Mother Baby & Child - February 2017

YOUR GUIDE TO MOTHERHOOD IN THE UAE

GESTATIONAL DIABETES “Can I lower my risk?”

ISSUE 71| FEBRUARY 2017 | AED 10

NEW-MUM

GLOW 10 products for

post-pregnancy skin

IN THE CLASSROOM: Education advice & tips from the UAE's biggest schools

FERTILITY

FACTS: How to have a healthy pregnancy

weeks:

The importance of reaching

FULL TERM

Baby

HAS ARRIVED! THE BIRTH ISSUE Supported by:

DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

IT’S YOUR FUTURE ... LET US HELP YOU THROUGH IT MOHAP KL06451

EXPERTISE & SERVICES OFFERED Prenatal Counseling Treatment of Menstrual Disorders Antenatal Care High Risk Pregnancy Counseling Management of Menopause Specialized Investigations 3D and 4D Fetal Ultrasound Scanning

Dr. Najlaa Kadhum

Specialist Obstetrics & Gynecology

Avail our exclusive antenatal packages for 12 & 28 weeks at discounted rates.

FOR APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL: 04 3387878 Tel: 04 3387878

|

info@ziamedicalcenter.com

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Umm suqeim 1, Jumeirah beach road, Dubai, UAE

www.ziamedicalcenter.com

EDITORIAL Editor: Dina Maaty

dina.maaty@cpimediagroup.com

Online Editor: Emma Hodgson

Editor’s Note

emma.hodgson@cpimediagroup.com

Graphic Designer: Sarah Radwan Photographer: Maksym Poriechkin ADVERTISING Sales Director: Michael Phillips

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ONLINE Ramir Toyado PRODUCTION James Tharian FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS AND OTHER ENQUIRIES, LOG ON TO: motherbabychild.com

FOUNDER

Dominic De Sousa (1959 - 2015)

Ask any mother about the journey of pregnancy and birth and she’ll have plenty of stories to tell.

From that very first glimpse of baby’s silhouette at the gynaecologist’s to the belly kicks, all the way to carrying them in your arms for the first time — there are no words to describe it.

Since that first moment mama gets to bring baby home, every proud moment of hers becomes about motherhood; her baby becomes her inspiration, her source of love and joy and life takes a turn for the better.

We don’t mean to brag, but us Dubai mamas are so lucky.

It’s just been confirmed that the maternity leave for all Dubai government employees will increase, and the new law will take effect on March 1.

The new law means more time for mum and baby to make the most out of life’s most precious moments, but no matter whether you’re getting your extra leave or not, join us this issue and let’s trace, and embrace, every moment until baby’s arrival.

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PO Box 13700 Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 Publication licensed by Dubai Production City, DCCA © Copyright 2017 CPI Media Group FZLLC. All rights reserved.

While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein. cpimediagroup.com

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 03

FBE R UR y 2017

04 | FEBRUARY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

in this issue Things to Do .................................................

Mummy & baby ............................................ 08

Toddler & child .............................................. 11

Older child & tween ..................................... 16

Parenting ......................................................

Clueless when it comes to fertility? ......... 20

Is it important to reach full term? ............ 24 Pain relief during labour............................... 28 Comfy shoes for pregnant mamas ............ 35

New-mama glow .......................................... 36

The new mums’ guide to sleepless nights

32

Education .....................................................

Time for school............................................. 44 How to choose a boarding school ............. 50 10 ways to ease the transition between nursery and Foundation Stage I .............. 54

42

Ask the expert

in this issue

Good Living ..........................................................

Baby’s room ........................................................ 60 Kiddies’ room ....................................................... 62 The cool kids’ party ............................................. 64 Kid’s affordable fashion ..................................... 68

2017

In the kitchen ...................................................... 72

70

What do you do with outgrown kids’ clothes?

Health ..................................................................

Diabetes During pregnancy ............................... 78

Mamas ask, we answer ....................................... 84

94

What to eat to conceive ...................................... 86

All you need to know about water birth ........... 90

Competition time!

CONTRIBUTORS

Sarah Whitehead ............................................. is an entrepreneur and a communications specialist with a passion for journalism. As a strong advocate of work/life balance, she mentors women in business.

Priyanka Wade .................................................... is an ex-banker turned writer and blogger, Priyanka is mum to a six-year-old girl. onegeekofaparent.com

Natasha Bajaj ..................................................... is mum to a baby boy and is the founder and head designer of N&J (natsandjun.com), a label which designs breastfeeding dresses for mothers and nursing boxes for new mamas and babies.

Kamal Dasani .....................................................

is mum to twin girls and the owner of online store and blog TherapyBox Australia. As a senior occupational, vision and applied behaviour analysis therapist, she provides developmental advice and resources to parents, therapists, teachers and carers.

MARTA YANCI .....................................................

is mum to two wonderful sons, 9-year-old Lucas and 5-year-old Pablo. She is the founder of Marta’s Kitchen, a Dubai-based boutique catering company. The busy mama will soon open a restaurant in Dubai and another in Brussels!

06 | FEBRUARY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

THINGS TO DO

STROLLING INTO DUBAI

TRY A BIRTHING PROGRAMME… The goal of The Wise Hippo birthing programme is to empower all pregnant women to trust themselves and the choices they make so that they can achieve the best birth possible and know that their baby had 'the right birth on the day' through relaxation techniques and much more.

bellybabymom.com

08 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Ready to stroll with baby? In a first for Dubai, The Buggy Run™, an untimed 2.5 to 5 km run with buggies, will make its debut at Dubai Motor City’s Dubai Autodrome on Saturday, February 11.

This social, inclusive, family-friendly event is the brainchild of Nicola Holmes and Lara Sweida-Metwally, two fitness enthusiasts who share a passion for combining parenting with exercise. The founders believe that working out as a family is a positive and fun experience and educates children on the importance of health and fitness from a young age.

Targeting beginners through to seasoned runners, The Buggy Run will also be incorporating post-race entertainment to ensure that this is a day for the whole family, with the chance to win prizes provided by leading brands. Participants can even run the race as a relay, meaning everyone can take part, regardless of age or fitness level. You can walk, jog, sprint or skip your way to the finish!

Bring daddies, aunties, uncles and grandparents – the event is for everyone! Registration is now open on

thebuggyrun.com.

Prices start at AED 150 for a single buggy and single runner, AED 245 for a single buggy and two runners.

THINGS TO DO

baby’s closet

Okaidi Obaibi AED 179

AED 89

Sophie la Girafe

AED 60

AED 195

Babyshop AED 67

Level Kids

AED 995 each

10 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

AED 17 AED 57

Toddler &

Children

Love to

Play!

AED 109

They know it’s fun, but what they may not know is that play is crucial for every area of their growth and development. Through play, children begin to realise things about the world and discover information needed for their healthy growth.

DUPLO My First Sets so that later on they can spend unlimited time playing on their own. Taking a few minutes to introduce the game will definitely pay off!

The sets can be purchased at LEGO Certified Stores in Dubai Mall, Mall LEGO® DUPLO® My First Sets combine of the Emirates, Mirdiff City Center, play with essential child development Marina Mall, which is necessary for children 18 and Abu Dhabi months to three years old. At that LEGO Certified age, children already perceive objects Store in Yas and begin to understand what some Mall. things are used for or how they work.

It’s important to first show your little one how to play with these LEGO

AED 159

THINGS TO DO

Be Chauffeured around Dubai’s Largest Mall (in a Real Car!)

Shopping-loving mamas with toddlers in tow, rejoice! The Dubai Mall has launched two electric cars for guests so they can explore the various retail outlets and leisure attractions, and conveniently shop around with a chauffeur-driven electric car at their service.

All you have to do is contact the Guest Services Desk to hire the electric car, driven by trained personnel. The cars will be charged at dedicated stations located by The Waterfall. Each electric car can accommodate four guests who can reserve it for specific point-to-point rides.

TheDubaiMall

Yoga, Music

and Storytelling Ladybird Nursery, with locations in Jumeirah and Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), is combining yoga with music and storytelling in hopes of creating a sense of calmness for its preschool children.

Students aged six months to five years old practice various yoga postures including Tree, Giraffe and Downward-Facing Dog once a week as part of the centre’s curriculum. Launched at the early learning centre in September 2016, the yoga lessons have shown incredible benefits for participating students.

The centre’s yoga teacher starts the classes at 9 am for 20 minutes, with a 5-minute interval between classes. It is becoming one of the most sought-after classes among students.

ladybirdnursery.ae

12 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

When you’re pregnant, the amount of gears you need to buy before your baby arrives can seem confusing and endless.

JustKidding® comes with the solution and can make your pregnancy easier.

Together with our JustKidding® team you will make your own personalized checklist. We’ve cut out the guesswork and stress and with the customized checklist we can put the focus only on the items you are interested in.

After you called our customers service and created the list, the shopping session in one of our stores can be scheduled. Hospital – or private viewings are also possible.

Make baby gear shopping a relaxed and fun experience together with our Personal Shopper.

From the big purchases, as nursery furniture and strollers to breastfeeding and bottle feeding

THERE IS NO BETTER FEELING THAN YOUR OWN HAPPINESS! Call 800 5878 (JUST)

equipment, we will help you with all these items in just one shopping session. Enjoy the happy moments of your pregnancy without being stressed to find the perfect gears for your little one. One store, one session, one checklist and all the essentials topquality products you need before your baby arrives.

Call our customers service and book your shopping session with one of our Personal Shoppers! The personal shopping sessions will be available in JustKidding® Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai, Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, The Gate Mall, Doha and Localizer Mall, Riyadh.

Call 800 5878 (JUST)

Fashion • Strollers • Furniture • Accessories • Car Seats JustKiddingMe

@Justkidding_me

www.justkidding-me.com

THINGS TO DO

Explore the World with

‘Plim Plim’

Plim Plim, a clown, superhero and magician, uses his superpowers and magic to help his friends when they face difficult situations. The kids’ series showcases the troubles that face the young characters, relating them to kids’ experiences such as learning the consequences of not being polite or putting together clues to solve a mystery.

It welcomes kids to follow the warm-hearted adventures as the clown and his friends travel to a magical realm where everyone learns about positive values.

