Some of you might be thinking of going to somewhere cold for vacation, but unfortunately, you are pregnant. Now is it safe for pregnant moms to go to cold high altitude places? Here’s the answer

Experts say that as long as you keep the temperature at the right level it is totally fine to go to cold high places. The right temperature is one that’s warm enough but not too hot that you raise your body temperature, which could be dangerous for your developing baby.

However, keep in mind that pregnancy makes you short of breath. So if you’re not used to being at a high altitude where there’s less oxygen in the air, you’re going to compound your shortness of breath. And you won’t have as much endurance and stamina as you would at low altitudes. Research have proven that women who live at a high altitude tend to have slightly smaller babies.

Tags : can i go to cold places when pregnant?, pregnancy, pregnancy should and should not do, should i travel during pregnancy?

Having watched those pregnancy woman who fell down the stairs and lost the baby, you wonder if it is perfectly safe for pregnant woman to climb the stairs. Find out the answer now

Yes, climbing stairs are actually great! There’s a myth saying that climbing the stairs during pregnancy would make the umbilical cord wrap the baby’s neck. Well, the myth is wrong. Stair climbing is a great way to raise your heart rate and improve cardiovascular endurance. However, don’t forget to hold onto the side rails so you don’t fall. Falling downs the stairs for pregnant woman would be very catasthropic.

Tags : climb stairs pregnant, pregnancy should and should not do

Your favorite rock band is coming to town, and you are dying to go to the concert. Problem is YOU ARE PREGNANT. Is it ok to go to a music concert full of loud banging sound of bass and drums?

It is not recommended to go to a music concert if you are pregnant. A research showed that women who work eight hours a day around very loud noise (at levels so loud that hearing protection is needed) has higher risk of delivering babies with hearing loss.

Moreover, loud music can cause your body to produce stress hormones that make your heart race, which isthat isn’t good for the baby either. It is best to stay healthy when you are pregnant. When you put this kind of stress on your body you’re not providing the ideal environment for a developing baby.

Tags : going to music concert during pregnancy, pregnancy should and should not do

The scariest thing that you don’t like about being pregnant is the weight gain. Most of your friends could not gain their before pregnancy body and get fatter and fatter. So you promise yourself to keep slim and thin even during pregnancy. Is it actually ok to go on diet while pregnant ? Is it healthy or not?

Unfortunately it is not recommended to go on diet while pregnant. Pregnancy is not the time to diet. Normally, you should gain about 25 to 30 pounds during pregnancy. If you are overweight, then you may want to target for the lower end of that range.

On average you should be getting about 2,500 calories a day (that’s up from about 2,100 when you’re not pregnant). You and your baby definitely need those calories. Some gain is inevitable given the weight of the baby, the enlarged uterus, the placenta, and the amniotic fluid. But that’s weight that should disappear quickly once the baby is born.

Actually, babies are mostly efficient in getting what they need, so if you don’t eat enough, there is more threat to your health than your baby’s. However, there’s still a risk that the baby will grow poorly if you’re malnourished.

My own experience

I gained 17kg during my pregnancy. During my pregnancy I thought about dieting, but then I do not want my baby to be malnourished. My baby is more important than my appearance. My thinking is “all those celebrities and supermodels can lose baby fat, why can’t I ?” On my first week after giving birth, I lost 10 kg, and now after 1 month of giving birth, I already lost total of 13 kg. It’s not that bad.

Tags : dieting while pregnant, pregnancy should and should not do, weight during pregnancy

You have been trying to get pregnant, but somehow not succeeded yet, you heard from your friends that caffeine (which you consume everyday) might had something to do with it. Is it really true? Does caffeine have anything to do with infertility?

The bad news is some studies have shown a link between caffeine consumption and a woman’s ability to conceive. One study even showed that women who ingested 300 mg of caffeine per day ohad a 27 percent lower chance of conceiving than those who had no caffeine. The good news: other studies have suggested no correlation between caffeine and fertility.

However, to be safe, if you’re trying to get pregnant, i think it is wise to reduce your caffeine intake.
On the other hand, there is some evidence that getting 200 mg or more of caffeine a day while you’re pregnant raises your risk of miscarriage, so maybe this would be a good time for you to start cutting back anyway.

My own exprerience

I am now a coffee drinker, and I got pregnant really fast (3 months after our wedding). It also happened on the first time me and my husband had an unprotected sex.

Tags : caffeine and fertility, pregnancy should and should not do

Since you are the member of the evil empire (a.k.a. Starbucks), you just can not live a day without coffee. Without coffee, you brain completely shuts down. As you go through your pregnancy, you wonder, is drinking coffee with caffeine still safe for the baby?

Some study suggests that caffeine can cause blood vessels to constrict, thus may reduce blood flow to the placenta. And because distracts the placenta caffeine may directly affect your baby’s developing cells.

