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The Low Down on Pregnancy and Weight Gain

Filed Under: Mom's Ready by Jenny Wonder — Leave a comment
May 15, 2012

Hey Wonder-mums and mums-to-be,

Happy Aussie Mother’s Day!

Lately the media has been bombarding us with images of glamorous celebrity mother’s who seem to snap back into their size six jeans before they’ve even left the maternity ward. Au Contraire our mothers and mothers-in-law are constantly trying to force feed us all sorts of goodies, admonishing us with stern glances and the perennial ‘you’re eating for two now!’

So who is right? What should we be eating when pregnant and just how many extra kilos should we be piling on to keep little Wonder-bub (and ourselves) in optimum condition?

Although we always recommend following the advice of your antenatal care provider it seems there are some general guidelines on weight gain for expectant mothers.

How much weight you should gain during pregnancy is usually dependent on your pre-pregnancy weight. Handily for us the QLD gov. has put together some general indicators of how much weight we should put on during pregnancy based on the BMI, it’s recommendations are as follows:
• If your pre-pregnancy BMI was less than 18.5, you should gain between 12.5kg and 18kg
• If your pre-pregnancy BMI was between 18.5 and 24.9, you should gain between 11.5kg and 16kg
• If your pre-pregnancy BMI was between 25 and 29, you should gain between 7kg and 11.5kg
• If your pre-pregnancy BMI was 30 or above, you should gain between 5kg and 9kg.

So where does all this extra weight go? Saddlebags, lovehandles, a charming double chin? Not quite. Most of the weight gain women experience during pregnancy doesn’t even end up as fat at all. The average weight gain is as follows:

  • 3.3kg for Wonder bub (average birth weight)
  • 0.7 kg for placenta
  • 0.8 kg for the amniotic fluid that keeps bub snug as a bug.

So that’s already almost 5kg just from bub alone, without Mummy gaining anything at all. So where does the rest of the weight come from?

Surprisingly the oddest things can cause your weight to appear higher when you’re pregnant. For instance did you know that you’re carrying around 1.2kg of extra blood in your system, as well as an additional 1.2kg of extra fluid (contributing to those lovely, plump ankles)? Plus those va-voom boobs you’ve been marvelling at? An extra 400g there too! Finally the muscle layer of your uterus has expanded to accommodate bub and now weighs an extra 900g than it did pre-pregnancy.

So all in all just from the above you’ve already put on 8.5 kg without adding even a single gram of fat. Provided you are a healthy weight the average woman should put on around 4kg of extra body fat on top of this to provide her with the extra energy required for breastfeeding. So all in all, a healthy weight gain usually amounts to a little over 12kg.

You may need to put on more fat than this if you’re underweight to supply your body with the energy for breastfeeding. Conversely if you fall into the overweight category your body may not need to put on that 4kg of extra fat as you may be able to get that energy from your existing stores.

Remember to check out Wonder’s full range of product online at www.aricare.com.au. This week is particularly good for new mum’s and mum’s to be as we’ve introduced a new line of maternity pads, our Wonder Maternity Ultra Thins! These great pads have the same absorbency as our regular maternity pads but with the added comfort and flexibility of Wonder’s innovative ultra-thin designs. To celebrate the launch of this product Aricare is currently having a SALE on Wonder’s entire maternity range with 72 pads for just $12.60, while stocks last.

Stay tuned for next blog when we discuss healthy ways to gain that extra fat when pregnant and how to curb those pregnancy cravings.

 

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First Trimester – Week Eight

Filed Under: Mom's Ready by Jenny Wonder — Leave a comment
March 16, 2012

What you’re up to:

 

This week your clothes may begin to feel a little more snug around your waistline but the good news is that you’re probably the only person who has noticed! This week the temptation to tell all your nearest and dearest about your baby joy will probably begin to be overwhelming. When you choose to tell people is completely up to you, but many people wait until after the First Trimester to announce their bundle of joy. This is because the first trimester of pregnancy carries the greatest risk of miscarriage and it can be heartbreaking having to break the news to everyone that you are no longer pregnant.

