How Your Baby Sleeps

Even before birth, your baby's days were divided between periods of sleep and wakefulness. By the eighth month of pregnancy or earlier, her sleep periods consist of the same two distinct phases that we all experience:

1. Rapid eye movement (or REM) sleep, the time during which she does her active dreaming. During these periods her eyes will move beneath her closed lids, almost as if she were watching a dream take place. She also may seem startle, twitch her face, and make jerking motions with her hands and feet. All are normal signs of REM sleep.

2. Non-REM sleep, which consists of four phases: drowsiness, light sleep, deep sleep and very deep sleep. During the progression from drowsiness to deepest sleep, your baby becomes less and less active, and her breathing slows and becomes very quiet, so that in deepest sleep she is virtually motionless. Very little, if any, dreaming occurs during non-REM sleep.

At first your newborn probably will sleep about 6-10hours a day, divided into 3- or 4-hour naps evenly spaced between feedings.

Each of these sleep periods will include relatively equal amounts of REM and non-REM sleep, organized in this order: drowsiness, REM sleep, light sleep, deep sleep and very deep sleep.

After about 2-3 months the order will change, so that as she grows older, she will cycle through all the non-REM phases before entering REM sleep. This pattern will last into and through adulthood. As she grows older, the amount of REM sleep decreases, and her sleep generally will become calmer. By the age of three, children spend one-third or less of total sleep time in REM sleep.

Stress & Women

What is stress?
Stress can involve a recent change or a daily pressure. Stress happens to everyone and can be motivating and productive or negative and destructive. Tension and anxiety, as well as depression, are frequent emotional consequences of stress.

The mind and body are linked throughout our lives. We must learn to respect both our emotional and physical needs, or we will lose our equilibrium and ability to adapt.

Symptoms of stress
*Feeling tense
*Depression
*Poor memory
*Poor concentration
*Increased alcohol consumption
*Anger/hostility
*Difficulty making decisions
*Frequent mood swings
*Negative thinking
*Distractibility
*Excess eating or smoking
*Feeling overwhelmed or helpless

Stress increases the risk for:
*Accidents
*Headaches
*Bowel disorders
*Poor digestion
*Skin disorders
*Eating disorders
*Emotional disorders
*Asthma attacks
*High blood pressure/strokes
*Colds/infections
*Backache
*Arthritis/immune disorders
*Heart attacks/recovery
*Cancer
*Ulcers
*Sexual dysfunction

Why do some experts feel that women are particularly susceptible to stress?

Women are socialized to be the caretakers of others. More women than men have both a career outside the home and continue to try to juggle traditional responsibilities after hours. Over 70% of married women with children under the age of 18 are employed outside the home. Sociologists describe women as struggling to achieve the "male standard" at work, while trying to maintain the perfect wife and mother standards at home.

Women are also less likely to be in as powerful positions as men to change their environment. Women find it harder to say no to others' requests and often feel guilty if they can't please everyone. They often spend less time nurturing their own emotional and physical needs, as that might be perceived as selfish. In addition, relationship alterations or the loss of loved ones can produce empty nest or other separation syndromes.

As women progress through life's stages, hormonal balance associated with premenstrual, post-partum and menopausal changes can affect chemical vulnerability to stress and depression.

How can I cope with stress?
Leisure time must be considered a necessity, not just a reward for doing more. Personal time for rejuvenation will never be available unless it is planned. Prioritizing based on principle rather than demand is sometimes difficult to learn, but is critical for peace of mind.

You can't be all things to all people all of the time. Don't be reluctant to ask for help. Avoid combining too many projects. Delegate if necessary. Learn to say "no."

What activities can help relieve stress?

