Mucus Plug Pregnancy - Signs of labor

One of the signs of labor is losing a mucus plug. As part of the pregnancy process, a mucus plug helps keep the baby safe as well as announcing when labor will soon begin. Pregnant woman usually have a lot of questions about a pregnancy plug and learning the basics about them can help relieve some stress about what goes on when they are pregnant.

So what exactly is a pregnancy mucus plug? A mucus plug is a large portion of mucus from the cervix that blocks the entrance to the cervix. A pregnant woman’s cervix is what forms the mucus plug as a result of the baby.  It is thicker than what comes from a person’s nose but is not hard; more of a jello like substance according to most pregnant women. It is the guardian of the precious baby and is a useful defense against anything that might harm it.

Mucus plugs generally look the same for everyone. A pregnancy mucus plug will look clear with a slightly pink color due to blood that might have gotten trapped in it over time. It is possible to have other variations of color, but the normal mucus plug is usually something close to a creamish color.  Usually, it will look a lot like its name says; like mucus. It can also resemble vaginal discharge and be sticky.  Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between vaginal discharge and a mucus plug because they are so similar. It is possible to see pictures of what a mucus plug looks like just by searching one on the Internet. Doctors will also show pictures of healthy mucus plugs if asked.

The main purpose of a mucus plug is to protect the baby from bacteria. The cervix is an opening in the body and therefore is a possible way for bacteria and other harmful things to get into the female body.  When not pregnant, women do not really have to worry too much about what goes on down there.  However, when pregnant a baby is defenseless against anything that may want to harm it. A pregnancy mucus plug will block the entrance of the cervix which keeps bad things like bacteria away from the uterus and in turn keeps the baby safe during pregnancy.

When a mucus plug is lost, labor can be expected within the next 2 to 3 weeks, but sometimes can mean labor will happened within a few hours. Losing a pregnancy mucus plug means that the cervix is dilating and that one can expect birth soon after. Sometimes, what is known as the bloody show will begin happening after a mucus plug is lost, but not everyone sees blood when they lose their plug.  It is not a painful process of losing a mucus plug and for most women in fact they never even realize it’s gone!  It either falls out in pieces over a period of time, or just goes unnoticed into the toilet since most people don’t really pay too much attention to what goes in there. Also, in the last stages of pregnancy, there is a lot of vaginal discharge so some women may not be able to tell the difference between the two.

The normal time for a mucus plug to come out is after 36 or 37 weeks. If lost before that time, it could mean that something is wrong and a doctor should be consulted with. It should be noted however that with all the pregnancy exams and tests that require a bit of poking around down there, one may notice parts coming out before the 36 week period. This is normal due to all the activity in the area and doesn't indicate any problems. Sometimes a mucus plug doesn't come out before delivery. However, this does happened and does not mean that anything will be wrong with the pregnancy or the baby. 

Losing a mucus plug is just a natural occurrence which happens before delivery. Someone who is pregnant should not worry that their baby will be in any danger after losing it.  They can do all the things they had done before they lost their pregnancy plug and be confident that their baby is safe.

If it happens that a mucus plug comes out and is noticed, it is not something that needs to be taken to a doctor. Pregnancy mucus plugs are just a part of the process and do not need testing or any other attention.  Simply dispose of it properly and prepare for the upcoming excitement of delivery a baby.

As it can be seen, a mucus plug is a very natural part of pregnancy and something that will happen to everyone.  It is a gift that protects a baby from anything that might hurt it. Once lost, it announces the coming a baby and will let a woman know to prepare for the happiest time in her life.

Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies

Select Appropriate Age Child Toys

For children, play is a "job" very pleasant. Parenting expert, Carrie Lupoli, reveals that the play can help children develop essential skills associated with the development of their brain capacity.

"In addition, the play also can train the ability to interact, negotiate, sharing, self-reliance, to leadership naturally," said Carrie, in a parenting talk show in Jakarta, some time ago.

But as a parent, you have to be smart to choose the toys are age-appropriate. Carrie added, the choice of age-appropriate toys will help children's brain development capabilities to the maximum.

1. Newborn to nine months
At a very young age, the baby should be given the type of game that should involve all senses. For example, toy cars, rattles, soft toys that can be chewed, picture books (board books or cloth books).

In addition, at this age your child can also be given toys that can be trained to recognize the cause and effect of the act of doing. For example, pop up toy, or a busy box.

2. 9-18 months
Children at this age are considered capable enough to be a little heavier game. For example, plastic toys, artificial food, or zoo game. This game will train them to think a little and observe real human life (imitate real life).

They also can be introduced to a variety of toys that can improve their ability to solve problems. For example, a soccer ball, push and pull toy.

3. 18-36 months
Children this age are able given the responsibility and high sense. Thus, they may be given in the form of material toys that help them to use their own hands while making it. Such as candles, crayons, or thumbprint.

Games that use more imagination is also very good for children's development. For example, game-salonan salon, or a game of mix and match clothes. Besides toys such as action or animal figures, dolls, and stuffed animals.

Tricks to Train Your Child to Understand The Feelings of Others

Parents can start the exercise empathy in children ages 1-3 to teach it to understand the feelings of others, this trick through six.

