How to stay healthy during pregnancy ?

how to stay healthy during pregnancy

How to stay healthy during pregnancy - For most women, pregnancy is a time of great joy, excitement and anticipation. Pregnancy is a time of physical and emotional change when lots of changes occur naturally within your body. If you are a smoker, then use your pregnancy, or the time when you are planning pregnancy to quit smoking and stay quit after the baby is born. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of non-syndromic orofacial clefts in infants. Smoking during pregnancy is a very bad choice. Pregnancy is a time to "listen'' to your body - it is not a time to be dieting, and trying to lose weight.


How to have a Healthy Pregnancy ?

The key to a healthy pregnancy is planning it in the first place. Eating well can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy newborn - Healthy mum, healthy pregnancy. If you try to stay as healthy as you can during your pregnancy this will give you the best chance of delivering a healthy baby at full term.
As an expectant mother, your top priority should be healthy eating. Eating well should begin before you become pregnant so your body will be stocked up with the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy.

Shortly after finding out that you have conceived you should see a doctor, as your doctor can explain to you about healthy pregnancy weight gain. Staying healthy is doubly important when you're pregnant.
Exercise is also an important part of a healthy pregnancy, exercise can help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight faster and also have a faster, easier birth.

Adequate sleep is essential to promote a healthy pregnancy. Talking with a health care provider is one of the

how to have a healthy pregnancy

most important things women and families can do to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. Even before conception, it is absolutely essential to plan for a healthy pregnancy. A healthy lifestyle, even before you become pregnant is the best way to give your baby a healthy start. If you're planning to become pregnant, prepare for a healthy pregnancy by taking care of medical and dental concerns beforehand. Pregnancy is NOT the time to be on a weight loss program.

What Are The First or the earliest pregnancy Symptoms ?

In my experience, very earliest pregnancy symptoms  are not always text book. There are many different signs and symptoms of pregnancy, and although most women expect certain symptoms to come with pregnancy, these do vary according to individual women and to their individual pregnancies. The earliest symptoms of pregnancy are generally nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness, but not everybody experiences these. Nausea is actually a good sign as it tells the doctor that the pregnancy is likely to be going on well in terms of hormones.

Earliest Pregnancy Symptoms

The most commonly looked for early sign of pregnancy is missing a menstrual period. Although you may find you have a lot of the symptoms, the only way to truly tell if you are pregnant is to obtain a positive pregnancy test. Blood tests can confirm a pregnancy within days of conception if pregnancy is suspected and you really can't wait to find out. Women should always report worrying signs or symptoms to their doctor during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an amazing phenomenon of nature that is the core of our existence. One of the easiest and best ways to avoid problems and complications during pregnancy is to get regular medical exams from your doctor or midwife. Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman's life, and you should take care of yourself and your unborn baby. During pregnancy women are offered a range of tests which are designed to check whether the baby is developing normally and if the pregnancy is going well.

Pregnancy is a very exciting time in most women's lives, but for others an unexpected and unplanned pregnancy is not such welcome news. If the pregnancy is unexpected, you may be feeling scared or confused. This is a usual reaction to an unplanned pregnancy. There are many organizations that can and will assist, and it is always good to be able to talk to the father, friends and family to help get your feelings into perspective.

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What To Eat When Pregnant For Your First Trimester

What to eat when pregnant first trisemester

What To Eat When Pregnant For Your First Trimester - When you first learn you're having a baby, you probably immediately begin to question your diet and wonder what to eat when pregnant. Healthy nutrition is crucial during all stages of pregnancy, but the steps you take during your first trimester help to prepare yourself for the rest of your pregnancy. Also, over the first three months, you will likely cut back on bad habits, such as drinking caffeine. You may also experience morning sickness during this part of your pregnancy. In this article, we will discuss what foods to eat while pregnant, particularly during this first trimester.

Setting the Stage for Your Pregnancy

In a way, you are setting the stage for your pregnancy by the choices you make during these first three months. But this does not mean you should immediately and completely change your entire lifestyle. Doing so could cause intense stress to yourself and your baby, which is something you should avoid throughout pregnancy. Implement these changes slowly but surely for the best effect.

