Can I Fly During Pregnancy?

As people no doubt keep telling you, you won’t get to spend much quality time with your partner once the baby arrives. You’ll be sleep deprived, nappy-changing, baby-rocking partners in crime, but you won’t get much alone time. For the first few months at least, any grown up moments snatched during naptime will probably be spent talking about how amazing the baby is. You’re probably thinking, there’s no way you’re going to be one of those mums. You will. At least for the first few months.

With this in mind, it’s worth making the most of your last few months of quality couple time, before you become infatuated and all-consumed by the tiny perfect bundle who’s about to steal your heart. Whether it’s a relaxing week in the Maldives, a once in a lifetime trip to New York, or a weekend in Paris you fancy, now is the time to do it.

Can I fly during pregnancy?

If you are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, you should be safe to fly during the first and second trimesters. If you are having a high-risk pregnancy, or have suffered spotting, excessive morning sickness or high blood pressure, you should speak to your healthcare provider before booking flights. You should also speak to your healthcare provider if you have previously experienced a miscarriage or preterm labour. They will assess your individual needs before recommending whether or not you can fly.

When is it unsafe to fly?

This is up to the individual airlines. Most will happily accept your business up until week 27. From week 27 onwards, your risk of going into labour increases. Some airlines may be happy to take you further into the third trimester, but others may refuse. You will need to contact the airline to check their policies. Some may require a letter confirming your due date signed by your healthcare provider.

By the time you reach your final month of pregnancy, most airlines will refuse to carry you. If you are carrying twins, this cut off point may come even sooner. You will need to check each airline individually to find out what their policies are for flying during the third trimester.

Will flying harm my baby?

No. Your baby will not be affected by the cabin pressure. However, you should avoid flying in smaller planes that do not have cabin pressure.

When is the best time to fly?

The best time to fly is probably during your second trimester. By that point, you should hopefully be over the fatigue and nausea of the first trimester. By the time you reach your third trimester, you will find it more difficult to get comfortable, and may struggle to find airlines who will carry you.

The second trimester is seen as the ideal time to take a babymoon, or enjoy time with friends and family. Book your tickets, pack your bags and remember these top tips for flying during pregnancy:

  1. Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water
  2. Comfort before style – wear comfortable loose fitting clothes
  3. Ask for an aisle seat – stretch those legs
  4. Go for a waddle – walk around if you are starting to feel uncomfortable

Bon voyage!

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Choosing a Middle Name for Your Baby

Hoorah, you’ve finally found on a first name you can both agree on. After months of searching, weeks of list-compiling, and hours of arguing, you’ve finally found the one. It’s perfect. You’ve tested it every way you can imagine, and it has passed with flying colours. It sounds great with your surname, it can’t be shortened to anything resembling a rude word, and it doesn’t mean toilet in Japanese.

As you and the daddy-to-be breathed a collective sigh of relief, you suddenly realised you’d only half finished. “What about the middle name?” you exclaimed in unison, fighting back the tears. Suddenly you were back at square one, or it felt that way at least. Fear not, here are some tips to help you in choosing a middle name for your baby:

  1. Choose a sentimental name – if there is a special friend or family member, perhaps one who is no longer with you, then this a great way to honour them. The added bonus is that if your favourite uncle was called Gravel, it’s only going to be your baby’s middle name so not many people will know it.
  2. Be inspired by the great – sports personalities, world-changing politicians and great historical figures can all provide inspiration. Bradley Wiggins has undoubtedly spawned a few namesakes since his impressive summer of sport in 2012. It’s also possible there will be a few extra baby Margarets following the death of Margaret Thatcher.
  3. Take inspiration from the arts – if you or your partner have a favourite character from a book or film, you could name the baby after them. The name Jessica proved popular last year, and this could be down to the success of the US sitcom New Girl. Similarly, when Titanic came out, Rose and Jack were both climbed up the baby name charts.
  4. Make it fair – if you chose the first name, perhaps it’s fair to let the father-to-be select the middle name. Or vice versa. That way you’ve both had input into the name. If your bump will have an older sibling, you could let them choose the middle name.
  5. How does it sound? – it’s perfectly ok to select a middle name for no other reason than it worked with the first and last names. You don’t need to have a long backstory as to why the name was chosen, you can just say it sounded good.
  6. Don’t have one – this might seem controversial, but middle names aren’t mandatory. Some people think they make a name sound more complete, but if you don’t agree then don’t spend hours fretting over it. Not everybody has a middle name.

