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4 Tips for a Happy and Comfortable Pregnancy
Rapid changes are taking place in a woman’s body during pregnancy. Skin and muscles are stretched, hormones have increased, organs and bones are shifting, etc. Just because all of this is happening at once doesn’t mean she must suffer. Though our bodies don’t speak to us using language, there are other clues to indicate to us when something is off. Pain and discomfort demonstrate which part of the body is in need of attention. Supporting the body’s tissues can minimize or eliminate discomfort, even during this rapid change. Strength training is my number one recommendation to women who are either trying to conceive or who are already pregnant. Strong muscles…
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Should You Limit Carbs While Pregnant?
Low carbohydrate diets seem to be the talk of the town. Are they right for everyone? Are they a good idea while pregnant? Carbohydrates have a bad reputation and perhaps rightfully so when generally referring to the type of carbohydrates consumed in the SAD (Standard American Diet). It is easy to label all carbs as bad and write them off but perhaps we should understand the role they play in the body, specifically while pregnant. What exactly is a carbohydrate? Simply put, carbs are a source of energy used by the body and can either be simple or complex. The quality of carbs matters and should be considered when deciding…
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Why You Should Eat Organic Foods While Pregnant
Pregnancy is such a unique time in a woman’s life. Her body is busy building tissues of her developing fetus so the foods she eats are, in part, fueling her baby’s growth and development. This fact makes the quality of the mother’s diet very important. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Unfortunately, many farmers use harmful chemicals to treat their crops in order to control weeds or deter other pests from destroying their harvest. The CDC states, “Some pesticides have been linked in human studies with problems including miscarriages, birth defects, and learning or developmental disabilities in children. Some pesticides also may pass into breast milk.”…
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Why You Should Strength Train During Second Pregnancy
Strength training is one of the most useful forms of exercise for humans, but especially for pregnant women. Though it may have been traditionally thought of for men, research now shows us how beneficial it is for everyone. On average, women are waiting longer now to conceive, making strength training even more helpful during pregnancy and in recovery. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body must adjust to the physical, hormonal, and emotional changes taking place. The uterus will expand, abdominal muscles stretch, ribs can push out, extra pressure is on the pelvic floor, among many other changes. Strength training can improve the strength and length of muscles and tissue…
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Importance Of The Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a hot topic for pregnant women and women who have recently delivered but the fact is all women should understand and care about their pelvic floor. A dysfunctional pelvic floor can cause pain, discomfort, and embarrassment and can be either prevented or addressed and cured. In the United States alone, nearly 4 million babies are born each year. Across the world, the majority of women will have children at some point in their lives. Pelvic floor dysfunction is so common that many women are left thinking that nothing can be done about it so they suffer in silence, sometimes even many years after the birth of their…
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Challenges Of The Postnatal Woman
The majority of women will end up giving birth at some point in their life. Because pregnancy and delivery are so common, they aren’t often thought of as an extraordinary experience or accomplishment. Birthing a baby is a major physical event. With this awesome experience comes challenges and changes and the extent of these are directly impacted by the woman’s lifestyle choices and self-care routine. After delivery, there is a period of recovery that should include rest and strengthening of stretched and damaged muscles and connective tissue. If a new mom neglects caring for her body (although easily argued that she can’t or doesn’t have time), this can create muscle imbalances,…
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3 Ways Overweight Women Can Positively Shape Their Child During Pregnancy
Many of us struggle with staying the course when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. This could be because you believe that a diet and exercise are a punishment or because you soothe with food when life throws fireball triggers at you. No matter what you grew up thinking and believing, could you now consider that your pregnancy is an opportunity for you to question the beliefs you have and subsequently bring your baby into a completely different and healthy way of existing? As women, we have all been conditioned to believe certain things about our bodies and how we should act and look by our families, friends, and…
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Do Only Humans Suffer In Childbirth?
I recently saw a shark on television birthing her pups with ease. Not more than a minute after she delivered did she swim away, appearing not to be in any pain, nor slightly disfigured. I thought, Great Scott! What if it were that easy for humans?! I wondered if all animals seemingly pooped out their young and moved on with their day as if it was all effortless. I began researching this topic and it turns out that birth isn’t always a walk in the park for every animal. Hyenas for instance, give birth through an extended clitoris (a pseudopenis). OUCH! If a baby porcupine is facing in the wrong direction in…
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How Important Is Exercise During Pregnancy?
For many who grew up with a mostly sedentary lifestyle, the motivation to get active is often lacking and feels like a monumental task. The older we get, the more conditioned we become to continue doing what we have always done, which can make change hard. Fortunately, pregnancy is an amazing time to begin a new health and fitness routine. Many new moms are highly motivated to do what they can to positively shape their baby’s health and most will keep up the practice after they deliver, which can change the health of their entire family unit. In her book titled, The First 20 Minutes, Gretchen Reynolds said, “A baby’s time…
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3 Ways Pregnant Women Can Improve Birth Outcomes
The decision to become a parent is a big one. Whether you are contemplating parenthood or are already pregnant, you know the responsibility is enormous and want to take all appropriate steps to ensure your child is happy and healthy. The most rapid growth rate period in the human life cycle occurs during gestation and the lifestyle of the mother has an enormous impact on the baby. One way moms influence the health of their baby is through nutrition. It’s easy to get confused about what you should or shouldn’t eat, especially during pregnancy. You may decide to consult with a registered dietician or nutritionist who specializes in prenatal nutrition.…
