Pregnancy

Pregnancy Exercises-The Benefits Explained

2008-01-30T02:58:00.000-08:00

What the Doctor May Prescribe

Some light form of pregnancy exercises will not only help you, but also the baby growing in your womb. If you were a fitness freak before you became pregnant, you may have to tone down your exercise regimen and exercise moderately. Overall, it is best to consult a doctor, so he can devise a good exercise regimen for you. The doctor will ask you to do some form of light exercises, which may include swimming, walking, and yoga, three to four times a week. However, any form of strenuous exercise must be avoided. You should stay away form horse riding, scuba diving, or skiing.

When Not To Exercise

There may be certain situations, when the medical condition of the pregnant mother is such that the doctors will advise you not to exercise at all. It is best to follow doctor’s orders in these cases.

Here Are Some Benefits of Exercise during Pregnancy

The mother’s mental health improves. There are lesser chances of her getting depressed

Chances of premature birth are decreased by almost 50%

Exercise during pregnancy helps increase stamina. It also helps in easier labor and faster recovery.

The symptoms of pregnancy, such as fatigue, morning sickness, and constipation can be brought down to quite an extent, by exercising regularly.

A healthy body means a healthy baby.

You will be able to loose weight faster after pregnancy.

Pay Attention to Your Body

Have a well balanced diet and drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. Drink water before and after exercise. Avoid colas and caffeinated drinks. Do not over exert yourself. Stop exercising if your body begins to pain. It’s your body’s way of saying it has had enough. Pay attention to it.

Therefore, it is important that you do some mild pregnancy exercises to stay healthy during pregnancy. You will feel emotionally healthier, if you exercise during pregnancy. Why don’t you read good books and magazines on the subject to educate yourself further?

Planning A Healthy Diabetic Diet During Pregnancy

2008-01-30T02:54:00.000-08:00

Whatever sort of diabetes you have, whether you have been diabetic before pregnancy or you suffer gestational diabetes, it is important to have a proper diabetic diet plan in place. This diet plan is different from other diet plans. A proper diet is necessary to avoid complications during pregnancy.

Control Your Sugar Intake

As part of the diabetic diet plan, you must take care about of your daily calorie intake and make a note of how much fats and sugars you are consuming.

Stay In Touch With a Dietician

It is important that you meet up with a diabetes dietician, who will prepare a diet plan specific to your needs. You have to be careful about what you eat, since increased intake of sugar can make your sugar level rise to unhealthy proportions. Stay in touch with your doctor constantly, so that if he thinks any changes are required in your diet plan, he can recommend them.

What You Should Eat As Part of a Diabetic Plan

You should eat 3 to 4 small meals a day

The meals should be well balanced; you should eat a variety of foods

You must eat foods rich in complex carbohydrates.

Ask your dietician, if you can add an artificial sweetener to your foods

Eat foods rich in fiber content

Eat a good breakfast

Start yourself on a low impact exercise regimen that will also help keep your sugar levels down

Avoid intake of foods containing simple sugars

You must be consistent about meal timings and the portions in every meal. This ensures that your blood sugar remains stable.

People with diabetes and having a pregnancy can find hope in a proper diabetic diet plan. This sort of plan ensures you have a healthy baby. Perhaps, you would like to read more about your condition in good books, magazines and also surf the net for further information. Awareness helps!

Exercising During The Second Trimester

2008-01-30T02:52:00.000-08:00

The second trimester brings challenges of its own. The baby in your stomach begins to grow quickly and changes in the baby occur every week. You become more vulnerable, because you are growing in size quite quickly now. Your activities become limited. If you are following a strenuous pregnancy exercise regimen, then it has to be brought down to a less strenuous routine as soon as possible. This means, you may need to recheck your exercise routine. Talk to your doctor and your fitness trainer to devise a proper exercise routine, especially for the second trimester.

Abdominal Exercises during the Second Trimester

While it was all right to swim during the first trimester, it may not be such a good idea now on. Abdominal exercises should be done standing. Exercising while laying on the back cause the uterus to put pressure on the vein in the lower back, which carries blood to your heart. If this happens, you may start to feel dizzy and faint.

