Ways To Deal With Morning Sickness!

Morning sickness is very common among pregnant women. Up to 80 percent of pregnant women report this symptom. It is believed to be caused due to the increased estrogen levels and increased level of human gonadotropin hormone and increased estrogen hormone. For some expecting mother, morning sickness is more than an irritation. Frequency in vomiting and nausea can cause dehydration and it may hinder the weight gain required for healthy fetus.

One option to cure morning sickness naturally is to try ginger. This option has been used for thousands of years to combat nausea. Like a natural herb, ginger soothes the feeling of discomfort, and can be consumed dried, fresh or from steam dilution of the oils present in the roots.

Another option is different from consuming anything, it is a process called Acupressure. In this particular process pressure is put in specific wrist points to relieve nausea. As reported in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine in 2002, when acupressure was tried on pregnant women, 60 percent of women who suffered from morning sickness had less nausea and vomiting after a period of two weeks.

Acupressure does not need any prescription and can be handled by expectant mother while she is at home, in her office or in other places in town.

During pregnancy, a women’s body is depleted of its regular supply of minerals and vitamins, to balance the minerals and nutrients that are required; the mother is required to take prenatal vitamins. Certain pills can make morning sickness worse. But there are also better prenatal vitamins available in the market which is easy on stomach. It will not only supply vitamins and minerals but also will make you feel active and better.

The joy of pregnancy should not be overshadowed with vomiting or nauseous feeling. Instead enjoy this phase of pregnancy and look forward new baby coming to your home.

Some Coffee Or Cola Is Fine During Pregnancy!

This news is some good news for expecting mothers to be, experts says that pregnant women can drink up to three cups of instant coffee or about four cans of cola each day.

But if there is any plan to go to any nearby coffee shop, then you should limit to just one espresso, latte or cappuccino per day. Food Standards Australia, New Zealand in its new guidelines states for the women who are planning to get pregnant or are pregnant.

The guidelines states “While having large amounts of caffeine does not appear to cause birth defects, drinking high amounts of caffeine may make it more difficult to become pregnant and may increase the risk of miscarriage or having a baby with low birth weight,"

Giving her opinion, an expectant mother said: "Given this new information I would love to go back to one a day or a week one occasionally," the Vaucluse mum said. "I think it is important to have guidelines as there is lots of misinformation on what you should and shouldn’t eat or drink."

The authority has also recommended that women who are planning to become pregnant take prenatal folic acid and iodine, reports The Daily Telegraph. "Health professionals recommend taking a supplement of at least 400 micrograms every day one month before and three months after conception to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida,”

Besides being able to take coffee and cola in moderation, a pregnant woman should also take care of her nutrition. Pregnancy nutrition should be taken seriously as the essential nutrients a baby needs to develop properly that are supplied by mother's diet. A mother who takes out time to learn about the nutrition during pregnancy and eats the proper foods ensures optimal nutrients to her child.

If the mother consumes too many empty calories then the baby's cell development can be compromised and the baby may have a low birth weight. Babies with low birth weight are usually prone to various health problems. During the first few months of a pregnancy period, metabolic rate of the mother increases and so does her circulation. This happens so that the baby receives the nutrients which are needed to develop the baby's bones, tissues and organs. Poor nutrition during this period can possibly lead to an unhealthy baby.

Intake Of Multivitamins Reduces The Chances Of Having An Underweight Baby!

By taking multivitamins pills during pregnancy you can dramatically reduce the chances of having an underweight baby, says anew study.

The Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition conducted a research on more than 400 women, found cases of SGA (small-for-gestational age) birth were less than half as common in mothers who had consumed “ "multiple micro-nutrient supplements" at the time of pregnancy, when compared with a placebo group, as reported by Scotsman.

The researches from antenatal clinics in Hackney, east London selected 402 healthy pregnant women. They were chosen as an example of a 'socially deprived, multi-ethnic population within a developed country.'

As a part of research, about 50 percent of women were told to take prenatal vitamins that contained 11 vitamins and 5 minerals. And the rest of them were given starch tablet as placebo. Neither the researchers nor the participants knew which group was given the active treatment.

About 39% of the original group compiled fully with the conditions of trial, with some number of women dropping out because of the lifestyle pressure, while there were others who complained of constipation and sickness.

Almost similar numbers from the treatment and placebo groups left the trail.

Dr. Louise Brough the lead author of the study said that although the group was small in numbers, still the study was "statistically significant and justifies a larger study"

In the results of the study showed “significant levels” of mineral and vitamin deficiency during early pregnancy, with 72 percent of the group deficient in vitamin D at the beginning of the study. In addition to that 13 percent were lacking in sufficient thiamin, which is necessary for healthy nerves and muscles. Those mothers who took prenatal supplements were found to have improved levels of vitamin D and iron by the third trimester.

During late pregnancy, 55 percent of women taking placebo were anemic, compared with 36 percent of those taking the supplement. As for birth weight of the baby, eight of 88 babies born to the mothers using the supplements were underweight and on the other side, 13 of the 61 women in the placebo group.

Most Pregnant Woman Suffer From Vitamin D Deficiency!

According to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Genecology, seven out of every ten pregnant women in America are not getting enough vitamin D. In a press release from the University of Colorado Denver School of medicine, some researchers noted the study found that the intake of prenatal vitamins can possibly increase the levels of vitamin D at the time of pregnancy, but for many women high doses may be needed.

National Institutes of Health supports this research done. A study team from University of Colorado School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Children's Hospital Boston examined nationally representative data from 5,173 non-pregnant and 928 pregnant women of childbearing age collected by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

The study has revealed that various pregnant women in U.S have insufficient levels of vitamin D. For those women, which prenatal vitamins do not supply enough vitamin D, higher doses are needed to raise the levels. Women who cover their skin for cultural or religious reasons, those who have darker skin, and those who are living in the farther northern region are at high risk of lower levels of vitamin D, according to the University.

“Prenatal vitamins do help raise vitamin D levels, but many women start taking them after becoming pregnant,” as said by Adit Ginde, MD, MPH, assistant professor at University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine and lead author of the study. “Although research is ongoing, I think it’s best for women to start a few months before becoming pregnant to maximize the likely health benefits.”

Ginde further added, “We already know vitamin D is important for bone health of the mother and infant, but we are just starting to scratch the surface about the many potential health benefits of vitamin D during pregnancy.”

Vitamin D deficiency in early years of life has been linked to increasing risk of childhood wheezing and respiratory infections. Lower levels in adults have been linked to cancer and cardiovascular.