Here are some examples of activities that can help to refresh the body and mind:
*Taking baths
*Reading
*Doing breathing exercises
*Receiving back rubs/massages
*Listening to relaxation tapes
*Writing in a journal
*Meeting with a friend
*Napping
*Walking
*Dancing
*Engaging in spiritual reflection
*Stretching
*Listening to music

Finding it hard to untangle?
Seek a little help:

*Individual psychotherapy
*Support group therapy
*Biofeedback
*Relaxation training

Source: Cleveland clinic

Bonding with Your Baby

If you have a delivery without complications, you'll be able to spend the first hour or so after birth holding, stroking, and looking at your baby. Because babies are usually alert and very responsive during this time, researchers have labelled this the sensitive period.

The first exchanges of eye contact, sounds, and touches between the two of you are all part of a process called bonding, which helps lay the foundation for your relationship as parent and child. Although it will take months to learn your baby's basic temperament and personality, many of the core emotions you feel for him may begin to develop during this brief period immediately after birth. As you gaze at him and he looks back, following your movements and perhaps even mirroring some of your expressions, you may feel a surge of protectiveness and awe. This is part of the attachment process.

It's also quite normal if you do not immediately have tremendously warm feelings for your baby. Labour is a demanding experience, and your first reaction to the birth may well be a sense of relief that at last it's over. If you're exhausted and emotionally drained, you may simply want to rest. That's perfectly normal. Give yourself a half hour or so until the strain of labour fades and then request your baby. Bonding has no time limit.

Also, if your baby must be taken to the nursery right away for medical attention, or if you are sedated during the delivery, don't despair. You needn't worry that your relationship will be harmed because you didn't "bond" during this first hour. You can and will love your baby just as much, even if you weren't able to watch your baby's birth or hold him immediately afterward. Your baby also will be fine, just as loving of you and connected to you.

Shave Underarm or Not?

Doubtless for most women, hairless armpits are about looks rather than health. But some might believe it lessens sweating. Is this true?
Humans have two primary types of sweat producers, known as eccrine and apocrine glands. Both types of glands are situated directly under the skin, but that's where the similarities end.
Eccrine glands cover most of the body and work as your own personal air conditioner. If your body becomes overheated, these glands empty an odorless solution made mostly of water and salt onto the skin's surface where it evaporates and cools the body.
Apocrine glands are located in areas rich with hair follicles, such as the groin and axilla (armpit) regions. Apocrine glands are activated by hormonal changes and emotional stress, and release a milky fluid made mostly of water, protein and fatty acids directly into hair follicles.
Although the fluids excreted by eccrine and apocrine glands are initially odorless, both emit a distinct odor when metabolized by the bacteria living on the skin's surface. Apocrine glands, for example, release fluid onto the skin through openings in hair follicles where it can comingle with fluid that originated in the eccrine glands. This blend can be consumed by bacteria on the skin's surface. As the bacteria break down the protein and fatty acids in the sweat, body odor becomes the byproduct [source: Mayo Clinic].

Shaving, Sweating and Smell
Unfortunately, shaving your armpits won't make you sweat less because the practice doesn't affect the glands that produce perspiration.
The apocrine glands that produce sweat are under the skin and not in the hair itself. These glands will continue to produce perspiration even when the hair is shaved down to skin level. The perspiration will continue to leak out of the hair's openings, even if there are fewer openings because the hair is shorter or shaved down to the skin [source: Mayo Clinic].
However, shaving armpit hair can help reduce body odor [source: Willacy]. Because hair is porous, it readily absorbs odors. If you've ever sat around a campfire or spent time in a smoke-filled bar, you'll know it doesn't take long for hair to absorb the smell. Underarm hair can trap moisture, too, creating a swampy environment that odor-causing bacteria revel in. So you may feel dryer (and therefore think you're sweating less) with shaved underarms.
If you're going to shave those pits, the best way to do it is to first expose the hairs to warm water; the heat and moisture will soften and draw out the follicle, making it easier to shave cleanly. Then, exfoliate to remove debris like deodorant or dead skin cells, and apply a shave gel or cream to lubricate and protect the skin. For underarm use, a razor -- even a disposable one -- should have a flexible, pivoting head with multiple blades.
Before you start shaving, lift your arm to touch the back of your neck. This will create a flat surface under your armpit and lessen the chance of getting nicked. And, because underarm hair sprouts willy-nilly, shave in all directions – up, down and sideways – before rinsing off the shave cream. When you're done, don't apply deodorant immediately because that can sting. Instead, allow the area to air dry first [source: SheFinds]

