Fathers and Their Mental Health

 It is undeniable that the experience of parenthood is cherished, and one looks forward to having memories that last for a lifetime. But, there is also no denying the mental stress that parents go through. Today, we talk about Fathers and how they can keep up with their mental health because the transition from father to becoming a Dad is a journey. If a dad isn't in a healthy mental space, it can affect the whole family. 

 

1. Speak Up. 

If you feel like you are going through a lot and feel like the mental load on you is heavy, talk to someone you trust. It can be your friends, family or even a mental health professional, getting it out in the open is more important than anything. Your feelings are valid; there is no guilt in accepting that you have stress with the onset of parenthood. 

 

2. Indulge in a Hobby 

Your baby mamma and you need some time away from the baby. You can start a new hobby, or even revisit an old one, anything that is going to uplift your mood. A little time to yourself, will do you good and even help you process your feelings on a subconscious level. Doing this will also set the correct example for your child as it’ll help them recognize the importance of me time, growing up. 

 

3. Meditation, Yoga or Exercising 

Any form of physical activity stimulates the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin; brain chemicals that play an important part in regulating your mood. It’s an instant mood lifter and again, a chance to be one with yourself and your thoughts. Also, a father needs to be healthy- physically and mentally, to tend to their kids' needs, so better get out and into a workout routine! 

 

4. Learning and Educating Yourself 

To-be-dads and new dads are susceptible to the fear of missing out. It can create a communication vacuum between your partner and you that can further hamper your mental well-being. If your baby mamma is learning something new, join her; if there’s a decision that needs to be made, be a part of it. Little things, little joys are the most important part of life, and being a part of them will culminate into having long-lasting memories. Learning and educating yourself can also help you and your partner gain a sense of validation. 

Studies suggest that 25% of new fathers’ go through depression that usually goes untreated and undiagnosed. Having said that, new mothers look up to their partners for support, if that isn’t there, it can further spiral a mother’s mental health. 

Men’s mental health and fathers’ mental health is a taboo in our society. It’s considered invalid and often ignored. While, yes, the most physical and mental bearing a mother goes through is paramount, we cannot disregard what fathers might feel or do feel. 

TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MOTHERHOOD AND FATHERHOOD AFTER PREGNANCY -

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Healthy Ways To Deal With Pregnancy Cravings

 It seems like yesterday, you took the best pregnancy test kit test and got the biggest khush khabri of your life! However, the joy of bringing another life in this world is not just exciting and pleasurable, but it also comes with its share of responsibilities. The moment you share your pregnancy news with your family, everyone starts advising you on what to do and what not to do. Though your closed ones may suggest them out of concern, it can sometimes be irritating. Especially, when your hormones are changing daily.

PC: Pikist

One such thing which often creates undue stress for any mum-to-be is - what should one eat during pregnancy. Everything that you eat during pregnancy is responsible for your health, as well as your baby’s too. Maintaining a healthy diet as you nurture a new life within you can sometimes be a challenging task thanks to those food cravings. Therefore, let us help you with some lip-smacking recipes to help you satisfy your crazy food cravings. Below are a few flavourful recipes which are not only delicious, but also packed with nutrients.

Sprouts cutlet:

Take two boiled potatoes in a bowl, mash them and add some sprouts in it and mix them. Add some freshly chopped coriander leaves, salt, chilli powder, and besan and mix them well. Apply some oil in your palms and make small cutlets of the mixture.

Coat the cutlets with bread crumbs or Rawa and shallow fry them until they are golden brown. Serve them with tomato sauce or green chutney.

Sprouts have a lot of nutritional value. The protein content in them is high. Sprouts are good antioxidants; they detoxify the body and aid digestion.

Chocolate covered peanuts:

Take some peanuts and cover them in dark chocolate and TADA you have a protein-packed snack you can eat on the go.

Peanuts contain protein and folate that is recommended during pregnancy to prevent birth defects in children. Dark chocolate is a great antioxidant. Now isn’t this a win-win?

