According to health experts, there are foods that pregnant woman should avoid because of the chances that they could harm the unborn baby. Consider these 5 foods to avoid during pregnancy, and reasons why health experts suggest abstaining from them:

1. Raw meat. If you love your steak rare, pregnancy is not the time to eat it that way. Raw meats can carry bacteria such as salmonella and toxoplasmosis that can be harmful to you and your unborn baby. Take care to make sure that any seafood and poultry you eat is cooked well done to ensure any bacteria is cooked away.

2.  Deli meats.  Deli meats have long been linked with listeria. Listeria passes through the placenta to the baby and is linked to miscarriage.

3.  Fish and mercury. There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the advice to avoid fish during pregnancy. The reason it is important to avoid certain types of fish is because of high mercury levels. In particular, fish to avoid include shark, swordfish, tilefish and mackerel. Fish, however, are a great source of healthful fatty acids. So, adding certain fish in moderation to your diet is recommended.

4.  Raw eggs. Any food product that contains raw eggs, or eggs that are undercooked, should be approached with caution. Health authorities in the UK have changed guidelines so that certain eggs are safe for pregnant moms, but this recommendation isn’t yet global. Use caution with products that contain raw eggs in the ingredient list, such as ice cream and salad dressings. Additionally, avoid ALL dairy products that are unpasteurized.

5. Unpasteurized soft cheeses.  Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola and Mexican style cheeses that include Queso Blanco and Queso fresco, unless they clearly state that they are made from pasteurized milk. All soft non-imported cheeses made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat.

During pregnancy, it is very important to make sure that you keep cooking surfaces and areas clean to avoid cross contamination. If you can wear gloves while handling raw meats and raw foods, plan to do so. The bacteria associated with foods can be very harmful to your baby and has been linked to miscarriage.

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 2018. All rights reserved.

You won’t notice any pregnancy symptoms until implantation occurs. Implantation is when the fertilised egg implants itself in the lining of your uterus. This usually occurs between seven and 10 days after conception. Once the embryo is implanted in your womb, it will start producing pregnancy hormones, and you will begin to notice changes in your body. If you suspect you may be pregnant, look out for the following early symptoms of pregnancy:

A missed period This is considered to be one of the most reliable early symptoms of pregnancy. If you have a regular menstrual cycle, and your period is late, it could be the first clue that you may be pregnant.

Spotting Some women notice spotting (light bleeding) around the time of implantation. Spotting is much lighter than a menstrual period, often little more than a few spots of blood, and tends to be brown or pink in colour.

Nausea Once your body starts producing pregnancy hormones, you may begin to suffer from nausea and morning sickness. Unlike the name suggests, morning sickness can happen at any time during the day. Try to avoid low blood sugar by eating little and often.

Increased discharge This thick, odourless, milky discharge is nothing to worry about, but you can wear a panty liner if you prefer.

Breast changes Breast changes are often considered to be one of the give-aways of early pregnancy. You may notice that your breasts appear bigger and feel tender. Your nipples may darken, and you may notice small bumps appearing on the areola.

Feeling tired Not just I-watched-too-much-Greys-Anatomy-last-night-tired, the tiredness of early pregnancy is experienced by many as a fatigue. If you’re finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning, yawning your way through client meetings, and falling asleep on the sofa before dinner, you may be experience pregnancy fatigue.

Heightened sense of smell Some women notice they are extra sensitive to smells during pregnancy, and this can kick in even before the pregnancy is confirmed. Some women report aversions to smells including petrol (gasoline), laundry detergent and cigarettes.

Feeling emotional As your body begins rapidly producing hormones, you may notice yourself feeling more emotional than usual. If you find yourself sobbing over commercials, and screaming at your partner for using the wrong washing up sponge, it could be pregnancy hormones at play.

Not all women experience all of the symptoms above. You may experience some and not others, you may not notice any symptoms, or you might hit the jackpot and be able to tick each one off your pregnancy bingo scratch card. Each pregnancy is unique, and your symptoms will differ to those of other women. If you have more than one pregnancy, you may notice different early symptoms of pregnancy for each.

