A weekly pregnancy calendar is a manual that records the journey of the fetus from conception to birth. It expounds in detail, the pregnancy week by week development that the fetus should achieve in the mother womb. The pregnancy calendar also gives the details about the changes that occur in the mother body and tells how to cope with these changes. This information can help the would-be-mother to ascertain that the fetus is growing in a healthy manner and her pregnancy is safe. Hence, every mother-to-be must possess a pregnancy week by week calendar to keep track of the milestones that the growing fetus achieves every week. Nowadays, there are numerous websites from where you can download these pregnancy calendars for free.

A Look At The Pregnancy Calendar

A weekly pregnancy calendar generally follows a forty week schedule. The calculation of the calendar is very simple. The LMP i.e. the last menstrual period date is the first day of the pregnancy calendar. Forty weeks from the date is the due date. Here, it has to be noted that only in very few cases, the baby is delivered on the due date. Generally any day after the 37th week is safe, because the baby would have attained full development by the 37th week.

A pregnancy calendar generally makes the following information available.

1. The growth and development that the fetus must achieve in each week of pregnancy,

2. The physical and the emotional changes that the mother-to-be undergoes and coping with these changes,

3. Nutritional requirements and exercises for a health pregnancy,

4. The do and do not during the nine months.

In a nutshell, a weekly pregnancy calendar is an excellent reference guide for every anxious would-be mother. It helps her to understand every change and emotion that she would be undergoing through the forty weeks of the pregnancy wheel. It helps her to keep track of what is going on in her womb every minute. The calendar helps in alleviating her anxiety and comforts her.

Maintaining Your Own Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

You can also make your own pregnancy calendar. It is very simple. Once you know your LMP and due date, you can yourself start maintaining the physical and emotional changes that you undergo on a weekly basis. You can compare this with any standard pregnancy calendar to assure yourself that everything is well.

Advantages Of Maintaining Your Own Pregnancy Calendar

In addition to the above mentioned benefits, maintaining your own weekly pregnancy calendar has some apparent advantages.

1. You can use the calendar as a jotting notepad to record your queries, doubts and apprehensions. This will be useful in future appointments with your doctor.

2. The pregnancy calendar is particularly useful in the third trimester of pregnancy (week 26 to week 40). In this final trimester, there are many changes happening in the mother body. The would-be mother will then find the pregnancy calendar handy. With the help of a good calendar, she can identify if her contraction are true or false and if there is a need to consult the doctor.

3. A religiously written pregnancy calendar will be very useful for the doctor in case any emergency arises in the course of delivery.

4. You can use your weekly pregnancy calendar to understand your future pregnancies better.

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar – Almanac For Every Mother To Be is a post from: Healthy Life

If you feel you may have become pregnant or indeed feeling or seeing the early signs of pregnancy, you will want to ascertain definitively whether you are pregnant or not. This will enable you to start your planning and seeking professional pre-natal care at the earliest opportunity. Either a pregnancy blood test or a home pregnancy kit will determine this for you.

Pregnancy test kits can be bought at practically at any retail store, grocery store or in mega stores like the Target or Walmart. Buying bulk pregnancy tests costs less but give same results like the well packaged pregnancy tests.

Companies Manufacturing Test Kits

Because implantation usually happens 6-12 days after ovulation, it is possible that you are testing too early, too soon. Various home pregnancy test manufacturers advertise their product as being foolproof. Clearblue Easy publishes on its website that Clearblue Easy can be used as early at 4 days before you expect your period, about 5 days sooner than waiting until you miss your period to test.

What Is The Best Time To Take A Pregnancy Test?

The HCG hormone secretion follows the fertilization of the eggs and placement of the embryo to the uterus. Medical experts choose this span of pregnancy when fertilization takes place as the best time to take the pregnancy test. The period after one week of missed period is identified as the phase when the embryo gets attached to the uterus and is considered the best possible stage of pregnancy to take the pregnancy test. However, building up of the HCG concentration can vary from one person to another.

Each home pregnancy test has a certain sensitivity to the pregnancy hormone hCG. This hormone is produced by the placenta after the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. The detection of this hormone is what makes pregnancy tests positive. There is no way to know of course when the embryo will attach itself, so by performing pregnancy tests too early you stand a good chance of getting a negative result when you really are pregnant.

