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Oct 18
0

How Can I Tell if My Symptoms Are Normal?

Posted by | Because You Asked, Lifestyle | No Comments

Normal Pregnancy Symptoms and Symptoms that Might Indicate a Problem If you’re pregnant, especially for the first time, you might be experiencing an entirely new set of symptoms that you never expected. You might even be wondering if they are normal, or if there is something you should worry about for your own health or that of your unborn child. If you’re just not sure if that is normal or cause for concern, learn more about these 8 common pregnancy symptoms. 8 Normal Symptoms of Pregnancy 1. Abnormal menstruation – While many women have a missed period as their first sign of pregnancy, some women have a lighter period than typical that first month. Either one of these is generally a normal symptom of pregnancy. Cause for concern – Repeated bleeding or spotting during pregnancy might indicate a problem with the health of the pregnancy and you should consult your…

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Oct 17
1

Is Sushi Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?

Posted by | LENS, Nutrition, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

Safe Guidelines when Eating for Two If you are either pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, chances are you’ve heard your fair share of warnings and guidelines about what to eat and what not to eat for the health of your baby. Pregnancy is a time in your life when you might have to make changes in your diet and lifestyle in order to support the development of a healthy baby. Fish offers pregnant women a healthy way to add protein and Omega-3 fatty acids – essential for the strong development of your baby’s brain. A healthy diet during pregnancy can include fish, even sushi, as long as you follow safe guidelines for selection and preparation, just as with most protein sources. Is There Such a Thing as Safe Sushi? When it comes to eating sushi during pregnancy, the most important concern is not that the fish is served raw….

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Oct 17
0

Caffeine during pregnancy- Is it safe and how much?

Posted by | LENS, Nutrition, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

Whether it’s from coffee, soda, energy drinks, or chocolate, millions of Americans consume caffeine every day. There have long been concerns about the potential effects of caffeine on mothers and unborn children. Given these concerns, women are advised to avoid large amounts of caffeine when they are pregnant. Consuming a moderate amount of caffeine during pregnancy, however, is safe in most cases. Although conflicting information continues to emerge, this article provides some general information regarding pregnancy and caffeine. The (potential) Dangers of Caffeine Estimates suggest that between 75% and 93% of pregnant women consume caffeine on a daily basis (Kaiser & Allen, 2008). Given the prevalence of caffeine intake, it is no surprise that researchers have made a concerted effort to understand the potential effects of caffeine during pregnancy. The results of these studies have been mixed, but here are some potential dangers. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases your…

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Oct 16
0

Intestinal Bloating

Posted by | Symptoms & Remedies | No Comments

We know hormones have a profound influence on the gastrointestinal tract.  Even women who are not pregnant notice changes in frequency of bowel disorders around the time of their periods.  Progesterone, the primary hormone in pregnancy relaxes the muscles lining the digestive tract.  This makes gas and bloating more common.  Also, as your uterus enlarges more pressure is placed on your intestines.  Drinking lots of water will help you have regular bowel movements and this can decrease gas and bloating.  Also, a higher fiber diet may be helpful.  This will also lead to increase bowel movement frequency.  Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria found in yogurt, have a very positive effect on your GI tract. They can help prevent diarrhea, constipation and heartburn.  We recommend eating yogurt regularly throughout your pregnancy.

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Oct 16
1

Manicures and pedicures during pregnancy— Are they safe?

Posted by | LENS, Lifestyle, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

There are many beneficial effects associated with the growing body of a pregnant woman. Many women savor the nail and hair growth that often accompanies pregnancy.  These beauty “enhancements” are due to increased hormone production that supports the growing baby and expectant mother. Additionally, a healthy pregnancy diet and prenatal vitamins such as biotin, a B-complex vitamin has been associated with healthy, thick and firm nails.   Given the exponential growth of the pregnant woman’s nails, regularly she contemplates how to best care for her nails.  As such, many women wonder, “are manicures and pedicures safe during pregnancy?”  By most accounts, the answer to this question is “Yes”, with a few precautions.   Health and safety recommendations for nail care include maintaining nail hygiene, such as keeping nails clean and dry; avoiding biting or picking at nails; applying moisturizer to nails; and gently pushing cuticles back instead of cutting them. …

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Oct 15
0
Choose safe toys for your child.

How Do I Choose the Right Toys for My Child?

Posted by | Lifestyle, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

It seems that several times each year there are reports in the news about baby toys that are no longer considered safe and are removed from the market. It can leave parents concerned and confused about how to find safe baby toys, and how to make sure that the toy investment will continue to be safe. There are several factors that you should consider when choosing toys for your baby. They include age guidelines, construction, electronic components, warranties, and educational and developmental value. Age Guidelines Look at the recommended ages on the packaging. These age recommendations, such as Ages 6 Months+, indicate to you the safety level as well. It tells you whether or not this toy is appropriate in skill level and safety for your baby. In general toys for ages birth to 5 months are limited as far as the interaction your child will get from it. During…

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Oct 15
0
What to expect in your 3rd trimester.

3 Things to Know During Your Last Trimester of Pregnancy

Posted by | Lifestyle, Pregnancy Health | No Comments

What Are Some of the Physical and Emotional Changes a Mother Experiences in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy? You will probably be feeling a lot more tired as the changes in your body drain your energy and you have difficulty sleeping at night. By now, your body has become big enough to make it difficult for you to sit up and get up without help. You are also probably experiencing severe back aches, swollen feet, and problems maintaining your balance; and when you look in the mirror, you see someone whose looks are quite different from before you were pregnant. Since these symptoms will be with you during your third trimester, you shouldn’t spend time complaining about them. Instead, embrace these physical changes as a sign of the new life you are about to begin and enjoy and take pleasure in your fertility. Along with the physical changes, you may…

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Oct 14
2

How Can Partners Maintain Healthy Relationships During Pregnancy?

Posted by | LENS, Lifestyle, Pregnancy Medicine, Stress | No Comments

Pregnancy is a time of great change, not only physically, but for the relationships involved with the baby that will soon be born. One of the most important relationships a mother-to-be can have is the one with her partner, with whom she will share her worries and hopes for the future. Her significant other is the person who she wants by her side for the changes and challenges, and upon whom she wants to rely after the birth. While many of the concerns focus on the mom-to-be, there are also issues that the partner faces and experiences, which are just as valid and important to the relationship. Maintaining a healthy relationship between partners not only provides for a healthier and better pregnancy, but is essential for remaining committed partners after the labor and delivery. Tips for Keeping A Healthy Relationship There are many ways to nurture relationships between significant others…

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Oct 14
0

Don’t Blink

Posted by | LENS, Lifestyle, Pregnancy Lifestyle | No Comments

This past week my family took a vacation and it just so happened to be Charlotte’s first birthday.  My baby is 1! Whoa.  Her first year of life went by waaaaay faster than I remember Jack’s going.  I try to look back to when I first brought her home from the hospital, and it all seems to be a blur.  I still look at her and think she’s as little as when she was born.  For some reason when Jack turned 1, I thought he was 5.  He seems so much older and I just want Charlie to stay my baby forever.   I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with strangers that involve how fast their kids grew up and to just enjoy the moment.  When you bring home a new baby, it’s so easy to wish for restful nights, more independence, and “the next stage.”  The truth…

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Oct 14
0

5 Pregnancy Facts That Are Just Weird

Posted by | Lifestyle, Pregnancy Health | No Comments

Is it True That During Pregnancy, There Are Some Unusual Changes To The Mother’s Body? The answer to that question is “yes.” During pregnancy, the mother’s body experiences unusual alterations as a result of the shift in hormone levels. There are some weird pregnancy facts about a few of these changes you may not know. Is the Brain Affected by Pregnancy? Yes. There is a condition called “pregnancy brain” that causes pregnant women to become increasingly more forgetful as they enter the second and third trimesters. In 2010, a group of English researchers conducted a study to test pregnant women’s spatial memory, which is the ability to remember where objects are located, for example where you left your glasses when you took them off. There were 23 pregnant women and 24 non-pregnant women who participated in the study. The researchers found that during the second and third trimesters, the pregnant…

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Oct 13
0

10 Things I Wish People Would Have Told Me When I Was Pregnant: PART ONE

Posted by | Lifestyle, Pregnancy Lifestyle | No Comments

There’s nothing like your first. Health wise, I had great pregnancies. However, no pregnancy is as enjoyable as your first. It’s all about you. If you’re tired, take a nap or go to bed right after work. I did. I would sleep from 5:15pm to 7:30am some nights. If you’re sick, call into work and stay in bed all day to watch a ‘Real Housewives’ marathon. If you don’t feel like making dinner, pick up something on your way home from work and call it a night. It’s heaven. Then you have the baby and decide ‘if I have one, I should probably have another’. Well guess what? It’s not like your first. Now you’re on either a baby’s/toddler’s/child’s schedule and that’s your first priority. I remember the first time I got a cold during my second pregnancy. I woke up feeling miserable and thought how am I going to…

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Oct 13
0

Are there Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy?

Posted by | LENS, Nutrition, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

If you are expecting a baby, chances are you are taking vitamins, adding an extra glass of water or two to your daily intake, and choosing fresh foods that will provide your baby with the most nutrients possible. However, do you know which foods you should not consume while pregnant for the health of your baby? The advice from your friends and well-meaning family can be confusing, but the guidelines that have been established by years of medical research don’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you have allergies, sensitivities, or special health concerns there are basic pregnancy nutrition choices you should consider during pregnancy. Seafood Consumption Seafood can give you and your baby the omega-3 fatty acids that are important to both of you, but if you’re not careful you might be exposing your baby to elevated levels of mercury. This mercury poses a danger to your unborn child’s nervous…

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Oct 12
0

My Baby is Breech – What is an external cephalic version?

Posted by | LENS, Lifestyle, Pregnancy Medicine | No Comments

If you are in the final weeks of pregnancy and have been told that your baby is breech, your caregiver might suggest what is known as external cephalic version (ECV). You might be nervous, confused, or apprehensive about the breech presentation of your baby, as well as about whether or not the ECV technique works. What Does a “Breech” Position Mean for Me and My Baby? During the last month of pregnancy your caregiver will likely palpate your abdomen to try to determine the position of your baby in utero. Ultrasounds are also sometimes used to get a clearer indication of positioning. Somewhere shortly after the 36th week your baby’s head should move to and remain directed downward near the birth canal. If this does not occur it is known as the breech position, and if left unchanged, can pose great risks for you and your baby. Depending upon the…

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Oct 12
1

I’m Pregnant and Exhausted, But I Still Can’t Sleep! What Do I Do?

Posted by | Stress, Symptoms & Remedies | No Comments

Image courtesy of Pinterest. Pregnancy is a time of many changes in a woman’s life. Her outward appearance changes as her body grows to support her developing baby, while inside her body is also undergoing many changes that can’t necessarily be seen by looking at her. One of those changes a pregnant woman faces is increased tiredness and even fatigue. To make it worse, however, this problem is compounded by the fact that sleep is not always as easy or as natural as it once was. At some point, you may be saying to yourself or anyone who will listen, “I’m pregnant and exhausted, but I still can’t sleep!” How Can Pregnant Women Sleep Better and Stay More Energized? The emotional changes your body endures during the first trimester often account for much of the fatigue you might be feeling. The energy it takes to create a life-sustaining placenta is…

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Pregnancy Calendar

1st Trimester

Weeks 1-4

Week 6

Week 8

Week 10

Week 12

Week 5

Week 7

Week 9

Week 11

Week 13

2nd Trimester

Week 14

Week 16

Week 18

Week 20

Week 22

Week 24

Week 26

Week 28

Week 15

Week 17

Week 19

Week 21

Week 23

Week 25

Week 27

3rd Trimester

Week 28

Week 30

Week 32

Week 34

Week 36

Week 38

Week 40

Week 29

Week 31

Week 33

Week 35

Week 37

Week 39