What is the Best Diet for Pregnant Women?

Author: Alice Shown

There are many myths surrounding the diet for pregnant mothers. We often hear the elders of the family advising young mothers to eat enough for two individuals. Today, we know that this is not true. In fact, unbridled eating during pregnancy can make you put on a lot of weight and can make your child unnecessarily overweight. What then could be the best diet for pregnant women?

The growing fetus derives all its nourishment from its mother through the umbilical cord. Therefore, while the mother does not have to eat enough food for two individuals, it is important that she take in enough nutrients for two individuals. If the mother suffers from nutrient deficiency, this will be passed on to the child. Early nutrient deficiency can lead to a number of developmental problems in young children.

The pregnancy diet must be rich in all the vital nutrients that the body needs. Doctors recommend the intake of six to seven servings of bread and grains, two to four servings of fruit, four to six servings of vegetables, two to four servings of dairy and approximately three servings of protein every day. It is always advisable to choose food that is rich in fiber. Excellent examples include whole-grain cereals, rice, fruits and fresh green veggies.

Calcium is vital to the growth of bones and teeth. Remember to take in at least four servings of calcium rich dairy products. This will ensure that you get approximately 1200 mg of calcium every day. The diet of pregnant women should be rich in iron.

Vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system of the mother and child. Important sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, broccoli, cauliflower, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes. Vitamin A is equally important. Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, turnip, apricots and water squash contain lots of vitamin A.

An expectant mother must always take all her prescribed prenatal vitamins. These are specially devised multivitamins that compensate for any nutrient imbalances or deficiencies in the mother's diet. Generally, these contain iron, minerals, vitamins, folic acid and calcium. The deficiency of folic acid can lead to serious birth defect in babies. Green leafy vegetables, nuts, citrus fruits and beans are rich in natural folic acid, vitamins and iron.

Just as there are things that must be included in the diet for pregnant women, there are certain items that must be avoided during pregnancy. These include alcohol, caffeine, surplus sugar, surplus fat and raw meat. It is advisable to avoid soft cheese, and to abstain from eating shark, swordfish and mackerel which high levels of mercury in them.

Most pregnant mothers feel nausea and a depressing lack of appetite during their first trimester. At this stage, they may eat small meals throughout the day.

Many women put on a lot of weight due to the high fat, salt and sugar content in their pregnancy diet. It is true that pregnant women often go through strong cravings and sharp hunger pangs. But if you desire to keep your weight under control and shed extra pounds quickly after delivery, then, it is important to eat foods low in calories and high in nutritive value.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/what-is-the-best-diet-for-pregnant-women-671761.html

About the Author: Diet for Pregnant Woman - Pregnancy Planet is the only community on the web dedicated to pregnant and TTC parents. We provide week by week pregnancy information, symptoms & advice along with parenting tips & solutions, conception due date calculator, celebrity baby news, free TTC tickers & blinkies and much more.

The Best Nutrition for Pregnant Women

Author: Alice Shown

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.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/the-best-nutrition-for-pregnant-women-671771.html

About the Author: Nutrition for Pregnant Women - Pregnancy Planet is the only community on the web dedicated to pregnant and TTC parents. We provide week by week pregnancy information, symptoms & advice along with parenting tips & solutions, conception due date calculator, celebrity baby news, free TTC tickers & blinkies and much more.

Pregnancy Tips: Nutritional Diet and Prenatal Vitamins

Author: Sunnie Southern

Congratulations! In nine months you're going to be a mother, BUT it will never be an easy task. Your body will physically experience changes, your moods will swing, your senses will be sharp, and you'll crave for a lot of things -- and food.

As an expecting mother, what you EAT matters to your unborn baby as he or she is dependent on you for nourishment. In pregnancy check-ups, your doctor might tell you this mantra: you are what you eat, and what your baby eats. Clinical studies show that what you eat has a connection to your baby's health and growth, which is why during pregnancy, it is essential that you make "healthy food choices" and "healthy habits". Healthy habits like exercising, "quitting on smoking and alcohol," and taking up pregnancy vitamins are as essential as eating nutritional diet.

In the beginning of your pregnancy, you will experience adjustments significantly about food. And since you are eating for two, you will be eating twice the serving of your usual food intake, or in a more-frequent-basis.

