Things to know about the health of you and your baby.

The most important thing you can do when you have decided to have a baby is to take good care of yourself.  The parental period is a time to build a strong foundation for you, your baby and your family.

One of the best things you can do for you and your baby is to eat healthy. Making smart nutritional choices will help promote your baby’s growth and development.

Pregnancy Nutrition

During pregnancy a balanced diet is the most important part of good health.  Pregnancy Nutrition is the only source of nutrients for your baby.  You will need to learn how to make good food choices for you and your baby as well as the nutrients your baby will need.  You have to avoid things that can be harmful like alcohol, drugs,smoking cigarettes.  These things are very harmful to you and your baby.

Emotional Changes

We all think of pregnancy as an exciting time and you think mostly of how your body will change.  Some of us don’t realize the emotional changes that occur.  Feeling sad or worried about every little thing is normal and is usually due to changes in hormone levels.  The following represent some of the most common changes even though every woman’s pregnancy is unique to them.

• Hormones – Mood swings are very common because of these hormone changes.
• Self Image – You will start feeling bad about yourself that you are fat and unattractive.  Instead you should feel proud of the signs of your fertility.
• Anxiety about the health of the baby – You will feel and worry about the health of your baby. Talking with other mothers will help.
• Concerns about Labor – It’s very normal for mother’s to worry about childbirth, the pain, if you will embarrass yourself are common.

Although you will have ups and downs in your emotional crises most will be perfectly manageable.  Just remember that all the emotions you feel are felt by most pregnant women.

Pregnancy Complications

As we have mentioned before how important it is to visit your doctor on a regular basis to make sure you are on top of any complications with your pregnancy.  There are tests done in the beginning stages and some screenings later in pregnancy to help prevent these problems.  It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice so you have a safe delivery and a health baby.

Here are a few complication that could occur:

• Gestational Diabetes
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Hepatitis B
• Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)
• HIV Infection
• Placenta Previa
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Toxoplasmosis
• Listeriosis
• Fetal Problems
• Premature or Pre-term Labor
• High – Blood Pressure
• Placental Abruption
• Post-partum Depression
• Mastitis

The key to pregnancy nutrition is a balanced diet, the foods you eat should be packed with these nutrients.

When you are pregnant, it is very important in your health care for you to take care of yourself not only for your own welfare but also for the welfare of your new baby. There are many websites on the Internet that you could visit in order to get tons of information about the do’s and don’ts of being pregnant.

A very important subject is Pregnancy Nutrition. During your pregnancy, what you put into your body will affect your body during the pregnancy and after as well as affecting your baby because your baby feeds off you.

A main thing to know about Pregnancy Nutrition are the facts about eating fish. Fish is a great source for protein for you and your baby and it helps to promote the development of the baby’s brain but there are some fish that should not be eaten by pregnant women due to the fact that there is a lot of mercury in the fish and this mercury could damage a child’s nervous system.

Fish to stay away from includes swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish. Safe fish to eat includes tuna, shrimp, salmon, pollock, and catfish. The nutrition for pregnant women is a very important subject when it comes to pregnancy.

Other types of Pregnant Nutrition includes the prenatal vitamins that should be taken on a daily basis throughout the whole pregnancy. These vitamins that a woman takes will help to supplement the nutrition that she and the baby need that is not being consumed in the diet.

These pills are formulated with numerous vitamins and minerals along with iron, calcium, and folic acid. The folic acid is especially important due to the fact that it helps reduce the risk of the baby having a birth defect that pertains to the brain and spinal cord.

When it comes to other aspects of Pregnancy Nutrition, a woman should drink plenty of milk for its nutritious value but needs to stay away from unpasteurized milk due to the fact that this could cause a food-borne illness. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.

Searching on the Internet for all the information that is provided about the nutrition of pregnancy should be a main component of any woman who is pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant. Taking nutrition seriously during pregnancy is very important and learning as much as you can about it will help to make you and your baby very healthy.

