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Ovulation charts: What is it and how does it help in conceiving?

August 6th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

By Parent Wonder Editorial Team

Some women know exactly when they ovulate. Their periods come like clockwork, so they can assume that they ovulate around 14 days into their cycle. And then there’s the rest of us.

We have busy schedules and stressful lives. Being stressed and over weight or under weight can cause women to have fluctuating cycles. Many women have no idea when their periods will come because they have always had irregular menstruation.

Normal cycles can range too, with some women having normal cycles that come every 45 days or others who have shorter cycles and start a period every 21 days. Most of us don’t really worry about this irregularity, until it comes time to start trying to conceive. How can you predict your ovulation, if you can’t even predict your period?

Ovulation charts are good for people who like to live with a schedule and like to stick to it.  In order to make an ovulation chart, all you will need is a basil thermometer. These are inexpensive and easy to find at any drug store. This thermometer shows minute changes in your body temperature. Begin taking your temperature daily from the first day of your period. Make sure to take your temperature right when you wake up in the morning, and try to take it around the same time everyday, as this will make for a more accurate reading.

Doctors also recommend that you check your cervical mucus everyday. When you ovulate you should notice a clear mucus and a sudden upswing in your temperature reading. By charting your temperature and mucus you can see a pattern of when you might ovulate each month. If your ovulations are widely varied each month, you can still start to tell when you might be fertile by learning to notice the changes in your body (mucus change, slight cramping).  When you notice these changes and see the temperature rise on the basil thermometer, have intercourse!

If you have problems with noticing a temperature change or if your temperature is varied because you are often sick, there are ovulation kits to buy. These can be expensive and unpredictable.  Doctors warn that even if you do ovulate, you must also have the clear mucus present to conceive.  They suggest charting is much more accurate and less expensive.

For more articles on pregnancy and parenting, you’re invited to visit Parent Wonder.
 

The Importance of Nutrition During Pregnancy

May 8th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Nutrition becomes extremely important during pregnancy because of all the changes that your body is experiencing. Your body is taking on a new role and is developing a new human being. The nutrients that you eat are used during the development process and are also used as nutrients by your baby. These changes cause your nutrition needs change during pregnancy.

You need to contact your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant. Your doctor will help you design a special pregnancy nutrition program that will provide the nutrients that you and your baby need. The first 13 weeks of pregnancy are the most critical because that is when your baby’s major organs and brain are being formed. Your pregnancy nutrition program is especially important during these 13 weeks to ensure proper development, minimize the chance of miscarriage and provide additional support for your body. Most miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition to a pregnancy nutrition program, you need to begin taking prenatal vitamins and start a pregnancy exercise program. Special prenatal vitamins are needed because of the different nutritional needs of your body during pregnancy. Make sure that you also review all of the supplements, herbs, and other over the counter remedies that you take with your doctor. Do not assume that herbal supplements are safe during pregnancy. During pregnancy all of the rules that you used to follow need to be discussed in detail with your doctor. Pregnancy has it’s own set of rules and this applies especially to nutrition.
 
The More Water The Better

Your body needs a lot more water during pregnancy. Many experts suggest that you drink 11-12 glasses of water each day. Water includes just that, water. You can not include juice or other healthy beverages towards your daily water requirement. Not only is water important it is one of the most critical components of a pregnancy nutrition program. Remember we consist primarily of water: easily 50% + of our bodies are water. You are drinking water for both you and your baby.

If you do not like the taste of water, you can add a little juice or lemon for flavoring. In addition to drinking more water, you will need to cut down or reduce the consumption of certain beverages that may be harmful to your developing baby. Many doctors recommend reducing or eliminating soda, coffee and certain teas. Alcohol is definitely off limits during pregnancy.

