Heartburn and Charlie Horses

I am 33 and 1/2 weeks pregnant. About 4 days ago I started getting heartburn. I have never had heartburn in my life. I could easily lived the rest of my life without having heartburn again but I don't think that is going to happen. Does anyone have any natural tips or cures on reliefing heartburn?

A few weeks ago I started getting Charlie Horse's again. It was the worse Charlie horse I have ever gotten in my life. The last time I got Charlie Horses was when I was pregnant with Adriana. I could have gone for the rest of my likfe without another Charlie Horse but then came the worse Charlie Horse you could ever imagine. The best advice I have recieved on reliefing charlie horses is drink more milk. I had alot more charlie horses while pregnant with Adriana. When I forget to drink my milk I suffer.

Life during pregnancy is quite interesting. Hormones are crazy and so life goes crazy also.

Here are some articles on pregnancy heartburn and cramps. Maybe they will be helpful to some of you.

What causes heartburn in pregnancy?

Heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux all commonly occur in late pregnancy. These symptoms are due to the hormone, progesterone, which relaxes the valve at the top of your stomach, causing a small amount of stomach acid, sometimes with partially digested food, to surge upwards into your oesophagus (gullet). Sometimes sickness in early pregnancy can be worsened by heartburn, or indigestion can make you feel sick. If you are expecting more than one baby or your baby is very large this will make your heartburn worse. If your baby is in a breech position (bottom first) in late pregnancy, his head will press up under your diaphragm and may trigger heartburn. Eating certain foods and smoking will also make things worse.

How can I prevent it?

Eating small meals more frequently will prevent your stomach becoming overfull and pushing up under your diaphragm. Try to eat your main meal of the day at lunchtime if at all possible and eat your evening meal early in the evening, so that your body has time to digest it before you go to bed. Avoid spicy, rich, fatty and fried foods and anything else which triggers the symptoms. Sugar, tea, coffee and certain food additives may also exacerbate heartburn. Lying down to relax after a meal is likely to cause regurgitation, so it is a good idea to sit upright for a while; you may also find you have to sleep propped up on two or three pillows at night in later pregnancy if the problem gets worse. Do not drink liquids with your food as this causes your digestive juices to become diluted and therefore less effective, but do drink between meals. Herbal teas such as peppermint will help digestion. Avoid drinking large quantities of other teas reputed to aid digestion, such as fennel, in pregnancy.

Self-help suggestions

Eating raw garlic every day, or taking a good quality garlic capsule can relieve the intensity of your symptoms. Make sure you purchase a garlic capsule which is labelled as being rich in allicin, the active ingredient (ask your midwife before taking supplements). Herbal remedies Ginger or chamomile tea can be useful, as can dandelion tea, but you should drink the latter with caution, particularly if you have high blood sugar or if you are taking tablets for high blood pressure. This is because dandelion can, in large doses, interfere with blood sugar levels, or it may affect the efficiency of medications for hypertension. The herbal remedy, slippery elm, is considered safe in pregnancy and can also help relieve heartburn.

What causes cramp in pregnancy?

Cramps are a form of muscle contraction which are usually felt in your legs or feet. Although we do not really understand why pregnant women suffer from cramp, it is thought that the legs become very tired from carrying around the extra weight of pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. This weight puts added pressure on the veins in your legs and lower body and you develop congestion in the pelvic area, so your circulation is not as efficient as normal. Another theory is that, because your body is working so hard, it can become deficient in levels of essential nutrients, including magnesium, calcium and vitamin C, or levels of phosphorus are too high. Being inactive, putting on too much weight or expecting more than one baby are factors which are likely to make leg cramps worse. They can be particularly troublesome during the night, when the sudden pain in your calf or foot can wake you up. Sometimes, you may initially experience cramp, but the discomfort in your legs then changes to a restless, jittery, "electric shock" type of sensation. All of these feelings are normal even though they are uncomfortable. If , however, the calf pain persists and becomes continuous, particularly if your leg is red and hot to the touch, consult your doctor or midwife immediately to ensure you are not developing a blood clot.

How can I prevent or treat cramps?

