Women's Health And Dizziness During Pregnancy

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A notable number of women experience dizziness during pregnancy. The scientific explanation for this is that, during that period, the body of a woman's body undergoes a lot of cardiovascular changes. The body is supposed to undergo self-initiating adaptive changes in its cardiovascular and nervous systems to enable normal functioning, especially in maintaining continuous supply of blood to the brain. The consequences of failure of such adaptive mechanisms include fainting and giddiness.

One of the significant changes that occur to women during gestation is an increase in the rate of heart beat. This is accompanied by increment in blood volumes by about 45%. They also undergo dilation of blood vessels, resulting in low blood pressure. A woman experiences the lowest blood pressure levels at around mid-pregnancy. This drop is only restored to normal close to the end of gestation period.

Medical experts have identified a number of ways that can help in handling dizziness. It is critical that a woman lies down if she experiences vertigo. This prevents her from suffering injury by falling. She should also stop doing any activity that may bring harm to her or others, for instance operating machinery or driving.

The basic cause of dizziness and fainting is an inadequate supply of blood to the brain. First aid measures, hence, should aim to restore this supply. One way of achieving this is by resting the victim in a horizontal position, but with the head slightly lower than the rest of the body. Where there is no space to lie, it is advisable that the victim sits, then put her head between her knees. The woman may also lie on her left side, since this increases blood flow to both the heart and the brain.

A woman's actions may increase the risk of her fainting or experiencing lightheadedness. Top on this list is a quick shift in position from either lying or sitting to standing. Blood pools around the feet and in lower legs during resting periods. The body may not be able to restore blood flow to the heart and brain upon springing from the rest position, hence resulting in dizziness. Therefore, it is advisable for pregnant women not to spring from resting positions to standing.

Blood may also pool around the feet when a person stands at the same position for prolonged periods. Expectant women are advisable to walk around after short periods of being stationary. In case this is not possible, exercising legs could also help improve blood circulation. Wearing support stockings has also been proven to improve circulation.

Pregnant woman should take note of their sleeping positions since how they sleep may increase chances of experiencing lightheadedness. A woman should not lie on their stomachs or backs during their second and third trimesters. This is because such positions cause the uterus to exert extra pressure on inferior vena cava, slowing circulation in the lower abdomen. They should lie of their left side instead.

Vasovagal syncope may also result in dizziness during pregnancy. This is a condition resulting from straining during activities such as urination or coughing, dehydration, pain or anxiety. Symptoms associated with this condition are a feeling of warmth, nausea, yawning, sweating and paleness. It is advisable to lie or sit upon experiencing such symptoms.

Tomorrow....

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We are still waiting for baby to make his grand arrival.  As of Thursday, I was dilated to 2 1/2 cm and very s...l...o...w...l...y... making progress on my own which makes me a good candidate for induction.  My doctor was out of town over the long Presidents' Day weekend, so I am thankful that baby Gyver decided to wait it out for our induction tomorrow morning.  There is still the chance that I could get bumped from the schedule, so we have to wait and see if there is room for me.  If Tuesday doesn't work out, then we'll try again on Thursday.

This weekend, we made a trip to Barnes and Noble and Michael's to use up the remainder of Christmas gift cards.  The children made some good choices and should have no trouble keeping busy for the next couple of weeks while we take our "baby break" from schooling.

A little something for everyone!

So, we're all waiting and praying that all goes well.  We have a lovely neighbor who has been on call the past week, just in case baby decided to come on his own. She has volunteered to spend the day with the children so that Todd can be at the hospital with me all day.  What a blessing to our family!

We're all anxious to add #7 to our next "Mom and Kids" photo!

I enter the end of this pregnancy with all the same mixed emotions that I have each time.  Being pregnant is such a blessing and I truly enjoy this special time.  I am nervous about the labor/delivery, but trying hard to trust that God will guide everything and take good care of us.  I know the children will be in good hands and that is a huge relief. 

