Lots of strange things happen to you while you’re pregnant. Aside from the obvious Invasion of the Body Snatchers changes, you might also feel confused or forgetful. You may find yourself making mistakes that are out of character. Or find yourself mid-sentence unable to remember what you were saying. You may have forgotten words, and not in that on-the-tip-of-my-tongue sense, more in a gone-forever kind of way.

Between 50 and 80% of pregnant women report experiencing some degree of memory problems. Other reported symptoms include anxiety, stress, poor concentration and clumsiness.

What causes baby brain?

Baby brain is a relatively unknown phenomenon and very little research has been done to establish the causes or even existence of baby brain. Some assume that it is linked to the hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy. Progesterone and estrogen are both linked to memory, so it is thought the elevated levels of these hormones plays a part in this condition.

Most baby brain sufferers report symptoms in the final trimester, so it could be down to the distracting nature of impending motherhood. You may feel worried or anxious about the birth and caring for your baby, and these feelings may cause you to be less focussed on other areas of your life. Add to this the common sleep problems in the third trimester, and it’s no wonder you’re starting to feel a little frayed around the edges!

What can I do about it?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix for ‘baby brain’. Make sure you get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet and try to relax. Stress can make forgetfulness worse, so try to stay on top of your stress levels. Make sure you spend time each day relaxing.

You can also try to implement changes in your daily routine that may help you to combat the consequences of baby brain. If you are prone to misplacing your keys, designate a key hook or bowl in your home and make sure you always put the keys there. This will make your life easier, and save you lots of unnecessary running around.

If you have started to forget to do things at work or home, you should start keeping a to do list. Once you are used to referring back to it regularly, it will become second nature. You won’t be waking up panic stricken at 3am with the gloomy realisation that you’ve forgotten to write the presentation for the board meeting in six hours. You really don’t need wake up calls like that when you’re pregnant.

Be honest with people about your forgetfulness, and explain that it is a symptom associated with pregnancy. Don’t waste time feeling embarrassed or upset about the forgetfulness, just explain it and move on. People may be willing to offer you extra support in the meantime.

When will it end?

Although you may like to believe that as soon as the baby pops out, your baby brain will be instantly cured, unfortunately this isn’t the case. In fact, many women report suffering from “mummy brain” after the birth. The difference is that instead of being occupied by the impending birth and motherhood, you will now be preoccupied by your baby. The sleepless nights and distracted attention will probably plague you for an extra few months at least, sorry.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

It is important that you take folic acid during pregnancy, especially during the first three months. Folic acid is a synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. It is very important for healthy fetal development. You should start taking folic acid supplements as soon as you discover you are pregnant, if you are not already taking them.

What does folic acid do?

Folic acid helps to protect your baby against central nervous system defects including:

• Spina bifida – a fault in the spinal cord development that leaves a gap in the spine
• Anencephaly – a developmental fault that means the baby is born without parts of the skull and brain. Most babies born with this condition will die shortly after birth
• Cleft lip – a split in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth, or sometimes both
• Congenital heart defects
• Limb defects
• Urinary tract anomalies

Recent research found a link between folic acid intake and the prevention of autism spectrum disorders. Not enough research has been carried out to determine the reasons for, or strength of, this link.

Taking folic acid can also protect your baby from premature birth and low birth weight.

How much folic acid should I take?

You need to take a daily supplement containing 400mcg of folic acid for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Women trying to conceive are also advised to take 400mcg a day.

The body cannot store folic acid, so it is important to take a supplement every day. Some prenatal vitamins will include the full 400mcg, or you may wish to take it as a stand alone supplement.

If you have a family history of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, you should speak to your healthcare provider. Some doctors may advise taking a higher dosage (up to 5mg) of folic acid each day for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you have diabetes, or are currently taking anti-epileptic medication, you may also be advised to take a higher dosage of folic acid. Speak to your healthcare provider about folic acid as soon as possible.

