Trade&Transport in India

Disaster Emergency Management for Business & Industries

Elements on Map Interpretation - ERDAS or ArcGIS

Resolution Merging in ERDAS Imagine 2010

Image Generation or Layer Staking in ERDAS Imagine 2010

Geo-Referencing on ERDAS Imagine 2010

Image Subset or Area of Interest in ERDAS Imagine 2010

Land Use Planning & Sustainable Development

Say no to beggers

Headline 1: A Man in guise of Child Specialist, houses 6 young children (all Abducted from secure homes), employs two care takers, all to earn 1500 - 2000 a day or upto 3 lakh a month by staging the children to beg in streets of Chennai.

Headline 2: Three Children, playing outside their homes were kidnapped by an unknown stranger. One abductor who was caught, pleaded guilty and confessed of his intent of abducting, is to loop the child into begging scam.

Dart it on the society that gives in to these beggars and let this ruthless scam gain perennial roots.




Chennai is a city full of vagabonds begging for money, in almost every traffic signal. These professional beggers, are well-networked and are with prominent clout. Mostly, during the day, their task is to sell inexpensive duped products, beg for money and wander for whatever can be of benefit to them. In the dusk, about 10.00 P.M. the beggers re-assemble to pool back their spoils of the day and celebrate their cash flows. They live in co-operative model or shared living and usually report to one or two leaders, who is suspected usually to be a goon or mafia. What upsets me the most in this professional begging model is that the children and new born infants in city, are abducted, drugged and let to faint in hands of women posing as mothers. Many infants, not being able to withstand the dose of drug, die within months or a year. A secret known to Chennai citizens, yet in fear of the underworld goons and mafia, one is forced to give a blind eye to the misery that these little children are put through.


I wish there was a campaign against begging in Chennai. But what best, as a citizen of Chennai can do, is this: Collectively, we should stop giving money or buy products from professional beggars  Begging, specifically through children and babies, should be discouraged. Help, if intended for goodwill, should always be given as food or clothing and never money.

Say “No” to beggars and progressively, we can build a city that is safe for our children to go out to.

Tidbit Thoughts!!!!

"Don't let your wife study. If you do she will one day grow independent and leave you", these are the words of wisdom given to my husband???????????????????????????????????????????

Man, when will this world ever see light!!!!!! 

God Save!!!!! 

ERDAS Imagine – A Introduction to ToolBar

ERDAS  Imagine – A Introduction to ToolBar

Earth Resource Data Analysis System (ERDAS) is an remote sensing application software for Geo-spatial Analysis. It helps the Analyst to process, display and excavate information specific to the user’s Area of Interest (AOI) for GIS.

Requirements:

ERDAS Imagine Software ( I use 2010)

An Digital Image or LADSAT Imagery

Storage Folders created in your local Hard Drive

Understanding the Menu Bar:

Familiarize yourself with the menu items located along the top left of the icon panel  on the software.

1.     Session:  Session settings such as user preferences and configuration.

2.     Main: Allows access to all the modules located along the icon panel.

3.     Tools: Allows you to display and edit annotation, image, and vector information, access  

           surface draping capabilities, manage post script and true type fonts, convert

          coordinates, and view ERDAS Macro Language (EML) script files.

4.     Utilities: Allows access to a variety of compression and conversion algorithms including

JPEG, ASCII, image to annotation, and annotation to raster.  

5.     Help: On-Line Help documentation as well as icon panel and version information.  

1.    Viewer: A main window for displaying raster, vector, AOI, and annotation layers.

2.    Import/Export: Allows downloads and uploads of Vector or Raster Data

3.    Data/Prep: Set of Data Tools that will help in Image Classification.

4.    Composer:  Prepares data for hardcopy map production.

5.    Interpreter: GIS Analysis, Spatial enhancement, spectral enhancement, Fourier analysis, topographic analysis, various Image manipulation utilities.

6.    Catalog:  Catalog the enables easy retrieval of Raster Files, stored in the archive database.  

7.    Classifier:  Helps perform supervised or unsupervised image classification.

8.    Modeler: Allows you to perform many GIS algebra and GIS modeling operations using Model Maker and the Spatial Modeler Language.

9.    Vectors: Tools in allows conversion raster to vector and vice versa, build and clean vector layers, copy, rename, and delete vector layers, and more.

10. Radar: Provides access to native image processing operations with radar imagery.

11. Virtual GIS: This an Add-on-module. VirtualGIS is a family of tools for working with perspective scene generation and virtual worlds. This is a separately-licensed add-on module for IMAGINE.