If you think you may be pregnant, the most accurate way to find out for sure is to take a home pregnancy test. Wait until the day your period is due, because this increases the accuracy of the test. Read the instructions carefully, and follow them exactly when performing the test. Good luck!

What first made you wonder whether you were pregnant?

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.

Various theories have emerged over the years about the effects of alcohol on pregnancy. Certain official recommendations state that pregnant women should totally refrain from drinking alcohol, while others say that moderate or light drinking is acceptable. However, a study found that even moderate drinking during pregnancy can affect the IQ of a child.

How does alcohol affect a child’s IQ?

After ingestion of alcohol, enzymes will metabolize ethanol to acetaldehyde. However, the differences in the genes of people result to the variations on how enzymes metabolize ethanol. So, people who metabolize ethanol slowly have increased levels of alcohol that last longer than those who metabolize quickly. Experts believe that fast ethanol metabolism prevents damage to the brain development of infants as smaller amounts of alcohol are exposed to the fetus.

About the Study

The researchers used the study data of Children of the 90s (ALSPAC) which was participated by over 4,000 mothers and their children. The trial was first to use genetic variation (Mendelian randomization) in analyzing the effect of moderate drinking (less than 1 to 6 units of alcohol per week) of pregnant women on the IQ of their children. Genetic variation is ideal since every woman has a different DNA, which is not linked with lifestyle factors.

The studies showed that a strong link was found between a lower IQ at 8 years old and 4 genetic alternatives in the genes that metabolize alcohol in the 4,167 children. In each genetic modification of a child, the IQ was found to be 2 points lower in children whose mothers reported moderate alcohol drinking during their pregnancy. On the other hand, this link was not found among children whose mothers did not drink during pregnancy. This indicates that there is no direct relationship between the low IQ of a child and alcohol exposure in the womb.

At week 18, mothers answered questions about the average amount of alcohol consumed and the frequency of alcohol drinking prior to their pregnancy. At 32 weeks, they completed the second survey on average amount of alcohol they had on weekdays and weekends. Those who answered the first survey were considered light drinkers, while those in the second survey were moderate drinkers.

Results

At age 8, the IQ of the children was tested using the Wechslet Intelligence Scale for Children. The results suggest that even at low levels of alcohol consumption, there are differences in childhood IQ. This means that even at moderate levels, alcohol affect the brain development of a fetus.

For many years, experts have known that heavy alcohol consumption can cause birth defects. Now we are learning that even moderate drinking can have subtle effects on children as they grow. Because researchers don’t know how much (or how little) is a safe amount of alcohol to consume when you’re pregnant, they err on the side of caution and suggest all pregnant women abstain from drinking alcohol. Factors that can impact the effects of alcohol on a fetus include maternal metabolism and enzymes, as well as the amount of alcohol consumed. Many doctors leave the decision up to the individual mother, saying that there’s no evidence an occasional drink can harm a fetus. So educate yourself and so you can make healthy choices for yourself and your developing baby.

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.

According to Norwegian researchers, folic acid taken before and during pregnancy might lower the risk of autism. Women who take folic acid supplements a month before the pregnancy as well as in the first weeks of pregnancy may have a lower risk of giving birth to autistic children.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate and plays a vital role in the production of new cells during pregnancy and infancy. Folate and folic acid are necessary to produce RNA and DNA, to make healthy red blood cells, and to metabolize homocysteine.

About the Study

The authors of the study deduced that folic acid supplements around the time of conception reduce the risk of neural defects in children, leading to the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid. Generally, women who are planning to become pregnant ideally take a daily supplement of folic acid a month prior to conception.

Pal Suren, MD, MPH of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and his team investigated the link between the intake of folic acid supplements around conception and the subsequent reduction in the risk of autism in children.

The study involved 85,176 children born in 2002-2008. By the end of 2012, the children’s ages ranged between 3.3 and 10.2, with an average of 6.4.

