Breast Changes in Pregnancy

The human body goes through many remarkable changes during pregnancy. Your uterus grows several times its normal size, you gain weight, your skin changes and your breasts often change during pregnancy. Of all these changes women are often most intrigued by the changes that occur in their breasts during pregnancy.

Early Breast Changes in Pregnancy

In early pregnancy most women experience sore breasts. This is common as early as the first few weeks after conception. Many women notice their nipples feel sore or tingly while others notice their breasts seem swollen or enlarged. Some women liken the changes to those that occur right before menstruation, only more dramatic. Breast tenderness is actually an early sign of pregnancy. Most women will start noticing breast tenderness roughly four to six weeks into their pregnancy. Typically this sensation lasts throughout the first trimester of pregnancy.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Later Breast Changes during Pregnancy

Many women's breasts grow larger throughout their pregnancy. Some women will grow a cup size or more during pregnancy, especially with their first child. You may be disappointed to find your breasts do not change as much during subsequent pregnancies as they do during your first pregnancy.

Itching is common side effects as your breasts grow and adapt, preparing to provide your newborn baby with milk after delivery. Some women will also develop fine white stretch marks in their breasts. Usually a high quality moisturizer is enough to help reduce itching and reduce the appearance of stretch marks that occur in the breasts during pregnancy.

Anywhere from six to eight weeks into your pregnancy you may also notice your nipples appear larger and the veins in your breasts appear more prominent. This is common as the volume of blood circulating in the body increases throughout the pregnancy. Other women develop small bumps around their areolas called Montgomery's tubercles. While these are always present they become much more apparent during pregnancy.

Some women's breasts begin leaking colostrum or premilk late in the second or early in the third trimester. Consider yourself lucky if this doesn't happen and don't worry about it. If your breasts do leak you can easily remedy the problem by using a nursing pad.

Supporting Your Breasts during Pregnancy

You will find your comfort greatly increased by wearing supportive bras during pregnancy. Under the wire bras tend to chafe a bit more and may contribute to clogged milk ducts. If you can look for a bra that doesn't require wiring. You will find that wearing a 'sleep' bra helps your breasts remain comfortable at night, when they tend to feel sore and uncomfortable. Many women prefer a sports style bra during and after pregnancy.

Some women find maternity bras the most comfortable during pregnancy. You'll want to look for a supportive bra that will allow a little room for growth, as your breasts will likely grow even larger when your milk comes in during the first few days after pregnancy.

If you plan to exercise during pregnancy you'll also want a strong and supportive exercise bra, particularly if your breasts have grown a cup size or two. Some women resort to wearing two bras to reduce their discomfort while exercising. Most women will survive on two or three bras during pregnancy and thereafter. You may find you need to have a couple of different sizes handy as your breasts grow, change and develop during and after your pregnancy.

Most women find their breasts return to their pre-pregnancy size and sometimes a bit smaller after pregnancy. This is perfectly normal and a common side effect of pregnancy, not breastfeeding. It is pregnancy rather than breastfeeding that actually causes all of these changes to occur in the breasts.

back to Pregnancy FAQs

Weight gain in Pregnancy

The amount of weight a woman will gain during pregnancy depends on a number of factors, including their height and pre-pregnancy weight. Women who are carrying twins, triplets or more will be encouraged to gain more weight than women who are carrying a single baby. In general, most women will gain between 15-35 pounds during their pregnancy. The amount you gain will depend on whether you are under, over or normal weight prior to conception.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides the following guidelines during pregnancy:

• Approximately 34 pound gain for underweight women
• 25 to 35 pounds for normal weight women
• 15-20 pounds for overweight women

How much weight you gain will depend on a number of factors including your health, the number of babies you are carrying and your pre-pregnancy weight.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Women who are carrying twins will gain more weight than women who are carrying a singleton, as much as 45-50 pounds depending on their pre-pregnancy weight.

Pregnancy Weight Distribution

Where does all this weight go?

• Baby - At birth your baby may weigh between 6-7.5 pounds.
• Uterus - The uterus expands during pregnancy and may weigh 2 pounds.
• Placenta - The placenta, vital for nourishing your baby, generally weighs 1.5 pounds.
• Breasts - Breast tissue often grows during pregnancy, and may weigh up to 1.5 to 2 pounds.
• Blood Volume - Your blood volume will increase during pregnancy up to 4 pounds.
• Fluid - Your body will retain some fluid during pregnancy, as much as 4 pounds!
• Amniotic Fluid - The fluid surrounding your baby will weigh approximately 2 pounds.
• Maternal Fat Stores and Nutrients - You will also gain about 7 pounds of weight that can be attributed to maternal fat and nutrient stores as well as muscle development.

