Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘Pregnancy’

At this period you have to replace some food. For example, milk is a substitute for cheese; instead of meat it is better to eat fish or other seafood, sugar is a substitute for honey. Good honey has healing properties, and that is why it is the best food. It contains important elements necessary for the formation of blood cells, and it can be used to strengthen the nervous system, normalize sleeping, etc. As a bonus, honey helps to prevent constipation. Full meal can be called an egg, because it includes all the necessary components for forming, like a chicken, and man.
Vegetable salads contain essential minerals, so adding them to your diet is essential. To increase the hemoglobin in the blood can help the liver, eat it once a week and get the necessary vitamins for you and your child. Eating nuts is also healthy because they increase the fat content of breast milk.
You can give up some food for the health of your child at this period. Of course, diet during pregnancy and lactation is best to plan with qualified professionals in this field. And do not forget that during this period you may have an allergy to certain foods, for example, on citrus fruits or nuts, so that consultation with the allergist will never be superfluous.Correctly made diet will never harm you and your child. So carefully study your diet at this period.

Each woman will sooner or later wonder at what age it is better to give birth. There are different opinions. Recently a trend has been noticed that women decide to become mothers after 30 years, having received a good education and a career. But, unfortunately, many of them do not know that conceiving after 30 years is much more problematic than at younger ages. This occurs because the supply of eggs from women is reduced, thereby reducing the likelihood of successful conception.
Ovum has its roots in the follicle, where a woman is given a laid still while the girls in the womb. Mortgaging follicles more than 5 million, and by the time of puberty, girls have still only 400 thousand. And just one hundredth of this number of follicles reaches full maturity and ovulates, giving life to the egg. After 35 years the number of follicles in the ovaries of women sharply decreases, and when their numbers fall to 1000, reaches a natural menopause.
Likelihood of pregnancy depends on the ability of the female body to conceive. The greatest chance of conception is for healthy women aged 20-25 years. This is the age scientists consider the best for the child’s birth. After 25 years the possibility of successful conception and reduced to forty years is only 5%. The main reasons for reducing the likelihood of conception is the age, genetic predisposition to premature depletion of ovarian disease ovaries.
Modern science has different methods of determining the reduction of the stock of follicles.
Conception can be made through IVF, but its effectiveness in such cases is about 20%. The second version of the problem – is the use of donor eggs. But such a step is very expensive, not every family is ready, to take a donor egg from a strange woman.
To avoid such problems, you should have children at a young age. A career and education will wait!

Pregnancy is one of the most serious tests in woman’s life, which she must overcome. It is divided into several main phases concerning the important changes in mother and baby.
Due to the fact that science has been noted and recorded major changes in the body of a pregnant woman, you can prepare for these phases in advance without future surprises. All this will benefit prospective parents, as well as help in planning pregnancy. You can prepare your and your child’s body to these changes in advance.
Of course, it is easier to identify and observe the changes taking place with the future mother. But it is much harder to detect any changes in the body of your baby. The calendar of pregnancy for each woman is strictly an individual process. But there are some general phases that occur in the life of every expectant mother.
The very first phase in this process is conception, which occurs during the first four weeks. Conception is the fertilization of female ova with male sperm. This is the starting point of pregnancy. Then within five to eight weeksbaby’s heart starts beating and arms and legs are already formed. Then baby begins to perform some motions. In the womb, this period begins in nine to twelve weeks. At this time the child is still quite tiny, and the mother can not immediately feel these movements. Upon reaching the thirteen-sixteen weeks mother already feels these motions performed by the child. Doctors at this stage can determine the sex of the child. Children even acquire bad habits – they can suck big finger. During the seventeenth to the twentieth week, the doctors can confidently tell you whom you will give birth – a boy or a girl, because at this stage are forming the genitals of the child and hair.
At the next phase of development the child becomes quite capable. Some fat appears which protects him/her against extreme temperatures. This process occurs within 21-24 weeks.
Then the organs of hearing are formed, he/she feels the external noise. This stage occurs at 25-28 weeks of development.
He/she feels the restriction in space and begins to move less, but starts kicking.
At the next phase begins to grow his/her head, he/she already moves eyes, and by the end of 32 weeks all organs except the lungs are formed. At the 33rd week, the child already blinks. And at the 40 th week finally the baby’s lungs are formed. Now he/she waits only for childbirth.
For women and men the calendar of pregnancy is a great opportunity to stay close to their baby throughout all phases of its development. This is an interesting, exciting occupation; the calendar of pregnancy will help them more clearly and properly to conduct themselves in each new stage of development of their baby. Do not throw it; it’s a real remarkable thing that belongs to your child. So it can become your family heirloom. When child grows up and becomes adult, probably he/she will be very interested in seeing his/her life’s path, starting from the source. Yes, and he/she himself/herself will need parent experience, when taking care about his/her children and family.

