WONDER Girl's Blog

I recently spent a year on a working holiday in London where I worked as a casual primary school teacher. Believe it or not one of the hardest tasks I had to do every day was marking the roll. Not only did I have to try to remember thirty new names every day but some of the names these children were given were beyond belief. I even had the pleasure of working in a preschool where one of the parents had given a child the name ‘Sir Nicholas’. ‘If you please Sir Nicholas, kindly join the circle for duck, duck, goose…’

One of the most exciting (and trickiest) parts of having a baby is deciding on a name! While it is obvious that you should give your child a name you and your partner both love, we’ve created a list of other considerations you might want to take into account when naming your child:

‘I now would like to welcome to the stage the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia Pilot Inspektor and Leader of the Opposition Princess Tiaamii’ Perhaps not. When considering what to name your child, don’t just look at the bundle of joy in your arms but also consider how the name will sound if your child wants to become the CEO of a major bank or a politician. Consider also how the name will sound at all stages of life – baby, child, teenager, parent, grandparent and at the nursing home.

Many parents choose a rather more ‘common’ name than the above two examples but insist on spelling it uniquely. Rethink this. Your child may not thank you when they need to explain over and over again how their name is to be spelt or pronounced. Little Ekzayvior will have a lot less trauma in his life if you just call him Xavier. Seriously.

Tradition. Do you really want to hand ‘that’ name down? My father has the misfortune of having the middle name Rashleigh. No joke. I guess the only silver lining in the cloud is that it wasn’t his first name. Better to offend Aunty Mavis than subject your child to a lifetime of bullying. If you really MUST use the offending name, try using it as a middle name, that way the child will only have to use it on rare occasions.

Think about your surname. If you have a tongue twister of a last name it is often recommended to give your child an uncomplicated first name. Conversely if you are a Smith or a Jones you might want to play around with a longer first name. There are no hard and fast rules to this of course, but saying your intended name ten times quickly should give you an indication of its tongue twister potential.

Do you remember back in school when you had to put your initials on the back of your artwork or inside your school book? Whilst a name may be lovely in and of itself you must remember that it WILL be put into initials at school. Zachary Ian Thompson will become Z.I.T, Adele Rhianna Smith will become A.R.S… you get the picture.

If you are having doubts about the suitability of your name ask a select few of your best mates. If they have a bad reaction to your name find out why. Perhaps they will think of something that you had not thought of. Weigh up their opinions carefully but remember that ultimately the decision is up to you.

If you like a name but hate the abbreviation, too bad. It is inevitable that if you name your child Victoria, someone at school, work or on the playground will shorten it to Vicki or Tori. If you hate the abbreviations best to choose another name.

Golden rule – do not name thine child after an ex! No matter how lovely your exes name was it is off limits for your child. Even suggesting the name could create rifts and jealousy in your relationship. Pregnancy and childbirth is a time for bonding not tearing apart.

I stumbled across this brilliant suggestion whilst on a mother’s forum. This particular mother whittled her list of potential baby names down and every time she ordered a decaf latte from Starbucks she would use one of the names on the baby list. She said that hearing the barista call out the potential name helped her to consolidate whether she really loved it. So if you’ve got a few names to choose from head back down to the coffee shop and order away – decaf of course!

Congratulations Wonder Mum, you’re over half way through your first trimester! This week your little one has been busy, busy, busy. His or her neural tube has begun to develop into a brain. This development pushes the baby’s head forward making it appear more round. A lot of things are happening for your bub this week, aside from brain formation the little one is also developing buds which will become his or her lungs, intestines – which already are beginning to split according to function, forming valves in its little heart, growing limbs and even its first layer of skin! Bub has been busy indeed!

All of this exciting development comes at a price, and that price is usually a very tired mother-to-be, make sure you take plenty of time to chill out, laze around and make your gorgeous man a slave to your every need. We recommend investing in a bell.

As well as being tired you may notice that your breasts have begun to get tender, this is due to a surge in hormones and an increased blood supply to the breasts. For some women this increased blood supply will result in more prominent veins and/or nipple sensitivity.

Another thing that you will more than likely experience is an increase in vaginal discharge. If things are getting a bit slippery down below simply throw on a Wonder Panty Liner and change it regularly to stay fresh. This discharge should be relatively odour free. It should not be painful or irritating. If your discharge is painful, irritating or bloody get yourself down to your doctor as soon as possible for a check up.

Although a bit of light spotting during pregnancy is common further bleeding during pregnancy is considered abnormal and if you experience this you should get yourself down to your doctor immediately. It may be nothing to worry about but it may also be a sign of a problem with your pregnancy. Miscarriage or threatened miscarriage is most common in the first trimester of pregnancy and bleeding can be a sign of this. Better safe than sorry, if you’re bleeding get yourself down to your Doc.

