Viral: Lifelike Silicon Dolls That Help Couples Cope with Infertility

Posted on November 29, 2017

Real life like Silicon Babies that cost as high as $8,000 a pop are taking off and being used to help couples cope with infertility, prepare for the arrival of a new baby and help people cope with anxiety, depression, dementia, and many other health conditions, an In the Now video of the dolls recently shared on Facebook.

The video, as of this posting, has been viewed over 15M times since September 28th when it was posted.

The response to the babies, also called “Reborn Dolls” has been mixed. A lot of people called them creepy and alluded to an opinion that sexual deviants would abuse the dolls. Others pointed to the fact that there are orphans that are available for adoption.

One user, who herself creates lifelike dolls, addressed these concerns in a poignant way:

“To all of you who clearly don’t understand, these dolls do more than help people with fertility issues, they have also helped others with anxiety, depression, dementia, and many other health conditions,” she started. “They are also cheaper than a real baby, and are easier to adopt than a real child. These dolls also provide an income for SO many artists around the globe among many other things.”

She defended the community of people who enjoy the dolls:

“Also, we are NOT a community of perverts/pedophiles. We are just a community of men and women who share an artistic hobby that we love!

And though, I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing/holding a silicone baby in person. I do plan on owning one in the future. However, until that day comes, I will stick to making/collecting reborn dolls who are also very realistic but, are less expensive than silicone dolls. ”

Well said. Share your thoughts with us in Social Media! Everywhere @Bellyitch!

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US Govt Slows Pregnant Undocumented Teen’s Abortion Request

Posted on October 21, 2017

The US federal government has stopped a 17-year old undocumented Central American girl being held in Texas from getting an abortion.

While being held in an immigration holding shelter the girl, known as Jane Doe to protect her privacy, sought to abort her 15-week pregnancy.

But the Department of Health and Human Services officials who oversee the custody of unaccompanied minors have tried everything they can to stop this teenager from getting one.

Lawyers at the American Civil Liberties Union took up her case arguing that she was forced to undergo an ultrasound for no medical purpose and then required to undergo counseling to dissuade her from terminating her pregnancy.

The teen’s mom was called over her objections and officials disclosed the pregnancy.

The ACLU won an order Wednesday from a U.S. District Court judge instructing the department to let her have the abortion, but the federal government filed and won for an emergency stay. After a Friday morning hearing the government won an order requisite the girl to undergo counseling for additional weeks.

After the time lapses, she will beyond 20 weeks and there is a ban in Texas on abortions after then.

H/t LA Times

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Pregnancy

Let’s Talk About Why Your Hair Falls Out While Pregnant

Posted on October 19, 2017

Being a new mom can be one of the most emotionally rewarding — and challenging — experiences a woman faces. And while you may have anticipated your body to go through a whirlwind of changes, you may not have expected your hair to start falling out in clumps.

Also referred to as postpartum hair loss, telogen gravidarum, and telogen effluvium, excessive hair shedding after childbirth (which would occur anywhere between two and four months after giving birth) can affect between 40 and 50 percent of women, according to statistics from the American Pregnancy Association.

“When a woman is pregnant, she has a lot of extra hormones in the body, including estrogen,” says Christine Carlan Greves, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist in Orlando, Florida. “The estrogen helps protect us from losing our hair. Then when she has the baby, there’s a sudden change in the hormone levels, including a drop in the estrogen. And this shift can cause a response in the body that may affect the hair cycle.”

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Tons of Unique Halloween Pregnant Belly Painting Ideas

Posted on October 14, 2017

When mamas-to-be think of painting their pregnant bellies for Halloween, they often think of pumpkin or Jack-O-Lanterns !

However, a review of the past trends will reveal that there is a trend towards more creative images.

We pinned our faves on our Pinterest page! Check them out below and click here to get the image source for more details.

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Your Body Type Determines When You Start To Show

Posted on October 7, 2017

With all the recent scrutiny on the bellies of some celebs yet to confirm a rumored pregnancy, it’s a good time to discuss when women start to show.

A breakdown in Romper did an excellent job of summarizing some of the main factors:

Body type also comes in to play here as taller women show later, as do even shorter women with long torsos, and those with deeper pelvises. And of course, women carrying more than one baby will most likely develop a baby bump earlier.

To elaborate on why body type matters, Buxon explains that more vertical space allows the baby to stretch out, which means a less prominent bump. She goes on to mention, “If you are carrying weight more in your abdomen, that also contributes to a different size and shape to your bump.” So while shorter women like me will look visibly pregnant 10 sneezes after conception, my tall friends (or those with naturally heavier body structures) can keep the secret much longer.

But it’s not just your physical build that can affect when strangers will want to start rubbing your belly. Factors such as BMI, metabolism, and even gas can can make your bump look bigger for awhile, and you may notice a bit of fluctuation from day to day.

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Pregnancy Complications To Keep On Your Radar

Posted on September 26, 2017

Don’t worry because the majority of pregnancies go along without a hitch. Aside from the morning sickness and constant peeing, it’s a smooth transition. Still, it’s always a good idea to be on the alert when you and your baby’s health are in question. One way to stay on top of things is to watch out for the complications which can occur. After all, not every birth is plain sailing. The following are by no means guaranteed to happen, yet it is helpful to know the signs.

Here is a quick guide to the complications to watch out for during pregnancy.

