Female Care

Somewhere in my 2nd trimester of pregnancy I realised that my body was not coping too well with the stress and tension that carrying our much-wanted child placed on it. We have complications, and the worry of these, together with the normal pregnancy problems, had me in agony with taut muscles. I looked to the Internet for help and found a message recommending this book. Although I find massage a relaxing way of sharing love with my husband, I didn’t know if it could actually solve the problem – but it was worth a try. A quick e-mail and 5 days later the Amazon.co.uk box arrived. I eagerly opened it, and spent an enjoyable afternoon reading the book. Continue reading »

Regular exercise keeps you healthy, gives you energy and builds strong bones and muscles. However, many pregnant women are afraid that exercising will harm the baby. That fear is unfounded according to medical experts, but there are some guidelines to follow for safety.

Dr. Raul Artal, who heads the department of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, believes obstetricians should make exercise recommendations a top priority, But, Dr. Artal says there are some precautions you should take to keep you and your baby healthy during prenatal exercise.

Dr. Artal recommends moderate exercise for pregnant women – such as brisk walking, which allows you to carry on a normal conversation – for about a half hour a day. Aerobic and resistance training are OK, but pregnant women should avoid contact sports or activities that carry a high risk of falling or trauma to the abdomen.
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In the time that it takes to carry a baby to term, many unforeseen events can unfold, including the death of a close family member or friend. Sadly, there is not much literature on the topic. I know about this first-hand. When I was four months pregnant with my first child, my older brother died as the result of injuries sustained in a tragic fall. I searched for information on grief and pregnancy, but all that I seemed to come across were articles on miscarriage. Because of my difficult struggle for information, I wish to share with you what I learned and experienced in my journey in hopes that you will be able to take comfort in the fact that somebody “gets” it and, hopefully, find a little guidance in my words.
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Should I have sex during pregnancy?

Most women can have sex during pregnancy. As long as your pregnancy is low-risk and normal, then it should be completely safe for you to have sex during pregnancy. Situations that may require abstaining from sex while you are pregnant include a history or threat of miscarriage, possibility of pre-term labor, bleeding, leaking of amniotic fluid, and heavy cramping. Medical conditions such as placenta previa or an incompetent cervix may also require abstaining from sex.
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The third trimester is the perfect time to tie up loose ends and really start preparing for motherhood. During these last three months of pregnancy, have fun preparing for your baby and try to enjoy relaxing activities while you can. Below are some fun and useful things to do during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The third trimester is the perfect time to plan a fun baby shower with all of your friends and family. Even a small baby shower is an enjoyable way to celebrate your pregnancy. Celebrate with your favorite foods and a fun theme, and enjoy being the center of attention for a day. Most expectant moms find that registering for gifts is a fun way to pass the time, even if you don’t end up getting everything on your list.
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Proper nutrition is always important, but eating right is absolutely vital for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or even just trying to get pregnant.  Eating right prior to a planned pregnancy is essential, since most women will not know their pregnancy status until many weeks after conception.  Proper levels of certain vitamins like folic acid can prevent many common birth defects, so the best pregnancy diet is one that starts even before conception.
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You vividly recall the moment you found out you were expecting, and how you knew your life was going to change forever. While some changes won’t set in until after your baby arrives, a change in your diet and exercise routine is an immediate must.

As your pregnancy progresses, it is imperative that you realize the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, not just for your well being, but for easier labor and the health of your unborn child. Continue reading »

Pregnancy is a grueling 10 month process. Wait, 10 months? Yep, 10 months or 40 weeks. Throughout the entire gestation of a baby Mom goes through periods of energy, tiredness, and misery. The most miserable moments in pregnancy differ from woman to woman. However, there is relief for the five most common causes of misery during pregnancy.

Cause of Misery #1: An Aching Back

Nothing is more frustrating than a sore back, and pregnancy is full of it. It can begin as early as the first trimester. Little sympathy is given for women in the early stages of pregnancy, yet back aches do occur. In the first few weeks, Mom’s body is moving major organ real estate around in there to make room for baby. Early in pregnancy soaking in a warm, but not hot, bath is one of the best sources of relief. Pregnant Mommas may also find relief from a rice sock; a cloth sack full of rice and microwaved for about one minute. Before taking over the counter pain relief, pregnant women should consult their doctor for safe medications and doses. Continue reading »

Everybody needs good nutrition but the need for healthy food by pregnant women is more critical. This is because food nourishes both the mother and unborn child. If you are expecting and want to stay healthy for the duration of your pregnancy, you will need to be mindful of what you eat and the sufficiency of the nutrients you are taking in. On the other hand, if you are yet on the planning stage of having a baby, this will be the perfect time to learn about pregnancy nutrition. Eating healthy even before you try conceiving is the best way to prepare your body for pregnancy. It is best for you to work together with your partner in aiming for a healthy pregnancy for your sake and that of your baby. This will ensure that your child will receive the appropriate nourishment for proper growth and development. Continue reading »

The moment you conceive a child your body begins to change. It has to in order to become the safe haven that the baby needs to grow. While the changes can be difficult, they are normal and usually nothing to worry about. You’ll notice different changes for each trimester. Some will be unmistakable, such as the cessation of menstruation, while others are more subtle, coming on slowly over the course of a few days or weeks. The key to taking the new developments in your body in stride, is to understand which changes may occur and when. This makes things much easier. With that in mind, we’ll start with the first trimester. Continue reading »