Infancy
What you need to know about caesareans
A Caesarean section (C/S) is performed when natural birth is impossible or unsafe.
Before the operation a catheter will be inserted into the bladder enabling free flow of urine after the C/S. A drip will be inserted into a vein to allow fluids and medication to be given directly into the blood before and during the operation. Monitoring leads will be set up to measure the heartbeat and blood pressure. The abdomen will also be swabbed with an anti-bacterial wash.
The patient will be given a regional or general anaesthesia. A regional anaesthetic block prevents the sensation of pain in a particular area of the body while the patient remains awake. General anaesthesia prevents any pain sensation and relaxes the muscles while the patient is asleep.
The operation
The doctor makes an incision into the skin just below the navel. He then enters through the abdominal wall and opens the lower part of the uterus. The most common kind of skin incision used is the transverse incision which goes across from left to right just above the pubic bone.
In the case of an emergency C/S, a sub umbilical mid-line incision may be made which goes from just below the navel down to the pubic area allowing for faster access to the womb. After having opened the uterus the doctor removes the baby and cuts the umbilical cord after which the baby is handed over to the paediatrician.
The placenta and membranes are then removed. The doctor repairs the uterus and closes the abdominal incision.
Pregnancy
Natural remedies for morning sickness
Nothing can dampen the excitement of pregnancy like morning sickness.
The name, however, is very misleading as morning sickness can happen at any time during the day or night. It is most common during the first trimester, but for some women morning sickness lingers throughout pregnancy.
Toddlers 2-6
What you need to know about SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old.
SIDS is sometimes known as crib death because the infants often die in their cribs
Tweens 7-12
Dealing with temper tantrums
Remember when you went shopping and your child eyed a toy they wanted but you had no intention of buying it?
Teens 13-18
Identifying a bully
Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. It can be physical, verbal or over the internet and social media.
Funny Videos
Video Blog
Here we have the funniest, cutest and most adorable videos of children doing the most funny things you could ever think of!