 

Tips for suspicious family and friends:

 

If you’re normally a raging alcoholic on the weekend but are now sticking to a saintly glass of water your friends may begin to suspect something is up. If you’re keen to keep your little one a secret for a bit longer you can simply roll your eyes and hold up some car keys indicating that you’re designated driver tonight.

 

Many women experience breast growth, even this early on in pregnancy, this occurs because of the increased levels of oestrogen and progesterone your body is producing. Your rib cage can actually get bigger too as your lungs expand their capacity to get more oxygen to bub. If your friends are marvelling over the size of your increased bust you can start raving like a lunatic about the fabulous new Triple Gel Bra at La Senza, “makes you look up to three sizes bigger…” or erm something like that (it actually kinda does by the way! Small fashion tip for the lesser endowed amongst us).

 

You need to go to the toilet…all the time! Tell everyone you’re trying out that theory about needing two litres of water a day.  (Quick tip, and not-so-subtle-product-plug, if you’re having problems controlling your bladder Wonder Maternity Pads are great for light incontinence and are pretty awesome as far as Maternity Pads go.)

 

What is happening to your body?

 

Your uterus is continuing to expand making more room for your growing baby. As your uterus grows it is common to feel some light cramping. This is fairly normal unless accompanied by bleeding. If you have any concerns about cramping discuss them with your medical professional.

 

As mentioned your breasts may be beginning to enlarge and your ribcage with it. You may be feeling a little sluggish, temperamental (due to all those extra hormones) and a bit fuzzy brained. Try making a list of all the things you need to do during the day, key points you want to make at meetings etc. that way you can refer to it if the dreaded baby-brain takes hold.

 

On the plus-side you may notice that your hair is particularly luscious and your nails are stronger than ever. This is a major pregnancy boon. Those very hormones that are making you a little tired and cranky are also accelerating your hair growth and minimizing your hair loss. Bonus! They also make your nails grow faster and harder than ever before, so this time your mani won’t become a mangled mess within a week but should still be gloriously holding strong for your next salon visit.

 

So a few ups and a few downs for you this week. But enough of that, what’s going on in the mysterious depths of your tummy?

 

Your little one has continued his or her progress, now measuring about 1.6cm! Little bub has been busy developing the beginnings of organs, muscles and nerves too. All this take a lot of energy and effort and is part of the reason why you might be feeling so exhausted all the time. By week eight the little one has lost his or her tail, feet are beginning to look a bit more human (no more webbing, excellent!) and some joints like the wrist are developing the ability to bend (always a useful skill).

 

The baby will continue to grow and develop in the coming weeks, and we’ll keep you updated on all of the key developments for both you and bub. Remember, pregnancy often comes with some extra vaginal discharge so you may want to consider putting a Wonder Panty Liner on your undies. The Wonder varieties come in ultra-thin, regular and long versions all made with Wonder’s special ‘breathable’ design. Buy them online at www.aricare.com.au today and don’t hesitate to email us if you have any questions about our products or this blog.

 

See you soon,

 

Jenny.

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Tampon 101 – a beginner’s guide.

Filed Under: Uncategorized by Jenny Wonder — 2 Comments
February 16, 2012

This week’s blog is all about how to insert a tampon properly. Tampons can be tricky little things, especially when you start out and it’s pretty normal to need a few goes before you get it right.

 

First things first, which tampon should I try? If you’re new to using tampons we recommend trying one or both of the following:

 

Wonder Light Premium Plastic Applicator Tampons – plastic applicator tampons are great when you first start out. A tampon with an applicator has a plastic stick which helps guide the tampon into the correct place in your body. Once you have the tampon inside your vagina simply press on the plastic stick and hey presto your tampon is automatically inserted in the correct position at the correct depth. Easy peasy.