For example, you can begin buying only organic produce at the supermarket, and then move on to organic dairy products and eggs during the next month. As long as you are moving in the right direction-buying organic products-then you are taking the necessary steps to keep you and your baby healthy.

Going Off Caffeine

Coffee and Caffeine effect during Pregnancy

You may be tempted to go off caffeine cold-turkey when you find that you are pregnant, but this is a bad idea. Detoxing from caffeine, particularly if you enjoy several cups of coffee or tea per day, can make you quite sick. Instead, try stepping down your consumption over time. Most physicians agree you can enjoy 150mg of caffeine per day, which is the equivalent of one cup of coffee or two cups of black tea. Begin stepping down to meet this mark, and then, if you choose to, you can switch to green teas and perhaps white or herbal teas.

Handling Morning Sickness

If you are experiencing morning sickness, it's imperative to stay nourished and hydrated. Making a tea by boiling slices of ginger in water can help. You can also make a chicken soup out of chicken, Celtic sea salt, water, garlic, parsley, and black pepper. Add ginger slices and sip on this broth slowly throughout the day.
Though many women feel that crackers are the only foods that can abate nausea, you should try to ingest protein. That's why the chicken soup is so helpful. Alternatively, you can try a handful of raw nuts, such as almonds or cashews. If you must have crackers, try rice crackers, which are easier on your digestion than wheat crackers.

Drinking Enough Water During Pregnancy

drinking water during pregnancy

If you are suffering from morning sickness, drinking enough water is crucial to keeping you from dehydration. You should be drinking at least half your weight in water every day. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should be drinking 70 ounces of water. Symptoms of dehydration include: dark or scanty urine, dizziness, headache, weakness, dry skin, and chapped lips.

Dehydration during the first trimester is a particular concern because it can mean you don't have enough amniotic fluid to cushion the baby in your uterus. It can also cause health problems for you as well. If you are concerned that you are becoming dehydrated, call your OB/GYN or visit your local emergency room immediately.

These first three months, you have the opportunity to take care of your health and make your pregnancy easier on yourself and your baby by making the right choices. Simply by reading this article about What To Eat When Pregnant For Your First Trimester, you've taken an important step in the right direction. Begin implementing these changes step by step today.

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Get Pregnant While You Have a Yeast Infection, Is it Possible ?

Many women who suffer from frequent yeast infections wonder, can you get pregnant while you have a yeast infection? Yes, you can. Simply, sperm is not killed by the presence of Candida, though the process of getting pregnant might take a little longer; therefore, yeast infections do not interfere with fertility of the eggs or the sperm.

However, many doctors recommend that while a man or woman has an infection, that they do not have sexual intercourse until the yeast infection has been treated properly. This is because the infections spread very quickly.

What exactly is a yeast infection ?

They are very common in both men and women. They are caused by the common fungus known as Candida. Most times, the acidic balance within the vagina keeps fungus from overgrowing; however, sometimes the acidity of the vagina can change due to many things such as birth control pills, menstruation, and antibiotics.

When looking for information about whether or not you can you get pregnant while you have a yeast infection you should know that all of these can encourage the growth of yeast. Light colored clothing that is moist and somewhat form fitting is also grounds for the fungus to multiply. It is important if you have a yeast infection or think you do to visit the doctor.

Yeast Infection Causes

All of us have yeast inside of our bodies. When that yeast starts to grow more then it should, we can get yeast infections. Yeast infections can by caused by many things. They can also be oral, on the skin, vaginal, and many other places.

What are the symptoms of yeast infection ?

When looking for information about whether or not you can you get pregnant while you have an infection you should know that the biggest and most common symptoms of yeast infections are a white, thick discharge and itchiness. Other symptoms are irritation, burning, and a rash on the outer part of the vagina. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to get medicine to help treat the infection. Fortunately, they are very easy to treat. You don't even have to go to the doctor; however, it is best to go during the times you don't know if what you have is a yeast infection.

How to treat yeast infections ?

They can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications. Diflucan, which has to be prescribed by your doctor, is another type of medication that cures yeast infections. Many treatments, depending on the kind you use, work in 1-7 days. If your infection has not gotten better since you started taking your medication, visit your doctor.