‘PLIM PLIM’ airs on DKIDS HD. For more information:

bein.net

Head to Taste of

Dubai

Taste of Dubai is the city’s favourite food, drink and music festival. Now celebrating its 10th year, the event will feature Dubai’s latest and most exciting restaurants as well as world-class celebrity chefs including Michel Roux, Gary Rhodes, Jean-Christophe Novelli, Eric Lanlard, Mohammad Orfali, Tarek Ibrahim, Luke Thomas and Aldo Zilli.

There will also be interactive masterclasses, international music acts and other tantalising fresh features. Don’t miss Billy Ocean headlining on the opening night!

Taste of Dubai will take place on March 9 – 11 at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

For more information and ticket prices: tasteofdubaifestival.com 14 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

THINGS TO DO

Older &Tween

Go on the

Ultimate

Celebrate with

a Mini Golf Tournament

Adventure LOOKING TO PLAY SOME MINI GOLF?

With locations in Wafi Mall and Abu Dhabi’s Dalma Mall, Tee and Putt is an 18-hole indoor golf course with a twist.

The funky-coloured, glow-in-the-dark setup alludes to space exploration and features various mechanical obstacles such as loopthe-loop, high-speed jumps or tricky putts.

Take the kids to fight the monstrous villain Khyber The Huntsman with Ben 10, ride the Boulevard Express Train or explore the Adventure Fortress plus many more attractions, all thrilling adventures they can experience at Dubai’s IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park.

AED 175 for children, AED 195 for adults and free access to children under 1.05 metres.

IMG-Worlds-of-Adventure

16 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Besides mini golf, kids can enjoy face painting and sand art or purchase glow-inthe-dark t-shirts. The course is available for hire for various occasions from birthdays to get-togethers and beyond.

Adults AED 75 per person, children (under 44 inches) AED 45 per person.

For more information: teeandputt.com

Fill your biggest dreams,with the most precious of things.

We’ll treat you well

Medcare Fertility Centre.

Medcare’s first IVF clinic is now open. With diverse medical facilities, the latest technology and specialist knowledge, find the answers and support you’ve been looking for. Home to doctors and nurses you can trust, with Medcare your family is one step closer.

Wellness. It’s in the details.

For Appointments Call 800 MEDCARE (6332273) www.medcare.ae

Dr. Panayota Zarmakoupis

Dr. Zakwan Khrait

Dr. Jisha Pradeep

Consultant Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Specialist Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Medcare Fertility Centre

Villa #456, Jumeirah 3, Jumeirah Beach Road P.O.Box No. 215565 Dubai - UAE

THINGS TO DO

Visit 3

Parks for the Price of 1

Dubai Parks and Resorts is a mega new destination comprising three separate theme parks, a water park, a uniquely-themed dining and retail district and a Polynesian-themed family hotel covering 30.6 million square feet.

It includes LEGOLAND® Dubai, the region’s first LEGOLAND, a Hollywood-inspired park called MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, and BOLLYWOOD PARKS™, the world’s first Bollywood theme park based on some of its biggest blockbusters. The entire destination is connected by Riverland™ Dubai – a themed retail and dining district.

MOTIONGATE ticket is AED 250, LEGOLAND AED 295 and BOLLYWOOD PARKS AED 285. Limited time offer, visit all three for AED 295. Annual passes available. dubaiparksandresorts.com

Sign the Kids Up for MMA Training Dubai-based professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter and former international karate gold medallist Rafat Shawe has launched new kids’ classes at James & Alex Dance Studios in Dubai Media City.

The classes cater to kids ages five to 12, are split into several age groups and play to the strength of each child ensuring that all of their needs are met.

Kids’ Karate: Mondays and Thursdays at 5:00 pm (1 hour). Term fees start from AED 1,680 jamesandalex.com 18 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

PARENTING

CLUELESS WHEN IT COMES TO

Fertility?

When it comes to fertility, many women only have access to information on the internet or from friends and relatives, which can often be misleading. So what do we need to know when it comes to conceiving?

One of Dubai’s newest fertility centres has released nationwide survey results revealing a lack of awareness of fertility principles among 91% of respondents, who failed to correctly identify the age fertility begins to decline.

20 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

YOUR AMBITION IS THE START OF HIS SUCCESS

YOU LAY THE RIGHT FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUR CHILD, WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU. With over 40 years of research, we’ve developed Aptamil Junior with Pronutra, a nutrient enriched formula that helps boost brain, vision and immunity development.

www.myfuturechampion.com

PARENTING When does fertility start to decline?

For women, fertility gradually starts to decline around the age of 27 before dropping more dramatically after the age of 35. While age can affect the success of fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), awareness of this factor in the UAE also remains low.

“The fertility awareness survey results show an alarming misconception that women can delay getting pregnant until their late 30s and rely on IVF to conceive. However, as a woman ages so do her eggs, and this will impact on the woman’s chance of conceiving both naturally and with IVF,” says Dr Bohaira El Geyoushi, medical director at Orchid Fertility Centre.

“It’s not just about women either. For couples undergoing IVF, the possibility of not being able to conceive is more than five times higher if the female’s husband is aged 41 or older.”

Let’s get talking…

Fertility isn’t just an issue for women.

It isn’t just harder to get pregnant when you’re older if you’re a woman – it gets harder for men too. The quality of a man’s sperm decreases with age. As a man ages, it takes longer for his partner to get pregnant. There’s also an increased risk of not conceiving at all.

Be aware: being healthy doesn’t guarantee you’re fertile.

Just because you have overall good health, don’t assume that it is a sign that you (or your partner, for that matter) are fertile. One in 10 healthy couples of reproductive age will experience fertility problems.

Put that cigarette out... smoking is a no-go.

Men and women who smoke – and women who are exposed to other people’s smoke – are more likely to take longer to get pregnant. Both active smoking and passive smoking increase a woman’s risk of infertility. In fact, passive smoking is equally as harmful to a woman’s fertility as active smoking.

Weight can also affect your fertility.

For women, obesity can affect fertility by causing hormonal imbalances and problems with ovulation, particularly for obese women having their first baby. For men, being overweight or obese can also cause hormonal changes that reduce fertility.

22 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

PARENTING

WEEKS

TO BABY

IS IT IMPORTANT TO REACH FULL TERM? The last few weeks yy v of pregnancy are the toughest, and despite your doctor, other mamas and passersby telling you so, you still hadn’t expected them to be that tough. You can’t get comfortable, you keep having to go to the bathroom and sleeping is a nightmare.

Problem is, most doctors discourage elective inductions or caesareans before 39 weeks, which is considered full term, unless waiting poses a health risk to mum or baby.

One of the reasons is that going into labour naturally without medical intervention increases the chances that your labour will go quickly.

24 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

THE RISKS

For baby, one of the last organs to fully develop is the lungs. Babies born before 39 weeks are at higher risk of suffering from breathing problems and other health issues. Every week the baby is born early significantly increases the chance of respiratory distress after birth.

However, the dangers go beyond breathing issues; babies born prematurely may have more trouble eating and are at greater risk of developing jaundice. Apart from the fact that nobody wants their baby to go through all of this, such problems affect mother-newborn bonding time, creating anxiety and depression for both.

WHY WAIT?

You’ve heard that natural labour is the best option, but why? One of the reasons is that going into labour naturally without medical intervention increases the chances that your labour will go quickly. Not only does an induction of labour often require multiple medications, but it also increases the risk of needing a caesarean by 50 per cent.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT A PRE-TERM BIRTH?

• Women with low levels of progesterone – a hormone which helps maintain pregnancy – are at higher risk for problems with conception, miscarriage and preterm labour.

• If you have experienced a pre-term birth before, let your doctor know as they may recommend an injection to avoid another one.

• Make sure you follow a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy to help prevent pre-term birth.

• Discuss all factors during your pre-natal visit from pregnancy history and medications to any herbal supplements you take, in addition to your physical and emotional lifestyle habits.

• Maintain a healthy weight through a nutritious diet and moderate exercise. In terms of calorie count, most pregnant women only need to add about 300 more calories to their daily diet.

Most importantly, always think about what the pregnancy will give you. Just the thought of baby will make any late-pregnancy discomfort vanish or at least become more bearable.

NEWSFLASH RESEARCHERS DISCOVER NEW MEDICATION FOR PRE-TERM BIRTHS

Researchers from the University of Adelaide in South Australia have found an antiinflammatory medication which has the potential to prevent pre-term birth before symptoms even have a chance to appear.

Pre-term births occur due to inflammation responses in the mother’s body, caused by the immune system recognising the foetus as foreign and rejecting the pregnancy.

Currently, pre-term birth is the major cause of death for children under five, with more than 1.1 million deaths each year. Pre-term births make up 12% of all births globally.

It’s still at least five years before anyone would consider testing the medication with pregnancy in humans, so let’s wait and see where science will take us next. Until then, happy pregnancies lovely mamas!

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 25

PARENTING

HELP WITH BABY’S FIRST YEAR

HERE’S HOW TO HEAL ATOPIC DERMATITIS..

Has your baby ever experienced the discomfort of atopic dermatitis symptoms?

Living with atopic dermatitis can be a challenge especially for your children.

However, luckily, Eucerin has something that can help.

26 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE What is atopic dermatitis and what are the symptoms?

Atopic dermatitis is a condition with many varied presentations. Nevertheless, there are a few major symptoms that are so characteristic, they are also used for diagnosis.

Typically, there is chronically recurring inflammation of the skin associated with severe itching. There is also pronounced dryness of the skin and increased susceptibility to skin infections. If the parents or siblings also suffer from atopic dermatitis or another atopic disease such as asthma or hay fever, a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is very likely.

What is the Atopic Skin Cycle?

The disease is typified by two phases, “flare-up “and “interval“.

During an interval phase, skin on the face and/or body is constantly dry, flaky and irritable. In a flare-up, rashes become itchy and inflamed and a vicious circle of scratching leads to further infection. This is known as the Atopic Skin Cycle.

Who suffers from atopic dermatitis?

One in five to ten children around the world are atopic dermatitis patients; 90 percent of patients first experience this chronic, non-infectious skin disease before they reach the age of five, but atopic dermatitis can affect anyone from babies and children, to adults.

Is atopic dermatitis contagious?

You cannot “catch” the disease or pass it on to others.

AtopiCONTROL Body Care Lotion and Acute Care Cream

What is the cause of atopic dermatitis?

It is known that susceptibility to atopic

dermatitis can be inherited. However, especially for children, cases have increased sharply in the last 50 years, which indicates the effect of external factors, including climate and environmental factors, seasons, frequent washing, aggressive cleansing products, rough clothing and more.

