The “Prenatal One - The Best Prenatal Vitamin to Choose” plus 4 more

Prenatal One - The Best Prenatal Vitamin to Choose
How Do I Talk About My Abortion?
Make Room For Baby - Three Weeks and Counting Till Delivery Day - What to Do?
Getting Pregnant After a Miscarriage - Improving Your Chances
Foods to Eat When Pregnant - Understand Your Pregnancy Foods

Prenatal One - The Best Prenatal Vitamin to Choose

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 09:57 AM PST

It's a lot of work being pregnant. You have to be careful what you eat and drink, which activities to refrain from or actively engage in and even how you sleep. All of these important daily decisions can either positively or negatively impact the health and development of your baby. Your health care provider will be able to give you loads of information in many of these areas and some you never thought of, especially if this is your first pregnancy.

Importance Of Prenatal Vitamins

Your health care provider will probably speak to you about the importance of taking prenatal vitamins at one of your first visits. It's vital to start your pregnancy off on a healthy foot. In the early stages of your pregnancy you may be feeling very much like yourself; however, as the baby develops and your body changes, so does both your appetite and your interest in food. You may be plagued with morning sickness or only crave foods that are orange in color. In spite of situations like these, it is important to maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet throughout every stage of your pregnancy. Not only will it nourish your body and your growing baby's but it will provide the much needed energy and feeling of well-being. You can accomplish this by choosing a prenatal vitamin, such as Prenatal One that is packed with the important nutrients, minerals and vitamins a healthy pregnancy needs. Your health care provider may discover, through some initial testing, that your body lacks specific nutrients and vitamins. That is all the more reason to choose a high quality, 100% natural prenatal vitamin such as Prenatal One which is manufactured by Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems.

If you compare the ingredient list of Prenatal One to other prenatal vitamins you'll notice Prenatal One includes not only amply amounts of folic acid, Vitamin D and iron but fresh ginger juice and healthful probiotics which are digestive friendly. Since Prenatal One is 100% natural you need not worry about ingesting any harmful chemicals or ingredients that could be passed on to your unborn baby. If your pregnant body is lacking in any of the crucial nutrients needed for healthy fetal growth and development you run the risk of your baby developing neural tube defects like spina bifida. Don't rely on diet alone to provide the nutrition needed to sustain a healthy pregnancy.

Consult with your health care provider about the benefits of taking 100% natural prenatal vitamins like Prenatal One. He will be able to analyze the list of ingredients and explain the healthful benefits to your growing baby and help you make the most informed choice. It's never to early to start taking care of your baby and supplementing your existing healthy diet with 100% natural prenatal vitamins like Prenatal One is a step in the right direction. In addition, Prenatal One prenatal vitamins may also be taken while nursing your baby because you still need the added nutritional support. As you can see, Prenatal One is a great source of vitamins, nutrients and minerals both during and after your pregnancy. Ask your doctor today!

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How Do I Talk About My Abortion?

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 09:52 AM PST

I had a deep, dark secret I could not share with anyone. I spent a lot of energy guarding my secret for fear of being found out. Eventually, I found a safe place to share about my abortion experience. When I look back now it seems so strange that I parked down the street from the room where we were meeting. I went around to the back door and knocked on it so I could get into the meeting. I did NOT want anyone to see me even near this meeting place. The shame that enveloped me to go get help was so much more than the shame I felt walking into the abortion clinic.

WOW! This is an incredible dis-service to women. We want to talk, We want to have permission to grieve. We are desperate to connect with other sisters who feel the same way. Mostly, though we don't talk about our abortion decisions for fear of risking rejection, condemnation, misunderstanding or invalidation of the pain we feel. There is a natural and unavoidable grief process for choice decisions, yet there is no venue for talking about, crying or expressing any emotion about the loss.

Glamour Magazine courageously offered an article (February '09) that will be the catalyst, I believe, for revolutionizing the way women process their choice decisions. You can read the article titled, "Abortion: The Serious Health Decision Women Aren't Talking About Until Now." If you have experienced an abortion and are looking for a place to talk, you might go online and read this archived article. I think it will give you much hope that things are changing for women in our culture.

Again, just know that you have permission to talk and cry about the loss you feel over your abortion. Just because it is legal doesn't take the pain of the choice away. You can go online and type in "help after abortion" to find support groups like I did to help you reach closure over your abortion choice. You might be surprised at how many women feel the exact same way you do, yet are sitting in silence afraid to share.

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Make Room For Baby - Three Weeks and Counting Till Delivery Day - What to Do?

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 09:06 AM PST

Well, you've found out your pregnant, been to the OBGYN a million times for ultrasounds, sugar tests, heartbeat listening, position of the baby, how big she is getting, is she healthy, and am I healthy. You have the delivery date set, although only 5% of babies are born on this date.

