A healthy diet is important for pregnant women because good health of the mother contributes to a healthy baby. According to the Mayo Clinic, pregnancy requires nutrients from plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein as well as...
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, exercise can keep you fit during your pregnancy, help you cope with the pain of labor and help you get back into shape faster after your baby is born. There are many books...
As you journey into motherhood, you may wonder whether you should be more or less active during your pregnancy. To be safe, consult your obstetrician regarding your health status and fitness level before engaging in any exercise routine. Read a...
Caffeine may seem like a relatively harmless substance, notes Carista Luminare-Rosen, author of "Parenting Begins Before Conception: A Guide to Preparing Body, Mind, and Spirit for You and Your Future Child," but it can cause serious birth defects...
If you have been trying to get pregnant, you may be eager to know whether you have been successful before you can take a pregnancy test. A pregnancy test is one of the best ways to get an official answer to your desire to know if you are carrying...
Pregnancy can be a joyous time in your life but can also bring about a wide range of complaints as well. Bloating is a common occurrence for many pregnant women and is most often caused by the foods you eat. According to Alex Lluch, Elizabeth...
Despite the physical challenges of backache and morning sickness, the joy of the growing baby is an ever-ready reminder of your coming parenthood. It can also be a somewhat disquieting time, as first-time parents contemplate the changes to come...
Expecting your second child is just as exciting as finding out about your first child. But unlike the first time you found out that you were pregnant, you might be tempted to contain yourself long enough to come up with an entertaining and...
A gift basket filled with pregnancy-related goodies is a wonderful way to congratulate an expectant mom, and creating your own allows you to control the price and tailor the gifts to the recipient. Although it may be tempting to fill the basket...
The adult body is capable of processing and filtering many substances that may otherwise be harmful. On the other hand, a tiny, developing fetus is highly susceptible to environmental factors. While many causes of birth defects and fetal...
There's a good reason most pregnancy books, magazines and even television programs are targeted at women: They are the ones having the babies. But pregnancy can be a transforming experience for expectant fathers, too. The prospect of becoming a...
Expectant mothers receive most of the attention and advice, but first-time dads often face uncertainties and fears about becoming parents, too. Dads sometimes feel less connected during the pregnancy since they don't fully understand what their...
From the moment you receive a positive pregnancy test until the moment your baby is safely delivered, it's only natural that you worry about your baby's health and wellness. Pregnancy is packed with variables, health concerns and other issues that...
Compote is a fruit salad that is usually cooked and marinated in fruit juice with added sugar. It often contains a small amount of flavorful alcohol. Pregnant women can eat fruit compote, but should avoid recipes with alcohol. MayoClinic.com notes...
After you confirm your pregnancy, you might begin to wonder whether your baby is a boy or girl. Although you can often find out via scientific methods somewhere in the second trimester---usually between 12 and 20 weeks---several myths and folk...
A newly expectant mother will experience a wide arrange of emotions throughout her pregnancy. Besides feeling excited, overwhelmed and a little nervous, she'll be coping with hormonal mood swings and an increased sense of smell, as well as dealing...
Acid indigestion has many names including upset stomach, dyspepsia, pyrosis, heartburn and acid reflux. Acid indigestion is different from regular indigestion due to the regurgitation of acid. Women who experienced acid indigestion before...
Practicing yoga during pregnancy can ease discomfort and stress, according to research published in the May-June issue of "The Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing." This article was conducted by researchers at the School of...
Throughout your pregnancy, you may experience a decrease in appetite for a variety of reasons. In addition to hormonal changes and discomfort, Aviva Jill Romm, author of "The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices,"...
During pregnancy every aspect of your body may seem to change, including your hair. Some women may have dry hair, while others experience oily hair. Your hair's texture may even change, becoming thicker or wavier. After pregnancy, you'll likely...
Morning sickness can strike at any time during the day and usually occurs during the first three months of your pregnancy, reports the Mayo Clinic. Most cases of morning sickness are uncomfortable but do not require medication or treatment....
A dry mouth during pregnancy is very common and may extend to a dry throat, as well. Fluctuations in hormones may cause other changes in your mouth and throat, such as excessive saliva, puffy or bleeding gums or a metallic taste. These symptoms...
As if leg cramps, a sore back and nausea weren't enough, some women experience a dry, scaly scalp during pregnancy. This condition may be from changes in hormone levels, or even reduced liver function. Different strategies can help relieve dry...
Many women who regularly enjoy a soothing Epsom salt bath often question whether they need to stop sprinkling the opaque crystals in their bath water once they conceive. In a healthy gestation, you can generally use small amounts of Epsom salts to...
During pregnancy you will need to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet filled with a variety of nutritious foods. Vitamin A is one of the essential vitamins you will need while your baby grows, because it promotes the development of healthy skin,...
Your body contains more than 600 hard-working muscles and miles of nerves that serve as high-speed communication conduits between your brain and body. Keeping your muscles and nerves happy and healthy requires lots of exercise, rest and healthy...
Stretch marks are tears in the collagen deep in the layers of the skin that fade into pink, silvery or purplish squiggles. They can emerge through a number of factors, including pregnancy, puberty and weight gain. While there is no quick-fix for...
There are many symptoms that may mean a woman could be pregnant; however these symptoms can also be caused by something other than the start of a new life. Some women may experience many of the following symptoms before she takes a pregnancy test...
