE YOUR PRESSURE POINTS
Use the ancient Chinese principle of acupressure to block out nausea by pressing lightly on a specific point on the wrist. Put a band on each wrist, ideally before your nausea kicks in, to benefit from all-day acupressure or even just a powerful placebo effect.

You’ve just given birth to your bundle of joy. And while sex is possibly the last thing on your mind, there will come a time that you crave that intimacy. We give you a low down on everything you need to know to make your decision and hopefully life a little easier

BY STEPHLINA DCUNHA

SURE you are exhausted! Your body is slowly coming to terms with the trauma it has been through, your breasts are leaky, you are hardly getting any sleep and postpartum blues may be making you feel dejected and detached from your baby, not to mention a little cranky as well. In short, you are a mess! And, in such circumstances, the thought of getting intimate with your partner might make you break into a cold sweat or even annoyed. However, this won’t be the case forever and you would want to get physical with your partner soon.

Make note, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, experts suggest that couples should start having sex as early as four weeks after childbirth. This is believed to help the partners connect not only on an emotional level, but also, on a mental level and help understand each other’s responsibilities as parents.

Besides, with all the happy hormones that fl oat around in your body post the act, sex has been rightly touted as a stress buster. Believe us, you need it! However, you don’t want to get pregnant again this quickly, which is exactly why you need to think about birth control options. Post pregnancy contraception is a decision which needs to be thought long before even your baby is born, suggest experts.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH
When you’re trying your best to fill in the shoes of parenthood and fulfi ll your motherly chores, getting pregnant again is probably the last thing on your mind right now. The earliest days of parenthood may not make you feel the sexiest, since your body is recovering from childbirth. However, you and your partner might just want to get reacquainted after about six weeks. In this case, birth control may seem like a non-negotiable option. There are several misconceptions which often misguide women on when they can start getting pregnant again after having a baby. “As a general rule, most women don’t start ovulating immediately after having a baby. The return of menstrual cycle and fertility, after you have given  birth to your first child, may vary from person to person,” says Dr Shilpa Ghosh, senior consultant and head of birthing, obstetrics and gynecology, Venkateshwar Hospital, Dwarka.

After giving birth, your uterus returns to its normal cycle, meaning that you can get pregnant again within a month. Most women think that they cannot get pregnant again until after they’ve had their first post-pregnancy  eriod. But, that’s not true. You can get pregnant before having your first period after child birth. “Women often start ovulating in less than 25 days after having a baby, which implies that there is a solid chance of them conceiving again within a month after childbirth. It is often common for women to miss the symptoms of ovulation, especially if you are not expecting them. So, it is advised to stay extra cautious during this particular time,” explains Dr Ghosh.

And since your ability to bear another child can return as quickly as a month, it is advisable to think about postpartum birth control in the weeks before delivery. When considering birth control options, many women also realise that their earlier choice may not be the most suitable one for their new lifestyle. In such an instance, being informed of all the available options is a good idea. Your newly-acquired routine may not be the most suited for your previous mode of contraception; for example, taking your daily pill might easily slip your mind when you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks. Similarly, a contraceptive pill might not be the best option in case you are breastfeeding your baby or condoms which used to feel fine before might now be uncomfortable. “There are several methods of contraception available. However, choosing the one that works best for you depends on the mother’s health and largely on circumstances.” confirms Dr Ghosh.

In this pregnancy class, Sonali Shivlani takes you through everything you need to know about staying healthy and well-nourished. Take notes because you’re about to learn the importance of nutrition for you and your growing belly

ONE of the first things we discuss with moms, when they come to a prenatal class, is their diet. When I ask expectant mum why they think their diet is crucial, they all unequivocally tell me, “I eat healthy because my baby is growing and needs all the nourishment he can get.” That is absolutely right. But there is much more to it. Your baby is growing physically and mentally. From one tiny bean-like organism, your baby will grow into a living, breathing human being, about 20 inches long when it’s time for him to be born. His brain will have developed trillions of neurons which will make multiple connections. If that’s not all, he’ll grow to be a healthy birthweight, have well-functioning organs, and will even have tastebuds. All this in just a few short months. Your healthy diet means tremendous benefits for your little one.

But if you think your baby will be the only benefi ciary of a healthy diet, think again. Eating right means you’ll have a healthy pregnancy, optimum pregnancy weight gain, a timely and easy birth, faster weight loss post delivery and overall optimum management of pregnancy hormones. But the question remain, what is a healthy diet? It’s simple. All it takes is just a little bit of understanding and planning. That simply means, eating a balnaced diet that includes all food groups. Let me elaborate:

● CARBOHYDRATES: Choose whole grains and avoid unrefined grains. Whole grains have more fibre, protein and vitamins and are the healthier choice. Six to 11 servings per day is what is recommended. Some of the options are whole wheat, brown rice, nachni, jowar, bajra, rajgira, oats, etc. which can be had as rotis, chillas, idlis, or porridge.

● FRUIT AND VEGETABLES: Choose a variety of colours. Remember the more colours you eat, the wider the range of nutrients you will get. Consume a minimum of five servings from this group. Just remember, do not fry your vegetables and do not  strain your fruit.

● PROTEINS: These are the building blocks of cells. And as your baby will go from a single-cell organism to a mult-celled organism, there’s no doubt that proteins play the starring role when it comes to pregnancy nutrition. Vegetarians might find it slightly harder to get the recommended daily intake of protein, due to their limited options. However, consuming small quantities of protein rich-foods like lean meats, eggs, soy, sprouts, pulses, legumes etc. four to five times a day is a healthy choice.

● DAIRY: The baby develops bones, teeth, muscles and the nervous system in the womb and calcium is the key nutrient for this development. Moms need to have three servings of milk or milk products daily, which means it’s important to consume milk, yoghurt, paneer, lassi and in small quantities, even cheese.