the9months

How to baby yourself (and your baby) when you’re bugged by a cold, flu, or other everyday illness

Sure, you probably knew you were signing on for morning sickness, indigestion, constipation, and even gas when you signed up for pregnancy. But what you might not have realized (that’s what you get for skipping the fine print!) is that pregnant women aren’t just susceptible to pregnancy symptoms. They’re also susceptible to every bug in the book, from colds to stomach viruses to flu. In fact, it may not seem fair (but c’mon — since when is anything about pregnancy fair), but as an expectant mom you can expect to succumb more easily to these nonpregnancy related illnesses than members of the nonpregnant population. That’s because, during pregnant, your immune system is suppressed during pregnancy in order to protect your fetus (an outsider) from being rejected by your body. (more…)

Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your risk for developing oral health problems like gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis ( gum disease). As a result of varying hormone levels, between 50%-70% of women will develop gingivitis sometime during their pregnancy – a condition called pregnancy gingivitis.

The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy – especially the increased level of progesterone – may make it easier for certain gingivitis-causing bacteria to grow as well as make gum tissue more sensitive to plaque and exaggerate the body’s response to the toxins (poisons) that result from plaque. In fact, if you already have significant gum disease, being pregnant may make it worse. (more…)

“I Gained 50 Pounds During My Pregnancy”

It’s the size of a 10-year-old child. A medium-sized dog. A large piece of furniture. And, yep, that’s what I gained during my pregnancy.

Before I go on, let me acknowledge that pregnancy weight gain is a controversial topic. To some of you, 50 pounds is going to sound shocking. After all, experts recommend that women keep their weight gain to 25-30 pounds. But others, including some doctors, aren’t too concerned as long as the woman is healthy.
(more…)

Coping with bed rest

Most pregnancies are healthy and allow you to be active. Sometimes, however, complications require a mother to be inactive instead. If your doctor says you must rest-even staying in bed until you deliver-to prevent premature labor or another possible danger to you and your baby, take heart. Many women and their families have found ways to cope. (more…)

Pregnancy and exercise

Exercising during your pregnancy will help you feel good, and may make your labor and delivery easier. While gaining 25-30 pounds is healthy for most pregnant women, becoming seriously overweight can cause health issues for mothers and babies. To stay fit through pregnancy, here are a few things to keep in mind:

* Most exercises are safe during pregnancy, as long as you exercise with caution and stop when you feel tired. The safest and most productive activities are those that carry little risk of injury, benefit your entire body, and can be continued until birth. These include swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary cycling and elliptical machines, and low-impact aerobics. (more…)