If you have found a name you both like, then that’s all that matters. Let us know what middle name you’ve chosen.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Dads Should Enjoy Pregnancy Too

For the duration of the pregnancy, as a partner you might feel a bit left out of things. You played a crucial role in the conception, but now there’s very little for you to do until the baby arrives. You might feel sidelined as your partner’s bump grows and her body changes to accommodate the growing life inside her. It’s important to remember that dads should enjoy pregnancy too.

While she feels every kick or hiccup, you may be unaware they happen most of the time. Mum-to-be has a constant, huge reminder of the pregnancy, but you may find yourself momentarily forgetting throughout the day. It’s easy to start to feel a little left out and uninvolved with the pregnancy. You may feel there’s little for you to do, but you’re wrong. Here are some easy ways you can play a vital role in the pregnancy:

  1. Be there for her – your partner might be the one carrying the physical weight, but it’s easy to leave her carrying the emotional weight too. She’s on a hormonal roller coaster and may be suffering from extreme emotions. Be there to support her throughout the emotional ups and downs. Make sure she knows she can rely on you.
  2. Ease the pain – pregnancy causes a lot of aches and pains. From foot rubs, to back massages, there are plenty of ways you can help to ease the pain of pregnancy. Small gestures like running a bubble bath, or offering to take care of the weekly shop, can also help to take the burden off your partner.
  3. Always be prepared – while you can’t help grow the baby, you can prepare your home for the new arrival. You have a nursery to decorate, and you’ll want to finish any last minute DIY jobs around the house before the baby arrives. Finishing odd jobs, and putting up the cot, are great ways to get involved in the nesting period before the birth.
  4. Back to school – accompany your partner to antenatal classes. In past decades, men had little to do with pregnancy and birth. Birth often happened behind closed doors, while men passed round cigars. These days, you’re likely to play an active role in the birth. You’ll get to witness the amazing event of a life being brought into the world, so make sure you’re clued up and useful in the birthing room. Antenatal classes will give you the information and confidence you need to support your partner through the birth.
  5. Keep talking – communication is key to a healthy relationship. Pregnancy can be a scary time. Neither of you are that sure what to expect, and you are both probably apprehensive of the future. Your partner might be worrying about the birth itself, and whether she’ll struggle breastfeeding. You might be worrying about financially supporting your new family, or whether you’ll be a natural father. All of these thoughts are completely normal. Make sure you talk through all of your concerns together, this will strengthen your relationship and allow you to prepare for parenthood as a team.
  6. Bump bonding – you might not be getting kicked in the bladder at 3am, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on bonding in utero. Newborn babies recognise familiar voices from the womb. Talk to the bump to familiarise the baby with your tones.
  7. Take care of yourself – with a heavily pregnant, hormonal mum-to-be, and a to do list the size of the M1, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. If you’re exhausted and stressed, you’re unlikely to be much use to anyone, so make sure you take some you-time. Give yourself time to unwind and relax, so that your batteries can recharge.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Pregnancy Diet: Eating For Two

We’ve all heard the phrase “eating for two”, but now that you’re pregnant, should you really be doubling your food intake? It’s important to eat a healthy pregnancy diet to ensure you have enough energy.

During the first six months of pregnancy, you should not increase your calorie intake at all. You may find that, by switching to a healthier diet, you are able to eat more if you feel hungry, but you certainly shouldn’t be eating extra crisps or chocolate bars. During the final trimester, pregnant women are advised to eat an extra 200 calories a day. This amounts to two slices of brown bread lightly buttered, or a large banana. Hardly eating for two, is it?

