11 interesting hobbies for pregnant women - what to do for an expectant mother

Tips for every day

• Only a gynecologist can give the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations to pregnant women, so it is worth registering with the antenatal clinic. It is also useful to visit the dentist regularly, because... During pregnancy, the body loses calcium, which is why teeth need special attention. The choice of medications should be discussed with your doctor. Usually it is necessary to stop taking antibiotics, vitamin A, and potent drugs. X-ray studies are undesirable, especially in the abdominal and lumbar areas. All necessary vaccinations must be taken care of in advance.
• There are many tips for creating the right diet, but pregnancy is associated with special nuances. Generally, it is recommended to consume meat, fish, dairy products (except blue cheese), fruits and vegetables. Greens are also useful - spinach, dill. It is advisable to reduce the consumption of strong tea and coffee. During pregnancy, you should avoid certain types of fish, such as tuna and mackerel, as well as very fatty and spicy foods. You will also have to abstain from unknown exotic dishes, since the reaction to them is unpredictable. Do not overuse products containing synthetic preservatives, thickeners, dyes, or flavor enhancers. It’s better to completely give up fast food, processed foods and sweet sodas.
• The advice to give up physical activity is not useful for all pregnant women. In most cases, light gymnastics, swimming, and other sports not associated with intense strength loads have a beneficial effect. It is advisable to choose a special program for pregnant women, without abdominal exercises and weight lifting. If there are no contraindications, sexual activity is also permitted.
• To avoid worrying about changes in your appearance during pregnancy, follow your dermatologist's advice on skin care. Doctors offer enough remedies for stretch marks, many of the drugs are completely organic. Special underwear will help maintain the shape of your breasts. It is a common myth that pregnant women should not wear makeup or dye their hair, but no research has been done in this area. It is better to refrain from visiting a solarium and laser treatments.
• It is advisable to thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits, and avoid blue cheese, undercooked meats and other foods where bacteria can grow. Another useful tip for expectant mothers is to be careful when caring for pets. There is a possibility of becoming infected with toxoplasmosis, so it is better to entrust cleaning the tray to others. If it is necessary to use aggressive detergents or chemicals against insects, you must temporarily leave the room, because these substances can be dangerous to the fetus.

Advice for expectant mothers. Health principles for mothers and future babies

Everyone knows about the undeniable benefits of healthy eating. It doubles with the onset of pregnancy. How to eat properly during this important period?

First of all, food should be balanced. Mother and child need sufficient amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins. It is important to remember that the main task is to give birth to a healthy baby. Therefore, you definitely shouldn’t think about all kinds of diets. Improper nutrition can lead to premature birth, toxicosis, etc.

However, you need to remember that excessive overeating will also not benefit either you or your baby. Large meals can cause disruption of adaptation processes and disruption of the body's functional systems.

With the onset of pregnancy, the nature of nutrition changes. It is important to balance nutrition depending on the stage of development of the baby.

In the second half of pregnancy, it is recommended to enrich the diet with boiled lean meat, cottage cheese, low-fat cheeses, eggs, poultry, and fish oil. In general, you should listen to your body. After all, it has mechanisms that help absorb nutrients in the required quantities. You should not infringe on your food desires, because in this way the body signals what you and your baby need now.

Don’t force yourself to eat when you have no appetite at all, which often happens in the initial stages. A healthy body will not leave the unborn child hungry and will definitely require food when necessary.

Try not to buy confectionery, include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. A few months before giving birth, limit the consumption of allergenic citrus fruits, some berries and fruits (plum, strawberries, raspberries, apricots). You also need to reduce the amount of starch, pickles, and pickled vegetables. No need to give up breakfast, lunch or dinner. But snacks, especially harmful ones, should be limited. If you feel hungry between meals, it is better to eat an apple or drink kefir. It is also important to combine products correctly.

Some diseases can develop during pregnancy. Proper nutrition will help cope with many of them.

With anemia, a pregnant woman does not have enough iron. It can be obtained from liver, meat, prunes, tomatoes, beets, apples, black currants. However, it is impossible to increase hemoglobin levels with diet alone; as a rule, the prescription of iron-containing medications is also required.

If your metabolism is impaired, you need to eat small portions, reducing the amount of butter and lard.