12. Streo: This an Add-on-module. Details to be referred on ERDAS Help.

13. Auto-Sync: This an Add-on-module. Details to be referred on ERDAS Help.

14. Sub-Pixel: This an Add-on-module. Details to be referred on ERDAS Help.

15. Delta Cue: This an Add-on-module. Details to be referred on ERDAS Help.

16. Objective: This an Add-on-module. Details to be referred on ERDAS Help.

17. Feature: This an Add-on-module. Details to be referred on ERDAS Help.

GIS Knowledge share on Evelyn's dream factory

Well, mid-career change needs a lot of guts and support system. Thanks to Edsley for giving me both. Today i'm pursuing my higher education in a filed that i truly appreciate. HR is a domain that life landed me into, and Geo-spatial Studies is a domain that i choose to re-make my professional Career in. Parking aside the personal story, Geography mostly viewed as a subject of social science in India has in 20th century got it's new avatar of GIS, Geo-spatial and Remote Sensing. The theoretical concepts of geography, now has sea of applications from Sky, to land, Water and universe beyond. It's no longer a subject of earth, thanks to the technological advancements and customized software applications that enable mapping, analysis and visualization of spatial data. Going forward this blog, intends to regularly document the knowledge gained in the field of Geo-spatial Studies and GIS Technologies. It will serve both as a open-source platform for training reference and knowledge share archive.

To start with i'm going to write in detail of Fundamentals if ERDAS,..... Posts will also cover latest trends in the domain. 

Socializing? Oh not me!!!!

Been a tiring month,..... Hearing and listening to people's Tantrums has been very exhausting on me,.... Folks just lie to cut a sorry figure and they do not mean a word of what they say.. World rightly calls it "Noises". In the process of socializing, we humans compromise on our innate potential and talent. Listening to people "Superficial /coated" Problems robs us of our  time, which can be used resourcefully otherwise,.... Offlate, i get a feeling that animals and birds are better of nature than human beings. Urban People just live their life pusedo-pleasing, bad mouthing, Back Stabbing, loving just money and monetary wealth.  There is no bit of sincerity or selfless love in man anymore. I prefer to stay a loner with a fruitful and sane mind than to be involved in mindless chatting in the name of socializing.   Socialzing? Oh Not me!!!!

It's not all about money, Honey

Talk about life, talk about money. Existence on earth is monetized so much that it is impossible to live in this world without money.  Feels like the world is entirely capitalized and the system is so much monopolized to favor the rich. “Just in time” a movie that says it all!!!! The poor, will forever need to work their blood out, to survive another day/month, while the rich makes recurring inflows again and again and again, without sweating a bit…. There is no morals, or values or good nature in man anymore.  His Life is defined by only net worth – Money!!! People Cheat, make lies, camouflage smiles and craft wild schemes,  to con  few thousands or lakhs. Such a shame to be a part of this blood-thirsty world. Nobody seems to care about meeting God after death. Well man, oh! you are so bothered about coveting home after home, gold, wealth, power, fame knowing that you will have to leave it all one day. How much more would you need to give thought of what is to come afterlife?? Will Man ever wake up to the reality of God-Christ, Love, heaven, goodness or selflessness? Scared it will be so,... 

But, in all this scam and white collared robbery, I believe that Jesus Christ, is Jehovah Jireh – “My Provider”.  He has so beautifully supplied for all my needs through my Man. At the moment, I’m like a little college kid, whose needs have been fully taken care. Well fed, Well pampered and most of all abundantly loved. It’s so amazing that God brings good tidings for his loved ones.   My Good tiding is my Edsley,….

Sacrifices,......

When I see the one cares and provides for me, leave his dream, so to secure my happiness, I have no words but lameness in my soul. “Thank You” is not the word that can contain my gratitude for his selfless love.  It is indeed worth to trade life and breath for love,… Feel a profound urge to scale up, so to make his dream come true – if not now, may be for a later date,…. 

After childbirth

Sleepless nights!

Too much responsibilities and too little physical strength!

Life that whirls ONLY around your child!

Joy, happiness, boredom, paranoia!

Post-partum depression!

Welcome to motherhood.

As a child, I learnt that mother is a candle who melts to keep the light glowing. Now as a new-born’s mother I feel it is true.

Motherhood is the hardest journey any women can experience. Just recovering from labour, a women is often not given any time to recover or rest and expected  to be the perfect mother for her child, immediately right after labor. This can be very stressful. Especially on First-time Mom’s who have no clue or experience to care for a newborn.  As new mother, women are bound to have a bit of crankiness, if not post-partum depression.  Playing with thoughts of harming oneself or the child, can occur and it is normal as long as one resumes her sanity in minutes. But, the journey of motherhood cannot be enjoyed, if you as a mother do not take care of yourself. Your child grows each day and the first two years is the best period they say. For you, as a mother to enjoy your child, it is vital that you stay healthy and emotionally stable. I recommend Mothers of newborn child to arrange and practice the following suggestions, for it can be of great support, during your recovery and parenthood.

