Your increased body weight during pregnancy increases the effectiveness of a squat for lower-body strengthening. This exercise improves your muscle tone and helps to reduce back pain. Pregnancy is not the time to challenge your muscles to...
Approximately 50 percent to 80 percent of all pregnant women experience back pain, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Although it usually occurs during the final months of pregnancy, many women experience it at various points...
Hemorrhoids result from swollen inflamed veins located in the rectum or anus. Hemorrhoids can cause pain with bowel movements, itching, bleeding and pain while sitting. The elderly and pregnant women are more prone to hemorrhoids. Constipation is...
Vitamin D, an essential nutrient created by the body in response to sun exposure, is important for proper bone and muscle development, immune function and blood pressure regulation. Deficiencies in vitamin D are common, especially in people living...
Approximately 80 percent of women experience lower back pain during pregnancy, according to Spine Health. This back pain can range from mild discomfort to extreme pain that inhibits daily activities. The back pain is a result of many factors that...
A hot tub is soothing and relaxing for adults, but it can kill children, especially babies. Protecting your baby from the dangers of a hot tub begins during your pregnancy and extends until your child is old enough and tall enough to enjoy the hot...
Hypertension, defined as blood pressure of over 140/90, occurs in 5 to 10 percent of pregnancies. There's a difference between chronic hypertension and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), which develops after the 20 week of pregnancy and can...
During pregnancy, exercise is often the last thing on a woman's mind. Between the nausea and fatigue that often accompany pregnancy, it is often difficult to work up the energy for daily exercise. However, regular, low-impact exercise is...
During pregnancy, a woman's body works hard to fill the needs of not one, but two separate individuals. Maintaining adequate hydration can be difficult to accomplish when dealing with morning sickness or a busy schedule. According to the American...
For thousands of years, tropical regions across the globe have used coconut oil as part of their traditional cuisines, as well as a pharmaceutical aid and cosmetic ingredient. Derived from the fruit of the coconut palm, this oil is popular for its...
Some of the earliest signs of circulation problems often occur in the legs. This is because the legs (particularly the toes and feet) are the farthest away from the heart and are more prone to being affected by vascular problems. Poor circulation...
The sauna bath is a popular amenity in athletic clubs, fitness centers and even some homes. The basic sauna normally consists of a small wooden room with a powerful electric heater. The purpose of the sauna is to induce profuse sweating....
Backaches and pains due to the growing belly don't usually appear until the second half of pregnancy or later. The production of the hormone relaxin begins early in the pregnancy to make a woman's joints more flexible in preparation for pushing...
Pregnant women with diabetes must take special care when it comes to their diet. Women with type 2 diabetes may experience blood sugar fluctuations during their pregnancy, which can be harmful for the developing baby. Whether or not pregnant women...
Preparing for the process of pregnancy and delivering a baby can be stressful and overwhelming. As your body changes and expands, and hormones take over, figuring out what your body requires can be discovered through practicing Kundalini Yoga, a...
While it's tempting to think of all fats as unhealthy, the polyunsaturated fats known as omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in cholesterol management and heart health. Fish and nuts, foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, are also...
One of the least attractive, but most common, side effects of pregnancy is swollen, puffy feet and ankles. A pregnant woman's fluid volume increases 50 percent, partly to help soften expanding skin and joints; 25 percent of the weight gained in...
Vitamin C in a man's diet can have a direct impact on sperm count. Taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day for only one week can increase sperm count by at least 100 percent. Foods that are rich in vitamin C include papaya, bell peppers,...
Back pain can be the product of several different aches and injuries. You may develop them through exercise, contact sports, while pregnant, or even while sitting at work in a chair that doesn't fully support your back. Regardless of how back...
Low blood pressure is known medically as hypotension. It often produces feelings of weakness and faintness. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute defines low blood pressure as a reading that is below 90 over 60 millimeters of mercury, or...
It is not uncommon to find pregnant women and folks involved in sitting jobs such as writers and editors complain of swollen veins in their bottoms. Going by the medical term of hemorrhoids, the bloody reddish veins inside the anus may burst one...
Swollen feet and legs occur when large amounts of fluid accumulate in the spaces between the cells of the body, also known as edema. Although fluid retention in the feet and legs can indicate an underlying health problem, it often occurs simply as...
Varicose veins appear when the tiny valves inside your veins stop working properly, allowing blood to flow backwards and collect in certain areas. They are most commonly found in the legs and have an unattractive, lumpy and enlarged appearance....
An exercise ball, often referred to as a birth ball when used during labor, can provide support for pregnant and laboring women. Sitting on the ball instead of a chair during pregnancy can strengthen your back and open up your pelvis in...
Steam rooms have been used for centuries to provide a multitude of therapeutic services. They improve circulation, reduce sinus congestion, rejuvenate skin, release muscle tension and decrease stress. Along with the advantages, you must consider...
Pregnancy back pain can strike during any trimester, but becomes more likely as the pregnancy progresses. A natural result of a pregnant woman's changing body, soreness in the back is typically nothing to worry about but it can make everyday...
Water retention occurs when fluid pools in your body, usually helped by gravity, making your lower extremities look puffy and feel tender. Water retention can happen anywhere on the body, but it is most common in the extremities, belly and facial...
Feeling faint or dizzy is a common pregnancy symptom. Although women in the first trimester may experience this symptom more frequently, it can occur throughout the entire pregnancy for many women. Although dizziness is usually temporary and...
Finding out you're pregnant can be a frightening, albeit exciting, adventure. When things are going smoothly, this special time can often feel magical, and a mom-to-be may feel better than ever. But things don't always go as planned. If you're...
Ball squats are a great exercise for pregnant women to strengthen abdominal and back muscles. Learn how to do ball squats when pregnant in this video on pregnancy and fitness.
Ball squats are a great exercise for pregnant women to strengthen abdominal and back muscles. Learn how to do ball squats when pregnant in this video on pregnancy and fitness.
Bicep curls are a safe and effective exercise for pregnant women to increase arm muscles, perfect for holding a new baby. Learn how to do bicep curls when pregnant in this video on pregnancy and fitness.
