Pregnancy and Travel

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the safest time for pregnancy travel is during the second trimester (18 through 24 weeks) when you are usually feeling your best and are in the least danger of experiencing a miscarriage or premature labor. It's generally advised that women in their third trimester should stay within 300 miles of home because of concerns about access to medical care in case of problems such as hypertension, phlebitis or false premature labor.

When making the decision to travel, it's important to consider the potential problems associated with international travel, as well as the quality of medical care available at your destination and during transit. It's a good idea to consult with your health care provider before making any travel plans.

Typical problems that you might encounter are the same as those experienced by many pregnant women: fatigue, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, vaginal discharge, leg cramps, increased frequency of urination and hemorrhoids.

8 symptoms that need immediate medical attention

1. Bleeding

2. Abdominal pain or cramping

3. Passing of clots or tissue

4. Contractions

5. Ruptured membranes

6. Excessive swelling of your legs

7. Headaches

8. Visual problems

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Regaining Pre- Pregnancy Figure

Losing weight after nine months of housing a new life is a natural and ambitious endeavor. Most moms are eager to return to their pre-pregnancy figures just as soon as humanly possible which is a great goal to have, however you must be patient. Your body has just gone through one of the most challenging events in your life as a woman. It will take time to fit back into those old jeans, in fact your body changes so much when you are pregnant you may never wear those specific jeans again.

Don’t get too discouraged though that is only because many women find that even after they lose the baby fat their bone structure has gone through changes, this is caused by the hormones that are released into your body during pregnancy that help your body adjust to the extra weight of carrying a child, your bones and joints actually shift and move. You can still obtain a beautiful, toned and slender body but it may not be exactly as you remember it.

There are limitations to when and how you can start to lose weight after having a baby; most new moms can start walking almost immediately after their first post pregnancy doctor’s visit. Many women lose weight just walking with their new babies, after you factor in the stroller, diaper bag and purse you are pushing around a good quantity of weight.

Dieting is not recommended immediately after having a baby but a healthy diet is a great idea. You can eat healthy foods while keeping in mind that if you are breast feeding your body actually needs more calories now than it did when you were pregnant.

Do not cut those calories, it is good to eat healthy but crazy dieting will not produce enough energy for your body to supply your newborn with milk as well as function as a new mother. If you have spoken with your doctor and have been given the green light to start working out it is important to only do so when you have the energy to, when you factor in waking up 3-4 times every night to take care of your new baby energy is a precious commodity to come by. The first three months of motherhood should really be devoted to eating healthy and getting enough nutrition to cope with the lack of sleep and stresses that come with motherhood. You will often lose weight while breast feeding because this is a true labor for your body to produce and express milk.

After the first three months when your life is starting to come back together it is great to start working out. Try not to focus on losing weight quickly though, remember it took nine months to get to your fully pregnant weight and it will take at least six months to return to your pre-pregnancy weight. You should aim to lose no more than two pounds per week with moderate to vigorous exercise, the average post pregnancy weight lose is around half a pound to a pound a week when eating healthy and working out consistently.

However if you are not losing the average amount of weight do not get discouraged this is a process that takes time; because your body has been through so many changes within such a short amount of time your body may need more time to adjust than “the average”.

The most important things to remember when losing weight after having a child is that it is not a race, you need to allow yourself the time and permission to lose the weight when it is comfortable for you. Being a new mother is so stressful that when you get caught up in how the rest of the world wants you to look and how long the rest of the world thinks it should take you to lose the weight, you can become depressed and discouraged, and this is not good for you or your new baby.

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FAQs on getting pregnant

Does age matter?

Fertility decreases with age. Women in their twenties are more fertile than women in their thirties and on an average, it gets far more difficult for a woman to conceive after the age of 35. Fertility is at its peak when a woman is in her twenties, and when she is between 30-35, fertility is down by around 15 to 20 percent. This is not very much lower, and it probably means just a few more months of trying to get pregnant. However, once a woman reaches the age of 35, it is harder for her to conceive, and if she is trying to have her first child after 35, chances of it being born with Down's Syndrome are greater. All this really means is that the mother will have to take more care during her pregnancy, and if she is careful, she can give birth to a happy, healthy baby at any age. Also, the chances of a woman giving birth to twins, peak between the ages of 35 to 39!

Can diet play a part in increasing chances of getting pregnant?

Yes, what you eat can render you more fertile, or less so. If you have been trying to get pregnant without much success, try staying away from tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks and beverages. Also, avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

Preconception Tips

How often should we have sex?

Whether you will get pregnant or not doesn't depend on how often you do it, but on when you do it. Timing of intercourse is more important than frequency. If you get the timing right, you can get pregnant at once, otherwise you may have to try a number of times before you get pregnant. A lot also depends on the sperm count of your husband. If your husband has a high to normal sperm count, you could have sex everyday during your fertile period. However, if your husband has a low sperm count, you may want to have sex every other day during this period.

Am I Pregnant?

Will taking a hot shower affect my husband's sperm count?

No, taking a hot shower will not affect his sperm count, but lying down in a tub of hot water for around 10 minutes, will. Similarly if you are trying to get pregnant, your husband should avoid using the sauna or steam bath. Remember, if he uses the steam bath now, his sperm count will affected adversely for around three months after that. It takes sperm 10 to 11 weeks to be produced, so bear that in mind. Also, tell your husband to switch to cool and loose boxers instead of wearing tight underwear. He should also avoid wearing biker shorts for at least two months prior to when you plan to conceive.

What are the best sexual positions to get pregnant?

Avoid any woman on top position, since in such positions the sperm has very little chance of reaching the cervix. The missionary position is probably your best bet, and you can alternate this with rear entry positions with the man on top, if you have a tilted cervix. Keep a pillow under your hips for a while during or immediately after intercourse, to allow the sperm to travel to your cervix.

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