Healthy Pregnancy Centre

Archive for August 29th, 2009

Is it Safe to Use Artificial Sweetener when Pregnant?

August 29th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Welcome back!

Pregnancy is a time when it is especially important to be conscious of what you put into your body. There is a lot of information out there about what you should and shouldn’t consume, and it can be confusing, especially if you have a condition that mandates some dietary restrictions. One area of concern is whether or not it’s all right to include artificial sweetener when pregnant. This is of extra concern to women who have conditions like gestational diabetes and need to curb their intake of sugars of various kinds.

If you are wondering if it’s safe to use artificial sweetener when pregnant, there are some things you should know about them in general. There are two categories of sweeteners: nutritive, and non-nutritive. Nutritive means that they include calories, while the non-nutritive types are calorie-free. Nutritive sweeteners, like regular table sugar, contain empty calories, and should be consumed in moderation since they can contribute to weight gain. They are however, considered quite safe for pregnant women to consume. Other nutritive sweeteners include sucrose, honey, dextrose, corn sugar and fructose.

Non-nutritive sweeteners are added to all kinds of food and beverages in small amounts. Since many women choose to cut back on sugar either for weight control purposes, or because they have gestational diabetes or insulin resistance, they need to know if it’s safe to include artificial sweetener in their diet while pregnant. Fortunately, there are a number that most medical professionals agree are safe for pregnant women to consume.

If you need to use an artificial sweetener when pregnant, here are some good choices for you to consider. One common artificial sweetener is Aspartame, which is found in Equal and NutraSweet. It can be found in soft drinks, gelatin, desserts, dairy products and breakfast cereal, among other things. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that Aspartame is safe for pregnant and lactating women, but should be consumed in moderation.

If you wish to include artificial sweetener in your diet, another one that the FDA considers to be safe is Sucralose, also known as Splenda. Splenda is made from sugar and is used in wide variety of foods and beverages. It can also be used for baking, or as a substitute for table sugar. It has no calories and does not impact blood sugar in any way.

If you want to use an artificial sweetener when pregnant, you need to be aware that some are not considered safe for consumption. Saccharine, also found in Sweet ‘n Low, is not recommended for pregnant women, since studies have shown it can cross the placenta barrier and remains in fetal tissue.

Another one to avoid is Stevia, since it has not been approved for use as a sweetener by the FDA, and its effects on pregnant women are unknown.

If your diet is going to include artificial sweetener, there are several that are safe for you to use in moderation. As usual, if you are wondering if, in your case, it is safe to use artificial sweetener when pregnant, be sure to talk to your doctor.

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

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/is-it-safe-to-use-artificial-sweetener-when-pregnant-1172531.html

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How to Cut Back on Coffee when Pregnant

August 29th, 2009 |

Author: admin

You may have heard that coffee and pregnancy are not a good combination. Most studies that show the adverse effects of caffeine on pregnant women find that large amounts seem to be the culprit in increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. Generally, 200 mgs daily is considered a safe amount of caffeine. While it may be safe to consume coffee when pregnant as long as it is done in moderation, most experts would agree that it is best for you and your baby if you can cut back to very little, or none at all.

200 mg is equal to about one cup of coffee, so quite a few women will find that they drink quite a bit more than that on a daily basis. So, while you may still wish to consume coffee when pregnant, you will probably want to cut back quite a bit from the amount you are accustomed to. While cutting back on your coffee consumption isn’t easy, it can be done with a bit of will-power and support. Fortunately, there are many decaffeinated coffees out there that taste as good as the caffeinated version. Keep in mind that decaf still contains caffeine, but less than a quarter of the amount of caffeinated.

Since caffeine is a drug, there will be some withdrawal symptoms if you cut back or decide you do not wish to consume coffee when pregnant. Some of the most common complaints are irritability, headaches and fatigue. Fortunately, these usually don’t last for more than a few days, and can be considerably minimized by cutting back gradually. Simply start mixing decaffeinated coffee in with your regular brew, increasing the proportion of decaffeinated a little bit every day. Within a week or so, you will find yourself drinking straight decaf with minimal withdrawal problems.

If you continue to consume coffee when pregnant, but cut back significantly on the amount, you may still find yourself more lethargic than you would like. Some of this can be minimized by keeping your blood sugar levels up. This can be easily accomplished by eating 5-6 small meals daily, making sure they are rich in protein and complex carbohydrates. A regular exercise regime can help you feel more energetic and drive away feelings of irritability. Also make sure to get plenty of sleep and take your pregnancy vitamins.

While coffee and pregnancy don’t necessarily go together, you can probably find a way to cut back to a point that is safest and healthy for you and your baby. Even if you have to go through some withdrawal, you will probably be pleasantly surprised to find how much better you feel if you decrease or eliminate the amount of caffeine you take in. If you must consume coffee when pregnant, try to find ways to drink less, and perhaps substitute a decaffeinated version.

While it is safe to consume coffee when pregnant, this is only the case if you do so in moderation. Cutting back to 200 mg or less daily will do a lot to make you feel great and keep your baby safe.

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

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/how-to-cut-back-on-coffee-when-pregnant-1172534.html

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Is it Safe to Use Perfume when Pregnant?

August 29th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Something that may not occur to most pregnant women is that perfumes and other scented products may not be the most desirable thing to wear during this time. Even though something applied to the skin topically seems harmless, there are a few things to consider if you wish to use perfume when pregnant. Currently the research on this matter is somewhat inconclusive. So, is perfume harmful? Or is it something you can safely enjoy during your pregnancy?

While most research into whether it’s safe to use perfume when pregnant has not found a link to most of the common worries like miscarriage and stillbirth, some recent studies have found that there may be a link between perfume use and reproductive problems in male children. It seems that perfume use between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy may lead to improper development of the male sex organs. Some of the potential problems include undescended testicles, risk of testicular cancer and low sperm count. It seems that some women who use perfume when pregnant risk absorbing chemicals that affect the development of testosterone in the male fetus.

So far though, the research remains largely inconclusive, partly because the most obvious results have only taken place in rodent test subjects, not human ones. Still, if you wish to err on the side of caution, it would be best to avoid wearing perfumes or scented creams of any kind.

Generally though, most experts would say it is quite safe to use perfume when pregnant. Many pregnant women find however, that scents they used to enjoy now trigger nausea, light-headedness or headaches. If this is the case, it’s usually best to remove all fragrance from your environment to begin with, and then gradually add one fragrance at a time, starting with the mildest. You may wish to experiment with body sprays and lotions, because they are often less intense than perfume, and tend to contain less alcohol.

If you wish to use perfume when pregnant, you might try some natural scents that are known for being pleasant and soothing. Scents like peppermint, ginger and cardamom have been known to help fight nausea, and citrus scents like lemon, neroli and mandarin seem to help soothe feelings of nausea as well as leaving a feeling of refreshment and relaxation. Other soft scents to consider are rose, chamomile and lavender. These scents make lovely massage oils as well.

While most perfumes are relatively safe, this is not always the case with essential oils. Because they are so concentrated, and are derived from plants, some can be toxic on the surface of the skin. Be sure to consult your doctor before using.

So, is perfume harmful? The answer is not completely cut and dry, but it most likely is safe for pregnant women to use. If you have any doubts over whether you should use perfume when pregnant, consult your doctor. As long as you feel comfortable, you can continue to enjoy scents that will make you feel relaxed and happy.

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

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/is-it-safe-to-use-perfume-when-pregnant-1172537.html

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