For Pregnant Women

Being pregnant is not only a joyous occasion for the mother-to-be, but also for the entire family. A new born in the family ensures that there is continuity of lineage and that the family name is taken to the next generation. However, pregnancy is a period that can be confusing for a first-time mother, as the dos and don’ts are as many as there are mothers in the world. This is one reason why one should not take every one’s tips and suggestions seriously.

A woman who is pregnant should not eat for two, as the pregnancy diet myth suggests. Eating for two can be potentially dangerous for you in terms of weight gain, as it can result in a difficult labor and child- birth. If you take this pregnancy diet myth seriously, your baby might grow too big to be born naturally. It is important to eat a well balanced diet that will help you maintain your health, fitness and the growth of your unborn baby. A well balanced diet is one that gives you about 2800 calories per day with enough proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, healthy fats and a lot of water. It is therefore wise not to eat for two, but to eat smart without putting your health in jeopardy.

When pregnant, it is important to increase the intake of proteins, minerals, and vitamins rich foods, as these go a long way in ensuring that the baby develops well. During pregnancy most women increase their intake of sweets, ice cream, etc. which increases their weight to such an extent that it later becomes difficult to shed this weight after child-birth.

Beverages such as coffee and tea have caffeine and should be taken in moderation as an overdose of caffeine can cause low birth weight in the baby, miscarriage or the baby being stillborn. Alcohol, smoking and drugs should also be avoided during pregnancy as they may lead to the baby born being substance addicted and dependent or deformed in one way or another!

When you get pregnant do not be alarmed if you start having cravings for items that you would otherwise never eat. This is a condition that is known as ‘pica’, which is derived from the Latin name of magpie, a bird that is known to eat almost anything. Women who suffer from pica get the very severe attacks during the first trimester of the pregnancy when the body is still adjusting to pregnancy. Such women not only crave for normal and exotic foods, but surprisingly they also exhibit inclination to eat non food items such as soaps, rocks, soil and charcoal that have no dietary value. They have also been known to go to great lengths to obtain their items of desire. Vary your diet during pregnancy as this makes your diet interesting and nutritious. Though the exact cause of pica is not known, doctors believe that it is due to iron deficiency. No wonder that women always get a prescription of iron and vitamin tablets when pregnant!