{ LABOUR - HOW TO GET READY }

From: CompleteWellbeing.com

Pregnancy is time to be happy, healthy and stress-free. As women near the ninth month, they start to feel the pressure—in their body and mind— and worry about their delivery. It is important here to note that labour and delivery is the end of pregnancy and beginning of a new life. Thus, nine months of pregnancy is a preparation for the process of labour and delivery.

Antenatal care plays an important role to achieve a successful labour and delivery process. Regular antenatal classes help in the physical and mental preparation of women and help them relax during those last months.

Role of antenatal care

To ensure maternal and foetal wellbeing:

Regular visits to the doctor during pregnancy are aimed to ensure that the health of the pregnant woman and the growing foetus is well-maintained. When all stays well and proper care is taken, the pregnancy is generally low-risk. If any abnormalities develop during pregnancy or if there are any pre-existing risk factors, then it becomes a high-risk one. The abnormalities that could develop during pregnancy include increased blood pressure, diabetes, and growth restriction in the baby to name a few. The pre-existing risk factors include previous caesarean sections, and pelvic abnormality.

To prepare for labour, delivery and the post-partum period:

Normal labour and delivery depend on good physical and mental preparation during the antenatal period. The pregnant woman is taught good breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and muscle toning exercises. Yoga is now a well established form of therapy for this purpose. In order to relieve anxiety and fear, knowledge should be given about the labour and delivery process. This includes a clear understanding of what to expect in labour, ways of monitoring the labour, options for pain relief and the modes of delivery.

Normal labour:

At about 36 weeks gestation the mode of delivery should be discussed with your doctor. If the decision is taken to proceed with normal labour and vaginal delivery, then regular visits are continued till labour starts. These weekly visits ensure that all is well and thus it is important to feel good foetal movements during this time. You will also feel contractions and pains intermittently, but these are just warm up [practice] labour pains. These help your womb muscles to get better coordinated as they are getting ready for the actual labour stage.

Onset of normal labour

The start of labour happens with one of the following:

Abdominal pains and contractions. There is backache and the contractions are typically felt coming from the back towards the lower abdomen. Initially they come every 20 – 30 minutes, but then the frequency increases. In established labour, these contractions will come every three minutes and will last up to a minute.

Leakage of clear water. You may think it to be urine, but then realise that it is coming continuously. Sometimes the bag of water around the baby breaks and the surrounding liquid starts draining.

Blood stained mucous discharge. Occasionally the mucous plus gets dislodged from the neck of the womb. This is seen as a sticky discharge with blood staining.

In any of the above events, if you are unsure, it is best to contact your doctor for guidance. You may be asked to come for a check-up. If the neck of the womb has started to open, then it indicates the start of labour. If it is very early, you may prefer to be at home and go to the hospital later.

What to do at home when labour begins?

Get ready to travel to hospital. Do not take a heavy meal as there is a risk of vomiting when pain gets strong and this will get worse if your stomach is full. Liquids are the best form of intake from now on and they are good for rehydration. You will urinate frequently; this is normal. Take as much rest as possible so that you can cope with active labour. If possible, lie down on your left side.

When awake it is good to move around. This helps the baby’s head to push against the neck of the womb and improves the contractions. During contractions you can take support and lean forward on a steady surface [wall or bed] or be supported by your husband. Sometimes a good hot water shower is very helpful. When the contractions get stronger and frequent it will be difficult to cope and you will have to go to a hospital.

What is expected at the hospital?

If you are confirmed to be in labour on examination you will be admitted. A heart rate tracing of the baby can be reassuring at this stage. You will be encouraged to mainly take liquids. If all is well, you can continue to move around. At times, it is necessary to put an intravenous needle. Sometimes caesarean section is needed on an urgent basis. If this situation arises suddenly, anaesthesia can be given to you safely. During labour, soothing music, good aroma and massage can help you cope better.

Stages of labour

Labour has three stages. The first stage is from the onset of labour to the full dilatation of the neck of the womb. The second stage is from the full dilatation to the delivery of the baby. The third stage is from the delivery of the baby to the delivery of the placenta and membranes.