Another thing which is quite normal to experience at this stage of pregnancy is the onset of headaches, again speak to your doctor if these are severe enough to bother you or interfere with your day to day tasks. There are some pain killers which are considered safe to use during pregnancy, and your doc will be able to recommend which ones are right for you.

Some women also feel a bit faint during their first trimester. This may be due to sudden swings in blood pressure and/or hormones. It is important that if you begin to feel dizzy that you sit or lie down immediately.

You may seem to be constantly running to the toilet to either urinate or vomit – pregnancy is charming really. Light incontinence is a problem for many pregnant women and is nothing to be embarrassed about. We recommend slipping on a Wonder Maternity Pad if this happens to you, these are extra absorbent and are perfect if you have a slight accident before you reach the loo.

Stay tuned for next week because we be blogging about Week Eight of your pregnancy, pre-natal tests you may wish to have and more.

Catch you next time,

Jenny.

Getting your period usually means getting more intimate with your vagina. During puberty you may notice some changes going on down there. For starters you will begin to get pubic hair, which is a coarse type of hair which grows around the genitals. Both males and females get pubic hair and it’s a normal part of becoming a young adult. This hair can be any colour, but is normally a few shades darker than the hair on your head. How much pubic hair you grow will depend on your genes. As a general rule darker skinned girls tend to have a bit more body hair than lighter skinned girls although this varies from person to person.

Nobody quite knows for sure why we have pubic hair. Some people think that it helps to keep the genital region clean, others think that the pubic hair acts to trap pheromones (hormones that make us smell good to the opposite sex). People’s attitudes towards their pubic hair vary; some girls don’t give it a second thought and are happy to let it grow naturally, others choose to shave it off completely, some even make an artform out of their pubic hair. The most common form of maintenance down there involves shaving or waxing of the bikini line during summer. Just a word of caution Wondergirls shaving down there can result in hair growing back prickly which can make things a little itchy and uncomfortable, you can even get unsightly ingrown hairs! Ultimately girls what you do with your pubic hair, like everything you do with your body, is up to you.

During puberty everything in your vagina will increase in size, this is due to there being more hormones in your system and is completely normal. As you start maturing your inner and outer labia, clitoris and hymen get bigger and can even change shape, colour and start to feel different! Let’s have a look at this labelled diagram below and check out what is what.

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Your clitoris: Your clitoris exists for one reason and that is to give you pleasure. It is super sensitive because it contains lots of nerve endings and when you get sexually aroused it increases in size. During day to day tasks it is covered by a hood which retracts when aroused.

Your Labia Majora: These are the outside ‘lips’ of the vagina, it is thought we have these to protect the sensitive inner areas of the vagina.

Your Labia Minora: Your labia minora, like the labia majora, also act to protect the inner areas of your vagina. These can vary enormously in size and colour. Some girls labia minora is much longer than their labia majora. Other girls hardly seem to have any labia minora at all. Either way is perfectly normal and healthy. How big or small yours grow is all down to genetics. Some girls labia minora is wrinkly and others are smooth. The colour of the labia minora ranges from light pink to dark brown depending on your general skin colour.

Urethra: Your urethra is where your urine comes out it is connected to your bladder by a long tube, kinda like a straw!

The truth about your hymen: Ok girls, in a lot of cultures the hymen is seen as a symbol of virginity and purity. The hymen is an elastic piece of tissue at the vaginal opening. Some girls mistakenly think that the hymen completely covers the vaginal opening. This is not the case, there is usually a hole, or number of holes around the size of a finger in your hymen, this allows menstrual blood to go out and, in most cases, a tampon can be inserted without breaking the hymen. Did you know that it is even possible to have sex without breaking the hymen if your body is well lubricated and relaxed enough?

The hymen shouldn’t be considered as proof of virginity. A small minority of girls are born without a hymen and many have broken it through sport or some other means before they have sexual intercourse. If your hymen is broken but you have not had sex then you are still a virgin. Only about half of women experience bleeding when their hymen breaks and if you are relaxed and well lubricated before sex then it shouldn’t be a painful experience. A very small number of women have something called an imperforate hymen which means the hymen is thicker than normal and has trouble breaking during intercourse. This may require surgical correction.

Your vaginal opening: Your vaginal opening is an elastic opening which connects your vulva (the outside bits) to your vagina (the inside bits) this is where the penis is inserted during intercourse and where a baby comes out during childbirth. The vaginal opening is also where all vaginal and menstrual fluid comes out. Many girls worry that their vaginal opening is either too big or too small. The vaginal opening, like every part of the human body, is unique to each person and will neither be too big nor too small to enjoy a normal and healthy sex life. The vagina is very elastic… think about how much it needs to stretch for a baby to come out!

