Whether you're a first time mom - or an experienced pro - it never hurts to make changes to your lifestyle during your pregnancy. There are simple and effective ways to ensure that you stay as healthy as possible while you are pregnant. Here are some ideas that can help you to get started right away.
When you come to think with it, we are exposed to several chemicals each day, from food and beverages, cleaning products and even wellness and beauty items. This may not normally be a concern for most people but when you are pregnant, you will start to ponder if these chemicals will not cause complications on your pregnancy.
Fortunately, exposure to chemicals that may pose risk to pregnancy can be avoided. Only a minimal of our household items could be avoided without affecting our daily lives and some of these are cosmetics and makeup items, cleaning products, pesticides and herbicides and mercury-positive items.
Cosmetics and makeup items. Pregnancy makes most women feel that they are less pretty than they use to be with bulges everywhere in the body, not to mention having stretch marks, darkening of the underarm and the neck and some women may also suffer from oily faces. All of this sufferings will only end after the 9-month period of pregnancy. In order to make women feel better, some would resort into indulging themselves with cosmetics and makeup items. However, some may not be aware that while these items may save the day to make you look good and feel good, these can pose danger to pregnancy. Some cosmetic items contain Parabens, Phthalates, and other Parfum identities that can cause premature birth, miscarriages and sperm damage. In addition, allergies may also manifest while using these.
Cleaning items. Whether a pregnant woman is in the house or not, maintaining cleanliness is important in the household. This is why cleaning items should never be missed when you went to the grocery and replenish your stocks for the house. However, it is crucial that when you are expecting, you should avoid as much as possible any contact with cleaning items. While you may not be aware, some cleaning products may contain Triclosan, alkylphenol ethoxylates, volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Xylenes and Tuolene are examples of VOC that can result to retarded growth, birth defects, developmental and neurological problems to the baby while inside the womb. Meanwhile, alkylphenol ethoxylates are known as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with, mimic or block human hormones. This chemical can be found on hair colors, spot removers and other hair care products.
Paints. Most paints that have been manufactured before 1970s contains lead. Pregnant women must refrain from peeling off paints that may contain lead. Also there are paints that may have presence of mercury.
Mercury exposure. Mercury is a type of metal that can exist in various forms. It exists in thermometer, in dental fillings, latex paints and batteries. Pregnant women should avoid being exposed to this. Moreover, there are foods that have high risk of mercury exposure and some are mackerel and tuna. Eating this foods should be done to minimal so as to avoid possible pregnancy complications.
There's nothing more important to your baby than a healthy mom! So be sure to make it a priority to concentrate on making the best choices to benefit both your baby and yourself especially during pregnancy. There is no substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, but the information above can give you some good ideas for keeping you and baby healthy.
Showing posts with label Still birth and miscarriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Still birth and miscarriage. Show all posts
Monday, February 8, 2010
Why smoking is harmful to the health of a pregnant woman?
When we read the title of this article, unconsciously, you may think that smoking is in fact harmful without even considering the health status of a person, whether she is pregnant, sick or has a healthy body. Smoking kills a person's body gradually until it is destroyed. But in this particular topic, let us discuss why smoking is especially harmful to pregnant moms.
Pregnancy is an exciting experience to a woman. Whether it is the first, second or third, the excitement that you feel is always like the first time. It is an overwhelming experience to carry a life within you and during the pregnancy period you have to take good care two lives, yours and that of the baby.
But there are instances you may have some habits that you need to eliminate totally for the sake of the baby in the womb and one particular vice that you should give up is smoking. Smoking kills and yet although most people knew these fact smokers may unconsciously not fully aware of it. If you are one of those who pick a piece of cigarette to light, you should think twice before lighting the cigarette that you hold.
Smoking can have different effects to persons. It can pose high risks such as having respiratory problems and failure of organs to properly function such as the lungs. Among the ailments that you may acquire are emphysema, allergies, lung cancer and so forth.
A piece of cigarette has 2500 substances and among these are those that causes developmental problems in a baby. Also in a study conducted, babies whose mom smokes has high possibility of developing congenital heart disease. Meanwhile, the mother faces higher risks of miscarriage.
Aside from developmental problems, the baby in the womb also runs the risks of having low birth weight as an effect of low pace of development of the baby while inside the womb. There is no safe level of smoking so when you are pregnant, you should quit it if you want to have a healthy pregnancy.
Given some of these hard facts, you should have thought of quitting smoking by now. However, to quit smoking might be an easy idea but hard to do. Here are some ways you can try to help you quit smoking.
Find ways to relieve stress. Most people would smoke to get relief from stress. But this idea should never be an excuse to smoking as there are other wholesome activities you could try if you are trying to get relief from stress.
Stay away from caffeinated drinks and alcohol. They say that the best partner for smoking is drinking alcohol especially during occasions. Yet both of these tandem in making you less healthy. Moreover, although caffeinated drinks may not have the same effect as that with the alcohol, drinking caffeinated beverages may urge you to smoke.
Have a smoke-free home. If you are trying to quit smoking, you should throw away the lighter, stack of cigarette and the ash tray at home. This same goes when you are not smoking but your partner does. If you have visitors coming and you know that they smoke, you can request them politely not to smoke at your home.
Get motivated with a support. Most quit-smoke efforts fail because of lack or diminishing motivation. Having someone to support you to get going will keep you motivated.
With this information on hand, you should rationally understand why smoking is not good especially for pregnant women. Understand your health and live a happy pregnancy experience.
