Mommy Blog, Tips & Ideas
Pregnancy
Coping with a Long Labour
Nov 19th
If you are getting closer to the end of your pregnancy, you may be growing a bit anxious about the labour. This is quite normal and most pregnant women experience this same anxiety at some point.
You should be prepared, in the event that your labour extends the length of an average labour. Use these tips for coping with a long labour.
Relax – The number one rule is to relax. You must be able to remain calm and collected during your labour. Although it is difficult becoming anxious or irritated will only make things worst.
You are doing a lot of hard work throughout this process, so you need to be able to stay calm and relaxed. Bring along a small CD player and a CD with soothing music to play during your labour. Or have a back massager on hand for your spouse or birth partner to rub your back when you start to get achy. Whatever you need to help you relax, bring it with you to the hospital.
Surround Yourself with Love – The excitement of a baby tends to cause mothers to invite several people to be present for the birth. This may not a good idea. Naturally, you want to share this momentous occasion with many family and friends. But the labour room may not be a good time for a family reunion. Pick and choose your birth partners carefully. Be sure to surround yourself with people who can help keep you calm and focused during your labour.
Remember your Goal – Keep your goal in mind even through the pain. You are experiencing something wonderful, but it doesn’t come without lots of hard work. Your labour can become difficult and lengthy, so be ready for it. When you get tired, or feel like you just can’t take another minute, remind yourself that soon you’ll have a lovely little baby in your arms and it will all be forgotten.
Good luck!
Kerry
Should You Really Eat for Two When You’re Expecting?
Nov 18th
A common misconception among pregnant women is that when you’re pregnant you are eating for two, so you can eat more. This simply is not true. Many women find they relax and tend to overeat during pregnancy. However, they find after giving birth that losing those extra pounds isn’t as easy as they thought it would be.
You can avoid gaining too much weight during your pregnancy if you eat smart.
Here are some tips for how much you should eat during your pregnancy:
300 Calories
If you are at a normal weight for your age and height when you become pregnant, you should only add about 300 calories per day to your intake. Be wise in the choices you make about where these 300 additional calories will come from. Try to avoid empty calories like cookies and cakes, they have no real nutritional value and are high in calories.
Fruits and Veggies
Remember to stock up on lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Grapes, apples and bananas are wonderful substitutes for chocolate. Fresh raw veggies, like baby carrots, celery and cucumbers can replace junk food. Keep your refrigerator stocked with these healthy snacks and eat at least five servings per day.
Fiber
You can never get too much fiber in your diet when you are pregnant. Fiber helps prevent constipation, which many pregnant women deal with during pregnancy. Foods like bran, raisins and whole grains can help.
Protein
Most doctors suggest that about ten percent of your caloric intake should consist of protein-rich foods. Protein is important during pregnancy and has a double effect as some foods that are high in protein are good sources of iron as well.
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