Pregnancy and Childbirth

Babycenter Post Pregnancy Fitness Article

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Answers To Questions About Pregnancy, Exercise And Diet

from: Karlie Bestler

Are you eating too much? Are you really eating for two? Are you worried about exercise too? The answers to pregnancy, exercise and diet during pregnancy, are now literally at your fingertips. The answer to all your pregnancy, exercise and diet questions are readily available online.

Begin by researching pregnancy, exercise, and diet online, you can read about any topic that interests you. You often will read about different points of view. Based on what you discover, formulate your own list of pregnancy, exercise, and diet questions to take with you to your next appointment with your obstetrician. You can even print out relevant information to discuss and take it with you.

Pregnancy occurs when an egg (or eggs) is fertilized by sperm to grow in the womb until a baby is born. Gestation is divided into trimesters. The greatest risk for miscarriage and damage due to environmental influences occurs during the first trimester. During the second trimester, the development of the fetus can be monitored. The third trimester marks the beginning of viability, or the ability of the fetus to survive outside of the mother's womb. Normal pregnancies last approximately 40 weeks.

The diet during pregnancy is important for both mother and baby. A balanced diet should begin before pregnancy and is essential for a healthy pregnancy. You need higher levels of vitamins during pregnancy so take prenatal vitamins containing iron for healthy blood and calcium for healthy bones. It is also important to take folic acid before conception and in the early weeks of pregnancy to help prevent brain and spine defects.

Plan your meals to include these daily basics to ensure optimal nutrition for you and your baby:

* 6 to 11 servings of grain products
* 3 to 5 servings of vegetables
* 2 to 4 servings of fruits
* 4 to 6 servings of milk and milk products
* 3 to 4 servings of meat and protein foods
* 6 to 8 glasses of water, fruit juice, or milk
* Limited servings of fatty foods and sweets

Good forms of exercise, like walking, stationary cycling, low-impact aerobics, and swimming or water exercise, can strengthen muscles, promote good health, lessen the duration of labor and ease delivery.

Discouraged exercise includes sports increasing the risk of abdominal trauma, such as hockey, boxing, wrestling, football, soccer, or other high risk sports like gymnastics, horseback riding, skating, skiing, racquet sports, weight lifting and other similar activities. Also discouraged is any exertion that raises body temperature above 102-103 degrees or puts undue stress on muscles and joints.

When considering pregnancy, diet, and exercise, use common sense, research online, and consult your obstetrician for final approval.