Category: Pregnancy

When a woman gets pregnant, she gets swollen feet and this may cause discomfort. However, it is more noticeable only in the fifth month of pregnancy and has the potential to increase as you progress towards your final trimester. It doesn’t matter because, towards your 6th month, you anyway won’t be able to see anything below your belly.

Although the body ends up undergoing so many changes, it is quite rare that women can jump into their old 28 waist size jeans. Yes, physical appearance is something that has a massive impact on itself but isn’t mothering a child every woman’s dream come true?

Why do I get swollen feet?

The swelling of feet is known as a physical condition called Edema. It occurs when the number of fluids inside the body doubles up to sustain and nurture your baby inside the womb.

It gets collected inside your tissues and due to the increased blood flow and pressure of the baby that is growing in your uterus. This makes you feel rather bloated up at your feet and ankles. Your swelling will be more prominent when if you’ve gained too much weight in your 2 trimesters.  You should also find out about Body Swelling During Pregnancy – Know The Causes And Measures

New mommy tip:

Eat food rich in potassium so that your feet don’t swell much.

How to stop swollen feet?

It is impossible to stop them from swelling too much because your body is producing it for the sake of sustainability. Here are 6 mommy’s favourite tips to reduce that nasty swelling:

1. Stop standing or sitting for too long

If you have been sitting in a place for too long, then you should be taking a mini stroll for like 15 mins or so. If you’ve been standing and walking around a lot, you should reduce it by sitting and relaxing.

2. Raise them legs in the air

So what if you’re pregnant and you’re sitting, you can’t refuse to have some fun. Raise those twinkle toes in the air and let gravity do the magic.

3. Sleep on your favourite side

Sleeping on your left side can help in attaining the maximum level of comfort. It keeps your kidneys working along and aid in the elimination of waste materials and oh of course..it helps in reducing swelling.

4. You should be fit and fantastic

Keep walking around so that it promotes the flow of blood going on instead of accumulating and becoming a giant pool. This increases the swelling so, beware and take caution.

5. Wear comfy shoes

Say goodbye to your favourite stilettos and wedges because you won’t be able to fit into them for a few months due to the swelling in your feet. Hop into a comfy pair of shoes like pumps and orthodox shoes.

Once you deliver the baby, wear simple slippers so that your feet are also happy!

6. Stay hydrated

Drink lots of water throughout the day so that you’re able to flush out more fluids and excessive minerals. The best way to flush out sodium is by peeing it. It will help you minimize the swelling.

Expectant mothers usually report of having brief lapses in memory or are unable to focus properly, and these problems account for 50 to 80 percent of the pregnant women. This condition is called ‘Pregnancy Brain’ and it is real. The main reasons for the short-term memory loss are the pregnancy hormones progesterone and estrogen.

The sudden increase or surge in the levels of these hormones affects the spatial memory that stores information making you absent-minded. Combined with fatigue and lack of sleep due to the pregnancy, it causes your brain to lack focus and function improperly.

Some researchers believe that in the last trimester when the brain cell volume decreases, that is the time when pregnancy brain strikes causing you to forget things. This is not a permanent condition though, and your brain returns to its normal form after the delivery. Here are a few methods that might help in dealing with this condition.

Note down things:

The best method to remember things is to always write down the important stuff on a sticky note and paste it down somewhere perfectly visible. Try to keep things that you use often at the same place so that you do not have trouble finding them. Making lists and using planners can help you to a great extent.

Take a good sleep:

A lot of problems occur only due to the lack of sleep. It may be really difficult but try to get as much rest as possible. A minimum of 8 hours of sleep is required by the body for its proper functioning. The more sleep you are able to get, the better your brain is able to function.

Do not panic:

Stressing over the situation will not help. It will only ruin your peace. Calm yourself down. Relax doing whatever you like the most. Read a good book, listen to your favourite music, or do anything you like doing. There is no point in being hard on yourself and those around you.

Load up on Omega-3s:

Omega 3 fatty acid is essential for a healthy brain functioning. You can get it from the pregnancy safe fish and DHA rich foods. It also helps to make the baby’s brain sharper.

