The World Health Organization recommends that women breastfeed their children for at least two years. Some women become pregnant again and choose to continue to breastfeed during their pregnancy and beyond. While women who have healthy pregnancies...
Exercising will help you feel good and keep moving throughout even the toughest months of your pregnancy. Many aches and pains associated with your growing belly can be relieved through moderate, regular exercise. The American Congress of...
Gestational diabetes occurs in around 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women. Women with gestational diabetes require a different type of diet than the average pregnant woman, as they have unique calorie needs. Maintaining a gestational diabetes diet...
Toxemia, also referred to as pre-eclampsia, is a rare but serious complication that can develop during pregnancy. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, approximately 5 to 8 percent of women develop the disease. Toxemia can quickly become a...
Women who are overweight are at risk for pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia and premature delivery, according to the Reuters website. By losing weight, you will reduce these risk factors while gaining back your...
A high risk pregnancy requires that you take extra precautions when selecting exercises for your fitness regimen. Yoga provides a way for many pregnant women to maintain fitness levels and reduce discomfort during pregnancy. A high risk pregnancy,...
Exercise during pregnancy may ease aches and pains, while helping to improve your sleep pattern, muscle tone, endurance and strength, says the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG. Unfortunately, some forms of exercise can...
No two pregnancies or postpregnancy recoveries work the same. You may not feel up to exercising for weeks, while the woman from your prenatal yoga class hits the gym three days after delivery. Both scenarios constitute normal recoveries, according...
Weight gain is an inevitable and necessary part of pregnancy. But if you're starting out overweight or obese, you may worry about gaining more weight and are consider starting an exercise program. Obesity increases your risk for complications in...
Indoor cycling is an intense cardiovascular workout. If you peek in the door of an indoor cycling class, you may notice some differences between this type of workout and your traditional group exercise dance classes. The lights are turned off or...
HCG, better known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that is essential for normal reproductive function. It is essentially produced by human placenta and is measured in blood or urine for diagnosis of pregnancy. HCG is also very...
Aqua aerobics is a fun, challenging and healthy routine to add to a well-rounded exercise program. Water's buoyancy reduces weight by about 90 percent, diminishing the stress of a workout on bones, joints and muscles. At the same time, increased...
Bed rest is typically ordered during a high risk pregnancy. Normal activities could lead to complications that compromise the health of you or your unborn baby. Although you are recommended to stay in bed and relax the majority of the day, you...
Water birth, giving birth to a baby in a pool or tub of water instead of on a bed or table in a hospital delivery room, is a growing trend among pregnant women all over the world. According to Waterbirth International, over 90 countries have...
Being pregnant for the first time can be confusing, especially when making dietary choices. Pregnant women should be aware of their weight gain goals, foods to avoid and the importance of adequate hydration. A healthy diet during pregnancy can...
Emergen-C is a dietary supplement containing vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. It comes in powered form to be added to water or any beverage. Emergen-C can be purchased in many drugstores, grocery stores and online. It helps support the...
A woman who suffers from irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, may undergo a medical procedure called thermal uterine ablation. Thermal uterine ablation removes the uterine lining permanently and reduces or stops the menstruation...
High blood pressure, a condition in which blood moves through the body's arteries at too great a force, can be dangerous for pregnant women and their fetuses alike. High blood pressure affects about six to eight percent of all U.S. pregnancies,...
Pregnant teens face more health risks and dangers than older women who become pregnant. As a result, their unborn babies have an increased risk for health complications as well. It is important for sexually active teens to be aware of these...
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen shrub native to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. The leaves and twigs of the plant are dried and steeped in hot water until a tea is formed. Yerba mate acts as a central nervous system...
Nourishing a growing fetus requires additional protein above what is needed to meet the increased metabolic needs of the mother. She needs a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day, more if the mother is a growing teenager. Pregnancy health is...
Lemonade is a refreshing drink that can soothe morning sickness during pregnancy and provide lots of vitamin C, but drinking too much sugary lemonade could cause unnecessary weight gain. Fortunately, many artificial sweeteners are approved for...
Blood pressure readings over 120/80 mmHg, or millimeters of mercury, usually is an indication of high blood pressure. According to the National Heart and Lung Institute, an estimated 65 million people are diagnosed with high blood pressure in the...
Diet and nutrition have a huge influence on fertility. Nutritional factors can impact both men and women. The American Pregnancy Association recommends making dietary changes three months before you would like to conceive. In addition, it's a good...
Pregnancy triggers a variety of complications in the legs such as cramping, swelling and fatigue. These symptoms are caused by conditions such as pregnancy weight gain and vein changes in the legs. Toning your legs helps to ease some of these...
Weight and body mass index, or BMI, can impact a woman's fertility, whether she's overweight or underweight. A man's BMI can also have an effect on fertility, particularly if he's overweight. Overweight women may also suffer from metabolic...
When you're super pregnant, just getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom, yet again, might seem like more exercise than your body can muster. Those days come and go, especially toward the end of your pregnancy. However, if you spend your...
Women require proper nourishment during pregnancy to support fetal development and avoid complications during the pregnancy and childbirth. Some women go on a diet while pregnant to avoid gaining too much weight. This is a dangerous practice that...
Evening primrose oil, or EPO, is a wildflower that grows throughout the United States and has been used as a medicinal product throughout history. Although it's not a vitamin, EPO is an herbal product made from extracting oil from the evening...