Nutrition Before Pregnancy

So you have decided to have a baby and you know that eating well and eating the right healthy foods will ensure the well being of your baby.  Now is the time to plan for the good health of your baby by eating nutritionally sound meals so your baby will have a good health environment to grow in. 

Since you have decided to start a family you should begin evaluating what you are eating to make sure you are getting enough nutrient stored in your body to carry your baby full term.  First thing to do to make sure you have the nutrients you need is to take  a prenatal supplement with the proper amount of folic acid.  Check with your doctor for recommendation of the amount  you should take.  Some of the benefits of Folic Acid are:

• Helps to prevent congenital disorder like spinal bifida
• Helps facilitate proper cell growth
• Helps proper development of the embryo
• Helps reduce risk of neural tube defects
• Helps reduce the risk of recurrent miscarriage
• Helps reduce the risk of preterm delivery and even low birth weight babies.

The importance of a balanced diet is a known part of good health in anyone’s life, but it’s even more important when you are pregnant.  Just remember that the only nutrients your baby gets is through you and what you eat.

Nutrition During Pregnancy

Now you are pregnant it’s essential for you to continue eating as good as you can through the nine months of your pregnancy.  One thing to realize and be careful of within the first three months is how hard it is to eat a balanced diet when you are having morning sickness and food aversions.  Eating junk food is not going to help your baby and give your baby the nutrients they need.

When you eat well during your pregnancy it helps your baby eat well after she/he is born.  Research has shown that what your baby is exposed to when developing like fruit and vegetables will be less fussy when they are growing up.

One of the most important nutrients that you and your baby needs is iron.  Not having enough iron could lead to anemia.  If you think that you are not getting enough iron check with your doctor about taking an iron supplement.

Finally, one of the best things you can do for your baby and yourself for that matter is eating right during your pregnancy.  Just look at the foods in your diet and make sure that they provide the nutrients you and your baby needs.

Nutrition After Pregnancy

Just as important as good nutrition before and during pregnancy is the importance of proper nutrition after the birth of your baby. It should be easy to continue your good eating habits by eating a good-quality diet just as you have been doing.  If you are not going to breastfeed you should eat just the way you were prior to getting pregnant.  If you are breastfeeding you need special nutritional management.

You will have a few problems after the birth of the baby as far as you are concerned like getting your iron back up to normal again, dealing with fatigue, maybe a little constipation here and there but just take a creative approach to your eating habits by choosing the right foods will help.  The secret to post-pregnancy nutrition is to gradually regain a desirable figure, while maintaining or restocking nutrient stores.

It is also important to first consult your physician before starting any physical activity program to start your healing process.  Ask your doctor about any precautions you need to take before you start getting your body back in shape again to prevent any injuries you could experience.

Is Your Baby Sleeping Through The Night?

One of the main problems you have as a new mom at home is to establish some really good nighttime sleeping habits with you baby.  One of the primary goals is to get your baby asleep on his/her own. 

When you start out you just about have to nap when they sleep and most of the time that’s together.  Every baby will have to go through a transition from sleeping with their mother and getting into a bedtime routine and sleeping by themselves.

Here are some baby sleep tips  to help the transition. Just remember that these baby sleep tips and tricks are not hard rules and you should always consider your parental instincts as a mother.

Daily Feeding Habits

One consideration when trying to teach your newborn to sleep at night is your daily feeding habits.  You should make sure that your baby is eating all the required meals that was recommended by your doctor.

This does two things  – create an important association that feeding goes with the daytime and your child’s appetite will be satisfied for the night.  If your baby wakes up during the night make sure that he’s getting a full meal the first time awake. Night time is not snack time.

Set a Bedtime Ritual

You need to set a bedtime ritual for your baby as soon as possible.  When you baby starts off not sleeping well at night it’s usually because they are use to the naps  with mom. Try to think about and focus on a consistent bedtime routine because your baby is dependant on routines. By repeating the same routine every night like a full feeding, maybe a warm bath and changing will slowly begin to associate these things with sleep.  The main thing to remember is to make these rituals consistent.

