Growing Baby

“You are what you eat”, “Your body is a temple”, we have all heard the terms. Now however, research has shown that a pregnant woman’s diet plays an even bigger role in the health of her unborn child than previously thought. Researchers have shown that pregnant women who stuck to a traditional Mediterranean diet while expecting dramatically reduced their child’s risks for both childhood asthma and allergies.

Now, considering that over 300 million people globally are afflicted with asthma, a natural remedy for asthma in the form of a pre-natal eating plan will be great news for those who have a family history of asthma or allergies.

The Mediterranean Diet Pregnancy Study.

This 6 1/2 year study was run by researchers from the University of Crete. The study started in 1997 and involved 507 pregnant women from the Spanish island of Menorca. 468 of these children were followed until they turned 6 1/2. (Some children did not finish the study.) The mothers completed questionnaires concerning their diet while pregnant, and points were allocated for following aspects of the Mediterranean diet.

Various aspects of the mother’s eating patterns were examined including both quality and quantity of Mediterranean foods, along with the inclusion of Western style foods, sweets, and fats.

Once born, the children were examined yearly for both clinical symptoms of asthma, and airborne allergens.

The Mediterranean Diet Study Found:

• the expectant mothers who followed a quality Mediterranean food plan had infants with reduced incidences of allergies and childhood asthma.

• the children of the mothers who ate red meat more than 3 or 4 times a week had higher risks for both allergies and asthma.

• the expectant mothers who ate vegetables more than 8 times per week reduced their children’s risks for allergies.

• the diet of the pregnant mothers had a much more critical impact on the prevention of asthma and allergies for the children than the diets of the children themselves.

The Mediterranean Diet for Pregnancy was Determined by the Researchers as:

• fish at least 3 times a week.

• vegetables at least 8 times a week.

• legumes at a minimum of once a week.

• generous amounts of grains, nuts, and olive oil.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean Diet encompasses both a way of eating and a lifestyle embraced by many regions surrounding the Mediterranean Ocean. While these many regions consume Mediterranean cuisine that can vary considerably, due to locally available produce, the basic philosophy behind the Mediterranean Diet remains the same.

The Mediterranean Diet is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, along with olive oil, seeds, nuts, legumes, and unprocessed cereals. Chicken and fish (particularly oily fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerels) are eaten regularly, while red meat is eaten only infrequently. Dairy products such as yogurts, eggs, and feta cheese are eaten in moderate amounts.

In a traditional Mediterranean diet, red wine is allowed. However, as all pregnant women know, alcohol should not be consumed while expecting, unless with the explicit permission of your doctor or health care provider.

The Mediterranean Diet is high in fiber, naturally occurring antioxidants, and complex carbohydrates. The diet is also high in heart healthy monounsaturated fats, derived from the fish, nuts, and olive oil, but very low in the unhealthy saturated fats generally consumed in a Western diet, such as butter.

The researchers felt that the omegas found in the monounsaturated fats and the oily fish supplied the unborn baby with anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the high amounts of naturally occurring antioxidants contained in the Mediterranean foods was a vital factor in providing the natural remedy for asthma. Antioxidants are also responsible for maintaining tissues in good health.

Other Health Benefits of Mediterranean Diet.

Apart from providing protection for the unborn child from childhood asthma and allergies, the Mediterranean diet has many other proven health benefits. Some of these are:

1. reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes type 2
2. reduces the risk of some forms of cancer.
3. has been proven to help reduce body fat and body weight, with the consumption of virgin olive oil. Additionally, it has been proven that those following the Mediterranean Diet have less problems sticking to their weight loss program, and suffer less from rebound weight gain.
4. lowers the risk of osteoporosis for women.

Conclusion.

Expectant women have even more incentive to carefully monitor their pregnancy diet with this proven link between the Mediterranean diet, asthma, and kids. Following a high quality Mediterranean Diet has the potential to significantly reduce a child’s risk for both childhood asthma and allergies. If you’re interested to learn more you can see more articles, videos and download the Mediterranean diet guide here.

Pregnant Women contemplating

Eating a healthy diet during pregnancy and lactation is important for the wellbeing of you and your unborn child. But if you already have a good well balanced diet then you will only need to change a few things.