Pregnancy is an exciting experience to a woman. Whether it is the first, second or third, the excitement that you feel is always like the first time. It is an overwhelming experience to carry a life within you and during the pregnancy period you have to take good care two lives, yours and that of the baby.
But there are instances you may have some habits that you need to eliminate totally for the sake of the baby in the womb and one particular vice that you should give up is smoking. Smoking kills and yet although most people knew these fact smokers may unconsciously not fully aware of it. If you are one of those who pick a piece of cigarette to light, you should think twice before lighting the cigarette that you hold.
Smoking can have different effects to persons. It can pose high risks such as having respiratory problems and failure of organs to properly function such as the lungs. Among the ailments that you may acquire are emphysema, allergies, lung cancer and so forth.
Since the nicotine that you take through a stick of cigarette travels through the bloodstream, this substance directly affects the baby in the womb when you are pregnant.
A piece of cigarette has 2500 substances and among these are those that causes developmental problems in a baby. Also in a study conducted, babies whose mom smokes has high possibility of developing congenital heart disease. Meanwhile, the mother faces higher risks of miscarriage.
Aside from developmental problems, the baby in the womb also runs the risks of having low birth weight as an effect of low pace of development of the baby while inside the womb. There is no safe level of smoking so when you are pregnant, you should quit it if you want to have a healthy pregnancy.
Given some of these hard facts, you should have thought of quitting smoking by now. However, to quit smoking might be an easy idea but hard to do. Here are some ways you can try to help you quit smoking.
Find ways to relieve stress. Most people would smoke to get relief from stress. But this idea should never be an excuse to smoking as there are other wholesome activities you could try if you are trying to get relief from stress.
Stay away from caffeinated drinks and alcohol. They say that the best partner for smoking is drinking alcohol especially during occasions. Yet both of these tandem in making you less healthy. Moreover, although caffeinated drinks may not have the same effect as that with the alcohol, drinking caffeinated beverages may urge you to smoke.
Have a smoke-free home. If you are trying to quit smoking, you should throw away the lighter, stack of cigarette and the ash tray at home. This same goes when you are not smoking but your partner does. If you have visitors coming and you know that they smoke, you can request them politely not to smoke at your home.
Get motivated with a support. Most quit-smoke efforts fail because of lack or diminishing motivation. Having someone to support you to get going will keep you motivated.
With this information on hand, you should rationally understand why smoking is not good especially for pregnant women. Understand your health and live a happy pregnancy experience.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Still birth and miscarriage : keeping you and your baby safe
Knowing that you are pregnant can bring bliss and joy not only to you but to your family. For this reason, pregnancy is taken in the utmost care through preventive measures and regular consultation with a doctor. Any failure to provide the care and result to pregnancy complications can be disheartening and tragic especially to moms whose bonding with her baby in the womb has been strongly established. One of these failures is stillbirth which can cause emotional troubles and deep anguish to couple. Let us understand what is still birth and if there are some things that mothers could do to keep away from its causes.
Most often stillbirth and miscarriage are often interchanged one from the other. However, while some people may think that there is a thin line that distinguishes both, differences can be clearly outlined with the right knowledge.
Stillbirth happens when a fetus which has died in the uterus or during labor or delivery exits a woman's body. The term is often used in distinction to live birth or miscarriage. Most stillbirths occur in full term pregnancies.
Miscarriage on the other hand, is death of a baby before birth after 24 complleted weeks, or after weight of 500 gms or more.
Prevalence of stillbirth
"In developed countries of Western Europe, stillbirth occurs in three to four in 1000 live births. This merely means that for every 1000 babies born alive, there will be three or four stillborn babies. In the USA, where the gestational cut-off point is lower, the rate is seven in 1000. In developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia, the rate is estimated to be significantly higher at 32 per 1000." (src: pregnancybliss.com)
When the gestation is not known, the weight of the fetus will determine whether it is to be classified as a late miscarriage or a stillbirth. If the fetus weight is more than 500 grams (1.1 lb), this will be a stillbirth and be registered as such. If it is below this weight, it will be classified as a miscarriage (500 grams is the average weight at 24 weeks of gestation).(src: pregnancybliss.com)
In the next blog post, we will continue what causes stillbirth and how can it be recognized in early stages.
Most often stillbirth and miscarriage are often interchanged one from the other. However, while some people may think that there is a thin line that distinguishes both, differences can be clearly outlined with the right knowledge.
Stillbirth happens when a fetus which has died in the uterus or during labor or delivery exits a woman's body. The term is often used in distinction to live birth or miscarriage. Most stillbirths occur in full term pregnancies.
Miscarriage on the other hand, is death of a baby before birth after 24 complleted weeks, or after weight of 500 gms or more.
Prevalence of stillbirth
"In developed countries of Western Europe, stillbirth occurs in three to four in 1000 live births. This merely means that for every 1000 babies born alive, there will be three or four stillborn babies. In the USA, where the gestational cut-off point is lower, the rate is seven in 1000. In developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia, the rate is estimated to be significantly higher at 32 per 1000." (src: pregnancybliss.com)
When the gestation is not known, the weight of the fetus will determine whether it is to be classified as a late miscarriage or a stillbirth. If the fetus weight is more than 500 grams (1.1 lb), this will be a stillbirth and be registered as such. If it is below this weight, it will be classified as a miscarriage (500 grams is the average weight at 24 weeks of gestation).(src: pregnancybliss.com)
In the next blog post, we will continue what causes stillbirth and how can it be recognized in early stages.
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