Finally long, complex process of preparing for pregnancy and carrying your baby will come to its end. Now you have no less difficult and important task – childbirth. For this you are carefully prepared. And soon your child will see the white light.

Deliveries are accompanied by profound emotional and, above all, physical stress. Therefore, future mothers should take most comfortable position, so as not to be distracted by discomfort in the most inopportune moment. Choosing the position, just think that you need to help your baby. Deliveries for him are not easy too. Lie down, sit, recline. Choose a convenient place – bed, couch, maternity chair. Calm down, take it easy. When it starts, keep your back straight. The doctor and obstetrician are always near. They will help you mentally, give the right advice. Most importantly do as they say. Between contractions breathe properly. This will help to calm down, and will also facilitate relaxation of the pelvis, rectum and anus.

At a time when the baby’s head appears in the vagina, you need to calm down. This moment is called discovery. Now it is very important to follow the advice of a doctor. He/she will tell you when you need to push and when to relax. If you do not get nervous, but quietly comply with the physician, you can avoid gaps in vagina. Once the head appears further process will go much easier.

Sometimes, at first birth, or because of incorrect disposition of the child episiotomy happens. The idea is to cut between the vagina and anus. As a result, conditions for easier passage of the head of the child are created. Before doing episiotomy, the doctor must obtain the consent of women. During this anesthesia is done. Fabrics vagina relax and the process becomes easier. After the release of the child, followed by the placenta, the incision is stitched.

The appearance of the head is the most difficult moment, as it is the widest part of the baby. Since its inception, thephysician sees that the umbilical cord is not wound around the neck. Over time he/she cleans the mouth and throat of the child from the liquid. Then the doctor will turn, with contractions, the child’s shoulders so that they open the vagina. The rest of the body slips out itself, under pressure from uterine contractions. And now you will feel an incredible relief. Now your kid screams, letting the world know about his/her appearance. But not everyone starts screaming. Some kids just whine, other just breathe.

Finally, this fairy-tale moment came. You can take your little miracle in your hands. He/she claps eyes and looks at you without understanding what happened. But now he/she feels your care. He/she knows that you can protect him/her. These moments are worth all the difficulties and hardships, through which you had to go. You are still physically inseparable. At the time of cutting umbilical cord, attach the child to your heart. Let him/her feel your breath, and the beat of your heart, your velvet skin, your endless love for him/her. Enjoy this time. You will never forget it. Now you are a mother. Life of this little creature depends on you.

Human body is a well-established system of interaction mechanisms and natural nutrients. Everyone must be considerate to all the processes taking place inside him, and be able to recognize signals that our body sends. After all, if we treat ourselves with care and love, our body responds to us in return.
Conversely, if we do not notice the signals sent by our body, then over time it just stops sending them. And we won’t be able to treat ourselves. Mostly women must think about this when planning a child or when they are already pregnant. Every mother wants a beautiful, healthy and strong baby. If a woman eats properly and fully receives the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals, she can count on a powerful little fellow. If you are planning a child, then you should think about a special pregnancy diet.
Remember that baby gets all the vitamins and minerals necessary for its growth and health from his mother. Woman’s body contains trillion different cells. In order to control their normal functioning pregnant women should constantly receive vitamins and other beneficial substances. This can be done only through well-balanced meal. Do not forget that during pregnancy a woman is experiencing tremendous overload, because her body is working for two.

