Archive for August 27th, 2009

PostHeaderIcon Is it Safe to Eat Spicy Food during Pregnancy?

Welcome back!

Many women have heard that eating spicy food during pregnancy can cause them to go into labor.  Since there has been no conclusive research on this matter, each woman will need to look at the facts, and also decide what her own tolerances are. Therefore, many pregnant women wonder if it is all right to consume spicy food.

Since it has become fairly common to induce labor, many women may be looking for a way to accomplish this naturally.  There is a fair amount of anecdotal evidence to indicate that those who consume spicy food within a few weeks of their due date may be able to induce labor in this way.  This makes sense on a certain level because eating spicy food stimulates the digestive system, in turn stimulating contractions.

Currently, there has not been any research that would indicate that eating spicy food during pregnancy will cause labor.  There are however, a great many women who believe that contractions started within hours of eating a particularly spicy meal.  Spicy food makes your digestive system work harder than usual, and may even cause some irritation.  Irritation can lead to diarrhea, which can cause dehydration, and it is known that potential consequence dehydration in pregnant women can be contractions.   There is also a possibility that spicy food can stimulate prostaglandin production.  This is a hormone that can cause the smooth muscles of the body to contract, and this can lead to labor.

While it is possible that eating spicy food during pregnancy might cause you to go into labor, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to give it a try.  If you enjoy spicy food, but don’t want to cause premature labor, you probably don’t need to worry about it too much if you consume spicy food in moderation.  Many pregnant women find they have less of a taste for very spicy dishes due to changes in their digestive system during this time.  In addition, a great many pregnant women suffer from more heartburn than usual, and since spicy food can aggravate this, they choose to avoid it for that reason.

Since another potential consequence of eating spicy food is diarrhea, pregnant women may choose to avoid it for that reason as well.  Unless you specifically want to start contractions, you should generally avoid anything that causes extreme dehydration during your pregnancy.  If you like spicy food however, and it seems to agree with your body, you should be able to eat it safely.  Start with small amounts and see how your body responds.  If it does well, eat a bit more.  As long as you exercise moderation and stay hydrated, it should be perfectly safe.

Eating spicy food during pregnancy is something many women will avoid, simply because it can cause indigestion.  Others may eat spicy dishes deliberately in an attempt to induce labor by natural means.  Either way, consuming spicy food in moderation does not appear to be harmful in any way, and might even be beneficial to you.

You can find helpful information about <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=” “>http://www.ahababy.com/subject/is-it-safe”> spicy food during pregnancy and everything you need to know about consume spicy food at Aha! Baby.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/is-it-safe-to-eat-spicy-food-during-pregnancy-1166478.html

Rating 3.00 out of 5

PostHeaderIcon Is it Safe to Go Biking When Pregnant?

Pregnant women receive a great deal of advice, unsolicited and otherwise, on what they should and shouldn’t do during the course of their pregnancy.  One of the most enduring myths surround pregnancy is that pregnant women should not exercise, or if they do, keep it to a minimum.  In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.  Most experts now agree that both mother and unborn baby benefit when a pregnant woman stays fit and healthy.  One thing pregnant women do wonder about is if it is safe to go biking?

Generally, it is considered safe to go biking when pregnant. Since it is a low-impact exercise that doesn’t require any lifting or jumping, it is second only to swimming as a good exercise for pregnant women.   In addition, it is easy to choose the level of intensity, so there is little chance that you will overexert yourself.  May women wonder about how their balance is affected while biking when pregnant, but since weight and bulk are gained gradually, your balance will adapt gradually as well.  You will probably find it easy to continue biking right into the last weeks of your pregnancy.

As always, when considering an exercise program during your pregnancy, it’s wise to consult your doctor, and let her know what your plans are.  That way, you can work together to determine what will work best for you. She will probably tell you that it is safe to go biking when pregnant, but that you need to be especially careful to avoid spills and accidents.  When possible, stick to smooth bike paths with as little contact with motor traffic as possible.  It’s also best to be a somewhat experienced cyclist.  If you are new to biking, pregnancy is probably not the best time to start up.

