A Healthy Lifestyle during Pregnancy

What Should I give up when I’m Pregnant?

Smoking – There are over 400 active substances in a cigarette that can cause cancer, retard growth, causes changes on DNA. What’s more is that absolutely no doubt that woman who smoke has a much higher rate of experiencing all sorts of problems during pregnancy and birth to a significantly smaller baby. Smoking also causes stillbirth, miscarriage and maternal rejection of the fetus at all stages of pregnancy. Smoking increases the risk of bleeding which can be regarded as a threatened rejection. It also reduces the rate of cell replication and it can have profound effects during pregnancy.

As if that is not enough, cigarette smoking reduces oxygen delivery to the fetus and this result to babies being born prematurely.

Alcohol – is a social poison that that is widely consumed and is rarely considered as a drug use. Pregnant women should not drink at all let alone excessively. It is common knowledge that alcohol has extremely damaging effects on reproductive health as the adverse effects of alcohol on various body systems and in reproduction has long been established.

Adverse Effects of Alcohol

Caffeine – pregnant women metabolize caffeine three times more slowly than non pregnant women who results in caffeine being accumulated and the fetus receiving significant caffeine exposure. So even small amounts of caffeine can be dangerous and is best completely avoided.

Pharmaceutical Drugs – includes those bought over the counter for treatment of minor ailments as well as those prescribed by the medical practitioners. Taking pharmaceutical drugs will directly affect your baby and can cause changes in your baby’s genes and chromosomes. Street and recreational drugs should be completely avoided. Drug use during pregnancy has the potential for all manners of adverse effect on the mother’s health and may cause growth retardation, miscarriage, malformation and still birth. There may also be adverse effects on the long term growth and behavior is the baby survives.

With careful attention to all aspects of your diet and lifestyle during pregnancy obviously in some instances medication will still be necessary however your doctor may be able to prescribe a less problematic drug. As we keep saying pregnancy is not an illness to be injured. It is a special time of your life that needs to be relished and enjoyed.

Flying – Most parents will see pregnancy as the last opportunity to go on holidays alone together or quite some time. You may also feel that it is your last chance to take a much desired trip to some exotic vacation.  Flying increases exposure to radiation and it should be avoided during the first semester. Many IVF clinics advise pregnant women not to fly for at least 12 weeks due to concerns of miscarriage. Traveling to international destination always poses concerns other than flying if you are pregnant. Depending on where you’re going, your doctor may advise that you need to be vaccinated. Some vaccines and anti malaria drugs are clearly not good for pregnant women. So if you are pregnant and your heart is still set on going on that holiday, then you need to carefully weigh up carefully the actual risks of contracting a disease in the country to which you are traveling. Also consider the infections that you might really be exposed to. However if you are serious about your pregnancy you might also seriously consider the areas you will visit and go to destinations not plagued with health problems. Environmental pollution means you’re constantly exposed to an extremely potent chemical cocktail. It is estimated that you might be in contact with as many as 800 chemicals straight away.

Renovation – Pregnancy is not the right time to renovate since so many of the building products contains toxins. However this seems to be the time when couples are inspired to renovate or build an extension to accommodate their growing family and have a pleasant environment for their new baby.  But really a little baby will only take up a small amount of space and a baby will not need its own room for a while yet. However there is no reason not to get a professional company to attend to the work on your behalf.

Eating and Staying Well During Pregnancy

This article discusses why taking care of you is important and will also give out some tested hints and tips to help out new mothers

 Eating Well After Pregnancy

It is hard to follow a routine eating habit when you are a new mother. You will be too busy caring for a new infant and most especially if you have a family to look after as your existing workload is topped up by new responsibilities to your new baby. If at any point there is a period that you are to appreciate more sustenance then this is the opportune time. Amid lactation you will devour a great deal of vitality not at all like when you were pregnant. In the event that you plan to completely breastfeed then every kilojoules' that your child requires for the following couple of months will come specifically from you. Your bosom milk will give all the vital supplements your child needs to develop and the initial couple of months are the point at which a newborn child develops at the quickest rate. In more routes than one your mammary organs are stunning organs, they may develop in size and weight amid lactation. It's been said that at top lactation that it can deliver up to a liter of milk for every day. You can keep up lactation the length of you and your child wish.

A Guide to Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding for some parents is very easy and convenient especially when traveling with an infant. There are fewer bottles and formulas to carry around with you and you are guaranteed that your baby is getting fresh nutritious milk at all times. 

• Gives the right sustenance to your child
• Lessens the dangers of SIDS
• Lessens diabetes dangers later on
• Lessens the dangers of hypersensitivities and asthma
• Is not so much costly but rather more helpful – no requirement for costly recipes and bolstering hardware
• Lessens the dangers of moms getting bosom and ovarian malignancy
• Lessens the danger of postnatal gloom
•  Shields your infant from disease and contamination. There are many reasons why a mother is unable to breastfeed their baby. Sometimes lactation does not start straight away, so do not feel guilty about this as the most important thing is your baby. Make sure that you get a good milk formula especially for new infants to ensure your baby needs the essential balanced diet they need. If your baby is premature there is a chance that your baby will be in a medical crib for a while and you are unable to breastfeed. You can also pump some of your own milk and feed your baby through a tube or a bottle

Bosom milk contains protein, fat and starches. The protein in human milk supplies all the fundamental amino acids for building new tissues and compounds. It likewise shields your child from contamination and help through a few minerals through your infant. Fat is the most variable part in human milk it gives vitality as well as serves to convey the fat dis-solvable vitamins and hormones. It is regular for lactating moms to take day by day fish oil supplements however enhancing the nature of your eating regimen is most likely the best thing. The fundamental sugar in human milk is called lactose and all people can process lactose until three to five years of age and after that it experiences changes which are generally hereditary decided.