Note: You can replace peanuts with almonds if you are allergic to them.

Moong dal dosas:

Soak moong dal in warm water for 30 mins. Drain off the water. Add dal, cumin, ginger, green chillies in a jar and blend it into a smooth batter. Smear oil over a tawa,

sprinkle some water, rub a piece of onion all over. Pour some batter over tawa and spread it using the back of the ladle. Sprinkle little ghee over the dosa and let it roast. Flip the dosa and let it cook. Serve it with tomato onion chutney.

Having moong dal dosas is ideal for breakfast. It contains proteins and carbohydrates that will give you the energy and nutrition you need to get through the day.

We are sure by now you must be craving these mouth-watering delicacies. Now you can easily ensure that your diet is healthy and balanced during pregnancy without compromising on your taste buds.

PS: Please consult your gynecologist before following any of the recipes to ensure it is in sync with your medical health.

Bottom of FormSigns that you are pregnant

Most of the women think that the first symptom is missing your periods but even before it you can suspect or identify that you are expecting by some early symptoms. The symptoms usually begin in the first week after conceiving. These symptoms usually differ by the duration and also depends on person to person. 

After observing the early signs you can confirm it by taking home ovulation tests or by consulting doctor. So here are some symptoms checklist that denotes the early signs of pregnancy but remember these symptoms are just a guideline it can also occur due to pre-menstrual discomfort.

Missing your menstrual cycle.

It is the first and foremost early symptom of pregnancy after which every woman goes for the home ovulation test instead there is much online fertile window calculator as well. It is a human tendency you will never notice these symptoms unless you will miss your periods sometimes it also happens you will experience much lighter bleeding than usual.

Sore breasts

It is one of the first symptoms of expecting. Your breasts will symbolize some hormonal changes that will lead to breasts tingly, sore, swollen, tender or you may feel they are heavier or fuller. After two weeks of conceiving these hormonal changes may occur.

Tiredness 

Level of the hormone progesterone gets soar because of which you may face lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure it is one of the highest ranks among early symptoms of expecting. During this process, due to high enough doses of medication, progesterone can make you sleepy all the time and tired.

Unusually emotional

The continuous changes of hormones in your body in the early stages of pregnancy can make your mood swings and weepy. These unusual emotions or we can say mood swings are common, especially in the starting phase of your pregnancy

Abnormality

Abnormality in the process of the intestine leads to pass the food slowly through the intestine it occurs because of the increase in progesterone. This can also be named as constipation.

Mild headaches

Pregnancy may lead to an increase in the circulation of blood that can cause by hormonal changes and it can lead to a frequent headache.

cravings

The funniest and interesting part of pregnancy is you start craving for certain food such as French fries or fried food, coffee, pickle it is the most dramatic symptom that occurs due to hormonal changes especially in the initial stage of your pregnancy. you usually start turning up your nose on spicy food.

Giddiness

In the starting phase of pregnancy. Faintness, Tiredness occurs due to the dilate blood vessels dropping of blood pressure and lower blood sugar level.

Intuition’s often proven correct

Still, if you miss your menstrual cycle or notice any of the symptoms mentioned on this list, you might want to take a home ovulation test - especially if you don’t keep the track of your menstrual cycle or if it varies normally too because of your hormonal changes. If your  Pregnancy check kit gives a positive result, make an appointment to your doctor or health care provider so that you can get care earlier. 

Pregnancy made simple!

We made a list of the most common and important questions regarding pregnancy and answered them for you. We hope this is beneficial for you if you are soon going to enter motherhood. Read and understand. Here is pregnancy made simple.

How does pregnancy happen?

In order for pregnancy to happen, sperm needs to meet up with an egg. Pregnancy officially starts when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. It takes up to 2-3 weeks after sexual intercourse for pregnancy to happen. If the egg gets fertilized by the sperm a fetus is formed in the womb and if the egg remains unfertilized, the egg is thrown out of the body with blood and mucus in a process we call the period.