While there is no danger in having sex while taking medication to treat your infection, intercourse sometimes irritates the infected area and slows down the healing process. If possible, wait to have sexual intercourse until you are completely done taking your medication.

Despite any rumors or urban myths that you might have heard about yeast infections and fertility, they are wrong. They do not affect your chances of getting pregnant. When looking for information about whether or not you can you get pregnant while you have a yeast infection you should know that in fact, yeast infections in most women usually occur when they are pregnant and go away with treatment! If you have any other questions, contact your local doctor.

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How to Treat Yeast Infection During Pregnancy Naturally

Yeast naturally exists in the vagina and our intestinal tract and occurs when you have an overgrowth and ultimately the yeast takes over causing an imbalance which then results in yeast infection. Pregnant women are even more prone to this because their bodies are producing extra estrogen and other hormonal changes are taking place. If you have diabetes or high blood sugar or if you have taken antibiotics, then that exasperates the situation even more.

Please do not take any oral anti fungal medications over the counter or prescribed. They are generally not safe for pregnant women. Consult your doctor on what is safe and use some tips below to help treat it naturally.

Ways you can treat yeast infections during pregnancy naturally :

1. Wear only cotton underwear, avoid taking baths, only use natural unscented personal care products, and avoid sugars and refined foods.

2. Eat foods rich in Lactobacillus acidophilus, a friendly bacteria that exists naturally in our body and helps fight excess yeast among other benefits. L. Acidophillus boosts the immune system, provides the correct balance in your gastrointestinal tract, helps with urinary tract infections, reduces chances of ulcers, and helps balance cholesterol. It is a great supplement to take even if you are not pregnant. 

Foods rich in this friendly bacteria are yogurt, fermented pickles like sauerkraut and kimchi, miso soup, tempeh, kefir, and fermented cheese. Kefir, traditionally popular in certain regions of Europe is quickly gaining popularity in the US. It is basically fermented milk and has stronger beneficial bacteria then yogurt. You can also make or buy kefir made from coconut water or juice.

3. In addition to eating foods rich in L. Acidophillus, taking a probiotic supplement is very beneficial especially if you have been on antibiotics. You can also use a liquid form of a probiotic and use it as a suppository to naturally help treat vaginal yeast. Saturate a light tampon with the liquid probiotic, insert and leave it in for 2-3 hours. This is completely safe for pregnant women as a means to treat vaginal yeast during pregnancy. I do not recommend douching with commercial products but you can do a douche with dissolving powder form of probiotic in water.

4. Using anti-fungal extracts and oils to use as natural suppositories can also be very helpful. Tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract are powerful and effective. Make sure you do dilute it in water. You can add about 10-20 drops of oil/extract to 2 cups of water.

5. One midwife has treated many of her pregnant patients with hydrogen peroxide. It safely kills the pathogenic organisms that exists in the vagina. You can buy 3% hydrogen peroxide at any drug store, it comes in a dark brown bottle. Place small quantity in a small cup and fill a syringe with it. You can dilute the hydrogen peroxide with 1 or 2 parts water if you are experiencing extreme irritation, otherwise no need to dilute. In a shower or over the toilet, take your time slowly and gently to insert the hydrogen peroxide into the vagina. You can do this safely once a day for a week.

If some of the natural therapies are not working for you (some women have deep rooted issues like diabetes and other health problems where recurrence continues despite many natural effective therapies), then i highly recommend working with a naturopathic doctor to come up with a natural solution.

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10 Easy tips how to get pregnant easily and naturally

There are actually a host of reasons why women do not get pregnant. With the complexities of both the male and the female reproductive system, reasons for not conceiving are innumerable. But there are still ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant.


Tip # 1. To get pregnant faster have sex three times a week.

Having regular sex is the best way to get pregnant. Couples often try to time everything perfectly for ovulation but do not have sex when they think they are not ovulating. It is true that sex that is not within the time of ovulation will not result in pregnancy. However, because women do not always ovulatewhen they think they will, having sex three times a week will help to a woman cover her bases, so to speak, and not miss an opportunity to get pregnant.