Take things easy:

As said earlier, do not stress yourself. Try to laugh them off and blame the hormones for everything while you still can. It is a perfect excuse for every silly thing you do. Taking things in good humour will lighten your mood and provide you with funny moments to enjoy with your partner.

Take help:

When you are pregnant, you are in the most need of any help you can get. So, accept and take help whenever someone offers in whatever way. Cut your responsibilities for a while, and focus only on things that are really important. Other things will eventually fall into place.

Be prepared:

There are always some glitches that can happen during or after pregnancy. So, you need to prepare yourself for them in advance. You do not need to be perfect at everything. Just know that it will take some time after the delivery and then your brain will start shining again.

You may be terribly confused by all the different opinions you read on the internet about having sex while you’re pregnant. Should you, should you not, is it safe, is it normal or is it harmful for the baby?

Well, we understand that it might get muddled up in your head, so we have curated a bunch of frequently asked questions about sex during pregnancy and will provide you answers for the same!

Q: Is sex during pregnancy safe?

Yep! It’s perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy! If you’re having a normal pregnancy, you may even have sex until the last stages of your pregnancy. Of course, during certain situations when it is so required, your doctor is going to advise you against having sex, and you should listen to your doctor. But until the time that you feel comfortable, don’t deny yourselves the pleasure. 😉

Q: Does having sex while I’m pregnant harm the baby?

Not at all. Your baby is protected by the amniotic sac, which is a protective layer around the baby, your uterus muscles and a thick mucous layer, which acts as a seal around your cervix and also prevents any infections. Even better, the pen!s doesn’t go beyond your vag!na during sex, in any case.

Q: Can sex trigger labour?

That depends. In case you have a low-risk pregnancy, then there is a very small chance of labour being triggered. Having an 0rgasm or sexual stimulation cannot be the cause of a miscarriage or inducing labour. While you may have mild uterine contractions, caused by orgasms, nipple stimulation or prostaglandins in semen, these are short-lived and basically harmless.

Q: How does having sex during pregnancy feel?

Again, this isn’t a one-for-all answer. It depends on the people involved. Some women feel an increased sense of desire, while for some it might have reduced. There should be no problem as long as you are open with your partner and communicate your feelings. One of the reasons for your heightened sense of desire might be the increased blood flow to your pelvic area, which can cause an engorgement of your genitals. The vaginal discharge and moistness will only add to the pleasurable sensation. On the flip side, you might become uncomfortable with sex during this time because you might have a feeling of fullness or discomfort.

Your breasts are also definitely going to change. They might be enlarged, as they would be getting ready to feed the incoming baby. Your breasts might also become tender and sensitive, which may subside with time. Again, this is something you might or might not like, so be vocal about it and let your partner know!

Q: Is my pregnancy going to affect my partner’s sex drive?

Maybe, maybe not. Most partners have confessed that they still find their women as attractive as ever when they’re pregnant. However, there might be some reasons that partners are apprehensive about sex during your pregnancy – they don’t want to hurt you or the baby. Being honest and upfront with your partner is going to make things much easier for both of you. If you feel like there are/could be some complications, a joint doctor consultation might be the best bet for both of you.

Now that we’ve busted some burning questions for you, go get some sugar!

Mother’s milk is every baby’s white gold…because it is so pure and precious. Breastmilk not just provides nutrition to the baby but also helps in establishing a wonderful bond between mom and baby. Breastfeeding is such an important task for mommies, as they are the only way to meet the baby’s nutritional requirements. However, it can be very taxing on the mother’s breasts.

As you must have experienced, your body undergoes a zillion changes during pregnancy. Your breasts too, undergo a lot of alteration in their size. So, while feeding your baby, your breasts experience changes like loss of volume, engorgement and most importantly…SAGGING!!

Saggy breasts are a huge concern amongst mommies all over the world. Just when mommies are finally able to deal with their weight gain issues, saggy breasts come into the picture and complicate things further. Although there are ways to deal with saggy boobies once the weaning process is completed, you need to understand why your breasts begin to droop after nursing.

Why do breasts droop after breastfeeding?

