Try To Eat Healthy And Avoid Junk Food
If youre craving a big cheesy pizza: eat it. There is nothing wrong with giving in to your pregnancy cravings and letting yourself enjoy food. If you manage to eat something in between bouts of morning sickness, trying to continue with your job, and managing the rest of your life then you are doing good.
You should try your best to eat as healthily as possible but dont go overboard. Clean eating and raw food diets are not for everyone and arent necessarily healthy. Restricting food groups for any reason other than the fact that you ethically oppose them or because they contain harmful ingredients. You do not need to restrict yourself to some absurd diet that is unsustainable and not enjoyable.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables but also remember that food should be enjoyable and you should eat as much as you want, whenever you feel hungry.
Your Feelings And Emotions During Pregnancy
During pregnancy you will probably feel many ups and downs. You may experience some or all of these emotions :
- surprise if your pregnancy is unexpected. You may then feel joy or fear or both
- happiness, particularly if you have been trying to have baby and you feel well
- anger, which can result from your bodys hormonal changes, from a sense of being vulnerable, or from pregnancy symptoms that are uncomfortable or painful
- fear for the babys health, if you have concerns about your baby having an illness or disability. If you are worried about a particular risk, talk to your midwife or doctor
- fear of birth, which is a recognised psychological disorder. Counselling and talking with your midwife or doctor can help you overcome this fear
- love for your baby, your partner and your family
- sadness or disappointment if you have illness or complications during your pregnancy, or you cant have the birth plan that you would prefer
- general sadness about the world, whereby you find it hard to watch the news or hear sad stories about children or families
- grief, if you suffer a miscarriage, a loss at a later stage of pregnancy, or a stillbirth
- prolonged sadness from perinatal depression. In this case, you will need the help of health specialists.
First Time Dads: Tips And Tricks
- Speak to friends whove had babies for support. Hearing their experiences can be really helpful.
- Help your partner with the practical stuff. Once you know shes pregnant, she should visit the GP or midwife wholl put her on the system for antenatal appointments and a midwife. Shell probably have around 10 appointments during the pregnancy. Oh, and you are legally entitled to take time off work to attend up to two antenatal appointments with your pregnant partner.
- Sign up to antenatal classes. You and your partner can then learn all the practical stuff about pregnancy, labour and birth before the baby arrives.
- Stay close to your partner not physically but emotionally. The closer you two are, the more the whole thing will feel like a lovely shared experience.
Also Check: No Discharge Early Pregnancy Symptom
How Much Weight Gain Is Normal
Most women are worried about weight gain during their pregnancy for the first time and are eager to lose it at the earliest post-pregnancy. Your weight gain depends on your BMI before pregnancy. If you are overweight when you conceive, then you are advised to put on fewer calories than someone who is of normal weight. The basic idea is that the fetus should get necessary nutrients to grow and have a healthy development. So eating the right meal and understanding the needs of the baby are a priority .
Things All Men Should Know About Pregnant Women
Father. Husband. Writer. PR Guy.
When it comes to dealing with pregnant women, I’m no expert. Hell, I still don’t even know how to figure out women in general. In fact, I’m the antithesis of an expert. Luckily for you, I’ve made just about every single stupid mistake and placed my foot so far in my mouth during my wife’s pregnancies that I’m overqualified to speak to you about things you need to know to avoid getting knocked out by the knocked up.
Here are the 13 most important things to remember.
1. Feed her constantly. Everyone knows food is important to pregnant women. But what the uninitiated might not realize is that time is of the essence. The bottom line is, when she says she’s hungry, she means it. Feed that woman immediately or she will eat your f*cking face. Know that “I’m hungry” doesn’t mean she’s looking forward to the dinner plans you have in an hour. It means give her a snack before you leave for the restaurant. And then again when you get in the car. Failure to promptly produce snacks will result in extreme b*tchiness at best, and bodily injury at worst. Just turn yourself into a walking, talking vending machine for nine months and you’ll be fine.
Also Check: Lice Shampoo And Pregnancy
Things That Come Out Of Your Body During Labor
So you’ve survived the mood swings and the hemorrhoids, and you think your surprises are over. But the day you give birth will probably hold the biggest surprises of all.
During pregnancy, fluid surrounds your baby in the amniotic sac. This sac breaks at the start of or during labor a moment usually referred to as your water breaking. For most women in labor, contractions start before their water breaks. Sometimes the doctor has to rupture the amniotic sac .
