5 must-know benefits of family planning In recent years, you might have noticed that a lot of emphases is being put on family planning by the World Health Organization (WHO) and many other health organizations across the world. Most people think that family planning is limited to just using contraceptive to plan the pregnancy; however, the truth is that family planning is a lot more than just deciding when you want to start your family. When it comes to contraceptive and birth control methods, there are several different ways of doing so. Some of the traditional ways of contraceptive are calendar method and withdrawal. For those who are looking for modern family planning methods, some of the popular ones include condoms for both men and women, oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectable contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), emergency contraceptive pills, and few others. Keep reading to get acquainted with some of the important benefits of modern family planning. Lowers infant mortality It is not unheard of that couples lose their child and experience miscarriage either because of closely spaced pregnancy or unplanned time of pregnancy. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that if more people start implementing the concept of family planning then the world’s infant mortality rate will shoot down considerably.

An overview of modern family planning: Pros, cons, and methods Starting a family can be an exciting, but also an equally intimidating phase for a couple. Therefore, such a decision should be only made when both the partners are ready. Until such a time, couples should use family planning methods to prevent any unplanned pregnancies. Initially, settling for the best family planning method can seem daunting, especially, for young couples. The key is to experiment with the options until both partners are comfortable with an option. Continue reading to know about the pros, cons, significance, and methods of family planning. Advantages of family planning Deciding how many kids you want and how far apart you prefer them to be is the first and the most important part of family planning. For instance, if you recently had a baby, then having another child after 2 or 3 years is a more viable option to ensure that the mother is physically and mentally strong enough to weather another pregnancy without any complications. Additionally, from an economic standpoint family planning helps couples delay a pregnancy until they are financially stable and capable of taking the responsibility of raising a child. Disadvantages of family planning Side-effects of contraception differ based on the family planning method used.

4 integral things to consider for efficient parenting Being a parent does not make one immune to committing mistakes, it is okay to make a few incorrect decisions while raising children. It is similar to other mistakes we commit in life. Subsequently, it is important to learn from those mistakes and take additional efforts to not repeat them. Even if you are the most dedicated set of parents, it is natural to walk a few steps down the wrong path. However, this does not mean one does not work toward bringing the rate of mistakes down. Following are a few tips on what, as a parent, one must avoid. Do not lose your temper easy As a parent, a situation faced often is your children being busy with iPads and/or gadgets while you try talking to them. It is not adventurous to lose your patience in such situations. It is not the best move during a conversation with your child, either. If not anything, it can be counterproductive to your efficient parental behavior. Losing your temper not only heats up the moment, but it also encourages children to adopt similar behavioral traits. As a parent, the biggest fear is children building their behavioral traits from your reactions to things and understanding of situations.

6 superfoods that can help boost your immunity in winters The winter is coming. And we all know what it means! It is the season of holidays as well as flu. While you are planning gatherings and trips home, don’t put your health on the backseat. By simply including some foods in your everyday diet, you can easily evade the wrath of common colds and flu. Continue reading to know which superfoods can boost your immunity. Citrus fruits Vitamin C is vital for the production of white blood cells that fight a cold, flu, and other types of infections. Moreover, citrus fruits are a rich source of antioxidants that protect the immune system from free radical damage and help slow down aging. Some of the popular citrus fruits that you should consider stocking up this winter are lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, oranges, clementine, and lime. As the body doesn’t naturally produce Vitamin C, it is important that you include these fruits in your daily diet. Mushrooms High in vitamin A, B, D, fiber, and potassium, this second most popular pizza topping can be a wonderful addition to your diet. It also contains rare types of antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and protect you from certain types of chronic diseases and respiratory infections.

6 easy ways to choose the perfect maternity wear Pregnancy is a life-changing experience. The pregnancy books or the contradicting pieces of advice that your relatives offer cannot prepare you for what’s to come. In pregnancy, the body undergoes several changes. You gain weight, your belly grows bigger, and your skin looks radiant. However, it’s not just your body that undergoes changes, even your wardrobe has to be revamped. Your old clothes wouldn’t fit you once your baby bump starts growing bigger, and it’s not advisable to try and squeeze into those pre-pregnancy jeans, as you won’t be comfortable in those clothes. This is why pregnant women opt for maternity wear, which is designed to ensure that expecting mothers can wear comfortable clothing throughout the day. Though maternity wear is known to maximize the comfort quotient, women often detest maternity clothes as these aren’t trendy like their regular clothes. However, the leading women’s clothing brands have to come to realize that even pregnant women like dressing in style, and simply labeling loose, shapeless clothes as maternity clothes isn’t feasible. So, pregnant women across the world can rejoice as leading brands have now upgraded their maternity wear lines to include trendy outfits that will flatter your pregnancy curves and add to your pregnancy glow.

6 effective home remedies to treat menstrual cramps A woman is nature’s masterpiece. She has incredible abilities to nurture and procreate. As billions of women across the world would agree, this ability to procreate comes at a hefty price, and it is menstruation. Menstruation is an extremely normal phenomenon, and women experience it since the age of twelve or fourteen till they reach their fifties, until the menopause phase begins. Regular menstruation cycles are an indication of a healthy reproductive system, and when this cycle goes haywire, it points toward some serious underlying health issue. So, you can arrive at the conclusion that menstruation is, in fact, a blessing in disguise. However, in spite of the importance of menstrual cycles in a woman’s life, one cannot deny the fact that those five days can be extremely miserable. Women experience severe mood swings and something more formidable accompanies these menstrual cycles, menstrual cramps! Menstrual cramps are what transforms a happy woman to a creature who just wants to go into hibernation with her favorite chips and start a movie marathon. Menstrual cramps can be taken care of with the help of over-the-counter medications, but some women aren’t in favor of popping pills to ease this pain.

