Bloom'en Nutrition » while pregnant

Prenatal Vitamins Are Designed Just For Pregnancy And Lactation

Julie — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:44:09 +0000

Prenatal vitamins are specifically for women who are pregnant or nursing their babies. Some doctors also recommend that any woman planning a pregnancy begin taking prenatal vitamins about three months before a planned conception. It is very important to both the health of the baby and the health of the mother that she take vitamins just in case her diet does not provide enough of the vitamins she and her baby need. The nutrients folic acid, calcium and iron are especially important.

The Importance Of Folic Acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin. Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE, cites research showing that 88% of all Americans are deficient in folic acid. The Mayo Clinic strongly recommends women of childbearing age who are planning to become pregnant take 800 micrograms of folic acid or folate every day. After conception, the need for folic acid increases to 1000 mcg per day. Some of this should come from food sources, such as nuts, beans, citrus fruits or leafy green vegetables.

Why is folic acid so important? Folic acid is absolutely crucial to prevent neural tube birth defects. The most common neural tube defect is Spina Bifida. Babies born with Spina Bifida are born with open spines and exposed nerves. In other words, the spine and nerves are visible and outside of the body because of this defect. Nerves become damaged and the child can have variable degrees of paralysis and other consequences from being born with an open spine.

Folic acid has been shown in many research studies to prevent this birth defect. These defects develop very early in pregnancy, usually by the 28th day following conception; this is a time when many women do not know they are pregnant. This is why it is so critical for women to be sure that they are getting the folic acid they need prior to pregnancy.

The Importance Of Calcium

Calcium is another essential mineral during pregnancy. As the baby grows, he or she is using some of the calcium in the mother’s body to grow. Without enough calcium, the mother’s bones can be at risk for developing osteoporosis. Every adult man and woman who is 19-50 years old, including pregnant women, need 1000 mg of calcium each day.

Beginning at age 51, the calcium requirement increases to 1200 mg per day. This is the recommended dosage for all people. Prenatal vitamins are meant to be used as a supplement, not to fulfill all of the nutritional requirements a person has. As such, the calcium level of most prenatal vitamins is only about 200-300 mg. Another source of calcium is necessary to meet the recommended number of milligrams per day.

The Importance Of Iron

The recommended iron intake for non-pregnant women ages 19-50 is just 18 mg per day. When pregnant, a woman’s iron needs increase to 27 mg per day. Iron supplements will help prevent anemia and make sure that the mother’s and baby’s blood have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently. Half of all pregnant women are deficient in iron. Iron deficiency has been shown to increase the risk of premature labor and low birth weight. Premature labor and low birth weight come with their own sets of health problems.

Pregnancy is a time when many things are out of your control. Will your baby have all of his or her fingers and toes? Will he or she have a birth defect? Will you miscarry? All of these things are potential problems that you can do nothing about. One of the things you can control is whether or not you take in enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals, particularly folic acid, calcium and iron. Give your baby the best possible start in life. Make sure you are taking good quality prental vitamins throughout your pregnancy and while you are nursing.
Take Your Prental Vitamins And Give Your Baby A Great Start In Life

Obstetricians and midwives all recommend that pregnant women take prental vitamins to supplement their diets. A few doctors and midwives tell women to begin prenatal vitamins three months prior to conceiving. Making sure that the mother and baby get enough vitamins is critical. Folic acid, calcium and iron are three of the most essential during pregnancy.

Folic Acid Protects Against Neural Tube Defects

According to Hans R. Larsen, MSc, ChE, about 88% of all Americans do not get enough folic acid in their diets. This means that there is a good chance you are not getting enough. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins. Women of childbearing age who are planning a pregnancy should take 800 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid every day. Once pregnant, this amount should be increased to 1000 mcg every day. Ideally, most folic acid should come from foods, including green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and citrus fruits.

What is the big deal about getting enough folic acid? A deficiency in folic acid can cause a neural tube birth defect, the most common of which is Spina Bifida. In a neural tube defect, the baby’s spine and nerves are not safely inside of the body. Rather, the baby is born with an open spine and nerves. That is to say, the spine and nerves are outside of the body, visible to the eye. In this unprotected state, nerves are damaged. Although surgery can correct this defect, the damage is done to the nerves and the child will have varying degrees of paralysis and other consequences from being born with an open spine.

There is something you can do to prevent this birth defect. You can take the recommended dosages of folic acid prior to and throughout your pregnancy. Since this neural tube defect occurs very early in pregnancy, within the first 28 days, all women should take 400 mcg of folic acid as a matter of course. Folic acid has been shown to prevent neural tube defects in many studies.

Calcium Prevents Against Bone Loss

Growing a new body is a very complex task that draws on the mother’s body. Taking a calcium supplement is essential to prevent bone loss in the mother. A lack of calcium sets a mother up for a greater risk of osteoporosis and a variety of other health problems. The recommended dosage of calcium for anyone between the ages of 19 and 51 is 1000 mg every day, this includes pregnant women.

After age 51, the recommended dose of calcium per day is 1200 mg. Keep in mind that prenatal vitamins are only meant to supplement the diet, not supply the entire amount of calcium necessary. Most prenatal vitamins provide only 200-300 mg. So, to meet all of your calcium needs and the needs of your baby, it is important to eat calcium-rich foods and not rely solely on your prenatal vitamin for you calcium needs.

Iron Prevents Low Birth Weight

Iron is essential to red blood cell formation. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the entire body. Without enough iron and red blood cells, you will experience fatigue and a host of other symptoms. A full 50% of all pregnant women do not get enough iron. Women who do not get enough iron have been shown to go into labor too early and have low birth weight babies. Pregnant women should get 27 mg of iron each day.

Mother Nature controls most of a baby’s development before birth. But, there are things you can influence and defects you can prevent by taking the recommended amounts of prental vitamins. Be sure you do everything you can to give your baby a good start in life. Take your vitamins.
You Can Prevent Birth Defects By Taking Prental Vitamins

Women who are planning to become pregnant or who are currently pregnant should take prenatal vitamins to correct any deficiencies in their diets. While prenatal vitamins will not supply all of the vitamins and minerals a woman needs, they will supplement shortfalls in the woman’s diet. Taking prental vitamins will ensure that the baby is healthy at birth and that the mother remains healthy throughout her pregnancy. Three vitamins and minerals that are absolutely essential during pregnancy are folic acid, calcium and iron. Being deficient in any of these can create major health problems for the baby and the mother, as well as create complications in the pregnancy itself.

Folic Acid: A Required B Vitamin

Research revealed that an astounding 88% of all Americans do not get enough folic acid. According to the Mayo Clinic, all women planning a pregnancy need 800 micrograms of folic acid each day. Upon conception the folic acid requirements increase to 1000 mcg a day.

Neural tube defects are one of the most preventable birth defects. Folic acid can prevent neural tube defects like Spina Bifida. When a baby is born with Spina Bifida, his or her spine is open and outside of the body, not closed and protected. Nerves are exposed and usually experience some kind of damage, which results in paralysis, cerebral palsy and other health issues that will last a lifetime.

Neural tube defects occur by the 28th day of pregnancy. This is well before most women even realize that they are expecting a baby. Research has shown that folic acid can prevent neural tube defects. Every woman should take 400 mcg of folic acid or folate per day to make sure their folic acid needs are met.

Calcium: A Required Mineral

All men and women, including pregnant women, who are between 19 and 50 years old need 1000 mg of calcium per day. The baby uses the mother’s stores of calcium and the calcium that the mother eats. If the mother is not getting enough calcium to meet her own needs and the needs of the baby, she could develop health problems, such as bone loss and osteoporosis.

Starting at 51 years old, calcium requirements for all adults increase to 1200 mg per day. Most prenatal vitamins contain only 200-300 mg of calcium. Therefore, they cannot be relied upon to supply an entire day’s calcium requirements.

Iron: Required For Red Blood Cell Formation

A full half of all pregnant women are deficient in iron, or anemic. Without iron, the body cannot make the necessary number of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. This results in fatigue and other symptoms, as well as low birth weight and premature labor amongst pregnant women. Iron needs increase from 18 mg a day for females who are not pregnant to 27 mg a day for pregnant females.

Pregnancy is an exciting time. It can also be a time of worrying about whether or not the baby will be healthy or not. While much of a baby’s development is essentially out of the mother’s hands, there are some things that she can do to help the baby get the best start in life possible. She can make sure that she does not smoke or drink alcohol, eats right and takes her prental vitamins as her doctor recommends.

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Preeclampsia

Julie — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Preeclampsia Overview

A relatively common condition during pregnancy, preeclampsia refers to a group of symptoms including hypertension (high blood pressure) as well as protein in the urine and generalized stress and possible damage to the kidneys and liver. The condition occurs in as many as 10% of pregnancies, and is most often found during the second and third trimester. Although not common, it preeclampsia may also present after pregnancy.

Preeclampsia Symptoms

The most common sign of pre-eclampsia is high blood pressure and the condition is diagnosed when the pregnant mother has blood pressure over 140/90 with high protein (above 300mg) in the urine. The combined proteinuria (protein in urine) and high blood pressure are sufficient to diagnose pre-eclampsia. However a common visual symptom is often swelling in the hands and face. Other symptoms include extreme heartburn, and possibly seizures. If any of these occur late in pregnancy, see your doctor immediately.

It is also important to know that for many women pre-eclampsia may not show any symptoms, thus the need for effective prenatal care.

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Pregancy

Julie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:40:00 +0000

Early pregancy is an exciting time for most women. When you find out that you are pregant, you may choose to start planning for your experience week by week. Each day you will have a hundred questions, but overall it is a wonderful experience. Questions such as what you can eat, will you be able to exercise, and what type of prenatal tests should you consider taking?

Pregancy Symptoms

Even before you find out you are pregant, the symptoms or worry about being pregnant can be overwhelming. For many women, they complain that they are tired and unusually hungry. These basic pregancy symptoms often lead women to take the first steps of buying a pregancy test to find out if they are pregant.

If you find out you are carrying twins during your pregancy the number of possible questions and concerns may double. How much weight will you gain, how can you prevent preterm labor, what can you do to maximize your level of success? Will you need to go on bed rest? Let’s face it, the stress can be overwhelming.

Pregancy Calendar

Whatever questions you may have, understanding your pregancy week by week can help you make good decisions. By tracking your pregancy calendar you can follow where your baby is in the development process. Pregancy calendars are fantastic tools as they allow you to better experience the miracle of pregnancy and the process of planning for a baby.
There are many resources to choose from, and no shortage of books, blogs and websites from which to draw information. Learn nutrition do’s and don’ts, and get the basics on other healthy pregnancy issues from exercise to back pain and sex. The more you know about your pregnancy week by week, the more manageable your pregnancy may seem.

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Period While Pregnant

Julie — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:21:42 +0000

You cannot get your period while pregnant.

Simply stated, your period is when your body sheds the tissues that are absolutely necessary during pregnancy. The process is designed so that every month those tissues are renewed so that when you become pregnant the baby has the best possible opportunity to grow and flourish. Because of this fact, getting your period while pregnant may be a sign that you need to see a doctor immediately. After all, for centuries, getting your period has been a sign that you are not pregnant.

Spotting While Pregnant

As stated above, getting your period while pregnant is not possible. However, during the first trimester of pregnancy, a small amount of spotting may be normal. During the first weeks of pregnancy many women experience a small amount of brown or pink spotting and there are rarely complications that would raise concern. However, if pregnancy problems pop up, you need to see your doctor immediately.

If you are pregnant and experiencing something that resembles your period, contact your doctor immediately as this may be a sign of something seriously wrong. Getting your period while pregnant is not possible, and as such, you need to take the appropriate precautions.

Pregnancy is a scary time for most women. Your body goes through many changes, and many women feel that their bodies are actually staging a revolution against them. It is normal to be afraid during pregnancy, and it is prudent to take precautions. If problems during pregnancy arise, you need to take the appropriate steps to make sure that you and your baby get the attention that is needed.

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Womb

Julie — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:37:32 +0000

In The Womb

You have found out you are pregnant. Now what? what’s happening in the womb? How is the baby developing? What is the next step in making sure that your baby has the best chance to grow into a healthy and happy baby?

The development from a single cell organism to a full term baby is an amazing process. Throughout pregnancy, the womb serves to protect the baby and support its development. Your womb plays an integral role in the growth of the baby, and truly the fetus cannot survive without it.

For an expecting mother, during maternity, the womb grows as the baby develops. The tissues expand and grow along with the fetus and the amniotic fluid that the womb contains. Finally, during labor, the womb ruptures and the baby is subsequently born.

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Pregnancy Leave

Julie — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:09:46 +0000

Know your rights for Pregnancy Leave

Your rights for pregnancy leave are primarly determined by the governing family leave act which mandates that employers provide maternity time off for new mothers. Although the law typically mandates a minimum of twelve weeks of time off, your actual amount of pregnancy leave will depend on the size of the company that you work for and their HR policies.

The family leave act specifically applies to companies that have at least fifty employees. If the company that you work for is smaller, then there are limitations on what is covered for pregnancy leave. Indeed, for those who are working in small businesses, short term disability may be an alternative if the employer is too small to accommodate the pregnancy leave

While pregnant, it is important to know that you employer can only change your position and job responsibilities if your pregnancy makes you unable to perform your required duties.

