General Signs of Pregnancy

Pregnancy cannot be defined by a specific list of symptoms, the reason being no two pregnant women have the exact same experience through pregnancy. Some pregnancy signs have been however widely reported by most women in the past. 

• Missed period:

 A missed period is one of the first signs of pregnancy. It is also one of the surest signs. But if your periods are usually irregular or if you miss out on keeping track of your dates you may not realise that you are pregnant. 

• Spotting:

 A small amount of bleeding happens in some women about ten days after conception of the foetus. This is called implantation bleeding or spotting and it is harmless.

• Swollen and Tingling nipples:

 Pregnancy is like game time for your hormones! Hormone levels increase or decrease contributing to obvious changes in your external appearance as well as internal metabolism. These hormonal changes increase the blood supply to your breasts, making them feel sore, tingling and noticeably different.

• Fatigue:

The start of your journey towards motherhood is marked by fatigue, headaches and an increase in basal temperature. Pregnancy can be emotionally overwhelming and physically tiring during the first trimester. Tiredness in pregnancy subsides during the second trimester and will be back to haunt to you as you near your delivery date .

• Food cravings:

Craving for certain types of food is the symptom that most women enjoy during pregnancy. Some women develop a craving while some others may go off food. Pregnant women have also reported, experiencing a metallic taste in their mouth (Weird, but true).

• Morning Sickness:

Just when you are about to digest the feeling of being pregnant, pregnancy morning sickness sets in to make you feel more alarmed. But it is absolutely normal to feel queasy, nauseous and clumsy not just during the mornings but throughout the whole day of early pregnancy.

• Positive home pregnancy test

In spite of so many symptoms giving you the inkling, a home pregnancy kit is the most certain way to declare your pregnancy. A double line on your pregnancy kit is a clear symptom that indicates the impending surprises of pregnancy. 

No pregnancy guide can completely prepare you for the exciting journey. A women needs to be open to changes, ready to embrace surprises, let go of conventional pregnancy myths to enjoy this beautiful transition.

Maha Shivratri - The Night of Lord Shiva

Maha Shivratri is considered to be the most important day for the devotees of Lord Shiva. As per Shiva Purana, if a devotee observes Shivratri Vrat with utmost sincerity, devotion and adoration, then that person will be blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva.

Each year, thousands of devotees observe Maha Shivratri fast with devoutness and earnestness. It it believed that a person who observes the Maha Shivratri Vrat, can control the two great natural forces that affect a man – Rajas Guna (the quality of passionate activity) and Tamas Guna (the quality of inertia). So, when a devotee worships Lord Shiva with great dedication, it cleanses the ignorance in the person and absolves all sins while killing desire, greed, arrogance, illusion, anger, and jealousy.

Customs and Traditions of Shivaratri Fast 

The day begins with a holy bath that is taken with the water that is boiled with black sesame seeds to wash away all the impurities of the body and the soul. Once the sacred bath is taken, the devotees then wear fresh and clean clothes, and visit the near by temple or do the Puja at home. Many devotees also wear a Rudraksha Mala.

Haldi-kumkum is applied on the lingum, and a garland of white and pink lotus flowers is placed on it, along with Bel leaves that are placed at the top of the Lingum. Bhajans are sung in praise of Lord Shiva to seek his blessings and chants like Om Namah Shivaya are recited all through the day and night. 

During the night, many devotees observe the strict fast and make sure that the Shiva Ling is given the holy bath after every three hours. The fast is broken the next morning by consuming the Prasad which is offered to Lord Shankar. 

While many devotees go for a fruit diet and drink lots of water during this fast. Some people who observe this fast consume a mid-day meal as well. There are several types of shivratri vrat recipes which can be savoured during this festival. Some of these include Paneer Kheer, Sabudana Vada, Shrikhand, Sabudana Khichdi, Kuttu Ki Puri, Singhare Ka Halwa, etc.

Baby Bathing Tips: What to Do and What Not

Bath time can be really fun for your baby, but it is also a time when mothers should be very careful as cleaning up a slippery, squirming and screaming baby needs a lot of practice. 

Following certain baby bath tips can make things easier and your baby will soon start to love splashing in the water and play with floating toys and bubbles. To help young mothers enjoy this special time with the baby, we are sharing few bathing tips that will make things easy.

