Baby Gear & Stroller News

Drinking when pregnant has big risks to the pregnant mother. Unfortunately, statistics demonstrate that approximately twelve percent of North American women consume at a little when pregnant and approximately 2 percent binge-drink. Earlier this year the Center for Disease Control reiterated that those percentages have not changed significantly for more than 18 years. From a the standpoint of good health, drinking when pregnant can sincerely effect development of the baby and the ensuing fetal alcohol syndrome could take a generation of intensive care to control.

Consuming Alcohol When Pregnant

Grown of alcohol when pregnant in essence supplies toxin into the developing baby which may influence his or her development. A lot of women however, decide to drink a flute of alcohol during pregnancy or infrequently consume one or two drinks. While the risk of injury may be less with a smaller amount frequent consumption, scientists have not yet found out what, if any, amount of alcohol consumption is safe for the pregnant woman. As a result, there is almost universal agreement that expecting mothers should avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Nutrients and Vitamins May Help While Pregnant

For those moms who are unsuccessfully fighting alcohol addiction, there may be some hope on the horizon. A study being prepared in SDSU is looking at the effects of drinking alcohol on 600 expecting mothers in the Ukraine. The study is looking at the nutrient choline to predict the effect, if any, it may have on the expecting mothers and their children. In looking at the quote form the AP press release that announced the drinking while pregnant study.

“Nutrition plays a powerful role in proper development of the brain and nervous system: Getting enough folate during pregnancy, for example, can prevent spina bifida and related birth defects. And significant alcohol consumption interferes with mom’s ability to absorb various nutrients, in turn affecting whether her fetus gets enough. So Thomas’ group tested choline, a precursor to a brain chemical that plays a key role in learning. She exposed pregnant rats to alcohol during a third-trimester spurt of brain growth. Giving the mother rats extra choline – or, importantly, giving newborn pups the nutrient – significantly improved the pups’ later ability to learn.”

In addition to choline, zinc and a few other nutrients and minerals are being looked at to determine if they have an effect on these conditions. The best advice however, is to still have a healthy and varied diet. When pregnant, take care of your health, eat right, avoid toxins, and enjoy your pregnancy.

Total refrain from alcohol is the best approach to ensuring that drinking liquor does not affect the baby. In addition to nutrition status, genetics, and levels of consumption, there are numerous other factors that determine if drinking alcohols during pregnancy will affect the baby. With all those variables, and the risk of an objectionable outcome, why risk it?

Written by Julie Xillion of Bloomen Nutrition Chewable Prenatal Vitamins. Visit Julie today and during each phase of pregnancy.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: Alcohol, alcohol syndrome, baby, drinking, fertility, maternity, parenting, Pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, toxins, women

As you move through pregnancy, the challenge of flying when pregnant becomes greater and greater. In the first trimester, remaining motionless in an airline seat is much more comfortable. Traveling in the second trimester of pregnancy is in fact a bit safer than traveling all through the first or third trimester. Your risk is a bit lower, and depending how many weeks pregnant you are, your degree of comfort could be okay. The larger challenge comes when you are traveling during the third trimester of pregnancy. If you are flying when pregnant during your third trimester, not only do you carry a higher risk of premature birth, but just squeezing into the seat may very well be a challenge. Flying When Pregnant

The risks and challenges of air travel during pregnancy, but both can be managed with a little consideration and preparation. The air travel rules vary from airline to airline, but most have a particular cutoff after which you must not fly. The restrictions on flying while may appear like a hassle, especially if you have somewhere to go, but the travel restrictions are there to safeguard the health of you and your baby as well as protect the airline from increased liability.

Flying During the First Trimester

In looking at the statistics, travel all through the first trimester of pregnancy is more risky than other trimesters. Although you may not be far along, variations in pressure, stillness for long periods, turbulence, and other factors may provide challenges to a pregnant mother.

Traveling During The Second Trimester

Statistically speaking, air travel during the second trimester is the safest. Even though you are required to get up and walk around, both to keep good circulation in your legs as well as get to the bathroom, traveling when pregnant in the second trimester should not be a problem.

Travel During the Third Trimester

In traveling while pregnant, air travel during the third trimester is a challenge that increases as you approach your due date. In addition to the discomfort of fitting into your chair and having to sit for an extended period, your risk of birth is at the forefront of your risks. In fact, most airlines will not let you travel after you reach so many weeks of pregnancy. Unless it is absolutely mandatory, you should adhere to the airlines pregnant travelers’ policy and not fly when they tell you that you shouldn’t.