Drinking a lot of water is needed for the following reasons:

1. eliminate waste and toxins from you and your baby’s system on a regular basis;
2. aid the digestive process;
3. avoid dehydration and constipation; and
4. ensure the proper flow of nutrients to your baby;

Drinking plenty of water may also help minimize food cravings and other pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Nutrition - Common Foods to Avoid

Since you and your baby are vulnerable and more sensitive during the pregnancy process, there are certain foods that you should avoid. Here is a partial list:

1. raw eggs (including certain dressings or sauces);
2. unpasteurized milk and cheese;
3. raw or rare fish and meats - definitely no sushi;
4. fish with high mercury levels;
5. unwashed fruits and vegetables; etc.

It is imperative that you thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables to remove bacteria, pesticides and other chemicals. Your doctor and a pregnancy nutrition guide should be consulted to develop a more complete list of foods to avoid.

Summary

Pregnancy nutrition and exercise are extremely important for the health of you and your baby. Special nutritional requirements begin as early as conception and are most critical during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

A good pregnancy nutrition and exercise program can help ensure proper development, ease pregnancy symptoms and minimize the risk of miscarriage. A good pregnancy exercise program can even ensure a shorter and/or easier labor.

There is a lot that you need to learn about pregnancy and pregnancy nutrition and a Pregnancy Guide is highly recommended. There is too much for you to learn to rely merely on your doctor or talking to your loved ones.

It’s a lot of work and will require sacrifices but your baby will thank you.

To Your Health,

MyPregnancyStages.com

Pregnancy Diet: Can One Bad Meal Impact Your Wellbeing?

May 4th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

We all know the importance of a well balanced healthy diet and the long term benefits it provides. We also know that nutrition is even more important during pregnancy. But is there any harm in eating “bad foods” on rare occasions or in moderation?

A recent study indicates that one “bad” meal can negatively impact your body’s ability to handle stress. This is significant because it highlights the negative impact that a single meal can have on your body. There is an immediate negative impact on your body’s reactivity to stress as a result of eating poorly.

The study was not pregnancy specific, but would equally apply for pregnant women. In my opinion, the results of this study are even more important during pregnancy and other high stress situations.

During pregnancy your body is going through a tremendous amount of change and is under a lot of stress for an entire nine month period. Your body’s ability to cope with this stress can have a significant impact on your health, emotional wellbeing and possibly the severity of your pregnancy symptoms. The fact that one unhealthy meal can negatively impact your body’s ability to cope with stress is very alarming and something that you need to consider. 

Eating an occasional “bad” meal during pregnancy will not cause significant health problems for you or your baby. However, it can have a negative impact on your stress handling abilities for that day. You may want to consider these consequences before deciding to stray from your normal healthy diet.

For more information about this medical study, please visit:

Full Medical Study Available Here

If you notice that you are having a bad day and are not able to cope as well as normal, something you ate may be responsible. If you do eat poorly, you should pay special attention to how you feel and react to evaluate the impact that your food choices are having on you.

Please keep this in mind when you are designing your pregnancy nutrition program. You are what you eat! 

 

To Your Health,

MyPregnancyStages.com

 

Pregnancy and Nutrition: Are Your Vitamins Safe for Baby?

April 23rd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Pregnancy and nutrition are critical topics during your pregnancy. You need to begin a special nutrition and fitness program as soon as possible after conception. This includes: what you eat, what you should not eat, prenatal nutrition supplements and an exercise program. The first 13 weeks of your pregnancy are the most important since this is when your baby’s major organs and brain are being developed. This is also when most miscarriages occur. Pregnancy and nutrition are two words that every woman needs to understand. There have been some recent new developments with respect to pregnancy, nutrition and vitamins that are discussed below.

Upon becoming pregnant it is important to talk to your doctor about prenatal vitamins even if you currently take a multivitamin.  Your doctor will probably recommend that you stop taking your current nutritional supplements and take special prenatal supplements that are specifically designed for pregnant women. This is very important.

The Vitamins That Are Good For You Pre-pregnancy May Be Detrimental To Your Baby’s Development During Pregancy.