Risks of overeating

By eating too much during pregnancy, you can put yourself at risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, backaches, preeclampsia, and birth interventions due to having a larger baby. Putting on an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy also means that it will take longer to shift back to your pre-pregnancy weight once the baby is born.

So what should I be eating?

Interestingly, on films and TV, we hear the phrase “eating for two” whenever cake or ice cream is on the menu. It’s rare to see a woman ordering twice the mixed salad. It’s important to remember that when you do increase your food intake, it should be the healthy stuff you eat more of – not the junk food.

Now that you’re pregnant, your diet is more important than ever. It’s essential that your food provides all the goodness your body needs to make a person. This means eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you get a mix of vitamins and minerals. You should also eat brown rice, brown pasta and brown bread, rather than choosing the less healthy white versions of these foods. Reduce your sugar and salt intake, and generally try to eat as healthily as you can.

Don’t starve yourself of treats though. If you’ve craving ice cream and salt and vinegar crisp sandwiches, go for it every once in awhile. As long as you don’t over indulge, and generally try to eat a healthy diet, you should be fine.

Healthy weight gain

Women who were a healthy weight pre-pregnancy should put on between 25 and 35 lbs. Women who were overweight before the pregnancy should aim to put on less, ideally no more than 25 lbs. Speak to your healthcare provider if you are worried about your weight gain.

The phrase “eating for two” isn’t outdated, it just needs a new meaning for modern life. Instead of thinking about double the quantities, we should think of it as changing our diets to increase the amount of healthy foods we eat – because we’re eating for two!

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

9 Tips for a Worry-Free Pregnancy

A worry-free pregnancy, is there really such a thing? Is it possible to embark on this new and daunting chapter of life without so much as a niggle of concern? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean you can’t greatly reduce your worrying. If you find yourself lying awake at night worrying about pregnancy, birth and parenting, then you might benefit from son of the following tips:

  1. Exercise every day – 30 minutes of light exercise each day can do wonders for your stress levels. Walking, swimming, yoga and pilates are all recommended exercises for pregnancy. As well as reducing stress levels, regular exercise can help you to get a better night’s sleep.
  2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet – instead of lying awake at night worrying about the soda you drank at lunch, have a water next time. Don’t feel guilty for snacking on junk food – simply replace these snacks with healthy alternatives in the future. Processed foods often have high levels of sugar and salt, and this can affect your moods and general health.
  3. Take your vitamins – you’ll save yourself a lot of worry if you take a daily prenatal vitamin. These specially formulated vitamins are filled with the nutrients your developing baby needs. They don’t replace a healthy diet, and you’ll still need to make sure you’re eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, but they are advised for all pregnant women.
  4. Relax – it’s really important to add in some relaxation time to your daily routine. If you are busy during the day, rushing around trying to get things finished, it can be hard to switch off at night. Try having a relaxing soak in the bath, or a massage before bed to help you unwind. Meditation and yoga are great for calming down and allowing yourself to fully relax.
  5. Be honest with yourself – it’s ok to worry, but be honest with yourself. What are you really worried about? Why are you feeling so worried about it? Could it be caused by deeper emotions? Or could exhaustion be playing a part in it?
  6. Stop searching online forums – if you’re worried about the pregnancy, the worst thing you can do is check random internet forums. By all means, search trusted sources online, and educate yourself with the information. But don’t take the information you read on unmoderated forums too seriously.
  7. Talk to your partner – your partner may be sharing a lot of your worries and concerns. The best thing to do is to be honest about your feelings, and allow him to do the same. Talk about your worries, and find ways to help each other cope.
  8. Talk to some mothers – women have been growing, birthing and looking after babies for generations. Whatever you’re worried about, other mothers have worried about before you. If you have any mum friends you can trust – be it your mum, best friend or a friend from work – talk to them about your concerns. They’ll be able to reassure you with their own experiences.
  9. Ask a professional – one of your healthcare provider’s roles is to make sure you are not feeling stressed. Your healthcare provider will be able to offer you advice and support to help you overcome your concerns.