 

If you’re not so keen on using an applicator tampon a normal tampon works fine too. These are the types I learnt with. Your best bet is to buy a packet of Wonder mini tampons, these tampons are really small (even smaller than your little finger). Because they’re so teeny weeny they’re the easiest ones to insert.

 

How do I put it inside my vagina?

 

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before unwrapping the tampon, this helps prevents any nasty germs from getting inside you. Unwrap the tampon and pull on the string located at the bottom of the tampon (for a non applicator tampon). Do not put an unwrapped tampon down on any surface. If you accidentally drop your tampon put it in the bin and unwrap a fresh one.

 

 Relax, take a deep breath and stay calm. When you are tense or nervous your muscles contract. When these muscles contract your vagina can get really tight and this can make inserting a tampon very difficult. If you find yourself tensing up give yourself a few minutes, breathe deeply and try again when you’re more calm.

 

Find yourself a comfortable position, some girls like to squat others like to put one leg up on the bed or toilet seat. Put the tampon at the edge of your vagina, slowly push the tampon into your vagina towards your back, your finger should also be inserted into your vagina. Once you can no longer feel the tampon remove your finger. If the tampon is in the correct place you should no longer be able to feel it. Sometimes if it isn’t pushed in far enough or if it is in at the wrong angle there may be some discomfort. If you experience any discomfort simply take the tampon out, discard it and try again with a new one. I know it can seem tricky at first but soon it will become second nature to you.

 

Sometimes it helps to see a picture of where the tampon is supposed to be in your vagina. For this reason every pack of Wonder tampons has a ‘how-to’ manual inside with pictures and instructions.

 

How do I get it out again? Every tampon has a long dangly sting attached to it that sits outside of your vagina. When it comes time to remove your tampon simply pull on the string, it is normal to feel some resistance as the tampon gets bigger in your body when it has absorbed blood. Pull on the string at the same angle you put the tampon in. Remember to relax and take some deep breaths. Don’t worry a tampon cannot get ‘lost’ inside you as your vagina is only about ten cm deep and after that it has nowhere to go. Once you have removed the tampon wrap it in some toilet paper and put the tampon in the bin. Never try to flush your tampon down the toilet as it can cause the toilet to clog up.

 

Which absorbency should I use? After you’ve got the hang of using a light applicator tampon or a mini-tampon you can start trying different types of tampons to suit your flow. There are three levels of absorbency you can use (mini/light, regular and super). The more you bleed the higher the absorbency that is required. A lot of people use a super absorbency tampon for their first two days when the flow is heaviest and a regular or mini tampon for the rest of their period as the flow becomes lighter.

 

How do I know if I am using the right absorbency? It’s important to change your tampon at least once every four hours. When you take your tampon out you should look at your tampon to see how much blood it has absorbed. If the tampon is all or mostly covered in blood after three or four hours you are using the correct absorbency. If the tampon is not fully covered in blood you may be using a tampon that is too absorbent for your flow. If this is the case switch from super to regular or regular to mini (every tampon packet will have its absorbency level stated on the pack). If you find that your tampon is becoming full within two hours of insertion you may need to try a higher level of absorbency. If you are wearing a super tampon and it is getting full in less than an hour it might be worth telling your Doc as heavy periods can interfere with vital things like iron levels in the blood. In the meantime consider putting a Wonder Liner on your undies to protect them against spotting.

 

Where can I buy Wonder Tampons? Wonder feminine hygiene products (including tampons, pads and pantyliners) are now available exclusively from www.aricare.com.au at super-reduced prices! Best of all it is shipped directly to your door. At Aricare you are buying direct from the manufacturer and saving a bundle. Join the Aricare and Wonder Facebook pages to be the first to hear about our great weekly specials.

 

Catch you soon,

 

Jenny.

 

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The Name Game

Filed Under: Mom's Ready by Jenny Wonder — 38 Comments
June 20, 2011

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!