Every cell in the body carries out its role, so it is important to provide nutrients to each of them. The interaction of these cells, in general, provides a healthy, strong baby.
One of the most important elements is iron. It is present in large quantities in the blood. Above we said that our body is a unique tool of interaction. Therefore, the lack or decrease of one substance in the chain entails a decrease in another. The lack of this element impacts on the overall state of health. When pregnant women have iron deficiencythey will have headache, uterine cramps, etc.
So you see how the lack of one substance leads to serious consequences. Now imagine that there are several substances. If the expectant mother does not want to be exposed to such diseases and harm your child, she should supply the body with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Carelessness may entail dire consequences (the loss of the fetus or the birth of weak and sick child).
Expectant mothers should carefully select vitamin supplements, because they are different on the content of the most indispensable substances. Take supplements containing magnesium and vitamin D. In the body, these two substances play a huge role. First, they provide the bones with calcium. Second, calcium and magnesium support to the optimum performance of the muscles. Do not forget that the main muscle is the heart, but it feels more pressure because it works for both. Therefore, the recommended dose of magnesium for pregnant is about 500 mg per day. It is noteworthy that the amount of magnesium is not shown in blood tests. Because it is contained in the cells themselves, and its level in the blood is consistently supported by the bones and the muscles. Woman must ensure adequate consumption of magnesium. However, magnesium can provoke diarrhea, so its use splits throughout the day.
We think these examples are enough to see how the selection of vitamins and minerals is needed for healthy expectant mother and baby.
In this issue there can be little things, so take everything with utmost seriousness and responsibility and your child will be grateful.

What can you say about a woman who does need to work on her body after giving birth to her child? Lucky! But these cases, unfortunately, are very rare. Most of the lucky moms have to mobilize all forces to lose weight after giving birth, or at least not gain weight even more. Such changes in the female body, of course, happen due to the change of hormonal background: lactation may contribute to a strong increase in weight, although there are cases when a woman, on the contrary, becomes much thinner during the period of lactation.
Naturally, the influence of so many factors, not everyone can, and will want to resist. That is why there is a large percentage of these young mothers, who, waving their hand at their own body, blissfully relax for a while on maternity leave. How does this usually end? With an empty wardrobe by the time to work. Dislike for her own reflection in the mirror. Remorse. IN order to prevent this, let’s begin to take care of our own body immediately after birth.

Haste – makes waste.
The first thing to remember on the path of self-improvement for women after childbirth: in this matter it is not necessary to hurry. Accept an axiom that reliably for a long time and irrevocably overweight takes only slowly and gradually. All that is quickly dropped can quickly return, often in double quantities. Young mothers have nowhere to hurry – the whole maternity leave is ahead – so you can go to the ideal body with small but consistent steps. There are two things that mothers in no case should not be allowed: the physical and nervous exhaustion. After the first few days the results of your efforts, of course, will not be visible. But this is quite a natural thing, so be prepared beforehand.

Drop can hew the stone.
Do you know why the drop hews the stone? Because it is stubborn and constant in its actions. And if you follow the example of the wise drop very soon you will realize that the regular and permanent occupation will give stunning results. If you already decided to do physical exercises, then make them permanent. If you limit yourself in some products, you do not need to organize so-called “boot day”, allowing yourself all at once, and a lot. Everything should be – regular and constant.
The main thing is both victory and participation.
Getting started to weight loss after pregnancy, you should tune in just for a positive result. You can not argue with olympic point of view, where “the main thing – do not win, but to participate. For us the main thing is both.

Starting the process of self-improvement, you must clearly understand what you are doing in order to get the result. And if next time standing up on the scales you visit frustration and a desire to stop all this weight loss, burn, saying that it is a blue flame, just remember how much effort was expended to ensure that. You can get a photo album with those pictures where you had the best body, and look at what you can do. And then all the doubts will go away.

And now – let’s start.

Step One, gym.

We start with the exercise. Women after childbirth are particularly concerned about the state of their breasts, which can lose shape, abdomen and thighs and buttocks, which are distributed after the birth, which is understandable when you consider what processes had just occurred in women during their most active participation.

You can save the former form of the chest, as well as make it even more beautiful very easily: First, do not skimp on underwear. Bra, which enjoys mummy after birth during breastfeeding, should be above reproach. This includes the addition of bra that is designed specifically for feeding. Pay attention to the fact that it had strong and broad straps, as the chest, full of milk, is quite heavy, but it must keep, as they say, “at the height! Make sure also that the bra is equally well-supported chest from different angles.

Second, keep a few secrets, which, according to experts, will help you maintain the shape of the breast. Breastfeed your baby in a prone position. Do not press on the chest. Always check to see that the baby was in an awkward position. Keep the breast away from cooling and drafts.

If you consider it necessary, use special creams that prevent stretch marks. But before you buy any of them, ask, whether it contains an element that is incompatible with breastfeeding. And, of course, buy these kind of creams only in specialized pharmacies.

Forget about cosmetic surgery. The effect of breast surgery can not be compared with those complications that can occur after few years. Plastic surgery is not our method.

As for the stomach, the changes in its size and general appearance are quite a natural phenomenon, though it affects us woefully. This does not mean that you can do nothing. Never! Abdomen, more than anything now needs your attention.

Exercise your press, but only after a few months after birth. Raise the head and chest while lying with bent knees, lift the legs bent at the knees. Try an exercise program, which is offered by Cindy Crawford, the famous and very beautiful young mummy. Another young mommy Jennifer Lopez offers exercise, in which you turn left and right, while sitting cross-legged with the clutch behind the head with your hands. Do not forget to pay attention to your hips. The best thing is a belly dance. Latin American dances are also efficient, which, moreover, will add a cheer and merry mood.

Step two, gastronomic.

As for diet, the lactating mothers should not abide by them. Child should receive the full range of necessary nutrients, so do not try to limit yourself to anything. Another thing that is important to review your diet, make it maximum stable, uniform and consistent, and most importantly, healthy. You will see that a normal healthy meal is a sure way to lose extra pounds. Fatty or salted, smoked or flour – all this can not be called healthy, so you can cut yourself in all these goodies.

As you see, to become not only very good, but the most beautiful mom in the world for your child is not so difficult. It is only necessary, as they say in the good old movie, “To see the goal, believe in yourself and ignore the obstacles.” Take Action! Good luck, success and patience!

A miracle happened: a tiny creature lives inside you! Perhaps you yourself still have no idea about this, but very soon massive changes will begin in your life.

The first sign of pregnancy can be disorders concerning menstrual cycle. However, sometimes this may be due to other causes, such as inflammatory processes, stressful experiences, a change of climate, etc. In order to determine pregnancy, you can use rapid tests. The level of the hormone in the urine in morning and evening hours vary, so while buying test in a drugstore, ask for what time of the day it is suitable. Pregnancy can also be identified with such characteristics: the swelling chest, some have breast tenderness, mood changes, appetite, etc.

This invisible show
At this time rapid and dramatic events happen in the body. A day after conception, gaining strength and energy the fertilized egg (zygote) begins to share. Every day their number is doubled. Divided egg cell, transformed into a fetal egg, moves through the fallopian tubes and striving to achieve the ultimate goal of his journey get into the uterus and find here a comfortable “home”. On the seventh day the trip is over: the egg membranes as they are screwed into the uterine lining are plunging deeper and deeper. This process is called implantation.