When to take a pregnancy test is important, because if you test too early in your pregnancy, there may not yet be enough of the pregnancy hormone in the urine to provide a positive test result. Most of the home pregnancy tests will be 90% accurate if you wait and test yourself one day after your missed period is due. If you feel you are pregnant but the home pregnancy test is negative, repeat the test again in a week if you still have not had your period. And if you are still getting negative test results and think you are pregnant, be sure and see your health care provider right away.

Delivery Date

At this stage, pregnancy test routine is performed to know the due date or delivery date. Normally a pregnancy lasts for an average of 266 days from the date of conception. The doctors add 280 days to the date of first day of the last menstrual period to know about the due date or the delivery date. The actual delivery date can, however, be two weeks before or after the due date, calculated by the doctor.

First Response Pregnancy Test is a post from: Healthy Life

Getting pregnant, an important moment every wife been waiting for in her life. Pregnancy is a beautiful, memorable moments that will carve in the memory of each woman. Many people wonder “what should I do?” “How should I eat?” “Are these foods safe for my babies?” Many of the women will turn to the elderly who experienced it before. However the correct info is vital to ensure the baby growing well and healthy. Note: FOOD EATEN DURING THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF PREGNANCY AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF BABY AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGAN IS MOSTLY DONE AT THAT TIME!!

What is the food requirement for a pregnant woman?

Many people believe that during pregnancy the need of food is double the amount as compared to usual food habit eaten by the mother. However this is not entirely true. During pregnancy, it’s important to eat a variety of healthy foods. Eating at least three meals a day and healthy snacks is probably the best way to consume a greater variety of foods. It is true that the amount should be increased but the amount is not necessarily double the usual amount and the variety of healthy food is more important rather than the amount. However try to aim more than minimum requirements in each category in food pyramid. Food Pyramid for Asian

Generally a pregnant woman needs 1,800 to 2,800 calories daily. During pregnancy the amount of proteins, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins are vital for fetal wellbeing. There are few important nutrients should be taken adequately during pregnancy which includes:

Folic Acid
Iron, Vitamin B12
Calcium
Protein
Carbohydrate
Vitamin C

Folic acid is important for development of nervous system especially in early pregnancy. So any pregnant mother should make sure they have adequate amount of folic acid by taking folic acid supplement. Studies shown that 600 microgram of folic acid significantly reduces risk of nervous system malformation particularly neural tube defect (incomplete closure of spine), or anencephaly (absence of brain).

Food that rich in folic acid:

Fortified breakfast cereals
Fortified whole-grain breads
Leafy green vegetables
Dried peas and beans
Citrus fruits and juices, such as oranges and grapefruits
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Tomatoes

On the other hand, iron also important as it is one of the component used to build red blood cells (cells that is responsible to carry oxygen) in an individuals. For mother iron is essential as during the pregnancy maternal blood will be diluted (blood volume expands) and if your iron demands are not met, mother will develops iron deficiency anemia (a condition where lack of red blood cells manifest by easy fatigability, dizziness, prone to infection). During fetal life iron is vital especially during 7-8 weeks of pregnancy onwards where the bone marrow starts to actively produce red blood cells and this is when oxygen. When the pregnancy reach term (37-42 weeks of pregnancy) mother should remember that she will deliver the baby soon and she will lose average of 250-500mL of blood. When this occurred, it will be major problem for the mother if she has underlying anemia (lack of red blood cells) and it is one of leading cause of maternal death during pregnancy. So pregnant mother, please take note to top-up your iron intake during pregnancy. Note: Iron supplement given by health clinic (particularly ferrous sulphate) may leads to constipation, but DO NOT STOP MEDICATION BY YOURSELF!! Try to ask you doctor for newer generation of iron supplement such as ferrous fumarate.

Food that rich in iron:

Red meat
Spinach
Fish
Tofu
Dried fruits such as raisins and prunes
Nuts
Whole grain, fortified breads and cereals

Vitamin B-12 also plays an important role in red blood cells synthesis and formation of nervous system. Lack of vitamin B-12 may leads to megaloblastic anemia (lack of red blood cells with large size of red blood cell) and demyelination of nervous system (loss of nerve covering).

Other than that, Calcium is responsible for formation of strong bones and teeth. When you’re pregnant and breast-feeding, you need 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day. That’s about 40 percent more than most adult women require. Several forms of calcium supplements are available namely calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Never take oyster shell or bone meal calcium also known as dolomite and calcium appetite because it may be contaminated with lead and other harmful chemicals that is harmful to your baby.