There are plenty reasons for your breasts to droop, especially after breastfeeding. Most women consider of breastfeeding as the main reason why they have saggy breasts. But the real reason is that- the breasts undergo changes ever since pregnancy happened to them.

The ligaments that attach the chest to the muscle gets stretched during pregnancy. This directly leads to increasing the size of the breasts as that’s how a woman’s body gets prepared for nursing. The stretching causes muscles to undergo tension and the ligaments become loose and begin sagging.

Once the baby is born, the process of breastfeeding begins right after and that is exactly what creates a change in the breasts. Now that the breasts are flushed with milk, they become heavier as the ligaments begin to stretch.

Once the breastfeeding routine is set, the breasts return to the same size as they were during your pregnancy. The size of your breasts remains around the same size till your baby is old enough to let go off weaning. But until then, your breasts are going to be bigger in size and hence they sag once the baby stops feeding from your breasts,

Drooping and saggy breasts also occur depending on the mother’s age. Experts say that women who are in their late 30’s tend to lose their skin’s elasticity faster than other women. So, their breasts get easily affected during this transitioning process.

Science has also proved that women who consume a lot of aerated drinks, soda and alcohol will have saggy b0obs in the long run. The skin loses elasticity and that leads to sagging breasts.

First of all – congratulations on becoming pregnant! Pregnancy brings along with a whole lot of emotions and of course, limitations. You get to feel happy about being able to eat to your heart’s content. The downside is that there are restrictions on what you can and cannot eat during pregnancy since some foods are known to harm the baby.

In the same way, some people think that you cannot indulge in sex while you are pregnant. Just because you are carrying a baby doesn’t mean you have to refrain from having sex. You can enjoy the pleasure by just taking a few precautionary measures and avoiding certain deeds and positions.

Here is a safety guide to having sex during pregnancy:

1. The first trimester:

During the first trimester, pretty much all the sex positions are safe. It is just that you should feel no pain or discomfort while having sex. So refrain from doing anything too rough. Anal sex is a definite no-no as it could cause infections. You should avoid oral sex too as it could cause air embolism which is fatal for both you and your baby.

2. The second trimester:

Now that you have made it into the second trimester, you are safely into the zone of being pregnant with minimal chance of a miscarriage. But this is the stage when you will have restrictions on certain sex positions that will involve you lying on your back. The missionary position will especially put a strain on the blood vessels that carry blood to your baby. There are plenty of other positions that you can enjoy during this time, like the doggy style, spooning and woman on top position. You won’t be able to have full penetration sex during the third and final trimester so indulge in it now while you can – as long as it doesn’t cause any pain that is.

3. The third trimester:

In the third trimester, your belly expands and you won’t be able to have sex like you are used to. The most important thing to remember is to listen to your body. If you feel like it is painful or causing discomfort, then stop. Again, you should avoid missionary position as it can be too strenuous on your back. Avoid any other position that involves deep penetration or puts any strain on your belly as this is not ideal during the third trimester. You can try side spooning position as this will be gentle enough on your enlarged bump.

Well, if there is one thing for sure, it helps us build more intimate relationships. Yes, we are talking about sex with our partners. Sex during pregnancy could pose various challenges in our minds and you know what they say! When you got to go! You got to go! Different questions might come to your minds when you or your partner are in the mood. Would it be safe to have sex even though you’re pregnant? May this article answer many such questions!

1) Seek advice from your doctor!

Most moms who are expecting a baby and are having a normal pregnancy might decide to carry on their sexual activities until they go into labour. Though this might not be a major issue, in some cases, there might be a need to alter the activity or abstain from sexy time altogether during pregnancy. Your doctor shall advise you regarding such issues or inform you if you develop any complications.

2) It does not hurt the baby!

A lot of parents might abstain from having sex or wonder if it would hurt the baby. Delete these thoughts from the mind this instant and do the deed in needed! A baby does not get hurt when mommy and daddy make love. The amniotic sac and the muscles of the womb protect the baby.

The muscles of the uterus seal the cervix which results in guarding against infection. During sex, the pen!s does not exceed the vag!na so the baby would not be affected.

safe to have sex during pregnancy
3) Red light if you bleed after sex!