First stage

In the initial phase of the first stage [latent phase], the neck of the womb is getting ready for active labour. It is getting softer and thinner. This phase continues till 3 – 4cm dilatation occurs of the neck. This phase could continue for 10 – 12 hours.

When the later phase [active labour] starts, the contractions will get stronger, more regular and frequent. If the membranes are not ruptured, your doctor may choose to break the bag of water now. If the baby has opened its bowel [meconium], then the fluid is green coloured and is a worrying sign. This phase will become very uncomfortable. It is important to breathe in and out during the contractions and relax your body muscles. You must avoid pushing as valuable energy will get wasted and the baby will get tired sooner. The regular, frequent and strong contractions will lead to full dilatation of the neck of the womb. The active phase can take about 6 – 7 hours.

Pain relief. Various options can be considered to help you cope with the labour pains. In the early stages, intramuscular pain killer injections can be considered. Gas inhalation [nitrous oxide and oxygen] can also be of help.

The most effective pain relief is with epidural analgesia [painless labour]. In this form, a catheter is put into the back through a needle. The pain-killing medicine is injected through the catheter. This is very effective and takes away the pain. In case a caesarean section becomes necessary, it can be performed with the help of the epidural catheter.

Epidural analgesia cannot be used in women with bleeding disorders or spinal cord abnormalities. The disadvantage is that labour may sometimes get prolonged and your ability to push the baby at full dilatation may get compromised. In this situation, the chances of instrumental delivery may be higher. The other disadvantage is the additional cost. This form of pain relief needs close monitoring. Sometimes the anaesthetist may stay with you till the delivery.

Monitoring. It is important to assess the progress of labour and maintain foetal wellbeing. The baby’s heart beat pattern is monitored at regular intervals. At any stage, if the mother or the baby’s wellbeing is compromised; a caesarean section delivery of the baby would be performed.

Second stage

Once the neck of the womb is fully open [about 10cm], the second stage starts. The delivery is now expected within two hours. During contractions it is important to relax and take a deep breath in and push right down. If there is any delay, this stage can be shortened by applying an instrument such as forceps [metal blades] or a suction cup [ventouse delivery] on the foetal head. A cut on the perineum is sometimes necessary to facilitate the delivery of the baby. This is repaired post-delivery and heals within few days.

Third stage

This stage extends from the delivery of the baby to the delivery of the placenta. Generally, this is completed in 15 – 20 minutes. Rarely, the placenta may not get separated. This can become a problem as bleeding may start. In this situation, you may need to be taken to the operation theatre for a manual removal of the placenta.

If approached in an ill-prepared manner, it is unlikely to be a positive experience. Hence it is important to take utmost care and proper preparation. The first labour and delivery is most challenging and the subsequent ones become relatively easier on most occasions.

{ THE A B Cs OF POTTY TRAINING }

Reviewed by Sarah Pearson, M.D., September 2006

Most parents eagerly anticipate toilet training as a milestone in their child's development, if for no other reason than that it means an end to changing diapers. But few moms and dads are prepared for how long toilet training can take. Sure, some children master it within a few days, but others can take several months. In fact, it's generally true that the earlier you start, the longer it takes.

You and your child have a better chance of success if you understand the elements of training and approach the process in a clear fashion. Here are the basic steps:

A. Assess your child's readiness — and your own
Some children are ready to start potty training by 18 months or so, but others aren't interested in the process until they're closer to 3 years old. Many parents begin potty training when their children are about 2 and a half.

Watch for signs that your toddler is ready to start (can she follow simple instructions? can she walk and sit down?) but try not to put on the pressure. Rushing her when she's not ready will be counterproductive. And remember that what worked for your older child might not work for this one — boys tend to train a bit more slowly than girls, while second (and subsequent) children may learn more quickly than firstborns.

Look beyond your toddler's developmental readiness, too. If she's experiencing any turmoil or major change in her life, like a new school, caregiver, or sibling, the potty-training process is likely to hit some snags and should probably be put off until things have settled down.

There's also no sense in beginning potty training when you — or your child's primary caregivers — won't be able to devote time, patience, and a dash of humor to the process. If you're in the middle of remodeling your house, have just taken a challenging new job, or are suffering from morning sickness with your next pregnancy, it's probably not a good time to try to potty-train your toddler. Wait a couple of weeks — or months — for other pressures to ease.