 

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The Fertility Commandments I-V

Filed Under: Change of Life, Mom's Ready, Uncategorized by Jenny Wonder — 10 Comments
May 10, 2011

It was Bridget Jones who quipped that ‘having children always seems to be the sort of thing you want to do in two or three years time’. This could never be more true than it is of us Generation X and Generation Y girls. By the time most of us Generation X & Y girls turn 25 we have just finished university, are keen on some travelling and are scheming the fastest possible way to scale that competitive career ladder. Unfortunately our mid twenties are also when our fertility peaks and whilst most modern twenty five year olds don’t feel ready to be parents quite yet we don’t seem to be ready to face the consequences of leaving our fertility until our thirties and even forties.

Age is perhaps the predominant reason for fertility problems but it is certainly not the only problem Gen X & Y can face when trying to create life for the first time. Lifestyle factors can also play a crucial role in helping you fall preggers. We’ve compiled the five commandments of fertility to provide some insight into the mystery of conception, fertility and infertility.

First Commandment:  Know Thyself.

If you’re trying for a baby knowing as much as possible about your menstrual cycle is absolutely critical. As a ripe egg only lives for 24 hours it is important to time your sexual activities to coincide with this monthly event. Sperm lives in the body for approximately 72 hours, so the trick is to have sex every day for the four or so days leading up to ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself. You generally ovulate fourteen days before your next period starts, but this can be tricky to establish if you have irregular periods or your periods are longer or shorter than the standard ‘28’ days. If you think you might want to start trying for a baby it is a good idea to keep detailed records of your menstrual cycle, take note of not just when you get your period but also when you think you should be ovulating as well. Look out for lots of stretchy, clear or white vaginal fluid when you are ovulating as well as a general feeling of ‘friskiness’. If you find this a bit tricky most pharmacies and some supermarkets also have ovulation predictors. These work kinda like a pregnancy test and can help indicate whether you are fertile or not.

Remember: A perfectly healthy, fertile couple has only a twenty percent chance of conceiving in the first month of trying, so it is more than normal to try for a few months before you conceive. In fact because of this many fertility doctors will want you to try for twelve months before seeing them. However if you are over thirty five years old you should speak to a specialist if you haven’t fallen pregnant within six months, and if you are over thirty seven then you should speak to a specialist if you haven’t fallen pregnant within three. This is because fertility rapidly declines in women once they hit thirty five and you may not have the luxury of waiting around and ‘hoping’ things will happen.

Second Commandment: Know Thy Man.

Guess what? Fertility isn’t all up to the female. Your partner’s lifestyle and age also has an influence on fertility levels. Tick tock, tick tock your man has a biological clock as well! A study conducted by Bristol University showed that a man over 35 is only half as fertile as men under 25! Like a woman’s egg the male sperm also decreases in quality with age.

If your man is a drinker, smoker or recreational drug user this can also impact on his sperm quality. As can things like any past STDs he may have had. Some men also have a lower than normal sperm count or produce sperm which are not ‘strong swimmers.’ If you and your partner are having trouble conceiving make sure you BOTH go down to your doctor and BOTH get checked out for possible causes of reduced fertility. Remember 1/3 of infertility is caused by the man, 1/3 from the woman and 1/3 from both partners or unidentifiable causes.

Third Commandment: Watch thy weight

Did you know that as much as twelve percent of fertility problems are caused by weight? This advice is not just tailored to those women who like an extra helping of pudding but is just as applicable to the ‘pudding skippers’ as well. The female body needs a minimum of 22% body fat to ovulate properly. If you are not eating enough or exercising too much your body will give itself signals to conserve its energy. One of the ways it does this is by ceasing to ovulate, meaning it doesn’t release an egg. If you have no egg, you have no baby, simple as that. Should you fall pregnant whilst underweight you have a higher risk of having a baby with a low birth rate in comparison to someone with a healthy weight. So when trying to conceive aim for a BMI of between 19-25. You can have your body fat tested at most gyms, if yours is a bit low consult a nutritionist for tips on how to healthily put on some extra weight.

