Which Food Is Good During Pregnancy
The foods below are high in nutrients you need during pregnancy and contribute to the normal and healthy development of the child. You can have them as snacks as well as for meals.
- Salmon is rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids and a natural source of vitamin D.
- Sweet potatoes are delicious and high in beta carotene and fiber.
- Eggs contain a little bit of almost every nutrient you need: vitamins, minerals, fat, and high-quality protein.
- Broccoli and dark, leafy green are packed in many nutrients such as Vitamin C, K, and A, calcium, iron, folate, and potassium.
- Whole grains like oats, quinoa, brown rice, wheat berries contain fiber, B vitamins, and magnesium.
Do Be Aware Of These Symptoms
There are some symptoms that should always be checked with a midwife or doctor as they could be a sign that the baby is unwell.
You should also contact your midwife if you feel that something is wrong with you or the baby, even if you don’t know exactly what it is. It’s important to trust your instincts in pregnancy.
Diet And Exercise During Pregnancy
A balanced, nutritious diet becomes more important during pregnancy. And a program of physical activity is helpful as well. Your healthcare team can provide you with the best personalized advice. But there are also some general diet and exercise tips you can use to start a conversation with your doctor.
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Tips How To Become Pregnant Naturally And Quickly In A Month
For some couples, conceiving a child can be frustrating. Currently, there are so many fertility products on the market that promise to bring you fantastic results, so you can find difficult to find out which is suitable for you. Fortunately, there are some natural steps you can take to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
- How To Prevent Miscarriage Naturally In Early Pregnancy 41 Tips/ List Of 25 Best Healthy Pregnant Recipes For Women To Go!
Maybe you are trying to get pregnant or you are suffering from fertility problems and want to increase your chances of getting pregnant. In this article, Healthy Guide will show you some of the best ways on how to become pregnant quickly that you should consider applying for good.
Reach And Maintain A Healthy Weight
People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk for many serious conditions, including complications during pregnancy, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers .1 People who are underweight are also at risk for serious health problems.2
The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isnt about short-term dietary changes. Its about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.
If you are underweight, overweight, or obese, talk with your doctor about ways to reach and maintain a healthy weight before you get pregnant.
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Take Vitamins And Folic Acid
Take a vitamin and mineral supplement that includes at least 0.4 milligrams of folic acid.
- Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects, especially problems with the baby’s spine.
- Start taking a vitamin with folic acid before you want to get pregnant.
- Avoid high doses of any vitamin, especially vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins can cause birth defects if you take more than the normal recommended daily amounts. Regular pregnancy prenatal vitamins do not have excessively high doses of any vitamin.
Get The Right Kind Of Exercise
Discuss with your doctor the right kind of exercise you can do during pregnancy. For most healthy pregnancies, a low-intensity version of your current workout is fine. Yoga, walking, and swimming are also common exercises for pregnant women.
Just as exercise is important for everyone, so too does it help your pregnancy. You reduce discomfort and strengthen your body to better adjust to the strains of pregnancy. Exercise improves circulation and helps you feel better through those nine months.
Again, consult with your doctor about your limits and circumstances. While my first pregnancy was a breeze thanks to consistent workouts, my twin pregnancy meant I could hardly exercise at all.
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Get The Right Amount Of Calories For You
Being pregnant doesn’t mean you need to eat twice as much food.
- First trimester Most women dont need any extra calories.
- Second trimester Most women need about 340 extra calories a day.
- Last trimester Most women need about 450 extra calories a day.
Ask your doctor or midwife how many calories you need during pregnancy.
Examples of healthy snacks include:
- Low-fat or fat-free yogurt with fruit
- Whole-grain crackers with fat-free or low-fat cheese
- Carrots with hummus
When Can I Resume Losing Weight
You should talk to a healthcare provider about when exactly it will become safe for you to lose weight after you give birth. Generally speaking, it is safe to begin losing weight within a few weeks of giving birth.
You will naturally begin to lose weight in the days and weeks following birth, though much of that will be fluid loss, says Shapiro. After that, your weight will naturally shift to fat loss. Postpartum weight loss should happen gradually and the focus should be on nourishing foods, says Phelps. Dont forget that you are recovering from pregnancy and labor, and postpartum is a time to recover.
If you are breastfeeding, you should keep in mind that breastfeeding requires extra calories and that if you lose weight too quickly, you will likely begin to feel depleted. According to the CDC, breastfeeding requires an additional 450-500 calories, so you should factor that in as you consider losing weight while breastfeeding. Again, rather than restricting calories, focusing on eating whole foods and finding ways to incorporate healthy movement into your day should be the focus.