The first critical period
It begins with the seventh day of pregnancy and lasts one to two weeks, until the egg is fixed in the membranes lining of the uterus. At this super-early period, mother’s organism may refuse to take the embryo. This may happen, for example, due to mucosal injury caused by the recent abortion because of severe stress, heavy exercise, under the influence of adverse external factors (taking certain medications), fetal genetic abnormalities, etc.

Like a grape core
If implantation is successful, the tiny embryo begins to grow rapidly. Fetal egg is covered with villus, they extract from the mother’s blood necessary food for future baby. Later villus remain only on the side of the egg membranes, which is directly adjacent to the uterine wall. Here villus grows, formed by the placenta (afterbirth), connected with the fetus umbilical cord. This is a major organ, which also belongs to a mother and an unborn child.

Fetus receives nutrients and oxygen through the placenta, get rid of their waste. In addition, this body provides immune protection, missing maternal antibodies to the child. And finally, the placenta synthesizes hormones.

At the same time the so-called germinal layers of which will be formed all the organs and tissues of the child are formed. From the outside – the nervous system, cells of sensory organs, skin, hair, nails, from the middle – the heart, internal organs, bones, blood vessels, muscle system, sex glands, from the inner – the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, digestive and endocrine glands .

In the second week the embryo’s heart is stating to develop. By the end of the first month the embryo forms a neuraltube, begins to form the main internal organs, and is surrounded by amniotic fluid and three shells. There are all conditions for the future child to grow and develop normally.
Do not risk and win

During early pregnancy, rubella virus, which causes fetal heart, sight and hearing disease is particularly dangerous for the child. Therefore, if you have not been ill with rubella or been vaccinated against it, you need to pass a blood test as soon as possible. If you find that you do not have immunity against rubella, you’d better avoid communicating with children who has not been ill or they have not done vaccinations. Especially be careful in spring and autumn, when the infection is most active.

Severe malformations of the unborn child can cause infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, ureplazmoz, mycoplasmosis) and TORCH-infections: Toxoplasma, herpes virus, cytomegalovirus.

In our country, these viruses infected almost two-thirds of the population, but if the immunity is not weakened, the body suppresses them. Do a survey of these infections. Ideally, this should be before pregnancy. Do not delay it! In order to prevent relapse, strengthen immunity with the help of special therapy.

You can find everything in women handbags … It’s amazing how women manage to fit it all there and above all – at the right time to quickly find the right thing? Contents of bags can sometimes tell a lot about its owner: character, likes and dislikes and where she works. But if you find certain items, documents and pills you’ll guess, that this woman is going to become a mother.

Your documents?

Before being pregnant you had no documents in your purse, but now you must carry them with you. First and foremost it is the passport and medical insurances. After visiting various medical facilities you will need them quite often, and without these documents even simple maintenance inspection, treatment and testing can be very problematic.

Future mother needs another very important document; it is practically a secondpassport – pregnancy card. In general this card is given by the doctor in the maternity clinic at the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, but no later than 32 weeks. This includes all the data on pregnancy, experiences of illness, the results of tests and surveys, as well as other important information. Future mothers should always carry it with them. If at the time of hospitalization you won’t have it with you, then you automatically find yourself at risk, and therefore you have to give birth in the infectious disease ward of a maternity home or infectious disease hospital. After all, doctors have no data about your health, which means that you have a potential risk of infectious contamination to other maternal and newborn. But the most important thing is not to exchange cards as in this case in the first place you’ll put yourself and your baby at risk, because the doctor uses the vital information about you – the blood group, possible allergic reactions, chronic diseases, etc. That’s why you should care and gently apply to this document, each time you visit prenatal, bring pregnancy card to your doctor to make the new data and, of course, always carry it with you.