Conversely if you are a bit on the cuddly side you may want to shed a few kilos before you try to conceive. Being overweight can also alter hormone levels in your body and prevent ovulation. Should you be successful at falling pregnant whilst overweight you are at greater risk of experiencing high blood pressure and gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. You should aim for a BMI between 19-25 for optimal health before conception. If your BMI is over 30 you may want to consult with a doctor or a dietician for ways to healthily reduce your weight in preparation for pregnancy.

Fourth Commandment: Thou shalt live a wholesome lifestyle

Aaah pre-pregnancy life: boozing down six cocktails on ladies night, evenings spent puffing Benson and Hedges and late nights crawling into bed as the sun comes up. Hmmm possibly not ideal when trying to conceive. Drinking too much alcohol can actually interfere with the eggs implantation on your uterine wall. Cigarettes are just as bad, they can severely reduce the quality of your eggs and even your ovaries. The ovaries of a thirty five year old smoker will have aged as much as a forty two year olds. True story.

Fifth Commandment: Thou shalt pick thy contraception wisely

Most of us modern girls have been on some sort of hormonal contraception before we try to conceive. With the exception of tubal ligation or hysterectomy, our contraception methods are temporary and reversible. If you think you might like to have a baby in the next few years however there are some contraception choices that are wiser than others. Although the Depo-Provera injection is effective as a contraception it can take up to twelve months for the effects to wear off, if you’re already in your thirties you may not want to wait that long to regain your fertility. A better choice for you may be the contraceptive pill, taken daily, which stops being effective the moment you stop taking it. The pill can actually help prolong fertility in suffers of endometriosis or fibroids, and is the number one contraceptive choice of women today.

Stay tuned next week for Commandments VI-X… Btw I have free tickets to the Sydney Fashion Weekend held May 12th-15th Moore Park, Sydney. Want to come? Simply type a question or comment into this blog, make sure you reply before midday tomorrow so I can post the tickets out on time*,

Jenny.

* Limited number to give away.

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Getting the Blues…

Filed Under: Girls On The Go, Tips for Teens, Uncategorized by Jenny Wonder — 92 Comments
May 5, 2011

Hey Wondergirls,

 

Being a teenager can be majorly stressful not only do you have boy dramas, clashes with frenemies and a mountain of essays due you also have stacks of hormones raging around your body which can wreak havoc on your moods.

 

In this entry we will talk about what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to those teenage mood swings, methods to calm yourself down when you’re stressed or cranky and also will let you know where to go for further help if you are experiencing depression.

 

Believe it or not there are actually scientific reasons why teenagers are moodier than adults, let’s go through those reasons together.

 

Brain development – did you know that the brain doesn’t finish growing until you are around 25 years old? This actually means quite a bit when it comes to your mood swings because the very last part of your brain to develop is the front part (called the frontal cortex) this part of the brain is responsible for judgement, self control and planning. Because the emotional part of your brain is pretty developed as a teenager but your reasoning part is still growing, you tend to rely on your emotions more than reason. Meaning your emotions can sometimes feel out of control which can lead to some pretty massive mood swings!

 

How to tame science: It’s ok to be a bit emotional but if you find yourself in a situation where you feel like you might be about to get out of control the best thing to do, if possible, is remove yourself from the situation. This way be as simple as locking yourself away in your room or going for a walk. The funny thing with teenage mood swings is that they can be super intense but tend to last for a short time. Even ten minutes of alone time might be enough to help you calm down.

 

Hormones – So as well as not having a fully grown brain (no offense – ha my brain just stopped growing so I can well and truly remember how you feel!) you also have all these new hormones raging around your body which can make you feel kinda wacky. You may notice that the week before your period you become a bit of a monster (unfortunately this does not seem to decrease with age – ask my friends and family!) Because there are so many different symptoms of PMS it is hard for scientists to pinpoint EXACTLY what causes it but it is thought that it is probably linked to fluctuations in sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) and signals from our brain.