The uterus does have mild contractions during an 0rgasm but it does not harm the baby and is temporary. Though if cramping lasts long or contractions irritate and cause bleeding then call your doctor immediately as it might pose a threat. Talk freely and tell the doctor everything to protect your baby.

4) Not all women feel the urge to get intimate during pregnancy!

Men! Hold your horses and be emotionally present for your partners during pregnancy as many women experience severe hormonal activities which might fluctuate sexual urges. It is important to communicate with them freely and spend more time with each other so she would be comfortable knowing you are around. Nausea or mood swings are common, especially during the first trimester. Don’t worry as when there is a down, there is definitely an up where women can have a strong sexual urge!

sex while pregnant
5) No! It does not put you into labour!

Sex during pregnancy can initiate mild uterine contractions due to having an 0rgasm. Though, many confuse this with labour for a second due to the dilation of the cervix. It has been scientifically proven that it DOES NOT put a woman into preterm labour usually. It is definitely it a trigger for labour even if it is very close to the due date.

6) There is no one particular method!

During pregnancy, one might think if there is a safe method to get intimate with your partner but that is just a myth. There is no right or wrong way for sex during pregnancy as nothing is going to injure the baby. Just choose any position that feels comfortable for you. It is suggested that it’s more convenient if the woman is on top.

sex when pregnant
7) Does it affect the libido of both parents?

Though pregnancy is not same for every woman. Some might experience low sexual drive and some might experience normally in the first trimester. The first trimester leads to a lot of uneasiness. During the second trimester, the libido returns and a woman feels energetic yet again. For the men, on the other hand, the state of mind might pose a problem as he becomes anxious and would be very careful as he does not want to cause pain to you or the baby but in some cases, men might be attracted as some women get curvier.

The key to having a successful intimate time with your partner during pregnancy is communication and sharing everything that they feel during that time to grow closer as a family and prevent unforeseen trouble.

Working out is often restricted during pregnancy. It is often advised that you should stay in your bed like a slothful bear and your pregnancy will be easy peasy lemon squeezy. But you’ll be startled to know that exercising during pregnancy can cut back your chances of cesarean by a tenth. You don’t need to do extensive workout but slight exercises like aerobics, walking would open the gateway for a safe pregnancy. So if you have been showing a red flag to exercising during pregnancy then be ready to get startled as you read further. We have collaborated few of the best workouts during pregnancy to make your happy news phase even happier.

Brisk walking

There’s nothing better than brisk walking to fit in right up until delivery date. It helps in reducing the contractions during pregnancy and ensures a safe and easy childbirth. And the best thing you don’t need to visit the gym to start doing this. Buy a pair of good sneakers and you’re ready to go. However, if you opt for a hike, be sure to stay away from uneven terrain especially in the later phase of pregnancy. You can continue doing this until your D-day and have a less painful and happy pregnancy.

Aerobics

Aerobics is a great exercise for the pregnant moms who want to follow a healthy regime with a bit of fitness mantra. Low impact aerobics increases your heart rate and improves maternal and fetal health. It is also a nice way to break the myth of light exercising placing the pregnant mom at risk. The more fit you are more healthy pregnancy you’ll have. Aerobics can help in developing the much-needed stamina for labour and delivery. So get up off your couch and have some cool aerobics exercise.

Yoga

There are many yoga exercises that a pregnant mom can do without any safety issue. When you are battling terrible mood swings these exercises will not only give you mental strength but will also help you get relieved from fatigue and breathing issues. Do you know the secret of Bollywood diva Lara Dutta’s happy pregnancy? Yes, it’s yoga! There are various asanas such as Bhramri Pranayam, Sukhasana, Ujjayi breath which can make your delivery time smooth by relieving tension.

Planks

It is the best workout exercise to improve your body’s endurance while toning your upper body and legs. You just need to hold on your body in straight line with your elbows on the floor right beneath your shoulder. You just need to remember to keep your spine in a straight line and focus on your breathing. This will help you in preparing you for childbirth and will help you pass out through the tough phase of pregnancy.

