How to Provide Support for Your Partner During Pregnancy

Going Through Pregnancy Together

As an expectant father, it may feel like you won’t be of much use over the next nine months or so, as this part is something only your partner can do. On the contrary! Pregnancy is a marathon, and your partner needs your support to successfully cross the finish line. It’s also a mutual endeavor, in which teamwork prepares you for parenting and strengthens your bond. Still wondering what your role is during the pregnancy? We have some advice for every stage of pregnancy. Continue reading “How to Provide Support for Your Partner During Pregnancy”

How to Juggle Priorities as a New Dad

Becoming a Dad

When you thought about becoming a father, what was in your mind? You may have daydreamed about playing ball with your kids, or playing them your favorite music, or reading stories at bedtime. Once you actually have a child, you will realize that there is much more to being a father than these picture perfect moments of togetherness. Often, men go into fatherhood without too much childcare experience, and because of cultural mores, they might even assume that it’s best to let the mother take the lead. For those who truly desire to be involved, connected dads, that mindset will need to change. Fortunately, with a little proactive thought and planning, you can smoothly transition into active fatherhood and learn to manage your new responsibilities with ease. Continue reading “How to Juggle Priorities as a New Dad”

Tips to Manage a Newborn and a Toddler

Adding a Second Child

When you have your first baby, it is a major adjustment. Your life is suddenly turned upside down, and you have to get used to the new normal. If you have another child within the next two years, you face another upheaval. Is it easier or more difficult with your second baby? In truth, it’s both. It’s easier in that you now have a grasp on what the newborn phase entails, and you’re a pro at assembling baby gear and installing car seats. It’s more difficult, of course, because all the things you did the first time must now be done with a little one at your heels. Don’t worry! You’ve got this, and we have some tips to help you manage. Continue reading “Tips to Manage a Newborn and a Toddler”

Why Bonding with Your Newborn is Important

The Bond Between Fathers and Babies

It has long been understood that the bond between mother and child is crucial for infant development. In generations past, the father served the role of provider, leaving childcare to the mother. In recent decades, though, we have moved steadily towards a more equitable relationship between parents, and this has benefited everyone in the relationship. Tired moms are happy to share the responsibilities of a new baby with the dad, and dads delight in getting to know their new little ones. But what impact does this have on the baby? Research indicates that when dads are involved with their babies, the children benefit. Babies’ brains grow faster before the age of three than they ever will again, and this critical period of development lays the foundation for the child’s entire life. Positive experiences and interactions support healthy brain development, so it is important for both parents to bond with their baby. Continue reading “Why Bonding with Your Newborn is Important”

What is Laid Back Parenting?

The Plethora of Parenting Styles

Especially if you are on social media, you have likely heard about all sorts of different parenting styles. From Tiger Moms to Almond Moms, Helicopter Parents to Lawnmower Parents, it seems there is always a new way to categorize parental tendencies. Now, you may be hearing some buzz about laid back parenting. What is this parenting style? Might it be a good fit for you and your children? Continue reading “What is Laid Back Parenting?”

Causes of False Negative Pregnancy Tests

How Accurate Are Home Pregnancy Tests?

When you are trying to conceive, you probably rely on home testing quite a lot. From ovulation tests to pregnancy tests, it can seem like much of the process involves those little sticks. But how accurate are home pregnancy tests? Typically, they are very accurate. They are not quite as sensitive as a blood test at a doctor’s office, though, and sometimes, they can give false results. Why? To understand, it’s important to know what they are actually testing.

How Do These Tests Work?

Home pregnancy tests detect the presence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) in urine. This hormone is only produced during pregnancy, and so testing for this hormone is a solid way to determine if someone is pregnant. However, even the most sensitive urine tests can only detect hCG when it is at a level of 20mlU/ml, while a blood test can detect it at a much lower level- 5mlU/ml.

Why Do False Negatives Occur?

While false negative results on a pregnancy test are uncommon, there are several different reasons that they can sometimes occur. The first is user error. If you take a test too early, before a missed period, it may be too soon for the test to detect hCG. Especially if you have an irregular cycle, it’s easy to accidentally test too early. Reading the results before the test has had enough time to work can also result in a false negative.  Of course, the test might also be faulty, which would cause it not to register a pregnancy. Interestingly, taking a test too late can also cause a negative result, because hCG levels tend to level out during pregnancy. Multiples can throw off hCG levels, too, so while it is unusual, if you have two or more babies in your pregnancy, you may get a false negative. In rare cases, a molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy can also cause a false negative.

What Should You Do About a False Pregnancy?