At the pharmacy
If you are undergoing a treatment, do not forget to put in your bag pills appointed by your doctor. If you are faced with such unpleasant forms of pregnancy such as toxemia heartburn, be sure to keep close at hand the means by which you can alleviate their condition.

Remember any change in your health during pregnancy – is an occasion to refer to a doctor.

Try also to have crackers, nuts, apples, dried fruit, mint candy – light snacks, along with mint chewing gum in many ways helps to cope with bouts of nausea. If you are still unable to prevent vomiting (especially occurs when the long trip to a stuffy transport), the practical future mother must have a special plastic bag.

While leaving the house, take with you a small bottle of water, so at any time, you can easily quench your thirst or drink the medicine, sprinkle the face and neck, if you felt sick, stuffy or hot. By the way, you can freshen up, dispersing on the skin moisturizing spray with thermal water (sold in pharmacies). Unlike ordinary water, this water is “alive”: it is collected from the natural hot springs, rich in mineral salts and trace elements. Spray not only quickly gives a feeling of comfort, but also takes care for the skin, relieves dryness, swelling and irritation (exactly what you want future mothers need). It absorbs quickly (no need to wipe off) and does not spoil the makeup (it can be safely applied to the powder and tonal cream). The balloon volume of 150-300 ml is convenient to carry and use on the road, in the clinic, walk or at work.

Lady’s “tricks”
Of course, in your purse there is a handkerchief or disposable paper napkins and wet wipes. “Sanitation minimum” can be supplemented with disposable coverings for the toilet. It’s no secret a pregnant woman often has to go to the toilet.

In future mother’s handbag there is a corner for cosmetics. Someone carries only a lipstick and powder-boxes, which is mostly used as a mirror, someone a palette of shadows and blush, mascara, creams, perfumes, etc. The main thing is that you are already beautiful being pregnant. But even if you do not use decorative cosmetics, you will probably need lip balm and hand cream, especially in windy weather. Do not interfere with a small bottle of deodorant (be careful with the scents) and a hairbrush.

Some useful trifles…
Place a notebook and pen in the bag. Now you do not need to keep in mind a shopping list.

In the shopping trip (especially to the markets) you can take a calculator. By the way, it is good always to have an “emergency reserve” of money on taxis.

And of course, all expectant mothers carry in their handbags a magazine or a book related to pregnancy, childbirth, children.

The desire to have a child, to take care for him/her, feed; cuddle a native little body – what can be more beautiful in this world!
Sometimes I sincerely regret our favorite men as they are not given a sense of all this.
However, the pregnancy is not only a great joy but also a great test- not only from a physiological point of view, but from the viewpoint of psychology. Before pregnancy woman could control her body. She could put on a few pounds, and then safely lose the weight in a few days, but now the obstetrician-gynecologist will follow your gained weight.
Previously, you could have a bad mood and easily to get rid of it, but now you will suddenly feel such anguish and fear that you do not know what to do and how to escape from its embrace.
How can you make all these nine months of happiness be really happy?
Fears during pregnancy
Experienced mothers say that they were not afraid of giving birth, but do not believe them; the fear of childbirth is always present in the female subconscious. If your experienced girlfriends say that they did not have fears when going to give birth – do not believe them. They were afraid! From the first days after you learn that a small and dear life is growing in your body, together with joy a fear comes to you. It applies literally to everything and it is not always easy to get rid of it.
For a fairly long time I have worked as a midwife in the hospital and if you only knew how much fear I’ve been listening! When I myself was pregnant, I was afraid of two things: to die during childbirth and that something should happen to the baby during childbirth. But these two terrors visited literally every pregnant woman. And they are natural. Because fear for relatives and fear of death should not be perceived as something wrong, it will always be typical only if it does not turn into a painful state.
But I’ve heard such things that the hair stood up on their top! I will never forget a young woman, who was holding my hand, crying and saying: “I haven’t gone to make ultrasonic observation, so I do not know who will be born – a boy or a girl. My husband wants a boy, and if it will be a girl he will not love me and won’t take her”. It’s very difficult to reassure the future mother that it does not matter who will be born – a boy or a girl, in any case the child will be a beloved one.
By the way, then, when I met the future father, he was very much surprised when I told him about the fears of his wife. He, at the very beginning of the pregnancy, jokingly said that it would be good to have a boy and only then a little girl! And since then, all nine months, the unfortunate kept this fear in her heart. Looking ahead, I want to say that she just gave birth to a boy. And everyone was happy, though, I’m sure, that if it were a girl, happiness would be no less. But the woman’s mind is ready to accept any detail.