Temperature: Make sure that the bathroom temperature is comfortable and the water is warm. It should be not too hot nor tool cold, as babies can get chilled very quickly.

Use a bath tub: Small babies may at times be very difficult to handle. They may scream and cry, so, instead of putting your baby under running water, use a baby bath tub and protect your baby’s head by using a cushioned cover.

Essential supplies: Get your things like a towel, mild baby shampoo, moisturizing soap, washcloth handy so that you don’t have to leave your baby alone and go for the things.

Do not leave your baby alone: Always keep your baby’s head clear of water. Most drowning deaths of babies happen at home when the child is left alone in the bathroom. You can use your hand to swish some water over your baby to wash his head and remember not to leave him alone in the bath tub even for a second.

Unplug all electric items: While bathing your baby, unplug all electric appliances in the bathroom like the hair dryer, geysers or water heaters.

Use non skid mats: Your bathroom may be slippery and carrying your baby may be very risky. So, it is better to use non skid mats inside the bathroom to prevent any falls and reduce the risk of injury.

The method: When you are ready with everything and your baby, undress him and wrap him in a towel and carefully place him in the tub with a support on his back. Use a wash cloth to wipe off excess water and to clean the face.

If your baby is dirty or smelly, you can use a mild soap to clean under the arms, behind the ears, the diaper area and around the neck. After the bath, pat him dry and use a baby lotion to avoid dry skin. 

Following the above baby bath tips can protect your child in the bathroom and ensure safety.  

Ignite that Love for Classic Hindi Poems

Think of classic Hindi poems, and you think of the legendary poets of yester years who gave you some timeless and beautiful creations to remember ever more. Even today these poems have not lost their charm and are a favourite of many.

When names like Harivansh Rai Bachchan strike one’s ears, they think of memorable creations such as Hindi poem Koshish Karne Walon Ki Haar Nahi Hoti. 

As a matter of fact, gone are the days when poems were only recited by grown-ups. These days, young children are often seen reciting and memorising these poems. Kids not only learn these poems, but are also observed understanding the deeper meanings that are hidden in the simple sentences. Such is the brilliance of the modern day generation.

For many years, poem Jhansi Ki Rani and many such verses have been touching the hearts of people. With these eternal creations, expressing feelings has become a way of life. Such motivational poems help in bringing positive thoughts to a person’s mind and give them a feeling of inspiration, while providing them the much needed peace of mind.

There are many websites that share such beautiful poems which belong to various genres. So, if you are in search of the full poem Pushp Ki Abhilasha or any other poem, then find a website that provides such poems in Hindi, making it possible for you to enjoy the truest essence of the poem in the best possible manner. 

In fact, these poems also help you spark those latent feelings of love, friendship, happiness, valour, strength and much more. Each such poem helps in boosting one kind of feeling or the other, in a person. No wonder why these have been recited by many people all these years! Such is the magnificence of these poems that people often sing them on various occasions, articulating their emotions in a great way.

So, what are you waiting for? If you are in need of such poems that can help your kid learn the fundamentals of life, and which help them be a good human being and a patriotic with a genuine affection for the nation within their heart, then find such a portal that lists these classic Hindi poems in the national language of the country, i.e. in Hindi! Browse such poems and ignite the love you have for them within yourself, and express your feelings with these classic gems.

Games that are actually fun at Baby Shower Party

Congratulations to you on being pregnant. As you are about to give birth to your baby, we help you have a truly fantastic and memorable baby shower party!

Do you need some ideas about easy baby shower games for large groups? Well, if yes, then we are there to assist you to make the most of this awaited occasion of your life.

Here are some baby shower games that might help you turn your party into a truly exciting and entertaining celebration for all the guests and for you and your spouse too! So, turn the excitement levels high and read on to know about some of the sure shot entries into the list of popular baby shower party games.

• Tummy Size - If you are asked about one of the most noticeable things about your pregnancy, then your answer has to be your tummy! So, do not shift the attention from your tummy to anything else on your baby shower and play this game. Give a thread reel to your guests one by one and ask them to cut a length of string which according to them will fit the size of your tummy. Select the winner whose string fits you the most.