Most women will add on some fat to store for the baby, which is vital to support energy and breastfeeding. These pounds generally come off relatively easily after birth, so don't waste time stressing out about them during your pregnancy! Pregnancy is not the time to diet!

Weight Gain during Pregnancy: A Synopsis

Each time you visit your doctor for a prenatal visit, your doctor will probably assess your weight gain. Excessive weight gain between any two visits might be an early warning sign for serious conditions, including pre-eclampsia, which can cause unusually high levels of edema in the body.

While it is important that you gain weight during your pregnancy, you want to avoid gaining too much weight by eating an unhealthy diet. Too much weight gain during pregnancy may contribute to a condition called gestational diabetes, which can be harmful for both mom and her unborn fetus.

Healthy diet in Pregnancy

Other considerations with regard to weight gain may also be your height and health prior to pregnancy. Women carrying twins will generally be encouraged to gain even more weight than their singleton counterparts.

Most women will generally gain 1 pound per month during the first trimester, half a pound per week during the second trimester and 1 pound per week during the third trimester, though this too varies from woman to woman.

Some women gain more during their second trimester for example, than all other trimesters combined. The important thing to remember is that it is vital to eat a well balanced diet with foods from each of the four food groups.

To help monitor your weight during pregnancy, keep in mind that most women will be consuming between 2,100 to 2,700 calories per day.

A well balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates will ensure that you are feeding your baby the best nutrients available during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is definitely not a time to diet. If you are overly concerned about gaining weight, talk with your practitioner and seek out some support.

Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy

Remember that it is important for you and your baby to remain healthy during pregnancy, and that means that you will have to gain some weight during the course of your pregnancy!

The best thing you can do for yourself is remember that every woman is unique and different. Most women find that they start losing weight very swiftly after pregnancy.

Try not to compare yourself with others and remember that every pound you add is a pound that will help your baby grow and develop safely in your womb!

back to Pregnancy FAQs

Healthy diet in Pregnancy

Take the mystery out of healthy eating and learn what it takes to ensure the health and well being of your unborn child! There is a wealth of information available today that offers tips for eating well during pregnancy. Sometimes it almost seems as if there is too much advice available. Fortunately there is hope; you can eat healthy and nutritiously during your pregnancy if you follow a healthy pregnancy diet.

Eating well can be a challenge, given the tremendous cravings you might be having mingled with morning sickness you might be feeling, particularly during the first trimester. However it is vital that you do everything possible to ensure your baby's health and well being, and that includes eating a healthy diet.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Key Success Factors for Healthy Eating

So what exactly do you need to know to eat a healthy and well balanced diet during pregnancy?

Here are the critical components or key success factors of a healthy pregnancy diet:

Consume 200-300 additional calories per day during the second and third trimesters. It is not vital that you have these extra calories during the first trimester, particularly if you are nauseous or have severe morning sickness. 300 calories does not amount to much, and certainly does not equate to eating for two! You can gain the extra calories from a snack.

Avoid excessive consumption of processed foods. During your pregnancy it is best that you eat as many foods as possible in their natural state. This includes whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, meats and other products that don't have added sugar and other chemicals which may be harmful to your developing baby.

Take a multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid and 30 mg of iron. You can generally purchase an over the counter prenatal supplement with adequate supplies of vitamins and nutrients to ensure that you are meeting your nutritional requirements during pregnancy.

Eat an adequate amount of protein. Protein rich foods include beans, meat and tofu. You should be trying to eat at least three servings a day. Adequate protein consumption will not only ensure that you have a strong reserve of energy for the day, it will also help your baby's tissues develop.

Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy

Eat calcium rich foods at least three times per day. You should be getting at least 1200 mg of calcium every day. Calcium can be found in many foods including dairy products and fortified juices such as orange juice. Calcium is critical particularly during the third trimester when your baby's bones are developing.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

Tips for Eating Well During Each Month of Pregnancy

As your belly expands you may find it easier to eat several “mini-meals” during the day instead of three large meals. This will improve your digestion and also prevent excessive heartburn during pregnancy.