Squat

The squat is an excellent resistance building exercise during pregnancy. You can definitely incorporate it into your weekly exercise routine. It helps you in opening your pelvis which is beneficial both for you and your baby to be during pregnancy. Keep your feet and shoulder wide apart and join your palms together. Now inhale and lower your hips so that you assume a sitting position. You need to be in this position for 1 second and then exhale and come back to your original position. Squat during labour and be ready to witness a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Swimming

Have you seen some pregnant moms being so trouble free even at the time of their pregnancy? What’s the secret to such calm and peace on their face and a perfectly build endurance to withstand the hardest phase of pregnancy? Yes, you guessed it right! Swimming can help you ensure a safe, tension free delivery. A dip in the pool may also relieve fatigue and nausea. So adopt this perfect pregnancy workout out a smile during the tough phase of pregnancy.

These exercises are extremely helpful in reducing your labour pain and increasing the chances of normal delivery. If you want to end your pregnancy tale on a safe and risk-free note then make these exercises a part of your pregnancy regimen and if you face any difficulty then please do consult your Doctor.

Body and joint pain is something that almost all pregnant women had to deal with at some point during pregnancy. However, the painful story doesn’t end here. Postpartum body pain, especially backache can give be a harrowing experience. Neglecting the pain, which most new moms do, will only pile on the agony.

A myriad of factors may be responsible for the postpartum body pain and discomfort.

1. The hormonal imbalance that wreaked havoc during the pregnancy can also affect you postpartum. In many women, the level of the Relaxin hormone remains elevated long after the baby is born (almost a year). High levels of relaxin trigger joint laxity and instability, resulting in pain and discomfort.

2. The pain can also be an indication of the weakening of the core muscles (one of the outcomes of pregnancy). These muscles (comprising of the diaphragm, deep abdominal muscles, and the pelvic floor) are what gets you going, enabling you to perform the daily activities such as lifting things, bending. With the core muscles not functioning properly, body pain is inevitable.

3. With your bundle of joy around, rest and sleep is the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, you have to pay the price for neglecting your health in the form of body pains.

4. Sometimes, poor posture can also play a significant role in triggering the postpartum body and joint pains. A lot of women make simple yet serious mistakes while lifting or holding the baby.

5. Putting on weight during pregnancy is nothing new. However, obesity or being overweight can result in a plethora of health problems, the body pain being one amongst them.

How to avoid postpartum body ache?

A few effective tips and preventive measures are all that you need to keep the postpartum body pain at bay.

1. Take care! You are also important:

There can be nothing more pleasurable than welcoming your bundle of joy, but you also need to take care of the super mom. Without you keeping in good health, how are you expected to look after the baby? Take things easy. In the excitement, don’t overstress yourself.

2. Proper rest and sleep:

Staying awake nights after nights can have deleterious consequences. If you want to avoid the postpartum body aches, you have to have a daily sleep of at least 6 hours, if not more. Women who had a C-section should be extra careful. Don’t try to bend or lift things unless advised by the doctor.

3. Indulge in physical activities:

As soon as your health permits, try to lose the extra pounds. Exercise and yoga can prove to be of great help. If need be, you can seek professional help and guidance. For those with weakened core muscles, there are many core strengthening exercises. In addition to a healthy body weight and strong core muscles, the exercises practised diligently can work wonders to prevent the back pain to a great extent.

4. Take of your posture:

Knowingly or unknowingly, your posture (especially while dealing with the baby) can play a pivotal role in triggering the body pain. Always bend your knees, rather than your waist while lifting the baby up. Make sure you are comfortably placed while breastfeeding or rocking the baby. You can use a cushion to support your back. Avoid carrying the baby on your hip as it can result in back pain.

Although you take extra care during pregnancy, sometimes you might do things that could turn out to have potentially dangerous side effects. Here are few such seemingly harmless things one should avoid during pregnancy:

1. Loading up on bananas

What could bananas do? They’re fruit and fruit is good. But the potassium present in bananas could cause nerve impulses and muscle contractions. When a mom eats more than enough bananas, the high potassium levels could trigger uterus muscle contractions that work towards pushing a baby out.

2. Not packing on enough pounds

Women naturally put on a few kgs when they become pregnant. When this doesn’t happen because of excessive dieting or any eating disorders, it might become a problem. So don’t go for any crazy diets or heavy hot yoga sessions during pregnancy.