How does it affect my children?

The most frequently affected areas in babies are the face (especially the cheeks), scalp (this is also known as ‘cradle cap’), elbows and knees. As they become more mobile, the rash can spread to the arms and legs.

In fact, Dr. Gitta Neufang, head of research at Eucerin® Actives, finds that: “many people with atopic dermatitis feel restricted, unattractive and rejected.

Children, in particular, are exposed to peer prejudice and teasing.”

AtopiCONTROL Face Care Cream and Cleansing Oil

New: Eucerin® AtopiControl Care for atopic dermatitis

Eucerin® skin research has developed a special treatment for atopic skin conditions targeting both phases of the disease.

During the interval phase, daily skin hydration is essential to limit the risk of a flare-up. The formulas used in Eucerin® AtopiControl Basic Care products (Body Lotion, Face Cream and Bath & Shower Oil) are rich in Omega – 6 fatty acids to reinforce the skin barrier function. They also contain licorice extract which helps soothe the skin and reduce the need for topical medication such as hydrocortisone.

During an acute flare-up, Eucerin® AtopiControl Acute Care Cream eliminates itching and redness quickly and effectively, with results comparable to the effects of 1% hydrocortisone without the negative side effects.

Some lifestyle tips to manage atopic dermatitis:

1. Wear cotton clothing rather than nylon (non-breathable) or wool (rough and irritable).

2. Wash new clothes before wearing them to remove formaldehyde and other potentially irritating chemicals which are used during production of clothing.

3. Keep room temperatures cool but not cold.sweating triggers irritation and itch.

4. To prevent the skin’s natural moisturisers from being stripped away, try to take only one warm (not hot) bath or

shower per day, and limit it to 10 minutes. Avoid soaps and, instead, wash with a gentle soap-free cleanser.

5. Hydrating the skin is essential to help re-establish the skin’s natural barrier, which keeps moisture in and irritants out. Use moisturisers at least twice a day or even more often if you feel that you need it.

6. Avoid allergens like pet fur, house mites, dust and pollen.

7. Keep a diary of foods, drinks and environmental conditions to see if any coincide with a change in symptoms.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 27

PARENTING

THE TRUTH ABOUT

LABOUR PAiN WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO ANAESTHESIA?

Dr Rahul Deshmukh

Specialist Anaesthetist, Zulekha Hospital Dubai

Some mamas will say it feels like the worst menstrual pain you will ever have, others will claim it didn’t hurt as they thought it would, but given that you choose to use anaesthesia during labour, what would your options be?

The practice of providing pain relief during labour has undergone a tremendous metamorphosis over the past few years and most of the drugs anaesthetists currently use have a proven safety record. They can be broadly divided into three categories: anaesthetic gases, systemic analgesics (painkillers) and local anaesthetics.

28 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ANAESTHETICS?

ANAESTHETIC GASES

“While Entonox, a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, is the most commonly used gas mixture and poses very little risk in terms of patients developing side effects, it’s less effective in providing pain relief than other available pharmaceutical options,” says Dr Rahul Deshmukh, specialist anaesthetist, Zulekha Hospital Dubai.

SYSTEMIC ANALGESICS

Systemic analgesics remain the most commonly used method of providing pain relief during labour, and they involve administering painkiller injections. They make the delivery process relatively pain free, but their dosage has to be measured with utmost care to prevent the occurrence of side effects like dizziness and/or vomiting.

When administered in high doses, painkillers can affect both the mother and baby’s respiration (after birth) as well as the foetus’ heart rate. However, it’s important to remember that systemic analgesics aren’t hazardous to the mother or the baby if the doses are carefully calibrated to ensure safe and effective usage.

LOCAL ANAESTHETICS: EPIDURAL ANALGESIA

The use of local anaesthetic medications is quite popular these days and can be considered the safest option, but as is always the case they also can have side effects and complications.

Epidural analgesia (epidural block) is considered the gold standard in providing pain relief during labour and is a highly effective painmanagement technique with minimal risk of side effects.

The epidural typically starts working within 10-15 minutes after being injected since its administration and main advantage derive from the fact that the patient can actively participate in the delivery without experiencing much pain.

While epidural analgesia is considered a safe option, it is not entirely devoid of any side effects. It may cause changes in a mother’s blood pressure and can occasionally decrease the foetal heart rate, but these side effects can easily be treated.

.

Long-term neurological complications can occur, but they are very rare. There are also certain myths associated with epidural, the most common being that epidural can lead to a backache on the long term, but this has been scientifically proven to be false.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 29

PARENTING LOCAL ANAESTHETICS: SPINAL BLOCK

Another method involving a small injection in the backis a spinal block. Usually local anaesthetic drugs and/or potent pain killers are administered through this injection and it leads to a much stronger block of sensations than in case of epidural analgesia.

The patient cannot move or feel and for that reason spinal block is usually reserved for those mothers who are in advanced stages of labour. It’s not free of side effects either, as spinal block can lead to drop in mother’s blood pressure, decrease the foetal heart rate and occasionally lead to a severe headache.

LATEST PAIN-RELIEVING MEDICATIONS IN THE UAE

Recently a few new drugs have been introduced which have a better safety profile due to minimised risk of side effects.

A new equipment recently acquired by Zulekha Hospital is patientcontrolled analgesia pump, which enables the administration of the medicine with a click of a button by the patient herself when she feels pain. This puts the patient, in charge of the pain-relief management procedure, improves the quality of the pain relief experience and increases patient satisfaction overall.

Recently we have witnessed an increase in the use of ultrasonography to insert the epidural catheter. Ultrasonography ensures that the catheter is placed in the exact position and thus improving the quality and the management of pain relief.

ANAESTHETISTS’ CHALLENGES IN THE UAE

The UAE population is one of the most multi-cultural communities in the world, and this means that clear communication about what to expect while receiving pain relief during labour is essential to ensure patient satisfaction.

Working with patients from various nationalities present anaesthetists with the language barrier challenges and therefore availability of translators is of key importance during labour.

Anaesthetists need to be aware of the diverse range of patient cultural backgrounds, and respect and follow their customs accordingly.

Overall, the effective use of various pain relieving modalities can ensure this life-changing moment can be made pain free.

30 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

PARENTING

BABY’S HERE! THE NEW MUMS’ GUIDE TO SLEEPLESS NIGHTS From colic cries and diaper changes to feeding times and sleeping patterns, having a new baby changes your life – and it’s never easy. With your new baby demanding more of your energy, becoming sleep deprived becomes only a matter of time.

WHEN DOES MUMMY SLEEP? • When baby sleeps! It is impossible to sleep while they are awake, every mama knows that. Forget the chores, the laundry and dishes can wait, take advantage of this time and get some shut-eye.

• Sure, it can be tempting to attend to their every little move, but being watchful is very different from being paranoid.

Baby needs you, so don’t waste energy on attending to them unless it’s required; a squeak can just be them settling down rather than a call for action.

• Dr Irshaad Ebrahim, medical director at The London Sleep Centre Dubai says: “Take turns for night-time duties: It is important that you set a schedule along with your partner 32 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

so that you both get enough rest. If you breastfeed, your husband could take up diaper-changing. Once baby is on bottle-feed, you can take turns to feed them.

• While being a social butterfly may be a part of your personality, social grace will need to take a back seat. Don’t let having guests over interrupt your sleep pattern or feel like you need to be as much of an eager host as you were in your pre-baby era.

• Make sure your environment is suited for the sleep you need. Keep your bedroom dark and cool. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol late in the day or at night. Get regular physical activity, but not too close to bedtime if possible.

WHEN DOES BABY SLEEP? • Finally, time to sleep? Rubbing of the eyes, whining, crying, yawning, stretching or even flicking the ears are all signs of feeling sleepy. Ensure you set everything aside and tend to baby to put them to sleep.

• It may sound impossible to teach your baby about day and night time zones, but it’s not. Keep the bathing and changing to the start of the day, keeping it bright and cheerful throughout with maximum play.

• Later in the evening, keep lights and noises low, avoid eye contact, play when feeding and sponge clean baby to change them into pyjamas for a night-time routine.

• Baby’s bedroom should be dark, cosy and comfortable.

Keep temperature levels reasonable to induce sleep. Keep sunlight at bay and remember, no alarm clocks in the nursery.

If you think you have a sleep problem, there is no harm in consulting a sleep specialist. Identifying and treating any underlying conditions can help you get the rest you need. Remember, taking good care of yourself – including getting adequate sleep – will help you take the best care of your baby.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 33

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The programme is split into age groups with age-appropriate activities such as finger painting, building blocks, disco dancing, video games, karaoke and much more. Children three to five years old will have fun conducting cool experiments and becoming certified Jr. Adventure Scientists in the Aquanauts program.

Those aged six to eight can join the Explorers programme, which is packed with exciting activities from themed parties to making gummy candies. Meanwhile, in Voyagers for kids ages nine to 11, children will explore through scavenger hunts and put on talent shows, while Navigators includes challenge series and sports tournaments for those aged between 12 and 14.

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Who said mama can only glow during her pregnancy?

Here are some products to use after delivery to help you achieve that all-natural, gorgeous look without the effort.

NEW-Mama GLOW u Urban Veda Soothing Clarifying Night Cream Formulated with key essential oils and harmonising flower extracts, this night cream is ideal for hydrating and soothing dry, rough and inflamed skin.

v Aloe Vera and Sweet Almond Cleansing Milk A gentle blend that works effectively to remove makeand other impurities.

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w Himalaya Cocoa Butter Renowned for its ultra-hydrating properties, cocoa butter penetrates the skin to provide deep nourishment and restore skin’s natural protective barrier.

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On the 14th of this month, everybody will be celebrating love, but many mamas think that this day is only for newlyweds or couples who have just met and fallen in love. Here are some ways to celebrate the day and make it as happy and romantic as ever!

Enjoy Valentine’s Day with the Family

and Motherhood Have a mummy-daughter pampering session

Don’t want to leave the kids at home for date night? Take them with you and head to Kids HQ’s Valentine’s Day party. There will be games and entertainment for both kids and adults, a chocolate fountain, arts and crafts, free mini crepes and much more.

Mama, get a manicure with two nails of ‘hearty’ nail art plus a blow dry for only AED 250 at The Nail Pavilion. This offer is available from February 1st until the end of the month.