Food that rich in calcium:

Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
Salmon
Spinach
Broccoli
Dried beans
Papaya
Orange

10. Fruit juices, breakfast cereals

Protein and carbohydrate also plays important role in pregnancy as it provides energy source for cell formation, tissue growth and brain development. Apart from that protein and carbohydrate also provide energy for synthesis of fetal organ and for mother it is also essential as the basal metabolism increased during pregnancy state.

Vitamin C is also important for iron absorption for both mother and fetal. Usually it will be prescribed together with iron supplement to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Foods that are rich in Vitamin C include mango, kiwi and oranges.

Vitamin A also useful to ensure baby healthy skin, eyesight and bone growth. However NEVER TAKE VITAMIN A EXCESSIVELY as it might cause defects in baby’s bone, heart, nervous system, head and face. Studies suggested that Vitamin A should not be taken more than 5000IU.

What to eat if morning sickness occurred?

If morning sickness makes this impossible, try eating a series of snacks or small meals throughout the day. Remember that you can get servings from several food groups at once if you eat them in combination. A slice of cheese pizza, for example, would count toward servings in the grain (crust), vegetable (tomato sauce) and dairy (cheese) groups.

What if I am vegetarian?

For a vegetarian, aim for non-dairy source available for each nutrient requirement based on food pyramid (above). If you’re a vegetarian, you can continue to follow your diet during pregnancy and have a healthy baby. But you’ll need to plan and review your food intake. Eating variety of food is the key to maintain adequate nutrients intake per day. Usually vegetarians are having problem to consume enough zinc, vitamin B-12, iron, calcium and folic acid. To overcome these problems, try to practice this tips:

Eat at least four servings of calcium-rich foods each day. Nondairy sources include broccoli, kale, dried beans, and calcium-fortified juices, cereals and soy products.
Add more energy-rich foods to your diet. This is particularly important if you’re having trouble gaining enough weight. Good sources include nuts, nut butters, seeds and dried fruit.
Seek advice on supplements. Many vegetarians need a vitamin B-12 supplement. A prenatal vitamin that supplements other nutritional needs. Consult your healthcare provider for further details.

What food to avoid during pregnancy?

Undercooked poultry and ground meat – raw undercooked poultry and ground meat is a source of bacterial which are responsible for food poisoning. Salmonella and listeria particularly dangerous bacterium during pregnancy. It may cause dissemination to baby’s circulation and may leads to meningitis (infection in a layer covering the brain) eventually miscarriage of the baby.
Raw undercooked seafood

Frozen and fresh fish should be cooked properly especially during pregnancy as it almost always contaminated by bacterial and viral. When you cook seafood, 10 minutes rule should be applied. This involves measuring thickest part of the seafood and cooking at least 10 minutes per inch thickness at 450°F. For example cooking shrimps and other shellfish will take around 3-6 minutes. Fish such as tilefish, shark, and swordfish should be avoided as it contains large amount of chemical contamination such as mercury.

Raw fruits and vegetables should be avoided and if consumed it should be washed thoroughly to prevent pesticide poisoning
Fizzy drinks and coffee

Heartburn and indigestion pain is common during pregnancy. It is because the increase of intra-abdominal pressure. The consumption of fizzy drinks aggravates this condition so it is wise to limit fizzy drinks consumption. On the other hand fizzy drinks and coffee if taken in large amount (300 mg or three 5 oz. cups of coffee) may cause preterm delivery, low birth weight and even worse miscarriage.

Stay away from alcohol

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is dangerous during pregnancy. During intoxication the mother may vomit until severely dehydrated. Dehydration is dangerous during pregnancy as the fluid requirements is more during pregnancy. On the other hand heavy alcohol consumption may leads to fetal alcohol syndrome. This syndrome characterized by facial anomalies, cardiac defect, limbs abnormalities, delayed motor development and mental deficiency. Avoid drinking more than 40 units a week.

Stay away from cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoking or exposure to its smoke may cause the noxious chemical enters the baby’s circulation during pregnancy. The exposure may leads to miscarriage, low birth weight baby, and even worse may leads to delivery of handicapped baby.

By Mohd Fariz Amri©

Diet During Pregnancy

Diet during Pregnancy ? Save your baby by correct info is a post from: Healthy Life

Expecting moms get very anxious the moment that they start to feel a possible pregnancy. Once they miss their period, they get very excited and curious whether they are pregnant or not. And thus, they would head off to the nearest pharmacy or convenient store to purchase a home pregnancy kit. An early pregnancy test may help you confirm whether you are pregnant or not. But is an early pregnancy test accurate? When should you take your first pregnancy test?