If you suspect you are pregnant but get a negative test result, wait a few days and try again. Test early in the morning for best results, because this is when hCG levels are at their highest. You can also schedule an appointment with your doctor, to have a more accurate test done at the office. If you suspect you are pregnant and are in pain, do not delay seeking medical treatment. Contact your doctor or head to the emergency room, because ectopic pregnancies are very dangerous and can even be fatal. When you are trying to get pregnant, work with your doctor all along the way, for the healthiest start to your pregnancy.

Let Center for Vasectomy Reversal Help with Your Fertility Journey

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.

When Do Babies’ Personalities Start Developing?

Are Newborns a Blank Slate?

For centuries, people underestimated newborns. The phrase that was popularly used, even by experts, was “tabula rasa,” meaning blank slate. In fact, it was only recently that neurobiologists began to let go of the idea that neural connections in an infant’s brain are slowly created from scratch, as they experience new sensory information and ideas. As any parent can tell you, though, it’s more complicated than that. Babies are born with temperaments and preferences, which is why some babies are “easier,” and others tend to be sensitive and fussier. Are they born with personalities? Not quite. Temperament is only part of a personality, and temperament determines whether a person is easygoing and adaptable, challenging and feisty, or cautious and fearful. There are many more elements that factor into the uniqueness that makes a person. When does all of this develop?

The Incredible Brain Growth of Early Life

Did you know that a newborn’s brain is only a quarter the size of an average adult brain? In the first year of life, that little brain doubles in size, and by the time a child is five years old, the brain has reached about 90 percent of its adult size. Interestingly, all of the brain cells are present at birth. What’s missing is the connections between these brain cells, and this is what is rapidly developing over those first five years. During these early years, the personality begins to emerge. There are essentially five facets to a personality.

• Extraversion is the measure of how outgoing or introverted someone is.
• Neuroticism describes how easily someone becomes moody.
• Openness relates to curiosity and willingness to try new things.
• Agreeableness measures kindness, empathy, and cooperation.
• Conscientiousness is a measure of responsibility and thoughtfulness.

Ages and Stages

What forms a person’s personality? Genetics play a role, but beliefs, values, emotions, thoughts, and behavior are largely formed by experiences. The way your child’s synapses develop, due to the experience he or she has in the first few years of life, has a lasting impact on personality. It is thought that there are five basic stages during childhood.

1. During infancy, from birth to 18 months, a baby learns to trust or distrust.
2. In early childhood, from 18 months to three years, a child begins to develop autonomy and gain independence.
3. Ages three to five years are considered middle childhood, and this is when children become more assertive in their independence, as well as forming relationships with other children.
4. In late childhood, from five to 12 years, children grow in confidence and develop new skills, striving to accomplish tasks and achieve goals.
5. Adolescence, from 12 to 18 years, is the time in which young people try to develop their own personal identity and place in society.

Promoting Brain Development and Positive Personality Traits

Throughout all of these stages, parents can help guide children and encourage positive development. From earliest childhood, parents who are responsive to their babies’ needs can help them grow into secure, confident people. To help your child reach his or her full potential, begin by creating a safe, loving environment, where warmth, love, and affection is shown, and the child is nurtured. Encourage children to play and explore, from infancy, and respond to their cues, to help them feel understood and valued. Give them some autonomy, even when they are young, allowing them to play independently for short periods and make simple choices, in order to help them grow in confidence and develop a strong sense of self. Finally, prioritize communication, talking to your baby to help promote language development, interacting to boost cognitive skills, and reading together, to introduce your little one to the wider world. As your child grows, continue to focus on creating a safe, loving, stimulating environment, and you will be amazed as you watch this little person’s personality unfold.

Let Center for Vasectomy Reversal Help You Get Your Family Off to a Healthy Start

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start their healthy, happy families, and we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.

Benefits of Having Children Later in Life

The Prevalence of Older Parents

In generations past, people tended to become parents earlier in life. One hundred years ago, the average age of a first time mother was 23 years old, whereas today, that number is closer to 30. What’s more, back in the 1920s, less than ten percent of women bore children after 30 years of age, and today more than 20 percent do. Our culture has shifted, and today, women often postpone motherhood in favor of career and other pursuits. We often hear about the risks of the “advanced maternal age” of women over 35, but could there also be some advantages? In truth, there are several benefits to having children at an older age, whether the “older” parent is the mother, the father, or both.