What are you worrying about during pregnancy, and how are you coping with it?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

6 Tips for Maintaining Good Posture During Pregnancy

One of the most common complaints of pregnant women is that their backs, shoulders, and necks hurt. This discomfort during pregnancy is normal considering how drastically pregnancy changes your posture. If your back and abdominal muscles were not in optimal condition before pregnancy, chances are the shift in your weight is putting great strain on the large muscles of your back. As pregnancy progresses this pain can intensify, especially once hormones begin loosening the ligaments in your joints.

It’s important that you pay attention to your posture during pregnancy. Maintaining good posture can reduce the amount of strain and tension in your lower and upper back, as well as in your neck, shoulders and hips.

The following 6 tips will help you maintain good posture during pregnancy.

1.  Make efforts to be aware of your head position. You should try to hold your head up, so that your chin is in. Even while working, driving, reading, cooking, or really any activity, try to keep your head up and your chin in line with the plane of your body. The tendency to shift your head to the side, or downward is the onset of bad posture and can cause you pain.

2. Chiropractors encourage people to make sure that their ear lobes are in line with the middle of the shoulder area. Remaining conscious about this and checking your position throughout the day, can help you maintain good posture.

3. For pregnant woman, one of the most important posture tricks is to keep your shoulders back and your chest outward. Poke those boobs outward. Doing so straightens the spine and enables your larger muscles to support the weight of your belly. It also reduces stress in the shoulder area.

4.  If you must sit for a long period of time, make sure that you are in a comfortable position. Pregnant woman are also advised to elevate their feet so that their knees are bent at a 90 degree angle. Additionally, your buttocks should be scooted back to the edge (touching) the back of the chair. This help to keep your spine straight and strong. Also, make sure that you get up and walk around at least once per hour.

5. If you must stand for long periods of time, make sure your shoulders are back, chest out – and that you keep your neck and head in a comfortable position. Additionally, it is suggested that you alternate raising one foot on a short stool while standing for long periods of time.

6. If your back is very sore, and you find that maintaining good posture during pregnancy is difficult, invest in a belly belt. This belt can be a lifesaver during the last trimester of pregnancy because it supports your abdomen and lower back.

Chances are, even with the best posture during pregnancy, you are apt to feel some muscle aches and pains. Your changing center of balance and the extra weight of baby put a lot of strain on your spinal column. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to take time every day to do yoga or pregnancy stretches, and to exercise regularly.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Pregnancy Exercises That Rock: Swimming

Exercising during pregnancy is definitely recommended, but not all pregnancy exercises are created equal.

According to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), healthy pregnant woman should be encouraged to engage in 30 minutes of mild to moderate exercise each day. Of course, any exercises that involves the risk of falling, heavy lifting, or harsh movements of the torso or joints should be limited due to the risks they can have to the pregnancy. Furthermore, pregnant woman who are just initiating an exercise program should do so under the careful consideration of their health care provider. In other words, the days after finding out you are pregnant is not the time to start training for a marathon.

The benefits to exercise during pregnancy are immense. And while you may be feeling so fatigued that going out for an evening walk may be the last thing you want to do, the reality is that exercise can actually help your body to release endorphins which will in turn, give you more energy. Exercise can also help you to regulate your weight gain, and can ensure that you are in good shape come labor and delivery.

Unfortunately, as pregnancy progresses you may feel too large, or too cumbersome to engage in aerobic activities and may find that simple things such as walking, are hard on your back or increase the swelling in your feet. And this is precisely where swimming comes in.

Swimming is perhaps one of the best exercises that a pregnant woman can engage in. For one thing, when your pregnant body is in the water it is fully supported by the water, which means that your back, ligaments and joints are not carrying the weight of your body. Additionally exercise in general, and swimming in particular because it utilizes the large muscle groups of your body, helps to keep your blood flowing properly and can help alleviate some of the circulation problems that many women experience during pregnancy. When your blood is circulating and flowing properly, nutrients are delivered more efficiently to your baby. Additionally, the exercise increases your oxygen production to both you and your baby. And unlike running or walking or bicycling, the swimming is not harsh on your body and doesn’t involve any jarring or excess pressure on the joints.

