![]() If you're entering your 7th or 8th week of pregnancy, some of you may notice acne on your face, and on other parts of your body. You might hear from other mothers and mothers-to-be that that is an indication that you are carrying a girl. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, because acne being the indication that you're carrying a girl, is an old wives tale. Acne during pregnancy just means that our hormones are all over the place. There is a lot happening inside us. To deal with the acne, talk with your doctor about products that are safe to use during pregnancy. When you wash your face, don't wipe your face dry with your towel. Pat your face dry instead. Years ago, I was a part of a pregnancy group on Facebook, and one of the members said that witch hazel is a miracle worker on acne. Don't let a few pimples get you down. Take it as an indication that your baby is doing well and you are doing a good job caring for him/her.
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What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a vitamin that is stored in the liver. This vitamin is important for your baby's growth during the embryonic stage. It aids in the development of your baby's eyes, bones, heart, kidneys, lungs, CNS, and respiratory system. It is also important during pregnancy, as it aids in postpartum tissue repair, immune system support, regulating fat metabolism, and maintains healthy vision. Foods that are rich in Vitamin A include:
There are many conflicting reports as to how much vitamin A is "too much" to take in during pregnancy. If you take too much, it can result in birth defects and liver toxicity. If you don't have enough vitamin A, night vision and your immune system can become weakened. So how much Vitamin A should you include in your diet during pregnancy? Women ages 19 and older (regardless of whether or not you plan on breastfeeding your little one) should have no more than 3,000 mcg RAE (or 10,000 IU) per day. If you have any questions as to how to implement Vitamin A into your diet, consult your doctor. Pregnancy brings about a plethora of symptoms, some of which are pretty awesome (feeling the baby kick), and some that cause you to panic (leaking fluid). Along with swelling, cravings, insomnia and more, one symptom that isn't talked about much is pregnancy rhinitis (stuffy nose).
How does this happen? Due to an increased amount of estrogen, the lining of the nasal passages start to swell, thus producing an increase of mucus. At the same time, blood circulation increases during pregnancy, which causes blood vessels in the nose to swell. This causes the congestion you may be experiencing. Pregnancy rhinitis affects up to 30% of pregnant women and tends to occur in your second month of pregnancy. In some cases, your stuffy nose may worsen throughout pregnancy, but it will go away after your baby is born. If you are wondering if your stuffy nose may be the result of a cold, evaluate your symptoms. If the only symptom you have is a stuffy nose, then it is pregnancy rhinitis. If mucus changes color and you have facial pressure, make an appointment with your doctor, as sinus congestion is common during pregnancy. What can you do to alleviate Pregnancy Rhinitis?
As far as medicine is concerned, consult your doctor for a list of medications that are safe for pregnancy. (source: www.babycenter.com/0_stuffy-nose-during-pregnancy_1076.bc) ![]() Are you nearing the third trimester of pregnancy? Time is winding up and soon enough, your beautiful baby will make his or her debut into the world. Thinking about the birth may be giving you some anxiety. You can make things easier on yourself by having a birth plan in place. Make sure you talk to your doctor and find out everything you can about the delivery process. Being informed can relieve a lot of the stress you may be experiencing. Grab a journal and start answering the following questions:
Definitely discuss any plans for the birth with your doctor. Your doctor may have some ideas or concerns. Let him or her know if you want to utilize the services of a doula or midwife. Let them know if you wish to have a home birth, water birth, etc. Let your doctor know if you do not want your son circumcised. Address your concerns about c-sections. There is no such thing as a stupid question. This is you and your baby's special day. Below, I have provided a template that you can use in order to make the birth planning easier. ![]() During pregnancy, a woman feels all kinds of emotions: excitement, fear, enthusiasm, worry, and much more. Women may also feel bouts of depression and anxiety. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, about 52% of women experience an increase in depression and anxiety. Who is at risk for extreme anxiety?
Source: www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/anxiety/ ![]() You've probably heard of the practice of swaddling your baby. Your friends probably used swaddling to help soothe their babies as they sleep peacefully in their crib. You're probably wondering about what swaddling is, and if it can be a benefit to your upcoming bundle of joy. What is Swaddling? Swaddling is a practice where you snugly wrap your infant in a blanket in order to restrict movement. This practice has been used the world over since biblical times. Benefits of Swaddling
There are risks associated with swaddling your baby:
It is important to weigh all the benefits and risks before beginning the practice of swaddling. If your baby is going to be born in the warmer months, I recommend not swaddling them in a flannel blanket. If you plan on swaddling, use breathable cotton blankets. Definitely talk to your doctor about the proper way to swaddle your baby. Also, many birthing/parenting classes can teach you the safe way to swaddle baby. If you cannot make it to parenting classes, nurses at the hospital can teach you how to swaddle. Also, once your baby is here, if you see that he or she isn't a fan of the swaddling, definitely discontinue the practice. |
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