Your anus – the anus is the opening of the digestive tract and is where your faeces (poo) exits your body. It is surrounded by very strong muscles which keep the anus closed when you are not on the toilet.

Discharge: All girls experience discharge coming out of their vagina. The amount of discharge you will release depends on where you are at in your menstrual cycle. When you have your period you will release a red-brown fluid made up of blood and uterine lining (for more info see our blog on menstruation). Somewhere around day 12-16 of your cycle you will experience ovulation (the period of time when your body is fertile), during this time of the month you will have more discharge which will usually be a slippery white or clear substance. Many women choose to wear a WONDER panty liner during this time to keep their undies clean. If your discharge is smelly and unusually thick you may have a yeast infection (thrush). Almost all women experience thrush at some point or another and it can be easily treated by over the counter medications and/or creams from your local pharmacy.

Vaginal health is extremely important. If you are not sure of something that is going on down there or experiencing abnormal discharge please consult a medical professional. This is especially important if you are sexually active as unusual discharge can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Don’t be embarrassed, doctors and pharmacists are professionals and deal with these kind of problems every day .

Got any questions? Don’t be shy…. Ask away! I will be awarding some special prizes to my favs!

Jenny.

Hey Wondergirls,

Haven’t got your first period and nervous about what to expect? Don’t worry because we at Wondergirl have all the tips and products to keep you covered for your first time.

The first time you look down and see blood on your undies can be a bit of a scary experience. But don’t worry it is perfectly normal and part of the transition from being a Wondergirl to a Wonderwoman.

A girls first period is a right of passage, so much so that there is even a fancy, scientific name for it – Menarche! Every girl’s experience of getting their first period is different, after all we are all unique! Most girls notice some light spotting (drops of blood) on their undies or see blood on the toilet paper after going to the bathroom. Generally the first period is quite light, meaning there isn’t a lot of blood. The colour of the blood can range from bright red to a rusty brown – or anywhere in between.

How do I know if I am going to get my period soon? Girls normally get their period within two years of getting hair on their vagina and under their arms and slightly after their breasts start to bud. If this has happened to you there is a good chance that your period is on its way. It is a good idea to keep some items on hand so that you are not unprepared when you get your period for the first time. Have a chat to mum and ask her to pick up some WONDERpads and/or tampons next time you go shopping.

What are pads, tampons and panty liners?

Pads – pads are the most common product girls use when they first get their period. They are a piece of absorbent material which has a sticky backing. The absorbent material takes in your period blood so that it doesn’t get on your undies. They come in a variety of thicknesses and lengths. You will probably try a few different lengths and thicknesses before you find your favourite.

For your first period we recommend using the Wonder ultra thin in regular or super, because they are thin they don’t feel too bulky in your undies. Did you know? Ultra thin pads absorb just as much as regular pads. It is the level of absorbency the pad has and not the thickness of the pad that counts! To find out how much yours will absorb check out the part of the pack that says ‘super’ or  ‘regular’. The term ‘super’ means that it absorbs more blood, a lot of girls use these on the first two or three days of their period when it is most heavy. ‘Super’ pads tend to be longer than regular pads too so there is less risk of leaking. ‘Regular’ pads absorb a medium flow of blood. Lots of girls like to use regular pads or even Wonder Ultra Thin Panty liners for the last couple of days of their period when the flow is lightest.

Tip: Remember to change your pad regularly, if you’re at school it is a good idea to change it before school, at recess, at lunch and when you get home. That way you don’t have to be nervous about any unexpected leaking during class.

How to use a pad? Simply remove the Wonder pad from its wrapping, take the strip off the back of the pad and place it on the centre of your undies, if your pad has wings stick them to the underside of your undies to help keep your pad in place.

It is a good idea to buy a pack before you get your first period and have a bit of a practice to make sure you know how to put your pad on. Ask your mum, older sisters or friends if you need some help. Walk around with it on for a while too so you get used to the feeling.

Wonder Overnight pads: Some girls like to wear a different pad at night, called an overnight pad. When we sleep our body is in a different position to when we are awake so we need a different kind of protection. Wonder has designed a special pad which is longer for night time use, so you don’t get any blood leaking on your sheets.

Tampons:

Tampons are little cotton-like sticks which you insert into your vagina. They absorb the blood inside your body, this way you don’t have any messy blood coming out. Lots of girls like to use tampons because they don’t interfere with their every day lives – you can go swimming, running, do anything using a tampon that you can do when you don’t have your period!