For hemorrhoids, it is important to balance the diet, enriching it with fruits, vegetables, bran, fermented milk products, and mineral water.

A glass of warm mineral or boiled water will help combat constipation. In the third trimester, you can also add raw vegetables, fruits or curdled milk.

In addition to proper nutrition, pregnant women need to follow other principles of a healthy lifestyle. Adequate sleep and walking are necessary. Strenuous sports activities should be limited. Avoid sports that may cause injury. In different trimesters you can practice walking, swimming and water aerobics, gymnastics, the Pilates method, fitball and yoga.

After the baby is born, you need to continue a high-quality and balanced diet. Be sure to include in your diet foods containing complete protein (dairy and fermented milk products), fats (vegetable oils, butter), vitamins (vegetables and fruits).

Natalya Kuznetsova - obstetrician-gynecologist, MD

Prepared by Maria Mosova

Next Thursday, pediatrician Natalya Kozyreva will talk about the secrets of successfully feeding a baby

Advice for expectant mothers on pregnancy: sex life

Useful tips during pregnancy are not limited to proper nutrition, giving up bad habits and rational distribution of workload. Every expectant mother is concerned about the issue of sexual relations with her husband or partner. You shouldn't worry about this ahead of time. Doctors impose only a few objective restrictions:

• bleeding from the vagina;
• active threat of miscarriage;
• presence of infectious diseases in the partner;
• multiple pregnancy;
• low-lying placenta;
• leakage of amniotic fluid.

In other cases, intimacy is not limited and does not cause harm. The only condition is the good general health of the expectant mother. Sexual relations must be stopped two to three weeks before the expected birth. The fact is that during sex the walls of the uterus contract, this can cause premature contractions. However, this also has its advantages. For example, during post-term pregnancy, sexual activity helps induce labor.

To completely dispel doubts, here are a few more arguments:

• intimate intimacy does not harm the baby, since it is reliably protected by the thick wall of the uterus;
• having sex with a condom prevents inflammation and is therefore preferable;
• intimate relationships during pregnancy are many times more enjoyable due to the active blood supply to the uterus and vagina.

Pregnant for the first time. Advice for an expectant mother

Every woman who is preparing to become a mother dreams of giving birth to a healthy baby. Naturally, she has questions. A girl expecting her first child is inexperienced. It’s good to have close people nearby who can support and advise when necessary. How can a woman who wants to get pregnant understand that it’s time to buy a test?

First signs of pregnancy

1. Increased fatigue. A woman gets tired more than usual, even if there are no changes in the rhythm of life. Goes to bed early, but still falls asleep at work;
2. Delay in the menstrual cycle;
3. In the first days of pregnancy, a girl may decide that she is sick. She may have a slight rise in temperature and a headache;
4. The breasts become sensitive;
5. Toxicosis or nausea in the morning. A woman begins to smell acutely, her taste preferences change, and her appetite decreases;
6. The desire to go to the toilet becomes more frequent as the fetus puts pressure on the bladder.

A girl who plans her pregnancy in advance, visits a doctor and is ready to become a mother. According to the laws of the Russian Federation, a woman has the right to receive free medical care for all nine months. To do this, it is not necessary to register with the antenatal clinic. However, in order for the baby to develop properly and be born healthy, the help of an experienced gynecologist or obstetrician will not hurt. When is the best time to do this, the expectant mother decides. Doctors recommend no later than 12-30 weeks. You shouldn't rush too much either.

What a girl who is preparing to become a mother can and cannot do. There are misconceptions that need to be dispelled about being pregnant. Some girls believe that if they are expecting a child, they must completely give up sports and physical activity. It is not right. It is better if the woman is in good physical shape, without fanaticism, of course. Girls who have previously been involved in sports should reduce the load. It is recommended to start training, if the pregnant woman has not done this before, after the first trimester. During this period, the expectant mother will benefit from walks that strengthen the heart, improve blood circulation, and saturate the lungs with oxygen. Swimming is also beneficial and will help you stay in shape. It is necessary to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. There are exercises specifically designed for pregnant women. In the second trimester, it is recommended to strengthen your legs and back. They will experience the greatest stress. In the third trimester, training should be kept to a minimum. This doesn't mean you need to spend whole days in bed. Unless, of course, there is a doctor's prescription. A woman who has been active throughout her pregnancy will have an easier time giving birth.