A woman’s body increases its need for minerals, water, vitamins and calories during pregnancy. Everyone is different and need different amounts of food to provide their dietary requirements during pregnancy.

Good Food Pregnancy Diet

Here is a guide that will give you an idea of the average amount you need from each food group while pregnant and during lactation. Only minimum servings are given and you must adjust the amounts to suit your required daily nutrient intake.

Milk and Foods High in Calcium.  3 to 5 serves (low fat):

•    cup of milk or yogurt
•    2 cups of cottage cheese
•    11/2  oz of cheese
•    cup of soy beverage
•    11/2 cups of ice cream
•    cup of calcium rich fruit juice

Protein Rich Foods.  2 to 3 serves (lean):

•    3 oz of cooked meat, fish or poultry
•    2 eggs
•    cups of cooked beans
•    4 tbsp of peanut butter

Breads and Grains. 6 or more serves (wholegrain):

•    1 slice of bread
•    1 small tortilla
•    1/2 a cup of cooked cereal
•    3/4 to 1 cup of cold cereal
•    1/2 cup of cooked pasta
•    1/3 cup of cooked rice
•    half an English muffin
•    half a small bagel

Fruit and Vegetables. 5 or more serves (fresh):

•    cup of raw fruit or vegetables
•    1/2 cup of cooked vegetables
•    medium piece of fresh fruit
•    cup of green salad
•    1/4 cup of dried fruit
•    1/2 cup of fruit juice

Fats and Oils. 2 to 3 serves. (unsaturated):

•    1/8 of an avocado
•    1 tsp of vegetable oil (olive or canola)
•    1 tsp of mayonnaise
•    6 almonds
•    20 peanuts
•    1 tbsp sunflower seeds

Keep your Fluid Intake Up

Pregnancy picture with baby shoes in foreground

Keep yourself well hydrated during pregnancy; drink plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses a day. If it is hot you should drink even more water. Try to avoid drinking too much soft drink and fruit juices as they are high in sugar.

Add Fiber to your Diet

Eat foods that are rich in fiber to prevent constipation during pregnancy. Whole grains, fruits, beans and vegetables should be eaten a few times daily to give your body enough fiber.

Adding Vitamins and Minerals

During pregnancy your body needs a higher level of vitamins and minerals to help your baby grow. Be careful of the amount of vitamins and minerals you take as some may be harmful to your baby. Always get advice from your doctor before taking supplements. For example, too much Vitamin A can cause birth defects.

If you take good care of your diet during pregnancy, you are giving your child a great start in life. Please leave some comments below especially if you would like to read more information about pregnancy health specifically.

Yummy Variety of Fruit

Many vegetarian women are uncertain of their extra dietary requirements once they become pregnant. Pregnant vegetarians do need to carefully monitor their dietary intake to ensure they are consuming enough of the vital nutrients required for a healthy pregnancy. However, a vegetarian pregnancy diet need not leave you or your baby lacking if you ensure some of the following.

Requirements for a healthy vegetarian diet during pregnancy:

• Protein. Most pregnant vegetarian women who already have a well balanced diet will need to eat an extra 10 grams of protein daily throughout the pregnancy. This will take your daily protein consumption to approximately 60 to 70 grams. To reach 70 grams of protein, pregnant vegetarian women should be drinking 3 cups soy milk or calcium enriched milk, and eating 1 cup of yogurt, 1 cup of tofu, and 4 cups cooked brown rice. As a rough guide, 10 grams of protein can be found in any one of the following: 3 ounces tempeh, 3 1/2 ounces of tofu, or 2 cups of milk.

Other great sources of protein are legumes, seeds, cheeses, eggs, dairy including cottage cheese and yogurt, and nuts. Pregnant vegetarian women should be eating 4 serves daily. Approximately 6 servings of whole cereals and pulses daily are recommended for a pregnant vegetarian.

Other essentials in a healthy pregnancy diet:

• Calcium is an essential requirement for the baby’s growing skeleton. It is important to note that if you don’t consume enough calcium for the developing baby that the calcium will be leeched from your own bones as a substitute, leaving you at a very high risk of osteoporosis. All pregnant women need approximately 4 serves of calcium rich foods daily. Calcium can be found in tofu, cheese, cottage cheese, cow’s milk, yogurt, almonds, dried fruit, green vegetables, especially spinach, broccoli, and kale, watercress, sesame seeds and tahini, and pulses and whole grain cereals. Another essential is Vitamin D which is needed by the body to properly absorb the calcium. Look for products that have Vitamin D added, such as milk, butter, and margarine. Vitamin D can also be provided by about 15 minutes of sunlight.

