Pregnancy support and advice » british medical journal

4 Myths of Pregnancy and Nutrition

Travis Petelle — Thu, 06 May 2010 06:43:55 +0000

When it comes to pregnancy, I’m sure you want to do everything right. It doesn’t matter if it’s related to health, nutrition, or even physical activity. You want your growing child to develop the best it possibly can. Pregnancy and nutrition is something you will want to pay attention to. Eating correctly is one of the most important parts of having a healthy baby.

In today’s world, there are way too many myths floating around. This isn’t just the case when it comes to topics involved with pregnancy either. This can lead to false information that may actually harm your progress.

Here are the top 10 myths out there related to pregnancy and nutrition:

Don’t eat fish during pregnancy – The British medical journal, Lancet, showed that fish is an extremely important substance to have during pregnancy. Children whose mothers ate fish during their pregnancy had a “higher intelligence quotient” than those who didn’t eat fish. This is largely due to the omega-3 fatty acids. Fish were always looked down upon due to some having high content of mercury. Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tile fish all should be avoided due to their extremely high levels of mercury. The FDA says you should have 2 servings of fish per week while pregnant.
Eat as much as you can, you’re pregnant now – Even though it’s true that you are eating for two, don’t forget you are not eating for two adults. There has been some debate on how much food is necessary for a baby’s healthy development. Current information says you should increase your calorie intake by at least 300 calories per day. Today, they look at your calorie intake on more of a personal basis. If you are overweight, it may not be necessary to increase your intake at all. While if you are underweight, you may need to eat more than 300 calories a day extra just to allow your body to catch up for optimal baby development.
Alcohol Consumption – Alcohol remains a serious concern when it comes to pregnancy and nutrition. There still has been no direct link between alcohol and fetal problems but there is a recognized association. In the past few years, there have been rumors of light drinking during pregnancy to be okay. Currently there is not enough data to show what the stopping point on alcohol consumption to be to prevent harm to the baby. Because of this, no alcohol is what is recommended to be the safe amount.
Caffeine during pregnancy – Caffeine has also been a substance that has been under scrutiny during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state that “there’s no proof that small amounts of caffeine harm the fetus.” They maintain the idea of one to two cups of coffee per day is safe. New studies are showing the idea of limiting caffeine consumption may be quite helpful. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published a study showing women taking in more than 200 mg of caffeine per day doubled their risk of miscarriage.

Author: Travis Petelle
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The Health Risks of Migraines During Pregnancy

Elizabeth Riley — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:28:30 +0000

There are many added health risks to being pregnant. Here we look at the association of migraines during pregnancy and the increased risk to you and your baby’s health.

A recent study in the US has linked migraines during pregnancy with an increase in the risk of a stroke, in fact fifteen times more likely than non pregnant women. However, the British Medical Journal has also stated that the overall risk is actually low.

Data was collected from over thirty three thousand pregnant women who were also diagnosed with migraines.

Age was a determining factor, as women over the age of 40 were nearly two and a half times more likely to suffer from a migraine than women under the age of twenty. White women were also more likely to experience migraines during pregnancy than any other race or ethnicity.

Migraines have also been linked to a rise in the risk of heart disease, blood clots, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. They suggest it is possible that the migraine itself is an indication that the cardiovascular system is not working as well as it should be.

The authors suggest that the most logical explanation for the findings lies in the interaction between migraines and the normal physiological changes during pregnancy (such as increased blood volume and heart rate) which put extra stress on the vascular system.

Past research has indicated that the cells that form the inner wall of blood vessels (endothelial cells), may not operate as well in people who suffer from migraines during pregnancy.

Migraines, especially those linked with an aura or visual changes around the time of the headache, have been previously linked to stroke and heart disease in women. This study continues to validate the connection between the two.

Author: Elizabeth Riley
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Nausea During Pregnancy – Why Me?

Sally George — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:48:21 +0000

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (abbreviated to NPV) is the medical name given to the condition most people know as morning sickness. Although nausea during pregnancy can make you feel incredibly sick, it is actually not a serious problem for you or your baby over the longer term. The British Medical Journal states that “nausea and vomiting are the commonest symptoms experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy affecting 70-85% of women”. Obviously these figures suggest nausea during pregnancy is relatively common although this doesn’t make it any easier to suffer through when it happens to you.

Morning sickness is just one of the unfortunate side effects of expecting a baby. It can be an extremely difficult and emotional time with the feelings of nausea coming just when you don’t want it. The problem can seem even worse if you are still keeping your pregnancy a secret. It can be very difficult to hide your nausea and vomiting from friends or work colleagues.

