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Some Infectious Diseases To Avoid During Pregnancy

Posted on: 08-05-2012
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Category : Healthy Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues, Symptoms of Pregnancy, Things to Avoid While Pregnant

Just like anyone else, pregnant women can contract viral or bacterial infections.  But unlike the rest of the population, they run the risk of transmitting these to the fetus via the placenta, which may seriously affect the baby.  Fortunately, pregnant women may already be immune to several types of infections, and those who are not can avail of tested vaccines or antibiotics. They can also take comfort in the knowledge that most babies are not affected by infections contracted by the mother.  However, it would still be wise to take preventive measures in order to lessen the risk of both the mother and the baby getting infected.

Following are some infectious diseases that may adversely affect the fetus and some suggested preventive measures for avoiding these:

  • Listeria monocytogenes – Listeria is a type of bacteria that can be found in uncooked meat and vegetables, processed foods, and unpasteurized milk.  Transmission of the bacteria to the fetus may cause infection, premature birth, miscarriage, or stillbirth.  This can be prevented by cooking food very well, avoiding processed food and unpasteurized milk, and by practicing safe food handling.  Once contracted though, it is treatable with antibiotics.
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How to Stay Healthy During Pregnancy

Posted on: 08-05-2012
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Category : Healthy Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Symptoms of Pregnancy, Things to Avoid While Pregnant

From the moment a baby is conceived up to the time it comes out into the world, it is the mother’s foremost responsibility to make sure that the baby stays in the best of health.  And this can only be done if the mother herself stays healthy during her pregnancy.

Following is a list of things that a pregnant woman can do to achieve this:

1.  Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids.

  • A pregnant woman’s diet should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, food rich in fiber, carbohydrates, and protein. She should avoid foods rich in sugar, salt and fats.
  • She should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day in order to prevent constipation and dehydration. Soup, milk, and fruit juice are also recommended.
  • When hungry, she can munch on healthy snacks like rice crackers, fresh fruit or fruit smoothies, cereal, and yogurt.
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Pregnancy Stretch Marks: A Far Stretch From The Truth

Posted on: 07-05-2012
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Category : Pregnancy Issues, Symptoms of Pregnancy, Things to Avoid While Pregnant

As much as most women love the idea of being pregnant, they also dread some things that unfortunately come with being on the family way — such as having unsightly scars like stretch marks.

Stretch marks are fine lines on the body that are usually caused by sudden weight gain, weight loss or an abrupt growth spurt such as the one we experience during puberty.  Our skin is naturally elastic but over-stretching of our dermis disrupts the normal production of collagen,  resulting in off-color tears that may fade after some time but may not completely disappear.

For pregnant women, this usually appears around the sixth month of pregnancy or even later, depending on how fast and how big the baby is growing.   Hormonal changes during this period also contribute to the appearance of stretch marks.

Some women are lucky enough to have little or no stretch marks at all.  They have no problem wearing a bikini even after having two or more children.  But for the rest of us, who unfortunately have the kind of skin that’s just not elastic enough, there is no escaping it.

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Pregnancy And Stress: Not The Perfect Combination

Posted on: 01-05-2012
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Category : Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues, Symptoms of Pregnancy, Things to Avoid While Pregnant

Stress is our reaction to life’s pressures and to the daily demands that life dishes out to us.  It is an unfortunate consequence of living, whether the source of stress stems from an unpleasant situation such as losing a loved one or a wholly positive event such as getting a promotion.  It is unavoidable.  Everyone experiences stress, whether you are preschooler playing with friends, an adolescent going out on a first date, a bride looking forward to the wedding, a middle-aged couple celebrating their twentieth anniversary, or even a baby that has not even been born.

Stress in Pregnancy

The potency of stress is such that it can intrude on even the most idyllic of pregnancies.   Mothers-to-be are not exempt from this unpleasant reality.  Neither are innocent defenseless babies even when they are still supposed to be within the safe and warm sanctuary of their mothers’ wombs.  Unfortunately, no one is unaffected by this most compelling of forces known as stress.

Harmful for the Mother-to-be

Experiencing stress while pregnant, however, can have far greater consequences on both the mother and the unborn baby than what is typically encountered by other individuals.  The mother-to-be who is subject to high levels of stress can expect to suffer from:

  •  increased heart rate
  •  increased blood pressure
  •  the experience of chronic anxiety
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The Role Of Men In Pregnancy: Putting The “We” In We’re Pregnant

Posted on: 30-04-2012
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Category : Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues, Symptoms of Pregnancy

Women, The Heroes

Pregnancy is often hailed as the most wondrous of miracles.  The experience of giving life, nurturing it and feeling it grow within your body is nothing short of a phenomenal.  The ability to grow life is thought highly of and is perceived by many, both men and women alike, to be the ultimate measure of womanhood.  As such, women who are pregnant are raised on pedestals and treated with such concern and respect.

Men, The Bystanders

Men, on the other hand, are rarely acknowledged for their part in this miracle of life.  Unfortunately, most men, whether by their own choice or because they may have been unwittingly left out, behold the unfolding miracle of pregnancy merely from the sidelines.

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Multiple Pregnancy Equals Multiplied Joy

Posted on: 29-04-2012
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Category : Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues

A baby in the offing is always a cause for celebration.  A life in the making is a blessing to those who have lovingly conceived it.  It is common understanding that a mother’s joy at having a baby in her womb is incomparable to any other experience.  Imagine then the elation of a mother multiplied by the knowledge that she is holding more than one life inside her.