Why special vitamins?  Your body is undergoing changes and has a different role and your baby is developing and is very fragile. Since your body is being used for a different purpose, you have different nutritional needs.

A February 25, 2007 article, states that megavitamins should not be taken in pregnancy, because they may result in fetal malformation or disturbed metabolism.  The article also highlights the need for additional iron and folic acid in pregnant women. This article demonstrates the significance of having a proper pregnancy nutrition program to ensure that you obtain the addtitional nutrients your body needs during pregnancy. Failure to do so may result in birth defects, miscarriage and deformity. 

For the full article visit

www.newstodaynet.com/health/2502hl1.htm

Another article on February 27, 2007 reports that a recent US study found that regular use of prenatal multivitamins may not be sufficient to prevent vitamin D deficiencies in pregnant women and their infants.

Vitamin D deficiency early in life has been linked to rickets, as well as an increased risk for type 1 diabetes, asthma and schizophrenia. Again, a special pregnancy nutrition program may be needed to supplement your prenatal vitamins and to minimize damage to your developing baby. This topic should not be taken lightly, improper pregnancy nutrition can have serious consequences, and may be fatal, to your baby.

For the full article visit
www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/ Vitamin_D_deficiency_during_pregnancy/

Discuss your pregnancy nutrition, vitamins and exercise program with your doctor as early as possible. Be sure you tell your doctor about all vitamin, herbal supplements, over the counter medications and other items that you’re currently taking.  Do not assume anything.  When in doubt always ask, your baby’s life and proper development may depend on it.

 

To Your Health,

MyPregnancyStages.com

 

 

 

The First Signs Of Pregnancy: Am I Pregnant?

April 10th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

It’s important for a woman to know the first signs of pregnancy, especially if you are trying to become pregnant. As soon as you become pregnant, it is important to begin a pregnancy nutrition and fitness program, see your doctor, begin taking prenatal vitamins, etc. Here are some of the first signs of pregnancy that you may experience:

Missed Menstrual Cycle

The most obvious first sign of pregnancy for most women is a missed period. If you have a regular cycle and know your schedule this may be the first pregnancy symptom that you notice. However if you have an irregular cycle, a missed period may be difficult to detect. Although a missed period is a sign of pregnancy it can also be caused by stress, changes in diet, sudden changes in weight and similar factors.

Physical Exhaustion

Another first sign of pregnancy is unusual tiredness. Despite getting your normal amount of sleep, you are more tired than usual. Although this is a first sign of pregnancy it may also indicate that you have an infection, have the flu, are under a lot of stress, or are physically overexerted.

Tender Breasts

This first sign of pregnancy can be difficult to detect since it is often associated with your normal menstrual cycle. If you experience tender breasts and your menstrual cycle is more than 2 weeks late, you’re probably pregnant. A home pregnancy test should be taken for verification.

Darkened Areolas

An obvious first sign of pregnancy is a darkening of your areolas (the colored skin surrounding your nipples). This pregnancy symptom occurs very early in pregnancy and may last the entire nine months. Since this symptom is not normally associated with your normal menstrual cycle, it is one of the first signs of pregnancy that most women notice.

Morning Sickness

This is another early sign of pregnancy that is easily recognized. This pregnancy symptom is not normally associated with your normal menstrual cycle, so it is easier to identify that some of the other first signs of pregnancy. Morning sickness and vomiting can also be a sign of illness, food poisoning and similar factors. If your morning sickness persists for more than one day, it is likely a sign that you are pregnant.

Heightened Sense of Smell and Taste

This is a first sign of pregnancy that many women experience very early in their pregnancy. For some women their senses are much more sensitive and easily noticeable, while others can barely notice the difference. There are few other factors that cause your senses to become more sensitive. If you experience this first sign of pregnancy, you’re probably pregnant. This is especially true if you experience this symptom with one or more other early pregnancy symptoms.

The above first signs of pregnancy can be difficult to detect since there can be other factors causing them. Many of the signs are similar to normal premenstrual symptoms which make detection more challenging. If you think you may be pregnant, you should take a home pregnancy test to know for sure. Regardless of the result, you should repeat the test within 7-10 days to confirm the results.