How does a woman get pregnant?

Pregnancy is actually a pretty complicated process that has several steps. It all starts with sperm cells and an egg. Sperm are microscopic cells that are made in testicles. Sperm mixes with other fluids to make semen, which comes out of the penis during ejaculation. Millions and millions of sperm come out every time you ejaculate — but it only takes 1 sperm cell to meet with an egg for pregnancy to happen.

Eggs live in ovaries, and the hormones that control your menstrual cycle cause a few eggs to mature every month. When your egg is mature, it means it’s ready to be fertilized by a sperm cell. These hormones also make the lining of your uterus thick and spongy, which gets your body ready for pregnancy.

About halfway through your menstrual cycle, one mature egg leaves the ovary. This process is also known as ovulation, the egg travels through the Fallopian tube towards your uterus. The egg is available for fertilization for only about 12-24 hours, slowly moving through the Fallopian tube, to see if any sperm are around.

If semen gets in the uterus, the sperm cells can swim up through the cervix and uterus and into the Fallopian tubes, looking for an egg. They have up to 6 days to find an egg before they die. When a sperm cell goes into an egg, it’s called fertilization. Fertilization doesn’t happen right away. Since sperm can last in your uterus and Fallopian tube for up to 6 days after sex, there’s up to 6 days between sex and fertilization.

If a sperm cell does join up with your egg, the fertilized egg moves down the Fallopian tube toward the uterus. It begins to divide into more and more cells, forming a ball as it grows. The ball of cells (called a blastocyst) gets to the uterus about 3–4 days after fertilization. The ball of cells floats in the uterus for another 2–3 days. If the ball of cells attaches to the lining of your uterus, its called implantation and this is how pregnancy officially begins.

Implantation usually starts about 6 days after fertilization, and takes about 3-4 days to complete. The embryo develops from cells on the inside of the ball. The placenta develops from the cells on the outside of the ball.

When a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, it releases pregnancy hormones that prevent the lining of your uterus from shedding, that’s why people don’t get periods when they’re pregnant. If your egg doesn’t meet up with sperm, or a fertilized egg doesn’t implant in your uterus, the thick lining of your uterus isn’t needed and it leaves your body during your period. Up to half of all fertilized eggs naturally don’t implant in the uterus and they pass out of your body during your period.

What are early pregnancy symptoms?

Many people notice symptoms early in their pregnancy, but others may not have any symptoms at all.

Common signs and symptoms of pregnancy can include:

• §  Missed period
• §  Swollen or tender breasts
• §  Nausea and/or vomiting
• §  Feeling tired
• §  Bloating
• §  Constipation
• §  Peeing more often than usual

Some early pregnancy symptoms can sometimes feel like other common conditions (like PMS). So the only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. You can either take a home pregnancy test like Pregakem online the most accurate home pregnancy test in the market or you can pay a visit to your gynecologist.

How long does it take to get pregnant?

The amount of time it takes to get pregnant is different for each person, and can depend on a lot of things like your age, genetics, and overall health. If you’re fertile and having unprotected vaginal sex, there’s a very good chance you’ll get pregnant within 1 year. About 85 out of 100 people who try to get pregnant succeed within 1 year. But everyone’s different and for some people it’s much faster, while it may take longer for others.

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for 6 months to a year with no luck, talk with your doctor, or visit your gynecologist to see if they can help and make sure everything’s okay.

How do I increase my chances of getting pregnant?

One of the best ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant is knowing what days you ovulate you’re most likely to get pregnant, and planning to have sexual intercourse around those days.

Everyone’s body is different, but ovulation usually happens about 14 days before your period starts. An egg lives for about 1 day after it’s released during the ovulation period, and sperm can live in the body for about 6 days after sex. So people are usually fertile for around 7 days of every menstrual cycle: the 5 days before you ovulate, and the day you ovulate. You can also get pregnant a day or 2 after ovulation, but it's less likely.