• Iron. Iron is essential in every pregnant woman’s diet, as it is common to become anemic when pregnant. There are many plant sources that are rich in iron, these are green vegetables, dried fruits, and wholegrain pulses and cereals. Since iron in its plant form is harder for the body to metabolize, it can be useful to consume Vitamin C at he same time as the iron rich foods. For example, a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice will help breakdown the iron in that spinach. If you are concerned about your iron levels have your doctor or midwife check with a simple blood test. If your doctor feels that iron supplements are necessary he or she will advise you.

• Vitamin B12. This vitamin is crucial for the normal development of the baby’s cells and tissues. Vitamin B12 can be found in yeast products, dairy, and eggs. Some soy products and cereals have been enriched with Vitamin B12 and these can make great selections.

• Fluids. Most pregnant women find that they become more thirsty. Producing the extra blood for the baby as well as the amniotic fluid increases your fluid requirements. Drinking plenty of water, juices, and herbal teas will keep you hydrated and minimize the chances of constipation, which can be a problem for some women when pregnant.

Pregnant Mom and Dad

Pregnancy diet recommendations for a vegetarian.

• Fruits and vegetables, including dried fruits. 4-5 servings daily will provide Vitamins C and A, calcium, iron and folate.

• Cereals and grains such as rice, oats, wheat, rye and barley. 4 serves per day for fiber, protein, energy, Vitamin B family, calcium, zinc and iron.

• Dairy and soy products such as milk, cheese, tofu and yogurt. 3-4 serves daily for calcium, protein and Vitamin B12.

• Vegetable fats and oils are needed to provide essential fatty acids. 2 small serves are all that is required.

• Nuts and seeds such as sesame, peanuts, almonds etc provide calcium, fat, protein and energy. One to 2 small servings.

• Pulses such as chick peas, beans, and lentils. One to two serves provides fat, energy, protein and calcium.

• Yeast extract in the form of Vitamin B12 enriched spreads. One serving daily.

Conclusion

A vegetarian diet during pregnancy needs to be well balanced and planned to ensure enough vital nutrients are being consumed. If you are in any doubt about your pregnancy diet we recommend seeing a nutritionist or consulting your medical practitioner.

Your first stop in getting advice for how to have a healthy pregnancy should of course be your doctor. Don’t just rely on a web article to do it all, although we try our best. Note that we said ‘doctor’ here – not your mom or your co-workers. There are a lot of bizarre beliefs that people have about eating during pregnancy, and listening to a bunch of conflicting rumors out there will just confuse you.

A healthy pregnancy diet will basically consist of hearty, nourishing food and stay away from junk foods. Ideally, your healthy pregnancy diet will make allowances for these needs:

* About 1200-1500 mg calcium per day. Remember that calcium builds bones, and if your body lacks this it might draw calcium from your own system, which means your own bones and will increase the risk of osteoporosis. Either eat and drink lots of dairy products or have your doctor supply calcium supplements.

* About 60 grams of protein per day. This isn’t just for the baby’s body, but for the placenta, uterus, and breast tissue as well. It will also help your body make more blood and more amniotic fluid.

* About 60 mgs of iron per day. Too little iron will produce an anemic condition that leads to a host of other problems. In addition to iron-rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables, your doctor might prescribe an iron supplement as well.

* Vitamins. Generally your intake of vitamins will go up about 50% during pregnancy. This is especially true of the B vitamins. Here again, your doctor might prescribe a supplement.

Any healthy diet to follow during pregnancy is going to feature these nutritional elements. The myth is that women get irrational cravings during pregnancy. Actually, it’s that your body is going to have more appetite than normal, so of course you’ll be hungry more often and smelling a whiff of food passing by will be enough to make you hungry. Listening to your body cravings will help you determine if there’s something you’re not getting enough of. A sudden desire for fried chicken, for instance, might be an indicator that you’re not getting enough protein.