1.       Arrange for post-partum support, for a minimum of 40 days but if possible upto 3 months. It could be your mothers house, In-laws or a paid caretaker. Outsource as much as household work like cooking, cleaning the house, doing the utensils, shopping or other administrative tasks. First month, is for you to make-up for the lost calcium, muscle strength, energy and health during labour. So allow first month, for just to care for your new born and  to take basic care for yourself.

2.       Do not miss on your calcium and iron supplements post pregnancy. It important, that your regain your previous health.

3.       Do the exercises advised for your recovery, in the little time available to you. Exercise not just for cosmetic toning but more so, for regaining your bone and muscle strength.

4.       Have the father of new-born, go through counseling before your labor. The father needs to be advised that  a new mother is cranky not because she has changed or that you have marital problems, but she is under tremendous stress and very  little physical strength.

5.       New mothers need to know that newborns cry for various reasons (Which I will cover In the next post). Do your best but if it is not consoling your baby, don’t loose your cool. Continue to be patient, firm and reassuring. The Crying comes in phases of time and it will stop. It is a great test of patience, so don’t get frustrated and loose your cool. Whatever the stress, Smile at your baby and talk in a calm reassuring voice. Most of all DO NOT LOOSE YOUR HAPPY STATE OF MIND. Your happiness matters, both for you and your Child.

6.       Once in a day, take a short-break to be just by yourself. Give your newborn in care of your partner or extended family say for 30 minutes or an hour and do something that can help your connect to your inner self. This will help in balancing  your emotional sanity.

7.       We as women have looked for love from people all along. Now, here your new born who is  doing just that.  Looking right into your eyes, with all their love and hope in you. It is too long a attention that is demanded of you. But, in this phase of growing up, you are their love, inspiration, home and world indeed.  So, whatever be the demand, just hit the pause button of your life’s other happenings. Take care of your partner and new born. That’s natures responsibility on womenhood and doing it full time for couple of months will give you a new perspective towards your life.

Natural Child Birth

Many expecting mothers of this generation, thrive on this question “how to have a normal delivery?”. Natural Child birth cannot be promised by a Gynecologist, because the chances of it to happens, when the physiological health of both mother and baby are in good synergy.  In my knowledge, the physiological health includes:

1.       Position of baby’s head during labor

2.       Size of Dilation of Cervix muscle

3.       Fetal Heart Rate (FHR)

4.       Mother’s Vitals (BP, Sugar, Thyroid levels,…)

However, if all the medical reasons for physiological health is fine, a mom-to-be can increase her possibility of having a normal delivery or natural childbirth.

Here is the key:

1.       Have  a mind STRONGLY determined for a normal delivery!!!

 – This may sound non-scientific or philosophical. However, from the country that I come from, this has been the sage advice that has worked over generations. Have a cool open minded attitude which sways with confidence, that you are going to have a natural childbirth and I can assure you that even in odds of physiological health, your determination will work for you to have a normal delivery.

2.       Choose a good Gynecologist and labor Partner

-          The Gynecologist with their medical team should work their best to provide you with expert medical support. Thoroughly learn about the medical team, before deciding on your practitioner. Even with best of medical support, the key for successful natural childbirth, is emotional comfort provided to the mom-to-be, during labor. Choose your laboring partner wisely. It can be your husband, sibling,  mom or even a best friend. Just make sure you labour partner is someone who you enjoy your life with. Avoid laboring partners who just throw sympathy encouragement “to withstand pain”. The pain is beyond words during labour and words of empty encouragement will only irk you more.

3.       Say No to Epidural or C-section

-          Many Mom’s-to-be, not being able to bear the pain during labour, request doctors to go for C-Section or Epidural. Doctors also happily give-in to the requests of their labour patients, in interest of money.  Pain is not the word that can contain the trauma of labour. It very very painful urge, that one feels like pelvic bones, thighs and legs are breaking away,…. But in all this trauma, just do not rush to have a epidural or C-section. Epidural takes away the pain of labour and the mother looses the urge to push the baby out. Result, Forceps or vaccum to take the baby out of mothers womb. This can be causing distress to baby. Have a mind that says come what may, even death, I will have a natural birth. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain J so I was not scared of death, and such a mind set really helped.

4.       Practice of concentrated Breathing technique for labor.

-          There are many breathing techniques to manage labour pain. Try to close your eyes and listen to your body’s rhythm of movements and breathe hard. Focus your Mind of pushing the baby out!!!

5.       Practice Kegel Exercise

-          Kegel Exercise from third trimester of pregnancy helps cervix dilation.  A mom-to-be, who has control over cervix muscle through kegel exercise, is also better empowered to push the baby out during labour.

6.       Practice Squating exercises from 37^th week of pregnancy

-          Squats helps opening up pelvic muscle and bones. 10 sets of squats in reps of 2 each day, induces labour. Make sure you do not over do it, for there is a risk of water bag being ruptured pre-partum.

7.       Stay active throughout pregnancy

-          Walking and staying active during pregnancy, helps your body to gear up for labour (Apart, from giving increased oxygen supply to your baby in womb). Make sure not to lazy around during pregnancy. 

DR Nalini T, Obstetrics & Gynaecologist in Velachery

It’s time to write a detailed post of “My Gynecologist” cited on my previous two write-ups. Dr. Nalini.T, practicing from Xcellent Care Hospital and Appolo Family Clinic, is a doctor who knows her practice really well. Many doctors in India, at least who we have met so far, have a aura of superiority and dominance around, that they make friendly approach-ability a privilege limited to the certain patients. The first thing that attracted us to Dr. Nalini.T was absence of this superiority and Dominance. We found her to be approachable, someone with great expertise in her occupation and specifically someone who provided every patient a detailed examination and counsel during consultation time. There have been days, were our wait exceeded three hours, but end of it was a fruitful consultation time and satisfaction of being in safe hands. Dr. Nalini.T is also a believer in natural medication, providing counsel to treat health problems with supplemental fruits and vegetables in parallel to alopathy medication. During my Partum, when I went iron deficient she suggested I have dates, sappota, green leaves. Another instance when I had E-coli in my micturition sample, she suggested I drink cranberry juice everyday and in the final hour when I wanted to have a natural childbirth, she taught me “Squats” exercises and positive mind slogans to be recited. We did not know her personally nor were we in great influential terms, for a doctor to suggest her patients natural treatments without medications.  Our initial intent was to have final delivery with JKH, but later with no confidence and only with good hope (since we did not know the doctor, well enough yet), we decided to continue with her. It turned out to be the best decision we made ever!!!! She waited for me to have a natural birth, inspite of my Baby’s unengaged head and umbilical cord turned once around the head. Through the labour we found her hands-on-surgical expertise, both in handing the delivery and epistomy. We are really happy with our experience with Dr. Nalini.T. Thank God for helping us get to her.

Edsley’s Comments: You can never forget a person for how they make you feel! This doctor was very helpful. Must recommend for any person in South Chennai! Meet her just to feel positive atleast and to see how un-assuming someone can be!

Joseph Kurian Hospital- our experience

Joseph Kurian Hospital (JKH), renowned for maternity and obstetrician care, was recommended to us, for maternity labour and delivery. We had planned to consult a local gynecologist for 7 or months, post which move to JKH for final trimester, given it’s crowning reputation for natural child birth.  Here is the gist of what we think of JHK and Mrs. Rekha Kurien. All nuances and comments are based on our experiences. Many have lauded about JHK, but our experience to be precise was

 “Waste of time and consultation Charges”!!!!

Pro’s:

·         Reputed for Natural Birth. That’s ALL TO IT!!!!!!

Con’s:

·         Too Long a waiting time. Each of our visits averaged four to five hours, almost half a day gone!!!!  

·         My View on Mrs. Rekha Kurian would be “BAD”. There is no personal care, the consultation time averaged 2-5 minutes, something to annoy about given the wait of four hours. She was always keen to press on the bell, so for the next patient to come in and stand behind us, while the current patient, we were being advised.

·         There is no order of first come, first serve. With or without appointment, we had patients who flocked behind us, being let to consult ahead of us.

·         There is no personal value for patients or patient’s time. Something in the system, due to overboard of patients who flock JHK. A person cannot be de-valued, just because the organization has hundreds of other to look into. Not just us, but every other patient who were in the waiting room, did not seem happy about the wait.

·         The reputation of the founder Late Joseph Kurian  for his skill in conducting natural birth is still milked upon by the current team. New mothers who i questioned (of friendly chats) there, actually were out of C-sections. Natural Birth is just the Face Value of the reputation which the founder established.

·         Cost of natural birth is 45,000 and C-section is 65,000. Expensive, when compared to other low-cost hospitals which charge 30,000 for natural and 40,000 for C-section.

Here is our story, with all the details:

 Our first encounter:

Ø  No Appointment, was a walk-in. (First trimester – 3^rd month)

Ø  Our waiting time was four to five hours, after fee payment and Asst. Doctor check up.                              (walked-in at 4.00 and got to meet Rekha Kurian after 8.00 pm. Since it was a walk-in, we did not fret much. We chose to understand and continue to JHK)

Ø  Consultation time with Rekha Kurian was less that 3 mins. Yes!! Less than three minutes for more that four hour wait. The consultation got over before it hardly started. Mrs. Rekha Kurian, would skim through the details automated on her system, gave a time-line for next visit and then rang the bell for the next patient to walk in and stand behind us – WHILE WE WERE STILL TALKING. However, given I was just in first trimester, we choose to understand, especially, given we did not choose to consult with JHK, until third trimester.

