Managing Leg Cramps

Yes, they suck. They are common in pregnancy. And their frequency increases as the pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are nobody's favourite. But the good news is that the pain, though excruciating, is short-lived, and can be managed. This is what I used to practice, and found relief in:

• Stretch your calf muscles before going to bed. 
• Stand around 6 inches away from a wall. Keep your palms on the wall in front of your shoulders. Lift yourself on your toes, hold the position for a few seconds, and then lower yourself. Repeat 10 times.
• Sit on your bed with your legs stretched out in front of you. Flex your ankles forward and back at least 20 times, and then rotate them. Feel and enjoy each stretch. 
• Roll up a bedsheet or a towel. Keep your legs stretched out in front of you. Hold one end in your left hand, take it around your feet and hold the other end in your right hand. The bedsheet/towel should be stretched tightly from one hand, around the feet and the other hand. Now pull the towel/bedsheet towards yourself such that your toes point towards you. Feel and enjoy the stretch in your calves, hold for a few seconds, and then loosen the grasp. Repeat 8-10 times.
• Keep your feet slightly raised while sleeping. A thick towel or bedsheet, when folded, does the trick. A soft pillow might help as well. 
• When the cramp strikes, immediately stretch your leg. 
• First stretch out the heel i.e. point your toes in, such that the calf muscle is stretched.
• After a few seconds, do the opposite, i.e. point your toes out. Repeat until the pain lessens.
• Ask your hubby or partner to massage your calf muscles!
• Since my pregnancy was during the winter months, a hot water bottle next to the legs helped immensely.

Useful web resources for would-be-mommies

No phase in life throws up as many questions as conception, pregnancy and childbirth. Each woman is unique and is bound to face confusion, apprehension and curiosity about the rapid changes in her body in this phase of her life. In my case, I can't imagine going through it all without the Internet! Here's a list of the most useful web resources for moms and moms-to-be:

• Babycenter: My advice for all moms-to-be would be to sign up at www.babycenter.com. Simple, relevant and easily navigable, the site provides up to date information. Their week by week pregnancy newsletter is a boon. From Ovulation calculators and due date calculators to myth-busters and baby names, you'll find everything here. And it's all free!
• Pregnancy & Childbirth @ Suite101: I would rate it next to Babycenter. When you aren't convinced by an answer on Babycenter, check this site out. It always helps to have a second opinion. I like the way they list questions regarding different topics. Even if you haven't thought about an issue, you would want to check it out, just in case!
• Lamaze International: In case you wondered, Lamaze isn't just a designer package made out by hospitals these days. It is the pursuit of natural, safe and healthy approach towards pregnancy. While using the term 'Lamaze' has become fashionable of late, many hospitals pass off a Khichdi of Yoga, Meditation and tall talking as Lamaze. In case you are opting for Lamaze classes, do check if the instructor is certified by Lamaze International. Browse the site for more healthy birth practices.
• Doctor Cathy: The YouTube abounds in Yoga videos during pregnancy, but I haven't come across anybody as informed, regular, and sincere as Dr Cathy. I am an avid Yoga practitioner and couldn't imagine missing my daily practice because of pregnancy. Dr Cathy came to my rescue the pre-natal Yoga positions advised by her helped immensely. I wish I could find the time to practice the Post-natal ones as well... Sigh!
• Google: Yes, Google. No single web resource can satiate your hunger for information when pregnant. Therefore, when you hit a dead end, just Google your query. I am sure the Lord of the Internet will throw up several agreeable options. That's how I survived my moments of 'need-to-know-now'! 

Distraction or Attraction?

The air is still. The house is quiet. Your to-do list slightly empty. You sense an opportunity and make a move towards the laptop. Password typed. Document opened. Thought and structure in place. Bravo! You lift your finger to strike the first key and just then, the tiny form on the bed stirs.

Ears on high alert to check changes in breathing pattern (not yours, though you might hardly be breathing from trepidition) you pause your eager finger mid-air, and peek over the tousled blanked. Sure enough, the thumb is in the mouth. A perfect mouth, you notice... The absence of teeth as yet, enhances the upper lip, which anyways, is shaped as flower petals. The bluish-green-outlined eyelids are closed. Yet the small mouth has already started furiously sucking the finger. "Ah!," you sigh, since you know that this means another delay.

You shut the laptop yet once again, gazing at it longingly, and then turn your gaze, now a lot more intense, on the tiny form. Something stronger than longing fills inside as you lie down beside your baby. A gentle brush against the lips is enough, and then, with the naturalness of having been born with this knowledge, your little one turns her head (eyes still shut) and latches on to your breast.

The clock ticks away in the background, while you hear the satisfaction in her breath.

Some articles are written, some doctored, while some others, some rare ones, are just lived.