To discover what to do during pregnancy visit whenpregnant.info.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: air travel, airlines, baby, first trimester, flying, maternity, parenting, Pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, second trimester, third trimester, women

While pregnant, and even prior to prenatal, prenatal vitamins are an critical component of pregnancy nutrition. Many doctors recommend that prenatal nutritional vitamin supplements be taken prior to conception and even following the baby is born for complete health of mother and child. Prenatal vitamins are an necessary stop gap to ensure that expectant mothers get the minimum nutrients for a healthful and happy baby. In fact, folic acid, iron and calcium are principally important and if not present in adequate amounts in the moms diet deficiency in these nutrients may lead to health challenges for the fetus.

Folic Acid Is Needed For A Healthful Pregnancy

Folic acid is a B vitamin. Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE, cites research showing that 88% of all Americans are deficient in folic acid. The current RDI for folic acid is 400 mcg, but for pregnant women the Mayo Clinic recommends levels of 800 mcg per day. After conception, the need for folic acid increases to 1000 mcg per day. Some of this should come from food sources, such as nuts, beans, citrus fruits or leafy green vegetables.

So why is this basic nutrient so important? Basically, low folic acid has been linked to neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida. Babies born with Spina Bifida are born with open spines and exposed nerves. In other words, the spine and nerves are observable and outside of the body because of this defect. Nerves become damaged and the child can have variable degrees of paralysis and other consequences from being born with an open spine.

Although actual primary research is scarce, folic acid has been shown to significantly reduce the probability of this devastating birth defect. These defects develop very early in pregnancy, usually by the 28 th day following conception; this is a time when numerous women do not know they are pregnant. This is why it is so critical for women to be sure that they are getting the folic acid they need prior to being pregnant.

The Importance Of Calcium

Calcium is another crucial mineral during pregnancy. As the baby grows, he or she is using various of the calcium in the mother’s body to grow. Without enough calcium, the mother’s bones can be at risk for developing osteoporosis. Every adult men and woman who is 19-50 years old, including pregnant women, need 1000 mg of calcium each day.

Beginning at age 51, the calcium requirement increases to 1200 mg per day. This is the recommended dosage for all people. Prenatal nutritional vitamins are meant to be used as a aid, not to fulfill all of the nutritional requirements a person has. As such, the calcium level of most pregnancy nutritional vitamin supplements is only about 200-300 mg. Another source of calcium is necessary to meet the recommended number of milligrams per day.

The Importance Of Iron

The suggested iron intake for non-pregnant women ages 19-50 is just 18 mg per day. When pregnant, a woman’s iron needs increase to 27 mg per day. Iron supplements will help prevent anemia and make sure that the mother’s and baby’s blood have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently. Half of all pregnant women are lacking in iron. Iron deficiency has been shown to increase the risk of premature labor and low birth weight. Premature labor and low birth weight come with their own sets of health problems.

Prenatal is a time when many things are out of your control. Will your baby have all of his or her fingers and toes? Will he or she have a birth defect? Will you miscarry? All of these things are potential problems that you can do nothing about. One of the things you can control is whether or not you take in enough of the essential natural vitamins and minerals, particularly folic acid, calcium and iron. Give your baby the best possible start in life. Make sure you are taking good quality prenatal nutritional vitamins throughout your being pregnant and while you are nursing. Take Your Parental Supplements And Give Your Baby A Great Start In Life

Obstetricians and midwives all recommend that pregnant women take prenatal supplements to complement their diets. A few doctors and midwives tell women to begin pregnancy supplements three months prior to conceiving. Making sure that the mother and baby get enough supplements is critical. Folic acid, calcium and iron are three of the most vital during pregnancy.

Folic Acid Protects Against Neural Tube Defects

According to Hans R. Larsen, MSc, ChE, about 88% of all Americans do not get enough folic acid in their diets. This means that there is a good chance you are not getting enough. Folic acid is one of the B natural vitamins. Women of childbearing age who are planning a having a baby should take 800 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid every day. Once pregnant, this amount should be increased to 1000 mcg every day. Ideally, most folic acid should come from foods, including green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and citrus fruits.

What is the big deal about receiving enough folic acid? A deficiency in folic acid can cause a neural tube birth defect, the most usual of which is Spina Bifida. In a neural tube defect, the baby’s spine and nerves are not safely inside of the body. Rather, the baby is born with an open spine and nerves. That is to say, the spine and nerves are outside of the body, discernible to the eye. In this unprotected state, nerves are damaged. Even though surgery can correct this defect, the damage is done to the nerves and the child will have varying degrees of paralysis and other consequences from being born with an open spine.