The fear of the child appearance

As soon as you take your child in hands, the instinct will tell you what to do. But some women are afraid of a child. Especially if it is her first birth. “What to do with him/her? How do I take care?” For example, even a century before, pregnant women sewed clothes for their unborn babies – shirts, hats, socks, etc. Now, because of the very widespread prejudice, it is believed that you can not buy anything for the unborn child. Well, all right! We will not buy! But you can take a nice notebook and write in it, what you should buy, after your family will have a new member!

Once, I met a woman who in a colored notebook had written everything she needed to buy once the baby was born. She laughed and said that at every month of her pregnancy, she added new things. Then her husband, at her request, taking this notebook, after almost five days got absolutely everything! Then the happy father even complained that he had not even had time to celebrate the momentous event with friends. So much has been written in this notebook!

So do not be afraid! As soon as you take your child in your hands, the instinct will let you know what to do. And in the hospital, medical staff is always ready to show how to properly bathe and swaddle your baby and how to look after it.

The fear of pain during childbirth

Visit childbirth courses of pain fear. Do I need to talk about it? I think that’s necessary. Because, no matter how would a woman have a child, no matter how she is going to give birth, subconsciously she is afraid of pain. We all have different sensitivity. Some may be long enough to endure even the most severe pain, while others lose consciousness, even when they make the vaccine, or give the analysis of blood from the finger. It is very important to prepare psychologically. And it is very desirable to attend courses of preparing for childbirth, where pregnant women are taught methods of removal of pain during labor, how to learn to breathe during delivery.

By the way, I can say that these courses help very much. There are special exercises that can really take the twinge. And they are very simple, the main thing – do not panic and remember them when they need to be used.

Well, perhaps, the last … If you feel that you are unable to cope with these feelings and fears during pregnancy, do not hesitate and do not be afraid to ask for a good psychologist. Believe me, the advice of a good specialist can completely change your life! By the way, I have such an experience. Being pregnant, I was very afraid to walk on the streets with heavy traffic. I could not bring myself to cross the road and waited sometimes for 10-15 minutes, until the horizon was clean, and only then crossed the road. Well, I could not get rid of this fear of being put under the wheels of the car! And only the good advice of the psychologist completely freed me from this obsessive feeling.

Finally, I want to say that the pregnancy – is not a painful condition, but the most responsible and happiest time of your life. And if you understand and accept this from the very first days of pregnancy – it will be much better both for you and your baby!

Why is it important to be engaged in sports during pregnancy? What is recommended and what should be avoided? What do you need to eat and in what quantity?

During pregnancy, various changes occur in the body. Sports and nutrition should be given an important place in maintaining the health of the expectant mother and her child.

What happens to the body during pregnancy?
Pregnancy requires huge strength. During this period the body has to deal with increased metabolism and with increasing needs for nutrients. Fortunately, the body has several mechanisms that help to save energy in favor of the developing fetus. One of the mechanisms is a change in appetite and taste. Typically, a woman eats more and selects certain foods. The second mechanism is an increasing absorption of food in the intestinal wall.
Additional mechanisms are the decreased rate of accumulation of fat and reduced physical activity. The physiological mechanism gives a woman signals to reduce the load. If you do not listen to it, the intense stress can harm the health of a mother and the developing fetus.

