Archive for women
Pregnancy tips for women
Posted by: | CommentsPREGNANCY IS regarded as one of the most important time in a woman’s life. This is a period wherein a pregnant woman needs to carefully follow her physician’s advice. The advice eventually land up helping the mother and the new born. The rule of the thumb is, whenever a woman gets the first signs of being pregnant, the woman needs to ensure that good prenatal care is undertaken which will be good for both mother and the baby.
It is highly adviced that regular checkups be conducted without missing out on even one appointment. In rare cases, if problems are detected, an early solution to the problem will yield better results.
One of the best advices that physicians give is quitting cigarettes before getting pregnant and definitely when pregnancy is detected. Passive smoking too, takes a serious toll on the unborn’s health and so preventive measures need to be taken to ensure that the surroundings are absolutely smoke free. Same goes with alcohol, it has not yet been proven that intake of alcohol, even in small quantities in any way, helps the baby. It is best if these two things are kept at a bay.
The best way in which both the mother as well as the baby will keep themselves healthier is exercising. The amount of time spent in exercising shows its results directly in the labour room where the woman has to struggle less, reduces the need of going in for cesarean and above all, it helps the woman in getting back to her pre-pregnancy shape.
Talking to your physician will help a great deal as he/she will be guide you on the type of food that has to be eaten and a favorable position in which a woman has to sleep. Eating food high in fibre, folates, iron and calcium is likely that a physician might recommend. Drinking plenty of water too helps, minimum 6-8 glasses on a daily basis.
Read here for more information related to Pregnancy Tips and Pregnant Woman.
Article from articlesbase.com
Do Vices Prevent Women from Becoming Pregnant?
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Norwalk and Danbury, CT (PRWEB) January 5, 2006
Few Americans can count themselves “viceless.” Whether it’s having a glass or two of wine with dinner, or a midday cigarette break, or even a couple of cups of coffee to get going in the morning, the majority of us indulge in at least one less-than-healthy pleasure. And for the most part, the effects of that occasional indulgence are of little consequence. But for couples trying to achieve pregnancy, many of these lifestyle choices can make getting pregnant much more difficult.
“Achieving a healthy pregnancy is one of the most natural processes the human body goes through,” says Dr. Mark Leondires, M.D., Medical Director at Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT, and a leading authority on reproductive medicine. “Yet, it is also one of the most complex and, at times, elusive. It’s precisely because of the intricacy of the process, and the delicate balance of hormones and timing involved, that we need to take a hard look at lifestyle as a key factor in infertility,” Dr. Leondires adds.
The common denominator for all of these vices is that each one has some kind of effect on the reproductive system, whether at the glandular or organic levels. “Much research has been done in this area over the past decade and the news can be quite sobering,” Dr. Leondires notes. He offers this information and advice on the “Big Four” vices that can contribute to infertility:
–RECREATIONAL DRUGS: Recreational drug use should be stopped for men or for women while attempting pregnancy. In men, cocaine use has been found to lower sperm counts and reduce the sperms’ motility, while increasing the number of abnormal sperm. Also for men, a chemical called THC in marijuana has been shown to lower sperm counts and reduce the amount of seminal fluid, both of which are detrimental to achieving pregnancy. In women, marijuana may arrest the ovulation process and suppress the hypothalamus gland, which regulates hormone function. And cocaine use prior to conception may be linked to a higher risk of birth defects. Dr. Leondires adds, “What’s more, it can take the body months to fully rid itself of residual drugs, so the best thing to do for fertility is to stop recreational drug use as soon as a couple has decided to become pregnant.”
– SMOKING CIGARETTES: Women who want to become pregnant should quit smoking, because the compounds in cigarette smoke have been linked to primary infertility. A recent study found that the compounds in cigarette smoke affect the ovaries, disrupt endocrine function and proper pituitary hormone release, and may contribute to irregular periods, infertility and early menopause. Earlier research identified cigarette smoke as a risk factor for primary fallopian tube infertility. “Cigarette smoking is a vice that can affect not only a patient’s ability to achieve a healthy pregnancy, but also to carry that pregnancy to term. And, it can have long-term health consequences for mother and baby. The best advice is to talk with your doctor about how best to quit prior to attempting conception,” Dr. Leondires urges.
– COFFEE: Caffeine makes conception more difficult, even for fertile women, and studies now suggest that even one cup of coffee per day can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant within a 12-month period by more than 50%. Three cups of day, and the odds drop by more than 175%. In addition, there is evidence that caffeine consumption among smokers is even more detrimental for fertility. “Although the caffeine debate is far from settled, I encourage patients to stay on the safe side and drink plenty of water and other decaffeinated beverages while trying to get pregnant,” Dr. Leondires says.
— ALCOHOL: Alcohol is a depressant that works on sperm as well as on eggs. “From low sperm counts and temporary impotence in men, to disruption of the ovulatory and menstrual cycles in women, to an overall depression of libido for both sexes, alcohol has a suppressive effect on fertility,” Dr. Leondires notes. And the effects are noted for moderate as well as heavy drinkers. Best bet: Abstain until delivery.
It is estimated by the National Institutes of Health that infertility affects approximately 10% of all couples of childbearing age. Dr. Leondires encourages couples who have tried for at least 12 months to achieve pregnancy without success — or six months if the woman is over age 35 — to contact a reproductive medicine specialist for assistance.
Bio:
Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D., FACOG, is a leading authority on reproductive medicine. Dr. Leondires is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Leondires earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Leondires completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. After completion of his training, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving as the ART Director for the largest and most successful program in the military health care system at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Leondires is currently Medical Director and lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA-CT) in Norwalk. Along with numerous teaching and research activities, Dr. Leondires has published articles in professional medical journals, national consumer magazines and newspapers, as well as abstracts and book chapters. More information about Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut is available at www.rmact.com.
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Find More Healthy Pregnancy Press Releases
Top 10 Pregnancy Preparedness Tips To Be In Tip-Top Shape : An Essential Guide For Women
Posted by: | CommentsWhether it’s your first, second or third pregnancy, there is such a novelty to the experience that both you and your partner will marvel at as parents. If you’re already parents, remember that each pregnancy is unique in its own way, so it helps to be prepared every step of the way.
On the other hand, if you are a first-time parent, you might have already read every guidebook that expecting mothers usually pore over – but there are still some practical tips that you need to keep in mind.
Therefore, the number of children that you’ve already had doesn’t matter. What does matter is the fact that you need to be prepared physically, mentally, emotionally and even financially before giving birth to your child.
Read on to find out what tips you need to keep in mind, as well as everything else in between that a mother-to-be needs to know regarding her pregnancy.
Enumerating the Top 10 Pregnancy Preparedness Tips & Everything Else In-Between that Every Mother-to-Be Needs to Know
So what are the top 10 tips that you need to keep in mind about pregnancy preparedness? