The service of shaia{R}

While many women have been pregnant over the centuries, shaia just wants to make sure readers know proper ways to maintain both their own health and the health of the developing baby growing inside of them. They need to obtain prenatal care, have healthy nutrition, avoid certain foods and behaviors, and most of all keep active unless prescribed not to by the doctor. (shaia in no means claims to be an expert on this subject nor a health professional before following anything in this blog talk to your doctor to find out what is best for you and your baby.) shaia hopes that reading this may help you in your 40 week long journey, as it has helped hers, and is going to help her current journey of pregnancy with Oour next child.

Prenatal care is the first step to a healthy pregnancy. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, seek prenatal care. There are many kinds of prenatal care. Obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYN) – are doctors who specialize in pregnancy and delivery, as well as woman issues. Certified Midwives – are advanced practice nurses specializing in women's health care needs, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for uncomplicated pregnancies; there are also other kinds of midwives, but you should look for one with formal training who's been certified in the field. And there are also Family Practitioners - doctors who provide a range of services for patients of all ages — in some cases, this includes obstetrical care.

Any of these kinds of caregivers are a wonderful choice; however, you might want to look into all of them to see which would work best for you. During your care for your pregnancy many things happen. At your first appointment, they will verify pregnancy, determine how far along in the pregnancy, and due date. After that appointment your health care provider will check your weight and blood pressure while also checking the growth and development of your baby (by doing things like feeling your abdomen, listening for the fetal heartbeat starting during the second trimester, and measuring your belly). During the span of your pregnancy, you'll also have prenatal tests, including blood, urine, and cervical tests, and probably at least one ultrasound.

Your doctor may discuss with you the need and importance of healthy nutrition. However, make sure you are eating healthy, meaning: a well-balanced diet that incorporates the dietary guidelines, make sure you are also getting calcium during your pregnancy. Your diet also should be including:

• lean meats
  
• fruits
  
• vegetables
  
• whole-grain breads
  
• low-fat dairy product
  

Take your prenatal vitamins daily; and that they have calcium, iron, and folic acid. They are crucia to both you and your baby's health and development. They also help prepare your body for giving birth. Be sure to take your prenatal vitamins as directed, not just by your physician, but by the instructions on the bottle. Iron, for example, is best absorbed when taken between meals, and its absorption is hindered by caffeine so avoid taking within one hour of drinking tea or coffee. The directions on the bottle will give suggestions about the best time of day to take them.

You should drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses per day (48 to 64 fluid ounces) plus one 8-ounce cup for each hour of light activity. Juices can contribute to your fluid intake, but keep in mind that they can also provide a lot of extra calories. A woman's blood volume increases dramatically during pregnancy, and drinking enough water each day can help prevent common problems such as dehydration and constipation. Water is an important part of pregnancy. The fluid acts as the body's transportation system, and carries nutrients through the blood to the baby. Also, flushing out the system and diluting urine with water prevents urinary tract infections, which are common in pregnancy.

During your pregnancy you should also remain active; If you are very active or did intense aerobic activities before becoming pregnant, you may be able to keep up your workouts, as long as your doctor says it's safe. Before beginning — or continuing — any exercise regimens talk to your doctor first.

Exercising during pregnancy has been shown to be extremely beneficial. Regular exercise can help:

• prevent excess weight gain
  
• reduce pregnancy related problems, like back pain, swelling, and constipation
  
• improve sleep
  
• increase energy
  
• improve outlook
  
• prepare for labor
  
• lessen recovery time
  

Low-impact, moderate-intensity exercise activities (such as walking and swimming) are great choices. You can also opt for yoga or Pilates classes, DVDs, or videos that are tailored for pregnancy. These are both low-impact and work on strength, flexibility, and relaxation. Whatever type of exercise you choose, make sure to take frequent breaks and remember to drink plenty of fluids. And use common sense — slow down or stop if you get short of breath or feel uncomfortable. If you have any questions about doing a certain sport or activity during your pregnancy, talk to your health care provider for specific guidelines.

During your pregnancy it is important to get plenty of sleep. Your body is working to develop and accommodate a new life, so you will most likely feel more tired than usual. As your baby gets bigger it may also be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Laying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from applying pressure to the large blood vessels that carry blood to and from your heart and your feet and legs. Lying on your side can also help prevent or reduce varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and swelling in your legs.

Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. Because one of those big blood vessels is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off of it. Lying on your left side optimizes blood flow to the placenta and, therefore, your baby.

Ask what your health care provider recommends. In most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back. To create a more comfortable resting position either way, prop pillows between your legs, behind your back, and underneath your belly.

During pregnancy for your health and the health of your pregnancy there are a few things you should avoid.

Although it may seem harmless to have a glass of wine at dinner or a mug of beer out with friends, no one has determined what a "safe amount" of alcohol to consume during pregnancy is. One of the most common known causes of mental and physical birth defects, alcohol can cause severe abnormalities in a developing fetus.

Pregnant women who use drugs may be placing their unborn babies at risk for premature birth, poor growth, birth defects, and behavior and learning problems. And their babies could also be born addicted to those drugs themselves. If you're pregnant and using drugs, a health clinic such as Planned Parenthood can recommend health care providers, at little or no cost, who can help you quit your habit and have a healthier pregnancy. If you've used any drugs at any time during your pregnancy, it's important to inform your health care provider. Even if you've quit, your unborn child could still be at risk for health problems.

You wouldn't light a cigarette, put it in your baby's mouth, and encourage your little one to puff away. As ridiculous as this scenario seems, pregnant women who continue to smoke are allowing their fetus to smoke, too. The smoking mother passes nicotine and carbon monoxide to her growing baby. The risks of smoking to the fetus include:

• stillbirth
  
• prematurity
  
• low birth weight
  
• sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  
• asthma and other respiratory problems
  

If you smoke, having a baby may be the motivation you need to quit. Talk to your health care provider about options for stopping your smoking habit.

High caffeine consumption has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, so it's probably wise to limit or even avoid caffeine altogether if you can. If you're having a hard time cutting out coffee cold turkey, here's how you can start:

• Cut your consumption down to one or two cups a day.
  
• Gradually reduce the amount by combining decaffeinated coffee with regular coffee.
  
• Eventually try to cut out the regular coffee altogether.
  

Remember that caffeine is not limited to coffee. Many teas, colas, and other soft drinks contain caffeine. Try switching to decaffeinated products (which may still have some caffeine, but in much smaller amounts) or caffeine-free alternatives. If you're wondering whether chocolate, which also contains caffeine, is a concern, the good news is that you can have it in moderation. Whereas the average chocolate bar has anywhere from 5 to 30 milligrams of caffeine, there's 95 to 135 milligrams in a cup of brewed coffee. So, small amounts of chocolate are fine.

Although you need to eat plenty of healthy foods during pregnancy, you also need to avoid food-borne illnesses, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, which can be life-threatening to an unborn baby and may cause birth defects or miscarriage. Foods you'll want to steer clear of include:

• soft, unpasteurized cheeses (often advertised as "fresh") such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese
  
• unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider
  
• raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse, tiramisu, raw cookie dough, homemade ice cream, and Caesar dressing (although some store-bought brands of the dressing may not contain raw eggs)
  
• raw or undercooked meats, fish (sushi), or shellfish
  
• processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats (unless they are reheated until steaming)
  

Also, although fish and shellfish can be an extremely healthy part of your pregnancy diet (they contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and are high in protein and low in saturated fat), you should avoid eating:

• shark
  
• swordfish
  
• king mackerel
  
• tilefish
  
• tuna steak
  

These types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, which can cause damage to the developing brain of a fetus. When you choose seafood, limit the total amount to about 12 ounces per week — that's about two meals. Also, if you eat canned tuna, limit consumption to no more than 6 ounces per week. Also, check any local advisories before consuming recreationally caught fish.

Pregnancy is the prime time to get out of cleaning kitty's litter box. Why? Because toxoplasmosis can be spread through soiled cat litter boxes and can cause serious problems, including prematurity, poor growth, and severe eye and brain damage. A pregnant woman who becomes infected often has no symptoms but can still pass the infection on to her developing baby.

Even common over-the-counter medications that are generally safe may be considered off-limits during pregnancy because of their potential effects on the baby. And certain prescription medications may also cause harm to the developing fetus.

To make sure you don't take anything that could be harmful to your baby:

• Ask your health care provider which medicines — both over-the-counter and prescription — are safe to take during pregnancy.
  
• Talk to your health care provider about any prescription drugs you're taking.
  
• Let all of your health care providers know that you're pregnant so that they'll keep that in mind when recommending or prescribing any medications.
  
• Also remember to discuss natural remedies, supplements, and vitamins.
  

If you were prescribed a medication before you became pregnant for an illness, disease, or condition you still have, consult with your health care provider, who can help you weigh potential benefits and risks of continuing your prescription. If you become sick (e.g., with a cold) or have symptoms that are causing you discomfort or pain (like a headache or backache), talk to your health care provider about medications you can take and alternative ways to help you feel better without medication.

During pregnancy, from the first week to the fortieth, it's important to take care of yourself in order to take care of your baby. Even though you have to take some precautions and be ever-aware of how what you what you do — and don't do — may affect your baby, many women say they've never felt healthier than when they carried their children. Hopefully, what shaia has written can be information you or someone you know who is pregnant finds helpful. Again, shaia wants to stress that in no way should this be considered medical advice for you and your baby. Seek a medical practitioner before following any of these things. Shaia does not claim to be neither a health care professional nor someone who claims to know anything about medical or nutritional health while pregnant. What shaia does know is only what doctors have told her, what she has experienced, and learned during her own pregnancies. shaia wishes you and your baby health, happiness, and joy for the future.

shaia{R}