Our second encounter:

Ø  With Appointment. (Third Trimester - 8^th Month). We arrived on time.

Ø  Our waiting time for four and half hours. It was like no difference!!! With or without appointment, our waiting time averaged four hours. The lady at the gate of Ms. Rekha Kurian, did not follow first-come-first serve order, in any of our consultation meet. Twice we would walk in to a empty hospital, usually with three or four patients and when the time comes, people who have missed morning appointments will be given preferences, thus making our wait an eternity!!!!

Ø  Consultation time with Rekha Kurian was now 5 mins. Just five mintues!!! Again there was no personal attention, just skimming through of details and prescription of medication, literally “Recited” to us. We found Mrs. Rekha Kurian, was keen on pressing the bell, so to have all patients consult her in the narrow window of time available to her. The practice of next patient waiting behind the current, makes one feel cornered and de-valued.

Ø  We were now in doubts whether to continue with our plans of delivering our child at JHK. But in respect of our elders, we choose to continue.

Our Third encounter:

Ø  With Appointment. (Third Trimester – 9^th Month). We did not Arrive on time – late by 20 mins.

Ø  We were denied consultation with Mrs. Rekha Kurien, for we were late 20 mins. Our’s was 9.00 am appointment and we showed up exactly at 9.20 and it was treated as us not honoring appointments???? Acceptable, if the Kuriens honored the time of their patients and kept the timing. While patients were made to wait endlessly for a average of four hours, a 20 mins delay from patients side was not acceptable,…. Our consultation this time, was limited to Asst. Doctor and while we were waiting for it, we found our experience with Kurien Hospital frustrating.

End of it, it was truly a waste of time, travel and money. We choose to continue with our local Gynecologist, though unsure and demotivated of Possible C-section. By God's Grace, our bad experience with Kurian was a boon, because it led us on deciding to continue with local Gynecologist Ms. Nalini. Our experience throught consulation and delivery (Natural child birth), was exhilarating. I'm obligated to write more about Ms. Nalini, Gynecologist and Obstetrician, practicing at Xcellent Health Care - Velechery. The personal attention and medical care, was worth all the wait,.....

Tidbid Thoughts

Life is not about making it big or achieving or building a legacy,.... We are here once, and making our experience here, while we live, worthwhile and good, is all that matters,... Living each moment of the day,... One step at a time,...  Zen quotes "living in past is depression, living in future is anxiety, it is living in present which is called life".  see so much sense in the quote, this day,....

Birth of our Child,....

My first glimpse of him, infant wrapped in white jelly sack held on his leg, hanging upside down,…. “Who is coming to receive the baby”, my gynec calls out for nurses, within the room,…. My love by my side, all my pains of delivering a baby normally, seemed like a just a episode of endurance training,… my love made the entire nine hour experience of labor, tolerable.  First set of contractiona from 3 a.m to 10.00, was more of self-hypnotisms, where my mind instructed me to accept and go through the pain, silently. Great thanks to God, for nature has made labor contractions timely and spaced. The labor was accelerated through I.V, and from 10.30 the time I was shifted to labor ward, the silence was turning into little mourns,… Kept crying out the name of my lord, Jesus Chirst, in my native tongue – while the nurses were busy, trying to get everything up and ready – for C-section and normal. Felt no emotional support, from the nurses, in the ward, for none were available to hold my hand or were my side to support “emotionally” me in the pain,…. Around 11..30 my gynec, came in to check the position of the head, which was first unengaged,…. Things were fine, just that my little mourns were gaining muscle and my need for emotional support preceded any medical assistance,…. A thousand thanks to my gynec, who quite understood this and permitted my husband inside the labor room. The need of a birthing partner cannot be exaggerated!!! From the moment, my love was inside the labor ward, the journey was but a endurance exercise. He kept counting through each contractions as reps of 20,…  From 11.30, until 12.50 or 1.00, the emotional support, stemmed from optimism, guidance to endure and instruction to withstand,…. No blanket statements, no void sympathy, no rudeness, but just the right cocktail of love, support and endurance to sustain the pain,…. From 12. 30 the pain was almost unbearable, but with my love by side, the medical team and God’s Presence (Which I believe was there all through), 12.57, we saw a infant wrapped in white jelly sac held on his leg- hanging upside down,…. It was a episiotomy and while the stitches were on, my little baby, was being cleansed, cut for his umbilical cord, given Vitamin shots and tested for his blood grouping,… my love was quite excited, all wanting to see the new born, but little did  I let him go until 1.30,.... Soon, after, I was wholly medically attended to, he with all excitement, went on to see our baby, share the news to the extended family and do the other needful things,… by 1.30, things were normal, and I had no traces of pain and even exhaust,… was up with energy with the new born in our hands, was shifted to the room to be greeted and received,…. It still has not sunk into me that I’m a mother,…. Feel more like a guardian of my baby, to nourish him, to raise him in Godly statues and to train him worldly wisdom – which I prefer to outsource it to my love, for I’m in need of lots of worldly wisdom myself J

