Stress And Pregnancy
September 6, 2008
Stress Relief During Pregnancy If you truly want to ensure a great pregnancy, you should work on keeping a healthy and positive physical, mental and spiritual state. There is substantial evidence which suggests that a mother’s physical and mental wellness during pregnancy can affect not only the outcome of their pregnancy but the well being of their child later in life. You relationship with your baby begins at the moment of conception.
There are many things aside from physical factors that can impact your pregnancy. Stress is one of the more common problems many pregnant mothers face at some point during their pregnancy. While stress in and of itself isn’t always bad, prolonged stress can be damaging to a pregnancy. Most people associate stress that is harmful during pregnancy with physical labor. However, emotional stress may be just as damaging. Stress actually causes certain hormones in the body to be produced, and some scientists have suggested that these hormones can promote miscarriage or even bring on pre-term labor.
The best thin you can to do to ensure the well being of your baby is to minimize both physical and emotional stress as much as possible. Here are some stress reducing tips you can engage in during your pregnancy to promote a happy and healthy outcome:
Sex During Pregnancy
August 17, 2008
It is important that you nourish your relationship as much as your nourish your unborn child during pregnancy. Most women find that their bodies grow large and unwieldy during pregnancy. Many women are surprised to find that their sex drive actually increases during pregnancy, particularly during the second trimester. This is due to the increased amount of blood that is coursing through your pelvis and vagina.
Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?
Sex is safe during pregnancy provided you have a low risk pregnancy with few complications. Your doctor will let you know if you should avoid sex for any reason at all. Most women can enjoy a healthy and fulfilling intimate relationship throughout their pregnancy, right up until their delivery date.
Will I Enjoy Sex During Pregnancy?
Surprisingly, many women find that they are more sexually aroused during their second trimester than they were prior to pregnancy. The increased blood flow to the vaginal and a woman’s growing bosom often results in a heightened sense of self and sexual arousal.
Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
July 30, 2008
Many women have questions about the types of food that are safe to eat during pregnancy. It is actually easier to discuss the types of foods you should avoid during pregnancy than it is do discuss the foods that are safe to eat.
There’s a lot of food to avoid during pregnancy because they may be harmful to you or your developing baby.
Food To Avoid During Pregnancy
Deli and Processed Sandwich Meats ? these meats might be contaminated with Listeria, a potentially deadly bacteria that can result in miscarriage or even a stillbirth. While listeria is relatively harmless to most ordinary people, it can be life threatening for your unborn baby. Pregnant women are more susceptible to listeria because of their lowered immune system. If you want to eat deli meats, be sure that you cook them until they are steaming hot, which will help kill any bacteria that might be present.
Raw meats ? much lie deli meats, raw meats should be avoided because they can carry bacteria that are harmful for both mother and baby.
Feeling Sexy During Pregnancy
July 11, 2008
Some people think that the word sexy and pregnancy do not belong together. I have to disagree. In fact, I have heard many men say that a woman is her sexiest and most beautiful when she is pregnant!
So, how do you go about feeling sexy when your belly is expanding and your body is going through so many changes? So many women tell me they feel unattractive when they are pregnant, but they don’t have to!
The good news is that the days of the maternity tent dress are over! Today’s maternity wear is hip, trendy and yes, even sexy! http://maternitycorner.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=M The designers have brilliantly combined comfort and fashion in clothing that you can start wearing as soon as you discover you are pregnant right on through post-partum and beyond.
Just wearing your husband clothes may be economical ? and they may fit fine over your expanding belly — but they will not have a good fit everywhere else! Buying bigger sizes in regular clothes is also never a great idea if you want to feel good about yourself. I’m sorry to say you will just look bigger and feel frumpy.
Pregnancy Planner - A Quick Guide
June 22, 2008
Weeks 1 to 3 are the first weeks of pregnancy. Week 1 begins on the first day of your last menstrual period. You will have no pregnancy symptoms yet, it’s too early right now. By week 4 nearly all of the organs and structure of the fetus have formed, you will start to feel the first pregnancy symptoms which will feel a bit like period symptoms such as tiredness and tender breasts.
Weeks 5/6/7. By now mother’s breast have swelled and are sensitive as milk glands multiply. Morning sickness will kick in and your appetite will increase. The embryo has developed the heart and primitive circulatory system. The first heartbeats begin and facial features begin to develop. Cravings might start and be expected to gain or loose a few pounds over these few weeks. Your uterus is putting pressure on your bladder so be prepared for frequent visits to the ladies.
Weeks 8/9/10. You can have an Ultra sound now and your uterus has grown to the size of a small grapefruit. The baby’s fingers and thumbs have now appeared and teeth are developing under the gums. Your breasts are fuller than ever before this maybe uncomfortable, a maternity bra can help.
Fighting the Pregnancy Blahs
June 2, 2008
Every pregnant woman has experienced the pregnancy blahs. I can remember feeling so big and unattractive throughout my two pregnancies, and secretly wishing for the pregnancy to be over so that I could have my body back and fit into my normal clothes. It’s sad to say, really, because pregnancy is such a beautiful experience and the fact that you created this little human being that is developing in your body should make you feel wonderful through every step of the way.