Some people have very regular cycles, and some people’s cycles vary from month to month. Many people track their menstrual cycles and other fertility signs to help them figure out when they’re ovulating. This is called fertility awareness and some people use it to prevent pregnancy, and others use it to try to get pregnant. If you need help understanding when you’re ovulating, all you have to do is go to on the Pregakem website and use the online pregnancy ovulation calculator to figure out your ovulation window. You can use a fertility chart to keep track of your cycle and when you’re most fertile (like your body temperature, changes in your cervical mucus, and your menstrual cycle). There are apps that can make it easy to chart your cycle and figure out your fertile days.

You can also use ovulation predictor kits and urine tests that tell you when you’re ovulating. You can buy ovulation predictor tests in the drugstore, usually near the pregnancy tests. Ovulation predictor tests look for a hormone called luteinizing hormone, which increases in your body right before you ovulate.

5 KBM Spices Packed with Health Benefits

There’s often a misconception that eating healthy means eating boiled bland food that will get boring as every day passes by. However, spicing up a plain-but-healthy meal is not only good for your taste buds but is also a major plus when it comes to your health. Reach for your spice rack and you’ll not only up the flavor of your food, but you’ll also get a boost of antioxidants that your body needs.

There are more than 100 common spices used to cook around the world. Spices are concentrated sources of antioxidants, but some have been more studied for their therapeutic properties than others. There’s no need to go on a hunt for exotic ingredients as Gai Chhap has the best of masalas. Here, suggests which spices to consider incorporating into your meals.

1. Cinnamon

This popular spice comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree and is such a beautiful flavor used in all things savory and sweet. Cinnamon is especially great for people who have high blood sugar. It lends a sweet taste to food without adding sugar, and studies indicate it can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. 

Cinnamon may also provide heart-healthy benefits, such as reducing high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. That’s especially important for people with diabetes who are at greater risk of developing heart disease. Cinnamon can be a helpful addition to a healthy lifestyle to lower blood pressure.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is best known for its use in Indian dishes and has become a trendy superfood for its ability to reduce inflammation which is a common cause of discomfort and illness. One of the components of turmeric is a substance called curcumin. Research suggests it may reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and depression. 

Studies show that turmeric helps with improvement in memory test scores. It is also effective at reducing pain and swelling in people with arthritis. And animal studies indicate that curcumin could have powerful anti-cancer properties.

3. Ginger

Now comes everyone’s favorite chai ingredient – Ginger, a tropical plant that’s been used in Asian cultures for thousands of years to treat stomach upset, diarrhea and nausea. You will see it being used in a variety of convenient forms lollipops, candies, and capsules. You can also purchase the dried powder from KBM Gai Chap Masala, or buy it fresh to make teas or grate into food.

The research found ginger to be effective at calming pregnancy-related nausea and reducing stomach upsets. Some studies have also found that ginger cuts the severity of motion sickness or prevents the symptoms altogether. It may even help with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when taken along with anti-nausea medications.

4. Garlic

Most of us are familiar with garlic, the strong-smelling spice frequently used in cooking. But what you might not know is that eating garlic may protect your heart from changes that lead to heart disease. As you age, some hardening of the arteries is normal, this is called atherosclerosis and occurs as fatty deposits made up of cholesterol and other substances build up on the inside of your artery walls. 

Factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can make it worse. As the build-up increases over time, the arteries narrow. This can make you prone to heart attacks and strokes. Research has linked garlic intake with keeping the blood vessels flexible, especially in women. In addition, studies suggest that eating garlic may reduce cholesterol. Garlic is a key ingredient for a healthy heart and is often used in savoury dishes.

5. Cayenne

Cayenne is a type of chili pepper, Cayenne peppers contain a substance called capsaicin. It’s what makes them spicy and also can provide pain relief. Capsaicin reduces the number of pain signals sent to your brain. This results in reduced discomfort. It works on pain caused by arthritis and diabetes-related nerve damage. You can apply creams with capsaicin directly on joints and muscles.