Your continues prayers are immensely appreciated.  I can feel them and they are impacting me greatly.  I am much more at ease than I was a few weeks ago and I know it is due to all of the prayers that I am covered with.  Please continue them and we'll keep you posted....hopefully with some pictures of our baby boy tomorrow!

Now, I suppose I should go get a bag packed for the hospital....funny how preparations change from baby #1 to #7!

UPDATE:  (Tuesday early am) Todd is out snow blowing the driveway so that we can head to the hospital for our induction.  No snow all winter...of course it snows last night!  I've been awake since 3:00....anxious to meet our baby boy I guess.  As always, your prayers are greatly appreciated!

God Bless!

Heather :-)

Peter's Baptism

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This past weekend, we celebrated as the Church welcomed Peter Francis into the fold!  The ceremony was held after Mass with our family, Grandma Pam, and the Godparents with their children. 

Peter was NOT happy.  He had his mind set on nursing and wanted nothing to do with this whole Baptism thing.  He cried and cried!

Father Larry holding newly baptized Peter Francis.

Peter with his Godparents.

Our first family photo with Peter!

Peter's lovely Godmother made these adorable cookies.  Esther could not wait to get her hands on them!

Here is a better look at the cookies after I took the wrapping off.

Going, going, gone!  They were as delicious as they were cute!  If you're in need of cookies for a special occasion, consider contacting Grace.  She really does excellent work!

And as if cookies weren't enough to celebrate, we had a scrumptious cake from the local grocery store....yum!

Peter is happy to wear his new sweater from his Godmother.

There were, of course, many more photos.  Grandma took some fabulous pictures of Peter in his baptismal gown...and I forgot to get them off of her camera before she left for home...ugh!  The gown is an heirloom which Todd wore at his baptism and all of our children have been baptized in it as well.  They each have their own bonnet as a keepsake of their first sacramental celebration.

I hope that your Lent is going well and you are preparing to enter into Holy Week.  We haven't kept all of our resolutions and have had to let many things slip.  We had some fabulous plans laid out.  Of course, those were all made pre-Peter.  So, for now, I am offering up many sleepless nights...such is life with a newborn.  We all do what we can, right?

God Bless!

Heather :-)

I Can't Wait!

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It's less than a month away!  The Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference and Curriculum Fair is coming up on June 1-2. This is an event that I look forward to all year long.  Todd and I secured childcare for the oldest 6 children (no easy task!) and will bring little Peter along for the ride.

I am particularly excited to attend the high school and beyond workshop during the day on Friday.  With Madeline entering 7th grade in the fall, the reality of high school, transcripts, PSEO, and a whole bunch of other stuff is starting to stress me out.  Todd has graciously agreed to be there with me so that we can hear the same information as we tend to process things differently. 

The keynote speaker is Marcel LeJeune.  I've heard him on Relevant Radio a couple of times and think that he'll do an awesome job. They always do a great job bringing in quality speakers.  The past two years featured Andrew Pudewa and Ray Guarendi. They were absolutely amazing and hilarious which is a winning combination if you ask me!


Now I need to sit down and get my "lists" together.  It is so nice to have all the vendors in one location where I can actually talk to them and pick their brains with questions I have about curriculum and different learning styles of my children.  The hardest part for me is keeping to my list of things that I need and holding back on the impulse buys...there are so many fun things that I would like to add to our school!

The best part is seeing all of the other families who are doing what we do.  No matter how secure I feel in our decision to home school, there are days when I feel alone and isolated.  Home schooling is definitely more mainstream than it was 20 years ago, but it is not the "normal" thing to do.  In my neighborhood of over 300 homes, there is only one other family I know of who teaches their children at home.  It's hard to put into words the feeling I get being surrounded by hundreds of people who are walking the same road as we are. 

How about you?  Do you have a home school conference in your area that you attend?  If you live in Minnesota, do you plan on attending this year?  I'd love to see you there!

God Bless!