Foods rich in folate

Folate, the natural form of the B vitamin, occurs naturally in some foods, and it is important to eat a variety of these foods each day. Folate rich foods include green leafy vegetables, chickpeas, black eyed peas and brown rice. Some cereals are fortified with folic acid. Be sure to include a variety of these foods in your diet throughout the pregnancy.

If you have only just discovered you are pregnant, and have not been taking supplements until now, do not worry. Just be sure to start taking 400mcg of folic acid each day from now until 12 weeks. To ensure you remember to take the supplement, do it at the same time each day and include it as part of your daily return. Alternatively, you could set a daily reminder on your mobile phone to make sure you remember.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

If you’re reading this with a face covered in acne, you might be wondering where your pregnancy glow is. All you seem to hear people say about pregnant women is that they are blooming, glowing and looking beautiful. If you’re experiencing pregnancy acne, you may feel rather differently about the affect pregnancy has had on your skin.

Acne can develop on your face, back and chest. It may be more prominent around your hairline. Acne can consist of red pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. While not a serious condition, it may make you feel quite self conscious. This is especially true during pregnancy when you are already dealing with a whole host of body changes.

What causes acne in pregnancy?

You can point your finger at hormones again here. They seem to be playing havoc with your entire body, don’t they? During the first trimester, your hormone levels increase rapidly. The pregnancy hormones increase sebum production. Sebum is an oily secretion released by glands in the skin. Too much sebum can quickly lead to blocked pores and spots.

You may just get the odd spot, or you may find yourself suffering from an extreme break out. Some women who have suffered from acne longterm, find that their skin clears up during the pregnancy. Whereas, other women who have always had problem-free skin, may find themselves suffering from acne.

Once you reach the second trimester, hormone production slows down. Most women notice a decrease in their pregnancy symptoms at this point, and this includes acne. For some women, however, the acne will persist to the end of the pregnancy. Rest assured though, a few weeks after the birth, your skin will return to its normal state.

Safe treatment for acne

You can try the following tips to manage your acne:

• Use a gentle face soap and gentle cleanser
• Try to avoid using harsh chemicals on your skin. There are plenty of natural cosmetic products on the market these days
• Be careful to remove all of your makeup before bed
• Avoid wearing makeup if you can
• Trying switching your normal moisturiser for coconut oil
• Eat a healthy diet, and avoid greasy fatty foods
• Do not pick the spots as this can cause scarring
• Make sure you get plenty of sleep and take time to relax. Stress and exhaustion can both make you more prone to outbreaks

Do not use acne medications without speaking to your healthcare provider first. Some acne medications are dangerous to take during pregnancy because they contain Vitamin A. Your healthcare provider will be able to advise you which ones are safe to use.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

In the science of medicine, a symptom is different from a sign. While a sign is objective, a symptom is a subjective evidence of a condition. It is a feeling that no other person can see, except for the patient. So when you say the symptoms of pregnancy, they refer to the changes and feelings that the mother, and only the mother, feels during pregnancy.

Most women do not experience any symptoms until the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall. However, those who are extremely tuned-in to the rhythms of their bodies may begin to suspect pregnancy as soon as conception occurs. Others first notice symptoms only after they’ve missed their period.

Below is a list of pregnancy symptoms. You may experience none, some, or all of these indications of impending motherhood.

1. Food Cravings or Food Aversions

Although it may sound like a cliché, food cravings and aversions are a pregnancy symptom. Many women feel cravings for certain foods which can last throughout their entire pregnancy. Some women develop aversions early in pregnancy – to both tastes and smells. If the cravings are accompanied by any of the other symptoms below, it may be time to do a pregnancy test.

2. Fatigue

Are you feeling tired all the time? Feeling more tired than usual is one of the symptoms of pregnancy that may start as early as the first week after conception. It is caused by high levels of the hormone progesterone, making you feel like you’ve run a marathon when all you’ve done is sit on a couch.

3. Tender Breasts

If you are pregnant, your breasts may become increasingly tender to touch. This is similar to the way you feel before you have your period. Once your body is accustomed to the hormone surge, the tenderness will eventually disappear. This symptom can begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception.