04 229 791

As for the little one, try Snails nail polish.

Exclusively designed for kids, it’s 100% chemical-free.

February 9, AED 75 per child for the two-hour party.

For more information: 04 379 4233

Go all out for date night at Atlantis, the Palm Indulge in some me-time with Le Soie bath treats AED 30 each

Ossiano, the award-winning seafood restaurant with spellbinding views of the hotel lagoon will be offering a seven-course set menu with special creations from the chef.

AED 995 per person for set menu.

For more information: 04 261 000

Or just place an order…

Valentine’s Day on a diet? Say ‘I love you’ to these guilt-free sweets from Right Bite!

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MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 37

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EDUCATION Featured PRINCIPAL

Dr. Kandace Williams

Clarion School

What are your principles and values when it comes to running the school?

Students at Clarion are happy, independent and compassionate children who are to connected to others while still painting their unique identity. We have designed a brain friendly teaching and learning environment that promotes exploratory investigations, collaboration and social interaction. We foster intellectual growth through developmentally appropriate experiences both in the classroom and on the play grounds that encourage effort |and creativity.

What inspires you when it comes to managing and improving the school environment and encouraging students?

I want to do my best for my students and my teachers every day. I care deeply that I have provided the best environment for both students to learn and grow, and through our intense professional development program teachers to also continue to learn and grow. Being respectful, listening, sharing and smiling are the daily words we live by at Clarion as we create the culture of the school.

What do you think is the best way to deal with a student discipline incident and the communication process with the parents?

Social skills and problem solving are actively taught as part of our curriculum. We use incidents that arise as learning moments. Parents need to hear from the school in a timely manner as they are truly our partners educating their children.

What aspect of your school are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the growth that I see from our students.

Our students bound happily into school each day, eager to learn. Our teachers are exceptionally skilled at helping our students learn to love learning. We require all our classroom teachers to hold a Master’s Degree in Education. This further university study at the graduate level prepares our teachers to teach at the deeper level required in progressive education, where the focus is on critical thinking skills, 40 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

communication, collaboration and building the ability to learn taken place in the classroom, not to be drudge-work of rote and think independently. memory.

What would your ideal school environment be like and how would you encourage that kind of culture?

The ideal school environment is one where all stakeholders feel respected and heard. The way that I encourage such an environment is to respect the views of others, give them a forum or structure to be heard, and listen carefully.

What are your thoughts on technology-based learning vs. more time outdoors?

Balance, Balance, Balance! In today's world, technology-based learning cannot be ignored nor can the systematic studies showing the importance of time outdoors for all ages and grades. We also give careful attention to our affiliation with New York City's Bank Street College of Education policy on technology-based learning in order to fulfill our curriculum, which Bank Street has written for us and localized to Dubai and life in the UAE. Do you think we will eventually adopt a no-homework policy in UAE schools?

I think this is a question that has to take into account the many different curricula offered in Dubai and the wisdom of the KHDA to allow schools to address this individually.

Some education methods in Dubai are very memorisation driven and probably need homework to reinforce that style of teaching.

Clarion is a progressive education model, which develops learning by experience. Is it homework for a 4th Grader to discuss with parents a topic explored in school and reflect on those different points of view? Is it homework for a KG2 to make a study at home of how much water was used during a day and bring that information into the discussion back in the classroom? For Clarion, following our Bank Street education model, the work at home is to extend the thinking that has

How do you see the recent school fee hikes and how has your school adopted them?

Since Clarion is a new school in Dubai we have not gone through the process of fee changes. I do know from my many interactions with parents, that schools absolutely must be responsible for a high-quality education for each child who is entrusted into their care.

Parents across Dubai, no matter what expat group or demographic are genuinely concerned that they have placed their children in the best possible school for them, regardless of cost. Schools must be deeply responsible to this core value and deliver the education that enables students to grow to their highest capacity.

If students were to describe your school, what would they say is their favorite aspect?

Clarion is a haven for inquiring minds. Spacious classrooms, large outdoor learning spaces, and wide learning corridors with student engagement areas support experiential learning.

Our students understand that learning is a life-long journey and is not limited to the classroom.

What do you focus on to ensure students’ learning experience is as comprehensive and dynamic as possible?

Our curriculum is written by New York City’s Bank Street College of Education and is based on Dubai and uses the Common Core and New York State Standards. Bank Street is the undisputed leader in progressive education practice.

This ensures that it is a high interest, innovative curriculum that students can relate to while holding to the rigor of the standards.

clarionschool.com

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 41

Ask the EDUCATION

I would like to work with my son who is a pre-schooler and help develop his mathematical ability. What can I do and how can I help him understand different concepts? Is he too young?

- LENA, DUBAI You can introduce your child to mathematical concepts as early as 3 years old. Studies have proven that early math abilities are more important than early reading skills!

You can start by helping your child explore different attributes of objects. Encourage them to point out the similarities and differences. Let them try and sort them into different groups. Systematic organizing, arranging, and grouping of objects facilitates addition, subtraction, number sequences, and proportional thinking. You can introduce your child to this concept by letting him organize arrange and group his/her belongings.

Patterning is also very important; help them recognize a pattern in nature or in numbers by counting, and skip counting. Encourage them to mimic, extend, and eventually create their own patterns.

Learning how to measure distance, capacity, weight, and time, in order to compare and describe the world in quantitative terms is essential.

Let them help you cook, this will build a basic introduction of units of measure and an understanding of how parts make up the whole.

A first look at geometric shapes and the infinite world of twoand three-dimensional space is a basis for developing spacial relationships.

Remember that mathematical education and early math skill development has been proven to be paramount not only for later math outcomes but also for later reading and science achievement.

42 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

With thanks to Mathnasium UAE. Mathnasium Al Barsha, Business Bay, Green Community, International City, Jumeirah, Knowledge Village, Motor City and Uptown Mirdif. www.mathnasium.ae uae@mathnasium.com

EDUCATION

Founded in 2004 to meet the needs of local and international families, Kings’ Schools offer world-class education for children aged three to 18 years old.

We operate as one family across three schools in the UAE, all proudly offering the British curriculum via the National Curriculum for England.

Kings’ Schools are prestigious schools with a British heritage and an international perspective, welcoming students from around the globe. We teach our children to become effective, enthusiastic and independent lifelong learners, able to adapt to the challenges of a fast-moving, modern world.

Our founding school is the only school in the UAE to have been awarded the ‘outstanding’ rating every year since inspections by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau began. The growth of our schools has been carefully managed to protect the exceptional standards that Kings’ has become renowned for. All our schools share the same core values and strive every day to deliver ‘The Best by Every Child’.

At Kings’, we follow the National Curriculum for England as a framework which is then adapted to ensure a conceptual, integrated and enriched learning experience for our young learners. It’s important that we contextualise the curriculum so that children understand what they are learning and why, by using the environment around them.

We believe that the recipe for continued success is a clarity of vision for children’s learning, finding and nurturing exceptional teachers and leaders to carry out this vision and working in close partnership with parents and families to deliver the best education for our children.

44 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

School Name

Kings’ Schools

Level taught

FS1 to Sixth Form

Curriculum

British curriculum

Number of Children

2,740 students

Location

Umm Suqeim, Barsha South and Nad Al Sheba

Tel

+971 4 356 6900

Web Address

www.kings-edu.com

Principal

KSD - Bede Higgins, KSAB - Alan Williamson, KSNAS Darren Gale

Latest KHDA School Inspection Rating

KSD - Outstanding, KSAB & KSNAS - Pending Inspection 2017

Year Founded

2004

THE BEST BY EVERY CHILD

KINGS’ SCHOOL NAD AL SHEBA

OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY IS GROWING Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba is a thriving, vibrant community in which students and families alike feel safe, valued and happy.

We value our loyal and supportive families at Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba.

Come and join our close-knit community at Kings' School Nad Al Sheba. Book a Tour on our website to see us in action.

Kings' School Nad Al Sheba is now offering SPECIAL REWARDS for our parents: • Subsidised Transport • Sibling Discount • Refer a Friend Find our more details about these special rewards on our website. +971 (4) 327 1841

|

registrar@kingsnas.com

|

www.kings-edu.com/nadalsheba

EDUCATION

School Name

The Arcadia Preparatory School

Tel

971 4 552 2600

Level taught

FS1 to Year 6

Web Address

arcadia.sch.ae

Curriculum

National Curriculum for England (NCfE)

Principal

Graham Beale

Latest KHDA School Inspection Rating

Rating N/A

Year Founded

August 2016

Number of Children Location

130 students District 9, Jumeirah Village Triangle

The community-focused school aspires to be one of the leading British primary schools in the world by instilling in students a lifelong passion for learning and nurturing innovation and the pursuit of excellence among (teaching) staff.

accommodation facility within JVT for school staff. By offering the enhanced benefit of quality housing, the school is investing fully in its teachers’ happiness and well-being thereby encouraging them to aspire for excellence within the classroom.

The Arcadia Preparatory School is the first in a series of community-based schools delivering the vision of Mohan Valrani and the Al Shirawi Group. As Chairman of the school, Valrani is an avid believer in providing the very best education for future generations.

The school’s curriculum is backed by the ‘Talk for Writing’ programme from the UK. Talk for Writing enables children to orally imitate the key language they need for a particular topic before they try reading and analysing it.

Believing that a school’s greatest asset is its teachers, the group is building ‘The Arcadia House’, a dedicated 46 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Future Dubai-based schools for Arcadia Group include The Arcadia Senior School, also in Jumeirah Village Triangle and The Arcadia Primary and Secondary School in Jebel Ali.

EDUCATION

School Name

Oaktree Primary School

Tel

04 333 3911

Level taught

Fs1- year 4 (From September 2017 we shall be recruiting students from FS1 to Year 6)

Web Address

www.oaktreeprimary.com Christopher McDermott

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Principal

Number of Children

608 total currently 118 students

Latest KHDA School Inspection Rating

Rating N/A

Location

Al Quoz

Year Founded

2016

Oaktree Primary School is unique in Dubai because it offers high-quality education delivered by Western teachers, mainly from the United Kingdom, at affordable prices. Oaktree Primary School is based on the principle that ‘small is beautiful.’ We have small class sizes of up to 18 children in each class in the Foundation Phase and up to 22 children per class in the Primary Phase.

