If you think being pregnant means you have license to camp out on the couch with your favorite television shows and a stockpile of pickles and ice cream, think again. Though rest and relaxation are important parts of a healthy pregnancy, regular aerobic exercise is equally important, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Having a baby is a big adventure, and the right pregnancy books can help you prepare for it in the same way that the right travel books can help you prepare for a big trip. And just like travel books, the best first-time pregnancy books give you the information you need in a format that most appeals to you.
Activities that are often part of your normal routine -- eating sushi, coloring your hair or riding your bike -- may be potentially dangerous when you're pregnant. In fact, so many things are potential risks during pregnancy that it's easy to become paranoid about safe activities like getting your teeth cleaned.
If you're pregnant with triplets, you're one in somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 pregnant women, estimates KidsHealth.org, an online health and parenting resource maintained by the Nemours Foundation. That fact puts your pregnancy into a special category where the regular guidelines may not always apply. Doctor visits, weight gain and even your pregnancy diet may be different from women who are pregnant with one baby.
Pregnancy brings plenty of changes to a woman's life, from the welcome anticipation of becoming a mother to the sometimes not-so-welcome world of pregnancy aches, pains and irritations, like weight gain, stretch marks and unexpected acne. Jojoba oil is a natural product that many alternative-medicine product manufacturers claim can alleviate or even prevent some of these problems. While jojoba oil isn't linked to any known risks during pregnancy, health professionals contend that using the oil isn't as effective as many people believe. Speak to your obstetrician first before using jojoba oil for any reason while you are pregnant.
Once you know you're pregnant, you'll probably spend plenty of time preparing for your new baby by shopping for supplies, stocking up on baby gear and preparing your nursery. But one of the best things you can do for your developing baby is to make sure you schedule regular doctor visits while you're pregnant so that you get the prenatal care you and your baby need. According to the March of Dimes, you can see an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) for prenatal care, a family practice doctor, a certified-nurse midwife or other health professional.
You might expect some discomfort during pregnancy, but stomach cramps can cause you to worry. Cramping may simply be a sign that you ate something that didn't agree with you, but it can also signal more serious problems. Learn the potential warning signs to determine whether you should be worried by your cramps.
A single pregnant woman can have a difficult time of it financially. Aside from housing expenses and money for food, you will have additional medical expenses for prenatal care. Pregnancy is a physically and emotionally stressful time for any woman. If you have the added worry of not being able to manage financially, it can be an even more stressful period in your life. Fortunately, there are free and low-cost programs available for pregnant women who are eligible to receive help.
Pregnancy causes various changes in the way you look and feel. While some physical discomforts are simply a normal component of a healthy pregnancy, others may signal the presence of a problem. Chills during pregnancy can be a symptom of a condition that requires medical care. Notify your doctor if you experience chills or other unusual symptoms during your pregnancy.
Some expectant mothers who give up coffee during their pregnancies instead turn to herbal teas. At first glance, ginseng tea may seem like a good choice. American and Asian ginseng are both known to have many health benefits. Unfortunately, the risks of ginseng tea far outweigh the benefits for pregnant women.