Results

The results showed that .32% or 270 of the children were diagnosed with autism eventually. 114 of which had autistic disorder, 56 had Asperger’s, and 100 had PDD-NOS. An inverse risk was also found between the use of folic acid before and during the pregnancy and the subsequent diagnosis of ASD. .10% of the children whose mothers took folic acid a month before conception and on the first 2 months of pregnancy were diagnosed, while .21% of children whose mothers did not take folic acid were diagnosed with ASD.

Conclusion 

Other studies have found similar results, such as one from UC Davis MIND Institute, which found that taking folic acid during the first month of pregnancy reduces the risk of having an autistic child.

Although the findings do not establish a cause-effect relationship between autism and folic acid use, they provide a rationale for replicating the analyses in other studies to further investigate the genetic factors and biological mechanisms that may explain the association.

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.

Experiencing cramps while pregnant can be a cause of alarm to expecting mothers. The cramping can vary from mild to severe, but are just often a sign of the stretching and growing uterus. However, there are cases in which cramping may be caused by a serious problem. So, should you be concerned if you experience cramps? Here are some of the common causes of cramps so you can decide whether they are normal or if they need more attention.

First Trimester Cramps

Implantation Cramps If you experience cramping 8 to 10 days after ovulation, you may be experiencing cramping as a result of implantation.

Stretching Uterus Another cause of cramps in the first trimester can be the stretching and expanding uterus. The pain occurs when the ligaments that support your uterus stretch. Don’t worry! Your body is only preparing itself for your growing baby.

Miscarriage If you experience cramping accompanied by spotting or bleeding, you should contact your health care provider immediately. This is a possible warning sign of miscarriage. However, spotting or bleeding does not always indicate a miscarriage, some women with bleeding during their first trimester continue to have healthy, happy babies! But with every bleeding, you should always inform your doctor.

Ectopic Pregnancy Cramps in the first trimester can indicate an ectopic pregnancy. It is serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. As soon as you experience cramping accompanied by spotting or bleeding, and abdominal pain on one side, contact your health care provider.

Other causes of cramping during early pregnancy include gas pains and constipation.

Second or Third Trimester Cramps

Round Ligament Pain Round ligament pain is a mild pain often experienced during the second and third trimester. It occurs as the uterus continues to stretch and grow, pulling on the ligaments of the abdomen and pelvis.

Preterm Labour If you experience cramping accompanied by back pain and mild to severe diarrhoea, and you haven’t reached 37 completed weeks, you may be having preterm labour. Immediately contact your health care provider or go to the hospital.

Braxton Hicks Contractions You may experience cramping caused by irregular, intermittent, ‘practice’ contractions.

Early labour If you are close to  your due date, cramping and back pain are common symptoms of early labour.

Since it can be hard to differentiate normal pregnancy cramping from a warning sign, it is best to discuss any cramps during pregnancy with your health care provider.

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.

Prenatal vitamins are the best way to make sure both you and your baby are getting all of the essential nutrients you need. Your doctor or midwife has likely recommended them from your first prenatal visit.

Can I skip the vitamins?

Experts recommend that all pregnant women should take a daily prenatal vitamin. While it may be possible to eat a diet containing all of the essential vitamins and minerals, the prenatal vitamin is a foolproof way to be certain you’re not missing out. By taking prenatal vitamins and eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, you sleep soundly knowing your baby should be getting all the goodness he needs.

Folic acid

Folic acid is an essential B vitamin that can reduce your baby’s risk of developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Pregnant women are advised to take 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Check the label of your prenatal vitamins to make sure you are getting enough of this vital vitamin.

Iron

Your body will require more iron during pregnancy. Though you have iron stores in your body, these will be running low by the second half of the pregnancy. After week 20, you may like to start taking an iron supplement. Some prenatal vitamins will already contain iron, so to see whether yours do before adding another supplement.

If you have been diagnosed with anaemia or an iron deficiency, speak to your doctor about your require iron dosage. Iron supplements can cause digestion problems, so please speak to your healthcare provider if you suffer any side effects.

When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?