We believe in Positive Psychology and this is reflected through our interactions with the children in our care and the parents whom we serve. This ethos is based on scientific research which tells us that children and adults work at their best and achieve their maximum when they are happy and focussed on a determination to succeed.

The school is led by a Leadership Team of Principal, Vice Principal and Assistant Principal, all of whom have led, or been part of, the Leadership Teams of Outstanding schools in Dubai. The Principal, Mr Christopher McDermott, has led Outstanding schools in London 48 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

and in England, is a qualified Ofsted school inspector in England and is part of the KHDA’s What Works team as a Content Advisor.

We believe, passionately, in the right of every child to be nurtured, cared for and supported in their quest to do their best. We welcome children from all backgrounds and believe that our duty is to work closely with families to ensure that their children become citizens and leaders of the increasingly international world of the future.

Why Oaktree?

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EDUCATION

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

Finding a Boarding School for Your Child Choosing a boarding school is difficult enough when you live in the UK. When you live overseas, it makes selecting and visiting schools a huge task.

50 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

For those parents with little experience with boarding schools, it can be a daunting prospect, and most rely on friends and family for help and advice. Each child is different and so is every school. With a little help from the experts, you can find that perfect place where your child will blossom and grow to their full potential.

Here, Mother, Baby & Child interviews Sue Anderson, education consultant at Anderson Education, an independent education provider offering families free, impartial help and guidance on UK boarding schools as well as summer and language programmes.

Choosing a boarding school is no easy task, can you identify with what parents are going through?

I know exactly how it feels; I’ve lived overseas for many years, moving frequently due to my husband’s job and having four children all with very different needs and aspirations. This makes finding the right school a very challenging task.

Let’s be honest, not all of our children are outstanding students and selecting a school that will ensure that every child achieves their best is vital for happy, successful children and parents. I always say that I want these children to be top of the pile, not struggling at the bottom of the class.

What are the benefits of sending children to boarding school?

A UK boarding school education offers a first-class quality education, it provides stability of education for families particularly when students are approaching the two years when they study GCSE or A Level/IB. Boarding in the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) is an excellent stepping stone to university. Students are encouraged to become more confident and independent and learn to live away from home yet in a safe, secure environment.

There is excellent provision for students with special educational needs, either in mainstream schools with a good learning support department or a specialist school depending on the learning need and support required.

Tell us how to choose a boarding school in five steps.

1. Contact education consultants. They will discuss with you your child’s academic ability, strengths, interests and other criteria including location, a talent in sports or a love for music.

2. Your education consultant will recommend schools for your consideration and arrange for information to be sent to you from there.

3. We encourage you to shortlist schools, answer your questions and encourage you to visit schools in the UK during term time; we can make the appointments for you.

4. When you have chosen your first-choice school, we help you through the registration process and arrange for entrance tests to be sent to the current school.

5. We liaise between the school and parents until they have accepted an offer.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 51

EDUCATION Which qualitative elements should parents keep in mind when choosing a boarding school and why?

• That the school will provide a supportive and challenging environment to meet the needs of each child in terms of academic level, strength in sport, music, art, drama and the size of the school • A good full boarding environment with plenty of full boarders in the school during evenings and weekends • Depth and breadth of learning support if required • Visiting a school during term time is the best way to see if the school provides the type of environment where your child will thrive, be happy and reach their potential academically and socially.

Is the cost of going to boarding school really worth it?

The devaluation in the £ exchange rate has made the option of UK boarding a more realistic option for many families. Average boarding fees are £25,000 per year which includes boarding accommodation, tuition, food, laundry and some education-related activities.

Brexit has not as yet had any impact and is unlikely to for the next few years. If cost is a concern for families, there are other options. Students can apply for a scholarship if they are academically strong or have a talent in sports, music, art or drama – this will provide a discount on the boarding fee.

Families can also apply for a means-tested bursary and sibling discount. For students with a British or EU passport, there is the option of a state boarding school where the family pays for the boarding accommodation only and fees average at £5,000 per year.

Investing in your child’s future is the best investment that you can make in providing for their future success and happiness.

52 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

EDUCATION Kings’ School’s Monthly Tips

10 WAYS to ease the transition between nursery and Foundation Stage 1

Help make the transition to FS1 as smooth and stress-free as possible with expert advice from one of Dubai’s top schools:

ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE

One of the biggest factors which can help children enjoy a smoother transition to FS1 is having the confidence that comes with learning to be more independent.

“There are many ways parents can support this, by talking through the school experience to get them excited, for instance, and encouraging them through play and by taking on simple tasks around the house,” says Rebecca Mundy, head of foundation, Kings' School Al Barsha.

“While it’s not a requirement that children attend nursery before coming to FS1, we do find the experience helps them feel more confident settling away from their parents as they already know they’ll be collected at the end of the day, so they don’t feel as anxious.”

54 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

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EDUCATION START THEM YOUNG

Mastering simple skills will help children on their way to becoming model preschoolers.

“Even as babies, we involve children in easy activities, such as taking their shoes off,” says Karen Hollas, nursery manager at Child’s Play Nursery, the feeder nursery for Kings’.

“Of course, they won’t be able to do it by themselves for some time, but it gets them into the habit and starts to foster independence and life skills from a very young age. The younger they start, the better.”

BE THEIR CHEERLEADER

When your child is learning something new, make sure you offer lots of encouragement and praise. “Those who are shy may simply need a demonstration or that little bit of encouragement using the correct body language and tone of voice along with ‘wow’ words and extra praise,” says Karen. “Never underestimate what a child can do as they will always surprise you.”

GET THEM TALKING

For FS1, children will need to demonstrate good communication skills such as being able to engage in basic conversation and answer open-ended questions. “Key to developing good communication skills is to talk a lot with your child,” says Karen. “From chatting through your daily journey or routine and what you see around you to saying ‘good morning’ to people you meet along the way – all this helps to engage the brain as well as speech and language skills. If we feel children are having some issues with speech, we can tackle it early with simple exercises such as bubble blowing to help get the mouth moving, as well as the repetition of simple words.”

SWOT UP ON THE ASSESSMENT

Find out what’s involved in the assessment process so you can be well prepared.

“The FS1 assessment is commonly a play-based observation that takes up to 20 minutes. I don’t believe this is a fool proof way to ‘test’ small children, however, as they may have had a bad night’s sleep or be feeling a little under the weather that day which may affect how they interact at that particular time,” says Karen.

“This is why we worked with Kings’ to expand the assessment criteria to offer a more holistic view of a child. We have a questionnaire that parents can complete to give background knowledge from home and end-of-term reports from nursery teachers to offer a supporting view of the child’s development, which is also taken into account.”

56 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

EDUCATION MAKE IT MORE FAMILIAR

“Prior to the first day of FS1, our children are invited to attend play sessions with their parents where they can come and meet the teacher and take a look at their new learning environment,” says Rebecca. “Each child takes home a mini biography of their teacher featuring their photo so they become a familiar face.”

GET ON TOP OF SELF-CARE

Encourage your child to feed and dress himself and take ownership of his belongings – something that’s expected of all children from the beginning of FS1.

“Parents are often concerned about children being able to manage their selfcare skills independently,” says Rebecca. “We do ask that all children are toilet trained before they join us in FS1, but we do support children who need it when using the bathroom, dressing themselves or feeding themselves during snack and lunch time.”

HELP SET THE BOUNDARIES

“As children settle, there may be some issues around learning how to manage their emotions and behaviour,” says Rebecca.

“As a school, we will communicate any issues to parents and work together to ensure we are supporting the child to build relationships and manage their own behaviour in and out of school.”

SUPPORT THEIR LEARNING

“Children often come to school writing in capital letters and saying alphabet names for sounds,” says Rebecca.

“Parents work with them at home and have good intentions to support their reading and writing, however this does often mean we have to un-teach and re-teach content in school. We would ask that parents only model writing in lowercase letters and when learning letter sounds to only teach them the ‘pure’ sounds.”

SEND OUT POSITIVE VIBES

“Although it can be an anxious time for parents, it’s important to show children how excited you are and how important it is that they come to school in order to help their brain grow,” says Rebecca.

“It is a very special time when a child starts school so please trust that we are doing everything we can to help your child feel confident, safe and happy.”

58 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

GOOD LIVING

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Misk

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CYBEX

6- Priam fashion collection

AED 5,440

4- Cloud Marquee Lights

AED 40

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60 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

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AED 70

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AED 115

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GOOD LIVING The Little Things 1- Kikkerland alarm clock 2- Kikkerland pearl earbuds 7- Ithinking huku 9 - Boombox speaker

AED 45 AED 100 AED 64 AED 49

Mumzworld.com 3- Muslin swaddle blanket AED 99 Snails 4- Snails nail polish 4- Snails body glitter

AED 24 AED 59

6- The old man and his donkey 5- Chairs

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AED 229

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Build-A-Bear 14- Hazelnut cub 12- Guy diamond Mumzworld.com 19- Learning resources pretend play doctor playset 20- Pottery studio Kidore 13- Ferrari 15- Crackle baff Kidspoint 17- Theatre Marquee 18- Letter

Tarsam Image 10- Spiderman 16- Batman helicopter 11- Yoyo vita C + zinc

AED 85 AED 100 AED 169 AED 249 AED 99 AED 15

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TODDLER ROOM

AED 795 AED 55 each AED 169 AED 99 AED 59

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 63

GOOD LIVING

The

Kids' PARTY

Pirates, Princesses, Music and Bubbles Established in Dubai in 2003, Tumble Time is now in its 14th year of creating unique and memorable children’s parties. Safety is very important to them so all of their custom-made bouncy castles are manufactured and hand-painted in the UK and hold European ‘PIPA' safety certificates.

Children’s parties don’t have to be extra costly. If you're TUMBLE TIME ALSO OFFERS: • Soft Play and ball pools • Interactive puppet shows • Magic and juggling shows • Games • Free-hand Snazaroo face painting • Balloons • Henna • Camel and Pony rides • Petting Zoo • Handicrafts • Custom-made pinatas • Cuddly character mascots • Pirates and princesses • Music and bubbles

tumbletimedubai.com

64 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

on a tight budget, but would like to make a big impact then you can’t go wrong with a bright, clean bouncy castle. It will keep children entertained for hours! Most of their toddler bouncers can also be used as ball pools and the Wonderland Bouncer is specially designed with a flat bed to help little ones keep their balance.