There is something you can do to preclude this birth defect. You can take the recommended dosages of folic acid prior to and throughout your pregnancy. Since this neural tube defect occurs very early in prenatal, within the first 28 days, all women should take 400 mcg of folic acid as a matter of course. Folic acid has been shown to put a stop to neural tube defects in numerous studies.

Calcium Prevents Against Bone Loss

Growing a new body is a very complex task that draws on the mother’s body. Taking a calcium complement is vital to avert bone loss in the mother. A lack of calcium sets a mother up for a greater risk of osteoporosis and a variety of other health problems. The recommended dose of calcium for anybody between the ages of 19 and 51 is 1000 mg every day, this includes pregnant women.

After age 51, the suggested dose of calcium per day is 1200 mg. Keep in mind that pregnancy natural vitamins are only meant to complement the diet, not supply the entire amount of calcium necessary. Most prenatal nutrients provide only 200-300 mg. So, to meet all of your calcium needs and the needs of your baby, it is crucial to eat calcium-rich foods and not rely solely on your prenatal vitamin for you calcium needs.

Iron Prevents Low Birth Weight

Iron is necessary to red blood cell formation. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the entire body. Without enough iron and red blood cells, you will experience fatigue and a host of other symptoms. A full 50% of all pregnant women do not get enough iron. Women who do not get enough iron have been shown to go into labor too early and have low birth weight babies. Pregnant women should get 27 mg of iron each day.

Mother Nature controls most of a baby’s growth prior to birth. But, there are things you can influence and defects you can prevent by taking the recommended amounts of prenatal vitamins. Be sure you do everything you can to give your baby a good start in life. Take your nutrients. You Can stop Birth Defects By Taking Parental Nutrients

Women who are planning to become pregnant or who are currently pregnant should take prenatal supplements to correct any deficiencies in their diets. While pregnancy nutrients will not supply all of the vitamins and minerals a woman needs, they will supplement shortfalls in the woman’s diet. Taking prenatal nutritional vitamin supplements will ensure that the baby is healthy at birth and that the mother remains vigorous throughout her pregnancy. Three natural vitamins and minerals that are absolutely critical during prenatal are folic acid, calcium and iron. Being lacking in any of these can create major health problems for the baby and the mother, as well as create complications in the being pregnant itself.

Folic Acid: A Required B Vitamin

Research revealed that an astounding 88% of all Americans do not get enough folic acid. According to the Mayo Clinic, all women planning a pregnancy need 800 micrograms of folic acid each day. Upon conception the folic acid requirements increase to 1000 mcg a day.

Neural tube defects are one of the most preventable birth defects. Folic acid can thwart neural tube defects like Spina Bifida. When a baby is born with Spina Bifida, his or her spine is open and outside of the body, not closed and protected. Nerves are exposed and usually experience a few kind of damage, which results in paralysis, cerebral palsy and other health issues that will last a lifetime.

Neural tube defects occur by the 28 th day of pregnancy. This is well before most women even realize that they are expecting a baby. Research has shown that folic acid can stop neural tube defects. Every woman should take 400 mcg of folic acid or folate per day to make sure their folic acid needs are met.

Calcium: A Required Mineral

All men and women, including pregnant women, who are between 19 and 50 years old need 1000 mg of calcium per day. The baby uses the mother’s stores of calcium and the calcium that the mother eats. If the mother is not getting enough calcium to meet her own needs and the needs of the baby, she could develop health problems, such as bone loss and osteoporosis.

Starting at 51 years old, calcium requirements for all adults increase to 1200 mg per day. Most pregnancy nutrients contain only 200-300 mg of calcium. Therefore, they cannot be relied upon to supply an entire day’s calcium requirements.

Iron: Required For Red Blood Cell Formation

A full half of all pregnant women are deficient in iron, or anemic. Without iron, the body cannot make the necessary number of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. This results in fatigue and other symptoms, as well as low birth weight and premature labor amongst pregnant women. Iron needs increase from 18 mg a day for females who are not pregnant to 27 mg a day for pregnant females.

Having a baby is an interesting time. It can also be a time of worrying about whether or not the baby will be vigorous or not. While much of a baby’s growth is essentially out of the mother’s hands, there are a number of things that the mother can do to give the baby the best opportunity for health possible. She can make sure that she does not smoke or drink alcohol, eats right and takes her prenatal nutrients as her doctor recommends.

Enjoy a great chewable prental vitamins visit Bloom’en Nutrition. Easy to eat prenatal soft chews.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: diet, family, nutrition, Pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, vitamins, women

Guide to pregnancy diets A pregnancy diet is built around a a small amount of basic principles (which are actually pretty similar to the basic ideology of healthy eating at any time in life).