You should start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Ideally, you should take them when trying to conceive, too. You should continue to take the vitamins until the end of your pregnancy. Some prenatal vitamins are also suitable for consumption during breastfeeding, and can continue to ensure you are best equipped to nurture your baby. Speak to your healthcare provider about which vitamins are suitable to take during breastfeeding.

A safety net

Prenatal vitamins are not an alternative to a healthy diet. Ideally you should be including both in your pregnancy lifestyle. Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrain, nuts, seeds and milk or soya products in your diet. Avoid empty calories, and focus on getting the most nutrition in every bite you eat.

How do you make sure you don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamins?

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 2018. All rights reserved.

Pregnancy is a special time for women, and should not be taken for granted. Proper nutrition is crucial for the health of you and your child. In fact, studies show that what you eat and drink, how physically active you are, and how much you weigh all have an effect on the baby’s present and future growth. Therefore, food must be chosen wisely – not just to suit the palate, but to nurture the baby as well.

There are two factors that must be considered when it comes to pregnancy nutrition – what to eat and how much weight to gain. Many women think that pregnancy is a great excuse to gain weight. However, you shouldn’t go overboard. You do not need to consume more calories than your normally do during the first trimester. Only after the 12th week you can add 300 calories more to your normal daily intake.

Here are some special considerations on pregnancy nutrition:

• Do not eat undercooked meats or seafood.

Eating undercooked meats and seafood can cause diseases such as toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis. These can potentially cause stillbirth, fetal defects, infection, or health problems after birth.

• Reduce your risk for listeriosis.

Listeriosis is a disease caused by bacteria found in soft cheese, raw vegetables, and unpasteurized milk. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, stick with hard cheeses, like parmesan and cheddar, and make sure your milk is pasteurized.

• Limit your caffeine intake.

You should limit your daily intake of caffeine to 200 mg (12 oz cup). Studies show that women who consumer over 200 mg of caffeine per day have a higher risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm birth. You may also want to cut back on tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and energy drinks, as they contain phenols that prevent iron absorption.

• Consume plenty of omega-3 fatty acids.

Studies show that omega-3 has positive effects on the baby’s eyes and brain. You can take at least 400 mg of mercury-free DHA supplements, or be sure you’re eating foods rich in these fatty acids. The best sources are cold water fish such as sardines, tuna, herring, salmon, and anchovies.

• Stay away from eating certain fish: mackerel, shark, tile fish, tuna steaks, albacore tuna, and swordfish.

These fishes contain high levels of mercury which may have neurological effects on your baby. Limit fish intake to no more than 12 ounces per week, and stick with fish like salmon.

• Avoid any alcoholic beverages.

Heavy alcohol drinking can cause birth defects. It can also cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) which is characterized by speech and language delays, small head size, abnormal facial features, learning disability, and many other problems.

• Take your prenatal vitamins regularly.

Prenatal vitamins are essential for pregnant women as they provide more folic acid and iron, necessary all throughout the pregnancy for the development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord.

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 2018. All rights reserved.

Pregnancy is a complex time in a woman’s life. Since the baby is counting on the mother for the nutrients needed to grow, the expecting mother needs to eat well and make healthy choices in order to feel good, have energy, and support a healthy pregnancy. Supplements, however, can also be beneficial. A woman with child should only take supplements recommended by a health care provider. So, what supplements should an expecting woman take?  

Vitamin A and Beta Carotene

Women should include vitamin A and beta carotene to their pregnancy diet and nutrition for healthy bones and teeth, and also to promote growth. In addition to pregnancy supplements, these nutrients are also naturally found in milk, eggs, potatoes, and yellow vegetables. Be careful with liver, as liver contains high levels of a type of vitamin A called retinol, which may cause birth defects. If you’re taking vitamin supplements, look for pregnancy supplements which contain the betacarotene vitamin A. Don’t take vitamin supplements with the retinol vitamin A.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a very important supplement for pregnant women. It helps the body use calcium and phosphorous, which are essential for strong teeth and bones. This vitamin can be found in milk, eggs, oily fish, and sunshine. If you can, take a walk and get some sun. A daily walk or some other form of outdoor physical activity in the early morning or late afternoon is recommended, especially in times of the year when there’s less sun.