CREA TIN G

3 200 CE

ECIAL EVENTS P S SIN RY E V

Soft Play and ball pools | Interactive Puppet Shows | Magic and juggling shows | Games | Henna Bouncy Castles | Face painting | Balloons | Camel and Pony rides | Petting Zoo | Handicrafts

Custom made pinatas | Cuddly character mascots | Pirates and Princesses | Music and bubbles P O Box 71473 Dubai. U.A.E

Office +971 4 348 8542 | Fax +971 4 348 8511 | Mobile: +971 50 352 1212

parties@tumbletimedubai.com | info@tumbletimedubai.com | Website: www.tumbletimedubai.com

GOOD LIVING

Birthday on trampolines?

There is a new, fun way to bounce. BOUNCE, the high-adrenaline trampoline park is the ultimate venue to take the kids out for a family party, and now parents are catered to as well! Awarded the best birthday party venue in 2016 and starting from just AED 130 per child, BOUNCERS now have access to 60 minutes of free-jumping mayhem followed by 30 minutes in the revamped, better-than-ever party rooms with a brand new earth-shattering sound system!

As if that’s not enough, BOUNCE has teamed up with the most delicious partners around to fuel the children, with BOUNCE Dubai offering organic Freedom Pizza and cakes from SugarMoo. Better yet, mums and dads won’t need to lift a finger, as the BOUNCE hosts will be on hand to take care of everything they need! Parents can kick back and relax with their guests in a dedicated, reserved area while ordering tasty platter-style snacks from the BOUNCE menu! Just sit back and relax, they’ll take care of everything.

From the free jump arena and the big bag, to the slam dunk area and dodge-ball courts – what better way to celebrate still being a kid than with the kids? Book a birthday party at BOUNCE, the next-level party playground for kids.

So, what are you waiting for? Mums, dads, kids… it’s time to kick off those shoes and head to BOUNCE for a truly unique family experience!

bounce.ae 66 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

, MAMA CHECK THIS OUT GLOBAL VILLAGE

THERE’S A NEW

MUNCHKINS MENU

HAS A WORLD OF FUN IN IN TOWN THAT EVERYONE’S STORE FOR THE LITTLE ONES TALKING ABOUT

1762 Stripped has just launched their kids’ menu. The Munchkin Menu offers your little ones the choice of a more nutritious meal, all while using fresh ingredients – who says organic chicken and organic free-range eggs were just for adults?

Whether for playdates, after-school snacks or even weekend gettogethers (they have a super spacious outdoor seating!), the indecision of choosing a restaurant that will satisfy both big and small ends now; say hello to food your kids will love. Plus, free indoor parking is always a nice touch.

1762-Stripped-ONE-JLT

Global Village is launching its ‘Kids Fest’ festival in its second season with a brand new programme of activities.

Taking place from February 5 to 25, the festival’s activities include face painting and giving children an opportunity to run into their favourite characters as well as entertainers such as balloon modellers who will turn colourful balloons into floral and animal shapes.

For the first time ever, Global Village is bringing the characters of the most popular Indian cartoon ‘Chhota- Bheem’ and the ‘Angry Birds’ to the region, in addition to dance shows, a bouncy castle and much more.

Entry tickets to Global Village include access to Kids Fest activities.

The destination is open from 4 pm until 12 am Saturday to Wednesday, 4 pm until 1 am Thursday to Friday and on public holidays until April 8, 2017. Mondays are family days at Global Village.

YOU CAN NOW

BUILD A BEAR AT MERCATO MALL! buildabeargulf

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 67

GOOD LIVING

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Shoe Mart u AED 119 v AED 49 w AED 69 x AED 109

68 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

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GOOD LIVING

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH OUTGROWN KIDS' CLOTHES? UAE families are now ‘passing it forward’

, but every g in th y r e v e Children are so secretly) t o n r (o y tl e . mother secr e expensive it u q e b n a c knows they years, they t s r fi ir e th Especially in s and clothes, toy ir e th w o r outg ry it is often ve ly k ic u q o s gear up. hard to keep

A UAE mother has decided to launch Wepassitforward, an app which enables you to give what your child has outgrown to a family whose child is a size behind yours, or receive used items from a family whose child no longer needs them.

Mother, Baby & Child interviews Founder Jo Impens, a mother of two, for a look into the app:

Where did the idea for this app come from?

From our own experience, it’s been very difficult and unpleasant to find a suitable family to pass our children’s items forward to. Posting an ad, for example, had resulted in many unwanted calls from families with children for whom the items we wanted to pass on weren’t suitable.

So, we thought there should be an easier way to find a better match.

What was the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

This is a unique proposition. As such, the biggest challenge was to develop the idea properly into an easy solution where families have full control over finding their perfect match.

Describe what motherhood means to you in three words.

Motherhood is love, life and sacrifice.

wepassitforward

70 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

E X P E R I E N C E T H E U LT I M AT E E X C E L L E N C E IN GARMENT CARE SYSTEMS

The finishing touch to care for your clothes: steam is released in short intermittent pulses. Just the right dose of steam that your fabric needs is automatically diffused for an outstanding and lasting result.

More information on www.laurastar.com

To arrange your Free Home Demonstration Please contact 04 380 4284

Office / Showroom : 2020 Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

IN THE KITCHEN

IT’S ALL IN THE SAUCE!

Kids just LOVE sauces. Maybe it’s the messiness, or just the fact that they add that extra kick to every dish, but vibrant, tasty sauces are guaranteed to make your kids eat healthier food.

Rather than opting for store-bought sauces with preservatives, why not make your own at home?

Here Chef Robert Allum, Executive Sous Chef of Six Senses Zighy Bay Oman, shares his favourite homemade recipes with Mother, Baby & Child:

BASIL PESTO TOMATO KETCHUP

Serving Portion: 0.2 cups (45 ml)

Serving Portion: 0.2 cups (45 ml)

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 kg of white onions (four pieces) peeled, cut in quarters • 750 g of celery, diced 2 centimetres wide • 0.94 cups olive oil • 48 g garlic cloves, sliced • 6 kg ripe tomatoes • 150 g tomato puree • 2.5 cups of apple cider vinegar • 10 ml tabasco sauce to taste • 3 tsp. ground coriander seed/powder • 1.5 pieces of cinnamon stick • 6 g black pepper METHOD

• The onions and celery into a food processor and whizz until finely chopped • Heat the oil in a very large saucepan and add the onions and celery. Cover, and then soften over low heat for five minutes • Add the garlic, cook five minutes more, then tip in the spices and cook for one minute • Stir in all remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Keep on a bubbling simmer, uncovered, for one hour until the tomatoes are soft and the liquid has reduced by half • Purée the mix with a blender until smooth, then sieve into a bowl and leave it to cool 72 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

INGREDIENTS

• 200 g basil leaves • 200 ml olive oil • 100 g pine nuts • 1 garlic clove • 2 g of salt • 1 g black pepper METHOD

• Place all of the ingredients inside a blender and blend until liquid form • Serve over whole wheat pasta or salad

IN THE KITCHEN

EATING RIGHT, THE GREEK WAY

The Greek diet has evolved into one of the healthiest in the world, with its foundations built on simple, nutritious food which offers a host of benefits. Greek cuisine’s immunity boosting ingredients help fight against heart disease, cancers, diabetes and cognitive decline.

BALANCED DIET

The Greeks consume their food in the purest form, with a variety of nutrient-rich recipes consisting of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and a small amount of cheese and yoghurt. Dairy products, poultry and fish are consumed in moderation, while red meat consumption is kept to a minimum. These elements are key to a balanced, healthy diet.

THE GREEKS LOVE… Feta and watermelon

Fill up on fresh fruit and vegetables. This includes fruits such as apples, oranges, lemons, apricots and vegetables such as eggplants, artichokes, leafy greens, tomatoes and cabbage. The high levels of antioxidants in these foods help fight against diseases which affect the nervous system, contributing to good health.

Dubai-based restaurant GRK Fresh Greek’s Chef Nalinaj Ravindran says: “Cheese is also a rich part of Greece’s culinary history, with feta being the most popular local option. It is vitamin-rich and serves as a low-fat, protein-rich alternative to other cheeses.

Portobello mushroom and pita Consider mouth-watering vegetarian options including flavourful, fresh salads, Portobello mushroom pita and grilled Mediterranean vegetables, paired perfectly with fresh yogurtbased sauces and healthy sides such as brown rice, Aegean slaw and grilled halloumi.

Prepare your meals the traditional way

Greek cuisine also includes meat-based dishes prepared using traditional methods such as chargrilling or roasting on a vertical spit.

The Greeks are famous for their love of olive oil, which contains less saturated fat than butter and is a healthy choice for cooking. Other traditional seasonings include nuts, tahini, garlic, herbs, cinnamon and cloves, which add an intense flavour to dishes without fat or sodium and support nutrient absorption.

Stick with healthy carbohydrates

Whole grain breads, rice and potatoes are the ideal carbohydrate choice in Greek cuisine, another popular choice being filo dough, which is a light flaky pastry.

The Greek diet is rich in fibre which helps slow down digestion, prevents surges in blood sugar and supports combating diabetes.

Include healthy servings of yoghurt

Greek yoghurt has become a diet staple in most households today. It has a number of health benefits. Consuming Greek yoghurt is a great way to get more protein into your diet. It is also packed with probiotics which are great for the digestive system.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 73

GOOD LIVING

IN THE KITCHEN

Chocolate and Coconut Snowballs

By Marta Yanci

INGREDIENTS: MAKE 12 This recipe is delicious, has no added sugar and the kids will enjoy preparing it with you!

• 200g dark chocolate (70%) • 200g mascarpone cheese • 200g coconut flakes plus some extra for coating • 1 spoonful honey or maple syrup METHOD:

• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

• Blend with the mascarpone and coconut flakes. Let the mixture cool down so you can easily shape it with your hands (you can even refrigerate it for half an hour).

• Shape the mixture into small balls and coat with the rest of the coconut flakes.

74 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

IN THE KITCHEN

KIDS NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER? Try the infused version!

We all know the benefits of drinking lots and lots of water, but plain water can just be plain boring. For kids, adding a bit of a twist to water seems like a good idea, but does infused water pack any benefits or does it just look pretty?

• You can infuse water with anything you like, but make sure you start off with familiar foods. Try fruit infusions first and then move on to veggies, herbs and spices.

