Your Pregnancy

Okay, so you’re pregnant. Great !! The most important 9 months of your life .The most important 9 months for staying healthy and feeling stress free. But you need to stay healthy without pumping your system full of artificially created drugs . Drugs should only be used in cases of emergency but lots of times during your pregnancy you will feel under the weather, below par both physically and mentally. If you don’t turn to drugs what do you turn to ?

You can stay healthy in lots of ways during pregnancy. All of them are based on natural medicine . All of them can be effective in helping you look great and feel great for the most important 9 months of your life.

So what are they ? What are the main ways of keeping healthy during pregnancy ?

This article is the first in a series of 10 which will look at feeling good and looking great when you’re pregnant.

Pregancy and herbs is the area to examine first. Herbs are natural . Herbs have been used in the treatment of medical problems for thousands of years and they can be used to help you feel great and deal with some common pregnancy ailments.

Today most of us neglect them but they can help.

You need to be aware of which herbs are safe and which are not.. There may be risks in using some herbs in pregnancy.

- The Risks:

a) Herbs can lead to miscarriage, injury to the foetus or premature birth.

b) Whereas prescribed drugs are subject to scrutiny for safety by the FDA vitamins and natural herbs do not go through this safety validation process.

Some herbs may contain ingredients that are contraindicated in pregnancy.

d) Professional advice underwritten by the FDA is that if you are pregnant you should not take any herb without first consulting an experienced herbalist, your midwife and doctor. This does, of course, make perfect sense .It would be foolish to take anything even a natural herb without first checking on its safety.

You should avoid these herbs in pregnancy;

a) Blue Cohosh- can induce labor

b) Goldenseal- this could cross the placenta.

c) Dong Quai

d) Ephedra

e) Yohimbe

f) Passionflower

g) Pennyroyal.

Herbs which are safe to take during pregnancy:

The herb ginger root has been used through history to help alleviate sickness and nausea.

b) Oats and Oat Straw- these are great sources of calcium and magnesium and will help you to control anxiety ,restlessness and sore skin.

c) Peppermint leaf- again useful in helping to control morning sickness and flatulence.

Red raspberry leaf can also reduce nausea, help with labor pains and even increase the flow of milk. e) Slippery Elm bark- use the inner bark. This can help with vaginal irritation.

Additionally garlic, dandelion, and chamomile are noted for their healing properties. Chamomile is relaxing and can help you sleep, whilst garlic is great for the blood, and dandelion can help relieve mild edema.

In conclusion herbs, if taken properly and sensibly and in consultation with your midwife and professional herbalist, can help you to continue to feel healthy and look good during pregnancy. As with anything else some have tremendous benefits but others could do you harm. Be sure to take care.

A reminder this is the first of 10 articles about the use of complementary medicine in pregnancy. Look out for number 2 in the series :

‘Pregnancy and Aromatherapy.’

How many times does a parent have to remind their child about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases. What does it take for a parent to be heard. Some children just do not listen and choose to ignore the best advice any parent can give to their child. It is hard for a parent to see their child raising a child. Unwanted pregnancies are sad situations, however if the damage is done then face up to your responsibilities

Matters tend to get out of hand by leaving it to late to consult a doctor or talking to your parents. You could be putting yourself and that of your unborn child in danger. If you have any inclination that you are pregnant seek help right away. What mum and dad might say may be causing you unnecessary worry. I can not say that they will be happy with the news you are about to spring on them. Remember at the end of the day this is your mum and what do mums do they give their support.

Words may be spoken in raised voice like “I told you this would happen” or “How could you have been so stupid”.

After mum has calmed down and accepted she is going to be a grandmother the situation eases.

If ever you needed anyone to give you support throughout your teenage pregnancy it is your mum so talk to her. Contraception should be used to help prevent an unwanted pregnancy or STD. Which is the worst an unwanted teen pregnancy or a STD. Well they both come with a life sentence i.e heartache and pain and any partying stops here?

Come on girls and boys this is the 21st century so no need to destroy your childhood. I am not saying that every teen pregnancy has not worked out, but for a great many it has ruined their lives. Do you want to raise a baby, especially one that has ruined your life. Will you ever love that infant in the way you should? Sadly many teen mums don’t so the innocent baby has to suffer.

Most teenage mothers end up raising their child on their own all because daddy is still growing up too.

Come on girls and boys think of the consequences. If you choose to ignore all the golden rules then you have to accept the consequences. Please have yourself checked over by a doctor early to make sure that there are no complications. I do not wish to frighten you but teen mums that have not fully reached puberty themselves may need extra care and attention.

People who deal with situations as such are very understanding and compassionate towards any concerns relating to teen pregnancies.

