by | Jul 5, 2021 | Lifestyle |
Pregnancy takes a huge toll on your body, and there is always the chance of complications. In most cases, you will be absolutely fine, and even though you will notice a lot of changes to your body, you and your baby will be perfectly healthy. However, things can always go wrong, and your doctor will talk to you about the potential issues you may face.
Image From Pixabay CCO License
You can’t always avoid these complications, but there are some simple ways that you can keep yourself healthy and reduce the chances of a difficult pregnancy and birth. These are some of the most effective ways to avoid pregnancy complications.
Attend All Of Your Appointments
All of the appointments with your doctor during your pregnancy are scheduled for a reason. At these appointments, you will be checked over for any potential health problems, and scans will assess the health of your baby. If issues can be picked up early, they can be dealt with before they cause any complications. But they can only do that if you attend all of your appointments, so make sure that you keep on top of your schedule and don’t miss any.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Weight gain drastically increases the chances of pregnancy complications, so you must maintain a healthy weight. Naturally, you will gain weight when you are pregnant. Still, you must avoid eating lots of sugary foods because this increases the chances of developing preeclampsia. This high blood pressure condition can affect the baby’s oxygen levels in the womb. It can also lead to gestational diabetes. On the other hand, being underweight can lead to serious complications too. So, make sure that you eat a healthy, balanced diet and speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your weight while pregnant. Visit https://www.tommys.org for a guide on healthy eating during pregnancy.
Look After Your Oral Health
Many people don’t realize it, but oral health can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. Unfortunately, you have a higher risk of developing gum disease when you are pregnant, so you must take care of your oral health. Book an appointment with an experienced dentist (like this one at http://smilesbymia.com/) and regularly visit throughout the pregnancy. Keep on top of your oral hygiene routine at home too, and if you notice any small problems, get them checked out right away.
Get Plenty Of Sleep
Studies show that lack of sleep can also increase your risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, so make sure that you get plenty of sleep. This is often easier said than done because many women have insomnia during pregnancy—simple lifestyle changes like exercising during the day and finding ways to reduce stress can help. However, if it is becoming a serious problem, you should speak to your doctor about potential medical treatments.
If you follow these steps, you can drastically reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy. However, you should always consult your doctor if you are worried about anything because complications are always possible.
by | Sep 27, 2018 | Fitness |
One of the lesser-known symptoms of pregnancy is insomnia, which is characterized by the inability to sleep. You may find that while you feel physically and mentally tired, when you try to actually grab 40 winks, nothing much happens.
Insomnia is incredibly difficult to deal with at the best of times, but it’s all the more challenging during pregnancy. In an effort to assist all expectant moms, below, you’ll find a simple guide to insomnia during pregnancy and – most importantly – the steps you can take to manage it.
Why do pregnant women experience insomnia?
There’s no specific biological reason for why insomnia happens, but we do know it’s common. Studies have shown over 70% of women will experience insomnia during their pregnancy. The issue is most prevalent in the third trimester, which suggests physical comfort may be a contributing factor, but this is theory rather than established fact.
Can insomnia be treated medically?
There may be options available to you, but many conventional treatments for insomnia are not suitable for pregnant women. However, if your insomnia is particularly concerning, then it’s always worth consulting with a doctor for their advice. It is likely they will suggest lifestyle changes rather than medical remedies, but it’s still worth double-checking, especially if physical discomfort is contributing to your inability to sleep.
What lifestyle changes can help to ease insomnia during pregnancy?
There is no “right” way to treat insomnia; what works for some pregnant women won’t work for others, so unfortunately, there’s no tried and true approach that will guarantee results. As a result, you may need to try a few different things in an effort to ascertain what works for you. Here are a few of the most common suggestions:
- Exercise during the day. Provided your prenatal medical team are happy for you to exercise, of course.
- Get up during the night. If you can’t sleep, the idea of getting out of bed may sound counterproductive, but many people find it is preferable to struggling to sleep and getting more and more frustrated. It may be beneficial to amuse yourself for an hour or so by reading a book, playing a new strategy game for mobile devices, or watching TV – remember to wear orange glasses or use a blue light filter if your preferred activity involves looking at a screen.
- Clear your mind before attempting to sleep. It can be helpful to write down a list of tasks you need to do the next day, or any thoughts that have been whirring through your mind, before trying to sleep. Many pregnant women find this helps them to feel reassured, which in turn improves their ability to sleep.
- Change your sleeping position. If you are struggling to sleep due to discomfort, then changing your sleeping position may be beneficial. If you are struggling to sleep on your side, you may find that a body cushion or pregnancy pillow is beneficial in easing this.
In conclusion
Hopefully, the tips above should help to ensure that you are able to get the rest you need during pregnancy. However, if you continue to experience issues with insomnia during your pregnancy, then it’s best to speak to your doctor for further advice.
by | Dec 6, 2022 | Lifestyle |
Parenthood is a fantastic journey that changes your life in innumerable ways. It can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, exciting and exhausting – all at the same time! As a new mom, there are many things to prepare for, both expected and unexpected. This blog post will discuss some of the most important things to remember as you prepare for this incredible journey and also provide helpful tips on coping with the unexpected challenges that may arise along the way. Welcome to parenthood – buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Self-Care
Caring for a newborn is a round-the-clock job, and it can be easy to forget your needs. That’s why it’s essential to ensure you’re taking time for yourself too. This could include taking regular walks, exercising, or resting when possible. You could also take advantage of support systems available – friends and family who can help watch the baby while you have time to yourself or even provide an ear if you need someone to talk to.