I’m Pregnant: What do I do?

Once you know you’re pregnant, you should call your doctor immediately. You need to begin planning your prenatal care, start taking special prenatal vitamins and begin a pregnancy nutrition and fitness program. The first few months of your pregnancy are the most critical since this is when your baby’s major organs and brain are developing. The first trimester is also when most miscarriages occur, so your nutrition and fitness are critical during this period for you and your baby.
To Your Health,

 

MyPregnancyStages.com

Pregnancy Exercise Program - Beneficial for All Women?

April 9th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Unless you are specifically advised by your doctor not to exercise, most women benefit from maintaining a pregnancy exercise program. This applies to women who exercised regularly before pregnancy as well as those who did not. There have been numerous studies done and a pregnancy exercise program is proven to be beneficial for you and your baby. A good pregnancy exercise program should include strength training, aerobic exercise and stretching. In addition to reviewing your exercise program with your doctor you should discuss the intensity of your workout and warning signs of overexerting yourself.

Below are some of the benefits of a pregnancy exercise program:

1. easier labor and delivery. Labor time may be shortened and risk of complication reduced;
2. minimize risk of premature birth and cesarean section;
3. enhance post-delivery weight loss and recovery;
4. reduce stress and depression;
5. reduce risk of developing gestational diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure which are common during pregnancy;
6. may enhance your baby’s mental capacity and fitness;
7. increased metabolism minimizes excess weight gain during pregnancy;
8. improves energy and endurance;
9. improved circulation to reduce varicose veins, hemorrhoids and water retention; and
10. relieve backaches and constipation.

Based upon the above benefits it’s easy to see why a pregnancy exercise program is highly recommended for a healthy pregnancy. The possibility of a shorter and easier delivery may be reason enough to start an exercise program even if you never maintained a regular exercise program before.

Specific Exercises

A good pregnancy exercise program includes activities that stimulate the cardiovascular system and major muscles of the body.  Examples of exercises that meet these conditions include: walking, swimming, riding a stationary bicycle, using a elliptical trainer and yoga. All of these activites are also low impact which minimizes the risk of injury and other problems. Yoga enhances focus and body strength both of which are beneficial during labor.

In addition to aerobic activities, strength training should be included in a comprehensive pregnancy exercise program. Depending upon the condition of the mother, strength training should be done 2-3 times per week. The remaining 3 or 4 days per week should be devoted to aerobic activities. Ideally you should exercise 30 minutes per day, six days per week. If you are too tired to exercise some days, you should at least do your stretching activities.

Inappropriate activities would include any activity where the chance of falling or other injury is present. This would include skating, riding an outdoor bicycle and similar activities.  

Exercise Caution

Although a pregnancy exercise program is important, you need to make sure your do not over exert yourself. This is especially true during your first trimester which is when your baby’s critical organs and brain are being developed. Scientific studies suggest that the overheating of a mother’s body may contribute to birth defects, so caution must be used. Make sure you discuss pregnancy exercise guidelines with your doctor regarding intensity and warning signs of over exerting yourself.

Exercise guidelines may include:

1. stop if you feel faint, dizzy or feel stomach cramps or contractions and call your doctor immediately;
2. keep your heart rate below a specified range, some suggest 120 beats per minute; and
3. if you start to get too hot, slow down and listen to your body. Do not get yourself overheated, cool down.

Summary

A pregnancy exercise program has numerous health and emotional benefits for you and your baby. Even if you have never exercised regularly before, pregnancy is a great time to get started. Your pregnancy exercise program should include strength training, aerobics and stretching. Exercise is beneficial provided you do not over do it. Make sure you discuss your exercise program in detail with your doctor. Your doctor should help you develop a list of guidelines to ensure that your pregnancy exercise program is safe and effective.

 

To Your Health,

MyPregnancyStages.com

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