B. Buy the right equipment
First and foremost, invest in a child-sized potty chair or a special adapter seat that attaches to your regular toilet. This eases the anxiety some children feel about the grown-up toilet — some fear falling into it, others dislike the loud noise of the flush. Figure out what equipment is best for your toddler before you go shopping.

If you have a boy and are buying a potty chair, look for one without a urine guard or with a removable one. You may have to wipe up a little more stray pee, but the guards tend to bump into and scrape a boy's penis when he sits on the potty, which can discourage him from training.

If you're using an adapter seat, make sure it's comfy and secure, and buy a stool to go with it. Your toddler will need the stool in order to get up and down from the toilet quickly and easily, as well as to brace her feet while sitting, which helps her push when she's having a bowel movement.

C. Create a routine
Set your toddler on the potty seat, fully clothed, once a day — after breakfast, before her bath, or whenever else she's likely to have a bowel movement. This will help her get used to the potty and accept it as part of her routine. If there's not an easily accessible bathroom around, bring your child's portable potty outside, to the playroom, or wherever your toddler may be.

Once she's fine with this routine, have her sit on the potty bare-bottomed. Again, let her get used to how this feels. At this point, let her know that this is what Mommy and Daddy (and any older siblings) do every day. That is, taking off your pants before you use the bathroom is a grown-up thing to do.

If sitting on the potty with or without clothes is upsetting to your toddler, don't push it. Never restrain her or physically force her to sit there, especially if she seems scared. It's better to put the potty aside for a few weeks before trying again. Then, if she's willing to sit there, you know she's comfortable enough to proceed.

D. Demonstrate for your child
Children learn by imitation, and watching you use the bathroom is a natural way to understand what using the toilet is all about. If you have a son, it's simpler to teach him to pee sitting down at this young age. Later, when he's mastered that, he can watch his dad, older brother, or friend pee standing up — he's bound to pick it up quickly with just a little encouragement.

When you demonstrate for your toddler, it's helpful to explain what's going on as you're using the bathroom and let her see afterward what you "made." Then show her how you wipe with toilet paper, pull up your underwear, flush the toilet, and wash your hands.

Even though you'll be helping your toddler with these activities for some time, especially wiping after a bowel movement, seeing you do it and hearing you talk through it will help her get used to the whole process. (When you wipe your toddler, make sure to go from front to back, especially after a bowel movement, to minimize the risk of urinary tract infections.)

If your toddler has older siblings or friends who are potty-trained, consider having them demonstrate, too. It can be helpful for your child to see others close to her age exhibiting the skills she's trying to learn.

E. Explain the process
Show your toddler the connection between pooping and the toilet. The next time she poops in her diaper, take her to the potty, sit her down, and empty the diaper beneath her into the bowl. Afterward, let her flush if she wants to (but don't force her if she's scared) so she can watch her diaper contents disappear.

You also may want to pick up a few potty-training picture books or videos for your toddler, which can assist her in taking in all this new information. Everyone Poops, by Taro Gomi, is a perennial favorite, as well as Uh Oh! Gotta Go! and Once Upon a Potty, which even comes in a version with a doll and miniature potty.

Keeping a book like this in the bathroom, or a poster or flipbook that illustrates the steps in using the potty, can help your toddler get familiar with the process and relate it to what she does in the bathroom.

F. Foster the habit
Encourage your toddler to sit on the potty whenever she feels the urge to go. If she needs help getting there and taking off her diaper, make sure she knows it's okay to ask you for help any time.

If you can, let her run around bare-bottomed sometimes with the potty nearby. The more time she spends out of diapers, the faster she's likely to learn, although you'll have to steel yourself to clean up a few more puddles. Tell her she can use the potty whenever she wants to, and remind her occasionally that it's there if she needs it.

Sometimes toddlers won't sit on the potty long enough to relax and let anything come out. Calmly encourage your toddler to sit there for at least a minute or so. You'll have the best luck getting her to stay put if you keep her company and talk to her or read her a book.