How much water can you expect? For a full-term baby, there are about 2 to 3 cups of amniotic fluid. Some women may feel an intense urge to pee that leads to a gush of fluid when their water breaks. Others may only feel a trickling down their leg because the baby’s head acts like a stopper to prevent most of the fluid from leaking out.
Amniotic fluid is generally sweet-smelling and pale or colorless. It’s replaced by your body every 3 hours, so don’t be surprised if you continue to leak fluid, about a cup an hour, until delivery.
Other, unexpected things may come out of your body during labor. Some women have nausea and vomiting. Others have diarrhea before or during labor, and passing gas is also common. During the pushing phase of labor, you may lose control of your bladder or bowels.
A birth plan can help communicate your wishes to your health care providers about how to handle these and other aspects of labor and delivery.
How To Care For Your Mental Health During Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy can have such a major physical impact that it can be easy to forget the mental toll it can take. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. Here are some of the best ways to keep yourself mentally healthy throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
You May Like: Can You Get Lasik When Pregnant
Get Help For Violence
Violence can lead to injury and death among women at any stage of life, including during pregnancy. The number of violent deaths experienced by women tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with lifelong physical and emotional scars.
If someone is violent toward you or you are violent toward your loved onesget help. Violence destroys relationships and families.
Socialize With Your Friends
Human beings are social creatures and need to be around each other. Even if you are introverted and tend to stay away from big groups, its still a good idea to spend time socializing with friends. Socializing can be a great distraction from any worries you have. Its an especially good idea to socialize with other parents or pregnant friends. You dont have to cut out anyone who isnt a parent as spending time with people without children, especially after childbirth, can help recenter you and remind you of who you are.
Its also important to have a support network. The phrase it takes a village is completely true and youre going to need all the help you can get. Ensuring that you have people around you, especially if youre concerned, then you need to have people around you to help out.
Read Also: Can I Use Vagisil Wash While Pregnant
Expect Mom To Be Forgetful
Pregnancy brain is something that may sound like a joke, but it is very real and these dads must expect their expecting partners to be more forgetful than usual. That is due to all of the changing hormones which have an impact on mom’s memory. According to the Huffington Post, the one thing that these future dads can do in order to make life easier for the forgetful mom-to-be is to take down notes for her when it comes to appointments and anything else important that has to be on the to-do list.
That is because pregnancy brain can even prevent mom from making notes about anything important that has to be done. Dad must be responsible for that.
Avoid Toxic Substances And Environmental Contaminants
Avoid harmful chemicals, environmental contaminants, and other toxic substances such as synthetic chemicals, metals, fertilizer, bug spray, and cat or rodent feces around the home and in the workplace. These substances can hurt the reproductive systems of men and women. They can make it more difficult to get pregnant. Exposure to even small amounts during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or puberty can lead to diseases. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from toxic substances at work and at home.
You May Like: Can You Take A Tums While Pregnant
When Do We Tell People About The Pregnancy
You might want to tell your family and friends immediately, or wait a while until you both know how you feel. Many people wait until they have had their first ultrasound scan, when they’re around 12 weeks pregnant, before they tell people .
This is because an estimated one in eight known pregnancies end in miscarriage. And about three in every four miscarriages happen during the first trimester . Youll also be offered antenatal screening tests to find out the chance of your baby having certain conditions, such as Downs, Edwards and Pataus syndromes. If your baby is at risk it might also be a good idea to wait until you know the results of these tests.
Keep talking to your partner and find the time that feels right for your both to share your news.
Early Signs Of Pregnancy
For women who have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.
If your period doesnt arrive as expected, you may be pregnant, but there can be other reasons for a missed period, such as illness, stress and strenuous activity.
Sometimes women who are pregnant have a very light period, losing only a little blood.
Some of the other early pregnancy signs and symptoms are listed below. Every woman is different and not all women will notice all these symptoms.
Don’t Miss: Safe To Take Tums While Pregnant
The First Trimester: Fetal Development
The most dramatic changes and development happen during the first trimester. During the first eight weeks, a fetus is called an embryo. The embryo develops rapidly and by the end of the first trimester, it becomes a fetus that is fully formed, weighing approximately 0.5 to 1 ounce and measuring, on average, 3 to 4 inches in length.
Things Every Guy Should Know About Pregnancy And Parenthood
Two dads share the nitty-gritty details that every father-to-be needs to know.
1. From the very moment she announces her pregnancy, she’ll be the center of attention not you. Get used to it.
2. When the baby comes, they’ll both be the center of attention not you. Aren’t you glad you had nine months to practice going unnoticed?