1. Introduce a variety of feelings.
Empathy is sharing. Comfort the sad, to share happiness, help people who are grieving, and so on. The problem is, let alone sharing it with others, to understand and define her feelings she may not be able to. Therefore, the first step we can do is introduce her feelings, both feeling happy, sad, jealous, angry, and others.

Try to define the feeling, "You sad yes because she wants to be left bekera Mama?" After that try to entertain the children, "I hope you are not sad, before leaving for work, we play for now."

In this way, besides giving a definition of feeling sad, parents try to meet the needs of children. The same thing a parent can do when a child is angry, happy, and others. That way, the child is expected to know the various feelings experienced. When it is mastered, children learn someday understand the feelings of others, as well as how to react appropriately to the feelings.

Without introduced a variety of feelings, the child is difficult to understand or respect for others, let alone empathize. Because, once again, empathy is basically feeling understood.

2. Loving creatures.
The introduction of other concrete is to get children loving creatures. When there are chicks got splashed in for example, tell your child, "Son, sorry got the chicken go, let's please". Let your child see your business and help dry the sodden Atam body with lap and feed him.

If the cats in the house, you can involve the children in their care. Choose activities to do baby, feeding, petting, prohibits hurt, and others. This activity contains the values ​​of empathy. If the sick cat, you can encourage your child to take the cat to the doctor, so he knows that cats also need to be considered healthy.

The same thing can be done while maintaining the plant. Involve children when watering or planting. Explain, "Like us, plants also need to eat and drink so it should be watered and fertilized". You can also teach that children do not damage the crop, "If you unplug it, the plant will die, pity is not it?"

3. Give an example.
Children ages 1-3 learn from the examples seen in everyday life, which is important for parents to be role models for children. When I got home late because of traffic, tell your child, "I'm sorry Mama come home late, you had to wait a long time". When asking for something to get used starting with the word "please" and end with the word "thank you". Through such means of communication, the child will be conditioned to always appreciate positive values.

4. Read a story book.
The story is one effective medium to introduce empathy. The story of the seven dwarves who work together to help Snow White or Garlic kosah are so respectful and loving mother, can stimulate the ability of empathy.

Choose age-appropriate story books, so children easily digest. For example, the book is dominated by images with a little text because children this age are very pleased to see the picture. Provide appropriate intonation when told.

5. Play a role.
You can also train the children empathy through role playing. Make a small-time scenarios, and define their respective roles. Your role as a doctor and as a child pasien.Dokter check and give the drug to the patient. Show the seriousness of the moment play, so that children see parents sincerity. Then try to switch roles, you become a patient and a doctor's child, so the child can feel both roles. You can also play other roles, such as selling food, playing with dolls, adventure in which there is an element of mutual help, so that children can increase empathy.

6. Invite to an orphanage.
Every now and then, take the kids to the place where many children are not as lucky as him. To the orphanage or nursing home for example. Encourage children to contribute, for example by bringing cash or a small object that is easy to carry. Describe your interests come to the venue. "We have to help them, because they are not as fortunate as us. Come give them clothes or toys."

School Lunch Not Taste The Parents

Leave the selection of school lunch menus in children, because that is taking the baby. Useless if the nutrient composition and provision has been filled with good container, but children no appetite, even remained snack.

Pritasari, MKes of Health Polytechnic II Jakarta said provision is given to the child must adjust to the child's wishes or tastes at the time. So, there must be a compromise between parent and child.

Mother of three children, Laili Purnamasari Goddess share her experience, "Whenever possible menu lunch brought to school kids love." Subsequently, he lived modifying nutritional content. For example, when the kids ask for a menu of fried rice, he making or request, but it is inserted into vegetables, eggs, sausage, and more, then comes the fruit.

Meet the demand for children to be patient. "Never in one day, the kids ask for a different menu." Although troublesome, Goddess work at it. So much easier, the Goddess is usually preparing the menu for five school days, then discuss with her three children to determine the menu every day. Once the menu is set, he will buy the raw material and in stock a week.

Endang Titi Amrihati, SKM, M. Kes, from the Department of Health MoH nutrition Polytechnic Jakarta II, also agree, children should be brought stock liked.

This is where the key to successfully bringing lunch to school, eat the food prepared by the children. So, before making a stock, ask in advance to the baby, what food she wanted to take for lunch the next day.

"Parents just need to make sure the child continues to meet expectations menu nutritional needs," said Endang.

When parents discuss the child's lunch menu, according to Endang, could be a good moment to give a briefing to child nutrition. Such as explaining the benefits of bringing lunch, what nutrients are needed to keep the spirit of learning, and a variety of food sources of nutrients that are good for children.

Another thing to note, Endang added, select the type of cuisine / food that is not perishable, so avoid air food coconut milk, vegetables such as kale and spinach leaves. In addition, the appearance of the food must also remain attractive awake so tempting children.

"Procedures such food in an attractive container stock. Example, rice or bread printed with cute prints like children. Fruits cut into interesting shapes, such as round shape, triangle, star, heart, or animal," he advised.