You have the nursery ready. You have baby bibs, diapers in every size imaginable, Binky's or "sou sous" as I called mine when I was a kid. You have plenty of tops and bottoms, baby outfits, Baby hats and mittens; if your like us and bringing home your bundle of joy in the winter. You have the care seat to take her home in but, is your home safe for your little baby. Babies are adorable but they can get into a bad situation very quickly. Here are some tips to help you avoid an unforeseen accident.

First off you want to plan carefully where your baby will be sleeping. It is not safe for her to sleep in bed with you. Your baby should sleep in a crib that is safe with no movable front rail. You should also make sure it is free of toys and stuffed animals that the baby may choke on. Baby blankets are a judgment call, because she may get entangled in them and not be able to breathe. They do sell a zip up sleep sack for infants you might want to consider. You should also not locate the crib near a window, especially if you have blinds and blind cords your baby could get hung with.

While we are on the sleeping arrangement issue for your baby, if you stay upstairs you should have a baby gate at your room door so when the baby starts crawling or getting out her crib she will not fall down any stairs. Other places that should have a baby gate include dangerous areas of the house like the wash room where chemicals may be located, any celler stairs, and any place where you feel baby may get into that she could get hurt if you don't have door locks.

If you have other children in the house, like we do, you should keep all small toys, food, and candy out of her reach. Babies are very inquisitive and put things in their mouth as a way of exploration. They may easily choke on something. We don't want that. You should have a talk with your other children about all the safety issues and what they should do so your littlest is also safe.

All electrical outlets should have safety pugs in them so that a butter knife or scissors are not inserted by your child, as they get to that stage, to see what happens. Your baby could get a shock at the least or electrocuted at the worst.

All poisons, cleaning supplies, and medicines should be up high in a locked, safe place. Medicine containers should be child resistant with the medicine in them. A child doesn't know the difference between medicine and candy. To her they look alike.

When giving baths you should make sure your water temperature is not to high where it will scald your baby. You should have non-slip surfaces in the bathroom and tub. It is also safer to wash your baby in the tub or a baby basin, you should not put them in a bath seat these have been known to tip and cause drownings. You should have your baby soap and baby shampoo at arms length. Never, Never leave your little one in the tub alone for any amount of time. Make sure you have smoke alarms in the house with new batteries. People usually change these when they change the clock times. It is also a good idea to change them when you bring home your baby.

One other thing, sometimes when people are going out the door with their baby in the car seat they put her down to grab car keys or what ever. Set your baby on the level floor if you are going to do this. Do not put her in the car seat on table she may fall off. Now you have some good ideas on what your baby should come home to; a clean, warm, safe house, full of love. Congratulations.

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Getting Pregnant After a Miscarriage - Improving Your Chances

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 08:46 AM PST

Losing a baby through a miscarriage is a devastating experience. The decision to try again to conceive afterward may have been a difficult one to make, but there is a very good chance you will be successful. Doctors and fertility experts agree that one miscarriage does not guarantee a second one in the future. Even women who have miscarried more than once have a 75% chance of conceiving again. Although there is no treatment that can give you 100% protection from future miscarriages, you can increase your chances of getting pregnant after miscarriage by taking good care of your body and yourself.

Possible causes

The most common causes of miscarriage are due to chromosomal problems in the embryo, physical defects in the uterus, immune system dysfunctions, or a hormonal imbalance. However, it's very likely that pollutants, the medicines we take, and poor nutrition played a role in its occurrence. For instance, chromosomal defects can be caused by a deficiency in the trace mineral selenium. This mineral, which can be found in many green vegetables, protects the body from pollutants and toxins that can do DNA damage. Researchers discovered that women who miscarried have lower levels of selenium in their blood than women who have successfully delivered babies.

Seemingly harmless over-the-counter drugs can also increase the risk of miscarrying. A study by Kaiser Permanente from San Francisco discovered that 24% of women who took aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen miscarried before the 20th week of their pregnancy versus a 15% miscarriage rate among women who didn't take these drugs. Although this phenomenon has to be examined more closely by other researchers, the study theorized that these drugs suppress the production of prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances participate in pain-signaling, but they are also required for a fertilized egg to successfully implant itself onto the uterus.

Even fertility drugs can provoke miscarriages. Clomid is known to, in some cases, interfere with the uterine lining and prevent a fertilized egg from implanting itself. And with gonadotrophin treatment, which is another technique to stimulate ovulation, a similar phenomenon has also been observed. So even if these fertility drugs increase the chances of conceiving, they also ironically increase the odds of a failed pregnancy.

Remedies against future miscarriages

Miscarriages are caused by factors beyond your control, but there are some simple things you can do to increase the odds of a successful and trouble-free pregnancy.