Pregnancy Nutrition

Eating the right means knowing what foods to eat and what to avoid. Ideally, as an expecting mother you need 300 extra calories a day in addition to your recommended daily calorie intakes or allowances.

When you strictly follow a healthy pregnancy nutrition diet, as recommended by your doctor, it can counteract the baby's risks low birth weight, susceptibility to infections and birth defects. On your side, following the recommended diet can provide positive effects against fatigue, morning sickness, constipation, leg cramps and later on an easy child birth and post-partum depression.

For pregnant mothers, the USDA approved Food Guide Pyramid and Dietary Reference Intakes should strive to consume the following servings: 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta; 3-5 servings of vegetables; 2-4 servings of fruits; 3-5 servings of milk, yoghurt and cheese; 2-3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts; 8 8-ounce glasses of water; You should also limit caffeine containing beverages to no more than 2 cups per day.

Nevertheless, try to consume -- in moderation -- foods groups rich in protein, carbohydrates, fats and Protein and Amino Acids is the building material for muscles, teeth and bones; and instrumental in normal growth patterns (build and repair cells) and immune system antibodies. Minerals, like Calcium and Zinc, are critical to maintaining healthy bones and promote healing and easy delivery, and like Iron, which supports blood circulation.

Foods to AVOID are those that has risky levels of mercury like swordfish, shark meats, mackerels, and others that might put you and your baby at risk of bacteria-related problems like raw

Pregnancy Vitamins

Prenatal supplements provide extra nutrients and boosts for expecting mothers. Pregnancy vitamins like Folate/ Folic Acid can minimize risks of hemorrhoids and constipation, or alleviate nausea or vomiting due to morning sickness.

There are literally dozens of prenatal supplement brands available. Don't buy impulsively. Ask your doctor. Every woman has different needs. For example, an expecting woman has anemic tendencies; her doctor might prescribe her to take iron supplements.

To give you an idea, these are the ideal vitamins and minerals supplements you need while expecting: Vitamin A: 4,000 to 5,000 International Units (IU); Folic Acid (Folate): 600-1000 micrograms (mcg); Vitamin D: 200-400 IU; Calcium: 200-300 milligrams (mg); Vitamin C: 85 mg; Thiamin: 1.4 mg; Riboflavin: 1.4 mg; Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine): 1.9 mg; Vitamin B-3 (Niacin): 18 mg; Vitamin B-12: 2.6 mcg; Vitamin E: 15 mg; Zinc: 11 mg; Iron: 27-60 mg.

Pregnancy Reminders

Follow your doctor's instruction throughout pregnancy. Take your pregnancy vitamins each day or as required by your doctor. Should you have concerns about your pregnancy, ask and discuss with your doctor.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/pregnancy-tips-nutritional-diet-and-prenatal-vitamins-675133.html

About the Author: Sunnie Southern is the Senior Product Manager of Nutrition for DuetDHA.

Common Causes of Female Infertility

Author: Jane Ng

Female infertility refers to the difficulty or inability of a woman to conceive a child on her own without medication or fertility treatments. Female infertility is relatively common, and becomes more prevalent as the age of the woman increases. Some infertility issues can be resolved with a change in lifestyle or medications, while other issues are permanent and another option, such as in vitro fertilization, may be necessary to achieve conception.

Common Reasons For Female Infertility

One of the most common factors for female infertility is age. Women are at their peak for conceiving a child between the ages of 18 and 27. After the age of 27, fertility begins to decline slowly until the age of 35, when fertility drops drastically. As a woman reaches her late 40s to early 50s, fertility becomes near impossible due to age alone, as the body can no longer easily support a healthy pregnancy to term.

Thrombophilia is also a major reason for infertility issues. Thrombophilia is an abnormality in individuals that prevents them from developing blood clots. The disorder is hereditary, and affects as many as 10% of individuals in the country. Because blood is unable to clot, thrombophilia can cause excessive bleeding that does not allow for conception, or does not support a healthy pregnancy and ends in a miscarriage soon after conception.

Female Infertility And Reproductive Organs

Many female infertility issues are directly linked to problems with their reproductive system. Polycystic ovary syndrome, more commonly known as PCOS, is an endocrine disorder that can make it near impossible for sufferers to conceive. About 5% of all women are affected by the disorder, and it is the most common hormonal disorder in women between the ages of 18 and 27, as well as the leading cause of female infertility.