3. Getting stressed

Several things could make you stressed or anxious but everytime you lose your calm, so does your baby. It was seen in a study that stressed mommies were more likely give birth to premature babies or babies who are underweight. So mommies, take a chill pill and enjoy your pregnancy.

4. Exposure to harmful chemicals

There are many hidden chemicals in household cleaners and everyday items that could trigger an early exit of the baby. This could be because you inhaled them or they came in direct contact with your skin. Apart from preterm birth, it could also result in birth defects or disrupt the peaceful environment in the womb.

5. Untreated Gestational diabetes

Women with pre-existing conditions like PCOS, obesity, or glucose intolerance have higher chances of developing gestational diabetes. With the right diet and exercise, gestational diabetes can be managed and the mom can successfully give birth to a healthy baby. But in cases where it is left untreated, the mom could give birth to a premature baby.

The average newborn weighs approximately 7.5 pounds. But how many pounds will YOU weigh when you walk out of the delivery room? And how long will it take for you to get your pre-baby body back? While the timeline is different for every woman and is based on a number of factors—how much weight you gained while pregnant, whether or not you’re breastfeeding, your diet and exercise habits—there are certain weight-loss milestones you can mark on your calendar.

24 hours after birth

Women lose an average of 12 pounds almost immediately after giving birth. “You have the baby, lose blood, fluids, amniotic fluid,” says Sarah B. Krieger, MPH, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who does home visits with pregnant women and moms who have children up to age three. In this 24-hour period, your postpartum “pooch” is already starting to go down, she adds. In other words, a lot of that baby weight was…baby.

One week later

You’re still “peeing out” a lot of the fluids, especially if you had an IV/epidural, Krieger says, meaning you’re still losing weight. But don’t get on a scale just yet, Krieger advises. “Focus on how your clothes fit instead of what the scale says,” she suggests.

Breastfeeding may also play a role in weight loss: While women are advised to consume an additional 500 calories a day if they are nursing, they often lose more weight after giving birth. “Women tend to lose more weight after birth if they are breastfeeding because breastfeeding consumes calories,” says Ashley Roman, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center. But Krieger notes that this isn’t true for everyone. “Some women may lose weight quicker than others whether or not they are breastfeeding,” she says.

Two weeks later

Krieger doesn’t think new moms should weigh themselves during the first two weeks, when you still might be establishing breastfeeding and “your hormones are starting to come down.” In other words, you’re still in that “baby blues” period where seeing an undesired number on the scale might send you straight into tears! Plus, she adds, “the number on the scale is usually not reflective of body fat, so don’t discourage yourself.” Krieger recommends measuring your waist with a measuring tape once a month to track inches instead of pounds.

 

One month later

It almost sounds too good to be true, but it’s common for new moms to lose as many as 20 pounds in the month after delivery, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Since most women are advised to gain 25-35 pounds while pregnant, one month later, you might be almost back to your pre-baby size!

 

Six weeks later

The uterus returns to the pelvis around this time, so your belly is looking flatter and smaller. “It’s a big change as far as the belly goes,” Krieger says. Maybe you WILL get to wear your bikini again!

 

A few months later

According to ACOG, if you keep up the healthy eating habits you began during pregnancy, you’ll be close to your normal weight within a few months of giving birth. Getting some exercise when you can will help you get fitter, faster, too.

 

Nine months later

Krieger says there’s some truth to the saying “nine months on, nine months off.” But if you gained more than the recommended 25-35 pounds, it could take a bit longer to look like “you” again. Hang in there!

Krieger also warns against fad diets, which will not promote long-term weight loss. Even worse: crash dieting can deny your body of nutrients and delay healing after birth, and deprive your baby of critical calories and nutrients if you’re breastfeeding, ACOG says.

“As long as the mom is eating enough calories from the above-mentioned food groups to ensure she consumes the vitamins and minerals necessary to promote healthy skin and weight loss/maintenance and includes a little fitness each day, she is not only being the healthiest mom, but she is role-modeling a healthy lifestyle for her children,” Krieger says. And she’ll look good doing it, too!