During your pregnancy, healthy eating, diet, exercise, and environment will doubtless be on your mind a lot. Of course, staying away from tobacco, alcohol, too much sugar or starch, or empty calories is a given. While you will of course be concerned about all of the weight you’re putting on, you should be focusing on the baby’s health and not how you’ll slim down afterwards. If you breastfeed after giving birth, your body will naturally burn those fat stores in making milk anyway. Also, your doctor will most likely recommend moderate exercise during this time.

Some of the nutritional requirements will be directed at not only your baby’s body, but the development of his or her brain as well. Elements and nutrients like iodine, folate, and taurine help with the formation of the brain. It may seem that these elements are particularly picky, but you have to remember that the human brain is the most complex and sophisticated three pounds of meat out of all of nature. It is naturally high maintenance, and it is only possible to form that due to the uniquely rich, varied, and plentiful diet we are able to provide for ourselves.

It is advised that you don’t skimp on maintenance of your body during pregnancy. Over seventy percent of the human body’s cells form during pregnancy, so this is a crucial time to watch what you’re doing. Here’s a video I’ve included to get you started with a healthy recipe during pregnancy;

Kitty provides more information from her down-loadable guide about a healthy pregnancy.

Medical practitioners use Shepherd’s Purse to prevent hemorrhage in patients by constricting blood vessels and assist the body’s ability to coagulate blood. The natural juices assist in stopping nosebleeds when swabbed on cotton and placed inside the nose. Shepherd’s Purse boosts levels of Vitamin C in the body. Typical use allows the body to cycle out more fluids during menstruation and urination. Tincture from fresh plantation used during pregnancy helps to stop bleeding and assists in producing contractions. The plant stands readily available in soluble form by cutting the plant and steeping it in hot water.

Shepherd’s Purse Common Uses:

Eating the leaves provides elevated levels of calcium in the body.

10-20 drops of tincture helps control bleeding after a miscarriage.

15-20 drops one or two times a day to prevent prenatal blood clotting.

20-40 drops or tincture helps control bleeding during the delivery of placenta and thereafter.

20 drops mixed with equal amounts of Blue Cohosh helps decrease the size of the uterus to normal after 4-6 weeks of regular contraction.

Shepherd’s Purse and Blue Cohosh assists in postpartum along side, regularly scheduled breastfeeding, proper nutrition and sufficient bed rest.

3 drops of tincture given to a newborn provides prophylactic treatment of Vitamin K.

Precautions Involving Common Use:

Shepherd’s Purse will lose its potency if picked and allowed to dry before making tincture.

Shepherd’s Purse can cause coagulation of the blood and improperly used for postpartum treatment, can cause the uterus to clamp down, continue contracting and it may persist.

During pregnancy it is vital to increase your intake of efa (essential fatty acids). Essential fatty acids are vital for the proper development of the fetus as well as the physical and mental wellbeing of the mother. As a result it is important for expectant mothers to supplement their diet with EFAs. This essential fatty acid supplement should include both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for best results.

Firstly, omega 3, and in particular DHA and EPA are essential for proper development of the brain in an unborn child as well as mental wellbeing and development after birth. The brain is composed of about 60% fat; this fat is taken from these essential fatty acids. Studies have also shown that children with higher levels of efa’s have higher IQ’s than those with lower levels and are more likely to experience learning difficulties. By supplementing your diet with essential fatty acids you are therefore ensuring that your baby is not disadvantaged mentally.

DHA also plays a part in the development of the retina and omega 3 essential fatty acid deficiency leads to visual problems. If you want your baby to have good eyesight then you should ensure that you get enough essential fatty acids.

Artemis P Simopoulos, MD and Jo Robinson say in their book, ‘The Omega Diet’, “Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for the normal development of the unborn baby’s brain, especially during the final three months of gestation when the size of its brain increases threefold. If the mother fails to get enough of these nutrients in her diet, the fetus will pirate what she has stored in her tissues – including her brain. Lab tests show that new mothers have half the normal blood levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Women who breast-feed their babies have even lower levels of DHA because they are continuing to supply the baby’s needs for omega-3 fatty acids. If a woman does not replenish her store of these essential elements following the birth of a child, she will have lower and lower levels with each additional child. Some people suggest this is why firstborn children score higher on intelligence tests. Until now, people have attributed the well-documented mental superiority of firstborn children to the fact they spend more one-on-one time with a parent. It is now being suggested that their greater cognitive abilities may also be due to a more generous supply of maternal DHA.”