Many people wonder whether it is possible to dye their hair without harming the child’s health. Gynecologists say that if a pregnant woman does not feel sick from the smell, then yes. It will not cause any harm, but it is better to choose paint without ammonia. Naturally, during pregnancy you should not smoke, drink alcohol or energy drinks. You can drink coffee in moderation, up to three cups a day. Some girls are afraid to take antibiotics, but if the pregnant woman is not treated, it will cause even more harm to the child. You should not self-medicate, it is better to visit a doctor. He will prescribe the necessary medicine.

Another problem for an expectant mother is stretch marks on her stomach. In order to reduce the likelihood of their occurrence, you need to think about a cream. You should start applying it no later than the third month. Massaging with jets of water and rubbing with a terry towel also helps. It is also important what the expectant mother eats.

Nutrition during pregnancy. In order for the baby to be born healthy, it is not necessary to eat double portions. What is more important during this period is what, and not how much, mommy eats. You need to eat often, but in small, no more than 200 g portions. Food will be better absorbed, and the pregnant woman will feel light. It is necessary to drink more water, you should consume at least 1.5 liters, it is more beneficial in the first half of the day. This will help prevent swelling in your legs. Fresh fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs should also be included in the diet. We must not forget about meat, fish and dairy products. The consumption of sugar and baked goods should be limited. They can be replaced with nuts, raisins and fruits.

Pregnancy, planned or not, is an important stage in the life of every woman. In order for the child to feel safe before and after birth, parents must support and understand each other. If the expectant mother is not nervous during pregnancy, then the newborn baby will cry less. Good luck!

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Dance as you please

In order for pregnancy to proceed without complications, gynecologists recommend expectant mothers to move more. Try to walk for at least two hours a day, away from busy highways, and walk two to four kilometers during this time. If walking seems like a rather boring activity to you, enroll in a dance school, but definitely in a group for pregnant women, where all the complex steps are adapted for expectant mothers. During rhythmic movements to music, metabolic processes in a woman’s body intensify, venous blood flow in the vessels of the abdominal cavity improves, and pulmonary ventilation increases. This means that more oxygen and nutrients reach the fetus. Smooth movements of the hips normalize bowel function and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, thereby reducing the risk of ruptures during childbirth. In addition, thanks to dancing, endorphins are produced - “hormones of happiness”, which will give you a lot of positive emotions and charge you with a good mood. The main thing is that with your rhythmic movements to the music, the baby will develop the so-called kinesthetic sensitivity, which will later form the basis of his sense of balance.

If group classes don't appeal to you, dance at home. Choose music that reflects your mood at the moment and move as you please. This kind of improvisation is called spontaneous dance. It is very useful for pregnant women, as it allows you to take a fresh look at your body, experience a range of incredible emotions and feelings, and improve your mood, which will certainly be passed on to the baby. When improvising, remember that your dance should not be accompanied by twisting of the body, sharp turns and bends. Jumping and bouncing are also contraindicated.

If you suddenly feel dizzy, short of breath, or have a strong heartbeat, you should stop dancing immediately. And be extremely careful if you have previously had a premature birth, are expecting twins, or were in confinement.

TOP 5 important tips for a pregnant woman: second trimester

In the second trimester, when toxicosis is a thing of the past, the woman begins to feel much better. In order to spend the time before childbirth usefully, not to be overloaded, but at the same time not to forget about an active lifestyle and not to get bored, you need to listen to the advice of specialists.

Features of the second trimester of pregnancy

From 13 to 28 weeks, the pregnant woman’s health becomes an order of magnitude better than at the beginning of pregnancy. Vomiting, nausea, weakness, and drowsiness go away as the initial hormonal changes in the body are completed. Only towards the end of the second trimester may back pain and swelling occur due to increased blood flow and growth of the uterus. The moral state of the expectant mother is stabilized, her appetite returns to normal, you can already feel the baby’s movements, your confidence that everything will continue to be fine in the future is growing. Feeling great? Then check out the recommendations that will help you go through the second trimester with benefit and pleasure!