During the actual pregnancy leave, your employer is required to pay you the equivalent amount of what you would receive on short term disability. Upon completion of the twelve weeks, your employer is required to restore you to the same pay and the same or equivalent position as your old job.

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Drinking While Pregnant

Julie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:57:34 +0000

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Drinking while pregnant has significant risks to the expecting mother. Unfortunately, statistics show that about 12 percent of US women drink at least some amount during pregnancy and around 2 percent binge-drink. Earlier this year the CDC confirmed that those percentages have not changed significantly in the past 18 years. From a health perspective, drinking while pregnant can seriously impact fetal development and the resulting fetal alcohol syndrome may take a lifetime of intensive treatment to manage.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant

Consumption of alcohol while pregnant essentially introduces toxins into the growing baby which may impact their development. Many women however, choose to consume a glass of wine while pregnant or periodically have one or two drinks. While the risk of damage may be lower with less frequent consumption, researchers have not yet determined what, it any, level of alcohol consumption is safe for the expecting mother. As a result, there is almost universal agreement that women should avoid drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Choline may help while pregnant

For those mothers who are unsuccessfully battling addiction, there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. A study being done in San Diego State University is studying the effects of alcohol consumption on 600 pregnant women in the Ukraine. The study is looking at the nutrient choline to see what effect, if any, it will have on the women and their babies. In looking at the quote form the AP press release that announced the drinking while pregnant study.

“Nutrition plays a powerful role in proper development of the brain and nervous system: Getting enough folate during pregnancy, for example, can prevent spina bifida and related birth defects. And significant alcohol consumption interferes with mom’s ability to absorb various nutrients, in turn affecting whether her fetus gets enough. So Thomas’ group tested choline, a precursor to a brain chemical that plays a key role in learning. She exposed pregnant rats to alcohol during a third-trimester spurt of brain growth. Giving the mother rats extra choline — or, importantly, giving newborn pups the nutrient — significantly improved the pups’ later ability to learn.”

In addition to choline, zinc and a few other vitamins and minerals are being evaluated to see if they have an effect on these conditions. The best advice however, is to still have a healthy and varied diet. While pregnant, take care of your health, eat right, avoid toxins, and enjoy your pregnancy.

Overall, abstinence from alcohol while pregnant is the best approach to ensuring that drinking alcohol does not affect the baby. In addition to nutrition status, genetics, and levels of consumption, there are numerous other factors that determine if drinking alcohols during pregnancy will affect the baby. With all those variables, and the risk of an unpleasant outcome, why risk it?

Pregnancy, alcohol use: Doctors can’t agree (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

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Flying While Pregnant – First Trimester

Julie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:31:59 +0000

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Flying while pregnant

For most of us, flying is an unavoidable way to travel. Whether it is for business of pleasure, most of us choose to fly. Although not typically fun, flying can be even more challenging while pregnant. However, traveling while pregnant does not need to be a wholly unpleasant experience and many challenges of flying during pregnancy can be easily overcome.

Airline regulations for pregnant women

If you choose to travel during pregnancy, you must be less than 36 weeks pregnant. This is
the standard policy for domestic air travel (it is 32 weeks for international. According to the different airlines, this regulation is in place not only because of the health risks associated with being near term, but also because most airlines do not want to accept the liability or risk of a pregnant women going into labor during a flight. This regulation was not made on an unfounded basis, many women have gone into premature labor from the stresses of near term air travel.

Other than premature labor, one of the larger concerns with flying while pregnant is risk of deep vein thrombosis. This condition which is essentially a blood clot in the lower extremities; which may be triggered by sitting motionless for long periods of time. Level of hydration and overall circulation may have an effect on the condition; both of which are challenges for pregnant mothers. If you must fly while pregnant, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, stay hydrated, and get up and walk around often. The physical activity will help with circulation and help to lower the risk of a blood clot.

Flying while pregnant may present challenges for your circulation which will also affect your level of comfort. Sitting for prolonged periods may cause your ankles to swell and may also result in cramping. Once again, periodically getting up and walking around in flight will help address these issues. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes to make the flight more pleasant. Also, be sure to choose an aisle seat for better mobility, the opportunity to stretch out while sitting, and for those inevitable bathroom breaks.