When your toddler uses the potty successfully, shower her with praise. Chances are that she'll continue to have accidents, but she'll start to grasp that getting something in the potty is an accomplishment. Still, try not to make a big deal out of every trip to the potty, or your toddler may start to feel nervous and self-conscious under the glare of all that attention.

G. Grab some training pants
Once training is under way, consider adding training pants — extra-thick cloth or disposables that pull on like underwear — to your routine. They'll allow your toddler to undress for the potty on her own, which is a critical step toward becoming completely potty-trained.

While cloth training pants are less convenient than disposable pull-ups, many parents say they work better because your toddler can really feel when she pees or poops in them. Whichever option you choose, introduce them gradually — probably for a few hours at a time — and stick with diapers at night for the time being.

When your child consistently seeks out the potty whenever she has to go, it's time to move on to "big-kid" underwear. Many moms and dads have found that undies with a favorite character on them give kids a dandy incentive to stay dry.

H. Handle setbacks gracefully
Virtually every child will have several accidents before being able to stay dry all day long. When this happens, don't get angry or punish your child. After all, it's only recently that her muscle development has allowed her to hold her bladder and rectum closed at all, and she's still learning why it's important to use the potty. Mastering the process will take time.

What can you do? Reduce the chance of accidents by dressing your toddler in clothes that are easy to remove quickly. When she has an accident anyway, calmly clean it up and suggest (sweetly) that next time she try using her potty instead.

I. Introduce night training
Don't give away that stash of diapers just yet. Even when your child is consistently clean and dry all day, it may take several more months, or even years, for her to stay dry all night. At this age, her body is still too immature to wake her up in the middle of the night reliably just to go to the bathroom.

When you're ready to embark on night training, your toddler should continue to wear a diaper or pull-up to bed, but encourage her to use the potty if she has to pee or poop during the night. Tell her that if she wakes up in the middle of the night needing to go, she can call you for help. You can also try putting her potty near her bed so she can use it right there.

If she manages to stay dry for five nights in a row, it's a good time to start nighttime training in earnest. Put a plastic sheet under the cloth one to protect the mattress, and put your toddler to bed in underwear (or nothing) and see how it goes.

There's not much you can do to help things along, short of limiting liquids before bedtime, so if your toddler doesn't seem to get the hang of it, put her back in nighttime diapers and try again in a few months.

J. Jump for joy — you're done!
Believe it or not, when your child is mentally and physically ready to learn this new skill, she will. And if you wait until she's really ready to start, the process shouldn't be too painful for either of you.

When it's over, reinforce her pride in her achievement by letting her give away leftover diapers to a family with younger kids, or by packing up the cloth diapers and sending them away with the diaper delivery service one last time.

And don't forget to pat yourself on the back. Now you won't have to think about diapers ever again — at least, not until the next baby.

{ HOW NOT TO DIET }

from CompleteWellbeing.com

Do you remember all that you learnt about dieting? Good. Now forget it. And read on to learn the right way to change your food habits to actually start losing some weight!!!

If you are constantly on and off diets and still don’t seem to fathom why you never achieve your weight loss goals, you might be following diets that are just not for you. In fact, following blanket diets that encourage cutting off major food groups can completely cause more harm than good. You need to learn to stay away from such diets and understand where you may be going wrong. Here’s some advice in that direction…

Target setting: Understand that your current weight is an end result of your eating habits over a period of several years. Your age, hormone imbalances if any, health problems, activity levels, social life, preferences for certain foods and the number of times you have gained and lost weight all affect the weight loss process. When setting a weight loss goal, you need to take all these factors into consideration, which often doesn’t happen. People start off setting an unrealistic target.

Starting off with the wrong target in mind is like following the wrong directions to your destination—you are obviously going to get lost! So, be realistic about the weight you actually can lose over a period of time. Ideally, you can target ½ – 1kg of weight loss per week if you are dieting and 1 – 1.5kg a week [depending on how overweight you are] if you are dieting and exercising. If you attempt to lose more than this, not only will you be disappointed, but also end up harming your health.

Dieting v/s starving: Diets that recommend eating as little as possible may show you success on the scale, but may leave you feeling weak and perennially tired or irritable and low on energy. If that’s the case, re-evaluate.