1. Forget about being sad and sitting at home

Pregnancy is absolutely not the time to spend it sitting at home all the time. It’s stupid to hide your growing belly from the eyes of others, because this is a natural state that you should be proud of! In addition to spending time in your favorite activities (master classes, cinema, theater, shopping, etc.), it is worth choosing courses for expectant mothers that talk about behavior in the third trimester, during childbirth, and caring for the baby. Such activities will prevent possible problems that most often occur out of ignorance, will help organize feeding, massage, bathing the child, and will provide a lot of useful information.

2. Don't ignore physical activity

Sports are vital for everyone, even pregnant women, but the selection of the type of activity and calculation of the permissible load should be done only under the supervision of a specialist. The expectant mother should not be overloaded, and with increased tone and the threat of miscarriage, physical activity should be more than moderate.

A good option for a pregnant woman would be to visit the pool, water aerobics, and yoga. Many people continue to work during this period, and water activities will help you relax perfectly in the evening. You can do a lot of exercises in water that are absolutely harmless to your child. The ideal option is to go to groups for pregnant women and study under the guidance of an experienced trainer. In addition, water is a baby’s natural environment. You swim - and the baby swims in your tummy.

Yoga is a great way to learn proper breathing during childbirth. Specialized yoga classes will help you choose a position during contractions, ease pushing, and generally perfectly prepare the uterus for childbirth. Reading through information in a magazine is a theory that can disappear from your head when pain occurs, but practical exercises will firmly “stick in your head” and will help make childbirth easier.

3. Eat right

The expression “eating for two” during pregnancy is not entirely correct. It is not the quantity of food that is important, but its quality, that is, the presence of the necessary beneficial components. So that the child does not lack nutrients, he must eat according to a dietary menu in which there is no place for junk food. You should eat more foods with iron, because in the second trimester there is a risk of developing anemia . These products include:

• Apples
• Leafy greens
• Fish
• Seafood
• Liver

We must not forget about ascorbic acid, which is abundant in the juices and pulp of citrus fruits and currants, because it is vitamin C that helps iron be better absorbed. Many vitamins and minerals are destroyed, so it is not recommended to abuse long-term heat treatment.

Read also: Top 5 sources of vitamin E (for pregnant women and for those planning a pregnancy)

4. Give your baby what he needs.

In addition to strengthening the mother’s body, it is important to eat other foods that help the child grow, develop, build bone and muscle mass, and develop teeth and the nervous system. For such purposes, the fetus needs a lot of calcium and magnesium, and precisely from the very beginning of the second trimester. Calcium is found in:

• Pisces
• Milk and sour milk
• almonds
• Sesame
• Soy

Magnesium is present in large quantities in:

• Oatmeal and rice
• Cabbage
• Wheat germ

5. Talk to your child

The child, according to recent research, perfectly hears many sounds and reacts to them. To develop the baby’s intellectual abilities already in the womb, it is important to listen to pleasant, relaxing music and talk in a soft, gentle voice. This will stimulate the fetal brain, and it will also help the mother herself improve her mood and get ready for a pleasant meeting in a few months!

Read also: Myths, horror stories and misconceptions about pregnancy and childbirth. Best selection: 63 myths

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Mind-blowing facts

• The modern record holder for the number of pregnancies and children born is an Englishwoman named Elizabeth Greenhill. Thanks to the great love of her husband, she gave birth 38 times and gave birth to 39 happy babies. True, there is information that back in the 18th century, this record was broken by almost one and a half times by one Russian peasant woman.
• Did you know that during the period from the fourth to the seventh week of conception, all embryos have noticeable gills and even a tail? True, they are soon reduced. Moreover, the heart of the embryo begins to beat only on the first 21 days of its life. This is the fifth obstetric week of pregnancy.

• Do you know what a false pregnancy is? This unusual concept refers to a state when all the signs of conceiving a child are present. Namely - toxicosis, increased abdominal growth and even a positive pregnancy test. But at the same time, there is no fact of pregnancy itself. However, do not worry (the fact of the baby’s development can be easily checked by ultrasound). These cases are very rare and occur when a woman fanatically wants to become a mother, but for certain reasons this does not happen. Scientists explain this condition by a special mental stress, which causes all such symptoms.

As you can see, interesting facts about pregnancy are indeed very interesting and varied. Do you want to share interesting information with your friends? Click on the social media buttons and leave your comments.

See you again on the site “Happy Twins”!