 

How to tame the PMS monster: If you’re in pain this may make your mood worse. I love my ‘heaty wheaty bag’ which is a reusable bag full of wheat and sometimes some essential oils like lavender that you heat up in the microwave and place on your sore belly. The heat relaxes the muscles and helps prevent those cramps. You can find these from health food stores and some chemists.

If you don’t have a heaty wheaty bag on hand, don’t want one or can’t afford one try running yourself a hot bath. The hot water will relax your muscles in the same way.

 

If your doc says it’s ok then take a couple of painkillers, your pharmacist will be able to direct you towards some that are especially developed for period pain.

 

If you feel up to it go for a walk, walking can actually help reduce cramping! Also exercise releases the natural ‘happy’ hormone – endorphins, which instantly gives you a mood lift!

 

Don’t beat yourself up – if you feel like crying, that’s ok! If you can find a private space then let it all go.

 

I always let myself have a bit of chocolate when I have my period too. Eating chocolate also releases endorphins, those ‘happy’ hormones, into your brain! A small bar of chocolate at ‘that time of the month’ will do you no harm, as long as you are normally following a healthy diet and doing the recommended amount of exercise then there is no reason to deny yourself a treat here and there.

 

New Experiences – Being a teen comes with a lot of new experiences, a new school, new friends and new social group just to mention a few. School work tends to be harder, you’re expected to be more responsible for your own learning and on top of all that time you spend at school it is likely you have your fair share of homework and assignments due in too! As well as that you will probably start to feel a bit more independent from your parents which can lead to issues on the home front, and you might start dating romantically for the first time. So lots going on!

 

All these new experiences can be very mentally and physically tiring. Couple this with all the growth spurts you’re experiencing and you may begin to feel exhausted. This is why it is absolutely essential to get a goodnights sleep every night. Because of all the developments and changes we just mentioned a teenager needs A LOT more sleep than a fully grown adult. The average teenager needs about ten hours sleep per night compared to an adult who needs about eight! Tired people are always prone to be cranky, so this week make a sleep diary and see how many hours a night you get. As a teenager if you are getting less than nine you’re probably going to be moody! Try sleeping for ten hours a night for two weeks and see if you experience an improvement in your mood.

 

Depression – Some people (both teenagers and adults) suffer from depression. It is normal to feel down sometimes but people with clinical depression suffer from prolonged feelings of sadness and loneliness. Some symptoms of depression include: a change in sleeping patterns (sleeping more or less than usual); an increase or decrease in appetite (often leading to dramatic weight gain or weight loss); constantly feeling angry, irritated or sad; not caring about activities, people or things you used to care about; self medicating by taking drugs, drinking alcohol, self harm or indulging in risky sexual behaviour; a lack of concentration and sometimes even thinking about death or suicide. If you are experiencing these symptoms or you have a loved one who is then it is important to seek help. Only a qualified medical professional can diagnose depression, a visit to the doctor is confidential. Usually they will run a couple of tests to rule out other medical possibilities which might be making you feel  blue and, if these are ruled out, may be able to recommend some lifestyle changes or medication that may help alleviate the symptoms of depression.

 

You are not alone – If you think you might be suffering from depression and don’t want to go to a doctor then it is still important to talk to someone. This might be a parent, teacher or other trusted adult friend. If you would rather talk to someone you don’t know then there is help on the end of a phone. Lifeline provides free phone counselling for people in Australia Ph: 13 11 14. After 8pm they also have free counselling available via chat see www.lifeline.org.au. If you are in the UK contact the Samaritans on the number 08457 90 90 90, in Ireland call the Samaritans on 1850 60 90 90 and for our American friends call 1-800-999-9999. For all other nationalities, or for Aussies, Brits, Irish and Americans who want to see other options please check out www.befrienders.org to see a list of phone numbers and contact details for your country.