Whether or not you are expecting, you want an instant confirmation to put closure to your hopes or paranoia. But when is the perfect time to take the test?  First and foremost, note that the earliest moment to take a test is not really established and general because women’s systems behave differently from one another. Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence and the level of hCG which is a hormone evident during pregnancy. This hormone appears in the urine and is produced by the placenta after a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus wall. This phenomenon is said to occur at least 6 days after ovulation. This simply entails that taking a home pregnancy test before the sixth day will only give you an inaccurate result.

Given this, we can conclude that, pregnancy tests administered through pregnancy kits will not give you an accurate result especially if used prior to the 6th day after ovulation. Note; however, that since our bodies function differently, this may not necessarily apply to all women. Some women may still get an accurate result despite taking the test within the first six days after ovulation. If you really want to get rid of false alarms, it is advised that you go to your doctor instead of administering a home pregnancy test by yourself. Once you start feeling some early signs of pregnancy, your doctor will conduct a pregnancy test using your blood as specimen. Blood pregnancy test is more accurate than a urine pregnancy test and can detect pregnancy as early as the second week of conception.

Nevertheless, if you still want to go on with your home pregnancy test, wait until your period is due. Most doctors and even pregnancy kit manufacturers recommend that women take their first pregnancy test by the time that their period is expected. Somehow, this can give you a more accurate result. If you’re not yet satisfied with the outcome of your pregnancy kits, you can see your doctor for the blood test as a second confirmation. The entire home pregnancy test process is very simple but be sure as well to read the instructions indicated in your kits. Pregnancy kits have different indicators of positive pregnancy. Some use lines. Others use a plus. Using your first urine early in the morning as specimen is also recommended. The first urine contains a large amount of hormones which can help detect pregnancy.

Whether or not you’ve been trying to have a baby, the “feeling” pregnant blues always bring in dilemma so get your confirmation by conducting your first pregnancy test.

Taking An Early Pregnancy Test: HPTs Or Blood Test? is a post from: Healthy Life

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Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil, 3.4 fl oz, prevent stretch marks, safe for pregnancy is a post from: Healthy Life

Are Pregnancy Exercises Different?

So, what types of exercise can you do to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and feel your best? There really aren’t specific exercises that only pregnant women can do, but there are many variations on standard exercises which are recommended to various stages of pregnancy. You will find these exercise variations on many of the available pregnancy workout videos and DVDs.

“Now I’m Pregnant Can I Continue My Normal Exercises?”

In the beginning, you can probably do most forms of exercise that your body is already adjusted to doing but before you do you must get professional advice from your doctor or your family’s health care provider. You want to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy, don’t you?

“Normally I Don’t Exercise, What Exercise Should I Do Now I’m Pregnant?”

If you are not used to exercising on a consistent basis, talk to your doctor about what exercise you should do so you can have a healthy pregnancy. You can learn you proper form and the safest variations of movements for pregnancy from aids available such as pregnancy workout videos and DVDs.

Benefits of Exercise during Pregnancy

When you exercise throughout your pregnancy you will ensure you have a healthy pregnancy since your muscles will stay toned and conditioned and you will have a much easier time controlling weight gain. In preparation for when the big day (or night) comes along, keeping your muscles toned will keep your metabolism higher and can help you have a more comfortable delivery.

There are many health benefits to safe exercise during pregnancy, such as controlling blood pressure and sugar levels, especially important during pregnancy. A healthy diet combined with exercise will reduce the risk of getting pregnancy induced diabetes and hypertension (more commonly known as high blood pressure).

Getting Your Figure Back After the Big Day

Even if you haven’t been able to exercise during pregnancy using a pregnancy workout video or DVD or a well-structured exercise program after delivery will help you get back into shape quickly, restoring your figure very close to what it was before having the baby…

Finding Suitable Pregnancy Exercises

Pregnancy workout videos, DVDs and structured exercise programs will show you exactly which movements can be used and those that might be most effective for you.

Exercise Is Only Part of Fitness

Not only do you need to do the right exercises to have a healthy pregnancy (with your doctor’s approval of course) but you also need to have a healthy diet. You need to understand which foods are good for you in pregnancy and which to avoid.

Have a healthy pregnancy, exercise safely, stay well, and a safe delivery for you both!