Nausea during pregnancy typically lasts until the end of the first three months but for some women it can last as long as the fifth month (and even later for a small percentage). The potential severity of the condition can vary significantly from person to person. One woman may feel a little queasy while another could be vomiting constantly for several weeks. There is no real explanation for why it affects people in different ways.

There will be some women that have no nausea at all during their first pregnancy but could then get quite sick in any later pregnancies. While there are a few different theories that provide possible explanations, none provide any definite answers. There is a theory that it could relate to the increase in the progesterone hormone that prevents early labor by relaxing the muscles of the uterus. This can possibly lead to muscles in your stomach and intestines also becoming relaxed which then leads to production of excess acid and the accompanying nausea.

Another theory relates to the issue of extra sensitivity to various types of smells and odors. For some women, even the slightest whiff can bring on a bout of nausea. This won’t be the same experience for everyone though. Many pregnant women will still be able to smell and eat very odorous foods throughout the whole of their nine months.

There is also a medical theory that revolves around the natural increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is a hormone that gets produced by the embryo immediately after conception. It works to maintain the production of progesterone and also helps to increase immune tolerance.

Would you believe that vegetables could lead to morning sickness? The basis for this theory comes from the natural toxins contained in vegetables. These are produced when they are grown as protection against insects. While they are normally harmless to humans, they have potential to be dangerous for developing embryos. In effect, the nausea during pregnancy is probably nature’s way of protecting your child in the development phase. This is not to suggest that you should avoid eating vegetables – they still provide large volumes of nutrients to you and your baby. Women with diets high in vegetables have actually been shown to have babies with higher birth weights and generally better health.

While there is no concrete explanation for why you might develop nausea during pregnancy, just think of it as nature’s way of helping your body adapt with the significant changes that it is facing.

Author: Sally George
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Three Vital Questions About Morning Sickness Or Nausea During Pregnancy

Charles Johnson — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:27:23 +0000

Morning sickness is the commonest and the most dreaded pregnancy symptom. According to a report published in British Medical Journal in 2004, “Nausea and vomiting are the commonest symptoms experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy.” Well, the good news is that not all women experience nausea during pregnancy with the same severity. Some may feel sick in the morning or start their day by puking, while some feel nausea, the whole day.

Why Does This Happen?

Don’t go by the name “morning sickness.” It can happen any time of the day. Although hormonal changes are blamed for this condition, medical experts have yet to find the exact cause of this nasty symptom. It has been found that the level of pregnancy hormone named human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen rise during the initial three months. They decrease at the same time when nausea starts to fade.

Is There A Need To Call A Doctor?

You need not call your doctor for mild morning sickness. It’s a temporary phase that will pass away with the first trimester.

You need medical intervention if…

*You vomit excessively and lose much fluids as well as important minerals and nutrients

*You are dehydrated after vomiting

*You are suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, which is disturbance in fluid and electrolyte due to vomiting. In this case, you need to be hospitalized.

*you notice weight loss

*you vomit several times during a day and for several days

*your vomit is brownish in color or accompanied with blood

*your urine seems concentrated and dark in color

How To Handle Morning Sickness Effectively?

Here are certain tips to tackle nausea during pregnancy:

*Eat a cracker before you retire to bed.

*Keep some snack at your bedside. In case you wake up at night, you can munch on them; *his keeps nausea at bay.

*Don’t jump out of bed in the morning. Take your time to get up after you wake up.

*Munch a dry cracker or something similar the first thing in the morning.

*Eat several small meals throughout the day. Don’t keep your stomach completely empty.

*Avoid spicy and fatty foods.

*Drink lots of liquids. (Plain water is the best)

*Cut your caffeine intake.

*Make crackers, dry toast and other such stuff, your handy snacks.

*Eat protein-rich snacks.

*Ginger tea helps. Drink it everyday.

*If you find your nose getting sensitive to smells, stop sniffing at foods! Jokes apart; avoid steaming foods, as they spread aroma. Try cold foods instead.

*Don’t hit the bed as soon as you finish your meal.

*A cat nap during the day is good for you.

*Breathe fresh air, take a walk down the road; it will lighten up your mood.

*Indulge in light exercise. (Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise.)

*Smile a lot!

Morning sickness is not an ogre. It’s just your body trying to adjust to change.

Author: Charles Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com