These preventative tips are also useful for treating cramp. Stay as active as you can during pregnancy. Walking, swimming, yoga or other gentle exercise may help to prevent cramps from becoming too severe. Walking the dog, taking your other children to the park or just wandering around the shops will all help you to get some gentle exercise. Remember to stop for a rest if you need it. Pay attention to your diet, incorporating foods which are high in magnesium, calcium and vitamin C, as these may prevent cramps and other symptoms of pregnancy. Calcium is found in dairy produce, green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, salmon and dried beans and pulses. Magnesium can be found in dates and figs, sweetcorn, green vegetables and apples. Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits such as oranges, clementines and grapefruit, watercress, leafy greens, potatoes and tomatoes. There is some evidence to suggest that a vegetarian diet, or one in which vegetables, fruit and salad feature predominantly, may reduce the frequency and severity of leg cramps in late pregnancy. A good pregnancy multivitamin and mineral supplement can be useful, but check with your midwife before taking supplements. Excessive amounts of salt added to your food will encourage fluid retention. To prevent phosphorus rising beyond normal levels, cut down on red or processed meat, fast foods and soda water.

Self-help suggestions

Exercises and stretching Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time and try never to sit with your legs crossed, which reduces circulation in your legs. Stretch your calf muscles several times a day, by going up on tiptoe and then down again. This is also a good exercise to try before you go to bed. If you get a cramp, straighten your leg from the heel, gently flexing your "toes towards your nose". This can be uncomfortable but will ease the spasm and help the pain to go away. Make sure you do not flex your toes downwards, which will make cramp worse. While you are watching television or having dinner in the evening, circle your ankles slowly in one direction, then in the other.

40 Days in Christmas

Did you know that Christmas does not officially end until The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, February 2, 40 days after the birth of Our Lord?

The Feast is also called, Feast of the Purification (Candlemas) 40 days after giving birth, Mary goes to the Temple to be purified and to "redeem" Jesus per the Old Testament Law of the firstborn. Christmas truly ends as a Season with Candlemas and the beginning of Septuagesima.

Abbot Gabriel, St. Benedict's Abbey, Still River, MA, talked about this in his Homily yesterday. I decided to look it up on-line, I believed him but I know some of you would like to see the official word. I found the most infomation on a traditional Catholic webstie, http://www.fisheaters.com/customschristmas1.html. Check it out if you are interested. I know I was.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Averi's Birthday Party

We went to my niece's first birtday party today. She looked so cute. Here are some pictures.

Posing with the Birthday Girl

What's in the bag? Surprise, it's Adriana!!!

Adriana wanted Averi to unwrap her.

The Birthday Cake

The Birthday Girl Enjoying her first Birthday Cake.

A Toyland Welcome to the Niall Family Blog

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

Welcome to the Niall Family Blog. Sorry for the upside down pictures. I'm learning.

Thanks for visiting. Come again and often. - Love the Niall Family

First Night Boston

Tonight we went to Boston for the Family part of First Night, parade and fireworks.

During the parade mama caught a whole handful of beads thrown to us. That was fun and I shared the beads with all our friends. Mama and Adriana had a blast but Daddy just looks like he is enjoying it. He's not much into the crowds. Next year will be his year. I will say one of his cheif complaints was the cold. I am lucky enough that I'm pregnant and the cold didn't bother me a bit. We spent the evening with some friends and celebrated the New Year so check our celebration.

The Widmer-Schultz Family. The Niall Family (Us)

The Dooley's (Anne's Sister, Sarah, was with us also but she we didn't get any pictures of her)

Mama's favorite part of First Night, fireworks!!! Adriana loves fireworks, too.

Adriana hanging out with her buddy Eli.

Michael and Adriana after they got last in the crowd. We found You!!!