Perception towards life has changed a lot since the birth of my child,…. It’s 10 days now, and I feel a need to be a better me,… Life is but a chaff that wind driveth away, and these defining moments, makes one realize that death can knock anytime and doing best to the world than we live in, is the only way we can make this journey of life worthwhile,…. Giving birth to our son, is one of “the” most blessed things the God has bestowed to us and I feel a little meaning to my existence in world is fulfilled, now…. We’ve started on new journey, look forward for God’s light to show on the path that we are about to stride,… Not just as parents, but as instruments who do God’s work,….

Overall Well-being guide for Pregnant Mothers - III Trimester

1. Have a Heart-filled but Healthy Diet Plan:   

Your baby gains weight progressively or rapidly during this period . It's still recommended you have an all Veggie platter complimented with Fruits, OATS/Cereals/Ragi Malt and egg but this trimester you are allowed to have your heart-fill, be it non-veg or cheesy foods. But, take care that you  don't overdo foods that can harm the health of your baby or you. It's better to avoid Processed, uncooked, raw, Junk or non-nutritional "Empty" carbs, in best interest of your baby. You will be doing your little "pea in the pod"** a lot of favor by having 10 months of Fresh home made food. Also, remember, your baby needs to weigh around 3 kgs and overeating comes with the possibility of your baby being overweight making it hard for a Normal Delivery.

**"pea in the pod" - Forgive me, i love the name as much as the Brand. Thanks to my elder Sis-in-Law, Vinith Robinson, for letting me experience the clothing range!!! Truly amazing maternity clothing, i should say. Remember, this is a personal blog and i'm not paid for my positive comments here :-)

2. Let Exercise be a Routine:

If you have not started working out in second trimester, it is high time, you put on the jogging shoes and exercise gear!!! Exercise, helps in overall well-being of your baby and increases the possibility of to-be moms to have a normal delivery. 

• Cardio workouts, is the key for increased oxygen supply for your baby, so ideally a Walking regime of 30 - 60 mins each day, is recommended.
• Floor (Pelvic) exercise routines like Squats, Lunges, Pelvic tilts, Abdominal Tilts, Kegel, leg lifts, lower-body stretches helps your gear up for labor - pain management. There are variety of group exercise classes or do-it-at home video lessons available in youtube. Take leverage of the resources available freely over the web, for it will help your transition into labor another trainable affair. 
• Do as much as bending, kneeling, stretching, sitting down and getting up from floor as possible. Crude as it may sound, but take the first chance out to jump up on your feet and stay vibrant. In India, Women are advised to do household chores, including sweeping, moping,... It's natural way of opening up your pelvic and abdomen muscles for labor.

3. Get rid of uncontrolled Itch during pregnancy:

Uncontrolled Itch is not normal sign of pregnancy, as many think it is. Growing uterus puts weight on liver and bile salts are excreted more, causing uncontrollable itch. The Symptoms are that the itch starts on the Lower Abdomen and progressively spreads towards thighs, legs, back and hands. The urge to scratch oneself is so coaxing - which religiously i did :-), but eventually my gynecologist warned me of secondary skin infections and permanent marks. That did not stop me from backscratching myself , but few other measures, did help lowering my itch and i hope it will for you too.

• Take the Liver Function Test (LFT) and follow the drug prescription recommended by your physician. 
• Always, supplement itch with splashing cold water or take a cold compress. Cold water compress on skin provides temporary soothing on itching skin.
• Avoid bathing in hot or warm water. though a obvious Corollary to above pointer, many recommend, warm shower during third trimester, for easing back pain. But if you are suffering from uncontrollable itch, stay away from hot shower!!!
• Drink a lot cranberry juice, it literally works wonders in flushing away unwanted toxins, infections and e.coli's,....
• Distract your mind away from the actual problem "Itch",  by focusing on work or other assignments. (I used to study and it really helped,...)

4. Leg Swelling during pregnancy:

While a little bit of feet and leg swelling  is acceptable during pregnancy, it is important, to keep the swelling under control. Too much swelling, means to much water retention and it could complicate things, especially if you are focused on having a normal delivery. 

To keep the swelling in control,

• Reduce Salt Intake. Food intake should be with minimum salt, for it directly translates into body fat/water retention. On parallels, if you are hoping to loose weight or aiming for good carido-vascular health,reducing salt in food sources you intake is the key.
• Drink lots of water. 3 Liters is usually prescribed for pregnant mothers.
• Drink Barley water - Barley rice boiled in water, cooled and filtered.
• Drink Cumin Tea - Cumin (Jeera) Seeds boiled in water, cooled and filtered.
• Self--massage your skin with medicated creams.
• Get a pedicure foot massage as often a possible.

