3D / 4D Ultrasound

Ultrasound Vision is a Charlottesville company that offers a chance for parents to see highly detailed images of their unborn baby with a 3D/4D ultrasound. The technology shows a baby sucking his or her thumb, smiling and even yawning.

Sylvia Wildermuth owns the Ultrasound Vision franchise in Charlottesville. She's a trained 3D/4D ultrasound tech. She requires all moms to be under a physician's care and have completed a second trimester diagnostic ultrasound with a doctor before getting a 3D/4D ultrasound at her company.

It is the same safe sound waves that are used with your doctor's ultrasound machine. Some doctors even have this exact same machine in their office," said Wildermuth.

The 3D/4D ultrasound shows detailed images of the baby, unlike a traditional black and white 2D ultrasound.

The 3D/4D ultrasound is a fun experience where mom, dad, grandparents and siblings can get a sneak peak of the baby.

News Source : 3D / 4D Ultrasound

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Acupressure for Women's Health

More and more women are seeking alternative treatment options for common symptoms of PMS, menstrual difficulties, menopause, and infertility. Acupressure has become a widely recognized safe and natural alternative offering much relief and for good reason.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses key points along the energy meridians in the body allowing balance and wellness. For over 5000 yrs Asians have used acupressure to access the body's natural self healing ability. Chinese medicine looks at re-balancing the root causes for disease and illness versus the western band aid take a pill approach.

Why do traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners look to the liver when dealing with women's health issues?

The liver is responsible for balancing hormones in the body, cleansing blood and making blood. A sluggish liver can cause many disharmonies and is most often times the root of women's health issues. Our western diets are full of fats and sugars that impede the liver from functioning properly. Habitual frustrations and recurrent feelings of anger also harm the liver. These next liver points are most often used in acupressure to treat women's health issues.

Liver 14- is located below the breast where the bra wire sits. This tender point is located between the ribs in a little nook closer to the sternum or hard part of the breast plate. If this is a tender point for you then chances are your liver could use a little boost. Hold this point with firm pressure usually 1-5 minutes until the pain subsides. You will notice a softening and the point won't be as sensitive to the touch. Liver 14 regulates and re-balances the energy of the liver and if you are experiencing menstrual difficulties such as irregular menses, pms, cramps, heavy bleeding or menopausal disorders this is a great point to use frequently.

Liver 3- is located on the foot between the first and 3rd toe up into the fleshy part of the foot about 2 inches up from the web. It is usually very sensitive. This is one of the most powerful points in the body as well as being the source point of the liver. It is not to be used by pregnant women as it brings energy down in the body and promotes labor. Liver 3- is used for all women's health issues stated in the previous paragraph. It is also beneficial for headaches in front of the eyes as the liver control the eye orifices as well. Once again hold this point for an extended period until the pain subsides.

Using these two acupressure points can help to relieve many women's health problems. Stimulating these points daily will bring quicker results. Consider a liver cleanse and moderating your diet to limit fatty foods, red meats, diary, and alcohol to regain a healthy liver function.

Eating dark green bitter vegetables like asparagus, swiss chard and spinach also cleanses the liver. Most women crave chocolate during menstruation as the bitter flavor in the cacao stimulates the liver's purifying action.

Consider using alternative modalities such as mediation, various breathing exercises and yoga if emotions such as frustration and anger get the best of you. And remember that your body is not working on a microwave time-line. It takes quite a while for an imbalance to manifest and cause various health problems. So be patient with your body and give it time to heal, and do its job properly again.

About the Author

Vanessa Simpkins is an acupressure practitioner who specializes in teaching others how to stay healthy using natural alternative therapies. If you want to get in touch with Vanessa or learn more about acupressure please visit:Free Information On Women's Alternative Health

Article Source: Content for Reprint

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Exercise In Pregnancy

It is not always necessary for pregnant women to give up their exercise routines. In fact, studies have demonstrated that mild to moderate amounts of exercise could result in certain benefits such as shorter labors, less preterm deliveries, less cesarean deliveries, and less fetal distress during labor. Proper exercise programs could also increase your daily energy levels, and improve your quality of sleep.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women who exercised before pregnancy can continue to exercise with some restrictions. Specifically, ACOG recommends:

• Regular exercise (at least three times per week) is better than intermittent programs.

• Avoid exercises where you lay flat on your back after the 12th week of pregnancy.

• Do not exercise to the point of exhaustion, instead, stop when fatigued.

• Make sure you do not overheat. Drink plenty of fluids and maintain a proper diet.

• Avoid activities that require precise balance.

• Avoid activities that have the potential for abdominal trauma.

Don’t worry, the above list does not exclude all activities. Recommended regimens include walking, swimming, bicycling (stationary bikes are best in late pregnancy), and low impact aerobics. Walking is ideal, especially for women who did not exercise much before they were pregnant.

Sounds good so far, but you must keep in mind that there is the potential for problems. High-impact exercise, with excessive bouncing or jarring should be avoided. In addition, women who exercise too vigorously on a regular basis could have babies with low birth weights. It is also prudent for women who were inactive before pregnancy to limit new exercise programs during pregnancy to mild or moderate programs, such as walking or swimming.

Certain groups of women should not be exercising at all when pregnant. This includes high-risk pregnancies such as women with high blood pressure related to their pregnancy, women with premature labor, and women with twins. As a rule, you should always check with your physician before beginning any exercise program during pregnancy.

Article Source : Exercise In Pregnancy

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