Consider breaking your three meals into six smaller meals per day. Also stock your refrigerator with lots of healthy and nutritious snacks, so you are less tempted to grab for something that is full of sugar and empty calories in a moment of hunger.

Healthy eating is also as important as fitness and exercise during pregnancy. If given the opportunity, you should engage in some sort of light physical activity as well during your pregnancy, which will not only improve your mood but prepare your body for labor.

How Labor Is Induced

When combined with a healthy pregnancy diet, adequate fitness and exercise will help you feel and look your best throughout your pregnancy!

Pregnancy nutrition is easy when you are armed with the knowledge and power necessary to make smart choices!

Remember that everything you put into your mouth goes into the mouth of your little one. Thus, it is vital you do everything in your power to ensure that you get adequate nutrition during pregnancy!

back to Pregnancy FAQs

Food Craving and Pregnancy

Most women will experience food cravings at some point or another during pregnancy. In fact as many as half of all women will crave some type of cuisine or unusual food product during pregnancy. The most popular cravings include sweet and salty foods, while other women report craving spicy or fatty foods. Why all the cravings?

Causes of Food Cravings during Pregnancy

There are many reasons that women experience food cravings during pregnancy. Perhaps the simplest explanation is your body is working twenty four hours a day seven days a week to grow a healthy baby. Some cravings are simply the result of your body's needs for additional calories during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Morning Sickness

Other cravings may signal nutritional deficiencies. Some women for example, even vegetarians, might experience unusual cravings for steak and red meat during pregnancy. This could simply be a sign that their bodies need more iron to help support their growing baby. Many women will crave food they will loath or wouldn't dream of touching when not pregnant.

Many women describe their pregnancy cravings as overpowering. While scientists haven't yet established why cravings are so strong among pregnant women, they certainly acknowledge that food cravings during pregnancy are the norm rather than the exception to the rule.

Pregnancy and Back pain

Dealing With Cravings during Pregnancy

Many women find it simpler to give in to their pregnancy related cravings. This doesn't suggest you have to overindulge (say eat a whole chocolate cake). But, if you are carving sweet foods, why not indulge a little and enjoy a small treat? Typically this is the best way to deal with cravings. There is nothing wrong in most cases with indulging even bizarre cravings (pickles and ice cream for example). Hormones can do many interesting and wonderful things to the body, but also produce some rather bizarre food cravings. Just don't expect your partner to jump on the bandwagon and join you when you start eating foods that are out of the ordinary.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

Occasionally women experience weird cravings that signal they are deficient in certain nutrients. Very rarely women have strange cravings for substances that are bad including dirt or other undesirable substances. This condition, often referred to in the medical community as "pica" usually signifies that someone is deficient in iron. Substantial cravings for ice may be a sign of an iron deficiency. Still other women may experience chocolate cravings which may be normal or a sign that women need more B vitamins. Still other patients desire large quantities of protein. Fortunately protein is very good for pregnant women and in most cases there is nothing wrong with indulging your cravings.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

If however you find you are craving clay or dirt (pica) consult with your doctor. Other common strange cravings among women with this disorder include coffee grounds, plaster, toothpaste, paint chips or other unusual substances. Your doctor can test you for a condition called iron deficiency anemia, and may recommend additional supplementation to help relieve your cravings. Whatever you do don't indulge in these weird cravings. Your body will not benefit by eating laundry starch or paint chips! Quite the opposite!

Remember, by and large most cravings are harmless and easily cured by a little attention to one's diet and occasional indulgence. There is no reason to deprive you after all during pregnancy.

back to Pregnancy FAQs

Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy

Learn what foods to eat and what to avoid during pregnancy to ensure a happy, healthy environment for your unborn baby!

As a concerned parent, you want to do everything possible to ensure the well being and safety of your baby. Thus, it is vital that you eat a well balanced diet in order to ensure that your child is given every opportunity to grow and develop normally, right from the start!

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

Keep in mind that while your caloric needs increase slightly during pregnancy (to the tune of about 300 calories, or the amount of calories in a cup of yogurt and 1/2 a bagel), pregnancy is not a license to eat everything in sight!

Moderation is critical to the health and well being of your baby. Remember during your pregnancy that everything that goes into your mouth will also reach your baby at some point.

Because of this, it is vital that you eat foods that are nutrient dense and safe.