Anovulation is a disorder where the ovaries fail to release an egg during a cycle. Therefore, ovulation never takes place. While this can sometimes be mistaken for the beginning of menopause, anovulatory cycles are very common in women of childbearing age, and is the second cause of female infertility problems due to reproductive issues. Anovulation cannot be cured, but it can be managed with hormonal drugs to keep the cycle normal and to encourage ovulation. Often times, an ovulation will correct itself in spurts, allowing for conception to take place when the disorder is in a period of remission.

Female infertility problems are more common than male fertility problems, but that doesn't mean that women who suffer with a fertility problem with never be able to conceive. With modern medicine and new technologies being developed every day, women who would have never been able to conceive 20 years ago now have a chance to go on and have two, three, four, or more healthy children in their lifetime. The key is to seek help as soon as you know you have a problem, and learn to manage your disorder and to keep your options open for conception alternatives.

Read more about Female Infertility and discover the various Fertility Aids available.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/common-causes-of-female-infertility-676208.html

About the Author: Copyright of Jane Ng and Getting Pregnant Tips.

The Anatomy of Prenatal Visits

Author: Gem Villamin

It is important for prenatal care and pregnancy to go hand in hand. As soon as you learn about your pregnancy, you will need schedule a visit to your trusted healthcare provider as soon as possible to set your very first prenatal appointment.

You will probably need to free up your schedule to allot ample time to clear your doubts and apprehensions during the initial stages of your pregnancy as well as knowing what to expect on the next few months. If possible, it would also be advisable to invite your partner to the doctor’s consultation.

During the first meeting, the doctor will be able to give you the expected delivery of the baby. This estimation of the date is also important for careful evaluation of the monthly growth of the fetus. For women with irregular menstrual cycles, doctors usually recommend ultrasound scans to derive a clearer picture with regard to the expect date of delivery. Mothers will also be asked to record the height, weight as well as the blood pressure to have a reliable assessment of the mother’s health. In some cases, PAP tests may be required to screen for cervical cancer.

On the prenatal visits, blood tests are also conducted to screen for certain diseases such as the following:

• Mumps
• Measles
• Rubella
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Kidney disorders
• Diabetes

Apart from these tests, the doctor will ask you about you lifestyle and eating habits and may ask you to make the appropriate changes to accommodate your pregnancy.

What to expect in future visits

After your first prenatal visit, you may need to see your doctor every four weeks or so until the 28th week of pregnancy, after which you will need to see each other more often. In addition to these checkups, you may also want ensure possible screening methods to ensure normal development of the baby. The important key here is to discuss these options to your doctor and seek expert advice.

A sonogram or ultrasound will also be conducted between 18 to 200 weeks. You will also be advised to take multivitamins that contains iron and folate to ensure you are getting enough nutrients in your diet. If you have questions, be sure to list it down and ask your doctor about your concerns for your next visit.

As your pregnancy progresses, you will eventually discuss your birth plan. Here are some possible issues that you may need to work out with your doctor:

• Who will she or he work with you throughout your pregnancy?
• Where will the baby be delivered?
• Who will be on call if in case your doctor will be on vacation?
• In case of emergencies, who will attend to you?
• What prenatal education does he or she recommends?

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/the-anatomy-of-prenatal-visits-682298.html

About the Author: Gem Villamin owner and author of http://preggytips.com a newsletter that talks about Pregnancy, Baby Care, Parenting and more. Check out more articles on http://preggytips.com

A Fertility Doctor Provides Various Options

Author: Justin

Infertility is a scary thing for most people because it means that they will not be able to have children. Infertility is the biological inability of a man or a woman to contribute to conception. Infertility also refers to the inability of a woman to carry a pregnancy to full term. How does one know if they are infertile? Basically, if a couple has not conceived after 12 months of contraceptive-free intercourse and the female is under the age of 34 then the couple is said to be infertile. If the couple has not conceived after six months of contraceptive-free intercourse and the female is over the age of 35 then the couple is said to be infertile. Finally, if the female is incapable of carrying a pregnancy to full term then the couple is said to be infertile.