Heather :-)

Sickness, Baby Love, and New 'Dos

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The past few weeks have flown by in a blur of sickness.  We've had ear infections, sinus infections, walking pneumonia, bronchitis, high fevers, body aches, coughing, sneezing, and just all around misery.  It came to a head last Sunday when the fevers sky-rocketed in three of the children.  We took all last week off from school and just focused on getting better.  Of course, there were two dance rehearsals and recitals late in the week that couldn't be missed...but other than that we laid low.  So, many doctor visits and a few prescriptions later, we're back at it this week!  It feels good to be back in our routine.

Little Peter is 3 months old already!  He is cooing and smiling up a storm.  He is beginning to sleep better at night and will usually have 5-6 hours of sleep before waking to nurse.  He has outgrown his first set of clothes and has moved into size 2 diapers....I wish babies didn't grow so fast!  Needless to say, we are all smitten with our littlest man!

I couldn't get him to take his eyes off of the ceiling fan!

After their dance recitals, Madeline and Lillian both decided to cut off their hair and donate it to Locks of Love.  My girls are so laid back about their hair.  We pulled it back into a low ponytail and braided it.  Then I got out the scissors and chopped it off.  They are both quite happy with their new 'dos and I think they both look adorable. Perhaps I am a bit biased!

Lillian before....

and after!

Madeline before...

and after!

I'm hoping to get back into routine here and do a better job of posting more regularly.  I spend a lot of time sitting and nursing the baby, so I have many thoughts going through my head.  Now if I can just get some time to type them out...I'm sure you can't wait!

God Bless!

Heather :-)

PLEASE HELP OUR STORE!

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For those of you who are customers of the Houghton Book Store:

We/I would not be offended if you contacted Houghton College to give them input on whether you think the store should continue. Please leave any comments you have, not for the college itself, but for the Houghton Foundation that owns us.

Also, if you are in the habit of praying, feel free to add both the store and its staff to your list.

Many thanks. And if we do still close, still, many, many thanks!

Mozart- where did your body go?

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The Mozart Myths: A Critical Reassessment, by William Stafford (TPB, 1991, $1.50)

Who would have known there were all those rumors of stuff going on during Mozart's last days! What I like about this author is his refusing to decide what happened. Of course we will never know what really happened, but it is so refreshing that an expert admits it.

So, what are the myths? Let's see-

1. Was he poisoned?- almost certainly not
2. Was he anti-Semitic?- probably not, but maybe?
3. Was he melancholy and self-destructive just before he died? He was certainly exhausted, probably dealing with heart failure brought about by rheumatic fever, and massively in debt.
4. Did he see himself as a genius or a failure?  A failure? How could he thought himself a failure? He had been a child prodigy, and as a young adult, a successful composer and performer. As he got older, though, his works were seen as too old-fashioned. People stopped buying his music. Before he died only 20% of his compositions were in print. Then he died, and people became interested again in his music. Both his widow and his son would be able to live lives of leisure. So as he was dying how did he see himself? We will never know.
5. Did he know he was dying when he composed his last work, the Requiem? Did he really push himself to exhaustion to finish it before he died? Did he hear a rehearsal of Requiem on his last afternoon? - Most likely not, since when he died the work was still not finished.
6. Did the weather get suddenly dark and stormy when he died? - Nope!
7. Was he buried in a pauper's grave? Is that why his grave site is unknown?- Nope. Actually during this time no one had lavish burials. Most of the middle-class were buried in wooden coffins, five to a grave, marked only by a wooden marker. Many times when more burial space was needed, bodies, including Mozart's, were dug up, the bones crushed, and then reburied elsewhere. By that time even his wife didn't know where his remains were. To complicated matters, in 1855 a marker was put up where people thought his body might be. Later, the marker was moved again. (And please don't ask about his supposed skull, and how it ended up separate from his body!) So, to summarize, his was not a pauper's grave, but where it is no one, even now, knows.

How weird is all this? Read more about this in the book, to be found on the new non-fiction table. (9/20)        (L-mu)