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Pregnancy is the most rewarding period for a women as there are a number of problems related to it, one such problem is constipation. This is a common problem that every woman faces, but instead of taking medications,some of the natural treatments can help to relieve constipation. There are some natural laxatives that can be a perfect solution.

Natural Laxatives for Constipation in Pregnancy
Laxatives are those that help to loosen the stool for the easy passage of the stools. Natural laxatives are herbal and does not lead to any side effects, but still consult your doctor before taking these natural laxatives. Here are some of the natural laxatives. They include:

• Water: Water is the best remedy for moving hard stools. Water hydrates your system and puts pressure on the organs for the for the stools to be pushed out. If a pregnant women drinks 8 – 10 glasses of warm water daily, then this helps in flushing the toxins and keeps your system clean.
• High Fiber Diet: A diet rich in fibers is a good option as fiber diet absorbs more water and makes it softer, bulkier and easier to pass. Foods that are rich in fiber include artichoke, apricot, soy flour, soya beans, apricot, chick peas, barley, dried figs and apples.
• Exercise: Pregnancy exercises like cardiovascular exercises and yoga(depending on the advancement of pregnancy) can helps in the circulation of the blood throughout the body. This helps to flush out the toxins and keeps the digestive tract clean.
• Prunes: Prunes can be taken in cooked or raw form and is considered as the best solution for constipation.This takes in water and makes the stools softer that helps in the easy passage of stools.
• Oils: There are some oils like mineral and Castor oil that can be used for constipation. These oils stimulate the colon walls, that leads to bowel movements. Consult your doctor before taking these oils.

These natural laxatives helps in the cure of constipation, but try to prevent constipation. Do not use too much of these laxatives as they can effect your pregnancy depending on the condition of a pregnant women.

Pregnancy

San Francisco University High School students (from left to right) Logan Tribull, Stephan Rojas & James Liu posing with hygiene kits from the "Healthier Tomorrows" program

A superstar trio of high school seniors – James Liu, Stephan Rojas, and Logan Tribull – from San Francisco’s University High School have successfully launched a program that distributes personal hygiene kits every two weeks to families in need at HPP. Titled “Healthier Tomorrows”, the project was first inspired by the students’ participation in a class focused on medical care for the underserved.

“Our interest in public health issues, especially for vulnerable communities, was sparked in the class, and we decided to focus on health problems in our own backyard,” James said. “We asked staff at a variety of community-based nonprofits about what their greatest needs for goods and services were, and toiletry items kept coming up. We then decided that hygiene kits and informing others about healthy living were feasible goals for high school students, and we thought this could definitely have an impact on the community.”

Captivated by HPP’s warm and bustling atmosphere after a class field trip and tour, the students chose the organization to launch their pilot project. With seed funding from a grant surplus at University High School, the students secured hundreds of toiletry items by reaching out to local hospitals and pharmacies for donations and wholesale items. The savvy entrepreneurs also organized an end-of-year pizza fundraiser at their school, raising over 0.

“We are intent on making sure that the hygiene kits are replenished every two weeks so many families will be able to benefit from them,” Logan said.

“It’s great to see the project off the ground,” Stephan added. “We’re definitely focused on keeping this project going even after we leave high school.”

HPP is amazed, appreciative, and so grateful for all of your efforts, hard work, and creativity! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Homeless Prenatal Program

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Kate Ryan, mother of HPP Founder & Executive Director Martha Ryan, with her granddaughter

In a very touching presentation on Aug. 3, HPP’s staff celebrated Founder & Executive Director Martha Ryan in commemoration of the organization’s 20^th anniversary by establishing the Kate Ryan Fund, named in honor of one of HPP’s longest and strongest advocates– Martha’s mother. Supporters will have the opportunity to celebrate Martha and HPP’s work with a gift to the fund.