A study in Denmark found that the risk of stillbirth more than doubled in women who drank a great deal of coffee per day (eight cups or more) compared to non-coffee drinkers. Some studies also suggest that high levels of caffeine consumption by Mom slightly reduce a baby’s birth weight.

Other studies also found a link between maternal caffeine consumption with an increased risk of having a son born with undescended testes. Another research shows that babies whose mothers consumed more than 500 mg of caffeine a day had faster heart rates and breathing rates and spent more time awake in the first few days after birth.

In conclusion, I think it is best for you coffee drinkers to cut back on caffeine. It’s a stimulant, so it raises your heart rate and may raise your blood pressure slightly, too. Caffeine can also contribute to heartburn by stimulating the secretion of stomach acid.

These effects may be more pronounced or last longer than usual as you approach your due date, because your body breaks down caffeine more slowly as your pregnancy progresses. And that means a higher level of caffeine in your bloodstream and in your baby’s.

My own experience

I do not drink coffee, so I did not have any anyways, however, the doctor prohibits me to drink soda because of the caffeine contained in it. So I suggest that you cut back on your caffeine too.

Tags : caffeine and pregnancy, pregnancy should and should not do

For those of you who are vegetarian, you might wonder if your baby will get enough nutrients just from vegetables. Should you stop being a vegetarian for the sake of your baby? Find out below

Actually, it is still okay to be vegetarian when pregnant. The baby needs protein and you can get the 71 grams of protein you need each day during pregnancy by consuming three cups of milk or soy milk, tofu, four cups of brown rice, and a cup of yogurt.

However it is hard to get vitamin B12, zinc and iron if you do not eat meat or fish. Luckily, if you insist on being vegetarian, you can still replace the vitamin B12, zinc and iron from prenatal vitamin-and-mineral supplement. (Ask your doctor to list some good supplement).

Some nutrition guidelines for pregnant vegetarians:

• try to consume four servings a day of beans and peas (legumes); they’re a good source of protein and other important nutrients.

• Eat 6 to 11 servings of whole grains, including foods such as brown rice, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread.

• Get four daily servings of foods rich in calcium and vitamin D

• Eat 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables.

My own experience

Since I am not a vegetarian, I ate just regular diet. However, throughout my pregnancy, I seldom eat meat, the doctor told me to be careful with steak as it can carry salmonella. My baby turned out fine and healthy until now.

Tags : pregnancy should and should not do, vegetarian pregnancy

You have not been doing it for about six months, and suddenly your husband and you were in the mood, but you are already in your third trimester. Can you still have sex on the third trimester? Is it safe?

While some experts said that it is absolutely safe to have sex on the third trimester (except if you have placenta previa, membrane rupture, or history of delivering prematurely). some other experts also recommend not to have sex because orgasm can stimulate contractions. And in the third trimester, most of the time, the baby’s head is already very near to the bottom.

My own experience

There were time that me and my husband wanted to have sex during pregnancy, but somehow we just did not do it since we do not want to risk anything for the baby. I ever had orgasm earlier in my pregnancy, and orgasm did stimulate contractions.

Verdict

I would not recommend having sex in the third trimester, although some experts say it is perfectly okay

Tags : Add new tag, have sex in third trimester, pregnancy should and should not do

Are you craving for some thai or spanish food while pregnant? Maybe some super hot chili burrito or five star chili pad thai? Let’s find out if it is safe for you to eat spicy food during pregnancy.

Carol Archie, a clinical professor of gynecology at University of California said that eating spicy food during pregnancy is safe, however, your body will tell if you shouldn’t do it. Eating spicy foods may be uncomfortable, especially in the late pregnancy, when your stomach is sitting somewhere near your throat and you’re very prone to heartburn.

My own experience

When I was going to eat my favorite spicy food, my dad stopped me. He said eating spicy food during pregnancy is not good. “What is you have diarrhea and then accidentally let the fetus out?”
While my dad’s statement is sort of ridiculous, but it is better to play it safe. I did not eat any spicy food thoughout my pregnancy, and everything went just fine.

Tags : can i eat spicy food during pregnancy?, pregnancy should and should not do

Like every woman in the world, you always want to look good, that includes when you are pregnant. You still shop for nice maternity dress, nice accessories, and of course a pair of nice high heels. Wait a minute now woman! Find out if it is safe to wear high heels during pregnancy.

Wearing high heels or some wide-based clunky shoes is not a good idea during pregnancy. This is because your weight increases and your body shape and center of gravity change, making you walk less steadily. You do not want to fall during pregnancy as it could hurt you and possibly your baby, so think twice before wearing those stilettos.

My personal experience

I frankly wore high heels couple of times during pregnancy, but I eventually stopped since it hurts and make my feet blisters even more than usual. After my first trimester, I stick with my CROCS everywhere. The health of me and my baby is more important that my appearance!

Tags : high heels during pregnancy, pregnancy should and should not do