Pregnant Woman

Journey of a pregnant woman to motherhood is replete with a number of surprises. The moment she and her spouse learn that there is pregnancy and a baby is going to be there in their family, they are in an ecstatic mood. It is the most exciting moment for husband as well as wife. It not only transforms the body of a pregnant woman but her mind too. While dealing with the joys and pregnancy celebrations, let’s spare a thought for the anxieties arising during pregnancy, too. Every pregnant woman faces a number of unanticipated side effects during her pregnancy, most of which disappear after pregnancy.

Unexpected Effects Of Pregnancy

Mood Swings

The most common phenomenon that a pregnant woman experiences is that of mood swings. It occurs mainly during the first and the third trimester of the pregnancy. Mood swings make a pregnant woman feel ecstatic as well as depressed and isolated without any rhyme and reason. It is advisable to see the doctor if the problem of depression continues for more than two weeks.

Inability To Concentrate and Take Care

A pregnant woman undergoes hormonal changes, and faces problems of exhaustion, morning sickness and preoccupation with the baby that makes her forgetful. One can successfully overcome this phase of pregnancy by preparing a list of things to be done, taking necessary rest and limited but nutritious diet.

Nesting Instinct

It is commonplace for a pregnant woman to develop an intense nesting instinct, which is a strong desire to provide a home for the ensuing baby and decorate it. However, be careful and avoid too much of hard physical labor to ensure that the baby is safe.

Increased Bra Size

Since the breasts of a pregnant woman continue to get enlarged, get swollen, tender and painful, one must change the bra size to feel comfortable.

Skin Glow

It is not unusual for a pregnant woman to experience an increase in blood volume so that she can cater to the metabolic needs of her fetus. This makes her skin glow and make her look unusually pretty. Some pregnant women also develop rashes, pimples and moles because of hormonal changes. If there is irritation or itchiness due to skin stretching on the abdomen, use skin creams and lotions for relief.

Hair And Nails Growth

A pregnant woman, at times can have hair growth on her face or belly. Her nails may become longer and grow faster.

Increased Shoe Size

It also happens that some pregnant women see their feet swelling, but these changes are not permanent. In order to get relief from the pain, one can wear slip-on shoes of a larger size.

Other Changes

There are few more symptoms of pain during pregnancy, including reduced joint mobility, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and constipation. Though almost all these problems disappear after pregnancy, it is always better to be careful and have a balanced diet. This can help alleviate the adverse effects of these temporary conditions in a pregnant woman. A pregnant woman can look forward to a variety of surprises during her pregnancy. There should not be any anxiety because almost all of these side effects disappear after pregnancy. The golden rule for any pregnant woman is to enjoy these very exciting days, weeks and months that will eventually bring a newborn into the family.

Nutrition for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a time when your body begins to undergo sudden and rapid changes. There was a time when mothers to be were advised to eat enough for two. Today, this advice is way off the mark because new research finds that in terms of quantity, pregnant mothers need take in an extra 300 calories only. So, pregnant mothers who habitually eat enough for two may find themselves developing undesirable health conditions. Therefore, it is important for pregnant mothers to understand what kind of food is best for them and their baby.

Even if you have been eating a healthy diet prior to your pregnancy, you have to pay extra attention to what you eat when you are pregnant. A healthy diet is vital to a successful pregnancy because it ensures correct fetal growth and reduces complications.

Given below are a few guidelines regarding nutrition for pregnant women:

* Avoid empty calories. Choose whole grain foods and substitute high calorie foods with foods that have higher nutritive value.

* Pregnant women need approximately 1,500 mg of calcium everyday. This supplies enough calcium to the fetus for bone growth and prevents the mother from losing her bone density. In this regard, it is important to remember that most women do not get enough calcium even when they are not pregnant. So, extra effort has to be made to get the right amounts of calcium throughout pregnancy. Calcium rich foods include tofu, salmon, green leafy vegetables and dairy products.

* Another important aspect of nutrition for pregnant women is regarding the need to stock up on food rich in iron. These include fish, poultry, eggs, enriched grains and green leafy vegetables. However, since iron absorption from food takes place at a very slow pace, many doctors advise the intake of iron supplements. Iron supplements often lead to constipation, though it may help if you take your supplements with food. To improve iron absorption, include food that is rich in vitamin C.

* Folic acid is important to proper fetal growth. Taking in 400 mg of folic acid everyday can prevent more than 70% of birth defects commonly found in newborn babies. Natural foods like dark green vegetables, oranges, grains, beans, lean meat and liver are rich in folic acid. You also get folic acid supplements, and doctors often recommend the intake of prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid.

* Pregnant mothers must not follow a restrictive diet. Do not skip meals. Eat enough to gain weight at the recommended rate. Include a variety of foods since this ensures that you are getting all the minerals and vitamins that your body needs. Eat at regular intervals so that your blood sugar levels do not peak and dip.

* Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Avoid alcohol and quit smoking.

* These days, it is common for pregnant women to take in large doses of supplements. Although some amount of fortified foods is helpful, large doses can cause health problems. So always discuss with your healthcare provider before you start taking supplements of any sort.

* Pregnant women should avoid undercooked food, swordfish, mackerel and tilefish since these may contain high levels of Mercury.

By following these tenets of good nutrition, a pregnant mother can ensure the health and proper development of her baby. At the same time, she can also prevent unnecessary weight gain that may lead to health complications later on.

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