Vitamin E

Pregnant women also need Vitamin E to help the body form and use muscles and red blood cells. As part of their pregnancy diet and nutrition, Vitamin E is present in spinach, vegetable oil, and wheat germ.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for building a healthy immune system, helping the body absorb iron, and protecting tissues from damage. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, strawberries, green beans, tomatoes, papaya, and broccoli.

Vitamin B1

A vitamin vital for regulating the nervous system and raising energy levels, it is found in whole grain, eggs, pasta, rice, and organ meats.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 helps maintain a good eyesight, healthy skin, and energy. They may take it from poultry, fish, meats, dairy products, and eggs in addition.

Vitamin B3

This vitamin helps promote a healthy skin, digestion, and nerves. Pregnant women may take it from high protein foods, bread, and milk.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is another very important supplement for pregnant women. It is responsible for red blood cell formation and it also helps with morning sickness. In addition to supplements, this vitamin may also be found in chicken, fish, liver, pork, bananas, beans, and brown rice.

Folic Acid

Folic Acid is very important for pregnant women. It helps support the placenta and prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida. This nutrient may come from oranges, strawberries, spinach, green leafy vegetables, beans, pasta, and peas.

Calcium

Calcium helps create strong teeth and bones, prevents anemia, premature delivery, and low birth weight. As an added pregnancy diet and nutrition element, it may be found in yogurt, cheddar cheese, milk, dark green leafy vegetables, and canned fish with bones.

Iron

Iron is beneficial in the production of haemoglobin, and prevention of low birth weight, premature delivery, and anemia. It can be found in beef, dried beans, spinach, and grains fortified with iron.

Protein

Protein is responsible for the production of amino acids and repair of cells in pregnant women. They may take it from most animal foods, legumes, and veggie burgers.

Zinc

Zinc is essential for the production of insulin and enzymes in the body. This nutrient may be taken from oysters, dairy products, beans, red meats, and whole grains.

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 2018. All rights reserved.

Iron is an essential mineral needed by the body to help make red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body. During pregnancy, you need to ensure you are getting enough iron for your baby’s needs as well as your own. Your iron intake becomes increasingly important after week 20 of the pregnancy.

Iron is stored in the body, but by week 20 these stores will be running low. From week 20 onwards, your baby requires more iron than before. If you aren’t getting enough iron during the second half of the pregnancy, you may find yourself lacking in energy.

Eating enough iron during pregnancy

It is possible to get all of the iron you need during pregnancy through your diet. Be sure to eat lots of iron-rich foods every day as part of a healthy balanced diet. Green leafy vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, seeds, pulses and lean meat are all foods naturally high in iron. Breakfast cereals fortified with iron, black molasses, seaweeds, parsley and watercress are also good sources of dietary iron. Cooking food in ironware also adds a small amount of iron into your diet.

Liver is a good source of iron, but should not be consumed during pregnancy. Liver is rich in vitamin A which can harm the baby if consumed in large quantities during pregnancy, so pregnant women are advised to avoid liver.

Consuming vitamin C with iron aids iron absorption. Try to have a glass of orange juice, or eat an orange, with your iron-rich lunch. If you’re taking iron supplements, take them with a glass of orange juice to help your body get the most out of them.

Iron supplements during pregnancy

In the UK, women are not advised to routinely take iron supplements during pregnancy because of the risk of side effects. Possible side effects include constipation, diarrhoea and nausea. If you are suffering from low iron levels or anaemia, however, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take supplements for the remainder of the pregnancy.

In the US, it is more common for pregnant women to take iron supplements during the second half of pregnancy, and many prenatal vitamins contain added iron. Speak to your healthcare provider about the possible need for iron supplements during pregnancy.