What is important to change in the diet during pregnancy?
The most common problem among pregnant women is the number of calories eaten per day. The answer variesdepending on the duration of pregnancy. From 1 st to 15 th week, there is no need to change the usual amount. From 15 th to 28 th week it is recommended to consume 25-30 calories for every 1 kg of your weight. From 29 th to 42 th week it is recommended to consume 30-35 calories per 1 kg of your weight. These recommendations are perfectly suited to women who do moderate exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. But if training is given more attention, you need to add the missing calories.

Why is it important to be engaged in sports during pregnancy?
Sport during pregnancy has several positive aspects. For example, it controls weight, reduces the risk of high blood pressure, controls blood sugar and reduces the risk of diabetes, maintaining strength in the muscles and ligaments, improving the general well-being. Some studies has shown that sport during pregnancy shortens labor, reduces the risk of caesarean section and shortens post-partum recovery. However, this is very important that women do not use sports as a means to reduce weight, because at this stage of their life this is not a priority.

What load should future mothers take?
Modern medicine recommends continuing fitness activities before pregnancy, but in accordance with the terms they exclude certain exercises. Women, who do not have certain medical problems, can start with moderate intensity 30 minutes a day 3-4 times a week. You can do walking at a moderate pace, to participate in yoga class. Women with experience in the classroom in the gym may continue but reduce the load in accordance with the changes in the body.

Can we start doing it during pregnancy?
Moderate and regular load will only be beneficial. It is important not to begin with an intensive workload, and work smoothly.

What load should be avoided?
Expectant mothers should avoid sport activities, in which there is full contact – kick boxing and various forms of struggle. So it is necessary to give up extreme sports – rock climbing, scuba diving, etc. After the first trimester, it is important to avoid stress, which occurs in the supine position or stomach.

Can I use weight training?
Yes. This helps to maintain good muscle tone. You can perform one approach every 2-3 times a week. Between workouts there should always be a holiday in at least 24 hours.
Using weight during exercise will strengthen joints and ligaments, which will help to protect them from injury. But a dumbbell weight of 1-3 kg should be fine for exercising the muscles of the hands.

Why is it important to use vitamins and minerals?
Pregnant woman involved in fitness should be sufficient to monitor the use of vitamins and minerals. For example, calcium is needed to prevent the appearance of convulsions. Iron will keep the normal hemoglobin level, which in turn will ensure the delivery of oxygen to the muscles. It is recommended to eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals.

What should pregnant women do before classes?
Any woman sports must consume enough carbohydrates (whole wheat bread, buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, etc.) 2-2,5 hours before. Immediately before beginning you need to eat another small portion of carbohydrates – fruit, a slice of whole meal bread, energy bars, etc. If during the trainings you feel reduction in blood glucose levels, you can use sweet drinks. These quickly raise the level of glucose.

Fluid intake during exercise
The temperature in the cavity of the uterus is one degree above the temperature of mother’s body. During exercise the body temperature rises. In this connection it is necessary to strictly ensure that the temperature does not greatly exceed (maximum allowed – 38 º). The water helps to cool and prevent the emergence of fluid loss in the body. General recommendation on the use of the liquid: 1-2 glasses of water just before the start of the training and 2-3 glasses of water for every hour.

How many calories should be added in case of daily training?
Despite the fact that at the later stages of pregnancy the intensity of training decreases, the number of burnt calories during exercise increases due to body weight and changes in metabolism. Studies has shown that pedestrian walk at a moderate pace during pregnancy burns 20% more calories than the same trip before pregnancy. A walk up the stairs burns 22-25% more. From this it follows that even if the intensity of training does not increase, you will still need enough to compensate for the loss of calories. Approximate calculations suggest additional 350-400 calories per training day for each hour of exercises during pregnancy. More accurate calculations are made by a specialist in accordance with the load, weight, duration of training of the woman.