Taking Drugs While Pregnant

Once you have made the decision to try for a baby, chances are you don’t want it to take forever and would like to know how to get pregnant fast. Fortunately, there are a number of simple steps you can take which will maximize your chances and get you on the right track not only to conceive quickly, but healthily too.

Body Weight

Being outside the normal healthy weight range for your height (whether underweight or overweight) can have an adverse effect on ovulation, with both groups displaying disruption. Steps should therefore be taken to get within the healthy weight range. If you are overweight, even slightly reducing body fat can help and if underweight, just a little gain can trigger ovulation.

Alcohol and Drugs

If both parties regularly drink, fertility can decline by around 50%. Alcohol is know to have an adverse effect on an early pregnancy so it makes complete sense to avoid it throughout pregnancy. It goes without saying that illegal drugs should be avoided. With regard to over the counter and prescription drugs, always mention to the pharmacist that you are trying to conceive and check that the drugs are safe. Less considered is the potential effect of caffeine. It is known that caffeine (as found in coffee, tea, chocolate and some fizzy drinks) can reduce the chances of conception so keep consumption to a minimum. Read the rest of this entry »

How much weight gain is appropriate during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). For a pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5 to 25, the ideal weight gain should be somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds. An initial weight gain of 2 to 5 pounds is usually followed by a weekly gain of 1 pound in a normal pregnancy. If you have twins the gain usually falls between 35 and 45 pounds. Women who were overweight at the time of conception usually gain around 15 pounds and those who were underweight gain between 30 to 40 pounds. In case of obesity, your gain should not exceed fifteen pounds.

The most obvious impact of the weight gain can be seen in the form of pains and aches that you will have as your pregnancy progresses. A back ache is the most common complaint, followed by an awkward walk (thanks to your new found tummy). Another complain is of swollen legs, but that has nothing to with weight. It is a result of increased blood flow.

If you’ve had weight problems in the past or are generally finicky about your weight, you might find the gain hard to accept. But there is absolutely no reason to get agitated about the extra weight. In fact it is a sign of a healthy child growing inside you. You just need to pay attention to what you’re eating in terms of nutritional value. Also, you can track your weekly weight gain, and if you have any doubts in mind, you can consult your doctor. Tracking will also help adjust your diet according to the gain in order to get the best for your child. A stop on junk food and a start on some exercise will also help you along the way. Understand that eventually, all those extra pounds will wear off once you’ve delivered your little one. Read the rest of this entry »

Sunshine, not food, is where most of your vitamin D comes from. So even a healthy and well balanced diet, that provides all the other vitamins and nutrients, is unlikely to provide enough vitamin D. To get enough vitamin D you need to spend some time outside with some bare skin on most days during the summer months.

How is vitamin D different to other nutrients?

You make vitamin D under your skin when you are outside in daylight, which is the reason vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin. By definition, a vitamin is a nutrient that we cannot make in our body. Vitamin D is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin. Very few foods contain vitamin D naturally.

What does vitamin D do in your body?

Vitamin D makes sure you absorb enough calcium for your bones and teeth. Even if you have a calcium-rich diet, without enough vitamin D you cannot absorb calcium into the body. Its importance as a hormone is also being recognised. It helps maintain a healthy immune system and reduces the risk of some forms of cancer. Population studies suggest that lack of vitamin D may increase the risk of chronic health conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Read the rest of this entry »

As everyone knows exercise is reaps hug benefits no matter what your age. But, sometimes just the word makes you want to hide. Exercise doesn’t have to seem like work if you do it with someone else. Here are five fitness ideas for families who want to be healthier and need a little boost in the right direction.

A family workout has many benefits. First of all, you have each other for accountability. When one person wants to slack off, their loving family members can help them see the light. Secondly, you have a buddy to push you to do your best. It is a friendly competition that can help you achieve fitness goals you never thought possible.