Chistmas Letter

Merry Christmas to All,
We hope many blessings come your way this Christmas season and throughout the New Year. Unbelievably another year has come and gone. We have had lots of excitement this year starting with the anticipation of the newest member of the Niall Family. Baby Niall is expected to arrive in the middle of February. Adriana loves the thought of being a big sister. Often she kisses mama’s belly and tells her new baby brother or sister stories. She usually ends the belly time falling on the floor pretending her new sibling just kicked her. We were honored to join in the celebration of the ordination to the priesthood of Fr. Augustine Senz, a monk at St. Benedict Abbey when we attend mass. What a beautiful gift to see a priest ordained, perform his first mass, and receive a blessing from him. That was a blessed weekend. In preparation for the new baby and expansion of the family business we once again moved. I can hear all of you laughing, MOVED again!!!! We live in the same community moving only about ½ mile from our old home. Now Michael has an office and our apartment is bigger. We are hopeful our next move will be to a house we own. Please pray for us. We started writing down funny lines Adriana says throughout the year but in the move we misplaced them. We’ll try to keep them for next year. Let us tell you about some of the adventures each of us had this year.
Michael: At the end of last year our family, with Michael at the lead, started a car repair business, Opus Sanctum Repair. God has been good to our family business. Just when we think there’s no business here comes three or four more jobs. The business has been a learning experience. Some cars are more challenging to fix and many unexpected challenges arise. Michael ran in the 5-mile race again this year. He came in third place but only because he was pushing Adriana in her stroller. Daddy’s finale for the year was his lesson on a flying trapeze. Although it was fun Michael says he probably won’t do it again. Michael is currently co-teaching a confirmation class and reading a biography of Saint Faustina Kowalska. God has helped Michael in being the spiritual head of the household. We have finally started praying the rosary every evening (at least two decades).
Adrianne: As usual Adrianne is keeping busy with Adriana. She started a new job last February but is looking forward to the birth of the newest baby and staying home with the two children. The new job is much better than the other because she goes into work to sleep which allows her the day to be with Adriana. It does take some time away from the family but we have learned to work with it. In Adrianne’s adventure this year she learned the importance of motherhood (better late than never). Learning about her vocation as wife and mother this year has been the most exciting part of the year. She feels truly ready for a new baby. She discovered the joys of being a mother after reading a few good books including The Dignity and Humanity of Women (JPII) and by attending a great retreat given by a music artist, Marie Bellet. She is a wife and mother who sings about her vocation. What a great retreat!!! She also stayed at the Abbey for two days away from the family. She can’t wait to do that again. Adrianne and Adriana did quite a bit of running around this summer. It reminded Adrianne of the gypsy days. Nothing beats fun summer day trips.
Adriana: Adriana is growing all the time. Her favorite saying is “Mama, I’m getting tall.” Most people say she is tall for her age. Any who know her mama knows she doesn’t get her height from mama, mama’s vertically challenged. At the end of Jan of last year Adriana started her greatest activity of the year, gymnastics. . She is very good at it but who would have thought differently with all the energy she has. It is a great way to channel that energy. Mama and Daddy love to go with her to the class. She had a great summer with lots of activities. She went on a few trips to different zoos, Drumlin Farm a few times, she had a few weeks of swimming lessons, we explored the botanical garden, and the Science and Discovery museum. From the list you can see she loves animals. We went on a fun birthday camping trip to York, ME. That was great. We went to the beach, Adriana’s first time swimming in the ocean and playing in the waves, Adriana’s first Trolley ride, her first salt water taffy, her favorite York Wild Animal Kingdom (Adriana still refers to this as My Animal Kingdom), the amusements, and a family visit. Adriana loves the amusement parks in fact she went with one of her cousins (a year older) this summer and Adriana wanted to go on all the rides but Brendan was afraid of many. She loved the roller coaster. She enjoyed a few family hikes we went on although mama was starting to get too tired by August so we put a hold on hikes until next year. Adriana went to two first communions this year. Since then she was been dressing up like she is going to make her first communion plus every time we are at mass just before we receive communion she always says “Daddy I can’t wait until I can receive communion.” We’ve taught her how to receive spiritual communion, which is such a great gift. She also enjoys praying the rosary often praying it by herself (she knows all the prayers) or reminding mama and daddy to say it. Believe it or not she also asks mama or daddy to stop at our local church to make a visit to Our Lord. She has shown mama how to be holy, to be a child. We also continue our tradition of apple picking. Adriana hasn’t missed a year. She went for the first time when she was less than two months old. She dressed up as St. Theresa for All Saints Day. Daddy did a great job sewing the costume; she was a hit at the Abbey, discalced (no shoes) and all. Adriana had an active and fun filled year.
We were glad to hear from many of you this year. We look forward to our adventures this coming year and hearing about your adventures next year.
Love and God Bless you all,
Michael, Adrianne, Adriana and Baby Niall

First Sledding of the Season

Adriana and Daddy Sledding for the first time this season. Actually it is the first time Daddy and Adriana have been sledding together. They had a blast!!!!

Family Resemblance

We took Michael's mother out to eat for her Birthday and her sister, Taunte Lorriane, joined us. Michael looks just like a Powers even favoring Lorriane.

All Saints Day

Happy All Saints Day!!

(above) How does Adriana stand up to the real St. Theresa?

(above) St Benedict's Abbey, All Saints' Day Party!!

(below) A sister and a Priest.

(above) Adriana is dressed up but he is really a priest, Fr. Peter

St. Theresa in the Making

While preparing for All Saints Day we asked Adriana what saint she wanted to dress up as. She switched back and forth between St. Philomena and St. Theresa. I wanted her to be St. Philomena becasue the costume would be easy. Ofcourse she decided to be St. Theresa. Michael was not worried he said "we can make a costume." That we turned into him. My contribution was buying the material. Here are some pics of Daddy in action. Who knew he was so talented?!!!

The finished product. Good job Daddy!!!