Menstrual Disorders

Tracking your menstrual cycles can help you understand what's normal for you, time ovulation and identify important changes — such as a missed period or unpredictable menstrual bleeding. While menstrual cycle irregularities usually aren't serious, sometimes they can signal health problems.
The menstrual cycle, which is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, isn't the same for every woman. Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common. However, menstrual cycles tend to shorten and become more regular as you age.
Your menstrual cycle might be regular — about the same length every month — or somewhat irregular, and your period might be light or heavy, painful or pain-free, long or short, and still be considered normal. Within a broad range, "normal" is what's normal for you.

Menstrual cycle irregularities can have many different causes, including:
*Pregnancy or breast-feeding. A delayed or missed period can be an early sign of pregnancy. Breast-feeding typically delays the return of menstruation after pregnancy.
*Eating disorders, extreme weight loss or excessive exercising. Eating disorders — such as anorexia nervosa — extreme weight loss and increased physical activity can disrupt menstruation.
*Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This common hormonal disorder can cause small cysts to develop on the ovaries and irregular periods.
*Premature ovarian failure. Premature ovarian failure refers to the loss of normal ovarian function before age 40. Women who have premature ovarian failure — also known as primary ovarian insufficiency — might have irregular or infrequent periods for years.
*Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This infection of the reproductive organs can cause irregular menstrual bleeding.
*Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus. They can cause heavy menstrual periods and bleeding between periods.

Menstrual disorders are a class of problems affecting a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle. The three common menstrual disorders: *Dysmenorrhea (painful periods),
*Abnormal uterine bleeding, and
*Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (A group of symptoms that start before the period. It can include emotional and physical symptoms).

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is a hormonally caused bleeding abnormality. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding typically occurs in premenopausal women who do not ovulate normally (i.e. are anovulatory). All these bleeding abnormalities need medical attention; they may indicate hormone imbalances, uterine fibroids, or other problems. As pregnant women may bleed, a pregnancy test forms part of the evaluation of abnormal bleeding.

1. Dysmenorrhea affects over 50% of all postpubescent women, 5% are incapacitated for 1-3 days each month.

a. Primary dysmenorrhea is painful menses without evidence of an organic lesion or cause, usually brief, and worst on the first day of menstruation. This type of dysmenorrhea is seen in ovulatory menstrual cycles, usually within five years of menarche, and improves with age. Most theories center around excess prostaglandin PGF2alpha, resulting in smooth muscle contraction. The role of estrogen and progesterone is unclear: estrogen is a stimulator of uterine activity, and progesterone is an inhibitor. Yet women with high levels of estrogen, such as those with anovulatory cycles and obesity, typically do not experience much dysmenorrhea.

Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea usually is aimed at prostaglandin inhibition or suppression of cycles. Other non-specific measures such as heat, mild analgesics, and exercise should be encouraged, but narcotics are not used.
Does the patient need contraception: Does she have other complains which make suppression of menses favorable?

If yes,
oral contraceptives
continuous progesterone (Depoprovera, Norplant)

If no,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are administered. If not helpful, suppression of menses is considered.

b. Secondary dysmenorrhea accounts for 20% of all dysmenorrhea, usually develops later than primary, and is due to an underlying condition. Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying condition:
-adenomyosis: gland-like growth into myometrium
-endometriosis: ectopic endometrial tissue
-fibroids: (covered separately)
-intrauterine devices (IUD)
-endometritis: chronic infection of uterus
-congenital uterine anomalies: menstrual flow may lack an outflow tract
-other: ovarian cysts, pelvic varicosities

B. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding is defined as any bleeding which is considered excessive in frequency, duration, or amount by the patient, and as such should be evaluated. The pathophysiology involves hormonal balances, pregnancy, structural abnormalities, and cancer.