Lifting Weights during the Second Trimester

Lifting weights during the second trimester of pregnancy is also a no. This is because; lifting weight causes an increase in blood volume, which in turn can cause blood pools in the body. This can be dangerous for mother and baby.

The Hormone Relaxin

During the second trimester, your body releases a hormone called relaxin. This hormone relaxes your body and prepares you for childbirth. When you exercise, your body parts become more vulnerable to injury, as due to the production of this hormone, your body will not alert you if you over do the exercise.

Avoid Strenuous Sports

It would be wise to stay away from all sports that could hurt your growing abdomen. The best exercise really is walking or doing some yoga, under the guidance of a yoga instructor who specializes in yoga during pregnancy.

When Exercise Can Be Dangerous

Finally, there are times when exercise can be dangerous. If you have asthma, pregnancy induced blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, or a history of late miscarriage, please refrain from exercising during this period.

We wish you a safe and happy second trimester.

Pregnancy Delivery- A Mother’s Journey Through Child Birth

2008-01-30T02:49:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy delivery or the stage when you are to deliver your baby is a beautiful stage. You are excited and anxious at the same time. You are all prepared to see your baby for the first time. It will be a special and magical moment when this happens.

The Awe Inspiring Experience of Pregnancy Delivery

Isn’t it a bit surprising that the feeling of awe remains, even though women have been having babies for centuries? It is because every pregnancy is unique in its own way. Medical intervention in pregnancy is fairly recent. Many years ago, women had their babies the natural way. The way you would probably deliver, if you were stranded alone in the wilderness, just your spouse and you.

The Important Decisions to Be Made While Having a Pregnancy

Today however, if you wish to have a healthy baby, many important decisions must be made. Engage a good doctor, whose advice you can take for all your pregnancy queries. Have family support and the support of friends to help you when its time for pregnancy delivery. You need to plan whether you want to have a natural birth, want pain medication during childbirth or not, or do you wish to have an epidural. Decide these matters with the help of your spouse and the doctor’s advice. You may also want to decide, whether you are going to have the delivery at home or in the hospital.

The Benefits of Advances in Medicine

Remember, the doctor is always there for support, if something untoward happens during pregnancy. In fact, with the amazing advances that medical science has made today, there are negligible cases of mortality during pregnancy for mother and child. Delivering a baby today is a normal phenomenon.

Why don’t you read more on pregnancy delivery on the net and in magazines and books? An aware mother is definitely better than an unaware one.

Pregnancy Birth - How Your Child Is Born

2008-01-30T02:38:00.000-08:00

Most often, a pregnancy birth occurs between the 37^th and 42^nd weeks of a pregnancy. It is dangerous if a premature baby is born because the fetus will not be properly developed. On the other hand, sometimes you may require induced labor to aid pregnancy birth because the delivery is delayed.

As the first stage of pregnancy nears, the contractions become more and more frequent. The neck of the uterus dilates from being closed to opening about 4in. During the first pregnancy, the first stage may be longer than during the future pregnancies. This stage may continue for 12 to 14 hours. Then as the cervix dilates fully, the second stage starts and the baby is born. Finally, the placenta is delivered in the third stage.

What are the different methods of pregnancy delivery and why must they be preformed?

Vaginal Delivery Or Natural Child birth

This is the natural way of pregnancy delivery. The vagina’s opening thins and stretches for the baby’s head to come through. However, sometimes the tissues of the vagina can get over stretched and may tear. If the doctor thinks this is going to happen, he will perform a small cut in the floor of the pelvis. This is called an episiotomy. Once the baby is born, the cut will be stitched up with absorbable stitches.

A Caesarian Birth

A caesarian birth is performed when the doctor feels that a natural birth is too risky. An operation is performed that takes about 45 minutes. Recovery time is anywhere between 4 to 20 days. A caesarian birth or c-section may be performed because the baby is late by 10 to 12 days; the baby is in the bottom down position in the pelvis (breech), the baby is too large for the pelvis, if the placenta blocks the neck of the uterus or if the mother is suffering from a venereal disease or herpes.