Lab research and studies in animals suggest that eating cayenne pepper can also help with something that causes a lot of internal pain: ulcers. Although people often associate spicy foods with stomach upset, capsaicin aids in helping reduce ulcers by restricting the growth of an ulcer-causing bacteria, reducing excess stomach acid and increase blood flow.

Whether you use spices fresh or dried, you’ll still get beneficial compounds. If you’re tempted to take supplements to increase your dose of these beneficial compounds, it’s important to note that commercial supplements aren’t strictly regulated, which means you can’t be certain of what the pills actually contain. Certain third-party organizations do testing to verify the quality and contents of supplements. If you’re thinking about taking a supplement, talk to your dietician about what form and amount are right for you.

Regardless of the other health benefits, spices add flavour to food and can make healthy meals delicious and interesting. One of the biggest benefits of using spices is that they are a healthy way to get you out of an eating rut. Enjoying your food is key to maintaining healthy habits for the long term.

To bring you the freshest possible products, we grind and blend the best available spices and seasonings in-house with utmost cleanliness and hygiene, so that you enjoy the zest and flavour these spices add to your food. Not forgetting all the health benefits they come packed with.

KBM Gai Chaap Masala is India’s leading selling spice brand offering more than 20 variants in spices in their pure form and their blends. 

We have been accepted and appreciated by millions of homes, not only all across India but also across the world. We have been providing solutions zesty flavour every day to mothers in cooking the tastiest food that suits every diverse palate from the last 49 years. Don’t think twice, buy only the Best quality spices inDelhi today from KBM Gai Chap Masala.

Natural Family Planning and its Methods

You are probably wondering what natural family planning is. Natural family planning (NFP) is a form of pregnancy planning that does not involve medicine or devices. NFP helps people know when to have sexual intercourse and can be used to easily get pregnant. It involves keeping track of a woman’s bodily changes throughout her menstrual cycle and most people who choose NFP to do so for religious or personal reasons. Basically with NFP instead of using a pregnancy calculator, you will do the calculation by yourself timing your period and understanding better about the ovulation cycle.

Natural family planning is a form of birth control that doesn't involve pills or devices. As a result, you don't have side effects. With these methods, you track your fertility, which is when you are most likely to get pregnant.

Pregnancy can occur if sexual intercourse takes place right before or after ovulation. Ovulation is when a woman’s ovaries release an egg. It usually happens around the same time each month. The egg moves toward the uterus through the fallopian tubes. This is where conception takes place. An unfertilized egg may live for up to 12 hours. Your body will shed it during the menstrual period with blood and mucus which we call our period if it isn’t fertilized.

Usually, a woman releases an egg from her ovaries at about the same time each month. That’s called ovulation. The egg moves through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. An unfertilized egg can live up to 24 hours. Most women are fertile for about 6 days each month -- 5 before ovulation and the day of ovulation. Natural family planning uses different methods to pinpoint those fertility days and is being practiced.

You can use natural family planning to control pregnancy in several ways:

Rhythm method-

Of the oldest ways of natural family planning, this is based simply on the calendar. A woman's normal menstrual cycle lasts between 28 and 32 days. Ovulation usually happens around day 14 in your menstrual cycle. So you can try procreating on days 8 through 19 since that’s when you’re most fertile.

Cervical mucus or ovulation method-

You track the mucus your cervix makes. When you're ovulating, your mucus will be clear, stretchy, and wet, like raw egg whites. You write down what your mucus is like each day so you know when you're ovulating. During every menstrual cycle, the consistency of the cervical mucus discharge keeps changing. The mucus is easily recognizable on the wettest day. It looks clear, slippery, stretchy, and resembles the egg whites. Without this ‘egg white’, it is difficult to conceive. Ovulation takes place within 1-2 days of this peak day of clear, stretchy mucus. Keep a tab on your vaginal discharge every day and you will get a hang of how things work and eventually figure out your ovulation cycle.