• Be an example; if your kids see you chugging infused water, they are likely to follow.

• Infused water is much better for kids than sugar-filled juices, which are usually full of preservatives and chemicals.

• If infused bottles are too much for the kids, try infusing their glasses of water. A tall glass of ice-cold, colourful water is

always a treat, especially for the summer months.

• The length of time this type of water lasts depends entirely on the type of fruit and herbs you use. It is best enjoyed after twofour hours or after it has had a chance to infuse overnight.

• Citrus fruits are best cut fresh for your batches because the rind can add bitterness to your fruit-infusions.

• Make sure they still drink plain water as well. If they get used to ‘pretty water’, they may refuse to drink plain water again, decreasing their overall water consumption.

TOP 3 RECOMMENDED INFUSED WATER RECIPES: LEMON CORIANDER

infuse water with half lemon, six sprigs of coriander and sliced cucumber

SPICY CUCUMBER MINT

APPLE CINNAMON

slice half a cucumber, half a deseeded jalapeno and one sprig of mint leaf and infuse

infuse a chopped, cored apple and cinnamon stick (not ground cinnamon!)

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 75

GOOD LIVING

HAPPY FOODS?

MORE LIKE SUPERFOODS…

The 5 foods your family should be eating We always hear about ‘superfoods’, those mega-healthy foods which nature offers us for optimum health and wellness. The reason there are so many of these is that, well, there are many of them indeed.

However, we know you mamas are too busy for general talk. So, if we had to pick, what would the top five superfoods be?

“Certain foods not only fight free radicals and satiate cravings, but some even produce positive neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that influence mood and facilitate communication between the brain's neurons,” says Stefan Ritsch, managing director of food and wellness platform Enritsch.com. “The good news is, even though brain chemistry sounds complicated, it's easy to add ‘happy’ foods into our nutrition plans!”

Happy foods? Sounds good to us…

We can top up with daily doses of health and happiness by including the following superfoods in our cooking, or seeking them out when eating at restaurants, cafes, bistros or snack bars:

76 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

BLACK RASPBERRIES

These somewhat exotic, black raspberries are the next big thing in the realm of fruits and veggies. When compared to other types of raspberries, and other foods in general, black raspberries are exceedingly high in antioxidants. They also boast anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, they are less bitter than the red variety!

ANTIOXIDANT

WALNUTS

BRAIN FOOD

They're often forgotten in favour of their more flavourful cousins, such as cashews and peanuts, but walnuts may just be the ultimate brain food. Not only do they somewhat resemble a brain, but walnuts are packed with omega-3s.

TOFU

HIGH-PROTEIN

Tofu gets an unfortunate bad rep, most likely due to its consistency and drab colour, but it's packed with protein and is more versatile than most people realise.

It’s a great addition to a variety of meals because it does a fantastic job of absorbing flavours during cooking or preparation.

SPINACH

A cup of cooked spinach is packed with about 200 micrograms of folic acid, and fresh spinach contains even more of this essential nutrient, which helps our body process amino acids more efficiently.

NUTRITIOUS ANTIOXIDANT

ROOIBOS TEA

While the green variety typically gets all the good press when it comes to tea, red rooibos is the clear front-runner for celebrity status this year.

The amazing tea is said to have a staggering 50 times more antioxidants than its green counterpart.

FASHION

MEETS

FOOD

K IDDIE A PPRO VED! Fun to wear AND a good distraction for the kids? Yes, please!

AED 79 each MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 77

HEALTH

DIABETES During Pregnancy

By Zeinab Dahir Awad Alishaq a diabetes educator from Medcare, discusses the importance of women being aware of gestational diabetes

Diabetes during pregnancy often defined as gestational diabetes (GDM) is considered the most prevalent condition that affects the mother and the fetus during pregnancy and after delivery.

78 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

GDM is glucose intolerance metabolic disorder that is diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks of the gestation. Metabolic changes happen during pregnancy to transfer the nutrients to the fetus.The maternal insulin resistance helps in diverting glucose to the fetus, yet women with pre-gestational diabetes have insufficient insulin to respond to the increase in insulin resistance and that requires insulin treatment during pregnancy.

GDM can occur due to various risk factors such as obesity, family history, and ethnicity, history of GDM, age, polycystic ovary syndrome, previous stillbirth, and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Pregnancy causes metabolic changes and the factors mentioned above contribute to the insulin resistance or the insufficient of insulin production before and during the pregnancy causing GDM

Maternal obesity stands out from the other modifiable factor that causes GDM. It is a significant health issue for women during pregnancy and childbirth, Moreover 35% of women aged between 25 and 35 years are overweight or obese. Therefore several systemic reviews discussed it in randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effect of lifestyle interventions in the prevention of GDM. In these reviews interventions assessed included the provision of dietary foods and recommendations for weight loss. They used specific approaches such as counselling, exercise instructions and participation in both supervised and unsupervised exercise programs to increase levels of activity. As well as behavioural interventions including education, cognitive behavioural therapy, social support and psychotherapy to address barriers to diet and physical therapy. There is significant benefit in terms of overall better health outcome and weight loss when manysided interventions are implemented during pregnancy The World Health Organisation (WHO) identified the normal weight as BMI is from 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, overweight BMI 25- 29.9kg/m2 and obesity BMI more than 30 kg/m2.

The reduction of physical activity during pregnancy can lead to complications. Physical activity has been identified as a vital factor in reducing the risk for complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Increasing the physical activity reduces the risk of GDM, preeclampsia, operative birth as well as psychological wellbeing, mood stability, improving the cardiovascular function and the overall fitness. For the fetus, the benefits include reduced risks of prematurity and improved fetal growth. The Australian physical activity guidelines suggest healthy adults including pregnant women to be active with moderate intensity exercise for 30 minutes on most days.

Several studies discussed the role of the physical activity in reducing the risk of developing GDM. Those recommended the pre-gestational women to adhere to the active physical activity with the dietary adjustment. The use of exercise and weight reduction interventions has shown 56% in the incidence of GDM. The studies also indicated that the participants who are used to have a certain level of physical activities before pregnancy are most likely the ones who will be adhering to such instructions.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 79

H E A LT H Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is an important factor in the care for the people who are diagnosed with diabetes. It is essential to enhance the quality of the self-care and improve the healthcare outcome. DSME is continuing process used by the diabetes educators to facilitate the understanding, ability, and skills necessary for diabetes self-care to the patients.

DSME has developed from using the traditional didactic way of teaching to the empowerment approach. There is no ideal education program or approach; despite that, the programmes followed the psychosocial and the behavioural strategies demonstrated a better effect. There is primary similarity of the pathophysiology in the inability to produce insulin and the increased insulin resistance in GDM and the T2DM. Furthermore, the risk factors are similar. Therefore the prevention strategies used in T2DM might have the same effect on preventing gestational diabetes

Several healthful dietary pattern scores including the alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED), Dietary Approaches to stop Hypertension (DASH), and alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) have been inversely associated with T2DM risk among the nonpregnant individuals, making them potential risk factors for GDM as well. During the ten years follow up the three dietary models indicated a lower incidence of GDM in the participants. The risk for GDM was 24% lower with aMED, 34% lower with DASH diet and 46% lower with the Healthy Eating Index

Those studies discussed and their analyses met on considering the high intake of saturated fat before and during pregnancy can cause glucose intolerance in pregnancy leading to GDM. Western dietary patterns characterised by high intake of red meat, processed meat, refined grain products, sweets, pizza and French fries were significantly associated with GDM; especially with those who consumed more than six servings of red meat per week. Their studies also encouraged high intake of vitamin C and vitamin D to lower the incidence of GDM. Dietary glycemic load represents the quality and quantity of carbohydrate intake and the interaction between them. Each 10 gram/day increment in the total fibre intake was associated with 26% decrease in risk for GDM; each 5gram/ day increment in cereal or fruit fibre was associated with 23% or 26% decrease in risk for GDM. The combination of high glycemic load and the low cereal fibre diet was associated with 2 folds increase the risk of GDM compared with reciprocal diet. These analyses didn’t adjust for or consider the effects of the other types of fat, which is important because intake of different fat subtypes tends to be correlated and may have contrasting effects.

Higher intake of fat and lower intake of carbohydrate were associated with increased risk of GDM and impaired glucose intolerance. Sugar-sweetened beverages and high sugar diet is considered the main source for the added sugar, Women who consume more than 5 servings a week had 22% greater risk GDM. To sum up, Diabetes education is crucial for women with gestational diabetes and for women with high risk of getting gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), in order to become involved in the care being given and to be able to take self-management decisions on a daily basis. Women who have the risk factors must adhere to the education sessions and apply the changes required to the lifestyle.

80 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

H E A LT H Gone are the days when one would seek over-augmented looks to steal the show.

Throughout 2016, it was all about getting the natural look and this trend is here to stay!

Natural IS THE NEW

BEAUTIFUL AND MORE FROM THE WORLD OF PLASTIC SURGERY…

By Dr Sanjay Parashar

International Plastic Surgeon, Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation, Dubai and India Gone are the days when one would seek over-augmented looks to steal the show. Throughout 2016, it was all about getting the natural look and this trend is here to stay!

A bigger change coming our way is the increase in demand to perform major surgeries using techniques which are minimally invasive, meaning a lower downtime and driven by advanced technology.

Botox and fillers will continue to rule the cosmetic industry.

The need to look young, wrinkle-free and beautiful will never die. Injectables will be in high demand and are expected to take a new leap further.

Combining injectable-based contouring – aimed at achieving a desired change in the face – is not new, but it’s becoming popular now and will boom in 2017. These procedures are designed to give symmetrical proportions, define a desired contour, address sagging skin, take care of facial fat loss and even remove hollows.

Liposculpting is also making new leaps ahead. I recently presented a new concept called ‘Microliposcutpting’. The concept takes liposuction two steps ahead as one can now 82 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

perform liposuction on the face with no marks and contour small pockets of fat on the body with precision.

For the overweight and obese, 360-degree slim-sculpting will gain popularity. It’s about looking great in the clothes you wish to wear. It’s achieved by addressing the right fat pockets and strategically combining multiple procedures.

2016 also saw significant improvement in using the body’s own cells to address not only cosmetic, but also noncosmetic issues. Platelet-enriched plasma, autologous fillers and more are some of the new technologies to look out for. We may even call them organic cosmetic solutions.

