We all know how important it is to eat healthy, especially when you are growing a baby. But sometimes it seems that the hours speed by so quickly, you don’t have time for well-balanced meals. Nutritionist Jennifer Putnam begs to differ. She points out that today, low-fat, healthy meals on-the-go are easy to come by. Want to know more? Check it out.
Eating fish linked to healthy infants
The Nigerian Tribune (do they lack credibility just because I never heard of them before?) cites a study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that states, “women should eat oily fishes like sardines, mackerel, salmon, tuna, etc, during pregnancy so that their children could be brilliant, intelligent, as well as have sharper problem-solving skills.” When you forgive the gramatical errors, this is actually very interesting and informative reading. You may also want to check out the picture, whose caption explains, “Fishes supply vitamins to the body.” Oh yes, they sure do. And these people certainly look like they’ve been taking their vitamins!
Are stretch marks avoidable?
“I just got pregnant and I’m so worried about stretch marks. What can I do?” wails a distressed woman in this Q&A style article. Dr. Judith Reichman replies that basically, if your body is prone to stretch marks, there’s nothing you can do to prevent them. Just deal with it and move on to more important issues (Note: that’s my advice, not Dr. Reichman’s…) A recent study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found several “risk factors” for developing SG (striae gravidarum – the medical term for stretch marks related to pregnancy.) They include weight gain (um, don’t most pregnant women gain weight?), maternal age (the younger you are the more likely you are to develop SG), and family history (you are prone to stretch marks if you’ve got some already, just from growing up).
I remember when I first saw the signs of stretch marks. Although I’ve got them all over my body, I thought I’d escaped SG becuase my belly was still stretch-mark free into my 9th month. And then, suddenly, a few weeks before d-day, there they were!! Just crept up on me and shouted “Hellooo, here we are!” Uninvited, and unwated. They decided they wanted to stick around, and nothing I said or did would convince them to go.
Sadly, there are no magical creams or ointments that will prevent stretch marks. Just look at them as battle scars, accept them with dignity, wear them proudly… And start buying one-piece bathing suits.
Unhealthy sperm found to cause miscarriage
Indian scientists studying the quality of sperm have discovered that 80 percent of the time, “imperfect and inefficient sperms lead to a weak embryo formation, finally ending with miscarriage.” Women who experience recurrent pregnancy loss can find comfort in the fact that it may not be their fault; their partner has equal responsiblity in the creation of a healthy fetus. Read the article here.
Good news about Morning Sickness!
I don’t know who’s bright idea it was to research this, but a new study shows that pregnant women who experience morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting may have a 30 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
Why is this so? Once again, you can thank those crazy hormones, specifically one called human chorionic gonadotropin, which studies have shown possesses “several activities that have potential protective effects against cancer cells.”
Want to know more? Read about it here.
Maternity Volleyball
I’m a bit confused. I want to know why a bunch of 8th graders are playing on the Maternity Volleyball team. Now that would be quite a sight, a bunch of pregnant chicks playing volleyball.
FYI, the experts on SheKnows don’t recomend high-contact sports for expecting mothers…
Daddy’s pregnant too!
I have heard of dads-to-be who experience pregnancy symptons along with their wives, and on occasion I’ve accused my husband with trying to get in on the act. Well, apparently, they’re legit! Yes, even when your husband tells you he’s craving chicken kormas and poppadams (what the heck are those?). Or so says this new study by St George’s, University of London.
Included in the list of complaints are cramps, back pain, mood swings, food cravings, morning sickness, extreme tiredness, depression, irritability, fainting and toothache. Some even develop swollen stomachs that look like a “baby bump…”
Ok, now aren’t we taking this a wee bit too far, dad??
Pamper yourself!
Have you been wondering if it’s safe to color your hair while you’re pregnant? Use a hot tub? Go to a tanning parlor? Here’s a handy site to let you know what’s safe for your baby and what to avoid.
Feeling Body Conscious?
It can be hard for many childbearing women to accept the way their bodies look post-pregnancy… Hey, it’s hard to accept the way our bodies look even pre-pregnancy. Here’s a cool site I found called The Shape of a Mother, which states:
Becoming a mother changes everything in your world – including your body.Here we share images of our bodies during and after pregnancy so we can see what real women look like.
So get yourself a nice big chocolate bar and sit down at your computer. It’s a comforting, share-the-love type of site… In today’s world, it’s easy to be dissatisfied with your body, but the goal of this website is to reasure women that just about anything goes! Some of the photos are admittedly a bit horrifying (if you’re just thinking about having kids, maybe you should stay away!) but some are really sweet and endearing. Check it out and maybe it will help you feel happier about the shape of your body, too.
Who has time for being pregnant?
I am the queen of procrastinating, but I finally made an appointment for my first ultrasound. At last, confirmation that the swelling around my middle is actually a baby!! Still have to get myself to the clinic to have some blood tests or something… maybe tomorrow 🙂
I don’t know how we’re supposed to have time for doctors’ appointments when there are so many other things to do. Work, taking care of David (husband) and Esther (daughter), cleaning, cooking, laundry (oy, the laundry!).. I can hardly remember to take my prenatal vitamins every day! Kids are so demanding, even before they’re born…