3. Your house is too small, it was always too small, and to suggest otherwise simply proves that your brain is too small.
4. Are you about to make your mom and dad grandparents for the first time? Get ready for some ambivalence. There’s no such thing as a young grandparent give them some time to deal with the shock.
5. She will want to use a birthing center. She will want a midwife. She will want a doctor. She will not want an epidural. She will scream for an epidural. Cesareans will sound great they will sound awful. Agree with her always.
- RELATED: The New Rules of Giving Birth
6. Lamaze is to childbirth what yoga is to football. Sort of. Just do it.
7. Her sense of smell will be so acute, you’ll be tempted to airlift her to join a search-and-rescue team.
8. You’re not really the coach. They’ll tell you that you are, but there will come a time when it’s time to shut your mouth and let her finish out the last two minutes of the game. Then you’ll step in and cut the net.
10. Buy new tires now.
11. During the first week home from the hospital, you will learn to love lasagna.
12. Yes, you’re holding the baby wrong. Do it her way.
Read Also: Pregnancy Side Effects Week By Week
Varicose Veins Hemorrhoids And Constipation
Varicose veins, usually found in the legs and genital area, happen when blood pools in veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. Varicose veins often go away after pregnancy. To help prevent them:
- avoid standing or sitting for long periods
- wear loose-fitting clothing
- wear support hose
- raise your feet when you sit
Hemorrhoids varicose veins in the rectum are common during pregnancy as well. Your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis. So the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be very painful, and can bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement .
Constipation is another common pregnancy woe. It happens because pregnancy hormones slow the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it hard for you to have a BM. And constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining to go may enlarge the veins of the rectum.
The best way to deal with constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of liquids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep BMs regular. Stool softeners may also help. If you do have hemorrhoids, talk to your health care provider about a cream or ointment that can shrink them.
Light Spotting And Cramping
Light spotting, also known as implantation bleeding, can occur when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This can happen about 10 to 14 days after conception, around the same time that you are supposed to have your period. Light spotting may also be accompanied by cramping, which can feel similar to menstrual cramps.
Don’t Miss: Giving Plasma While Pregnant
The First Trimester: Changes To Your Body
During pregnancy, many changes will happen to your body to help nourish and protect your baby. Women experience these changes differently. Some symptoms of pregnancy continue for several weeks or months. Others are only experienced for a short time. Some women experience many symptoms, and other women experience only a few or none at all. The following is a list of changes and symptoms that may happen during the first trimester:
Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Drinking lots of fluids when youre trying not to pee every five minutes can seem difficult and excessive, but you really need to drink fluids regularly. Try adding notifications on your phone to remind you to drink water throughout the day. Very few of us remember to drink enough water most of the time, let alone while youre trying to carry on with your life and grow a person. Its also a good idea to carry a reusable water bottle around with you. It will make remembering to drink water and staying hydrated much easier.
You dont have to stick exclusively to water but it should be your main source of fluid. Herbal teas are also great, especially for reducing nausea. They are also excellent alternatives for caffeinated beverages. Fruit juices are also healthy beverages but should be drunk in moderation. Try to drink fruit that is as fresh as possible and isnt from concentrate or flavored or colored with artificial additives. Its also best to avoid fruit juices with added sugars or sweeteners. They wont have a negative impact on your pregnancy but there are healthier alternatives available.
Also Check: Can I Use Vagisil Wash While Pregnant
The First Trimester: What To Expect
A healthy first trimester is crucial to the normal development of the fetus. You may not be showing much on the outside yet, but on the inside, all of the major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming.
As the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, several developments take place, including the formation of the:
-
Amniotic sac. A sac filled with amniotic fluid, called the amniotic sac, surrounds the fetus throughout the pregnancy. The amniotic fluid is liquid made by the fetus and the amnion that protects the fetus from injury. It also helps to regulate the temperature of the fetus.
-
Placenta. The placenta is an organ shaped like a flat cake that only grows during pregnancy. It attaches to the uterine wall with tiny projections called villi. Fetal blood vessels grow from the umbilical cord into these villi, exchanging nourishment and waste products with your blood. The fetal blood vessels are separated from your blood supply by a thin membrane.
-
Umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is a ropelike cord connecting the fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and a vein, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and waste products away from the fetus.
It is during this first trimester that the fetus is most susceptible to damage from substances, like alcohol, drugs and certain medicines, and illnesses, like rubella .
During the first trimester, your body and your babyâs body are changing rapidly.