Handling stress while pregnant

The stress of travel, especially while pregnant, can affect your mood. Pregnancy hormones can magnify your perception of the stress and easily make the experience overwhelming. Organization is a great way minimize the stresses of travel and make it a much more manageable experience. Before your flight, plan out your meals, what you are going drink as well as your entertainment. Establish how your are going to check in, curb side is highly recommended, especially for pregnant women. Plan where you are going to stow your carry-on, if you are in the second or third trimester, plan to put it overhead, and what needs to be immediately accessible during flight. Finally, figure out what you will need if you get nauseous during flight and how you will handle it. Getting these little details worked out well before you board the airplane will go a long way to helping you have a peaceful and relaxed flight.

Ask for help if flying while pregnant

Flight crews can be amazingly helpful and understanding to women who are traveling while pregnant. When you board, if it is not obvious, let your flight attendant know that you are pregnant. If you don’t have a chance to connect with your flight attendant while boarding, be sure to let them know when they bring the drink cart. As above, staying hydrated is key, so feel free to ask for two or three glasses.

Traveling while pregnant does not need to be an unpleasant experience. With a little planning, a bit of help, and a lot of patience, flying pregnant can be a breeze.

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Flying While Pregnant

Julie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:23:44 +0000

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Flying While Pregnant

Flying while pregnant should not be a big issue for most women. That being said, the second trimester is generally accepted as the safest time to fly pregnant. Generally, the airlines and medical professionals agree that during that period air travel should not complicate a normal pregnancy. That being said, make sure that you do consult your doctor before deciding to fly during any stage of pregnancy.

Flying during the first trimester of pregnancy<

Typically, there are no restrictions for air travel during the first trimester, and it is generally considered safe. However, air travel obviously takes its toll on the body. In addition, close proximity to others who may have a cold is always a great concern during flight. Also, for longer flights, be sure to get up and move around a bit as is generally recommended for healthy individuals. Once again, check with your doctor before flying while pregnant to discuss any risks to your pregnancy.

Flying during the second trimester of pregnancy

The second trimester is believed by many to be the safest time to travel during
pregnancy. The risks associated with the first few months have diminished and
the second trimester does not have the risk of premature labor that is associated with the later months. Flying during your second trimester does however have its challenges. The fit of the seatbelt, thrombosis from not moving for extended periods, and then there is the risk of turbulence. Once again, if you are flying while pregnant, be sure to ask your doctor before boarding the flight.

Flying during the third trimester of pregnancy

Generally, airlines have policies in place to restrict late term air travel. This is generally to avoid the possibility of delivering the baby on the plane. These policies are in place to protect the airlines from liability, as well as protect the mother for a life changing experience. If you do need to travel during the third trimester of pregnancy, make sure that you are under the limits of the airlines and that your doctor is okay with the travel, or at least has explained the risks of flying while pregnant to you.

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Smoking While Pregnant

Julie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:25:16 +0000

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Smoking While Pregnant

I know that there is an addition issue, but smoking and drinking while pregnant is just not acceptable. The challenge in either drinking or smoking while pregnant is that the compounds in the cigarette smoke or alcohol get into your baby’s blood stream as well as your own. The high that is provided by smoking or by drinking alcohol is created when the active compound enters your blood stream either though your intestines, or through your lungs. Once those compounds enter the blood stream, they react with different cells in your body to create the expected feeling. While those compounds are doing their business, your liver is busy trying to metabolize them and remove them from your body. If you think about alcohol and cigarette smoke as toxins, after you consume them, you liver does the best it can to detoxify them so that the toxins from smoking and alcohol can be removed from the body.

For a normal adult, this process of metabolizing toxins from alcohol and cigarette smoke is energy and labor intensive, but the liver does a decent job. If exposure happens daily, or you overdose, the liver can get overloaded and starts to get damaged which results in cirrhosis. Now if you are smoking or drinking while pregnant, you share the cigarette and alcohol toxins in your blood stream with your baby. If you have a normal dose of alcohol, your baby essentially gets that same dose.

Unfortunately, your baby’s liver is much, much smaller than yours and a normal dose of alcohol or nicotine for you is a huge dose for your baby. There are a number of protection mechanisms in place to help your baby survive exposure to toxins while pregnant, but constant exposure can take its toll.

Overall, the best approach is to avoid alcohol and stop smoking
while pregnant. A single drink of wine every day may be okay, and some studies show that the compounds in the wine may be helpful, but never consume enough to get drunk while pregnant. It’s just not worth it to the health of your baby.

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Bloom'en Nutrition » while pregnant

Prenatal Vitamins Are Designed Just For Pregnancy And Lactation

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