Baby Gear
While it might seem like there are endless products out there claiming they’ll make your life as a new mom easier, it’s best not to go overboard with the purchases. Instead, stick to the basics – a crib, car seat, stroller, some diapers, and wipes – these are all you need. You can always add more later if you discover something else is necessary for your family.
Setting Expectations
It’s essential to be realistic about what your life with a newborn will look like. Do some research on baby sleep patterns, and remember that it takes time for you and your baby to adjust to this new routine. Put little pressure on yourself to get things done quickly or perfectly; give yourself the time to learn how to be a parent. Talk to others who have been there and can share their experiences with you and provide support and encouragement.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected
No matter how well you prepare, parenting never goes according to plan. Perhaps you read articles on www.childbirthinjuries.com, and you’re uncertain how to proceed, or you may find yourself in a situation where your baby won’t sleep, or the gear you purchased isn’t working out as expected. It’s important to stay flexible and remember it’s all part of the learning process. Talk to other parents, and don’t forget to reach out for help when needed – whether from family, friends, or medical professionals.
In conclusion, being a new mom can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life – but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, so knowing what to expect is critical! Take the time to fully prepare yourself for this incredible journey of parenthood, as there will be both expected and unexpected obstacles along the way. However, with proper knowledge and care, you can ensure that you and your baby have a safe, healthy start.
by | Nov 18, 2021 | Lifestyle |
Postpartum care needs to be taken seriously both by new parents and by those around them post-birth. It is only natural for all the focus on the new baby, and many new parents will agree this is right. But neglecting postpartum care can lead to longer recovery times.
Image credit
Everyone is different and will require different levels of support and care after giving birth, influenced by various factors such as general health, home situations, and the type of birth they experienced. With 1 in 7 new mothers thought to share postpartum mental health concerns in the first 12 months after giving birth, focusing on supporting new parents in this time is vital.
But what can you do for yourself to support your body and mind post-pregnancy?
Plan Ahead
Being prepared for having a new baby at home before the baby arrives is a great way to take the pressure off everyone. From making meals up ready to heat and eat when you don’t know what it is to have an organization’s system for feeding and clothing and diaper changes ready to go can be a massive weight off your mind/ Not everything goes to plan, and that is perfectly ok but being prepared can give you a head start. So buy your baby equipment from Foryourlittleone and have it at home ready to wash and organize all baby clothing. Stock up on baby wipes, cleaning equipment, bibs, muslins, and any gadgets you need and have them ready to use.
Be Honest
There is a somewhat idyllic picture that everything will be rosy and amazing after birth, and being a parent will come naturally. This isn’t true for everyone, and being realistic about how you might be finding things can open the doors for support from family and friends, and medical professionals. Needing help as a new parent isn’t something to be ashamed of but glossing over the hard things or making things harder for yourself won’t help you.
Don’t Push It
Giving birth is a substantial physical trauma your body goes through, and it will naturally take time for your body to recover. From the aches and pain as your uterus shrinks back to size. The skill of getting those kegel exercises correctly and the initial sleep deprivation being a new parent all put a strain on your physical health.
Generally, when you suffer a trauma, you are expected to rest to allow your body to recuperate except after giving birth. Feel free to say no to visitors or attend engagements or events, even just a coffee date with a friend. Take as much rest as you can when you can (everyone knows that sleeping when the baby sleeps isn’t possible or practical).
Lastly, take help when offered. Even if for a short while. While no one expects you to let others take your new baby out for hours on end while you sleep, allowing loved ones to support you by taking care of chores or taking on a feed can give you added time to relax and rest and let your body recover from birth.
by | Oct 19, 2021 | Lifestyle |
If you have a wound on your skin that will not close and heal naturally, wound care treatment is necessary. Having a wound that will not heal properly can be frustrating and disheartening. It can also cause discomfort and pain. However, there is help available.
There are wound clinics that have been established to treat wounds, from pressure ulcers to old surgical wounds. You will want to choose a medical center with care, though, as the last thing you want is to end up selecting a clinic that has had a lot of bad press because many medical malpractice lawyers have made claims due to patients being mistreated.
Typically, you would not need wound care in the long term because your body has natural defense mechanisms in place for healing and repairing damaged areas of the skin relatively quickly. However, if a wound does not heal itself, it becomes necessary to seek medical care.
One example whereby you would probably need specialist wound care is if you have venous leg ulcer issues. This can be painful, and it can cause continual day-to-day suffering for those suffering from it. There tend to be several factors underlying here, including continual trauma, infection, and diabetes, which can prevent wounds from closing and healing effectively.
This is just one example of many, but it helps to show that there are many different cases whereby specialist wound care may be needed, and there are many factors that can influence how well a wound heals or does not heal. So, if you notice any problems, getting in touch with a medical expert is a must.
After all, you could end up experiencing a lot of discomfort and pain if you have an open wound that will not heal. Should you have restricted mobility, for example, you may discover that you need treatment for pressure sores, as this is the sort of problem that is only going to get worse and worse as time goes on and the root issue is not addressed correctly.
If there is any delay in treating any types of open wounds, like pressure sores, it can make the risk even more significant. Infection, for example, is a real possibility. Some of the different signs that your wound has become infected include foul-smelling pus from around the wound and a raised temperature. If this is not treated quickly and effectively, health conditions such as sepsis can happen, ultimately causing organ failure and shock.
You could also develop cellulitis if the bacteria from your open wound starts to impact the skin around it, or even more worryingly, infect the tissues that are under the skin and begins to spread into the bloodstream.
As you can see, there is no reason why you should ever take a risk when it comes to open wounds, so we encourage you to act quickly and see a medical professional.
Follow!