Pregnancy

Overweight & Pregnant - 9 Tips For The Plus Size Mom-To-Be

Pregnancy is a challenge in and of itself. When you're overweight, it can be an even bigger challenge because of the danger of gestational diabetes and other health concerns.

Check out these tips for plus size moms-to-be:

• Eat 1,800 to 2,400 calories a day by having 3 regular meals and 2 snacks.
• Start a food diary and stick to it. This will help you to keep track of what you're eating.
• Stay away from fruit juices and sweetened drinks.
• Get at least 15 minutes of exercise daily. Just a short 15-minute walk can do wonders.
• Stay away from simple sugars. Instead, consume complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Consume healthy snacks that are high in protein.
• Consume 8 to 10 glasses of water daily.
• Attempt to eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber every day.

Pregnancy Terms You Should Know If You're Expecting

There's nothing more irritating than listening to a doctor (or anyone for that matter) spout off medical terminology that relates to your pregnancy without explaining what it really means.

I think sometimes doctors and other medical professionals forget we're just lay people and are more accustomed to straight talk rather than a lot of words we don't know.

Before you ever go to your first doctor's appointment when you're pregnant, you really should check out this list that has the definitions of all the words you really need to know if you're pregnant.

Here are a few examples:

• Apgar scoring system: This is a method that medical professionals use to evaluate your baby's health right after birth.
• Breech presentation: When the fetus turns prior to birth so his feet and buttocks are facing the cervix.
• Chloasma: A discoloring of the skin, usually on the face.
• Eclampsia: A condition where the mother has high blood pressure and edema. This is the more severe type of pre-eclampsia.

The Odds Of Getting Pregnant When You Have Fertility Issues

Nobody wants to be told by their doctor that they have fertility issues. In fact, it could mean the end to having kids for some couples -- due to the high cost of treating infertility, as well as the odds against successfully carrying a baby to full term.

Did you know?...

• Women aged 40-44 are twice as likely to have problems conceiving as younger women.
• 1 in 50 men aged 40-44 will experience fertility issues due to age.
• The pregnancy rate of women over age 42 drops from 43% to 4%.
• Women are more likely to experience issues with fertility than men.

Should You Get The H1N1 Vaccine If You're Pregnant?

As a pregnant woman, you're probably wondering about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine.

I've noticed that earlier news reports it was said that the H1N1 virus was less virulent than the normal flu bug going around. But now, it seems that the stories are saying the opposite -- that H1N1 is becoming more virulent.

Meanwhile, there are questions from some in the medical community regarding the safety of the H1N1 vaccine -- not just for pregnant women, but for anyone because of the mercury that the thimerisol (a preservative used in the vaccine) contains.

Here are some articles that can help you make an informed decision regarding the H1N1 vaccine and whether or not you should get it if you're pregnant:

• H1N1 and Other Flu Viruses Linked to Autism & Schizophrenia
• Swine Flu Poses Special Threat to Pregnant Women
• H1N1 Flu Shots Give Pregnant Women Pause

Is Your Baby's Bath Water Safe? Don't Be So Sure...

Most of us don't think about it, especially since the United States has some of the cleanest tap water in the world (depending on where you live). This is true whether your water comes from a well or not.

So when your baby tastes and/or drinks some of his bath water, as long as you use non-toxic soaps and shampoos, then it's safe, right? Well, probably not.

Here's what you need to know about your baby's bath water:

• A study found more than 140 contaminants in water that had non-enforceable limits with relation to their safety.
   
• Your child can inhale contaminants in the shower or absorb them through the skin when taking a bath.
   
• If you clean your tub with bleach or other chemically loaded cleansers, these can leave a residue on your tub. That residue can wind up in the water, and if your baby is drinking it, well you get the picture.

10 Ways To Avoid Gaining Excess Weight When You're Pregnant

It's hard enough to try and keep the extra pounds off when you're not pregnant, but when you're pregnant you know you have to gain a certain amount of weight in order to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Fortunately, it's not too difficult to keep the excess pounds off when you're pregnant -- especially if you follow these 10 tips:

• Don't skip meals, and that includes breakfast.
   
• Have all your meals for the day planned in the morning.
   
• Pick foods that are high in fiber and low in sugars and fats.
   
• Don't eat fried foods. Instead, steam, broil or bake your foods. Oh, and be sure to ask when you're eating out how your food is being prepared so you don't wind up with something fried by accident.
   
• Make sure your tummy is full before you go shopping. There's nothing worse than shopping on an empty stomach because you will buy far more than if your stomach is full.
   
• If you're going to be attending a party or any kind of social gathering, eat before you go. This way, you won't be tempted to overeat foods that are on your list of no-no foods.
   
• If you go to the movies, smuggle some fruit in your purse or bag along with a bottle of water. Nearly everything that you can purchase to eat at the movies is loaded with sugars and fats.
   
• Eat slowly. The slower you eat, the less you will need to eat because you will become full sooner. That way, you will be less likely to accidentally overeat.
   
• Drink plenty of water. Drinking 8 glasses a day is good.
   
• Stay away from people who push you to overeat. For some reason many people seem to think that pregnant women can eat whatever they want, and as much of it. These people will think nothing of encouraging you to overeat.

3 Fun Online Activities For Parents-To-Be

Whether you're nervous about being a new parent or not, sometimes it just pays to kick back and relax when you're pregnant.

One way you can do that is by going online and playing some of the fun games. Or, you can even test your knowledge about being a parent by taking some of the online tests available too.

Check out these 3 fun online activities for parents-to-be:

• Test your germ IQ
   
• Try this Nutrition Facts Quiz
   
• Play Parenting Games: The Infant Years

5 Fun Ways To Figure Out If You're Having A Boy Or A Girl

There are dozens of old wives tales that are supposed to help you predict if you're having a boy or a girl.

While it's questionable as to whether or not these actually work, it's still fun to try and guess what sex your baby is going to be.

Check out these tips for determining if your baby is a boy or girl...

It will probably be a boy:

• You didn't have any morning sickness early on in your pregnancy.
• When you look down, your belly resembles a basket ball.
• You're carrying the baby down low.
• You have very dry hands.
• Your husband is gaining weight at the same rate you are.

It will probably be a girl:

• Your baby weight is in your rear end and hips.
• You crave fruit and other sweet things.
• Your breasts have grown huge!
• You're suffering from more acne than usual.
• Your hair suddenly has red highlights.