What Research Shows About Late in Life Parenting

Perhaps the most obvious benefits of waiting to procreate have to do with life experience. Older parents are more established in their careers, so they tend to be more financially stable and are often better educated than younger parents. They are more mature, purely because they have lived longer and experienced more of life, so older parents are typically calmer and more capable in many regards. What you may find surprising, however, is that having children later in life can actually help increase your mental acuity as you age, and it can also extend your lifespan. In fact, one recent study found that women who have children after the age of 33 have a much greater likelihood of living to age 95 than women who did not have any children after age 30- the likelihood actually doubled!

Some Facts About Older Fathers

While men of advanced paternal age have some of the same risks as their female counterparts, there are also benefits to fathering children at an older age. Recent research indicates that older fathers tend to have more intelligent children, with higher IQs and stronger focus. Further, there is evidence linking advanced paternal age and children with chromosomes that lead to longevity. This longevity may even last for two generations, meaning that older dads may endow their children and grandchildren with longer lives.

What’s in it for the Kids?

Aside from the higher intelligence and longer lifespans they may gain from having older fathers, children of older parents benefit in other ways, too. Older parents are typically calmer and less stressed, and they tend to get more satisfaction from parenting. What’s more, there are studies showing that children of older parents suffer fewer accidental injuries. Kids of older parents are often more tech-savvy than their peers, too, and they benefit from their parents’ financial stability and life experience.

Visit Center for Vasectomy Reversal for Help Starting Your Family

While there are many benefits to starting a family at an older age, the conception can sometimes be challenging. At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start their healthy, happy families, and we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.

A Healthier You in 2025

New Year, Healthier You

With each new year, many people resolve to make big changes in their lives. They make plans to lose weight, go to the gym, and do other life-altering things. What you may not realize, though, is that by simply changing some habits, you can improve your health and your life. What will you do this year, to promote your own health in 2025?

Making Lifestyle Changes

There are several shifts you can make in your habits that will benefit your health. Here are a few to consider.

• Don’t smoke or vape. You may have started vaping to quit smoking, but research is increasingly indicating that vaping is detrimental to your health as well.
• Cut down on sugar. Even little things can make a big difference, like swapping out soda for water, or forgoing sugary dessert in favor of fresh fruit.
• Limit your alcohol. Some alcohol is ok, but if you think you are overdoing it, now is a good time to cut back. If you need to, take a dry January or choose another month to eliminate alcohol completely.
• Get enough rest. You may think it’s virtuous to stay busy 24/7, but it could be ruining your health. Doctors recommend six to nine hours a night for adults.
• Take a walk. Regular exercise can be a game changer, so if you are not exercising, start by scheduling a 15 minute walk every day. Build up from there, to get the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week.
• Practice self-care. Often, we focus on meeting others’ needs, to our own detriment. Learn to say no when necessary, stop trying to do it all, and make time to show yourself some compassion and care.
• Stop procrastinating. This can be a hard habit to break, but if you look at it as costing you opportunities, it may make it a little bit easier.

Taking Better Care of Your Physical Health

You only get one body, so take these steps to make sure you are not neglecting it.

• Mind your oral health. A healthy mouth contributes to a healthy body, so brush, floss, and see your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.
• Get a checkup. Keeping up with your annual physical will help your doctor catch problems before they become unmanageable.
• Take medications only as directed. It can be tempting to stash away some of that antibiotic or pain medication for the next time you are sick, but this practice can be very damaging to your health. Only take what the doctor orders.
• Have recommended screenings. You may not enjoy going to the doctor when you aren’t sick, but screenings are a good way to keep you from getting sick!
• Protect your sexual health. Safe sex is a must, and so is respecting yourself and your partner. Make sure you are keeping up with the necessary doctor visits to protect your reproductive system.
• Minimize your stress. Stress contributes to a wide variety of physical problems, so learning to manage it is vital to your health and wellbeing.

Maintaining Your Mental Health

Many people, particularly men, tend to neglect their own mental health. To take better care of yours, try these practices.

• Limit your media consumption. Doom scrolling and engaging on social media are habits that can easily suck away your time and your joy.
• Try not to overthink. It is easy to fall into the trap of over analyzing things, but this can lead to anxiety. Challenge negative thoughts and make a point of trusting that you have done all you can, letting the rest be what it will be.
• Pay attention. Often, we overlook our own mental health until we find ourselves in a dark place. Notice when you are starting to have negative feelings and be proactive about managing them.
• Validate your feelings. You are entitled to feel what you feel, without labeling your feelings as negative. Work on accepting your own feelings as valid, and then decide what to do with them.
• Practice mindfulness. Breathing exercises, meditation, and being mindful in the moment can all increase your peace.
• Keep a journal. Try writing down the things you are grateful for, and you may feel happier. If worrying is your problem, schedule time each day to write down your worries, and it will help you set them aside.
• Prioritize a support system. Everyone needs people to support them through good times and bad. Build a support system for yourself and make time to nurture your friendships.