That was some information on pregnancy childbirth. Read more about pregnancy birth in health manuals, at your local library or in good books and magazines. We wish you a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy birth - How Your Child Is Born

2008-01-30T01:09:00.000-08:00

What are the different methods of pregnancy delivery and why must they be preformed?

Vaginal Delivery Or Natural Child birth

A Caesarian Birth

Twin Pregnancy- Two Bundles Of Joy

2008-01-30T01:04:00.000-08:00

Causes of Twin Pregnancy

Twin pregnancies are rare compared to regular single pregnancies. They usually occur in older women, women who are taking fertility treatment, women who are taking certain medications that can cause increase in egg production and in those women, who have a family history of twin pregnancies.

Types of Twins

There are two types of twins, identical twins and fraternal twins. Identical twins happen, when a single egg fertilized by a single sperm splits into two after conception. The Twins will resemble each other closely and will be the same sex. Fraternal twins take place, when two separate sperms fertilize two separate eggs. The twins will be non-identical and may not be of the same sex.

How Twins Are Diagnosed

A multiple pregnancy can be diagnosed by a routine ultrasound check up. Another indication that the woman may have twins is that, her abdomen may look larger than that in a single pregnancy.

Complications in a Twin Pregnancy

In a twin pregnancy, the abdomen is likely to stretch, causing the mother to have urinary problems, varicose veins, or piles. She is also more likely to have pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure. She will have swollen feet and larger amounts of protein in her urine. She will usually have premature babies, which will be smaller than a regular baby will.

Precautions to Be Taken In a Twin Pregnancy

Regular visits to the doctor are necessary to ensure good pre natal care.

The mother should be advised lots of rest.

Extra precaution has to be taken, because the likely hood of giving birth to a premature baby is higher in a twin pregnancy.

Proper tests should be done to ensure a healthy pregnancy

Diet plays an important role. She must eat a hearty meal to be able to fend for two babies in her tummy. She must have folic acid supplements, calcium, and other multivitamins. She should eat green leafy vegetables, legumes and fruits and citrus fruits.

Twin pregnancy is tough on the mother, but the fruits of labor will also give her twice the amount of joy and happiness.

Tubal Pregnancy- A Dangerous Pregnancy

2008-01-29T23:40:00.000-08:00

A tubal pregnancy is an unfortunate thing to happen to any woman. Pregnancy is a time of joy and happiness, but a tubal pregnancy can cause unhappiness in a pregnancy. There is hope however, and we will discuss this in a moment. First, what is a tubal pregnancy?

What is A Tubal Pregnancy?

When the fertilized egg begins to grow outside its proper place, which is in the uterus, and instead in one of the fallopian tubes, it is called a tubal or ectopic pregnancy. For a few days, the tube enlarges with the growing fetus, but then it splits and causes an ectopic rupture. This is a very risky situation for the pregnant woman, can cause hemorrhage or extensive bleeding, and needs urgent medical help.

What the Doctor Will Do

In the first few weeks of pregnancy, you may not be able to define clearly, if you are going to have an ectopic pregnancy. If you have unusual symptoms like dizziness, a blackout, or pain in the lower abdomen resembling acute appendicitis or in the back or chest, you must see a doctor immediately. Of course, regular check ups with the doctor are necessary any way to ensure a healthy pregnancy. The ultrasound may not be able to detect a tubal pregnancy in the early stages, so if the problems persist, the doctor will do a culdoncentesis test, where in a needle is inserted into the top of the vagina and behind the uterus. If there is an ectopic rupture and blood is found in the area, then a tubal pregnancy is confirmed. Then the pregnancy is terminated by medicine or if in later stages by a laparoscopy.

New To Cheer You

The good news is that, since only one fallopian tube is affected, it is still possible to conceive. This means that, a couple who has undergone a tubal pregnancy need not press the panic button. You can wait a few months for the body and the tissues to heal and then conceive again.

