Many expectant mothers ponder the safety of herbal teas during pregnancy. Senna, a botanical herb known for its laxative effects, has been used since the ninth century for medicinal purposes. Although the tea is often consumed to relieve...
Gestational diabetes is a serious health concern during pregnancy. Prenatal care usually includes a screening for gestational diabetes at the 24- to 28-week mark. If you've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your doctor will ask you to...
During pregnancy, health concerns rush to the forefront for many mothers. A number of vitamins and minerals play an important role during pregnancy, and through diet and supplements mothers are eager to ingest them. Understanding the key benefits...
If you check the labels on your shampoo, conditioner, soaps and toothpaste, you may find sodium laureth sulfate is a common ingredient. This ingredient is a cleansing and foaming agent that has received attention for concerns regarding harmful...
In addition to being a popular spice throughout the world, garlic has also provided a variety of medicinal benefits for thousands of years. Garlic may help to treat certain health concerns that typically occur during pregnancy, such as poor blood...
Nothing is more reassuring to an expectant mother than to hear the steady thumping of her baby's heartbeat. Most obstetricians will use a fetal doppler to monitor and time the heartbeat at prenatal appointments. However, many moms-to-be want some...
Concerns about your growing baby's health during pregnancy are normal. You play an important role during this special time. By making wise choices with your diet, you'll give your baby the proper nutrients to facilitate a healthy development.
Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in American women, according to the American Heart Association. To help stave off artery disease, live as healthy as you can, which means exercising daily, limiting your intake of saturated fats...
Aspartame is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener often found in diet beverages and sugar-free candy. Non-nutritive means that aspartame does not contain calories and does not provide any essential nutrients. Most pregnant women can drink products...
Having a baby changes the way a woman lives her life. During the pregnancy and afterward, women have to learn to make lifestyle changes and sacrifices to ensure they are meeting all of their baby's needs. Anticipating these changes and learning...
Ginger has been used in cooking and medicine among various cultures for millennia. It's available in its natural form, as well as dried, powdered or crystallized. Ginger's many medicinal benefits range from treating nausea to preventing...
During pregnancy, the average woman should consume about 2,500 calories a day instead of the approximately 2,100 calories necessary before pregnancy. Consumption of any health or supplement product during pregnancy should contribute to these...
There are many reasons that a woman who isn't pregnant might want to take prenatal vitamins. You may be trying to get pregnant in the near future, and want a head start on your nutrition. You may have heard that prenatal vitamins will improve your...
During pregnancy, foods that are completely safe at other times may be dangerous to you or your growing baby. There are also some foods -- nitrate-preserved meats among them -- that present a health concern at all times but are particularly...
Exercise is important in supporting good health. However, the safety of exercising during pregnancy is a common concern. When a woman becomes pregnant, she doesn't have to give up her workout regimen. In fact, exercise promotes healthy weight...
Using an inversion table while you are pregnant is dangerous, as are any other types of inversion therapy in which position the body is in an upside-down pose to alleviate back pain. Using inversion therapy during pregnancy can cause blood...
If you were a diet soda pop drinker before pregnancy, you might be wondering whether you need to give it while you're expecting. There are several reasons you might want to consider temporarily ceasing your consumption of diet soda during...
While fish oils such as cod liver oil have been associated with many health benefits, you may be concerned about taking supplements during your pregnancy. While, as with any dietary supplement, side effects are associated with cod liver oil, the...
During pregnancy, health should be your main concern. By staying healthy, you have the best chance for a worry-free pregnancy and birth. Although prenatal vitamin supplements are not absolutely essential for your health, they can be a big help in...
