Pregnancy Facts, Stage, Signs and Tests » Pregnancy questions http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:05:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 WHICH HERBS CAN BE USED IN PREGNANCY? http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/which-herbs-can-be-used-in-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/which-herbs-can-be-used-in-pregnancy/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:14:59 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=280 Pregnant women should take proper care of themselves during pregnancy. At this time, the body requires sufficient nutrients to create extra pounds of uterine muscle, nerves, bones, organs, muscles, glands and skin of the fetus, several pounds of amniotic fluid, a placenta and an increase in blood volume. Sometimes these nutrients are not available in our daily food, so doctors suggest to use herbs.

Following is a list of herbs that are safe to be used during pregnancy:

Bilberry, A mild diuretic for bloating, strengthens vein and capillary support, helps kidney to function.
Blue Cohosh, Stops false labor pains, eases and/or induces labor for final weeks of pregnancy.
Burdock Root, Prevent water retention and jaundice in the baby.
Chamomile, Assists digestive and bowel problems and relaxes for good sleep.
Echinacea, Aids immune system, to prevent colds, flu and infections.
Ginger Root, Best for morning sickness.
Lobelia, Relaxes mother during delivery and speeds the delivery of placenta.
Nettles, Protects against excessive bleeding, improves kidney function and prevents hemorrhoids.
Peppermint, Used after first trimester, to help digestion, soothe stomach and overcome nausea.
Red Raspberry, Excellent to use, a uterine tonic, anti-abortive and helps prevent infection, cramps and anemia, excess bleeding during and after labor, and facilitates birth by stimulating contractions.
Wild Yam, Pain reliever, reduces nausea or cramping and miscarriage.
Yellow Dock, Helps in iron assimilation and prevents infant jaundice.

]]> http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/which-herbs-can-be-used-in-pregnancy/feed/ BEST TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/best-tips-for-successful-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/best-tips-for-successful-pregnancy/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:10:33 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=278 Pregnancy is one of the best time period in a woman’s life. You can always make some changes and alterations to make your pregnancy healthy. Following are some tips that can be kept in mind to get a healthy pregnancy:

  • Fix an appointment with your health care provider, to know everything about pregnancy in detail.

  • Take a prenatal vitamin every day as directed by the obstetrician.

  • Eat such foods that are rich in folic acid, iron, calcium and protein, or get these through a prenatal supplement, if suggested.

  • Eat five or six well-balanced meals every day.

  • Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight to ten glasses a day, avoid caffeine and artificial coloring.

  • Consume high-fiber foods to avoid constipation.

  • Avoid alcohol, raw fish, fish high in mercury, soft cheeses, and anything that is not food.

  • Aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Talk to your health care provider before you begin.

  • Never smoke or allow yourself to be exposed to second-hand smoke.

  • Wear comfortable, loose shoes and raise your feet up several times, to avoid fatigue and swelling of feet, legs and ankles.

  • Sleep at least for eight hours at night. If facing from sleep disturbances, then take naps during the day.

  • Exercise regularly, to reduce stress. Go to a pregnancy exercise class or walk for 15 to 20 minutes every day at a moderate pace.

  • Never take over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies without consulting your doctor.

  • Always wear a safety belt while riding in motor vehicles.

  • Try to enjoy the pleasure in the miracles of pregnancy and birth.

    • ]]>     http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/best-tips-for-successful-pregnancy/feed/     IS TATTOO SAFE DURING PREGNANCY? http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/is-tattoo-safe-during-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/is-tattoo-safe-during-pregnancy/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:15:42 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=273 “Is tattoo safe during pregnancy?” There is no exact answer to this question. But experts suggest not to do tattooing during pregnancy. The reason behind this is not that the tattooing would hurt the fetus, but there may be a problem with the quality of the tattoo. But if one wants a tattoo during pregnancy, then there are many facts to be kept in mind.

    Infection
    Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS are quite common during tattooing. These may be transmitted by a dirty needle, and can be passed along the bodily fluids to your baby.

    Skin Dyes
    There is no record about whether the tattoo dyes and inks affect a developing baby. During the first trimester, the fetus is in the developing stage, and is about 3 inches long and weighs 1 ounce. During tattooing, very small amount of chemicals are used, these might be harmless to an adult, but can effect badly on a tiny fetus. So it is suggested to go for tattooing, after the first trimester.

    Lower Back Tattoos
    Delivery without pain can be achieved by an epidural. It is a shot given in the lower back to block the pain of childbirth. Doctors give an epidural to a woman with a tattoo on her lower back, but not in the case, if the tattoo is recent and fresh, meaning – that the involved skin is has to heal. If the tattoo is fresh, the shot may disfigure the tattoo.

    If you are getting tattooed during pregnancy, then make sure of the following:

  • Artist must be registered and should follow all safety guidelines.

  • Parlor must have an autoclave, to sterilize the instruments, and must be clean.

  • Must wear gloves.

  • The bandages, dyes/inks and needles must be sterilized, new and unopened.

    • ]]>     http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/is-tattoo-safe-during-pregnancy/feed/     HOW TO AVOID INFECTIONS DURING PREGNANCY ? http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/how-to-avoid-infections-during-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/how-to-avoid-infections-during-pregnancy/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:05:32 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=265 Infections occurring during pregnancy, can harm your unborn baby, so you have to take care of yourself. Following are few tips of avoiding infections during pregnancy:

  • Always wash hands with soap and water, while

    Using bathroom

    Touching raw meat, eggs, or unwashed vegetables

    Cooking and eating

    Gardening or touching dirt or soil

    Handling pets

    Around sick people

    Getting saliva on hands

    Caring for and playing with children

    Changing diapers

  • Avoid sharing forks, cups, or food with young children. It is harmless to them, but can be harmful for you and your unborn baby.