Your Baby Needs To Be Comfortable

When putting your baby to sleep at night always try to make your baby physically comfortable as you can.  Baby’s sometimes takes times for them to learn to breathe through their mouth so you need to pay close attention to their nasal breathing and make sure you move the stuffed animals and loose blankets and pillow away from your baby. 

You should make sure that your babies clothes are comfortable to them not cute to us.  Try different clothes out and see which ones your baby may like the best.

The thing to remember is trust your own instincts when it comes to your baby’s comfort.

Your Baby Needs to be Relaxed During the Day

It is very important to encourage restful days at a peaceful pace.  If you spend the time rocking, holding your baby in your arms and kept peaceful you have a better chance that it will carry over into the night.  Also if your baby’s day is stressful like is on his own a lot, and cry for a while to be feed will also carry over into the night. Think about how you are as an adult you have a stress day you have a stress night, same with your baby. 

Develop a Good Attitude

You want your child to develop an attitude in which sleep is both something they enjoy and also a secure safe state of mind.  Your baby should think of sleep as something that’s comforting and something that comes naturally.  When you pay attention to your baby’s feeling and what they want you will encourage a healthier attitude toward their night’s asleep.

A Familiar Environment is Important

Most people think that you have to tiptoe around your baby when they are sleeping to not awaken them.  Just remember where your newborn has been sleeping for the last nine months. 

Your baby slept in many situations that was far from quiet with no sounds and even more so when the mother was out in public socializing with others. You should try to have some back ground noises to help the sleep process.  There are many products on the market today to create these soothing noises. 

The Ferber Method

The Ferber Method was invented by Dr. Richard Ferber which is also known as "graduated extinction" is the most well known sleep training program for children.  This method usually works within a couple of weeks.  The only problem I see with this method is that some people just can not stand to her their baby cry and you have to let your baby cry some before you go in and intervene. 

Associations That go with Sleep

Babies when very young develop sleep associations which are things that you associate with bedtime.  The way you put your child to sleep by holding them, putting in a sleeper or  maybe using a pacifier is creating a sleep association.  Without you doing anything your baby is going to create their own sleep associations.  What you want to do is try to help create associations with items that the baby will have under their control. 

I hope these tips and tricks help with your baby sleep but just remember that these are just tips and tricks and not the hard rule that you have to follow.  Remember your parental  instincts are just as important. 

I think one of the most feared part of having a baby is the fear of gaining excess weight over and above what your doctor tells you that you should gain.  How mush weight you should gain would depend on how mush you were prior to getting pregnant and also your body mass index (BMI).  Body Mass Index is a measure of body fat which is based on your height and weight.  BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

The best thing to do is work with your doctor to determine what’s good for you.  For under weight women you should gain 28 to 40 pounds, if at your normal weight it would be around 25 to 35 pounds, overweight women 15 to 25 pounds and obese women at least 15 pounds.

What’s important is gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy by eating the right foods because your baby needs all the nutrients to grow at a healthy rate.

Some women think well I have to eat for two now so I need to eat more. Not true, what is true is you generally need to eat ONLY 100 to 300 more calories than you would eat prior to becoming pregnant.

Now the problem is with all the social pressures that’s around pregnancy a lot of the times it’s just not that easy to figure out exactly what your should gain and how to keep off what you don’t need. 

Your eating habits change and your appetite will grow in strange ways.  You start having morning sickness which causes some nausea and vomiting.  Then you start eating things that you never ate before and more of it.  You start to worry about how mush you are gaining, is it the right amount, am I gaining too fast and of course will I be able to lose the weight after the baby is born. 

My daughter had these questions and feared the fact that she would gain 50 pounds and keep it for ever.  She was really getting depressed so I ask around and research the internet and every where I went the most recommended program was a book called "Pregnancy Without Pounds" by Michelle Moss. 