Pregnancy Workout Videos – Is Fitness Alone Enough To Have A Healthy Pregnancy? is a post from: Healthy Life

#1 – Ask Other Parents

My mantra is this; “You do not need to reinvent the wheel…” Before you became pregnant, other people had gone ahead and even delivered their own babies. Instead of trying so hard to decide what, who, where, why, and how, you really only need to ask these parents what books they found helpful the most during their own pregnancies. Alternatively, you could get the staff at your health care provider’s office to recommend a few books for you. Always remember that everyone has a preference; you will need to decide for yourself what works best for you.

#2 – Visit Your Local Library

You could also search their online catalog. The point here is to get a feel of what kinds of books exist on the topic and what sorts of books might be of interest to you. While a few of these might be worth purchasing, you might want to save some money by borrowing those ones that are worth reading only once from the library.

#3 – Used Bookstores

If you are looking to save some money, you could research used bookstores. You will often times discover quite a lot of books that are of good quality at great prices in these bookstores. This is due to the fact that many people usually keep books on pregnancy and babies for only a few years.

#4 – Review Books

If you need to cut through the whole chase, you could opt for books that are specifically written as a review resource for the whole pregnancy process. These books are in different formats ranging from those that deal with the changes in the body of the expectant mother, to those that deal with the developing baby, and then the books that deal with the whole enchilada from conception to birth is a week-to-week form.

#5 – Pictures

You may be excited by picture about the whole pregnancy process. There are books out there that contain these pictures and you could pick them. Some of these pregnancy books contain lots of color photographs, while others have illustrations and sketches. What type you eventually settle for will most likely be as a result of your budget.

#6 – Get A Pregnancy Journal

The advantage of getting a pregnancy journal is this; they usually contain relevant stories about each stage of pregnancy and contain great information also. They are also a place where you can record your own feelings, thoughts and experiences during pregnancy.

#7 – Specialized Books

You should get books that address specialized areas that interest you. These areas may include personal stories from other women, pregnancy exercises, pregnancy diet, pregnancy at a late age, or pregnancy as a single mom.

#8 – Get One Book At The Least

Although there are a lot of books on the topic of pregnancy, this should not be a deterrent where getting a book is concerned. In the worst case scenario, you should at least get one book that covers the birth process once you enter into your third trimester. Natural childbirth, water birth and homebirth are all types of births which the book should cover.

#9 – Get A Book About Breastfeeding

If you plan to nurse your baby (and you should), then you need to buy a book about breastfeeding. During pregnancy, your body begins to prepare for this process. Because of this, it is advisable that you prepare your mind as well as the rest of you also.

Note that pregnancy books that are in print are usually not up to date. You will need to support most of these with books from the internet which are more likely to be up-to-date.

Pregnancy Books ? 9 Fantastic Techniques To Choosing The Books About Pregnancy That Suit You! is a post from: Healthy Life

One of the best options during this time is of keeping a pregnancy journal. Through this, you can track the developments of pregnancy weekly. After this, you will definitely admire to read about how exactly you managed with various pregnancy stages. No doubt, keeping such records will be proved valuable. Ohh! Another great thing you could do is by keeping a picture aside each entry of the stage of pregnancy. Through this, you can also keep the track of your body along with what exactly you feel during the time, about your baby. You can go on referring the pregnancy calendar, which will help you to known the things in detail and to experience the precious life that is surviving inside you.

The weekly pregnancy calendar explains you everything about the development of your baby throughout the period. In general, it helps you to know the growth your baby is experiencing at every pregnancy week. When you become pregnant, the first pregnancy stage brings many changes inside you and your health. At the first trimester pregnancy symptoms, you will experience certain changes that include difference in the breasts, nausea, exhaustion, and you may even rush again and again to bathroom. The first trimester of pregnancy will also let you experience the heartbeat of your child inside you, with the movement of its limbs.

During the pregnancy 7 weeks that is at the second month, your baby will get a face and its vital organs will start developing. Just to ensure that everything is on track and is going well, you need to make sure that you are maintaining a healthy pregnancy diet as well as exercises. When the second trimester arrives, the baby inside starts growing further and until the end of pregnancy week 16, the child gets a strong heartbeat and grows fine body hair. The moment you enters the third trimester pregnancy stage, you will have to understand the lessons of childbirth as well as breastfeeding. Until pregnancy week 35, you and your baby will be completely ready for the pregnancy due date. For this, you need to be familiar as well as ready with the pregnancy calculator.