Premature Labor

On average, pregnancies should last up to 37 weeks. However, some women give birth way before the nine-month mark. It’s called an early pregnancy, and it occurs to around 12% of babies in the States. So, it isn’t an issue to worry about because it is by no means uncommon. Still, a premature labor needs addressing as soon as possible to make sure the baby is safe. The best way to tell is to time your contractions. Regular ones which occur before 37 weeks are a sign you are going to give birth.

Heart Problems

Of course, pregnancy puts a strain on a woman’s body which can affect the heart. Quite simply, one of the most vital organs in the body has to be able to pump enough blood around the body for both the mother and child. Unfortunately, some women have hearts which aren’t up to the task. Aside from high blood pressure, it can also lead to heart failure. Women who suffer from palpitations or excessive fatigue should contact their doctor ASAP. Even if you don’t exhibit the symptoms, you can ask for a simple test to be on the safe side.

Diabetes

Another cause of the pressure on the body is gestational diabetes. Because the body has to share food and water, it can often go without sufficient nutrition. When this happens, blood sugar can plummet or skyrocket depending on the circumstances. Thankfully, there are tests on hand to ensure the experts don’t miss a diagnosis. A birth injury lawyer would insist on a glucose screening between 24 and 28 weeks, and so should you. If the result is positive, it’s essential to keep your blood sugar in check by maintaining your diet and not missing a meal.

Breech Birth

Last but not least, there is a breech baby. Usually, this is when a child spins around in the womb and comes out feet first. The reason this is an issue is the umbilical cord. Sometimes, the cord can wrap around the neck and lead to complications. There is no way for a mother to tell if the baby is breech without a consultation. Babies move and kick that much that it’s impossible to tell what movement is what. If the doctor spots it before the birth, they should be able to turn the baby back to a normal position.

Hopefully, none of these will occur, but it’s still a good idea to watch out for the signs.

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Pregnancy

This is Why Your Hair Falls Out During Pregnancy

Posted on September 17, 2017

Approximately 90% of your hair is growing at any one time, while the other 10% enter a resting phase. Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place.

Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that occurs one to five months following pregnancy. This is not uncommon, as it affects somewhere between 40 to 50% of women; but like most changes during pregnancy, it is temporary.

Hair loss that is connected to pregnancy usually occurs after delivery. During pregnancy, an increased number of hairs go into the resting phase, which is part of the normal hair loss cycle.

This condition is not serious enough to cause bald spots or permanent hair loss, and it should begin to diminish within 3-4 months after delivery. If you feel that you are experiencing unusual hair loss while you are pregnant, this may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

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Pregnancy

Science Explains Why You Spit So Much While Pregnant

Posted on September 10, 2017

Pregnancy hormones cause many strange changes in your body, including an increase in saliva production.

It’s not enough that you’re battling morning sickness — now you’re wondering, “Why am I spitting so much during pregnancy?” For a small percentage of unlucky women, this normal occurrence becomes a burdensome condition called ptyalism, which comes from the ancient Greek word for “salivate,” according to the Oxford Dictionary of English.

Baby Center pointed to nausea, heartburn, and environmental irritants as possible causes for all that extra spit, but “there is no clear explanation or underlying cause for ptyalism in pregnancy,” says Dr. Adrienne D. Zertuche, an OB-GYN with Atlanta Women’s Healthcare Specialists, in an interview with Romper.

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Pregnancy

Homemade Facial Recipes To Make While on Bedrest

Posted on September 9, 2017

bellyitch rewind

Pregnancy generates all sorts of hormones in your body that you can’t control. You may find yourself having a difficult time dealing with stress, and may be short tempered, moody and otherwise just irritable and miserable. A good facial, massage or body scrub can do wonders to ease some of that tension.

However, those on bed rest while pregnant can’t get away to get that much needed facial or body scrub. Also, in tough economic times, it may not be financially feasible for non-bed ridden pregnant women to blow away cash pampering themselves, but that doesn’t mean they cant.

Hubpages has some great low cost recipes that you (or your spouse or partner, if you are on bedrest) can whip up using items already in your fridge and kitchen cabinet! Fab!

Enjoy!

Facial Mask Recipes

Recipes for my favorite at-home face masks. Each provides unique benefits, but all are quick and easy to blend up at home, with ingredients you use every day.

Body Scrub and Salt Glow Recipes

Use these easy at-home body scrub recipes to bring life back into tired skin and give you the youthful glow of nourished, healthy skin all year round! Coffee Body Scrub Coffee tightens and rejuvenates skin.

Facial Cleanser and Scrub Recipes

Try some of these easy-to-follow recipes for homemade cleansers and scrubs that provide amazing benefits, for a fraction of the cost of those expensive brand-name formulas at the drug store.

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Study: Pregnancy Protein May Be Cure For Eczema

Posted on August 8, 2017

Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, could be treated with a protein known to protect the fetus against attack from the mother’s immune system during pregnancy, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Japan found that the protein, called human leukocyte antigen-G1 (HLA-G1), significantly improved skin lesions in mice with atopic dermatitis.

What is more, HLA-G1 was found to reduce immune system activity among rodents in response to dust mites, a common allergen for atopic dermatitis.

Study co-author Prof. Katsumi Maenaka, of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Hokkaido University in Japan, and colleagues recently reported their findings in the journal International Immunopharmacology.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic form of eczema, which is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by rashes – particularly on the face, hands, feet, and behind the elbows and knees – and dry, itchy skin.

The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can be triggered by exposure to a number of irritants and allergens, including dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen, cigarette smoke, and certain foods.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, atopic dermatitis is estimated to affect at least 28 million people in the United States. The condition is most common among infants and children; around 90 percent of people with atopic dermatitis develop it before the age of 5 years.

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