Your diet and lifestyle habits are more important during pregnancy than at any other time. When you are pregnant, the baby is dependent on you to nourish him and avoid anything that could cause harm. It’s common for pregnant mothers to worry and wonder about any number of factors and the impact they could have on the growing baby. Fortunately there are some healthy habits you can adopt now to give your baby the best possible start in life.
by Patricia Hughes
When you are pregnant your doctor, family members and pregnancy books will all stress the importance of getting enough rest. This is good advice. Rest is very important for pregnant women. Fatigue is a big problem for many women, particularly in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Unfortunately, during those trimesters sleep disturbances are very common.
The First Trimester
The biggest problem in the first trimester is fatigue. You can feel like you just can’t get enough rest, even when you go to bed earlier. The fatigue is caused by hormonal changes in the body. There are some experts and mothers that believe there may be a biological function for this fatigue. Pregnant women take naps and go to be early when they are tired. This may be intended to help protect the baby in the early weeks of pregnancy. More on Surviving Sleep Disturbances During Pregnancy
Filed under Pregnancy, Stages Of Pregnancy by 
by Patricia Hughes
One of the biggest worries during pregnancy is the fear that something is wrong with the baby. Women who experience this fear breathe a sigh of relief during prenatal visits when the baby’s heart beat is heard. Hearing the baby’s heart beat and movements is reassuring for these mothers. There is a way for you to monitor fetal movement at home, with fetal kick counts.by Patricia Hughes
There are two schools of thought about maternity clothes. Some women feel they are a waste of money. These women often buy one or two things and spend the rest of the time in sweats and their husbands’ shirts. Others feel that pregnancy is a beautiful time and they want to enjoy shopping for clothes and dressing with style. These women often feel the investment is worth it.
A great number of women fall in between these two extremes. We want to look nice, but don’t want to spend a fortune. After all, maternity clothing are worn for a limited time and some can be quite expensive. You don’t need to break the bank to look great throughout your pregnancy. There are some things you can do to save money and build a nice wardrobe. More on Maternity Clothes – Money Saving Ideas
Filed under Maternity Wear, Pregnancy by
by Patricia Hughes
Back pain is a complaint commonly heard by doctors and midwives during pregnancy. The pain is caused by a combination of factors. As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts. This changes the way you stand and walk, which puts pressure on the lower back. Other causes of back pain in pregnancy include hormonal changes. This softens the joints and ligaments which helps prepare the body for birth. This is a good thing. However, it has a negative effect as well, back pain.
There are some things you can do to reduce the pain. More on Pregnancy and Back Pain – Tips to Help Reduce The Stress
Filed under Pregnancy by
by Patricia Hughes
Aromatherapy offers numerous benefits both during pregnancy and during labor. In pregnancy, aromatherapy is effective for reducing some of the common discomforts of pregnancy. When you are in labor, using essential oils can be helpful for relaxation and pain relief. Aromatherapy helps create a comfortable environment for labor.
Essential oils that are beneficial during pregnancy include lavender, chamomile, rose, ylang ylang and jasmine. Some essential oils are beneficial for morning sickness. Our sense of smell will be more acute during pregnancy. Sometimes cooking odors or other household odors can trigger nausea. Aromatherapy can help reverse this effect. Citrus oils such as orange, lemon and grapefruit are safe and effective for nausea. More on Aromatherapy during Pregnancy and Labor
After 9 months of carrying a child, some women may understandably wish their baby could be delivered by UPS or Fed Ex, however, that is not the case and there is no stork that will delivery your baby for you. After nine months of hormonal changes, carrying extra weight and reduced movement many will want to just get it over. But the race is won at the final leg and Lamaze, Bradley or other options can help carry you over the finish line in optimal shape.
Women, obviously, have been giving birth for hundreds of thousands of years. The basic process has changed little over that time. But medical knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds.
During the mid-19th century that knowledge consisted of a growing set of tools and drugs to minimize pain. By the mid-20th century, though, birth was almost something that happened to a woman and her baby, rather than something they did. Contemporary knowledge can help the expectant mother take more active control of her birth and deliver with the highest chances for her baby's health. More on Pregnancy and Delivery Options
Filed under Childbirth, Pregnancy by