Let Center for Vasectomy Reversal Help Protect Your Reproductive Health

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Pros and Cons of Swaddling

To Swaddle or Not to Swaddle

Swaddling has been gaining popularity in the last several years, and it is estimated that about 90 percent of babies in the United States are swaddled in their early months. Proponents swear by it, and it can help babies calm down and sleep better. It is not for every baby or every family, though, and there are concerns that it can sometimes be dangerous. Should you swaddle your little one? Let’s take a closer look at swaddling.

What is Swaddling?

An ancient practice, swaddling involves wrapping a baby snugly to promote good sleep. It soothes babies by recreating the cozy feeling of being in the womb. It can also make it easier for them to sleep on their backs, which is the recommended position to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Swaddling can be particularly useful for babies with a strong startle reflex, and it can help soothe fussy babies. Done properly, and only in the early months, swaddling can be extremely beneficial.

Swaddling Benefits

Swaddling is a widespread practice because of its many benefits.

• Swaddling helps babies sleep more soundly. Swaddling comforts babies by giving them the feeling of being held close, and the weight applied by the swaddle can have a calming effect. Additionally, because babies who are swaddled startle less, they are less likely to jerk and wake themselves up.
• Babies who are swaddled tend to cry less. Fussy babies are often comforted by swaddling. In fact, it has been shown to decrease crying in by up to 42 percent in babies eight weeks old or younger. Even colicky babies are often calmed by a swaddle.
• Premature babies can benefit from swaddling. There is evidence to indicate that swaddling helps with their muscle and nerve development, as well as motor movement.
• Swaddled babies don’t need loose blankets to be cozy. Parents who want to make sure their babies stay warm may be tempted to cover them in their cribs. However, blankets can pose a suffocation hazard, making swaddling a good alternative.
• Babies in a swaddle can’t scratch their faces. Babies do not have much control over their movements, but they do have very sharp little fingernails. Consequently, they tend to scratch themselves. By holding their arms immobile, swaddling prevents these scratches.
• It is easier for swaddled babies to sleep on their backs. This makes parents more likely to put them to sleep flat on their backs, which reduces the risk of SIDS.

Can Swaddling be Dangerous?

Even with the benefits swaddling provides, there are some risks, especially if the swaddling is improperly done.

• Swaddling may increase the risk of SIDS. While swaddling encourages back sleeping, which reduces the risk of SIDS, swaddling can further increase the risk of SIDS for babies on their stomachs. This is believed to be the result of lowered arousal. In other words, swaddling can make it more difficult for a baby to wake up, increasing the risk of SIDS.
• Improper swaddling can result in loose bedding. If the baby wriggles out of the swaddle, the cloth can be loose in the bed, increasing the risk of suffocation.
• Babies who are swaddled may overheat. Be careful, if you are swaddling your baby, that your baby isn’t overdressed. Touch the baby’s chest or the back of the neck, and if he or she is hot or sweaty, use a lightweight, breathable fabric for swaddling, or remove a layer of clothing.
• Improper swaddling increases the risk of developmental hip dysplasia. The hip is a ball and socket joint, and when a baby is swaddled too tightly, the ball of the hip can be shifted so that it slides out of place in the socket.

How to Safely Swaddle

The first thing to know about swaddling is that it should only be done in the first two months. Beyond that, there are some tips to follow to be sure you are swaddling safely.

• Don’t overdo it. Babies can’t yet regulate their temperature, but overheating can increase the risk of SIDS. That’s why it is so important to make sure the baby isn’t too hot.
• Use a secure swaddle. You can use a regular blanket or a blanket that is designed for swaddling, but whichever you use, make sure it’s secure. Otherwise, it can come undone and cover the baby’s face during sleep.
• Keep it secure without making it too tight. A swaddle that is too tight can not only affect the hip joints but can also hinder lung function. Using a blanket designed for swaddling can make it easier to achieve the right fit.
• Stop swaddling when your baby learns to roll over. If a swaddled baby rolls onto his or her stomach, it can lead to SIDS.
• Limit baby’s swaddling time. Babies need to spend time moving freely, learning to move around and become more mobile.
• When in doubt, ask. At your birthing location, someone should be able to teach you proper swaddling techniques, to help you avoid risks.

Let Center for Vasectomy Reversal Help You Start Your Family

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start their healthy, happy families, and we pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.