Anaemia during pregnancy

Anaemia is a common complaint during pregnancy. You require extra iron during pregnancy to ensure your baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients in the womb. You have an increased risk of developing anaemia during pregnancy if you suffer from severe morning sickness, are carrying multiple pregnancies or have recently had a baby. Symptoms of anaemia include feeling tired and weak, as well as dizziness, headaches and heart palpitations. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may be suffering from anaemia.

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 2018. All rights reserved.

During the long nine months of pregnancy, it’s likely that you’ll experience a number of conversational no-nos. People seem almost unable to control themselves around pregnant women, and are likely to let at least one of the following slips. Here are seven things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman (but are likely to hear during your pregnancy):

1. “Wow, you can’t have long to go!” – Er, actually, I’ve got three whole months of pregnancy left, but thanks for drawing attention to my massive bump. Thanks a lot for giving me something to worry about when I’m lying awake in bed tonight.
2. “I can’t believe how big you are.” – This one is rarely said by strangers, it’s usually friends and family who strut this belter out. It almost puts you off socialising altogether, doesn’t it? Surprisingly, most pregnant women don’t actually want to be reminded of how big they are on a regular basis.
3. “Are you sure you’re not carrying twins?” – Oh great, another reference to big babies. Well, of course it’s quite possible that the ultrasound technician is less savvy than you, and failed to pick up, using the latest technological advances and years of medical knowledge, what you have picked up using just your eyes and keen sense of judgement. But, to be honest, I’m probably not carrying twins, thanks anyway for drawing it to my attention though.
4. “You must be having a <insert gender here> because <insert old wives’ tale here>” – Sigh. Ok, there’s a 50/50 chance you’re right, but you could be equally as wrong. And, truth be told, I don’t want to spend nine long months discussing which sex the baby could be, I have other things to worry about. I also don’t need to hear that I’m carrying high or low or round, or whatever else you might feel the need to use as evidence of the baby’s sex.
5. “Make sure you get plenty of sleep now, you won’t get chance once the baby arrives.” – Oh, thanks for the advice. I have been keeping myself awake on the off chance that I won’t need sleep when the baby arrives, but thanks to your wise input I can turn things around now. The fifteen bathroom breaks, nausea, backache and tiny acrobat flying around in my belly hopefully won’t cause too many problems for my new sleep quest.
6. “Was it planned?” – Wow, that’s a personal question. Oh, and none of your business.
7. “Any news?” – No. The news is either ‘Yes, I’m having a baby this very minute’, ‘Yes, I’m cuddling my tiny newborn this very minute’ or ‘No, I’m the same fed up, angry pregnant woman I was when you asked me yesterday’. Whichever of these it is, believe me, I’ll tell you when I’m good and ready, please stop asking me for news.

It goes without saying that the above replies aren’t answers you should try yourself, well, not to good friends anyway. It’s just a little fun. Are there any conversational gems missing from the list, what have people been saying to you? What would you include in things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman?

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 2018. All rights reserved.

There are certain foods that pregnant women are advised to avoid. It’s important to know which foods to avoid during pregnancy, so you can lessen any risk to you or your baby.

Foods to avoid during pregnancy include:

Soft Cheeses – Certain cheeses are considered unsafe to eat during pregnancy. Mould-ripened soft cheeses, and soft blue-vein cheese should be avoided due to the risk of listeria. Listeria is a harmful bacteria and, while rare, it can lead to miscarriage and stillbirth, and so pregnant women are advised to avoid any food with an increased risk of allowing listeria to grow. These include blue cheese, camembert, brie, and more.

Pâtés – Pâtés can harbour listeria, so pregnant women are advised to avoid all pâtés, including vegetable pâtés, for the duration of the pregnancy.

Undercooked Eggs – Pregnant women are advised to avoid raw or partially uncooked eggs because of the risk of salmonella poisoning during pregnancy. Salmonella poisoning would not harm the baby, but can lead to severe vomiting and diarrhoea. If you’d like to enjoy your eggs, eat them hard-boiled or over-well, rather than over easy or poached.

Undercooked Meat – Rare and undercooked meats could carry the infection toxoplasmosis, a serious condition that can harm developing babies. Be sure meats are eaten well-done.