  • Cook meat till it is done. Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot. These might contain harmful bacteria.

  • Never use unpasteurized milk and foods products made from it. These contain harmful bacteria.

  • Do not touch dirty cat litter. It usually contains harmful parasites.

  • Stay away from wild or pet rodents and their droppings. They carry harmful viruses.

  • Test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV and hepatitis B, and protect yourself from them.

  • Consult the doctor about vaccinations. Some are suggested before pregnancy, during, or right after delivery.

  • Stay away from people having infections, such as chickenpox or rubella.

    • This is just a brief idea for a healthy pregnancy. Always consult with your doctor, and know more about cooking safely, infection repellent while going out, taking medicine and other important aspects.

    ]]>     http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/how-to-avoid-infections-during-pregnancy/feed/     IF YOU GET SICK DURING PREGNANCY http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/if-you-get-sick-during-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/if-you-get-sick-during-pregnancy/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:32:14 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=253 During the pregnancy time, the immunity of the body is lowered, so you are more likely to be infected with any infections. It is not necessary to always call the doctor for every small thing, instead you can take medications, that are safe to be used in pregnancy (you can check with your midwife, doctor or the pharmacist). This is not always true, but depends upon the severity of the infection.

    If you get sick during pregnancy, the first question that comes to your mind is that “Will the illness harm the baby, and will the medications taken would harm the baby?” The answer to this question is “NO”. If properly treated, these would not harm the baby. You must think on these dos and do nots while taking medicines during pregnancy:

  • Take medicines in presercibed quantity, and time. Taking excess is not better but harmful.

  • Never take medicines, or even the over-the-counter ones, without consulting the doctor.

  • Do not use over-the-counter remedies, that have several drugs unless advised by your doctor, as the mixtures are difficult to study, and it becomes difficult for the doctors to provide reliable information about the safety of the combined drug.

    • Always think of some safer alternatives to medicines. ]]>     http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/if-you-get-sick-during-pregnancy/feed/     HERPES DURING PREGNANCY http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/herpes-during-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/herpes-during-pregnancy/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:02:38 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=250 Herpes and Pregnancy (courtesy : www.parents.com )

    Herpes and Pregnancy (courtesy : www.parents.com )

    Genetial Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). In most of the cases, the virus is HSV-2, but in some cases, it may also be caused by HSV-1, that causes cold sores.

    Common symptoms include painful sores in the genital area, itching, painful urination, vaginal discharge and tender lumps in the groin. During the primary stage, most experience flu-like symptoms such as body aches, fever and headache, but with time, one gets active outbreaks of blisters or sores around their vagina and buttocks.

    There is no cure for herpes. Babies who are born to mothers having genital herpes infection at or near the delivery time, have most chances of becoming infected. This may cause brain damage, blindness or even death in newborns. The most important part is to avoid getting herpes during pregnancy.

    If you have genital herpes and are thinking about pregnancy, then consult with your doctor. He may suggest an antiviral medicine, so there would be less chances to have a herpes outbreak at or near the delivery time. If you have an outbreak of genital herpes at the time of delivery, then the doctor will switch over to cesarean section, that may avoid the baby of getting an infection

    If during your pregnancy, you have a genital herpes outbreak, then your doctor would treat you with an antiviral medicine. The risk of baby getting infected is much higher, if you have the first genital herpes outbreak near the time of delivery.

    If your partner is infected, then the doctor would suggest either to use condoms during sexual intercourse or avoid sex, depending upon the severity.

    ]]>     http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/herpes-during-pregnancy/feed/     INFECTIONS AFFECTING PREGNANCY http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/infections-affecting-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/infections-affecting-pregnancy/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:46:25 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=245 In our daily routine, infections are quite normal. Similar to other adults and children, pregnant women may also be at risk for developing viral and bacterial infections. These infections are of high concern during pregnancy, as they might cause harm to the fetus or newborn. Even though you cannot avoid all infections during pregnancy, but still you can take certain steps to make it less likely sick and reduce the risk of serious problems.

    Following is a list of a few infections that affect pregnancy:

  • Chicken pox

  • Flu

  • German measles (rubella)

  • Gonorrhea

  • Group B strep

  • Hepatitis B

  • Herpes

  • HIV

  • Listeriosis

  • Syphilis

  • Toxoplasmosis

    • ]]>     http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/infections-affecting-pregnancy/feed/     IS HAIR COLORING SAFE IN PREGNANCY ? http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/is-hair-coloring-safe-in-pregnancy/ http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/is-hair-coloring-safe-in-pregnancy/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:09:30 +0000 admin http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/?p=100 It is said that you have to be quite careful during pregnancy. While going to a spa clinic , a question arises in the mind of a pregnant mother : Is hair coloring safe for me during pregnancy?

    The exact answer to this question is not yet known. There are many opinions about whether you can color your hair while you are pregnant. Unfortunately, there are very few scientific studies on the effects of hair dye used during pregnancy. Specialists do not know much about the effects of specific chemicals used in many of the hair treatments in the salon.

    All types of hair treatments like perm, dye, highlight,etc have chemicals in them, which get absorbed into the mother’s body through her scalp. Also there is a high risk of fumes in the salon, although the treatments is being done on someone else.

    Few tips regarding colors, highlights and perms during pregnancy are:

      Avoid all hair treatments while baby is going through highly risky first trimester.
      Minimize the exposure to fumes as much as possible.
      Use only highlights and foil colorings and not dye, as the previous ones do not have much contact with the mother’s scalp.
      Make use of a vegetable-based coloring such as Heena.
    ]]>     http://www.earlypregnancysigns.net/blog/is-hair-coloring-safe-in-pregnancy/feed/