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Ideal Foods To Eat During Pregnancy
The following foods are beneficial to your health and fetal development during pregnancy:
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Vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, cooked greens, tomatoes and red sweet peppers
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Fruits: cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, prunes, bananas, apricots, oranges, and red or pink grapefruit
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Dairy: fat-free or low-fat yogurt, skim or 1% milk, soymilk
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Grains: ready-to-eat cereals/cooked cereals
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Proteins: beans and peas nuts and seeds lean beef, lamb and pork salmon, trout, herring, sardines and pollock
Having A Healthy Pregnancy In Your 40s
Brian Levine, MD, MS, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
There is no one perfect time to get pregnant. Many people, though, have often been told that having a baby after you are 35 increases many risks. This might have led you to believe that there are not many mothers who have babies after this point. The truth of the matter is that many women are having babies in their 40s.
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Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillow With Jersey Cover
A therapeutic total body pregnancy pillow for maternity and postpartum pains. An interior cushion helps to keep this pillow firm yet cushy enough for reliable joint support and alignment. If you are suffering from shoulder, neck and lower back pains this is the pillow to try! It comes with a 100% cotton cover while most other pregnancy pillows require you to buy them separately. If you are looking for something soft but not too soft and firm enough to take the strain off your neck and back this is a great contender.
Food Smarts & Other Precautions
Although you need to eat plenty of healthy foods during pregnancy, you also need to avoid food-borne illnesses, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, which can be life-threatening to an unborn baby and may cause birth defects or miscarriage.
Foods you’ll want to steer clear of include:
- soft, unpasteurized cheeses such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese
- unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider
- raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse, tiramisu, raw cookie dough, homemade ice cream, and Caesar dressing
- raw or undercooked meats, fish , or shellfish
- processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats
Also, although fish and shellfish can be an extremely healthy part of your pregnancy diet , you should avoid eating:
- shark
- tuna steak
- orange roughy
These types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, which can cause damage to the developing brain of a fetus. When you choose seafood, limit the total amount to about 12 ounces per week that’s about two meals. Also, if you like canned tuna, pay attention to the type in the can. Canned light tuna generally contains smaller fish and can be eaten twice a week. But albacore/white tuna contains larger fish and should only be eaten once per week. Check any local advisories before eating recreationally caught fish.
Changing the Litter Box
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medicines
To make sure you don’t take anything that could be harmful to your baby:
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How To Safely Lose Weight During Pregnancy
There are health and medical reasons to lose weight during pregnancy. One is if you were already overweight or obese before pregnancy and another is if you gained too much weight during pregnancy.
Some weight gain during pregnancy or your own extra weight aside from the babys weight is normal and actually necessary. But too much excess pounds can lead to serious pregnancy complications and put your health and your babys health at risk.
Summary Of Tips For Pregnancy
- Talk to your health care professional about how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy, and regularly track your progress.
- Consume foods and beverages rich in folate, iron, calcium, and protein. Talk with your health care professional about prenatal supplements .
- Eat breakfast every day.
- Eat foods high in fiber, and drink fluids to avoid constipation.
- Avoid alcohol, raw or undercooked fish, fish high in mercury, undercooked meat and poultry, and soft cheeses.
- Do moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week during your pregnancy. If you have health issues, talk to your health care professional before you begin.
- After pregnancy, slowly get back to your routine of regular, moderate-intensity physical activity.
- Gradually return to a healthy weight.
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Other Causes Of Weight Loss
If morning sickness is not to blame, unintentional weight loss during pregnancy, especially sudden weight loss, is a concern and should be evaluated by a medical doctor as soon as possible. Likewise, weight loss due to changes in diet, eating disorders, food insecurity, and intentional dieting are not safe and should be discussed with your care provider. Some other potential causes of weight loss during pregnancy include:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Undiagnosed diabetes
- Other chronic diseases
The most important intervention for a woman who is losing weight in pregnancy is to identify and treat the underlying reason for the inadequate weight gain, says Dr. Han.
When To Call The Doctor
When you are pregnant, do not hesitate to call your doctor or midwife if something is bothering or worrying you. Sometimes physical changes can be signs of a problem.
- Are bleeding or leaking fluid from the vagina
- Have sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands, or fingers
- Get severe or long-lasting headaches
- Have discomfort, pain, or cramping in the lower abdomen
- Have a fever or chills
- Are vomiting or have persistent nausea
- Feel discomfort, pain, or burning with urination
- Have problems seeing or blurred vision
- Feel dizzy
- Suspect your baby is moving less than normal after 28 weeks of pregnancy
- Have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
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Pregnancy Risks After 40
Pregnancy in your 40s is potentially more complicated. The healthier you are at the beginning, the less likely you are to experience complications. But even healthy women can have complications in pregnancy.