• Suggestions please! – Create a special book or get some colourful Post-it notes and give them to the guests, asking them to write a suggestion for you that can help you take care of your baby. Once done, you can then guess who wrote what and write the name of the guest beside the note.

• Musical Chair – Whether you are in search of baby shower game ideas for a boy or a girl, musical chair is an evergreen party game which is enjoyed by all. So, play some groovy numbers and let your guests have some fun.

• Guess the Nursery Rhyme – One of the creative baby shower games is to write down some sentences out of the famous nursery rhymes that have been taught to all of us during our school time. Put all the sentences in a bowl and ask your guests to pick one chit. They have to speak the sentence loud and then have to guess the nursery rhyme the sentence has been taken from!

• Can you suggest a unique baby name? – Ask your guests to suggest a unique baby name by giving them only 10 seconds to think of a name that starts with any random alphabet you say. Besides being an enjoyable game, this will also help you have a list of some unique and interesting baby names.

Fun Tips to Enjoy Babysitting

When it comes to kids, it cannot be denied that they are a sheer source of cheerfulness. And, when you get to baby sit them, you get all the more reasons to have a wonderful time! But is it really that easy? Well, many of you would say it is not an easy task to entertain kids and look after them. So, to help you be the best version of a modern day babysitter, we share some interesting babysitting tips with you.

• Watch a movie together

This one is certainly a great idea to have the best possible time with a kid who is getting fussy. Switch on the television or play their favorite Disney movie on the laptop or tablet! These days your smartphone can also be put to a good use when it comes to watching a movie. Snuggle the kid in a blanket and prepare a bowl full of pop corns or snacks to make the movie time all the more special.

Babysitting Tips

• Play loads of games

When it comes to playing games, kids never get tired! So, search the internet to find interesting games and play them to have an enjoyable time with the child you are babysitting.

• It’s activity time!

Kids love doing something big and unusual. So every now and then, you can plan a fun activity to do together. It could be anything like making crafts, doing painting, playing a musical instrument, making a greeting card for the parents, and any such thing that can be planned inside the home. This would not only be engaging, but also equally simple to do.

•  Move outside the home

Another entertaining entry to our list of babysitting ideas is to take the kids outside the home for a little while. Visit the nearby park, play with other kids, do a running competition, ride bicycles, take the dog along with you for a walk, and do any such thing that interests the kid. But remember, you must take the permission of the parents and/or guardians of the kid before taking him or her out of the home. 
Also, make sure that you take utmost care of the child outside the premises of their home, to help them have a great time without having to encounter any hazards.

There are many such babysitting activities that can help you keep the child engrossed and lively. So, if you wish to make the best of the time you spend with kids, follow these tips and have a truly delightful time.

Plan Funny and Exciting Baby Outing Ideas

Becoming a mother is the greatest gift from god. But your life may at times be very stressful and incredibly boring. It is true that following a routine can help you to manage things, but it is also important to make your life interesting and exciting. 

Your baby should not become a burden on you; in fact, you should plan for some great outing ideas together. Getting some fresh air can work wonders and help to relieve the stress. Here are some great baby outing ideas that you can plan.  

• Go for a short walk

After you finish up with all the work at home, you can go for a short walk around your neighboring areas with your baby. But before you plan, see that the weather outside is not too hot or cold. You can also take your pet for a walk.

• Look for birds

Visiting a local bird sanctuary can be a great fun. There are various local places where you can get to see varied species of birds like macaws, peacocks, owls, parrots etc.

• Visit the mall

Even if you don’t have much to shop, you can go to a nearby mall for outings with babies and just enjoy window displays. Grab for your favorite food and enjoy the luxury of someone else doing the cooking and cleaning process.

•  Play in the park

To enjoy some extra fresh air, you can get out of your house and visit the colony or society park. Play on the swings or take a walk and be fresh.

•  Meet your friends or relatives

Visiting your friends or your parents can also be a great means of spending some quality time. Since they are the people who you trust, you can be comfortable there with your baby. So, take the advantage and get rid of your boredom.

•  Join a hobby class

Your newborn baby will sleep a lot and you can take advantage of this time. Join some cooking or mommy and me classes. You will not only learn and experience new things, but you can also spend your time doing activities with others.

you can also spend your time doing activities with others.