1. Backyard sports – it’s probably been a long time since you played a game of dodge ball or kick ball. Now’s your chance. Get the family together and start a game on the weekends. This type of stop and start movement gets the heart rate up and works the muscles. Other ideas include basketball game, softball game or volleyball.
2. Take a class together – for example, martial arts centers have programs from youth to adult. Each person can learn skills and then practise them together. Aerobics classes are another idea for a family exercise session. The guys in the family may not feel co-ordinated enough to do a step aerobics class but there’s always spinning, swimming or kickboxing classes to choose from at your local YMCA or the gym.
3. Enjoy nature – families feed off of each other. If one person can do it, the others want to try to do it also. Go for a family hike. Parks have some beautiful trails that range from easy to more challenging. Outfit your family with the proper gear and learn about nature together. Along the same lines as hiking is mountain climbing. There are trails here too. Help each other climb the rocks and take in some breathtaking views. Both activities work your heart, lungs and lower body. Even on a cool fall day you will feel the burn and the cleansing sweat of a good workout.
4. Do yard work – no one wants to choose outside work but if you do it together it can be fun and heart pumping. Take turns mowing a section of the yard. Pushing a lawnmower works the upper and lower body. Rake leaves in the fall. For more fun, jump into the big pile and then let everyone help rake them up again.
5. Play a video game – video games have become more athletic and virtual these days. The big talk is about the Wii game console. Using the Fit board or the regular games, your family will have plenty of laughs and even more exercise as they move to make the characters move in the games.

Who says family workouts have to be boring? Get together as a family and do something that you love to stay healthy.

During pregnancy, acne can both clear and get worse. In early pregnancy, acne often gets a bit worse but as pregnancy progresses, acne can often improve, possibly because of increased levels of oestrogen.

Treatment in pregnancy

Topical treatments that can be used in pregnancy include:
* Benzoyl peroxide
* Azelaic acid

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a commonly used topical treatment for mild acne. It is safe for adults and children, and can be used in pregnancy.

Benzoyl peroxide has the following properties:

* Antiseptic i.e. it reduces the number of skin surface bacteria (but it does not cause bacterial resistance and in fact can reduce bacterial resistance if this has arisen from antibiotic therapy). It also reduces the  number of yeasts on the skin surface.
* Oxidizing agent – this makes it keratolytic and comedolytic i.e. it reduces the number of comedones.
* Anti-inflammatory action.

Benzoyl peroxide is available as cream, gel, lotion and wash at concentrations of 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %. It may
be combined with other topical or oral therapy. It is especially valuable in combination with topical or oral antibiotics as it may reduce the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In New Zealand, products containing benzoyl peroxide are available without prescription. They include:

* Benoxyl™ 5%, 10% Lotion
* Benzac™ AC2.5%, 5%, 10% Gel; Wash 5%
* Brevoxyl™ 4% Cream
* Oxy™ 5 5% lotion, Oxy™ 10 10% Lotion
* PanOxyl™ 2.5%, 5%, 10% Gel, PanOxyl™ AQ 2.5%, 5%, 10% Gel

Read the rest of this entry »

There is a good deal of controversy lately when it comes to pregnant women taking anti-depressants. The reason for the controversy stems from the fact that there is a large risk for women 25-44 years old to develop depression – up to 25%. Since these are the prime years for childbearing, many women find that they are suffering through depression while they are pregnant. Previous studies saw no increase in pregnancy problems when on certain anti-depressants, but unfortunately new studies are showing otherwise.

Earlier Studies on Anti-Depressants

Previous studies indicated that there was not an increase in stillbirths, miscarriages, or premature births when pregnant women take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.

Anti-Depressants Cause Birth Defects?
Unfortunately reports released this year are showing an increased risk to babies whose mothers take anti-depressants. One study this year contradicts studies in the past, saying that there is an increased risk in birth defects for women who take SSRIs in their first trimester. Sandy Zeskind, a research professor in pediatrics at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, says that babies who were prenatally exposed to SSRIs had adverse effects on their central and autonomic nervous systems.

Further research is being conducted on this topic.

Anti-Depressants Cause Withdrawal Symptoms in Newborns?
Another study showed an increased risk for newborn withdrawal symptoms for women who take SSRIs in their third trimester. These withdrawal symptoms were the result of being cut-off from the medications that they had been receiving through the mother’s placenta. The most commonly reported symptoms were irritability, increased crying, tremors, shortened breath, nausea, and convulsions. These symptoms typically lasted only one to four days after birth, and rarely lasted more than a few weeks. Because of this, doctors are being urged to recommend to their patients that they lower their dose, or stop taking anti-depressants altogether, two weeks before their due date.