If the patient is ovulatory, causes include:
-endometrial polyps
-submucous fibroids
-chronic endometritis

If the patient is anovulatory, causes include:
-dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)
-menarche
-extrinsic hormone effects
-perimenopausal bleeding: hyperplastic, neoplastic

DUB is the result of persistent anovulation where the endometrial lining does not shed in a synchronous fashion. Consider exogenous or endogenous sources of excess estrogen, such as peripheral conversion of androgens to estrone in obese individuals. Unopposed estrogen can lead to endometrial hyperplasia: we usually sample the endometrial lining in women aged 35 years or older who experience DUB. Perimenopausal bleeding is also anovulatory bleeding and should be evaluated for hyperplasia.

The evaluation includes a pelvic exam, and may include an endometrial biopsy. Hysteroscopy visualizes the endometrial lining to identify polyps, fibroids, anomalies, and direct biopsies. Blood work includes a hematocrit, thyroid studies, prolactin, and pituitary hormones (LH, FSH) in select individuals. Don't forget pregnancy as a cause of abnormal uterine bleeding! To biopsy or hysteroscope such a patient would be disastrous.

Treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding:

1. If the abnormality is anatomic, we surgical remove polyps or fibroids. Antibiotic therapy is used for chronic endometritis, or an IUD may be removed. Occasionally the patient is considered for endometrial ablation or hysterectomy.
2.If the abnormality is anovulation, exogenous progestins, estrogens, or combination therapy is used.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

This is felt to be an exaggerated presentation of molimina, the symptoms that many women experience in the luteal phase of the cycle and which accompany ovulatory cycles. An important attribute is that symptoms are found in the luteal phase, and absent in the postmenstrual week. Although many hypotheses exist, the etiology is essentially unknown.

Several key points in PMS:
-all that cycles is not PMS. Some conditions vary with the menstrual cycles, including thyroid size, basal body temperature, and alcohol metabolism. Other conditions are exacerbated, but not caused by phases of the menstrual cycles: migraine, seizure disorders, asthma, genital herpes, and even angina. Mood disorders may commonly be exacerbated in the luteal phase.

-all premenstrual changes may not be PMS. Molimina should not be labelled as PMS unless they are severe enough to disrupt daily life and family interactions, or affect alcohol, drug use, or suicidal thoughts.

-PMS may be more than one entity. It is unclear why some women have emotional effects (depression, emotional lability),while others experience physical effects (water retention, pain, breast tenderness.)

Evaluation is usually made by history alone; there are no specific physical findings or laboratory abnormalities. A calendar of symptoms should clearly demonstrate a luteal phase effect, with absence of symptoms after menstruation.

Management is empiric, since the etiology is unknown. Even recent textbooks of gynecology suggest that most women suffering from PMS are somehow "causing it" and that successful treatment depends on a "responsive and cooperative patient who wants to get better." Overcoming these stigma and acknowledging symptoms as real pathology is an important part of therapy.

Sources:
-Menstrual Disorders and Other Common Gynecology Problems by Peggy A. Norton, M.D.
-Wikipedia

Don't Be Selfish With Prayers

I have noticed a trend with congregational prayers over the years as I grew up in Church. Usually, when the person leading the prayer session asks the Church to pray for a brother or sister with an issue, he has to do a whole lot of work trying to motivate the brethren to pray for that person. Just let the prayer leader ask that people pray for themselves and you will begin to wonder if you are still in the same congregation or not. The zeal with which many people pray for themselves is usually overwhelmingly powerful compared to that with which they pray for others.

True or false?

I have been confirmed guilty as charged on some occasions too. So you are not alone if you're guilty too.

However, God desires that we do not think of ourselves only. He wants us to engage in prayers of intercession for people around us. He wants us to pray for brethren in the house of faith. He wants us to pray for the lost souls. He wants us to pray for the backsliding Christians. He wants us to pray for His servants- the ministers. He wants us to pray for those with health issues, the oppressed, the needy, the sorrowful, . . . The list is practically endless.