4. Morning Sickness

If you are lucky, you won’t experience morning sickness until a few weeks after conception, if at all. However, there are women who experience morning sickness as early as a couple of days after conception. You may feel nauseated and queasy in the morning, noon or night. On the other hand, there are the lucky ones who do not experience morning sickness at all.

5. Missed or Different Period

If you have a regular period and it is late, you may want to try a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests are fairly accurate at a very early date in pregnancy. A missed period is one of the sure symptoms of pregnancy. There are also women who still bleed while pregnant, but the bleed is usually lighter and shorter.

What symptoms led you to believe you were pregnant?

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

How much is too much?

When it comes to drinking alcohol during pregnancy, not enough is known about the potentially harmful effects alcohol can have on the developing baby. For this reason, experts advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol entirely for the duration of the pregnancy. Women trying to conceive are also advised to steer clear of the hard stuff.

Will alcohol harm my baby?

Alcohol enters your blood and can cross the placenta to your developing baby. Your baby’s liver does not mature until late in the pregnancy. Your baby can’t process alcohol as well as you, and may experience higher levels of blood alcohol than you. Too much exposure to alcohol can harm your baby’s development, so experts advise women to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.

During the first three months of pregnancy, even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of miscarriage. During the first trimester, the foetus is believed to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. Just one drink a day can put your baby at risk of low birth weight and increase his risk of developing learning and attention problems, speech and language difficulties and hyperactivity.

Foetal alcohol syndrome

Foetal alcohol syndrome is a serious condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Symptoms include:

• facial abnormalities
• restricted growth
• learning disorders
• behavioural disorders

Because experts don’t know the alcohol consumption level that can begin to cause these abnormalities, they suggest abstaining from all alcohol during pregnancy.

Giving up alcohol

For some women, giving up alcohol for the duration of the pregnancy will be easy. For others, however, it can prove more of a challenge. If you are struggling to give up drinking alcohol during pregnancy, you may find the following advice useful:

• talk about your feelings – talking about how you feel can help you to deal effectively with your emotions. Rather than feeling ashamed or bottling up your struggles, open up to your friends and family. They may be able to offer advice or assistance to help you avoid alcohol.
• find a drink you like – you don’t need to spend each evening begrudgingly sipping tap water, find a non-alcoholic drink you enjoy. There are plenty of fruit juices, flavoured waters and soft drinks for you to choose from.
• avoid tempting situations – if you are finding it very difficult to avoid alcohol, you may find avoiding certain social situations helps you to stay in control. This doesn’t mean you have to become a hermit and miss out on all the fun, but perhaps you should call it a night before your friends break out the tequila bottle.
• ask for help – it’s ok to find things difficult, not everything in life is easy. If you’re battling with giving up alcohol, speak to your healthcare provider. They are best placed to offer you practical advice and support to help you avoid alcohol.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Week 8 of pregnancy is GREAT!  2 Months in.  So how are you feeling?

Are you having a boy or girl? While the sex of your baby was decided long ago during conception, it is not until this week that you will finally be able to tell (although don’t expect an answer). During week 8, the reproductive organs develop and your baby will get either gonads or ovaries. Unfortunately, it may be very difficult to know for sure even with an ultrasound.

Your baby’s face is definitely taking on shape and becoming more developed. The tiny facial features like the lip, tip of the nose and even the eyelids are developing this week. If you could take a sneak peek inside her mouth, you would even be able to see a tiny tongue in the early stages of development – with taste buds! The eyes are in a phase of rapid development as well which includes development of the retina and eye pigment. Even so, your baby will likely be born with a bluish tint to her eyes.

Your baby is the size of a plump raspberry, which is around 10-14 millimeters. She no longer resembles a shrimp and is taking on a much more human shape in utero, complete with the beginnings of a neck underneath the head. She only weight about as much as a paper clip, although you may find that hard to believe with some of the discomforts you have been feeling. Your baby becomes much more active this week, twitching and jumping – however, it is still way too early for you to be able to detect these movements.

Perhaps the most exciting feature of week 8 is the fluttering heartbeat that can be seen on ultrasound. This heartbeat, while primitive, is a good sign that things with your pregnancy are developing perfectly.