That’s all for this week Wondergirls, check in again next week for more Wonder Blogs! Pssst have questions? Ask away I have FREE TICKETS to the Sydney Fashion Weekend held May 12th-15th, I’ll be giving some out to my favourite questioners!

Catch you later,

Jenny.

 

 

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First Trimester – Week Seven

Filed Under: Mom's Ready by Jenny Wonder — 184 Comments
May 3, 2011

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.

 

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The Low Down on ‘Down There’

Filed Under: Girls On The Go, Tips for Teens by Jenny Wonder — 143 Comments
April 18, 2011

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.

 

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Morning Sickness Tips

Filed Under: Mom's Ready by Jenny Wonder — 23 Comments
April 13, 2011

Morning sickness can suck the joy out of even the happiest pregnancy. While there is no proven way to get rid of morning sickness all together the team at Wondergirl have compiled a few tips which may help reduce the symptoms of morning sickness.

 

Food:

 

  • Keep a packet of dry crackers on your bedside table and eat a couple every morning before you get out of bed
  • Eat Ginger; ginger has been scientifically proved to reduce nausea so put a slice of it in with your tea or hot water and eat some yummy ginger snaps or ginger bread men.
  • Don’t gorge yourself and don’t let yourself get hungry either. Eating smaller, more frequent meals is the go when you’re suffering from morning sickness.
  • Have a sip of ice cold water when you feel like you are about to vomit.
  • Eat bland carbs such as baked potatoes, white rice, dry toast, crackers or pretzels to avoid stomach upsets.
  • Avoid any spicy or fatty foods as these can make you feel more nauseous.
  • Drink sports drinks containing salt, glucose and potassium or high protein liquid drinks to keep your energy up.
  • Drink plenty of water; all that vomiting makes your body very dehydrated which is not good for you or your bub.
  • Eat something high in protein before you go to bed, this helps your sugar and blood levels stay where they should be.

 

 

Lifestyle:

 

  • Keep up your exercise, but stay within your comfort zone. Pregnancy is not the time to be pushing yourself. Also be aware that your body will be releasing hormones that make your ligaments more stretchy which makes your joints more injury prone during pregnancy. For this reason it is best to do low impact workouts such as swimming, water aerobics or gentle walking. If you’re a gym bunny ask your gym instructors which machines are low impact. If you love a run you may want to consider replacing the treadmill with an elliptical cross trainer.
  • Avoid hot places as heat can contribute to the feeling of nausea, instead seek out places where there is cool, fresh air. If you work in an office opening the window might do the trick.
  • Keep a nausea diary; after a few days you may notice that you tend to be most nauseated at certain times during the day or that specific smells trigger your nausea. You will then know which times you need to rest up and learn what smells to avoid.
  • Many people swear by keeping something nice smelling in their bags that they can sniff when they feel nauseated, popular options are lemon essence, peppermint and rosemary.
  • Reduce time spent in front of the TV or computer as flickering images can make nausea worse
  • Keep a survival kit at hand, we recommend a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste, a small bottle of Listerine, breath mints, a bag to throw up in, a change of shirt, a pack of crackers and pretzels and a bottle of water.
  • If you find that you are having trouble with bladder weakness Wonder Maternity Pads are suitable for light incontinence and can be found at any Woolworths store.

 

If you have severe morning sickness speak to your doctor as he or she may be able to find some medication to alleviate your symptoms. Many pregnant women are determined not to take any medication during their pregnancies as they believe taking medication is putting their unborn baby at risk. Severe morning sickness, however, can result in dehydration and leave you lacking  in essential nutrients which is no good for you or bub so listen to your doc and be prepared to follow any medical advice recommended, even if that involves taking medication.

 

Have questions? Ask away! I will be awarding some special prizes to my favourites.

 

Catch you later,

 

Jenny.

 

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Getting your first period

Filed Under: Girls On The Go, Mom's Ready, Tips for Teens by Jenny Wonder — 18 Comments
April 12, 2011

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.

 

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