Tip # 2. To get pregnant faster use an ovulation prediction kit or fertility monitor.

Using an ovulation kit to predict when you are ovulating will improve your chances of getting pregnant. For many women charting or other methods of ovulationprediction are too confusing. Ovulation prediction kits work by reading LH surges prior to ovulation. They are relatively easy to use and are generally accurate for predicting ovulation.

Fertility monitors, such as the Clear Blue Easy monitor, are also a worthwhile investment if you would like to get pregnant faster. Fertility monitors are similar to ovulation prediction kits in that they read changes in LH but they also read changes in other hormones and don't require any guesswork for couples. They are easy to use and will tell you when the best time to get pregnant is.

Tip # 3. To get pregnant faster have sex before ovulation (not after).

Sometimes couples get confused about the best time to have sex in relationship to ovulation. You have a small window of time each month to get pregnant. After a woman ovulates the egg will survive approximately 24 hours. Sperm, on the other hand, will live for up to three to five days. This is why having sex two to three days before ovulation willincrease your chances of getting pregnant. Don't wait until the day you ovulate to have sex. Your partner's sperm will last longer than your egg and you don't want to miss anopportunity by waiting.

Tip # 4. Don't rely on the Calendar method for predicting ovulation.

A lot of couples have heard to have sex around day fourteen of your cycle. This is based on the calendar method and assumes that you have a regular 28-day cycle and ovulate mid-cycle. Although this is better than just picking an arbitrary day to have sex, it is not a veryaccurate way to predict when you ovulate. Many women do not ovulate on day fourteen and knowing precisely when you ovulate will help you time intercourse better. Ovulationprediction kits, looking at previous months bbt charts, or watching for signs of ovulation will help you to determine when you ovulate.

Tip # 5. If you want to get pregnant faster, don't rely on fertility charting alone to predict ovulation.

Fertility Charting is great for tracking your cycle but it does have disadvantages. By the time you can see ovulation on a bbt chart, you have already ovulated. It is good to chart so you can track your cycles, see if you ovulate the same time each month, and also so you can look back on your cycle and see if you timed things right. But if this is your first cycle trying to get pregnant or if you are not ovulating at the same time each month, an ovulationprediction kit would be more helpful.

Tip # 6. Before you start trying to get pregnant see your doctor.

Make sure you are in good health and have had a regular check up from your OBGYN or medical provider. Untreated infections, sexually transmitted diseases, or poor health can affect your chances of getting pregnant. Its good to see a doctor as well as start taking prenatal vitamins prior to trying to conceive.

Tip # 7. When trying to get pregnant, don't smoke, drink alcohol, or abuse drugs.

This may seem like common sense but many women do try to get pregnant while smoking, drinking or using drugs. Smoking, drugs, and alcohol can affect your fertility. It will also affect your unborn child. It is important to stop smoking or using drugs and alcohol before getting pregnant and not wait until you find out you are pregnant.

Tip # 8. To get pregnant faster have enjoyable sex.

Sometimes when couples are trying to conceive, sex becomes a job or function of reproduction and is not as enjoyable. Plan a romantic evening or try something different to spice things up. How you are feeling sexually may factor into your chances of getting pregnant. Some researchers believe that having an orgasm during sex increases your chances of getting pregnant. For women, the spasmic movements of orgasm will help pull the sperm into the uterus and for men a better orgasm may increase the man's sperm count.

Tip # 9. Have sex in positions that keep sperm inside the vagina longer.

The missionary position is a good position to use when trying to get pregnant. Avoid positions where the woman is on top. Gravity will allow sperm to leak out with these positions. Also try placing a pillow under your hips to help tilt your pelvis and keep the sperm in longer. Don't get up right after sex. Try to relax and allow the sperm to stay in the vagina as long as possible.

Tip # 10. There is no such thing as trying too hard to get pregnant.

Most couples get pregnant within a year of trying. If you have not gotten pregnant within a year consult your doctor for advice.

If you have tried everything to increase your chances of getting pregnant and found no success, don't lose hope. Did you know that there are changes you can make in your life to solve fertility problems and increase your chances of getting pregnant, no matter how hard you've tried before.

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