Pregnant mothers should therefore increase their intake of foods rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids, and in particular EPA and DHA, such as are found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, walnuts, flax seeds, omega 3 eggs, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Besides increasing her intake of these foods the pregnant mother would do well to take a fish oil supplement to further increase the amount of DHA and EPA that is available both to her and to the fetus.

EFA (essential fatty acids) are essential to the proper development of the fetus and in particular the development of the fetal brain and retina. The fetus will draw its supply of DHA and other omega 3 fatty acids from its mother and so the mother’s supply will decrease if she does not replenish it by eating foods high in omega 3 fatty acids as well as taking fish oil supplements. If you want to give your child the best chance at life then be sure to increase your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids for optimal development of your baby’s brain and vision.

Learn more about flax seed oil benefits women on our site. You’ll also find other information such as vitamin b12 for mental health and deficiency in omega 3. OmegaFlaxSeedOil.com is a comprehensive resource to help individuals gain the benefits of essential nutrition such as flax seed oil, omega 3 and vitamin B12.

Kitty writes and publishes regularly on pregnancy, babies and pregnancy weight gain. The normal development and health of your baby depends on it. There’s much, much more pregnancy information here.

Have you had any weird cravings? You would be hard pressed to find a mother who has not faced this question at least once during her pregnancy, during mine, answering this question nearly became my moral downfall.

It all started innocently enough. I would tell someone that I was pregnant and eventually they would pose the impossible question, Have you had any weird cravings? I would look into the eager face before me and pause for just a second or two before answering with regret, well, not really. They would immediately lose interest and the conversation would drip to an end, like the faucet in my kitchen that manages to force out a few last drops after you’ve turned it off.

Then one day, it happened. I had just disappointed yet another hopeful inquisitor when instead of the conversation ending he replied, My mom ate nothing but hot dogs with sour cream when she was pregnant with me. I flinched in disgust and his face lit up.  know. Gross, right?

That night, I delighted in telling the story to my husband and watching his nose wrinkle with revulsion. I wondered aloud how many hot dogs with sour cream the man’s mother had actually consumed. We decided that even one was too many and it was then that it hit me. What if she had never in her life consumed a hot dog slathered in sour cream? What if she had come up with that dog to satisfy her eager son’s curiosity and he had loved it so much that he continued to tell the story even today, as a grown man? The reality didn’t matter, I realized. The important thing was that the claim continued to thrill and revolt people. I made a vow that from that moment on no one would walk away disappointed after asking about my pregnancy cravings.

When the question came from an acquaintance in my drawing class about a week later I started small, “Well…I have had a thing for scrambled eggs with apples and ketchup.The woman’s eyes widened, Oh that is sooo weird, she exclaimed. l’ll have to tell my sister about that one. She didn’t have any nasty cravings during her pregnancy, she said accusingly. I just smiled.

As the weeks went on and my pregnancy became more obvious the question became more frequent and my reported cravings more elaborate. Walking through the grocery store I would imagine food combinations that would shock and delight, Froot Loops with chocolate milk? Cheddar cheese topped with mandarin oranges? Marinated cabbage with apple sauce? I would mull them over until I could report on them with complete confidence. I soon found that the grosser the combination, the more gratifying the response. A craving for marshmallows was fine, a craving for marshmallows with cream cheese was better, a craving for marshmallows nuked in the microwave and covered in cream cheese and sweet pickles made them hoot with disgusted pleasure.

Everything was going along swimmingly until one night my husband and I had dinner with some friends of ours. The familiar series of pregnancy questions began and we took turns providing answers. When the question of cravings came up all faces turned to me expectantly; Aahh the spotlight! My adoring public! Those eager, inquisitive faces! I would give them what they wanted. I launched into my best craving description yet. I lovingly described popcorn covered in Worcestershire and sugar, pigs in a blanket dipped in sweet and sour sauce and bean burritos with extra jalapeos, guacamole and mustard. I couldn’t seem to stop, one after another the fictitious cravings just came pouring out of me and each appreciative shudder, tremble and expression of repulsion just fueled my fire. Until I saw the look on my husband’s face, that is. His barely masked horror at my litany of lies stopped me cold. I mumbled something about how weird it all was and went back to eating my (very tame) lasagna.

