Emotional changes with pregnancy are common. Some women experience extreme mood swings as hormone levels fluctuate. Others find themselves deliriously happy throughout the pregnancy. Both are very normal. Increased stress levels are also common as women worry about the baby’s health, their health, and all the forthcoming lifestyle changes that being pregnant and having a baby will bring about. On top of the emotional fluctuations and added stress many women suddenly find themselves battling against bouts of forgetfulness during pregnancy. In general pregnancy can be an emotionally trying time with many ups and downs.

There are steps one can take to cope with the emotional changes of pregnancy. Resting, eating nutritiously, and participating in some light exercise are all excellent mood lifters and help to combat fatigue. Talking with a trusted healthcare provider or friend can alleviate many concerns and fears thus minimizing stress. Changes are always easier to deal with when they are not a surprise. It is a good idea to learn more about your body and what to expect whilst being pregnant. There are many books, magazines, classes, and websites that are devoted to pregnancy and child birth.

In addition to emotional changes, pregnancy also brings about several physical changes. One of the most obvious physical changes is weight gain. A woman of average weight should expect to gain 25-35 pounds when pregnant. A woman who is underweight should gain 28-40 pounds, while one who is overweight should gain only 15-25 pounds during. To meet these weight gain guidelines pregnant women should plan to consume about 100-300 calories more per day than they did pre-pregnancy. Many women find that they are gaining more weight than they anticipated while pregnant. However, it is important to remember that dieting to lose weight during pregnancy is not safe and is never recommended.

During pregnancy along with weight gain often come stretch marks. Stretch marks usually occur on the abdomen, upper legs, and breasts. Some women have had success minimizing stretch marks by using alpha-hydroxy acid based lotions and creams. Staying physically active and gaining weight in a slow and steady fashion also help to minimize stretch marks. Other common skin changes associated with pregnancy are the worsening of acne, the appearance of spider veins, darkening of facial skin (the mask of pregnancy) and hair and nail changes. Luckily the many skin, hair, and nail changes that are associated with pregnancy usually go away automatically post-pregnancy. However, treatments are available if skin changes are severe. For mild acne, daily use of an over –the-counter cleanser that contains alpha-hydroxy acid can help to decrease breakouts. For severe acne there are some medications and topical antibiotics that can safely be prescribed during pregnancy. Spider veins that do not resolve on their own can be removed post pregnancy by laser treatments. Masks of pregnancy can be prevented by the use of sunscreen and treated post pregnancy by chemical peels or bleaching creams.

These emotional and physical changes are just a few of many that occur with pregnancy. They become a part of a woman’s journey into parenthood. Each woman’s experience is unique so as pleasant or unpleasant as your pregnancy symptom’s may be remember to savor the journey while you are busily looking forward to the next chapter in your life.

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Generally pregnant mothers are reluctant to exercise or restrict their pregnancy diet. But it is important for them to realize that a healthy pregnancy diet and exercise are important for their own as well as their baby’s health. The other benefit of weight control during pregnancy is that it makes it easier and faster to get back into shape after pregnancy.

Diet And Pregnancy

A healthy pregnancy diet is essential to avoid gaining excess weight during pregnancy. Although a pregnancy diet should be undertaken only after consulting a doctor.

A pregnancy diet plan should be nutritious. Foods having high mercury levels, such as fish and those having high caffeine content should be avoided during pregnancy. These include shark, Swordfish, Tuna and Tilefish. Also junk food, tobacco, alcohol, spicy and fatty foods should not be taken. Avoiding such foods checks excess weight gain and also protects the unborn baby.

A healthy diet for pregnancy includes foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are rich in nutrients. Intake of foods such as cauliflower, beets and green vegetables as well as calcium rich foods is a must for the safety and health of the baby. Due care should be taken about diet during pregnancy as it affects both the mother and the baby’s health!

The Importance Of Exercise During Pregnancy

Exercise helps in having a healthy pregnancy and makes the process of child birth easier. It also helps in avoiding excess weight gain during and after pregnancy. Excess weight gain only adds to the strain on the back muscles of a pregnant woman. Exercises make your leg and pelvic muscles stronger, which helps during labor and delivery.

A pregnancy safe exercise should be moderate. It should not place any undue strain on the body. High impact exercises like aerobics and weightlifting should be completely avoided. Walking is a good exercise during pregnancy. Yoga is a highly beneficial low-impact exercise. Swimming, which works all your muscle groups and keeps you balanced, is also a recommended pregnancy and post pregnancy exercise.

Whether it is choosing a proper pregnancy diet or pregnancy exercise, it is important to undertake it only after consulting your doctor for effective weight control and safety.

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