There are several foods that may pose a potential risk to your unborn fetus.

It is important that you recognize the potential dangers of certain food products and avoid them during your pregnancy.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

Foods to Avoid

There are several foods that may pose a risk to your baby. These include:

Raw Meat: You may have been a fan of a good 'beef carpaccio' or round of sushi before pregnancy, but be sure to avoid raw or undercooked meat at all costs during your pregnancy. 'Rare' is simply not an option while pregnant. Why? Rare meats may contain bacteria, toxoplasmosis and Salmonella, all of which are harmful to your unborn baby.

You are twice as likely to experience food poisoning while pregnant, so be sure to ask for your meat prepared well.

Deli Meats: A sandwich is harmless right? Wrong! Prepared meats, such as those available at a deli counter, including hot dogs or turkey, beef and chicken preparations, should not be consumed unless you re-heat them until steaming. Why?

These preparations may be contaminated with a substance called Listeria. These bacteria can harm your baby severely, and may even cause miscarriage or result in a stillborn delivery. Listeria is nothing to joke about, thus it is vital that you avoid the deli counter while pregnant.

Imported Soft Cheeses: Like deli meat, imported unpasteurized cheeses including blue cheese, feta, Brie or camembert should be avoided. These may also contain Listeria.

However, soft cheeses that are made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat. It is important to check out the label. If you are not sure whether or not a product is pasteurized, you should in general avoid it.

Undercooked eggs: Raw eggs or undercooked eggs have the potential to contain Salmonella. Raw eggs are often included in many commercial products including Egg Nog and some forms of Caesar salad dressing.

Be sure to check out the labels before you consume any of these products. Signs of salmonella food poisoning may include: fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

When indulging in eggs during your pregnancy, keep the following in mind:

• Keep eggs always refrigerated until cooked.
• Do not use cracked eggs.
• Wash all utensils after contact with raw eggs.
• Eat eggs immediately after cooking.
• Foods containing eggs should be refrigerated.
• Do not eat dishes that contain Hollandaise Sauce or Caesar Salads which uses raw eggs.

Fish: While eating fish can be beneficial during your pregnancy, there are certain types of fish that you should avoid. These include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, excess tuna and tile fish, as all of these contain high levels of mercury, which can affect your unborn child's nervous system.

Generally it is safe to eat 12 ounces of other fish including salmon and tilapia, which are full of nutritious benefits. Canned tuna should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury contamination.

Caffeine: While a small amount of caffeine (1 small cup a day) may provide a much needed lift for pregnant moms, in general caffeine should be avoided during pregnancy. High amounts of caffeine consumption have been linked with birth defects and increased risks of miscarriage.

Remember that caffeine is present in many every day food items including chocolate, tea and soda. To play it safe you should avoid caffeine entirely during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of miscarriage. Daily caffeine intake of more than four to seven cups of coffee a day appears to double the risk of spontaneous miscarriage.

Alcohol: Alcohol is harmful to your baby's development. Alcohol will cross the placenta and affect your baby, so every time you drink when you are pregnant your baby does to.

If you are pregnant and have been drinking alcohol, stop now! There is no determined level of alcohol consumption that is considered safe during pregnancy. Daily consumption of alcohol in early pregnancy might lead to a condition called fetal alcohol syndrome.

It is important during pregnancy to learn which foods are safe to eat and which foods you should avoid. By doing so you will provide the best possible environment for your baby to grow and develop in.

A healthy pregnancy depends on a healthy diet. For the best possible health benefits, talk to your health care provider about a balanced diet rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals from fresh food sources.

With a bit of planning and encouragement, you can learn to plan wonderful, tasty meals that will satisfy your cravings and benefit the health of your unborn child as well.

back to Pregnancy FAQs

Body Image during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is filled with multiple challenges including emotional and physical changes that can impact a woman's self esteem and body image. How you perceive your body image during pregnancy is just as important as the way you perceive your role as mother, wife, partner and person. Unfortunately society has become so obsessed with body image, particularly that of thin and underweight images of beauty that many pregnant women develop unhealthy body images during pregnancy. The world would benefit significantly from more images in the media of the glory and beauty that surrounds and encompasses pregnant women.