Women pregnant over 40 are more likely to experience:
Women in their 40s also have a higher chance of having multiples, such as twins or triplets. While it may be easy to chalk this up to fertility treatments, there is also a natural increase in the rates of multiple pregnancies, even without using fertility medications or treatments. This is something to keep in mind as you plan for pregnancy.
Talking to your doctor about your medical history and staying on top of your prenatal checkups can minimize some of these risks by allowing them to spot or manage potential complications before they become serious.
Can I Maintain My Vegetarian Diet When Pregnant
Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you have to diverge from your vegetarian diet. Your baby can receive all the nutrition they need to grow and develop while you follow a vegetarian diet, if you make sure you eat a wide variety of healthy foods that provide enough protein and calories for you and your baby.
Depending on the type of vegetarian meal plan you follow, you may need to adjust your eating habits to ensure that you and your baby are receiving adequate nutrition. Discuss your diet with your doctor.
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Screening For Down Syndrome
Genetic tests are recommended for pregnant women of all ages. However, in your 40s, genetic screening becomes even more prominent. This is because maternal age is one of the key risk factors for Down syndrome.
A 25-year-old woman has a 1 in 1,2000 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome by age 40, the risk has increased to 1 in 100, according to the National Down Syndrome Society. That number jumps to 1 in 10 by age 49.
Genetic screenings will be offered during your prenatal care appointments. The test results are given in a way that would tell you about the likelihood of your baby being born with a genetic problem in comparison to your age.
For example, your screening results might say that your risk of having a child with Down syndrome is 1 in 200. This would be considered a “negative” result because your actual risk was better than your statistical risk .
If your test said you had a 1 in 80 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, this is considered a “positive” result. This means that your risk of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome is higher than your statistical risk.
Genetic screening does not say with certainty that your baby has a genetic problem, it merely calculates the risks compared to your age group.
Genetic screening is great because it does not pose any risk to the mother or the baby. It can also help you decide if genetic testing is more appropriate for your family.
Will My Baby Be Affected If I Lose Weight During Pregnancy
Fortunately, no. In the first trimester, your baby is too tiny to draw out a large amount of nutrients. Your fat reserves are enough for her/him to grow. The bodys first priority is to nourish the baby and thus it uses maternal reserves, adds Dr Mukherjee. However, if you are unable to keep any food down due to severe nausea and morning sickness, consult a doctor.
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What If Im A Vegetarian
A vegetarian eating plan during pregnancy can be healthy. Consider the quality of your eating plan and talk to your health care professional to make sure youre getting enough calcium, iron, protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and other needed nutrients. Your health care professional may also tell you to take vitamins and minerals that will help you meet your needs.
Visitors After Your Baby Is Born
After your baby is born, friends and family may want to visit and meet your baby. Visitors should be limited to reduce the risk of possible exposure to COVID-19. This can be very difficult, but it’s important to keep your family safe.
Consider celebrating the birth of your baby by having virtual visits and using online tools.
If you do plan to have in-person visits, continue to follow:
- the advice of your local public health authority on gathering size limits
- other recommended public health measures, including personal preventive practices
Ensure in-person visits occur in lower-risk settings, such as outdoors or in a well-ventilated indoor space. Ask visitors to:
- stay home if they’re sick
- wear a mask
- maintain as great a distance as possible from you and your baby
- wash their hands when visiting
Layering personal preventive practices is the best way right now to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, regardless of everyones vaccinations status.
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How Much And What Type Of Physical Activity Do I Need
According to current guidelines, most women need the same amount of physical activity as they did before becoming pregnant. Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activitiesalso called endurance or cardio activitiesuse large muscle groups to increase your heart rate and breathing. Brisk walking is a form of aerobic activity.
How can you tell if youre doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity? Take the talk test to find out. If youre breathing hard but can still have a conversation easilybut you cant singthats moderate intensity.
If you can only say a few words before pausing for a breath, thats called vigorous-intensity activity. If you were in the habit of doing vigorous-intensity aerobic activity or were physically active before your pregnancy, then its likely okay for you to continue these activities during your pregnancy.
You can talk to your health care professional about whether to or how to adjust your physical activity while youre pregnant. If you have health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, or anemia , ask your health care professional about a level of activity thats safe for you and your unborn baby.