Another benefit to swimming is that you will be less likely to overheat while exercising. Pregnancy can cause immense changes in body temperature and your body’s tendency to sweat, which can make it easy to dehydrate when exercising outdoors. In the swimming pool, you are able to maintain a more comfortable (and safer) body temperature. However, it is important that even while swimming which exerts energy that you stay hydrated before and after exercise.

Recently, there have been some reports that swimming in chlorinated pools can be harmful to the developing fetus due to chlorine levels in the pool. However, according to research from Dr. Mark Nieuwenhuijsen of the Department of Environmental Science and Technology at Imperial College in London, “there is no scientific evidence that a woman can be harmed during pregnancy by the chemicals in pools or their by-products.” Pregnant women should take care to shower off before and after swimming (as should non-pregnant swimmers), avoid hot tubs and scuba diving, and realize that the benefits of swimming during pregnancy far outweigh any far-fetched reports otherwise.

If you would like to keep in shape and are looking for a prenatal exercise that is safe, effective and comfortable while pregnant then you should consider swimming. Talk to your health care provider beforehand and look for classes in your area that are specifically designed for pregnant woman. Not only will you get the exercise you need, but you might make some good friends along the way.

Written by Stef, Mother of 4 @Mom-Spirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Playing Music for Baby While Pregnant

Every since the introduction of the Baby Mozart videos and studies done over a decade ago about the Mozart Effect, there have been varying degrees of information that indicate playing music for your unborn baby will help them become smarter, and can even lead to an easier birth for mom. But is this information true?

More recent research doesn’t back up any of the claims that playing music for your baby while in utero will result in higher IQ, or that it will help intelligence develop at a greater speed. But there are evidence and testimonials from pregnant women that support the claims it helps to relax or stimulate the baby. Remember, your baby can hear the sounds going on around you, and will even startle at very loud sounds. Many pregnant moms say that playing relaxing music has helped to lull an overly active baby in utero, while stimulating music has the effect of making them move. Maybe, your baby is dancing inside your tummy.

Scientists suggest that the way the music makes YOU feel is likely what is causing the changes in your baby in utero. If music relaxes you, then naturally your baby will sense your relaxed state and will relax as well.  The opposite is also true.

One interesting fact about playing music to your baby while you are pregnant, is that research does seem to indicate that after delivery your baby will remember the music. Many women play certain songs to their baby while they are pregnant, and find that after delivery that same music has the uncanny ability to calm a fussy or colicky baby. And since science tells us that babies recognize the voices of their mothers right after delivery, it only makes sense that they will also remember the sound of your favorite Stevie Nicks song that you played on repeat during pregnancy.

At the end of the day, you have to do what you feel is good for your baby. Many women are very attached and gain quite a bit of comfort and relaxation from music. Therefore, it seems obvious that their children will as well. There is certainly no harm in playing Mozart, in playing the piano, or in exposing your unborn baby to your favorite songs and melodies. However, caution should be taken before hooking up headphones to either side of your belly and blaring music to your uterus. If you do this, make sure the music is turned down very low. Keep in mind that the baby can hear through your belly, although the sounds will be muffled – and that you can expose them to songs and music without hooking your baby bump up to headphones.

So what do you say?  Do you play music to your unborn baby?  Do you think it relaxes or stimulates your baby? We’d love to hear your experience.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

Are you pregnant?  If so, are your feet swelling?

Swollen feet during pregnancy is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms known to womankind. As pregnancy progresses, the swollen feet phenomenon can get worse, and it can be extremely painful. Worse, trying to find comfortable shoes that not only fit, but don’t hurt your feet can be a challenge.

There are many reasons why your feet swell during pregnancy. The most obvious reason is simple. With pregnancy, your body retains extra fluids. Match extra fluids with gravity, and you have a recipe for swollen feet and ankles that can throb and ache, as well as turn red, purple and blue. Believe it or not, woman also gain weight in their feet during pregnancy. And making matters worse, pregnancy causes an increase in the hormone called relaxin, which causes your bones to spread out. Heck, some women’s feet even grow a half to a full size during pregnancy which will facilitate a shoe shopping spree after you give birth. (Fun, right?)