 The requests of taking care of another conceived infant mean a great deal of time for you. This is the ideal opportunity when taking care of yourself is significantly more essential to guarantee you can adapt to your new part and the difficulties it brings. We have talked about the advantages of eating admirably amid the pregnancy, some sound nibble tips for breastfeeding moms, sustenance to maintain a strategic distance from while lactating and other awesome indications and tips to console moms out there with basic worries about breastfeeding.

Childbirth an Empowering Event

Giving birth is an empowering life event

The most appropriate environment to give birth is it has to be out of love. For many centuries women gave birth at home without medical intervention and these women had babies understanding and accepting that giving birth is a natural process. It has been proven through history that a woman can give birth without any assistance or outside interference. However the ones that manage to go through uncomplicated labor and child birth represent only very few number of women. In our modern days, we believe that high tech and obstetrical interventions offer pregnant women a significant advantage. Some also believe that having a baby in a hospital is a much safer option. The move to hospital births started way back in the 1920’s to 50’s and around this time medicine has taken complete control on childbirth. In the 70’s the fathers were allowed to be present at the birth of their child, however when they were admitted they were only mere observers and are often asked to leave the room if things get a bit tricky. Nowadays a father who does not choose to be present when his partner gives birth is quite a rare exception.
At the beginning of the 21st^th century mothers and enlightened birth practitioners are seeking changes and wants birth to be normal and be a wonderfully joyful part of a woman’s life. Not a pathological pain to be endured and can only survive with medical assistance.

Before Labor Begins

Four weeks before the birth your baby’s head will engage in your pelvis. There will be increased pressure on your bladder and your groin. You will feel a bit of relief under your ribs and you will notice that your breathing will be easier. If you are having your second baby, the baby’s head may not engage until you are in labor. As labor approaches you will experience Braxton Hicks contractions which act as a rehearsal for your uterus for the birth and for your cervix to soften and to ripen.

Ultimately giving birth as nature intended is a profound experience, it is difficult and challenging, yet rewarding and enriching.

Pregnant Woman

Experiencing Contractions

The First Stage of Labor

The loss of the mucous plug from the neck of the cervix is the first stage of labor. It’s what they call a show that is sort of blood stained, however it may occur also a few days before. When your amniotic sac breaks and water comes out, the lost fluid will largely depend on how well engaged your baby’s head is. Don’t worry because these waters are replaced and replenished and it will never dry out.
Usually contractions begin in irregular intervals similar to a period pain, but this will become closer together as time passes.
Some women are able to sleep in between their contractions; some women react differently and have some vomiting and diarrhea. When your labor intensifies and is well truly underway, your contractions will be closer together and will be intense.
Whatever gets your labor underway it is important to contact your support person, your midwife or your doctor as there is a fine line with going in to hospital early and being sent home. Because when the time comes that to give focus to your contractions and use up all the energy to push you want to be secure and comfortable in a place you have planned to give birth.
Once your labor is strongly established each contraction will build up to a peak of intense pain and then fade away. And during the time that the contractions are gone you can try and recover. You will have all sorts of feelings like being hot or cold as your contractions increase. As the baby’s head descends it will exert pressure on your cervix which will assist dilation.

Transition during Labor

At the end of the first stage of labor, many women are feeling that they are unable to continue so if you are feeling like that it means that you definitely entered the transitioning stage of labor. Transitioning is the point when your contractions reach its peak and fades away, it is intense and painful but not nearly as intense as what’s about to begin. It can be the most trying part of all and the sensations during this stage are powerful. Your midwife will be examining you to see if you are dilated.

What do you think?

Is Natural birth better than Hospital birth?

• Yes
• No

Healthy Pregnancy

A healthy pregnancy will help you prepare for the different stages in labor

The Second Stage of Labor

Your baby’s head is now free from your uterus and will continue to rotate until the crown stretches wide open. Remember at this point there is considerable pressure on your baby’s head moreover there is no need to worry as the softness of their bones naturally allow this. The contractions you will experience on the second stage of labor, will be a lot more painful than your previous ones and will begin when dilation is complete. Even if you feel tired you will be refreshed with new energy if you prepared well through your pregnancy. Actually women have described this as a tidal wave that is hard to resist. As your baby is pushed down through the birth canal you will be amazed on how much strength you have. You will then experience an acute burning sensation as your tissues stretch to the max. Then finally your baby’s shoulder and the rest of the body will enter the world. Most newborns nowadays are given to their mothers for immediate bonding between mother and child.

Third Stage of Labor

Your uterus will contract and your placenta will come away from the uterine wall. Once your infant is breathing on its own the umbilical cord will be cut. It is normal to feel more contractions after the birth and the placenta will be expelled. Once this has all occurred, it will be the start of an extraordinary process of getting to know your new born child.
Those are the facts facing you as an expectant mother during normal and not heavily medicated labor. After a labor with no heavy medication or intervention your baby is most likely to be relaxed and alert. The important bonding process can take place as from the moment of birth all family members present at the birth will have a connection with one another. Your partner will be able to bond with the child immediately and will have deepened his respect for you after seeing how hard you worked during the birth. For siblings the overwhelming arrival of a new baby can be overcome if they are not isolated from the birth experience.

Resting is vital for pregnant women in labor

Summary

Those are the facts facing you as an expectant mother during normal and not heavily medicated labor. After a labor with no heavy medication or intervention your baby is most likely to be relaxed and alert. The important bonding process can take place as from the moment of birth all family members present at the birth will have a connection with one another. Your partner will be able to bond with the child immediately and will have deepened his respect for you after seeing how hard you worked during the birth. For siblings the overwhelming arrival of a new baby can be overcome if they are not isolated from the birth experience.