On the way home my husband cleared his throat and I felt like a child again, waiting for a reprimand. “Have you ever even had a pig in a blanket he asked simply. I tried a little laugh, Um, not exactly. They look pretty gross though. He looked over at me, eyebrows raised, waiting for an explanation. I carefully explained how much I hated to disappoint people and how easy it was to give them what they wanted. I told him how the whole thing had started with the hot dogs and sour cream and how I felt like a failure for not having any weird cravings so I just made a few up I know it was wrong. I looked down at my hands and heard my husband release a quiet sigh. Yeah, I know what you mean, he said. I looked at him in surprise. He explained that he had also been getting questions about my cravings and that he too had felt a little lame. He paused, You could have filled me in, you know. He looked over with a little twinkle in his eye, I mean those were some really gross combinations you came up with. I thought that the veggie burger with soy sauce and peanut butter was particularly inspired.I chuckled a bit. Yeah, that was a pretty good one. Alan nodded appreciatively. Yeah, and when you told them that some days you eat nothing but cheese all day long.

Actually, that one’s true.

You’re kidding! He exclaimed. That’s pretty gross.

It is? I asked uncertainly.

Well, yeah. I mean, doesn’t your system get kind of clogged up?

Not that I’ve noticed, I replied, trying to remember.

Is it one kind of cheese all day or different kinds?

Oh, all different kinds, I said, beginning to warm up and fighting the urge to embellish. I might have Swiss cheese with mustard on it for breakfast and then later have cheddar or mozzarella as a snack. Sometimes I’ll have the cheddar with apple sauce and cinnamon. For lunch I’ll sometimes go back to Swiss or just have Kraft singles if we have them. Then if you’re not going to be home for dinner I like to have a wedge of pasteurized brie. Alan shook his head.

Honey, that’s sick.

The next day I heard Alan on the phone with a friend of his from college chatting about our child-to-be when I heard him pause and then exclaim with excitement Oh yeah, man, listen to this! I just found out that there are some days when she eats nothing but cheese all day long!
I shook my head with a smile and went back to eating my string cheese.

Sasha is the owner and founder of Sasha B. Designs, http://www.SashaBDesigns.com, an online baby boutique that specializes in beautiful, handmade nursing covers for breastfeeding moms. Our nursing covers make ideal baby shower gifts and purchase includes free gift wrapping with a matching gift card. Shop online at http://www.sashabdesigns.com/index.php?cat=1

Sasha also writes an online column, Thoughts on Motherhood, that appears monthly on her website, http://www.sashabdesigns.com/info.php?page=8.

According to the March of Dimes, common skin conditions plaguing a woman during her nine months of gestation range from improved or worsened acne: flare-ups in existing eczema and psoriasis; bluish discoloration or blotchy skin in the legs; bhloasma – the “mask of pregnancy” or melasma – “glowing” skin from increased blood flow and skin oils; itchiness and dry skin; stretch marks; dark line on the belly; changes in fingernail or toenail growth and appearance; puffiness; rashes, red or itchy palms from increases in the hormone estrogen; skin tags, spider veins; and darkening skin.

Though most of these conditions will usually disappear after delivery, these tips may help reduce or treat common skin problems that occur during pregnancy and help the mother-to-be feel more comfortable:

- Skin cleansing. Good skin cleansing is the best way to avoid or treat acne breakouts. Wash your face with a mild cleanser two or three times a day. Don’t wash too often or the skin may become dry, aggravating the problem. A shielding lotion can minimize the loss of moisture and it won’t wash off.
IMPORTANT: Do not take any acne medications or over-the-counter treatments without checking with your health care provider. Some of these are not safe for pregnant women to use.

- Sun protection. Your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy. Good sun protection is very important at this time. Sunlight can darken pigment changes in your skin and increase your chances of getting “mask of pregnancy.” Use a good sun block, cover up, and wear a hat when outside. Limit the time you spend outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

- Make-up. Cover-up and foundation can help hide dark streaks or spots on the skin. Avoid make-ups that contain mercury. Look at the label to see if the make-up contains mercury.