Have a pre-conception examination

Before attempting to conceive after a miscarriage, visit your gynecologist or physician for a pre-conception examination. This exam will actually involve a series of tests to check if you have infections or underlying health problems that can threaten your pregnancy. Many miscarriages are caused by infections that need to be treated before you conceive again, or severe infections that just happened to occur during the early part of pregnancy. One of these is called bacterial vaginosis, an infection that makes a pregnant woman five times more likely to experience a late miscarriage or premature birth. Other infections include Chlamydia, toxoplasmosis, herpes, and mycoplasma hominis. Many of these conditions show no immediate symptoms, which is why it is essential to be screened and treated before trying to conceive again.

Increase your intake of folic acid

According to Sweden's Karolinska Institute, one common nutrition-related cause of miscarriages is low levels of folic acid. This B-vitamin is essential for proper embryo development and cell growth, which can explain why a lack of folic acid contributes to miscarriages due to chromosomal abnormalities. A deficiency in folic acid is also connected to low blood supply to the placenta, hypertension, and placental separation during pregnancy, which place the mother at high risk of miscarriage. Doctors recommend consuming at least 400mcg of folic acid before trying to conceive. You can obtain folic acid from sources such as green leafy vegetables, beans, whole grains or pre-natal vitamins which contain the recommended daily allowance of the nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy.

Observe food safety techniques

Two kinds of food-borne bacteria called listeria and T. gondii can cause an infection called toxoplasmosis known to induce early miscarriage. Listeria can be found in unpasteurized milk products, undercooked meat, and soft cheeses, while T. gondii can be found in undercooked meat and unwashed fruits or vegetables. Toxoplasmosis itself only causes flu-like symptoms in the mother, but it can be passed on to a growing baby and cause a miscarriage, birth defects, or retardation.

Fortunately, this infection can be prevented by following basic food safety techniques. Always wash your hands before you prepare food or handle raw meats. All fruits and vegetables must also be washed under running water before consuming. Cook all your meat and poultry until they are well done, and reheat all leftovers until they steam. Never use a microwave to reheat food because this will not kill bacteria.

Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise

Studies show that women who are overweight or obese before pregnancy are more likely to experience a miscarriage or other complications like hypertension, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia. If you are overweight, speak with a nutritionist and ask for a diet plan that can help you obtain a healthy weight. Do not go on a crash diet because the sudden weight loss will deplete your body of nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. Regular exercise is good too, but make sure you do not overdo it; strenuous exercise places the body under stress, which makes it more difficult to conceive.

You can conceive after a miscarriage

Going through a miscarriage may have been painful and traumatic, but that doesn't mean that your next pregnancy will end the same way. As long as you take good care of yourself and follow your doctor's advice, you too have an excellent chance of giving birth to a healthy baby.

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Foods to Eat When Pregnant - Understand Your Pregnancy Foods

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 08:29 AM PST

Would you like to know more about the right foods to eat when pregnant? You have come to the right place. Below are some of the most common questions pregnant women ask regarding their pregnancy, nutrition and health.

What are the most important foods to eat when pregnant?

Fruits and vegetables - You should eat at least 7 servings of fruits and vegetables combined. These pregnancy foods are rich sources of minerals, vitamins and fiber. Make sure to eat citrus fruits as a vitamin C source, as well as carrots, turnips or sweet potato as sources of vitamin A.

Whole grains, cereals, or enriched breads - It is a must to eat 6 to 9 servings of rice, pasta, bread, or breakfast cereals as sources of carbohydrates. Cereals also contain folic acid which is very important for the proper spinal and brain development of your baby.

Dairy products - At least 4 servings of low fat or non fat milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products are needed. These are great foods to eat when pregnant to meet your baby's calcium demands. This calcium is required for healthy bone development. These pregnancy foods are also good sources of vitamins.

Proteins - You need at least 60 grams of protein from sources such as lean meat, poultry (without skin), fish, eggs, beans, nuts and peas. Proteins are important for building muscles, tissues, hormones, enzymes and antibodies both for you and your child. Stay away from uncooked or undercooked fish and meats.

How much weight should I gain?

Experts recommend an average weight gain of between 25 to 30 pounds during the course of pregnancy. Your weight gain will also depend on your pre-pregnancy weight. If you are underweight, you should gain from 28 to 40 pounds, and 15 to 25 pounds if you are overweight. Specifically, you should gain 2-4 pounds during the first trimester, and 3-4 pounds a month during the second and third trimesters. To keep this ideal weight gain, make sure you get the right nutrition at the right proportion throughout your pregnancy diet.

How can I eat healthily with all the morning sickness and nausea?

Unfortunately morning sickness and nausea are all too common, especially during the first few months of the pregnancy. Eating certain foods, certain odours, stress and even unknown factors can cause nausea and vomiting. To manage this, try eating smaller meals (6-8 small meals are preferable over 3 large ones), drink lots of water and fluids, avoid spicy and oily foods, and get as much rest as you can.

It is important to make the right choices when it comes to foods to eat when pregnant. Eating the right food is the best way to ensure that your baby will be born happy and healthy.

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