Following the pregnancy stages week by week is an exciting job. All you need is to manage everything properly and consciously. It is very important to keep yourself fit and healthy, as whatever you do and eat is directly linked to your baby at this stage. Pregnancy stages goes on developing the child inside you and at last giving you a complete set of gift that comes to your life with bulk of happiness and joy. So just chill out and enjoy the time!

Pregnancy Stages: The most exciting experiences for women is a post from: Healthy Life

Q: I consumed some alcohol before I knew I was pregnant. Should I take any special precautions or have any extra tests?

A: This is not an unusual situation. Because we know alcohol enters the unborn baby’s circulation, many pregnant women worry that they may have caused harm to the baby because they drank before realizing they were pregnant. Effects of alcohol are dose-related to some extent. If you drank very heavily and often before you discovered you were pregnant, the effects on the baby are potentially greater than if you drank too much on one occasion or drank lightly on several occasions.

There are no extra tests during pregnancy that can tell you if your baby is affected. The usual observations made by your doctor or midwife (such as height measurements, heart rate monitoring, and possibly ultrasound) can detect some problems, such as growth retardation, that are sometimes associated with alcohol use. Observations of the baby after birth will allow a clearer assessment of the baby’s condition.

The two best things for you to do during pregnancy are to stop drinking alcohol (because the baby receives alcohol in his or her bloodstream whenever you drink) and to try not to worry (which, I realize, is easier said than done). Babies are resilient and not all babies whose mothers drank have apparent alcohol-related problems. Discuss your concerns with your doctor, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Q: Is it true that I should not clean my cat’s litter box while I am pregnant? Why?

A: Kitty litter carries the potential for spreading toxoplasmosis, a mild infection that may cause coldlike symptoms under normal circumstances. If you are pregnant, however, toxoplasmosis can cause serious malformations or even death of the unborn baby.

Cats, especially outdoor cats that eat rats or mice, often carry the organism that causes toxoplasmosis. You can get toxoplasmosis by petting a “carrier cat,” changing its litter box, or gardening in soil where cats have passed feces. You can also get toxoplasmosis from eating raw or undercooked meat and eating unwashed vegetables that have grown underground, such as potatoes or carrots.

It is quite likely that if you have had an outdoor cat in the past, you have had toxoplasmosis. Once you have had the disease, you are immune to it in the future. The problem is that most people do not know whether they have had it or not. If you have a cat and are concerned, you can be tested for antibodies to toxoplasmosis (which indicate that you have had the disease and are now immune to it). An absence of antibodies indicates that you are at risk. To prevent catching toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, take the following precautions:

* Cook your meat thoroughly.

* Wash your vegetables thoroughly.

* Wash your hands after you pet or handle a cat.

* Have someone else clean the litter box.

* Avoid soil and sandboxes where cats pass feces.

Q: What are the benefits of folic acid for pregnant women?

A: Folic acid supplements should be taken a month or more before conception and continued through early pregnancy. Most prenatal vitamin supplements contain the recommended daily amount of folic acid (400 micrograms).

The main benefits of folic acid are the prevention of particular birth defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and neural tube defects (abnormalities in the development of the brain and spinal cord, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, the absence of a large portion of the brain). These defects occur in about 1 in 1,000 newborns but are dramatically reduced when women take folic acid before and during early pregnancy.

Folic acid is present in foods such as liver, leafy green vegetables, and yeast. It is difficult for many women to get enough folic acid through their diets. For this reason folic acid is added to prenatal vitamin preparations.

Because women with unplanned pregnancies might not get enough folic acid before pregnancy, nutritionists and maternity caregivers recommend that all fertile women take a folic acid supplement every day, whether planning pregnancy or not.

Q: Is it safe for me to get a massage during pregnancy?

A: Yes, it is safe and very helpful as well. You should, however, see a licensed massage therapist (LMT) who has had additional training in pregnancy massage. She or he will know how to safely modify massage techniques to accommodate for bodily changes that occur during pregnancy (for example, avoiding having you lie on your back or your abdomen after about four to five months of pregnancy and checking for varicose veins, excessive swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions).

Many massage therapists have specially designed massage tables that allow you to lie on your abdomen without putting undue pressure on your abdomen or breasts. Ask your doctor, midwife, childbirth educator, or doula for referrals.

Q: Do midwives assist only with home births?

A: No, most midwives practice in hospitals or out-of-hospital birth centers because those are the locations where most women give birth. It is true, however, that almost all home births are attended by midwives, who are experts in normal birth.