Tampons also come in super, regular or mini depending on your blood flow. Super absorbs the most, regular absorbs a medium amount and mini absorbs a small amount (suitable for a light flow).

Some girls find tampons a bit tricky to insert the first time. For a rundown on how to insert tampons see the instruction sheet inside every box of Wonder tampons. There are two types of tampons in particular which are recommended for your first try, one is called a ‘mini’ tampon which is smaller and therefore easier to insert. Another is our new Wonder applicator tampons. An applicator tampon has a plastic applicator which you press on to help you insert your tampon, guiding the tampon into the correct place in your vagina. Lots of girls swear by applicator tampons because they are easy to use and less messy than regular tampons.

Tip: When wearing tampons it is very important to change your tampon regularly. Although there is new research to suggest that you can safely wear a tampon for up to eight hours we still suggest changing around every four hours. See the instruction booklet inside every Wonder tampon box for more details.

How long does a period last and how often will I get it?

Most girls find that their period lasts around four or five days, but anywhere between two and seven is normal. Your first period is often very light and may last a shorter time than regular periods.

You usually get your period around once every 28 days (although it can be anywhere between 21-35 days). When girls first start out getting their period it can often be a bit irregular meaning that it may only come once every three or four months or it could come twice in one month. This is because your body is just beginning your monthly cycle and is still figuring itself out. Usually within a few years of your first period you will be more or less regular and able to predict when you will get your period. If you want to see how regular you are it is a good idea to put a little smiley face on your school diary on the first day of each period, then you can count the days in between. As you become more regular you will be able to use this method to know when you will get your period next!

The Period Survival Kit:

We recommend having a period survival kit in your schoolbag or handbag just in case your period comes along unexpectedly. Put a couple of Wonder Ultra Thin regular pads in there, some Wonder Ultra Thin panty liners and a tampon or two (if you want to use tampons). That way no matter what happens you will be prepared.

Help! I’m at school, I have my period and I don’t have anything! Take a deep breath and choose from one of the following options: ask your girlfriends if they have anything, chances are at least one of them will; approach a female teacher (you may feel embarrassed, but she won’t – she’s had her periods for years!) or ask the school nurse – she always has stuff like this on hand in cases of emergency, and believe me, you’re not the first student who has asked her for a pad before!

As always Wondergirls if you have any questions on anything in this blog, ask away. There are no silly questions when it comes to your body Here are Wonder we are always here to help!

Catch you later,

Jenny.

Uh. Oh. Morning sickness time! Week five and onwards is when most women start to feel the effects of ‘morning’ sickness. So what is morning sickness? How can we recognise it? How do you know if you are normal or not?

The first thing to say is that ‘morning’ sickness can actually last all day, although it tends to be at its worst first thing in the morning, hence the name. Morning sickness is characterised by sensitivity to smell, nausea, vomiting, irritability, lethargy, tenderness in breasts, a sore back, mild stomach cramps and disturbed sleep. Fun, eh? Every woman’s body is different of course, some women will go through pregnancy with none of these symptoms, others with just a few. A small minority of women may get severe morning sickness, known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and will need a short hospital stay to rest and rehydrate. It is important for all pregnant women to find a doctor they are comfortable with. If you have any concerns regarding morning sickness or your pregnancy in general be sure to get yourself down to your GP, obstetrician or registered midwife for some advice. There are no silly questions when it comes to your body and having an informed mind will certainly help to ease your worries about pregnancy.

Most of all remember, your body is doing an amazing and wonderful thing. It is nourishing a new life and this takes a lot of effort. You may find that trying to keep up with your hectic, pre-pregnancy lifestyle is becoming taxing and that lying on the couch wearing your PJs and watching your favourite soap is becoming an increasingly appealing option. Don’t beat yourself up over having to say no to social engagements, that new project at work or, god forbid, dinner with the in-laws. Taking care of yourself is priority number one during this special time.

By the end of week six your little one will measure 4-6 mm, about the size of a grain of rice! Although tiny, your bub is already a remarkable creature. Its heart is beating, brain is developing, arms and legs forming and it even has eyes growing on the side of its head! Yes, at this stage your little treasure looks something between an alien and a sea creature. No matter, as offspring are always attractive to their parents! Your baby is also at the beginning stages of developing lungs, kidneys and intestines, and the umbilical cord and placenta are also beginning to materialise.

Tune in next week for some good advice to help beat those morning sickness blues and to find out more about what is happening deep down in your belly.

Do you have a question about something? Chances are others do too, so don’t be shy, ask away! I will be awarding some special prizes to my favourites!

Jenny.