Women who go biking when pregnant realize all of the benefits of any regular exercise program.  Stress reduction, endorphin production, better oxygen delivery and blood flow, are all things that will benefit both the pregnant mother and her unborn child.  In addition, better physical fitness will help you recover from the birth that much more quickly.  In addition, you will also have better stamina during the delivery.

If you are biking when pregnant, keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to keep up the level of intensity that you normally would.  Listen to your body, start slow and build up if necessary. Drink a lot of fluids, take plenty of breaks, and avoid overheating. After delivery, exercise a little caution in returning to your regular exercise schedule.  Keep in mind that you need good nutrition to stay strong, especially if you are breastfeeding.

While it’s definitely safe to go biking while pregnant, you will want to take it a bit easier than normal, and be especially conscious of safety.  Biking when pregnant can be a great way to stay in shape, and build up your strength and stamina.  The better your physical condition, the better prepared you will be for delivery and taking care of a new baby.

You can find helpful information about <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=” “>http://www.ahababy.com/subject/is-it-safe”> biking when pregnant and everything you need to know about safe to go biking at Aha! Baby.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/is-it-safe-to-go-biking-when-pregnant-1166485.html

Rating 3.00 out of 5

PostHeaderIcon Is it Safe to Go Jogging When Pregnant?

While it used to be fairly common myth that pregnant women shouldn’t exercise much, that sort of thinking is starting to turn around. It is now generally accepted that a great many kinds of exercise are not only safe, but also beneficial to pregnant women.  One popular form of exercise is jogging, and women are finding that it is quite all right to jog when pregnant. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind before starting up a fitness regime during your pregnancy.

Jogging during pregnancy is only something you want to do if you are already in the habit.  Now is not the time to start a completely new exercise regime. Being fit and healthy is very important for your pregnancy, but it’s important to not suddenly put your body under even greater strain than it already is. If you’re accustomed to jogging several times a week, it’s all right to jog when pregnant.  One thing that’s important to keep in mind is that a sudden and dramatic increase in your core body temperature can be harmful to the fetus.  Therefore, no matter what kind of exercise you are doing, be very careful to not overheat.

Even though this can be a problem at any time, jogging during pregnancy can be particularly hard on your joints.  Your joints loosen during pregnancy in any case, so if you jog when pregnant, it can be particularly painful if you aren’t used to it.

During the first trimester, keep a few things in mind before going for a jog.  Your body is especially vulnerable to dehydration during pregnancy, so be sure to drink a lot of water before, during and after your jog.  Be sure to wear an extra supportive sports bra, since your breasts may be growing during this time, and be sure that your shoes are especially supportive around the ankles and arches.

During the second trimester, you will become acutely aware of your growing belly. This can sometimes create problems with balance, so stick to jogging on flat surfaces. Jog on a track, if at all possible, and if you should fall, try to land on your side, or land on your arms so that your abdomen is protected.

During the third trimester, it’s especially important to listen to your body.  If you feel too tired to jog when pregnant, then don’t.  In fact, due to your increasing size, you may find it too uncomfortable, so switching to a brisk walk may be the best alternative.

Jogging during pregnancy can be an excellent way to stay fit and build your endurance for labor and delivery.  If you have never done it before, now is not the time to start, however.  The main things you need to consider when jogging during pregnancy are your comfort and safety.  Remember to keep your core temperature low, be aware of any balance issues and make sure that your gear is appropriate for your changing shape.  Even without pushing too hard, your strength and endurance will increase greatly.

You can find helpful information about <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=” “>http://www.ahababy.com/subject/is-it-safe”> jog when pregnant and everything you need to know about jogging during pregnancy at Aha! Baby.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/is-it-safe-to-go-jogging-when-pregnant-1166501.html

Rating 3.00 out of 5
Pregnancy Web Search
Custom Search
Subscribe

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

August 2009
M T W T F S S
« Jul   Sep »
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31