In all countries outside North and South America, midwives provide most of the maternity care, but in the United States less than 10 percent of all births are attended by midwives. The percentage is growing rapidly, however, because midwifery care is highly satisfying to women and has an excellent track record in terms of safety and cost.

Q: I was wondering when a woman can get pregnant. What are the days in the menstrual cycle that you are most likely to get pregnant? How do you determine when you are fertile in your own menstrual cycle?

A: There are only a few days before and after you ovulate when you are able to become pregnant. These days come roughly in midcycle, but timing of ovulation varies from woman to woman. There are several ways that you can determine when you ovulate, including observing changes in the mucus in your vagina (cervical mucus) and recording your temperature before rising each morning.

An excellent book on the subject is Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler (HarperPerennial, 2001). It provides complete and very helpful information on this subject and many others.

Q: What effects does stress have on pregnancy and what are the symptoms?

A: Stress during pregnancy may be related to a woman’s relationship to family and friends. Major life-changes, such as a death in the family, change in marital status, serious illness, or moving also play a significant role in stress levels. Financial situation and job or career demands are other common sources of stress.

Whatever its cause, stress can manifest itself as anxiety, exhaustion, fear, sadness, anger, or grief. Such emotions can lead to physiological changes, such as increased release of stress hormones and increased blood pressure. These effects of stress may cause premature labor or hypertension (high blood pressure). Both conditions can present problems for the baby, such as causing the baby to be small in size or immature in development.

Pregnancy adds stress to the lives of women who are already stressed. The right caregiver (midwife, doctor, or clinic) may be able to refer such women to appropriate services that can ease some of their stress.

Stress management techniques are also helpful. Many women find that yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques help reduce stress. Self-help methods or counseling can help a woman learn how to avoid, eliminate, or better respond to stressful circumstances. The most important thing is practical and emotional support from loved ones and friends.

One important note: A pregnant woman in stressful circumstances must be careful not to blame her baby. Doing so may lead to inappropriate treatment of her innocent baby. Rather, she should address the real causes of her stress and reserve love and concern for her baby.

Q: Is it okay for me to eat sushi with raw fish while I am pregnant?

A: You should not eat sushi with raw fish because it sometimes contains parasites such as tapeworms. These parasites can make anyone sick, whether pregnant or not. The added risk during pregnancy is that your unborn baby could be deprived of necessary nutrients if your illness lasts for a long time.

When you are pregnant, cook fish well so as to kill any parasites, rather than follow the current trend of lightly searing the fish. Cook fish until it flakes when you insert a fork and twist it. Follow preparation directions in a good cookbook to determine cooking times for various kinds of shellfish. Freezing fresh seafood also kills parasites.

Today another concern regarding seafood is industrial pollution, which contaminates seafood in some geographical areas with chemicals or PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Cooking does not destroy these substances. You should check with your community health department for information on the safety of local seafood.

Q: What vitamin supplements should I take during pregnancy?

A: Your best source of vitamins is nutritious food from all the food groups: grains; vegetables; fruits; calcium foods such as dairy products; protein foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dried beans, and nuts; and fats, oils, and sweets. Most doctors and midwives recommend a good diet plus prenatal vitamins for extra insurance. Prenatal vitamins are preferable to ordinary multipurpose vitamins because they are designed to meet the added nutritional demands of pregnancy.

It is also important to have your diet evaluated by a nutritionist. If you lack certain nutrients due to food allergies, intolerance, or dislike, additional amounts of specific supplements (such as calcium, iron, and others) may be recommended. A nutritionist can help you plan a diet that is in line with your taste preferences and consistent with your ethnic or religious background.

As for the decision on the specific choice of the brand and formula for your prenatal vitamins, there are numerous ones available. You and your doctor or midwife should make the choice jointly.

It is not wise or safe to take large doses of any vitamins, or to design your own supplementation program, without professional guidance. Vitamins have potential side effects on your unborn baby. One example is vitamin C, which, if taken in large quantities over several weeks or months (in hopes of preventing colds), creates a higher than usual requirement in the unborn baby, which continues after birth, causing temporary symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamins should be considered a form of medicine and taken with caution and knowledge.

Q: About how much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

A: If you are of normal weight before pregnancy, you should probably gain between 20 and 35 pounds. This weight gain includes the growing baby, as well as many of the changes your body undergoes to support the baby. The breakdown typically looks something like this:

Baby 6 to 9 pounds

Placenta 1 to 2 pounds

Uterus 2 pounds

Amniotic fluid 2 to 3 pounds

Added breast weight 1 to 2 pounds

Added blood volume 2 to 3 pounds

Added tissue fluid 4 to 6 pounds

Fat 5 to 8 pounds

Total weight gain 23 to 35 pounds

If you were underweight or overweight before pregnancy, you may benefit from gaining more or less than the recommendations for women of normal weight. Ultimately, the quality of your diet is more important than the number of pounds you gain during pregnancy.