Dieting is supposed to teach you to understand your food and make healthier choices so that you can make permanent changes in your eating habits. If the changes you make are going to be only temporary, then your weight loss will be temporary too. And I’m sure you do not want to be a candidate for weight loss all your life! Choose healthier food options that are not only slimming, but that also help you get fit.

Magic diets: If your diet or the result you might get from it seems too good to be true, it probably is! If losing weight was a simple matter of downing a shake or just cutting down most of your food, we would not need expert guidance for it. Dieting involves a complex balance of calories and nutrients from the food you eat. So instead of following something you read somewhere or what a friend tells you, seek advice from a trained professional and follow what is best for your health in the long run.

Mono diets: Certain diets follow the premise that for some time, you should drop all but one particular food group and eat foods only from that particular group. While this may help you drop the kilos, what you are really losing is probably your muscle mass and consequently, your health and strength. Over a period of time, this will also cause your metabolic rate to be lowered, which will actually make your body more efficient in storing fat!

Pill-popping: If simply popping a pill could give you the body of your dreams, then I doubt there would be a single fat person on this planet! Pills that promise you weight loss give no explanation as to how they really work and if they do, there is no research to support their claims or theories. So if you want to shape up, and boost your metabolism why not choose the safer and surer alternative—exercise?

{ GESTATIONAL DIABETES: SUGAR MUMMY }

From: CompleteWellbeing.com

By Nadeem Rais, Bhavisha Bafna in Ailments

Lara was pregnant. Routine blood tests revealed that she had gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM]. Totally clueless about this condition, her major concerns were whether she will have a normal delivery, and how it will impact her child during and after delivery.

These are not just Lara's concerns, but of all the women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. There is nothing alarming about GDM.

It can be managed by taking good care of yourself, eating healthy food, exercising regularly and if necessary, taking medication [insulin].

What is gestational diabetes?

When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with diabetes, it is termed as gestational diabetes. She may be diabetic even before she is pregnant or develop it during pregnancy. About 3–6 per cent of pregnant women have GDM.

What causes gestational diabetes?

During pregnancy, the body needs more insulin to meet the growing energy needs of the child. But the hormones produced inside the placenta during pregnancy [progesterone, oestrogen, cortisol, prolactin and human placental lactogen], block the effect of insulin, causing GDM.

GDM usually affects women who:

• Are overweight
• Are over 35 years of age
• Have family history with a first degree [nearest] relative with Type-2 diabetes
• Have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes earlier
• Have previously given birth to a large baby
• Have gained excessive weight during pregnancy
• Have had recurrent abortions
• Have had a bad obstetric history.

Women at risk must get themselves tested for diabetes every trimester. Those who are at a higher risk may also have to undergo an oral glucose tolerance test.

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Unfortunately, often, women do not show any symptoms. And their diabetes gets detected on routine screening around the 24 – 28 week of pregnancy. Usually, such diabetes disappears after delivery.

How does GDM affect the mother?
GDM could lead to excessive weight gain, oedema [swelling of feet], hypertension, pre-eclampsia [high blood pressure], eclampsia, premature labour, intrauterine foetal death, urinary tract infections, and ketoacidosis [high concentrations of ketone bodies].

Moreover, women with GDM are prone to developing type-2 diabetes mellitus, post delivery. In fact, more than 40 – 50 per cent women with GDM go on to develop type-2 diabetes later, if they do not modify their lifestyle.

In what way does GDM affect the child?
The uncontrolled sugar levels could lead to congenital anomalies and neural birth defects.

Further, high blood sugar can also cause macrosomia [babies to become large], increasing the chances of a difficult delivery, caesarean [C-section] or birth trauma.

Complications that could arise in the baby after birth include: breathing difficulties due to non-expansion of the lungs at birth, abnormally low levels of glucose, calcium and magnesium in the blood, increased bilirubin levels and infections.

HOW TO MANAGE GESTATIONAL DIABETES?

Women who manage to control their diabetes well often carry their baby to term without any problems. If you develop diabetes during pregnancy, you may be able to control your blood sugar level with—diet, exercise, insulin and monitoring.