Increasing Incidence of Multiple Pregnancy

More and more women are experiencing the pleasure of being pregnant with two, three, four and even more babies at one time.  It appears that the incidence of multiple pregnancies, or pregnancies which involve more than one fetus in the mother’s womb, has steadily been increasing over the past years.  This is particularly true of twins which comprise majority of multiple births although percentages have likewise risen for triplets and quadruplets.

Factors That May Be Conducive to Multiple Pregnancy

Many couples planning to conceive do entertain the thought of having multiple births.  There is something definitely exciting, novel and fascinating about the idea of having multiple children brought forth from a single pregnancy.  However, multiple pregnancies are still the exception rather than the rule, with several factors exerting varying degrees of influence over whether or not the pregnancy will result in multiple births.

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Most Popular Pregnancy Myths

Posted on: 28-04-2012
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Category : Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues, Symptoms of Pregnancy

Pregnant mothers and anxious fathers usually have to be responsible for a lot when they are expecting as they have to deal with medical appointments, baby proofing the house, and getting ready to bring in a new life into this world.  Without a doubt, being pregnant comes with its own set of rules, guidelines, and procedures.  However, it cannot be avoided that a few myths, urban legends, and old wives’ tales get mixed up with the facts.

To help with the stressful, but ultimately rewarding process that is pregnancy, let us take a look at the following pregnancy myths.  These myths have been scientifically dispelled so that those expecting a baby can now rest easy.

What to Eat

  • No Coffee, Salmon, or Hotdogs

Though these foods might contain natural chemicals and substances that may appear harmful to your baby, taking any of these in moderation and carefully, such as a cup of coffee a day or making sure that your food is cooked properly and cleanly, will not harm the baby at all.

  • Spicy Foods Will Help Induce Labor 

In spite of being a very popular myth, eating spicy foods has not been scientifically proven to help bring about labor.  It is quite safe for you and the baby to eat them.  So, if you feel like eating something spicy, then go ahead!

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The Dangers of Smoking While Pregnant

Posted on: 28-04-2012
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Category : Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues, Things to Avoid While Pregnant

Nothing is as beautiful as the picture of a pregnant woman.  With the healthy glow on her skin and the constant excitement in her eyes, an expectant mother carries inside her womb the fulfillment of her hopes and the grandest of her dreams.  And like a precious gem, she takes utmost care of the tiny life growing inside her.

To do this, she must take all the necessary precautions and make an extra effort to do everything that is right for the baby.

Doctor’s Orders

First of all, she must consult with a good obstetrician who can guide her every step of the way during her pregnancy.  Regular visits to her doctor as early as the first trimester will help monitor the baby’s growth and watch out for possible complications.

She must take pre-natal vitamins that would help supply the baby with the necessary nutrients to help him grow healthy and strong.  Aside from this, eating all the right kinds of food will help nourish both mother and child.

Taking care of baby also means taking care of Mommy.  Not only must she see to the baby’s health, she must see to her own well-being as well.  If a soon-to-be-mom experiences a stressful pregnancy, chances are this would affect the baby’s development in some way.  However, if she experiences a smooth pregnancy, she is most likely to give birth to a happy and healthy infant.

The Dangers of Smoking

One of the things most harmful to the baby that a pregnant woman has to avoid is smoking.  It has been said countless times how smoking is bad for one’s health, but few people realize just how dangerous this is for an unborn child.

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How to Deal With Weight Gain during Pregnancy

Posted on: 17-04-2012
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Category : Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues

First of all, bear in mind that weight gain during pregnancy is a normal thing so there is really nothing to be worried about. Remember that there is another life inside you so it is justifiable for your weight to greatly increase. Perhaps the question that every pregnant woman should address is this, “how to deal with pregnancy weight gain?”

Eat As Normal As Possible to Control Your Weight Gain during Pregnancy

The first thing that expectant moms need to do when it comes to dealing with weight issues on pregnancy is to make sure that everything is under control. Also, it would help if you stop believing all the myths that you hear, and instead, address all your questions to the person in authority, such as your doctor. It’s not true that when you are pregnant, your consumption must be for two people. Your body can also pass on the nutrients to your baby and not the actual foods that you consume. So now that you are pregnant, eat as normal as possible just like you would when you are still not pregnant.

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What to Do Once You Find Out the Pregnancy Due Date

Posted on: 16-04-2012
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Category : Pregnancy, Pregnancy Issues

Most pregnant women are excited to meet their newborn, and when they found out about their pregnancy due date, they got even more excited. It is important to remember though that the due date is just an estimate and it is not really the actual date of delivery. Physicians would often make use of a pregnancy date calculator in order to come up with the estimated due date.

Pregnancy Due Date Calculators – Are These Accurate?

The calculators that are used in computing an expectant woman’s due date would generate results derived from the dates that you have inputted on it. Normally, it would ask you for the date of the first day of your last menstrual period, and from there, it will come up with the estimated date of your delivery date. Take note that the delivery date that the calculator would generate is merely based on the information that you put in. So if you have incorrectly determined the date of your last menstrual period, you cannot expect the calculator to provide you with an accurate result.

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