Q: What is a doula, and why do women use doulas for assistance during childbirth?

A: A doula is a woman (or occasionally a man) who is trained and experienced in helping with childbirth. She accompanies women and their partners through the entire birth process, providing emotional support, physical comfort, and nonclinical advice. She also helps them get the information they need to make good decisions.

Women and their partners choose doulas for a number of reasons:

* The doula puts the parents’ interests first.

* The doula is knowledgeable and caring.

* The doula can help parents have the kind of birth they want and make adjustments if problems arise and unexpected interventions are needed for safety.

* The doula does not leave for a break or shift change. (Doulas take breaks only when the woman is asleep or when labor is unusually long and a backup doula is present.)

* Women who are anxious or fearful about birth or hospitals appreciate the support and reassurance a doula gives.

* Partners often feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and want help and advice in carrying out their roles. They also appreciate being able to take a nap during a long labor without leaving the mother with no support.

* Expectant parents are impressed by research findings from numerous studies that prove that a doula’s support often results in shorter labors, fewer requests for epidural blocks, fewer cesarean births, fewer deliveries by forceps and vacuum extractor, and less postpartum depression.

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Questions and Answers About Pregnancy is a post from: Healthy Life

But pregnancy can be a confusing time. There is an absolute minefield of pregnancy health and fitness information out there and unfortunately a lot of it is conflicting, inaccurate, misleading and sometimes even potentially harmful to your pregnancy health and the development of your baby. So it’s no wonder that the forums are full of confused pregnant women with pregnancy information overload; looking for a straight and definitive answer to their truckload of pregnancy questions…

“Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?”

“My midwife said I should only do gentle cardio exercise, but X said it’s fine to do spin/body combat/pump class during pregnancy?”

“What do I do if I can’t eat because I’m so sick? I’m scared that the baby is starving? Someone suggested I use protein shakes…are they safe?”

So here are the Top 3 Rules to Safe and Effective Pregnancy Fitness:

1) Any exercise is not good exercise

Exercise during pregnancy needs to targeted, specific and relative to both your fitness level and the week of your pregnancy. What works for you in weeks 5-9 will not work for you in weeks 20-24 or 36-40.

Your pregnancy fitness program should be based on results, not doing exercise for the sake of doing exercise, (otherwise what’s the point, right?).

A good pregnancy fitness plan will focus on short pregnancy workouts which target the pregnancy and labour muscles and expose your baby to controlled amounts of physical stress to increase her tolerance to labour.

It will also focus on metabolism boosting pregnancy exercises that will keep you burning calories for at least 24 hours after your pregnancy workout and keep excess fat OFF of your body.

2) Sleep is highly underrated

Too many women these days squash pregnancy into their already hectic lives; ask any pregnant woman if she naps daily in the day and the answer is more than likely, “no” or “sometimes”.

Sleep is the only way our bodies can recover, regenerate and repair from physical and mental stress and daily wear and tear and a daily deficit in sleep adds up and eventually wears down the critical processes you need to maintain your pregnancy health.

Sleep is also the only time that we get to balance hormones. Now hormones are not talked about enough when it comes to pregnancy health as they are VITAL to the physical, mental and psychosocial development of your baby. They are also a major factor in controlling pregnancy symptoms, food cravings and pregnancy weight gain.

Aim for 8 hours every night and a daily nap of 30 minutes to keep you alert, energised and in balanced pregnancy health

3) Your BABY is what you EAT!

You may think that pregnancy is a time when you should be able to relax and enjoy the sweeter things in life, but think about this. Every mouthful of food that passes your lips determines the development and future health of your baby.

That may seem extreme but it is absolutely true. Put junk in, guess what you get out?

A pregnancy diet which includes a lot of sugar, refined carbohydrate and processed food is deficient in nutrients, which means that your baby does not have the tools she needs to grow strong healthy cells.

Base your diet on clean, nutrient dense fresh and organic foods with allowances for the odd treat and both you and your baby will thrive.

Pregnancy Fitness: Top 3 Rules To Safe and Effective Pregnancy Fitness is a post from: Healthy Life