Second Pregnancy- Can I have A Second Baby?

2008-01-29T23:26:00.000-08:00

With a second pregnancy, there may be some new doubts and fears that you did not have with your first-born. Can you seriously have a second child? Will you love your second child as much as the first? Can you afford a second pregnancy? What is the right time to have a second baby? Moreover, will you be able to make it together the second time too?

The first pregnancy can be quite a beautiful experience, but it is also terrifying in some ways, you have brought a new life into this world. Now you want to bring another baby into the world!

While the first baby may have been conceived more from romance than anything else, the second will probably be conceived after practical consideration. Can you afford to have a baby, what is the best age gap to have between the two children; perhaps the first child needs a playmate.

Will you be Able to Afford the Second Baby?

Believe me, it is much easier the second time round, as you have all the first baby’s cradles, clothes and gadgets and you do not need to spend on them all over again.

Will You Love The Second Child As Much As The First?

Maybe you were trying for many years before your first child was born to you? So s/he’s absolutely adorable, can you love the second one equally? To say this is enough, you will find unending reservoirs of love and care for your second baby.

What is the Best Time to Have a Second Baby?

Finally, what is the best time or age gap to have your second pregnancy? This one differs from family to family. They say the right time is before sibling rivalry can set in, but sometimes the second baby just happens. You cannot help loving it as much as the first-born and the kids get along famously too.

Therefore, those were some questions answered for you on a second pregnancy. Do not forget to read some good books and magazines on pregnancy. You can also surf the net for useful information on pregnancy

Pregnancy Types - Get To Know About The Different Types Of Pregnancy

2008-01-29T23:23:00.000-08:00

Here are the types of pregnancies and some information on each one of them.

First time or new pregnancy,

Second or third pregnancy,

Lupus pregnancy,

Ectopic pregnancy

Multiple pregnancies

Teen pregnancy

First Time or New Pregnancy

In a New pregnancy, you become a mother for the first time in your life. It is an unusual but beautiful experience. It will be all the more beautiful, if you do a little bit of planning of your pregnancy. This way, you prepare yourself to have a healthy and safe pregnancy. You should eat a good diet, sleep well and take lots of rest, exercise regularly, do yoga and meditation and cut down on smoking, drinking, or any other bad habits.

Second or Third Pregnancy

In a second pregnancy, you know what you will probably go through, because it is the second time and this makes it even easier for you. However, every pregnancy is unique and you might feel with different intensity the symptoms of pregnancy in your second pregnancy, as compared to the ones in your first.

Lupus Pregnancy

Not all types of pregnancies may turn out safe. A lupus pregnancy may not be an easy pregnancy for the mother and child. It has to do with your immune system and can affect your vital organs. It results in blood clotting and risks of a premature delivery. You must be in constant touch with your doctors, if you suffer form lupus. Most women who suffer form lupus will see the pregnancy to its end, however, if you are on medication for lupus, avoid getting pregnant as it can cause damage to the fetus and cause stillbirth.

Ectopic Pregnancy

In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized ovum grows outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. This is a very dangerous pregnancy for a mother and a doctor should immediately be consulted, if a woman collapses in early pregnancy or suffers pain in her lower abdomen. The good news is that, since only one fallopian tube is ruptured in this pregnancy, it is possible conceive again.

Twin Pregnancy

Twin pregnancy is a pregnancy, where you have two fetuses developing in the mother’s womb. This type of pregnancy usually occurs in older women, but fertility treatment these days can also be a cause of multiple pregnancies. Well most often, the mother is overjoyed, because now though she has intensified symptoms she has twice the amount of happiness, loving and giving.

Teen Pregnancy

A teen pregnancy is a sad thing to happen, because while the girl’s body may have recently matured, she is usually not emotionally or financially mature. Teen pregnancy usually happens where there is poverty and lack of basic education. Sex education and education about the use of contraceptives may also be lacking.

Those were the different types of pregnancies. Before and during pregnancy, enrich your mind by reading good books and magazines about pregnancy. We wish you a safe, healthy, and happy pregnancy.