If you find talking on the matter embarrasses you, then ask a friend to go with you and let them do the talking. If all fails in getting you to speak with some one, then next time you collect your pocket money – consider buying a condom not a cornet.

There are many common early pregnancy symptoms. Discharge from the vagina is almost universal in the early weeks of a pregnancy.  This increase in the discharge is due to the increase in the growth of the cells lining the vagina. The walls naturally start to thicken as soon as the egg is fertilized and this thickening can cause you to have a discharge of a white, milky fluid. The medical term for this fluid is leucorrhea and is harmless so it doesn’t need any treatment. This discharge may actually continue throughout the pregnancy.

If you notice that the discharge has a foul odour, then this could be the symptom of a bacteria or yeast infection. Other symptoms of this that will require you to have medical treatment in the form of creams and vaginal suppositories include itching and burning sensations. Douching will not have any effect on the normal discharge you experience during pregnancy.

Other early symptoms of pregnancy that you can watch for in addition to missing your normal menstrual period include:

Morning Sickness. This is common in the first trimester of pregnancy and the name comes from the fact that most women have nauseous feelings early in the morning. Nausea and queasiness can occur though at any time of the day or night. You may also develop an aversion to foods you once loved to eat or to the smell of certain foods being cooked. These food aversions and the nausea are not harmful and are a normal part of carrying a baby in the womb. The sick feelings tend to abate at about the 13th or 14th week, although some women continue to feel sick all through the pregnancy. Some helpful hints include having dry crackers ready to settle your stomach and eating small meals more often so that you don’t feel hungry.

Constipation. This complaint affects a large proportion of pregnant women. It is largely due to an increase in the body production of progesterone which decreases the colon ability to absorb water from the food you eat.  Drinking more milk than you usually do can also cause bouts of constipation. This problem tends to worsen just after the first trimester. You can help ease the problem by making sure you drink plenty of water, getting plenty of exercise and including foods high in fibre in your diet.

Dizziness or Fainting. Many pregnant women first find out they are pregnant after they faint and then go to the doctor to try to determine the cause. It is also more noticeable in the second trimester when you get up or move suddenly. During pregnancy the blood vessels dilate at a dramatic rate and the amount of blood may be too much for the vessels. This is what causes the dizzy or fainting spells.

Fatique. Feeling more tired than usual is a very common early sign that you may be pregnant. The blood is carrying more oxygen to the fetus in the womb, which causes your heart to beat faster and in turn causes you to feel fatigued. Take naps during the day or if this is not possible start going to bed earlier at night. Eating foods that are rich in protein and iron can also help to reduce the feelings of tiredness.

Pregnancy can be a challenging phase for your spouse. Maintaining a healthy posture will help her keep back problems away. An exercise routine will especially help her to keep fit. Your spouse can begin an exercise routine even if she has never really exercised before. Walking, swimming, pre-natal yoga, and simple aerobics are ideal forms of exercise during pregnancy.

These are some of the things your spouse may need to remember if she is starting an exercise routine:

• All exercise programs should be begun gradually. Starting with about 15 minutes, three to four days a week is sufficient.

• She should resist the temptation to overdo it.

• She should avoid jogging, unless she used to jog regularly before her pregnancy.

• She should avoid doing sit-ups and other exercises, which involve lying on the back as they may decrease blood flow to the uterus.

• Exercises that involve standing in the same place for long periods can also decrease blood flow to the baby. It is better to keep moving or changing positions frequently.

• She should avoid strenuous forms of exercise, such as riding a bike.

• She should wear loose comfortable clothing and avoid overheating.

• She must drink adequate amounts of water to avoid dehydration.

• She should eat healthy foods to make up for calories lost during exercise.

• If, after exercise, she notices symptoms such as fatigue, pain, nausea, vaginal bleeding or discharge, or pelvic contractions, she should contact her doctor immediately.

Whether your spouse is pregnant or not, exercise is one of the best things she can do for her physical and emotional health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women without health problems or pregnancy complications exercise moderately for 30 minutes or more on most, if not all, days of the week.

Pregnant or not, exercise helps keep the heart, bones, and mind healthy. Staying active also seems to give some special added paybacks for pregnant women.

Here are some really good reasons for your spouse to get regular exercise during pregnancy:

• It can ease and prevent aches and pains of pregnancy including constipation, varicose veins, backaches, and exhaustion

• Active women seem to be better prepared for labor and delivery and recover more quickly

• Exercise may lower the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy

• Fit women have an easier time getting back to a healthy weight after delivery

• Regular exercise may improve sleep during pregnancy.

Staying active can protect your spouse’s emotional health. Pregnant women who exercise seem to have better self-esteem and a lower risk of depression and anxiety. Get more information for pregnancy exercise.