Pregnancy is a time in your life of many changes. Your body, your emotions and the life of your family are changing. With all of these changes the stress in your life may begin to add up and you may become overwhelmed. Although some stress in life is inevitable, high levels of stress that continues for a long time may cause health problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease. When you’re pregnant, this type of stress increases the chances of having complications. Certain stress-related hormones may play a role in causing certain pregnancy complications. Serious or long lasting stress may affect your immune system, which protects you from infection. This can increase the chances of getting an infection of the uterus, and can cause premature birth. Stress may also affect your baby’s brain development or immune system making them more susceptible to environmental factors. Major environmental factors that can have a negative impact on the child are known as teratogens. These can cause birth defects or negatively alter cognitive and behavioral outcomes. They include drugs, environmental pollutants, infectious disease, nutritional deficiencies, and stress. It is important to limit the amount of teratogens that a baby is exposed to, especially early in embryonic development during organogenesis when all of the vital organs are being developed.
There are many things that can be done to reduce stress during pregnancy. It is important to figure out what is making you stressed and talk about it with someone you trust and that supports you. Having a supportive network of family and friends gives you someone to turn to when you are feeling overwhelmed. It is also important to stay fit and healthy, getting plenty of sleep and exercise can help to reduce stress and to prevent common pregnancy discomforts. If you are unable to exercise try relaxation activities like prenatal yoga or meditation. Nutrition during pregnancy is extremely important as well as exercise. The food that you eat is supplying the nutrients that your child is going to need in development. There are many foods that should and shouldn't be eaten pre and post pregnancy during breast feeding. It is important to eat yogurt for calcium and probiotics which will help to maintain the natural balance of our intestinal and immune health. Dark, leafy greens are also high in calcium but also contain fiber, vitamins and folic acid. During pregnancy it is important to consume fiber, vitamins and folic acid because not only do they all provide nutrients but folic acid also helps to prevent neural tube defects in childbearing women. Folic acid can also come from oranges, beans, asparagus, avocados and berries. Berries and avocados also provide antioxidants and fiber which have been shown to help with brain, eye, and vascular health. Although many pregnant women are advised to stay away from fish, the omega-3s they contain are primary components of brain tissue and are vital for brain and visual development. Salmon, sardines, black cod, and trout are all high in omega-3 fatty acids and are known as low-mercury fish. Fish with dangerous amounts of mercury include tuna, swordfish and mackerel, which may harm a baby’s’ developing nervous system. It is important to remember that everything you eat from conception through breastfeeding is going to be shared with your baby. With that in mind it is important to take a prenatal vitamin, drink plenty of water, avoid or limit caffeine, avoid alcoholic beverages, boost your protein intake, avoid smoking, and to eliminate hydrogenated fats, which can inhibit the utilization of omega-3 fatty acids, vital for brain development. -http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/lifechanges_indepth.html -http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/ -http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/nutrition-exercise.aspx |
In The News
The most recent news articles that expecting parents should read
Air Pollution during pregnancy linked to low birth weight
Pregnant women living in cities with high levels of traffic pollution are more likely to have underweight babies, a study has found.
Increase Risk of Type 1 Diabetes with Low Vitamin D LevelsWorldwide, an estimated 1 billion people have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood, and deficiencies can be found in all ethnicity and age groups.
Food for Thought for New Mothers
A well-planned and balanced intake of the right nutrition can provide one with stamina and can help ward off the baby blues.
First Person: An Expecting Father's View of Chemicals in ProductsA report released Tuesday says the man-made chemicals in products we use every day-toys, perfumes, beverage containers and more-are likely responsible for at least some cancers, birth defects and psychiatric problems. How do parents approach the use of chemicals in their homes?
Maternal hypertension 'has differing effects on child health'The blood pressure of a pregnant woman has been shown to have an effect on the future health of an infant in new research.
No, Swaddling Will Not Kill Your BabyInformation defending your right to wrap your baby up tight in a blanket.
Evaluation of the 'Healthy Start to Pregnancy' Early Antenatal Health Promotion WorkshopPregnancy is an ideal time to encourage healthy lifestyles as most women access health services and are more receptive to health messages. This study reflects on behavioral influences as well as health outcomes.
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