So, when last did you declare a fast concerning someone else's issue, whether the person is aware or not? When last did you wake in the middle of the night solely to pray for a sister or brother?

Let us develop the attitude of praying for others with all our hearts. Ask God to place the burden for others on your heart. He might reveal to you about someone in problem or at the verge of being a victim. Don't let the opportunity to stand in the gap pass you by. It is definitely rewarding. God will definitely reward your labour of love. Like Apostle Paul, cultivate the habit of praying for others.

God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. (Romans 1:9)

Love your neighbour as yourself!

Who is your next recipient of intercessory prayers?

Get to it now!

~OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
©2015

Woman, Arise!

I woke up with a burden for a woman here today. I don't know who this message is for but I know you are here.

And this is about your current spiritual state. You seem to have resigned to fate that it is impossible to be on fire for the Lord again as you were sometime ago. I really don't know what may have creeped into your life and brought with it lukewarmness- maybe marriage, children, job, and maybe aging.

The factors do not matter. What matters is your displeasure with the current. Position you are in. Your desire for a change is what is of essence.

You know, I was also slipping into the sleep mode at a point when I got busier. I had so much to handle at the same time and I was overwhelmed by the events in my life. Until an awakening came from the throne of grace and I wasn't comfortable with my dwindling worship. I wanted more. My heart longed for God. That could have been a longing placed in me by The Holy Spirit. Gradually the fire was being restored as I fanned the fire to flame through worship, prayer and study of the Word. The fire may not come "gboof" at once so patiently allow for the build up of your most holy faith.

I have good news for you today. Even in the midst of the busyness that has dampened your spiritual vigour, you can be fired up again. And your wine can get better with age- it should actually. It can get hotter as you go higher too instead of cooler. I know that people say that a woman's Christian life will be more difficult to maintain as many things wrestle for her time. But that's not what God desires for you. And it doesn't have to be that way either.


You need to shuffle your priorities correctly and make sure that your priorities are properly set- putting God in the first place. You live for God and not for your marriage, job, children or career. God needs your desire for the fresh fire and trust in Him. He'll rain on you; restoring you to your first love. This is God's desire for you. The arm of flesh can not achieve this. Simply come boldly before the throne of grace for mercy at this time of need. God is waiting for you. He says, "Come!"

It can happen for you. Only if you believe.

May the revival fire of the Lord descend mightily upon you today in Jesus' powerful name! (Amen!)

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
2015

Walk the Walk!

Christianity is not an honorary degree. There is work to be done if you must make it to the finish line. Being referred to as a Christian is not just a title for your head. You must fulfil the requirement for the award of that name. It is not a position of being passive. A Christian is a Christian because he lives out his calling. The name comes from behaving like Christ- an action. The call to be a Christian is a call to live the life that God originally intended for man. And that life is a life of fellowship with God.

So, what is a Christian called to do? You are called out to regain the love that was lost by man in the garden of Eden. The moment man dipped his hand in sin, the love he had for God dwindled. His desire is that you will love Him and in turn obey His every command. If you profess to love God, your love must translate into obedience. Jesus tells us that if we love Him, we will obey His commands.

You are not here to come and sidon look. You are here to act out the love you profess that you have for God. This is why there must be a difference between what your life looked like before you accepted Jesus as your Lord and after. You begin to seek to please Him.

A true Christian acts on the Word he hears from God through the Bible. He has great reverence for God and His laws. He seeks to obey God's every command.

You are a Christian when you obey Christ and follow in His footsteps not because you bear an Hebrew name.

And when you begin to obey God, your light shines to the world and they in turn will give glory to your Father in heaven. Now, that's what God wants- to receive the glory over your life. This was the order the Christians in Antioch followed which made people around them assign them the name Christian. Their obedience to God was reflected on their life style.

Are you living according to the rules of your calling?

". . .Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. . ." (Romans 1:5 NLT)

You have been called to live the life and walk the walk!

Call to action!