Diet
The meal plan should provide enough calories to meet the nutritional needs and maintain optimal body weight. Instead of three large meals a day, split your daily food intake into six smaller ones—regularly spaced and carefully planned. Snacks are important, and should include a complex carbohydrate [such as whole-grain bread], protein [such as sprouts and paneer], fruits, and raw vegetables. It is best to restrict fat intake [oil/ghee/butter] and prefer roasted/grilled and baked foods in place of fried food. Eat at regular intervals; skipping meals can lower blood glucose to dangerous levels.

Exercise
Exercise benefits both the mother and the baby. If you aren't exercising regularly, now is a good time to start. Check with your doctor about your planned activity and start slowly. You'll need to plan your periods of activity along with your food intake and insulin injections. Exercise improves the efficiency of your own insulin to manage both, weight and blood sugar. Exercise 4 – 5 days a week, as it keeps your blood sugar in control. Do not exercise if your doctor does not approve of it or has asked you take complete rest.

Walking after meals improves post-meal blood sugar. Other exercises you may perform during pregnancy are low-impact aerobics and swimming. Exercise reduces your sugar levels. Hence, check your blood sugar for hypoglycaemia [abnormally low sugar].

Insulin
If diet and exercise fail to control your blood sugar or when your blood sugar is abnormally high, you may need to take insulin, since tablets that control sugar levels may affect the unborn foetus. You will require 2 – 4 doses of insulin every day; your dose could increase as your pregnancy progresses to keep things in check. If you are on insulin, you may have to undergo additional ultrasound scans and electronic foetal monitoring to check the health of the baby.

Monitoring
Pregnant women are advised to monitor blood sugar levels at least four times a day [Fasting Blood Sugar <90>

{ HOW TO LOVE AGAIN }

From: CompleteWellbeing.com
Excerpted from The Tantra Vision/Courtesy: Osho International Foundation.

Tantra teaches us to be loving towards your body, befriend your body, revere your body, respect your body, take care of your body - it is a gift. Treat it well, and it will reveal great mysteries to you. All growth depends on how you are related to your body.

The second thing Tantra speaks about is the senses. The religions are against the senses. They try to dull the senses and sensitivity. And the senses are your windows into reality. So eyes have not to be closed, eyes have to be opened rightly. Eyes have not to be destroyed. Ears have not to be destroyed because all these sounds are divine. These birds are chanting mantras. These trees are giving sermons in silence.

Tantra teaches that the senses are the doors of perception. They have been dulled. You have to drop that dullness; your senses have to be cleansed. Your senses are like a mirror which has become dull because so much dust has gathered upon it. The dust has to be cleansed

Others say: Dull your senses, kill your taste! Tantra says: Taste the divine in every taste. Others say: Kill your capacity to touch. Tantra says: Flow totally into your touch, because whatsoever you touch is divine. It is a total reversal of the so-called religions. It is a radical revolution - from the very roots.

Touch, smell, taste, see, hear as totally as possible. You will have to learn the language because society has made you forget.

NURTURE YOUR SENSES
Each child is born with beautiful senses. Watch a child. When he looks at something, he is completely absorbed. When he is playing with his toys, he is utterly absorbed. When he looks, he becomes just the eyes. Look at the eyes of a child. When he hears, he becomes just the ears. When he eats something, he is just there on the tongue. He becomes just the taste. See a child eating an apple. With what gusto! With what great energy! With what delight! See a child running after a butterfly in the garden. He is so absorbed, in such a tremendous, meditative state - and without any effort. See a child collecting seashells on the beach as if he were collecting diamonds. Everything is precious when the senses are alive. Everything is clear when the senses are alive.

Later on in life the same child will look at reality as if hidden behind a darkened glass. Much smoke and dust have gathered on the glass; everything looks dull and dead. You look at the tree and the tree looks dull because your eyes are dull. You hear a song, but there is no appeal in it because your ears are dull. You can hear the Tantric mystic poetry of a Saraha and you will not be able to appreciate him, because your intelligence is dull.

Reclaim your forgotten language. Whenever you have time, be more in your senses. When you are eating, don't just eat; try to learn the forgotten language of taste again. Touch the bread, feel the texture of it. Feel with open eyes, feel with closed eyes. While chewing, chew it - you are chewing the divine. Remember it! It will be disrespectful not to chew well, not to taste well. Let it be a prayer, and you will start the rising of a new consciousness in you. You will learn the way of Tantra alchemy.