Your uterus has grown to around the size of an orange. Your pants are definitely tighter. Chances are you don’t need maternity clothes yet, although borrowing some of your spouse’s shirts and sweat pants may be more comfortable when you are lounging around. This increase in size may cause some nerve or back pain. Stretching and starting a pregnancy yoga class can help you to get through it more easily.

Another change that may begin this week is an increase in cervical discharge. As long as the discharge is clear, without odor – it is simply one of the annoyances of pregnancy. This is caused by hormonal surges and will continue throughout pregnancy. Annoying, yes!  But there is really nothing that you can do about it. Wearing a panty liner may help. Watch for signs that you are getting a yeast or vaginal infection, and see a doctor right away if you suspect it.

Likely, your breasts are starting to grow or become sore, too. You will notice that the areola around the nipple darkens from hormones. Many women may not get increased breast volume until the third trimester, but do experience growth in overall nipple size. This is also completely normal.

Acne, and mood swings are also a natural part of pregnancy. Many women develop reddish splotches on their body or face due to hormones. Most of these will disappear after delivery and although they may cause you to be self-conscious, are nothing to worry about.

Just think….only 32 MORE weeks to go! Don’t worry, time will go much faster than you think.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

During pregnancy, taking in the right amount of nutrition is essential for the health and safety of you and your baby. The food you are eating is not just a source of nutrition for you, but for your growing baby as well. To make sure you have a healthy baby, here are some nutritional guidelines to follow for your pregnancy diet.

What Nutrients Do You Need?

During pregnancy, there are certain nutrients that you will need more than others. Following the US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) ensures you do not overdo anything. Here are some nutrients you need to add to your diet:

• Choline (minimum RDA 450 milligrams)
• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (minimum RDA 200 milligrams)
• Potassium (minimum RDA 4,700 milligrams)
• Riboflavin (minimum RDA1.4 milligrams)
• Vitamin B6 (minimum RDA 1.9 milligrams)
• Vitamin B12 (minimum RDA 2.6 micrograms)
• Vitamin C (minimum RDA 85 milligrams)
• Vitamin D (minimum RDA 15 micrograms)
• Zinc (minimum RDA 11 milligrams)

Foods You Should Add To Your Diet

During pregnancy, you need to add more sources of protein and calcium to your diet in order to strengthen your child’s tissues and bones. Similarly, folic acid can help protect your growing baby from birth defects. More iron can help cells carry adequate oxygen to your baby. Considering all these factors, here are some types of foods you should add to your diet when you are pregnant. Remember to indulge, but not over-indulge!

• Whole Grains and Beans: Eating whole grain bread and cereal can help you keep up the levels of folic acid and iron in your body. Moreover, they have more fiber compared to white bread and rice. Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, and whole grain bread are the best ways to incorporate whole grains into your diet. Beans are a source of various nutrients such as protein, fiber, calcium, zinc, folate, and iron. Beans that you should commonly use include soy, lentils, black-eyed peas, garbanzo, kidney, pinto, white and black beans.

• Eggs: Eggs also contain a number of essential proteins, minerals and vitamins, most importantly choline that helps the brain development of your baby. Therefore, you should make eggs a necessary part of your diet during pregnancy. However, you should take your eggs well-cooked and avoid eating undercooked or raw eggs completely.

• Berries: You can add berries in your diet regimen as the best possible snacks because they are a rich source of vitamin C, folate, potassium and fiber. Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are the ideal choice for you to have during pregnancy

• Salmon: Fish – specifically salmon, light tuna and trout – is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, protein, and other important nutrients. However, fish that is high in mercury should be completely avoided including shark, swordfish, tilefish, and mackerel. If you eat a lot of seafood, you can consult your doctor in regard to what is healthy for you and your baby.

While you should add these items to your diet, you will need to cut back on the amount of caffeine you take every day as it can be harmful for your baby. Moreover, make sure that everything you eat is well-cooked and avoid eating under-cooked food items. With these few dietary changes, you can keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Written by Team Health & Parenting

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.