Forward, March!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
©2015

Who is Jesus to You?

Jesus Christ asked His disciples two pertinent questions about His identity.

 “Who do people say I am?” . . . “But who do you say I am?”(Mark 8:27, 29)

It is one thing to have an idea of who someone is through the experience of another person. Having a personal encounter with this someone however, could change your orientation about the person or affirm the claims of the other person(s).

The claims of the people about Jesus were mere assumptions. They saw Him from afar and had certain mindsets about Him. These assumptions were not the fact about Him though. I believe that the proximity of Apostle Peter to Jesus informed his understanding of who Jesus truly is. He walked with The Lord and his eyes of understanding were opened.

Jesus declared blessings on Peter because he allowed himself to be taught of The Lord Himself. He was a disciple of Jesus and not of some human being with great intellectual knowledge. He walked in the spirit and not in the flesh. To face the fact, who else can know someone better than his own spirit? Apostle Peter did not stay of the level of hearsays. The deep called upon the deep of his soul and he reached out to connect with who Jesus truly is.

Remember those two questions at the beginning of this text? I hear Jesus asking you the same today?

Who is Jesus to you? Does it sync with what you have heard about him from your pastor, friends or colleagues? Have you had a personal encounter with Him? And are you very sure that you know God on a personal level?

If you must stand the test of time, you must have first-hand knowledge of who Jesus is. Your pastors' knowledge of Him cannot save you. Just like it is not possible that person A eats all the food and person B gets the nourishment, the faith of another person can not sustain you on your Christian pilgrimage. You need to grow your own faith. You need to know who you believe. You need your own testimony of Him.

Develop a relationship with the Lord through prayer and study of His Words in the Bible. Seek to know Him and He will reveal who He is to you. If you seek Him, you will find Him.


". . .and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. . ." (Romans 1:4)

Jesus Christ is my Lord. Is He yours too?

If He is not yet your Lord or you are not sure about who He is, I invite you to come to Him today. He loves you and wants you to know Him for who is- the saviour, your saviour. Ask Him to take over your life today. Accept His proposal to you for a love relationship- the best decision any man could ever make in this life.

Shalom!

~OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
©2015

Jesus is The Good News

Often times when I see flyers announcing supposedly Christian programs, I wonder what has become of our focus as Christians. In the name of making the program attractive to people, ministers of the gospel delete what they believe will make it look 'boring'. They remove the most important personality in the program- Jesus. I really don't know if they are trying to deceive people into thinking that it is not a 'spirikoko' program which will drive people away.

But does the fact that people cannot stand the truth justify twisting the truth? Definitely not.

I still try so hard to wrap my head around why we now invite worldly celebrities to minister at our Church programs. Those that need to be ministered to have suddenly become the ministers all in the name of crowd pulling.

Let's call a spade a spade.

Jesus is the message we have been given- Take it or leave it. He is the Only message. We have not been sent to preach denominations, human ideologies or popular men of God. Remove Jesus from the equation and you are left with just news instead of the Good News. Jesus is the good in our News. The world may not like it but it is what it is. It's all about Jesus- the saviour of the world. We need to stop diluting the news we have been given because people will not receive it. Give them the full concentration.

This compromise in the body of Christ has given birth to uncooked Christians who have no solid foundation in Christ.

I am always marvelled at the fact that Jesus did not need any billboard announcement to get people to come to Him. The anointing was the magnetic force that pulled people to Him. Jesus' power remains potent even now. I believe that we should not manipulate people for our selfish reasons. We must lift Christ up and then He will draw men to Himself. If we try to hide Christ, instead of pulling them to Christ, we are actually pushing them farther away from the originality of the truth.

Enough of hiding under the guise of wanting to be accepted by the world. The real truth is that Christ and the world will always be at loggerheads.

Stand up for Jesus! Do your part in declaring the Good News as it has been handed over to you. Be generous with the Word of God. Preach Christ Jesus at every given opportunity.

" . . .The Good News is about his Son. . ." (Romans 1:3)

~OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
 ©2015