Planet Health, Childers Rock, Limerick, IReland
Folic acid also known as Vitamin B9 is one of the most important vitamin you need to take before conception and during pregnancy. Your midwife or doctor would have already recommended you to take a prenatal vitamin which includes the daily recommended requisite of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of your baby’s brain and spinal cord. You can also top it up every morning with a bowl of dry fruit and fortified cereal (corn flakes / oats). Why do I need Folic Acid, what are the benefits? Folic acid is very important for the development of a healthy foetus. Folic acid can reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) significantly. Your baby’s neural tube may not close correctly due to the lack of Folic acid and she could develop the following health problems Spina bifida: incomplete spinal cord development Anencephaly: incomplete brain development Cleft lip and palate Premature birth Low birth weight Miscarriage Poor growth in the womb Preeclampsia Heart disease Stroke Some types of cancers Alzheimer’s disease What is Folic Acid and when should I start taking Folic Acid? Folic acid is a form of a Vitamin B called […]
Most of the pregnant women experience morning sickness during the earlier period of their pregnancy. It is mostly faced during the first trimester of your pregnancy where you suffer from nausea and vomiting. The exact causes of morning sickness are still unknown, however, they are considered as healthy signs of pregnancy. How long will I face morning sickness and will it affect my baby’s growth? Morning sickness usually starts before 9 weeks of pregnancy and clears by 14 weeks. For some women it lasts for months and for some the entire pregnancy period. Morning sickness is not harmful for your baby, however, ensure that you continue to take a healthy diet in spite of the sickness for proper growth of your baby. Sometimes, nausea and vomiting is severe, in such cases it is always advisable to consult your doctor. Who is at risk of getting morning sickness? Though there is no defined reason for morning sickness, however, below are some reasons which can be behind it: Nausea and vomiting in a previous pregnancy Multiple pregnancies Stress Obesity Effect of any diseases or any medications used by the mom Family history of Morning sickness If it is your first pregnancy Higher […]
Returning to normal or regular weight post pregnancy is a challenging task for moms. You need not start to lose weight immediately after delivery or baby birth. Take advice from the doctor or your midwife before starting a regular exercise routine. Your exercising schedule will also depend upon the kind of delivery you underwent. If you had a normal delivery, you might start exercising early, however, if you had a C-section, you need to wait till the time your stitches are fine and you get a green signal from your doctor. Some methods to lose your weight are: Have a healthy diet Eat fiber rich food such as oats, grain etc. Drink plenty of water Include starch, vegetables and pulses such as beans in your diet. If you are breastfeeding your baby, this will help you reduce weight quickly. Before doing exercises consult with your doctor and take advice. If you are ready to start exercises, start with simple exercises such as: Walking Gentle stretching exercises Pelvic Floor exercises Cycling Swimming Moderate stomach exercises Return to your day to day activities such as cooking after two or three weeks or as recommended by the doctor. Set a goal and schedule […]