The good news is you can learn to love and appreciate the changes in your body during pregnancy. Body image during pregnancy is merely a matter of perception. The key is adopting the right perception throughout your pregnancy.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

Learning To Love Your Pregnant Body

Pregnant women are among the most beautiful women on earth. In ancient societies man viewed pregnant women as the ultimate sign of fertility. A pregnant woman represented all that is wonderful and bountiful about life. Why then do pregnant women today have so much disdain for their body image during pregnancy?

In today's weight obsessed society it is often easy for women to fall into the trap of feeling negative about their body image during pregnancy. Self esteem and respect during pregnancy however are as much the result of a woman's feelings toward herself as they are the way her body looks.

Here are some tips that will help you develop a positive body image during your pregnancy:

1. Remember that you are carrying the miracle of life within you. No matter how much weight you gain, whether you have acne or not and regardless of the stretch marks pregnancy brings, your body is changing in a remarkable way because you are helping nurture and welcome a new life into the world.
2. No matter what you think of your body, your baby absolutely adores you. Your baby is nestled deep inside your warm womb. Nothing could make a person happier than that close, intense feeling.
3. Your body is changing to provide your baby the support he or she needs to grow into a healthy newborn. If your body wasn't capable of changing and expanding there is no way you could support the life within.
4. Pregnancy weight gain is a normal and natural process. Your weight gain is as much the result of your increasing metabolism and caloric needs as it is your expanding uterus. As you put on weight you help shield your baby from disease and provide a warm and nurturing home.
5. Exercise during pregnancy can help improve your body image and help you feel better about your changing shape.
6. Most women's breasts grow and expand in addition to their bellies. Enjoy this newfound fertility symptom and revel in your womanly shape.
7. Most women give off a unique glow during pregnancy. This is the one time in life people will remark on your beauty regardless of how much effort you put into your appearance.

During your pregnancy you should take some time to pamper yourself and your growing body. You can invest in a pedicure or take time out for a relaxing massage. You should also indulge yourself in one or two outfits you really love that make you feel spectacular. Show off your figure while you can. You'd be surprised in the grand scheme of things how quickly pregnancy passes. Before you know it you'll be longing for the days when your body was ripe with life and love!

back to Pregnancy FAQs

Pregnancy FAQs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

• Smoking and Pregnancy
• Heartburn and Pregnancy
• Pregnancy and Back pain

• Pregnancy and Morning Sickness
• Pregnancy and Urination
• Unplanned Pregnancy

• Pregnancy and Bleeding - III
• Pregnancy and Bleeding - II
• Pregnancy and Bleeding - I

Smoking and Pregnancy

The nicotine in cigarettes makes your blood vessels constrict, so fewer nutrients and less oxygen can reach your baby. This can slow down your little one’s growth and development, and it can put you at risk for delivering a stillborn baby (a baby that dies in the womb) and miscarriage.

If you are pregnant, the sooner you quit smoking, the better off you and your baby will be. After you kick the habit, your baby’s growth will soon return to normal. Quitting smoking early in your pregnancy lowers your risk of having a low birth weight baby.

For women trying to get pregnant, keep in mind that smoking can increase your risk of being infertile by 30 percent. It also delays conception, so it may be harder for you to become pregnant.

During pregnancy, smokers have an increased risk of serious pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption (when your placenta separates away from your uterine lining), preterm premature rupture of membranes (your water breaks before your due date or the onset of real labor occurs), and placenta previa (your placenta grows in the lowest part of your uterus).

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

Smoking when pregnant has also been linked to 30 percent of low birth weight infants, 10 percent of premature babies, and 5 percent of infant deaths.

According to the 2005 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey, an estimated 14 percent of American women smoke during pregnancy.

Smoking can also harm your child after he or she is born. Secondhand smoke increases your baby’s risk of dying from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). When your child gets older, he or she is at higher risk of developing asthma, respiratory problems, bronchitis, ear infections, and pneumonia.

Since the infants of smoking mothers are more likely to have low birth weights and be born premature, they can face seriously lifelong health issues. These can include mental retardation and learning problems.

Is it safe to travel in two wheeler during pregnancy

If you are pregnant, it is vital that you try to quit smoking. If quitting completely is too difficult, limiting your daily cigarette intake can help.

Surrounding yourself in a positive environment can also help you quit. Smokers who have the support of friends and family are more likely to succeed.

Remember to talk to your doctor about your wish to quit. They can give you information about smoking cessation programs and other methods that will help you quit.

back to Pregnancy FAQs