Liver – Liver products contain high levels of vitamin A and this could harm your unborn baby, and should be avoided completely in pregnancy.

Vitamin and fish oil supplements – You should avoid fish oil and other supplements that contain high levels of vitamin A.

Some Types of Fish – Swordfish, marlin and shark are not advised during pregnancy. These fish may contain high levels of mercury which could harm your developing baby.  You should also be careful to limit your intake of tuna to just two steaks, or four medium sized cans, per week. Pregnant women advised not to eat more than two helpings of oily fish per week.

Shellfish – Pregnant women are advised to avoid raw shellfish which can contain harmful bacteria.

The above foods are to be avoided, but there are plenty of other things you can enjoy. For example, you can’t eat certain soft cheeses, but are fine to snack on cheddar. Raw shellfish should be avoided, but cooked shellfish is fine during pregnancy.

Make sure that you wash all food thoroughly before eating, and be careful to properly wash your hands before and after handling any food items. Though the risk of bacteria or food poisoning is low, these can be extremely serious if they occur during pregnancy.

Are any of your favourite foods on the banned list, and if so, how are you coping without them?

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 2018. All rights reserved.

It is estimated that nearly 6 out of 10 women experience some form of pregnancy loss in their life. Some, may not have even known they were pregnant while others knew and celebrated wholeheartedly only to be heartbroken. The reality is that whether you are trying to conceive, or conceived by accident, the loss of a pregnancy is real. In fact, it is the loss of a dream for many, and is not just the loss of a pregnancy – but the loss of a life that is felt.

Recovering can be painful. Most people don’t know what to say to you, and even if they did – it is likely they wouldn’t make you feel any better. As your body goes through the changes of being pregnant to not being pregnant, there is an avalanche of hormones that can make your emotions feel even more out of control. And often, knowing that you are not alone is not much of a consolation prize. Each woman processes pregnancy loss differently, but one thing remains the same. The little life that was inside of you changes you. And he or she had lessons to teach you, and he or she will always be part of your life whether you knew about him or her for 2 weeks or 2 months.

At the end of the day, pregnancy loss changes you, changes who you are.

For one thing it can change your outlook and optimism. Even though the odds are in your favor that your next pregnancy will go off without a hitch, you lose that spring in your step and your eternal optimism after such a large loss. It is normal for your next pregnancy to be outlined with worry and underlined with a constant hint of anxiety. We try to save ourselves from ever feeling that loss again, and put up protective mechanisms to ‘prepare’ us and keep us from ever being ‘too’ excited. We become careful and calculated and often fearful. The only thing you can do is do your best to stay focused on the positive in your life.

It also changes how we feel about ourselves. Typically women go through a gamut of emotions from shame and embarrassment to humiliation and denial. For many women, telling all the people who knew about the pregnancy that they were no longer pregnant was one of the hardest things to do. Not because others would be judgmental or mean, but because they may have felt like their own bodies had failed somehow. It can take many years to come to grips with the feelings about yourself and your body.

It also changes what we take for granted. As any deep loss does, pregnancy loss is no different. As humans, it is often through our pain and our losses that we grow the most – and yet this is one of the most painful ways to grow.

Anger can become a constant companion as well. At least for a while. When you lose a baby, it’s easy to become angry at everyone who has one, every pregnant woman that you feel is less deserving than you were, every woman that you see somehow can become a reminder of your loss and it is natural that it makes you angry. Even so, at some point – you have to let go of that anger in order to truly live and breathe again. But it does take time.

Pregnancy loss is different for every woman. One thing however, remains the same and that is that we have to embrace the changes and the full circle of our emotions. We have to find someone we trust to talk to about our feelings and allow ourselves to grieve and feel. None of what we feel is wrong along the way, none of what we feel is something to be ashamed of. It is part of us. And we owe ourselves the time and space to truly feel our emotions so that we can recover wholly. Even so, the loss – will have changed some aspect of who you are. The best we can hope for is that through the experience, we learn something positive that we can take forward in our lives as something to build upon.

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 2018. All rights reserved.