Thursday, August 26, 2010

Advantages of Prenatal Yoga

A pregnant woman always has her hands full, with so many things to do to have a normal and healthy pregnancy. Exercising is one of the most important things that doctors suggest to do. Today, prenatal yoga is a popular form of exercise that provides various advantages for your body.

There are various advantages of prenatal yoga. Many expectant women have been practicing prenatal yoga today and they find that it benefits both their body and mind. It has also increased the trend of delivering through natural birth, as it has a positive impact on the muscles of the body. Yoga is the perfect prenatal exercise that helps connect a mother and a baby and helps a woman prepare towards the journey of birth and motherhood.

Some of the advantages that prenatal yoga can provide are:

  • Reduces lower back pain and sciatica.
  • Increase in overall strength, well being and flexibility.
  • Reduces fatigue, aches in cervical and thoracic regions of the spine.
  • Helps in proper digestion of food.
  • Reduces inflammation around the joints and swelling.
  • Improves emotional well being.
  • Improves mobility
  • Prepares for giving birth physically.

You will also learn about meditation and imagery, which can be helpful when you are in labor. During pregnancy and giving birth, you need the physical and mental strength to handle the pain and joy of giving birth, which yoga can offer. It is the best prenatal exercise, so take advantage of it.

How Prenatal Vitamins can Reduce Low Birth-weight Risks


Doctors advice expectant mothers to take pregnancy prenatal vitamins for her health as well as that of her baby's. Prenatal vitamins are specially made multivitamins that make up for any nutritional deficiency in an expecting mother's diet. While prenatal supplements consist of both vitamins as well as minerals, they are important because of their folic acid, calcium and iron content.

Pregnant women who take a good prenatal multivitamin during pregnancy are unknowingly reducing the risk of giving birth to babies with a low birth weight. With new studies and reports popping up every year with regards to prenatal pregnancy care, this analysis was based on the data collected from studies taken across the globe. Each one of these studies compared those babies whose mothers were regularly taking prenatal vitamins and multivitamins to those who only took prenatal iron-folic supplements or a placebo.

The average birth weight of those babies whose mothers regularly took the multivitamins was at least 2 ounces more than that of those babies whose mothers depended on the iron-folic supplementation. The results showed that mothers who regularly take prenatal multivitamins have at least 17 to 19 percent chances of reducing the risk of low birth weight in their babies, as compares to those mothers who do not take these supplements.

Low birth weight in babies and such complications are considered to be the number one cause of premature death in children aged 5 and below. So, for those of you who are soon expecting to give birth to a healthy baby that is not underweight, prenatal vitamins and multivitamins are the way to go!

Your diet guide to help fight Gestational Diabetes


Diabetes often casts its ugly spell on pregnant women. This particular form of diabetes that troubles many women during pregnancy is known as Gestational diabetes. The solution is simple, yet hard to follow – Eat Healthy.

The prenatal stage during any pregnancy is extremely critical for there are several factors that can drastically affect the babies neurological as well as physical development. Amongst one of these factors is – pregnancy nutrition.

Diabetes generally gets triggered when the body either does not make enough insulin or the insulin it makes does not work right. This in turn causes the blood sugar levels to sky rocket. Overall, pregnant women need to control these sugar levels in order to protect the health and development of the growing fetus.

Carbohydrates when digested become glucose. Carbohydrates are present in pastas, potatoes, vegetables, sugars, fruits, sweets and much much more. Pregnant women often find the task of controlling their carbohydrate intake very difficult. Its just that women, at this very stage in their lives, are plagued with a thousand different cravings.

The diet to be followed is simple, yet precise:

  • One serving of a carbohydrate food must contain only 12 to 15 grams of carbohydrate.
  • Eat 3 meals and 1 to 3 snacks each day.
  • Snack at bedtime to prevent your blood sugar levels dropping.
  • Avoid beverages and foods that contain added sugar, corn syrup, honey, molasses,or jams and jellies.
Healthy pregnancy nutrition is your best and only answer to gestational diabetes. Fighting diabetes is just a matter of will power and determination. You can fight the temptation and hence, curb diabetes.

Three Easy Steps for a Healthy and Comfortable Pregnancy


Pregnancy is an exciting time for any woman but it can also be quite overwhelming. With so many advice columns given, it is hard for you to decide which is best for you and your baby. If you are looking ahead for a smooth pregnancy, below are three useful steps which you can follow:

  1. Well Balanced Diet: All pregnant women must keep a watch on their diet. Nutrition during pregnancy is important. See to it that you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and drinking milk. There are also certain food items that you must avoid like raw meat, deli meat, smoked seafood, raw eggs and unpasteurized milk. Alcohol and smoking is a complete no no. You must also take prenatal vitamins everyday. Taking prenatal vitamins ensures you are receiving enough folic acid. Promise Prenatal Vitamins is an ideal prenatal supplement as it provides all essential vitamins and minerals required for each pregnancy stage.
  2. Exercise: Another important component for a healthy pregnancy is to exercise. A moderate exercise routine daily can help reduce pregnancy complications and make the birth process easier. You can also do prenatal yoga, which is beneficial for both body and mind. Yoga is an ideal way to get that great shape during pregnancy. However, consult with your health practitioner before you start off with any exercise.
  3. Be Smart: Don’t wait for others to fill your plate. Take the initiative to educate yourself about pregnancy, giving birth and caring for a newborn. There are so many well written books on pregnancy. You can sign up for classes as well.

The above mentioned steps are a sure shot way to having a safe and comfortable pregnancy!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

How to Look Great During Pregnancy

Are you the kind of woman who is very conscious about how you look and how your body looks? Are you the type who would get worried when you gain weight during pregnancy? You don't have to worry as you can look great now, even during your pregnancy.

A lot of women tend to go for the drab look, as they feel that looks is secondary when it comes to taking care of their health, as well as that of their unborn baby's. To maintain beauty standards during pregnancy is not a herculean task. Come to think of it, you will quite enjoy it. Listed below are some of the tips that you can take to look fabulous even with those baby bumps.

  • Simple looks good: Overdoing doesn't always work whether you are pregnant or not. Always keep it simple. Large and filled up patterns can overwhelm your curves. A solid color always works with little jewelry.

  • Emphasize the positive: Voluptuousness is perhaps the best part in pregnancy. Like it or not, trying something out of the ordinary can be fun. Take pride in showing off your bumps rather than hiding it.

  • Change your hairstyle: Time to try some new hairstyles to go with your new body shape. Change the hairstyle weekly or monthly if you can. It's fun and you will look great.

  • Nurture the skin and body: Women usually glow when they are pregnant. Of course, they are happy and the happiness shows on their face, but try to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Keep a well balanced diet to ensure your body is healthy and fit.


A Healthy nutrition pregnancy is not only good for the baby's growth but it can also bring out the best in you, in terms of beauty. If you want proper nutrition during pregnancy, include prenatal vitamins in your diet. A prenatal vitamin supplement is vital during pregnancy as it provides all the essential nutrients for the baby's health and of course for you.