It will act as a discretionary fund to support those most in need during emergency situations, such as a homeless family with children who cannot get into a shelter due to overcrowded conditions, a pregnant woman fleeing a battered home, or children who need shoes because their families cannot afford them.

“The staff’s extremely thoughtful and kind act directly reflects who they are to me,” Martha said. “I am so touched that the staff have chosen to name this fund in honor of my mother. From the beginning of this program, she has been one of HPP’s strongest supporters. She not only raised a family of 13, but all her life she has helped the disadvantaged by volunteering. She has also taken special care to support friends and always thinks of others before herself.”

To celebrate Martha and HPP’s work and contribute to the Kate Ryan Fund, you may donate online or send a check made out to the Homeless Prenatal Program and designating the Kate Ryan Fund.

HPP is delighted that future generations of mothers and children will experience the wisdom and love of a very special mother and daughter. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and commitment to helping HPP make a difference in the lives of so many in our community.

Homeless Prenatal Program

During pregnancy, many people might have advised you to avoid the consumption of any kind of alcohol. Studies have shown that women who drink red wine or alcohol are putting their unborn child to suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome ( FAS ).Those baby’s suffering from this syndrome have problems related to central nervous system, facial deformities and poor growth, which can occur before and after the birth of the baby.
The problems include permanent damage, that can never be cured with treatment. This is why pregnant women are told not to consume red wine or any other alcoholic beverages. FAS occurs in those women who consume large amounts of alcohol, but if a woman takes in a moderately, then they do not cause any harm to the babies.

Drinking Red Wine During Pregnancy
There is no proper research study to claim that consuming red wine or alcohol during pregnancy can cause damage to the unborn baby. Drinking in large amounts can however have its harmful effects. Drinking red wine in a very mild manner like having 2-3 glasses in a week is found that it does not cause any harm to the baby. There are many women who drank red wine very lightly during their pregnancy and who have given birth to healthy and normal babies.
Many women have a question whether red wine is good for health, but this is found to be very controversial because it varies from place to place. In America, pregnant women are told not to have red wine, but in France, women are advised to drink red wine.

What are the Health Benefits of Red Wine

• Studies have shown that children born to those mothers who consume red wine during pregnancy, have less cognitive defects or any behavioral problems, when compared to those women who abstained from alcohol completely.
• Drinking red wine has also found to be of great help in the development of a child.
• Girls born to mothers who consume red wine are more emotionally stable when compared to those born to mothers who have not consumed red wine.
• Children born to these mothers are able to identify letters, colors, shapes, numbers etc.
• It is also seen that when a woman experiences preterm contractions, when they drink red wine, it helps in reducing the contractions.
• Children who are born prematurely have greater chances of survival if born to mothers who drink this red wine.

If red wine is taken moderately, then it has certain benefits, but that does not mean that you start drinking even when you are not used to drinking. If you were drinking before conceiving, then you may not be able to stop suddenly. Stop it slowly and if you have any doubt regarding the consumption of red wine, you can ask your gynecologist. However, never drink more than 2 glasses every day as it can cause mental damage to the unborn baby. Try to limit the take after consulting you doctor.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy hives are a kind of skin rashes that are characterized by itchy, raised and red welts that develop on the skin. They usually appear in clusters and groups, as they appear on the abdominal area and then slowly spread to the buttocks, neck, chest, back of the legs and arms. They are usually harmless, but severe itching with the rash is very discomforting. This is usually caused due to allergies.

Treating Hives during pregnancy
Pregnancy hives do not pose any danger to the mother or the baby, but if they occur on the genital area, then it is advised to consult a gynecologist. There are some ways to cure pregnancy hives and reduce the irritation caused by itching. The treatment include:

• Anti-histamine Medicines: Anti-histamines are of great help where histamine is the cause of rash. These medicines limits the histamine levels in the body and lessens the rash.
• Anti-itching Creams: A doctor may prescribe medicated ointments that soothes the hives rash. These ointments reduce the irritation and gives the skin a cool feeling.
• Moisturizing Creams or Calamine: Dry skin can lead to itching in many cases. Moisturizing creams or lotions hydrate the skin and prevents the dryness. Calamine lotion are known for their cooling qualities.
• Cold Compress: The best way to treat pregnancy hives is to apply cold compress as this procedure is considered to be the safest hives treatments. Take a bowl of water and one napkin, dip the napkin in the bowl of water and squeeze out the water and place the napkin over the affected area. This cools and soothes the rashes, reducing the itching sensation.