FREE YOUR SENSES
Touch people more. We have become very touchy about touch. If somebody is talking to you and comes too close, you start moving backwards. We protect our territory. We don't touch and we don't allow others to touch; we don't hold hands, we don't hug. We don't enjoy each other's being.

Go to the tree, touch the tree. Touch the rock. Go to the river; let the river flow through your hands. Feel it! Swim, and feel the water again as the fish feels it. Don't miss any opportunity to revive your senses. And there are a thousand and one opportunities the whole day. There is no need to have some separate time for it. The whole day is training in sensitivity. Use all the opportunities.

Sitting under your shower, use the opportunity - feel the touch of the water falling on you. Lie down on the ground, naked, feel the earth. Lie down on the beach, feel the sand. Listen to the sounds of the sand, listen to the sounds of the sea. Use every opportunity - only then will you be able to learn the language of the senses again. And Tantra can be understood only when your body is alive and your senses feel.

Free your senses from habits: habits are one of the root causes of dullness. Find out new ways of doing things. Invent new ways of loving. People have fixed habits. Even while making love they always make it in the same position. Find new ways of feeling.

Each experience has to be created with great sensitivity. When you make love to a woman or a man, make it a great celebration. Each time bring some new creativity into it. Sometimes have a dance before you make love. Sometimes pray before you make love. Sometimes go running in the forest, then make love. Sometimes go swimming and then make love. Then each love experience will create more and more sensitivity in you, and love will never become dull and boring. Find new ways to explore the other. Don't get fixed in routines. All routines are anti-life; routines are in the service of death.

TRY SOMETHING NEW
You can always invent - there is no limit to inventions. Sometimes a small change... and you will be tremendously benefited. You always eat at the table; sometimes sit on the lawn and eat there. You will be tremendously surprised; it is a totally different experience. The smell of the freshly-cut grass, the birds hopping around and singing, the fresh air, the sun rays, and the feel of the wet grass underneath.... It cannot be the same experience as when you sit on a chair and eat at your table. All the ingredients are different.

Sometimes try eating naked, and you will be surprised. Just a small change - nothing much, you are sitting naked - but you will have a totally different experience, because something new has been added to it. If you eat with a spoon and fork, sometimes eat with bare hands. Your touch will bring some new warmth to the food. A spoon is a dead thing. When you eat with a spoon or a fork, you are far away. That same fear of touching anything - even food cannot be touched. You will miss the texture, the touch, the feel of it. The food has as much feel as it has taste. When you eat with your hands, your touch is contributing. It will be tastier. It will be more human, more natural.

Find out new ways in everything. Tantra says: If you can go on finding new ways every day, your life will remain a thrill, an adventure. You will never be bored. You will always be curious; you will always be on the verge of seeking the unknown and the unfamiliar. Your senses will remain clear, because when you are always on the verge of seeking, exploring, finding, searching, you cannot become dull, you cannot become stupid.

Psychologists say that by the age of seven, stupidity starts; a child becomes dull, he stops learning. You will be surprised to know that the average mental age is 12 years. People don't grow beyond that, they are stuck there. That's why you see so much childishness in the world. Just insult a person who is 60 years of age, and within seconds he is just a 12-year-old child. And he is behaving in such a way that you will not be able to believe that such a grown up person could be so childish.

People are always ready to fall back. Their mental age is just skin-deep, hidden behind. Just scratch a little, and their mental age comes out. Their physical age is not of much importance. People die childish; they never grow.

Tantra says: Learn new ways of doing things, and free yourself of habits as much as possible. And Tantra says: Don't be imitative; otherwise your senses will become dull. Don't imitate. Find out ways of doing things in your own way. Have your signature on everything that you do.

{ PREGNANCY PROBLEMS? THAT'S "EXPECTED"! }

From: CompleteWellbeing.com

"The secret to a happy pregnancy lies in understanding the changes taking place in the body and modifying your lifestyle accordingly."