Anti-Depressants Still Being Prescribed
That said, some women are still being coached to treat their depression with anti-depressants, after weighing the risks. Doctors say that halting the use of antidepressants when a woman becomes pregnant may be harmful to the baby – due to the withdrawal symptoms the mother experiences, and the loss of assistance that the medication provides. Other physicians say that if a woman is severely depressed and psychotherapy is not helping, it is best to take anti-depressants to avoid weight loss and preterm delivery.

Alternatives to Anti-Depressants
Depression can be treated in a number of ways. Women may go to therapy or counseling. They may join a support group – in person or online. They may undergo psychotherapy. Depending on the cause of depression, some patients will engage in light therapy, take supplements, begin an exercise program, or change their diet.

Just because you’re now pregnant, does not mean that the sex has to stop. But there are precautions and techniques to be aware of.

Is it Okay to Have Sex When I’m Pregnant?
It is safe to have sex throughout your pregnancy as long as you are not having any complications. The mucus plug that seals the cervix protects against any infections, as does the amniotic sac surrounding the baby.

Speak to your physician or midwife if you are having any contractions after sex, bleeding, or if you are at high risk for your pregnancy. They can give you specifics as to whether or not you should continue having sex.

Is it Possible to Lose Your Sex Drive During Pregnancy?
Many women experience changes in their desire to have sex while pregnant. During the first trimester many women are experiencing morning sickness or hormonal changes, and may not want to have sex at all. During the second trimester, many women experience a surge in their sex drive as they start to feel normal and begin to enjoy their pregnancy. The third trimester can go either way – some women have a high sex drive, while others have less sexual urges than before.

What if Sex Becomes Uncomfortable During Pregnancy?
As your belly gets bigger, it may become more difficult to find a position that is comfortable. You can experiment with other positions and techniques, or feign a headache and go to bed!

How Soon After Giving Birth Can I Have Sex?
Traditionally you should wait six weeks to have sex after you give birth, but you should take into consideration your comfort level. If you are emotionally or physically not ready to have sex, don’t rush into it.

One of the toughest things to do is maintain a healthy diet while you are pregnant.  In the beginning you may be nauseous or have strange food aversions or cravings.  Toward the middle you might be hungry for everything in sight!  And during the last trimester you may have aches and pains and feel like there is no room in your stomach for food. 

With all of the body changes just try to remember that you are trying to form a healthy baby and need to follow a healthy diet!  Here are some general guidelines to help you.

300 calories ! 

Pregnancy only requires an extra 300 calories a day for the baby.  That’s not very much when you realize that a candy bar has more than 300 calories!  So don’t feel that just because you’re pregnant you can eat anything and not gain weight.

Food Pyramid

Following the food pyramid will help to ensure you’re meeting all of your proper nutritional needs.  You’ll want 3-4 servings of dairy, 6-11 servings of grains/bread, 3-4 servings of meat/protein, 2-4 servings of fruit, and 3-5 servings of vegetables. 

Protein

Protein is very important to eat while pregnant.  The amino acids that make up protein help your baby to grow.  In fact, low protein diets can cause low birthweight babies.  You’ll want to shoot for a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day.

Prenatal Vitamins

Most doctors will suggest that you take a prenatal vitamin to increase the vitamins and minerals important to you and your baby during pregnancy.  Prenatal vitamins typically contain more folic acid, calcium and iron than a regular multivitamin.

Here are the recommended weight gain guidelines for pregnant women:

If you are normal weight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8-26.0):

Gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are overweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 26.0 or more): Gain 15-25 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are underweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8 or less): Gain 28-40 pounds during pregnancy (depending on your pre-pregnancy weight).

If you have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more): Speak to your health care provider. You will need to gain more weight during pregnancy depending on the number of babies you are carrying.

Most women typically gain 3 pounds in the first 3 months, and then 1 pound a week until giving birth. 

An approximate breakdown of the weight is:

• Blood: 3-4 pounds

• Breasts: 1-2 pounds
• Uterus: 2 pounds
• Baby: 6-8 pounds
• Placenta: 1.5 pounds
• Amniotic Fluid: 2 pounds
• Fat: 7 pounds
• Water: 4 pounds

Exercise is extremely important in promoting health and well-being during your pregnancy. Women who exercise during pregnancy have reduced weight gain, improved moods, improved sleep patterns and most experience a more rapid weight loss after pregnancy!  It also will help you to prepare for the physical stress of your labor and delivery.

There are some guidelines to follow when you choose to exercise during your pregnancy:

Read the rest of this entry »