Basal body temperature (BBT) method –

Temperature can rise between 0.5 and 1 degree when you ovulate and stay there until your next period. With this method, you take your temperature before you get out of bed each morning before you have anything to eat or drink as it would cause changes on its own. BBT by itself isn't a good way to prevent pregnancy because charting your temperature tells you when ovulation has already happened. The basal body temperature technique helps you to identify if there is a change in your body temperature. Your body temperature can say a lot about your health. Studying the pattern for 3 months can help you to predict your ovulation window. Generally, there is a change in the temperature after ovulation and it tends to remain the same until the next period.

Symptothermal method-

For this method, you combine several methods, usually BBT and cervical mucus. Using more than one method can give you a better idea of what's going on in your body. The popularly known method is also called the calendar method by some. It is nothing but keeping a track on your menstrual cycle to anticipate your fertile sign. Nowadays there are a lot of mobile applications as well to help you keep track of your menstrual cycle. These applications also help you to predict your fertile window based on the duration of your menstrual cycle. When all these 3 methods are combined effectively you are more likely to conceive a baby.

Fertile Window calculator-

Fertile window is your best time to conceive. With the help of a fertile window calculator, you can increase your chances of conceiving. Your fertile window refers to the period in your female fertility cycle during which a woman can conceive a baby. This includes the day she ovulates and the five days after ovulation. That is the best time to have intercourse if you're trying to conceive.

How effective are these NFP methods?

Natural family planning isn't as effective as other methods of birth control. According to the CDC, the failure rate is 24%. That means about 1 in 4 women who use natural family planning will get pregnant. You need to be cautious, attentive and have plenty of self-control to practice natural family planning. You have to follow instructions completely to be successful.

What are the benefits?

Natural family planning is free. There are also no side effects. You can stop anytime and it won't have an impact on your body. It also meets most religious guidelines. Many apps can help you track your fertility, which can make things easier. Once you've learned a method, you don't have to keep going to a doctor for refills or follow-up appointments.

Natural family planning requires you to keep track of your body and stick to a schedule. It may not be for you if you have irregular periods or if you are breastfeeding. Which is when you can opt for a pregnancy test kit online same day delivery and what’s better than Pregakem’s pregnancy detection kit in this case. It has been rated as the top India pregnancy test kit. Get your hands on it today and get the khush khabri you want to hear.

Talk to your doctor or gynecologist if you have questions about these methods or to see if natural family planning might work for you.

How do pregnancy tests work?

Think you might be pregnant? Even with the most effective birth control methods, there’s always a chance for error. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg. Finding out whether or not that’s happened is as easy as taking an over-the-counter pregnancy test.

OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is only present if you’re pregnant. The hormone is only released if a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to your uterine lining.

Shop for pregnancy tests online from Pregakem and get it delivered the very same day. The best thing is it comes with a 3 step kit that includes a urine tray, a dropper and the test stick. Plus the added benefit is the pregnancy test kit cost. You can place an order online and get it delivered the same day.

There are different ways to collect your urine for the test. Depending on the test you choose, you may have to:

•Collect your urine in a cup and dip a testing stick into the liquid

•Collect your urine in a cup and use an eyedropper to move a small amount of fluid into a  special     container

•Place the testing stick into the area of your expected urine stream so that it will catch your urine midstream

But with Pregakem you will always have a hassle-free and non-messy process. Most tests are 99 per cent effective if taken after a missed period. The best part is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Simply open the test and follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended amount of time to view the results.

After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in one of the following ways:

•A change in color

•A line

•A symbol, such as plus or minus

•The words “pregnant” or “not pregnant”

But with Pregakem you will get two lines that determine a positive pregnancy and one for a negative.

How soon can you take a pregnancy test?

You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait for at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes seven to 12 days after successful implantation of an egg.

You may receive an inaccurate result if the test is taken too early in your cycle, so wait for a few days and retest just to be sure. Our tests are the most accurate but it is so much easier if done more than once for the most credible results.