- Stretch marks. You won’t be able to avoid stretch marks entirely. It will help if you gain only the recommended amount of weight (usually 25 to 35 pounds), and do so slowly. Using a quality shielding lotion may help the skin retain moisture and stay supple, minimizing the effects. Stretch marks usually fade and become less noticeable after delivery.

- Moisturizers. Moisturize your belly and your breasts to reduce itchiness and dry skin. To avoid skin irritation, use an unscented high-quality shielding lotion that won’t wash off and can protect against environmental irritants and air pollution. Use a mild soap when washing. Avoid hot showers or baths. They can dry out the skin.

- Excessive heat. Heat can intensify itchiness and rashes. When you go out in warm weather, wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing.

Always talk to your health care provider before using any medicated creams or ointments to treat skin problems, as some may be harmful. Ask your doctor if shielding lotions using high-quality all-natural ingredients are right for you in managing your pregnancy-related skin conditions.

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for Gloves In A Bottle, Inc. For more information, visit www.glovesinabottle.com.
Published here by Kitty Baker who writes regularly on pregnancy, babies and pregnancy weight gain. The normal development and health of your baby depends on it. There’s much, much more pregnancy information here.

The elation a new mom feels soon after giving birth to a beautiful baby eventually and inevitably gives way to the despair she might feel when she looks in the mirror. Pregnancy, for many women, is a period of joy and delight; however, the downside can be experiencing excess body weight after birth. Often, a new mom is discouraged because she is not back in her pre-pregnancy clothes the day she brings her new baby home from the hospital. Unfortunately, this is just not realistic.

The average weight gain for a woman during her pregnancy is between 25-35 pounds. During and immediately following the birth, a new mom can expect to shed about 13 of those pounds. That leaves anywhere from 12-22 pounds of extra weight to lose. This can be a source of great frustration for her.

Weight loss after pregnancy is possible, but it requires some realism, patience, and a lot of work. It is reasonable to assume that it may take a new mom about 8 months to a year to get back into fighting form. This is losing a sensible 1-2 pounds per week. It would be wise to not lose any more weight than that, because it could be unhealthy. Losing the baby weight can take longer, because every body is different, so don’t get discouraged if you are losing weight at a slower rate than other new moms you know.

Here are a few tips for getting rid of the excess weight after pregnancy:

Don’t diet for the first three months postpartum. Start out by just eating a well-balanced diet and moving your body. Once your menstrual cycle normalizes, you can follow a sensible weight-loss program if you feel that you need to.

Start out slow with exercise. If you didn’t exercise during your pregnancy, don’t jump into a vigorous routine right away. Your body is still healing, and it needs time to adjust to the new movements. Start by taking walks around the block with your baby. Walking is an excellent (and low-impact) way to get your body primed for more vigorous exercise at a later date when your body can handle it.

Eat several small, healthy meals a day. This keeps your energy up, especially if you are breastfeeding, as well as keeps your metabolism primed.

Store healthy and fresh foods in your kitchen. Try to avoid highly processed and fatty foods. In other words, back away from the chips and dips! Eating plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products will not only help you lose weight, but it will also stick with you longer.

Be patient. Though it might seem like other new moms are able to lose their postpartum weight right away, keep in mind that every woman’s body is different. If you eat right and exercise regularly, the weight will come off!

Most importantly, seek advice from your doctor before changing your diet or starting any new exercise program!

The postpartum period for a new mom is rough on many levels. You are exhausted, excited, and exasperated. Concentrate on your new baby, but don’t neglect yourself. Weight loss after pregnancy is possible if you eat healthy foods, get sufficient exercise, and take a few moments for yourself when you can. Don’t give up hope, you can do it!

Wayne Mcgregor has a degree in nutrition and dietetics, a diploma in fitness training, and a wealth of experience in helping people to lose weight and build muscle. His website provides hundreds of free weight loss articles, sample diets, tools and charts of calorie content of different foods. http://www.weightlossforall.com/eating-during-pregnancy-x.htm

Kitty writes regularly on pregnancy, babies and pregnancy weight gain. The normal development and health of your baby depends on it. There’s much, much more pregnancy information here.