Michelle Moss is an expert diet and fitness nutritionist with 15 years experience teaching, counseling and coaching people on health, eating and exercise.  She’s a personal trainer and has a master degree in both Holistic Nutrition and Psychology Degree.

Based on my finding I ordered a copy, read it, gave it to my daughter and my research was over.  She loved it.

What Michelle has focused on is exposing the TRUTH about why you don’t have to go through pregnancy feeling over weight and unattractive.  She will teach you how to keep your pregnancy weight gain to a healthy minimum.

"Pregnancy Without Pounds" is a best selling 90 page book that comes in 4 parts.

• “Pregnancy Without Pounds” You’ll learn EXACTLY how to avoid unwanted pounds, overcome your food cravings, and much more.
• Exercise Manual which includes a  list of top exercises and stretches with 3 workouts to chose from with pictures, Tired Mama, Moderate Mama, and Fit Mama.

• Exercise Journal will help you keep track of what exercise/activity you’re doing each day/week.  It has Michelle’s suggestion chart, your weekly exercise chart and your daily exercise chart.

• Weight Gain Chart Manager to keep up with your weight gain as you progress through your journey.
• Exclusive Members Forum

I highly recommend "Pregnancy Without Pounds" if you want to control your weight during your pregnancy and lose your weight after pregnancy.  I think Michelle Moss has done a wonderful job putting together this program and has covered everything you need to be successful with your weight concerns.  All you have to do is follow the program.

Get "Pregnancy Without Pounds" Now!

The Benefits OF Regular Exercise While Your Are Pregnant

Pregnancy exercise during pregnancy can help you stay in shape and prepare you for all the upcoming pregnancy stages.

When you find out that you are pregnant it seems like a perfect time to sit back and relax and not worry about what you are eating and how mush exercise that you are not getting.

In the old days pregnancy was treated as if it was an illness and you should rest for 9 months and not worry about exercise until your baby is born.   You need to be physically active during pregnancy.  Today we know that exercising before, during and after pregnancy along with good pregnancy nutrition has many benefits for the mom and the baby.

Most mothers do not realize that pregnancy exercise is so important, and is the key to a happy and healthy pregnancy and birth.  For those that have been following a regular exercise program prior to their pregnancy should be able to maintain a good exercise program throughout their pregnancy.

By continuing your current exercise program you will experience benefits from less fatigue and pain to feeling more emotionally stable during a difficult and emotion driven time in your life.  A guideline to go by calls for women to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during pregnancy per week and should be spread out over the week.

Exercise will also help mothers during labor, one of the most stressful times during the pregnancy.  Labor is known to progress faster, lowering the risk of medication and possible Caesarian section.  Many mothers will have a shorter, uncomplicated vaginal delivery due to the exercise that they are doing.

Regular physical exercise after pregnancy continues to benefit a woman’s overall health and increase her cardio respiratory fitness as well as helps women achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Taking care of yourself and your baby while you are pregnant is important to avoid and pregnancy complications.  That is why doing pregnancy exercise is one of the most important steps that you can take for pregnancy wellness.  You will see just how easy it is to have a happy uncomplicated pregnancy and labor, simply by adding exercise.

Spotting during pregnancy:  What causes it and what do you do

One of the first things you may think when you notice that you are spotting while you are pregnant is if something is wrong. A lot of questions may pop up in your mind and you may start getting concerned because of the possibility of a  miscarriage.  There is a lot of specific symptoms that goes along with a miscarriage aside from just spotting.

In a typical pregnancy some women do spot, normally in the first three months of pregnancy.  This is caused by your body adjusting to the hormone levels and could happen around the time of your normal period.  As a rule vaginal spotting (discharge) if light and clear is normal. Understanding the most common causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy will help you know what to look for and what to do.