5 common signs of miscarriage to look out for Unfortunately, miscarriage is not a rare phenomenon, in fact, it is believed that one out of four pregnancies turns into a miscarriage. A miscarriage was always a common concern for pregnant women but today you hear about it more than in olden times. One of the main reasons why that is so is because today pregnancy is detected early using advanced pregnancy tests, so parents get to know when they have a miscarriage. In the past, there were many cases where women were not aware of their pregnancy and assumed miscarriage-caused bleeding as a delayed period. There are various reasons why a woman experiences a miscarriage. Some of the most common reasons that can lead to a miscarriage are a chromosomal abnormality, maternal trauma, hormonal problems, uterine abnormalities, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and/or lifestyle habits, such as smoking, drug and alcohol use, and/or over-consumption of caffeine. It is imperative to be aware of the early symptoms of a miscarriage so that a woman can know what is normal and what is abnormal during pregnancy and when to see a doctor. Though not every woman who experiences miscarriage will show these symptoms, some of the common symptoms that you must be aware of are:

4 must-know harmful effects of tobacco It wouldn’t harm much to say that nicotine does not have a great reputation, need we say, that it doesn’t deserve one either. Nicotine has been viewed as a menacing chemical to the body. With its insidiously toxic qualities, nicotine does not have any positives associated with it. Cigarettes, one of the primary carriers of nicotine, cause a bundle of problems among humans. The nicotine in cigarettes can lead to heart problems, smoking addiction, and hamper brain functionality. Let’s have a closer look at the effects of a nicotine addiction on the human body. How is nicotine absorbed by the body? When absorbing the nicotine from cigarettes, it makes its way through the lung’s membranes into the bloodstream. Usually, when nicotine is absorbed in an alkaline environment, the flow is smoother, and it reaches the bloodstream much more effectively. Most tobacco companies increase the pH levels to encourage high absorption of nicotine. Once in the bloodstream, the nicotine flows into the heart. Thereafter, it is moved to the arteries and then the brain. This entire process takes anywhere between 10 and 20 seconds. The quick absorption process is why smokers have astoundingly high levels of nicotine.

Here’s why expectant mothers gain weight rapidly Weight gain is the body’s natural response during pregnancy so that both, the mother and baby can well-prepared for a laborious experience like childbirth. However, putting on those pregnancy pounds can often be an unnerving experience for most expectant mothers. The good news is that there’s nothing to worry about in the long run! On an average, women lose 11 pounds immediately after they deliver from the 25 to 40 pounds they have gained during the pregnancy. Surprisingly, babies only make up 7.5 pounds of the total weight a mother gains during pregnancy. Wondering then why a woman puts on those extra pounds? Read further to know more. Body fluid The body is mostly made up of fluids that keeps the organs hydrated so that they can function properly. When a woman is pregnant, the amount of fluids in her body automatically rise to accommodate the changing needs. The body approximately houses around 4 pounds of extra fluid during pregnancy. Increased fluid in the body ensures that the nutrient and blood flow to the fetus is consistent and interrupted. When the fluid rises to an excessive amount, it stores itself in the tissues of the body.

7 must-know tattoo aftercare products Tattoos can be fickle when you first ink them. They are sensitive to sunlight, sweat, water, and any other body element that occurs naturally. Tattoo artists advice against swimming in saltwater or spending the mornings tanning on a beach. It is absolutely necessary to take care of the new piece of art inked on your skin so that it looks crisp and fresh even after a couple of years. Not taking proper care of your tattoo in its initial weeks of healing can put your skin under the risk of scarring and infection. Moreover, your tattoo might lose its color and appear faded in under a month. Here are quick tips you should know for the perfect tattoo aftercare: Avoid exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight as it might slow the healing process Keep the tattoo and skin area around it dry and clean Wash the tattoo twice a day with fragrance-free soap. Apart from this, here are 7 tattoo aftercare products that can help in healing the skin and making the art on your skin look new for longer. Aveeno Daily moisturizing lotion Moisturizing is a crucial component to make a tattoo look fresh for longer.

Four ways to recognize implantation bleeding Implantation is an early sign of pregnancy and most women who conceive, experience the same. The egg that is fertilized travels through the fallopian tube and into the uterus. This is where the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining. During this process, some blood vessels in the uterus may get damaged and this may lead to leakage of a small amount of blood. This is known as implantation bleeding. Below are some simple ways to recognize implantation bleeding- Focus on the time of bleeding Implantation bleeding during pregnancy usually occurs six to twelve days after conception. This means close to the time when one’s next period is expected. One needs to ask themselves when was the last time they had sex and if it’s been more than a month or two, it is quite unlikely that it is implantation bleeding. In most cases, women tend to misunderstand implantation bleeding as their regular menstrual cycle and are often surprised that they are pregnant later. Examine the color of bleeding One of the key ways to recognize that one is having an implantation bleeding and not regular periods is to examine the color of bleeding.