All mothers-to-be should expect weight gain. It doesn’t really mean that we have to eat plenty because were feeding another life inside us. And yes, it is also true that the appetite increases during pregnancy. But it is important for us to understand that our body’s priority is to supply the fetus proper nutrition. This means eating right.

The gain weight rate differs from one woman to another. It’s recommended that most healthy women gain 25 to 35 pounds. But this varies, also depending, if you’re underweight or overweight. It’s best to consult your doctor for what could be the normal weight for you during your pregnancy.

So, if you are eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and getting the right amount of exercise there’s no need to worry, gaining weight is just normal.

And it’s not just all about food and appetite but also take into account the maternal fats and the like that the body develops during pregnancy.

For better understanding on how and why you gain weight ask your Ob-Gyne. Regular check up with your doctor is a necessity.

The best gift a mother can give to her baby is a good start in life.

 
For optimum nutrition, consume foods rich in folate, calcium, iron, vitamins and minerals.  The best source of iron is red meat. Folate can be found in green leafy vegetables. However since folate is easily destroyed by heat, try to supplement your diet with food products that are high in folate like milk.

 
            During the course of pregnancy, you and your baby require energy and nutrients. Thus, this should not be the time to try to lose weight or go on a diet. Good nutrition is vital for a healthy pregnancy.

 
            Eating the right food     can ultimately affect your health and the health of your baby.

Variety of symptoms may appear over the course of your nine-month pregnancy, which include:

• Morning sickness
• Skin pigmentation
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Tiredness
• Leg cramps
• Vaginal discharges
• Stretch marks
• Hemorrhoids
• Urinary leakage
• Heart burn
• Indigestion
• Increased perspiration

But do not worry because these symptoms may be alleviated by a simple change of diet or lifestyle.

But if any symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

What should you do? 

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Drink   adequate fluids to prevent constipation.
• Get regular exercise.
• If you feel sick and nauseous, try eating a small amount of food regularly.
• If it occurs in the morning, try eating crackers before you get up from bed.

from: various health and medical books, doc’s consultation, . .

When to Expect your Baby?

The most incredible source of information on when to expect your baby is your physician. The assumed durations of pregnancy is usually 280 days from the first day of the last menstrual period. You can use the following calculation method to estimate your date of delivery:

Step1: Determine the first day of your last menstrual period.

Step2: Add 7 days to your answer in Step1.

Step3: Count back 3 months to your answer in Step.

This method, however, is only to estimate. First time pregnancies, especially, are usually ahead or behind schedule by 2 weeks.

 from: various health and medical books, doc’s consultation, . .

PREGNANCY IS A very delicate phase we should always bear in mind. Having to take care of another human being inside the womb is not an easy task. It’s not being paranoid that we should take extra extra careful in everything we do. And be very attentive to what’s going on our body, the changes we should feel or should not feel. To consider what is normal, what could be healthy, or not, and what could already be alarming.

There are specific symptoms which may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, report them immediately to your doctor or contact the hospital nearest you.

· Blurred vision with or without sever headache

· Sever abdominal pain or cramp

· Vaginal bleeding

· Fluid leakage

· Frequent, painful urination

· Swelling of hands, face and ankles

· Sever nausea and vomiting

· Increased temperature or fever

· Absent or reduces fetal movements (less than 10 kicks in 12 hours, after week-28)

· Severe headache