5. Beat Tiredness by staying active and getting adequate sleep:

Now that you are in your third trimester, the weight of the baby, may cause you to get tired quicker than often. It is better to get adequate sleep! Adequate, means not too much or not too little. An 8 hour night sleep and 2 hours noon nap will help you get rid of tiredness during pregnancy. Also, having your mind focused on a hobby or work or assignment will help you stay active and get rid of idle tiredness. Again, "Distract your mind away from the actual problem", here "tiredness". Too much thought on tiredness will translate into pain and discomfort, hence, train your mind to look away from the problem.  Third way to keep tiredness during pregnancy at bay is to eat well and stay hydrated. Supply your body with nutritious food that will help you stay active throughout the day. 

6. Stay Happy and cheerful:

Your baby now is fully aware of all the world that you're in contact with. Turn on your favorite music to see your baby move along from inside your womb, to believe it. What you listen, see, think and do, will cast a impression on your baby, from inside your womb. While, you may be going through a lot of hormonal changes to justify any anger or impulse, make a conscious effort to keep your clam. Stay happy, be active and feel exhilarated - it will help your baby experience the same. Have a good cheerful family time with your partner. Your baby will listen to all the conversations that you as a mother feel, listen from or vocal out. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxC2X2QqYJc   

(LIFE IN THE WOMB BEFORE BIRTH senses hearing and touch part 8),  to learn more about how your mind and environment can impact your baby.

They say, no two labors are the same. each mom-to-be, have their own experiences and complications. It vital that those with Thyroid and Sugar problems take a lot of care, of course in line with doctor's recommendation  while gearing up for labor. 

Overall Well-being guide for Pregnant Mothers - II Trimester

1. Continue the Healthy Diet Plan of First Trimester:   

While it is usually acceptable to take the curfew off the Non-Veg food intake after 5 months of fetal development, it's still recommended an all Veggie platter complimented with Fruits, OATS/Cereals/Ragi Malt and egg is continued until Second Trimester is completed.  Also focus on Increasing your Calcium and Iron nutritional Intake, through natural food sources.  Your baby is gaining weight gradually and hence it better to avoid Junk, Cheesy or non-nutritional "Empty" carbs, in best interest of your baby. 

2.  Sleep on your Sides: 

India traditionally recommends it's to-be moms to sleep of sides, right from the moment one is aware of being pregnant - a practice to gear up for second and third trimesters . it is vital the mothers, to sleep on side, preferably left most of the time, for it increases blood flow and nutrients to your baby via placenta. 

3. Do not Sleep on your Back: 

While there are moments when your a so tried of sleeping on sides, that you may be tempted to lie sloshed on your back, by no means let these stolen moments slip into for longer duration, specifically during sleep. Lying on your back can be fatal for your baby, for the uterus comes in direct hard contact with harder muscles of spine, Spine bone and intestines. Pregnant mothers who sleep on their back, have a increased risk  of miscarriage or still birth.

4. Switch sides smoothly while sleeping:

Well, too many Pointers on Sleeping Positions, but it's vital, that one takes loads of care here, for it is vital for blood and nutrient supply to placenta and positioning of uterus. While changing Sides during sleeping, from left to right or vice-versa, it is recommended that mothers get up pause and sit for few seconds and then change to other sleeping side position. It's ensures the umbilical cord positioning and reduces the risk of Cord being twirled around the baby's neck or head, inside the womb.  

5. Exercise your way to  health:

Cardio workouts, is the key increased oxygen supply for your baby. Walking 30 - 60 mins each day, is recommended for overall health of you and your baby. Walking and floor (Pelvic) exercises, helps your gear up for labor - pain management.  It's important to exercise or have a active lifestyle from second trimester, for otherwise, there is a increased possibility C-Section or pain from Normal Delivery. Recently, i had a chance to learn about how exercising one hour each day helped a  mother of two, have a Normal Delivery without pain medications,and just 2 hours of labor Pain. Exercises should be custom designed for pregnant mothers  and under consultation of approved physician.  

6. Wear Clothes that a loosely fit:

 Quite a hard thing for style-conscious moms-to-be :-). It's quite important, that you get away with exact fit sizes and wear loosely fit or stylish Maternity Wears. As your baby gradually puts on weight, it's important that clothes around the belly are not tight enough to cause discomfort for your child. Remember, your baby can start to sense touch and sound, from this trimester. There are range of stylish Maternity wear, that are now available for style driven, mothers to be - so there is not much of a cosmetic compromise that is required from being pregnant.  But for those who are not style-conscious and keen on saving money, it's better you slip into loosely fitting clothes of your XL size wardrobe throw-away's of your friends and family.   It's just another 6 months affair and i personally would prefer to wear my extended family's XL sized second hand clothes, than to invest in maternity wear that's going keep re-sizing until a year of Post- Natal Period. 