On a more serious note however, edema – otherwise known as the swelling of the extremities is something that you and your health care provider should keep a watch on. While a certain amount of swelling is certainly considered normal, extreme swelling – or watching your feet turn purple or blue is not. Swelling that comes on suddenly, or spreads to the upper thighs and even the face, should be considered an emergency and warrant a trip to your physician. Additionally, any swelling that is accompanied by red streaks or ‘fever’ could be a sign of a blood clot and should be dealt with professionally. In some cases excess swelling of the feet is attributed to pre-eclampsia, which is pregnancy induced hypertension. Your doctor should be able to monitor your swelling during your regular visits to make sure that you are not experiencing pre-eclampsia which can also cause headaches, blurred vision, excessive weight gain and irritability.

If your feet are swelling there are some simple things that you can do to ease the pain. First and foremost, make sure that you get your feet up as much as possible. Even if you have an office job, get something to prop your feet up on during the day to help distribute the fluid from your feet to the rest of your body. Feet should be elevated 12 inches above your heart whenever possible. Additionally, you should avoid wearing any tight shoes during pregnancy. Even so, find shoes that give you support and don’t be afraid to toss your pre-pregnancy ideals of shoe fashion out of the window in order to keep yourself comfortable. Soaking your feet in Epsom salt is another good way to naturally relieve some of the swelling. Drinking plenty of fluids is another important aspect in keeping your feet from swelling. While it may seem counter-intuitive, the more water you drink, the more fluids your body will be able to flush from your body. Last, but certainly not least – try to avoid hot, and humid conditions which are conducive to swelling. If you are going to be in the heat and humidity, use cold compresses on your feet from time to time to help take out some of the swelling. At the end of the day, if your feet are very swollen – you can also soak your feet in cold water, or use ice packs to relieve the pain associated with foot swelling.

The good news is that after you have your baby, the swelling in your feet should subside. Your feet may still be a size larger, but they won’t be privy to the throbbing pain and swelling experienced by pregnancy.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4@MOM-Spirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Gaining Too Much Weight During Pregnancy

First things first, gaining weight during pregnancy is considered normal, and is nothing to worry about. That said, however, it’s important to stay within the healthy weight gain range throughout your pregnancy. Putting on too much weight can increase your risk of experiencing pregnancy complications. So, how can you avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy?

1. Eat healthy food – ok, this one might sound obvious, but it is important. The occasional treat is ok, but you should be eating healthily the overwhelming majority of the time. Not everyone does this, so you may find you need to totally change the way you eat, but pregnancy is the perfect time to do this. Switch your usual snacks for healthy alternatives, like fresh berries, dried fruit and nut bars.

2. Avoid fatty foods – there are good fats and bad fats. Keep eating good fats – coconut oil, avocado and nuts, but cut out the bad fat. Processed foods, sugary sweet treats and take away pizzas are likely to contain bad fats. By all means, allow yourself the occasional luxury, but these foods shouldn’t be eaten on a daily basis.

3. Cut out the empty calories – the term ‘empty calories’ refers to calories you consume that do not add nutritional value for your diet. For example, sodas, crisps and chocolate bars will do little in the way of providing much-needed nutrients for you and your developing baby, but do take up some of your daily calories. You should only be eating so many calories each day, so make sure you’re getting the most out of yours by eating a nutritious, balanced diet.

4. Take regular exercise – one of the most important things you can to prevent excessive weight gain, is to exercise regularly. You should be aiming for half an hour a day, at least five days a week. Even just a brisk stroll home from the office could help you to maintain a healthy weight gain. Heading for a swim after work, doing a prenatal exercise DVD at home, or joining a prenatal exercise class could all count towards your new exercise routine.

5. Talk to a professional – your healthcare provider knows your unique situation, and is best placed to offer you advice on weight gain. Ask for advice and support to avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy, and ask for regular reviews to check how you’re doing. Your healthcare provider should be weighing you at each appointment, so suggest that you track the weight gain together to make sure it stays in the healthy range.

What changes have you made to your diet this pregnancy?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.