Infertility does not have to be the end of the world for couples looking to start a family. There is always the option of visiting an infertility doctor. This type of doctor can help a couple that is said to be infertile when it comes to having a baby. Usually, in most circumstances, it is either the man or the woman who is infertile. It is unlikely for both the man and the woman of the couple to both be infertile. The doctor can treat whatever natural cause if affecting the fertility of the couple with a variety of different options.

The options that an infertility doctor can lay out on the table are in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, surrogacy, tubal reversal, the use of donor eggs or donor sperm, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. What most people don’t realize is how effective these procedures can be if they are performed correctly. What most people don’t realize is how effective these procedures can be if they are performed correctly. If they are not performed correctly then it is unlikely that the couple will be able to procreate.

Surrogacy is becoming a more and more popular form of conception in this modern day of technology. Basically, an infertility doctor will recommend that the couple find a surrogate mother to carry the couple’s child during the pregnancy term. There are two options with surrogacy. The first one is when the egg from the mother is taken and fertilized with the father’s sperm and then implanted into the uterus of the surrogate. The second option is the sperm of the father is taken and fertilizes the egg of the surrogate because the egg of the mother is infertile. The fertilized egg is then implanted into the surrogate’s uterus.

An infertility doctor can help anyone ease the pain of finding out that they may be infertile and unable to have children. But, with the help of the doctor, the couple has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding the right way to get pregnant. Tubal reversal is another option. If a woman has had her tubes tied to prevent pregnancy she can have that procedure reversed. If there is little to no damage done during the reversal process then the woman will be able to get pregnant. If there is damage to the tissue during the procedure than the woman more than likely won’t be able to get pregnant.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/a-fertility-doctor-provides-various-options-684381.html

About the Author: Visit the Florida Fertility Clinic on procedures and questions forFL Fertility Treatment in Pensacola and Tallahassee.

Using the Help of an Ivf Treatment

Author: Justin

Infertility can be a difficult word to wrap the brain around. Finding out that a couple might be infertile can be a scary thing to deal with. Infertility is the inability for either the man, the woman, or both to contribute to the conception process. This means that the man’s sperm is not working effectively or the woman’s eggs or uterus are not working effectively. To be infertile could also mean that the woman cannot carry a pregnancy to full term. Infertility doesn’t have to stop a couple from trying to have baby though. There are other options such as surrogacy, tubal reversal, using a donor egg or donor sperm, and IVF treatment.

IVF treatment is also referred to as in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization is when the egg of a woman is fertilized with sperm outside of the body and then placed back inside the woman’s uterus to hopefully provide a successful pregnancy. This type of infertility treatment is usually used once all of the other available treatments have been found to be unsuccessful in creating a pregnancy. The ovulatory process is controlled with hormones and the egg is removed from the body and fertilized in a liquid medium with the sperm.

In vitro is derived from Latin and it means ‘in glass.’ The fertilization process does take place in a glass test tube or on a glass petri dish. In vitro is used because the procedure takes place not only in glass but also outside of the body as compared to in vivo. In vivo is a procedure that occurs inside the body without anything being removed. An IVF treatment is usually the last method of pregnancy that an infertile couple will attempt to get pregnant after all of the other options have already been ruled out.

The entire process of an IVF treatment can take anywhere from four to six weeks to complete because the woman’s cycle must be monitored and it must be stimulated with hormones before anything else can happen. There really is no age limit when it comes to performing in vitro fertilization but many doctors recommend that women do not have the procedure performed if they are over the age of 45 because the risk of it not working effectively becomes much greater. The procedure worked if a pregnancy test is positive within 10-14 days of the fertilization taking place and the procedure didn’t work if the pregnancy test is negative two weeks after the fertilization took place.

In vitro fertilization is still considered a hit or miss procedure by the medical industry because no one really knows whether or not it will be a success. Some raw data show that the success rate is anywhere from 10-20 percent and sometimes even less than that. Also, there is a 1 in 90 chance that the woman will have twins from this procedure. Any woman with damaged, blocked, or absent fallopian tubes can have in vitro fertilization performed. These procedures are not covered under most health insurance plans, so the patient will need to pay for it out of pocket, and they are quite expensive so consult a physician before making a decision.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/using-the-help-of-an-ivf-treatment-688208.html

About the Author:
Visit the Pensacola Fertility Clinic on procedures and questions for FL Fertility Treatment in Pensacola and Tallahassee.