But, here is thing, have a comfortable bottom wear, that is both comfortable, easing and smooth on your stomach.  Skin friendly leggings or cotton work-out tracks, is a must have from second trimester - for it's loosely stretchable around one's waist, rightly sits "On you stomach" and very very comfortable to wear with just any attire - western or indian. 

Dont's: 

• Avoid Wearing Jeans, for the cloth is too thick for any air to come in contact with skin.
• Opt for Cotton, linen or other ranges of skin friendly materials. 
• Indian Women, please avoid pyjamas, salwars or in-skirt with sharp nada (thread), for it literally chokes on the tender skin on stomach and puts one through embarrassing fear of  bottom falling apart....  Neither do you want to look like charlie chaplin, having your bottom all the way up until torso. It's better to opt for skin friendly cotton leggings or cotton work-out tracks (without Sharp nanda thread or strong cloth belt) to compliment your kamiz or even saree.... 

 

Overall well-being guide for Pregnant Mothers - 1 Trimester

On my 39th week! It’s been quite a journey, thus far indeed – the personal nuances of which I would like to document on a separate thread. But here on this post, I would like to pen down all the good tips and advice that worked well for me.  You being pregnant means loads of outward care, advises  List dos and don’ts pouring in and it can get quite confusing and nagging, to choose from the right piece of advice and ignore the casual preaching. This thread hopes to list bear minimal alterations that may be required of you, in best interest of your child.

First and Foremost: Don’t feel Pregnant!!!:

This is one of the best tips passed on to me, both by my younger sister-in-law, Enith Geno Robinson and my gynecologist. As much as possible, great care should be taken in fine details, but in your mind just let that be for your overall optimal health and not a superficial godly mother thought of living up to the demands of you being pregnant. Many women that I know of, especially, those who choose to spend the entire pre-natal term at home, have a lot of pain, discomfort and complications to complain about, greatly because their mind is not occupied by superior challenges. If you’re working it’s better you continue work until 37th week or the last day of labor signs. If you are a stay at home housewife, I would highly recommend you to take up some hobby or assignments, which demands your mind to stay active. Don’t feel pregnant innately – in spite of all the challenges your body is going to put you through. Put on your Active, Energetic and full of life self so that the entire pre-natal term would be a delightful journey for you and your partner.

First Trimester Care:

1. Have a "Healthy Diet", Avoid Just certain Kind:

In India being pregnant is to be fed, fed and fed like a princess. Well, though it may sound like great care for healthiness, but it's better one eats just 300 calories extra to satiate the nutritional needs of "You and your little birdie caged in your amniotic nest" :-)

Do's:

• Have loads and loads of Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts (dates, almonds, walnuts and pistas), Otas/Cereal/ Ragi Malts and one whole Egg, "EVERYDAY".
• Include a minimum of 3 servings of green leafy vegetables per week, for it's a natural source of iron and folate.
• Have One serving of fish every week (Be careful to go for fish varieties with minimum Mercury content. Overdoing Fish can also be fatal for pregnant mother, given the mercury content in some variety of fishes higher). Walnuts and Fish are great source of Omega-3 fatty acids and fish consumed in moderate amounts, will help in the neural development of your baby. 
• Carb intake to be normal!!! Yes Normal!!! 300 extra calories each day can be satiated by first bulletin points in this Do's list.  Overdoing carbohydates is just providing energy void of nutrients to the baby, so it's better one just sticks to normal intake of carbs.
• Drink a minimum of 3 liters of Water everyday. 

Dont's:

• Avoid Junk and cheesy food, that includes routine of Pizza's, Burgers, Hot Dogs and White Bread Sandwiches and processed food of any kind,.... 
• Doctors in India recommend pregnant mothers to avoid Chicken, Beef Pork, Crab or Prawn, as much as possible in first 5 months, for it generates a lot of heat that can be handled by a first trimester fetus. 
• Doctors in India, also recommended intake of Non-veg, like Fish, if any, during lunch hours, for this gives enough room for digestion. A light dinner, is good both for you and your little fetus.
• Old wives tale in Asia, is to avoid fruits like papaya and pineapple, which generate heat in human body.
• Salt intake to be limited to minimum.
• Spice intake to be limited to minimum - for overdoing spices will lead to complications in final trimester. So try to stay conscious while your finger lingers to lick on that tangy pickle or tamarind. 

First three months, there is but a minimum care food care, that is required of you from your baby. Progressively, in second and third trimester, you may need to add in new items on your "To-Do List". Remember, your baby is cocooned in your womb and has only you to look up,...