Home Remedies for Hives during Pregnancy
Some of the simple home remedies include:

• Aloe Vera can be applied over the affected area to cure the problem of hives.
• Consuming nettle tea is an efficient and an easy remedy for hives.
• Oatmeal paste made from 2 cups of oatmeal along with 3 teaspoons of cornstarch and little amount of water is taken. This paste is applied over the rashes and left for 1 to 1 ½ hour. This helps in curing the rash within 3 – 4 hours of application.
• Boil a few leaves of mint with brown sugar in a cup of water. Cool and drink this decoction as this relieves itching.
• Application of rose water over the affected area is another useful remedy.
• You can even take bath in cold water as this can provide relief from the hives rashes.
• Avoid scratching and rubbing the affected area as this can spread the rash.
• Follow a balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruits.
• Regular exercise regimen as suggested by your doctor.

Pregnancy

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The best time in a woman’s life is when she is pregnant and the maternity clothes can make you look great. With so many famous celebrities showing off their curves, the maternity clothes that are available now-a-days are fashionable and funky, these are available at any place. Maternity clothes shopping can be fun as there are huge collections of clothes for pregnant women at every mall. Here are certain tips that can make you look great in your maternity clothes.

How to put your Wardrobe Together with the best Maternity Clothes
Follow these simple tips given here that include:

• Try creating a different wardrobe from season to season and while selecting clothes for the season of pregnancy see that they should be no different.
• Do not worry if you look a bit bigger than the normal.
• Never try to buy few outfits and then using them for the next nine months as this can make you feel unattractive and dowdy.
• When it is summer shop for your summer wardrobe, when it is winter,shop for your winter wardrobe that includes variety of maternity wardrobe.
• Try to buy maternity clothes for all occasions, but it is not needed to buy all of them at a time.
• Always remember that your body shape keeps changing and it continuous to grow in the coming months, so while buying select items with care.

How to Choose Outfits that make you Look Great
During the early days of pregnancy, you might have got away well by dressing yourself in regular clothes, but you cannot wear the same outfits for the nine months, because you may not want to squeeze yourself into clothes that are small. So, here are some useful tips to be followed to make you look like a celebrity mama.

• Maternity clothes are designed with extra space around the belly and the bust area, so buy an outfit that is of your size as you know you are getting bigger. It is not needed to look for extra large sizes as these maternity outfits are created with the maternal curves in mind.
• Try calling a friend who has had experience buying these outfits, but do not buy if you have not liked the outfit as it is worn by you.
• In case of a less formal social occasion, wear a pair of maternity jeans with a pretty shirt along with a funky jewelry, as this gives a great look.
• Buy fine and long sweaters and tops that gives a flow from the collar down the hips. These can be worn with a long skirt that gives a feminine look or evening pants.
• Soft looks that are feminine is found to be very fashionable which gives a versatile look, so shop well as some of the clothes can be worn post pregnancy.
• Wear clothes that show off your womanly curves and choose clothes that can draw the attention of others.

How to wear Maternity Clothes with Confidence

• Pregnancy is such a proud thing in your life, so show off those extra curves.
• Always stick to those clothes that make you comfortable and those outfits that creates no problem in making you step out with confidence.
• Wear clothes that enhances all of your body and makes you feel good.
• Maternity clothes can make you feel great whether it is a formal or casual wear, as they can be stylish and so you too look stylish.

Pregnancy

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