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!