Oh, but those pregnancy blahs kick in! Your stomach is growing, you cannot fit into your normal clothes, you can’t see your feet, you waddle when you walk, your feet and legs are swollen, and other additional physical changes make you feel, well, blah! Sometime during your pregnancy, you may even start to feel bored with the pregnancy and/or feel depressed. Yes, those raging hormones kick in too.
Here are some tips in helping to beat those pregnancy blahs:
1) Eat healthy and get plenty of rest. Choose healthy foods and ensure that your intake is nutritious.
2) Exercise. Even a short walk in the outdoors will uplift your spirits.
The Pregnancy Glow and Other Myths of Motherhood
May 13, 2008
It happened during the ninth month of my first pregnancy. I was going through a department store check-out lane where a teenage girl was ringing up my purchases. She looked shyly at my burgeoning belly with an expression that could only be described as reverent.
With eyes full of dreams of future motherhood she asked, "Is pregnancy really as bad as everyone says?"
Without the slightest guilt, I replied, "No. It’s worse."
The Deception
When my husband and I announced the birth of our blessed expectation some months prior, along with endless congratulations, I received the good news of the many wonderful changes I could expect.
“You’ll positively glow."
"Your hair and nails will look fabulous."
"You’ll feel absolutely beautiful."
According to family and friends, as a gestating woman, I would feel nothing short of a precious vessel, glowing with health and radiance given only to those experiencing the miracle of growing a child.
About a week later, wearing the pallor of death, I was running away from the smell of my husband’s lunchtime tuna fish sandwich knowing I’d never been so violently ill my entire life.
The Reality
Start Growing Healthy Children Before Getting Pregnant
April 24, 2008
When I was in my early 20’s, I read Adele Davis’s book, "Let’s Eat Right To Keep fit." I learned from her that "you are what you eat." I also learned that our babies are what we eat while we are pregnant, and then are what they eat once they are born. If you nurse your babies, then they continue to be what you eat as long as you are nursing them. My bible during my first pregnancy over 38 years ago was "Let’s Have Healthy Children," also by Adele Davis. I started to follow her guidelines way before getting pregnant, knowing that my health had a big effect on my baby’s health.
There is much more information about good nutrition available today, and I want to encourage anyone who wants to have healthy children to start early in learning about and implementing a healthy way of eating. Educating yourself regarding good nutrition is a major part of good parenting. However, a good rule of thumb is, if they didn’t eat it 200 years ago, don’t eat it now! This means no fast food, no packaged food - including sodas, cakes and candies - no preservatives, no fruits and vegetables grown with pesticides or artificial fertilizers, or animals grown with hormones and fed food grown with pesticides. It also means no smoking or drinking. It means no caffeine. If you want healthy children, you need to put pure, clean organic food into your body before you get pregnant and continue throughout your pregnancy. Of course, then you want to continue to feed yourself and your family clean food once your children are born.
Pregnancy and Exercise, How to Stay Fit While Being Pregnant
April 4, 2008
EXERCISE SAFELY
The first thing to understand when you exercise during your pregnancy is to take extra care. This doesn’t mean exercise less, rather be sure to know and understand your body limits. Even though exercising during your pregnancy can be beneficial, there are certain risks involved that may be detrimental. Be sure to check in with your doctor or midwife to ensure that you are able to exercise during pregnancy.
Once you have the go-ahead from your physician, keep them updated with how you are doing. Are you experiencing fatigue or pain while you are exercising during your pregnancy? Be sure to let them know if that’s the case. It’s important to have caution while exercising, and if you’re in doubt, check in with your physician. It is also very important to remember that exercising while pregnant isn’t mean to improve your physical fitness, rather maintain your physical condition.
While choosing an exercise to do during your pregnancy, be sure to consider ones that involve a partner - be it your spouse, or a friend. Pick pregnancy exercises that you enjoy, as that will help you to stay motivated to exercise during pregnancy Stay away from pregnancy exercises where you might be in danger of falling, losing your balance or getting hit in the abdomen, as these might increase the chance of something going wrong during your pregnancy.
Conception Tips and Tips For Getting Pregnant For Those Who Are Trying To Conceive
March 16, 2008
CONCEPTION TIPS
Conception takes place in three basic stages: ovulation, then fertilization, and the division of the fertilized egg, which then implants in the uterus - which it isn’t until then when pregnancy is considered successful! To better understand the process, we have explained in greater detail below each step of the process. If you are trying to conceive, keep reading these conception tips and your chances of getting pregnant are greater.
WHAT IS OVULATION
Ovulation usually occurs midway through a woman’s menstrual cycle. At this point, the follicle which outgrows the others, ruptures and the egg is released. The site of this release is called the stigma, and the follicle goes on to form the corpus luteum.
The corpus luteum produces progesterone which is a hormone responsible for nurturing the baby until the placenta takes over. Barely visible to the naked eye, your baby at this point isn’t bigger than a pencil dot. Keep reading if getting pregnant is what you want!
Tiny hairlike projections called cilia move the released egg from the ovary along the fallopian tube to the uterus. If conception is successful, chances are this will take place toward the outer end of the fallopian tube, near the ovary.