For more information:

cocoona.ae

COCOONA OPENS ITS 3rd CLINIC IN MIRDIF!

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H E A LT H

We My toddler hates it when I try to cut his nails!

Do I really have to go through this nightmare?

If so, then when should I do it?

We

We

Dear Jamie, Trying to cut a toddler’s nails can be a battle. However, it’s very important. Long nails can lead to toddlers scratching themselves and others. These scratches may end up being infected as it is an open wound and bacteria can easily land on it, and also because the scratch itself can introduce the bacteria already harboured under the toddler’s nail. The germs under a toddler’s nails can also pose a health risk if the baby ingested them as they may be very difficult to clean.

The best thing to do in order to make cutting a toddler’s nails easier is to cut them after the shower when the nails are soft. Always use a baby nail clipper and if you can’t get a toddler to cut their nails when they are awake, then you can always cut them while they are sleeping.

Dr Medhat Abu-Shaaban

Medical Director & Paediatrician, myPediaClinic 84 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Jamie Wilkins, Dubai

H E A LT H

What to Eat to Conceive The science behind nutrition and fertility

By Alice Sabounji

Dietitian, Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children, Abu Dhabi

What changes should a woman make to her diet in order to conceive?

Following a healthy diet which includes high fibre foods, fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins can help women achieve a healthy weight and provide the nutrients needed to create a safe environment for the baby.

Are there any specific foods that help with conception? What are they and why?

These are some of the nutrients required to improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant: WHOLE GRAINS

Whole grains are packed with fibres and vitamins. Fibres can help stabilise your blood sugar and insulin levels, which can improve fertility. Instead of white rice, white bread and semolina pastas, choose their brown counterparts: brown rice, brown bread and wholewheat pasta.

VEGETABLE PROTEIN

Research has shown that switching from animal (beef, chicken) to vegetable protein (beans, nuts) can highly decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility, the inability to produce healthy baby-making eggs.

86 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

IRON-RICH FOODS Iron is linked to proper placental development by providing oxygen. It is believed that having sufficient amounts of iron in the body makes women more fertile.

Sources: lentils, spinach, sesame seeds, kidney beans, pumpkin seeds (raw), garbanzo beans, navy beans, molasses and beef

UNSATURATED VEGETABLE OILS

Vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and cold-water fish such as salmon can improve insulin sensitivity, regulate blood sugar and cool inflammation which is beneficial when a woman is trying to conceive.

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Each month, Mother, Baby & Child magazine brings you up to date information on parenting in the UAE. Whether you are looking to start a family, have just given birth or have a family already – we’re on hand to give you advice on the best schools, doctors, products, things to do with your children and more.

Not only will you get your favourite parenting magazine delivered straight to your door for one year, but you will and competitions from us.

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• Magazine subscription cannot be cancelled or refunded.

H E A LT H

What foods should women stay away from in order to easily conceive and why?

HIGH-MERCURY FISH

COFFEE

Although a clear link between coffee and in fertility has yet to be established, having too much caffeine has been found to affect fertility. It is ok to have some in moderation, but no more than 200 mg/day. This is the equivalent of two mugs of instant coffee or three mugs of tea.

Caffeine can also be found in chocolate, colas and some energy drinks.

A heavy metal found in fish, mercury can accumulate in the body and affect fertility.

However, women should not stop including fish in their diet as it is also a high source of omega-3 fatty acids which are important for a healthy pregnancy.

TRANS-FATS

Also known as hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils, trans-fats can be found in processed and fried products.

It is recommended to have eight ounces/week of fish that is low in mercury.

Fish that is high in mercury and should be avoided include swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, tuna and shark.

Do vitamins play a role in helping women conceive?

Vitamins are crucial to the development and proper functioning of the reproductive system either through enhancing the maturity of organs or regulating sex hormones.

Ideally, a healthy diet should include an array of vitamins from different food sources, but sometimes our diets are far from being perfect so a vitamin supplement as prescribed by the doctor may be required.

VITAMIN D:

VITAMIN E:

Sources: Wild salmon (fresh, canned), mackerel (not king), sardines, herring, milk (fatfree, 1% low-fat), soy milk, fortified yogurt (fat-free, lowfat) and egg yolks

Sources: Sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, spinach, papaya and dark leafy greens

This very popular vitamin is essential for ovarian cell health and the production of sex hormones.

If a woman is looking to conceive, should she take folic acid supplements?

Folic acid is one of the first vitamins that doctor and dietitians recommend for women in childbearing. Ideally, it is better to start taking it at least three months before trying to conceive. It is needed to prevent neural tube defects, which develop only three to four weeks after conception.

Sources of folate: liver, lentils, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, asparagus, spinach, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans and collard greens 88 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Vitamin E plays a role in the formation and maintenance of the placenta.

How important is maintaining a healthy weight t o a woman’s efforts in conceiving?

Maintaining a healthy weight is the most important factor when it comes to increasing your chances of getting pregnant. Weight extremes can be the cause of around 30% of infertility cases. Having a low Body Mass Index (BMI <18.5) means low fat storage, which can lead to low estrogen levels and irregular menstrual cycles.

As for overweight or obese women (BMI >25), they can face fertility problems caused by hormonal imbalances and problems with ovulation.

However, research has found that if these women lost only 5% of their weight, they could highly improve their fertility.

Following a healthy meal plan helps in maintaining a healthy body weight (BMI 19-24.9) and supplies the body with the essential nutrients in preparation for a healthy pregnancy.

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H E A LT H

Many pregnant or soonto-be mamas nowadays are becoming more intrigued by the many ways a woman can experience birth.

An exciting experience, a mother tries to make it as pleasant and healthy as possible for both baby and herself, so what if the birth is facilitated by water?

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

WATER BiRTH

By Dr Najlaa Khadum

Specialist Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Zia Medical Centre

90 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Water birth is when you give birth to your baby in a birth pool. Water can also be used to help you stay mobile and provide pain relief throughout labour, and this is referred to as ‘using water during labour’.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING WATER IN LABOUR?

Being immersed in water during labour can be relaxing and has pain-relief benefits because water supports your weight making it easier to move around and get into comfortable positions. Being enclosed and surrounded by water in a birth pool can also give you a sense of privacy, which in itself may help labour progress.

WATER BIRTH: THE BENEFITS

Some women report an increased feeling of satisfaction after giving birth in water. Water births may also be easier as water provides support, allowing you to get into an upright position which is beneficial for labour.

Depending on your circumstances, such as the position of your baby, you may also be less likely to tear your perineum, the area between the opening to the birth canal and the back passage.

Some women feel that having a water birth provides their baby with a more gentle transition to the start of their life even though no one can really be sure of how babies feel during labour.

WATER BIRTH: THE DOWNSIDES

Using water in labour is not always suitable for everyone. In some circumstances, women will need closer monitoring or interventions which may not necessarily be possible in a birth pool. For example, sometimes when women are induced, their baby needs to be monitored more closely using electric sensors, and these cannot be used in a birth pool.

WHAT EXTRA PAIN RELIEF CAN BE TAKEN?

Entonox, often called gas and air, is allowed during water birth as the gas is too weak to make you feel so drowsy that you’d slip underwater. In a hospital, this is usually pumped into the delivery room or the birth pool room from a central supply.

MASSAGES AND BREATHING EXERCISES ARE ALSO USED DURING WATER BIRTH.

You’ll not be allowed to use Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as this is electrical and therefore not compatible with water, nor would you be allowed pethidine, or other injectable drugs which could make you drowsy.

An epidural, which involves a fine tube being inserted into your back is also not usable in the birthing pool.

HOW WILL IT BE FOR YOUR BABY?

Babies have a natural ‘dive reflex’ whereby they close their airway and don’t take a breath in water, so you need not worry that they’re going to swallow a big mouthful of your pool water as they emerge.

Babies born into warm water often appear far more relaxed and don’t even cry until they’re dried and air hits their cheeks. It’s thought that the pool feels like the comforting waters of your womb to your baby. Supporters of birthing pools believe that the transition to the outside world is less traumatic for babies who are born in water.

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR MY BABY TO INHALE WATER?

The fact is that babies are only at risk of inhaling water if: • Their head is brought to the surface before the rest of their body is born, overriding their dive reflex • Their oxygen supply via the placenta is affected in some way MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | FEBRUARY 2017 | 91

H E A LT H Your midwife, if present, will know she needs to be careful as your baby is being born so that she doesn’t interfere with her dive reflex. She’ll also guide you to make sure you don’t bring your baby’s head to the surface before the rest of their body is born.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS OF INFECTION?

There is no statistical evidence that there is any more risk of an infection with a water birth than there is with a natural one. Moreover, hospitals are meticulous when cleaning pools after every water birth and conduct regular checks to ensure that the pool is hygienic after use.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR NOT SEEING A WATER BIRTH THROUGH TO THE END?

There are several reasons why you may have to give up on a water birth and resort to a conventional setting. If your contractions are too strong for you and the birthing pool is not making you relax, then you may have to give it up and go for another pain relief option such as TENS, pethidine or an epidural.

Your midwives are trained to deal with emergencies and will get you out of the pool quickly if necessary. In a hospital, a bed will be ready for you in case you need it.

Your midwife will also monitor your baby during labour with a waterproof device to make sure they’re getting enough oxygen and that it’s safe for you to proceed in the water. Your midwife will monitor you throughout your time in the pool using all of her experience as she watches you, talks to you and keeps an eye on your progress.

WHAT ABOUT THE UMBILICAL CORD?

As the baby is lifted from the water by your midwife, special care will be taken to avoid pulling on the cord, just in case it is shorter than normal.

AND AFTER THE BIRTH?

Some doctors and midwives have observed how calm babies were after being born in water, crying less, appearing more relaxed, also eager to have eye contact with their mothers and suckle.

HOW IS THE PLACENTA DELIVERED?

You will be asked to leave the pool if: • Your labour is progressing too slowly • There is a problem with your baby’s heartbeat • You start bleeding during labour • Your blood pressure is rising • If you feel faint or drowsy

92 | FEBRUARY 2017 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Many hospitals and birth centres have a policy which requires the mum to get out of the pool for the delivery of the placenta, so you may be asked to leave the pool for this stage.

Water birth is among several birth methods you can choose from. Make sure you choose whatever makes you feel comfortable and safe, and don’t forget to reach out for more information from the professionals if needed to help you welcome baby into the world.

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