You need to consult your doctor to make sure that there are no pregnancy risks and your spotting is just an early sign of pregnancy.  Here are some of the possible causes of vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy include:

• Implantation in the Uterus – Bleeding can occur when the embryo is attached to the walls of the uterus.
• Ectopic Pregnancy – Bleeding can also occur when the embryo develops in the fallopian tube called a tubal pregnancy.
• Infections – Yeast infections, bacterial infections even sexually transmitted infections can also cause spotting.
• Soften of the cervix – Normally after about 37 weeks spotting could occur.
• Irritated or Inflamed Cervix – Spotting can occur after having a Pap smear and sometimes after intercourse.
• Miscarriage – During the first 12 weeks spotting could be a warning sign of a miscarriage.
• Molar Pregnancy – When an abnormal mass forms inside the uterus after fertilization.

IMPORTANT… If your spotting goes away within a day do not be concerned and tell your doctor about it on your next visit.  If your bleeding last more that a day contact your health care provider as soon as possible.  If you have any abdominal pain, cramping, fever or chills during the time of spotting contact your doctor like right now.

Gestational Diabetes: What it Means for Me and My Baby

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is first recognized or develops during pregnancy. A women loses the ability to control the level of sugar in her blood automatically. This means that your blood glucose is too high.

What causes gestational diabetes?

In pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to sustain your pregnancy. Theses hormones make your cells more resistant to insulin.  In the second and third trimesters pregnancy complications can occur when your placenta grows larger which secretes more of these hormones.  This makes it harder for insulin to do its job.  
Your pancreas responds by producing extra insulin to fight this resistance. Your pancreas sometimes can not keep up with the higher demand for insulin then the body falls behind in processing glucose and the result, gestational diabetes. 

What are the symptoms and signs of gestational diabetes?

Usually there are no symptoms for gestational diabetes so for good pregnancy wellness you need to be tested for the condition. It’s very important to be tested for gestational diabetes because high blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby.

If a women has another type of diabetes without knowing it she could have symptoms, they may include:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Frequent infections including those of the bladder,  vagina, and skin
• Blurred vision

Beware that having these symptoms does not mean that a women has diabetes.  What you need to do is talk with your doctor and be tested for diabetes.

Will my baby have diabetes?

Babies are not born with diabetes when their mother had diabetes when pregnant.  The most common problem would be if the mothers diabetes was not controlled during pregnancy could cause low blood sugar in the newborn baby.  The baby will have to be watched closely to make sure the babies body adjusts the amount of insulin it makes.

How is gestational diabetes treated?

Gestational diabetes can be treated by controlling your blood sugar level.  You can control your blood sugar level by changing your diet and make sure you get the right pregnancy exercises .  You may need to check your gestational diabetes at home and make sure you see your doctor on a regular basic.  Just do not discard the importance of good pregnancy nutrition.

I have diabetes and want to get pregnant how do I prevent problems to myself and my baby? 

Here are some of the things to look at to prevent problems to the mother and her baby.

• Need to plan the pregnancy – It’s important for a women with diabetes to get her body ready before getting pregnant. 
• Eat Health Foods – A women with diabetes should eat the foods from a meal plan that was made for a women with diabetes.
• Exercise Regularly – A women should be on an exercise program prior to getting pregnant. Help keep blood sugar under control.
• Regular Visits To Your Doctor – Your doctor can recommend the things you need to do prior to getting pregnant.
• Take Required Medications – Very important to take your medications on time.
• Monitor Blood Sugar At Home Regularly – Checking blood sugar levels often can help a woman keep her blood sugar in control.

Increases in preterm birth and preterm-related infant mortality account for much of the lack of decline in the United States’ infant mortality rate from 2000 to 2005.

There are large differences in infant mortality rates by race and ethnicity. Non-Hispanic black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Puerto Rican women have the highest infant mortality rates; rates are lowest for Asian or Pacific Islander, Central and South American, and Cuban women.

Source:  CDC

US scientists tested umbilical cord blood and found higher levels of immunoglobulin E – a protein linked to allergies – among babies whose mothers were stressed while pregnant.

Previous animal experiments have also suggested that a combination of stress and allergy triggers during pregnancy can affect an offspring’s immune system.

Source: Daily Mail