Pregnancy and intake always seem to go together. After all, I am quite sure that the phrase Eating for two is written in hieroglyphics somewhere in the Ancient Persia. Proper nourishment in the course of pregnancy is essential to you and your baby. At the same time, you may not want to gain more weight than you need to. Although there are worse things to be concerned about, you do not want to focus on dieting with a newborn to take care of. How to sustain proper pregnancy weight? Follow these diet guidelines.

Any good guide to pregnancy diets should tell you that your first priority is feeding your unborn baby. Do not hold back on on the right foods for your baby. Include at least two portions of fruit, six portions of grains. You ought to also include four or extra servings of vegetables and dairy protects. Also include two or three servings of protein. This diet ought to help ensure that your baby gets the proper vitamin. Your doctor will supplement this with vitamins. Iron, Vitamin C, and folic acid are all required for the healthy growth of your baby. Importantly, you should have no alcohol and very limited caffeine.

How much weight should you gain during pregnancy? You should expect to gain about 25 pounds. Whatever you do, do not try to lose weight during pregnancy. This can put your child at risk. If you are already worried about your weight before pregnancy, you can limit your weight gain. As always, consult your doctor and research a reputable guide to pregnancy diets. The pregnancy diet is clearly not for men. (Although in this day and age that could change sometime)… Who knows what the men in their white coats are up to ?

Pregnant or not, you ought to be limiting fat to 30% of your calorie intake. This is especially correct when you are pregnant. Check labels and stay away from fatty meals. Low fat milk will cover your dairy needs just as well as whole milk. Sweets are not part of the pregnancy diet either, unfortunately.

There are other foods to stay away from during pregnancy. Seafood that is known to be high in mercury, such as swordfish, must be avoided. Imitation sweeteners should also be avoided. Any foods that are a source of possible bacteria, such as raw meat, eggs, or certain cheeses should not be in your diet. What must also be taken in to account that a pregnancy diet that is aimed at your babies wellbeing is not a weight loss plan, but more accurately a way of eating properly for the benefit of yourself and your unborn baby while pregnant.

A well researched guide to pregnancy diets will ask how many more calories should you add to your diet during pregnancy?. Your calorie count should increase by roughly 300 during the second trimester and 500 during the last trimester. Staying within these guidelines should keep your weight gain under control. The above information should keep you allow you to stay healthy, fit, and as comfortable as possible during your pregnancy. Make sure you keep these in mind when creating your proper pregnancy diet.

Helping Hand To Healthy Pregnancy Diets

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: baby, birth, conception, diet, Dieting, healthy, healthy pregnancy, Labour, maternity, nutrition, pregnant, Prenancy, prenatal, Trimester

Maternity leave rights are governed by the family leave act of 1992 with defines the basic understanding and rights for maternity leave Even though this legislation typically requires a minimum of 12 weeks of time off, your definite amount of maternity leave will be based on the size of the organization that you work for and their human resources policies.

Essentially, you will take a mixture of short-term disability, private days, and any accrued vacation or holiday pay as part of your not paid family leave during your time away from the office.

The family leave act specifically applies to corporations that have at least 50 workers. If the organization that you work for is smaller, then there are limitations on what is covered for maternity leave. Indeed, for individuals who are working in small businesses, short term disability may be an alternative if the employer is too small to accommodate the pregnancy leave

While pregnant, it is important to know that you employer can only change your position and job responsibilities if your pregnancy makes you unable to perform your required duties.

During the actual pregnancy leave, your employer is required to pay you the equivalent amount of what you would receive on short term disability. Upon completion of the twelve weeks, your employer is required to restore you to the same pay and the same or equivalent position as your old job.

Which benefits are available to you will depend very much on which state you live in. In 2002, California led the way in enacting paid family leave, and other states such as Massachusetts and New Jersey are considering following suit. And not all states allow women to take short-term disability leave to cover pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.

Your employer may have practices that dictate the order in which you can take different kinds of leave. In any case, you’ll want to start looking into your options as early as you can during your pregnancy and make sure you have all your paperwork sorted out before the baby arrives.

Bloomen Nutrition was created out of a pregnant moms need for a prenatal vitamin that didnt make her queasy. Join us to to find out more about pregnancy, nutrition, and the adventures of becoming a mom.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Technorati Tags: baby, family, family leave, holiday pay, maternity, Motherhood, parenting, Pregnancy, prenatal, time off, vacation pay, women