Pregnancy is a period of great physiological stress for a woman as she is nurturing a growing foetus in her body. Sometimes these changes are welcome and should be accepted positively, while at other times they can get irritable. We list below some common problems/discomforts faced by a woman during pregnancy.

NAUSEA & VOMITING
It is commonly known as "morning sickness" and occurs mainly in early pregnancy. At least 50 per cent of pregnant women in their first pregnancy experience this condition.

There are a number of factors that give rise to morning sickness. Some are physiological like excessive hormone production in early pregnancy disturbs the biochemical balances which lead to gastro-intestinal disturbances. This results in loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, tension or anxiety can also cause this.

To minimise morning sickness, women should have solid carbohydrate foods like biscuits, rusks, khakras, bread or fruits. At the same time avoid rich, fried, strong flavoured and spicy foods. Have liquids and solid foods every half hour. Keep munching on salty snacks. If dairy products become difficult to tolerate, try some that are easier to digest such as yogurt, cottage cheese and cheddar cheese. During the first trimester of pregnancy, you should also be cautious of herbal teas; the composition and safety of many of them are unknown. Choose products in filtered tea bags only. Try to include ginger tea or lemon tea in your diet.

CONSTIPATION
Constipation is common during the second half of pregnancy. Pressure of the developing foetus on the digestive tract makes bowel movement difficult at times. Limited activity and exercise, insufficient fluid intake, and inadequate bulk of the diet [due to intake of highly concentrated foods] can also be other causes. A liberal intake of fluids, use of natural laxative foods, such as whole grain cereals, husked pulses, fibrous vegetables and fruits, and avoiding refined foods is important.

HEARTBURN
Some women complain about feeling of fullness or heartburn during pregnancy. This is usually due to pressure of the enlarging uterus crowding the stomach, thereby causing difficulty after eating. Food gets mixed with the gastric acid leading to burning sensation. But, this complain has nothing to do with the heart. The feeling of fullness mainly comes from gas formation/gastric pressure and this can be avoided by taking small frequent meals. Eat slowly. Drink plenty of liquids between meals. Avoid late and heavy dinners. Wear loose fitting clothes. Go for walks for at least 15-20 minutes after your main meals. The walks need not be brisk, try to go for at least a stroll [slow walking] if possible.

HYPERTENSION

During pregnancy, hypertension may be mild or severe. In severe hypertension, blood pressure may rise high and might lead to excessive swelling in hands and ankles. It can be suspected when there is sudden weight gain indicating fluid retention rather than due to tissue building. This can be overcome by adequate rest and sound sleep. Restrict salty foods like chips, sauces, papad or canned foods. Also, avoid high heel shoes and try doing some ankle exercises.

Special considerations

• Caffeine: Pregnant women who are heavy coffee drinkers are at risk of miscarriages, and premature deliveries. Therefore, try to decrease the intake of caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, and cola.
• Alcohol intake and smoking: These lead to an increase in the foetal mortality. It can also lead to low birth weight and growth retardation. Another disadvantage is alcohol gives seven empty [no nutritional value] calories/gm. Women who derive their required energy from alcohol are not left with sufficient appetite for nutritious foods thus leading to various kinds of nutrient deficiencies. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
• Drugs: Studies show that drugs like marijuana and heroin can lead to prolonged labour, operative deliveries and other maternal problems. While in case of medicinal drugs, they should be avoided during early pregnancy as it can cause malformation of the foetus.
• Protein intake: Protein intake should be increased by 10g a day and can easily be found in animal products including chicken, fish, milk, and eggs. Some plant foods, such as legumes, nuts, seeds, and cereal grains can also provide high quality protein. It is more beneficial if you combine one food from two of these categories in the form of dishes like hummus, split pea soup, bean tacos or even a peanut butter sandwich or khichdi.
• Calcium intake: Calcium is one of the most important minerals needed during pregnancy. The current recommended amount of calcium intake during pregnancy is 1,200mg - an increase of 400mg a day over your usual needs. An increase in dairy products such as skim milk, cheese, yogurt, pudding, and ice milk is an easy way to consume lots of calcium. Other good non-dairy sources of calcium include salmon, kale, broccoli, beans, and calcium-fortified orange juice.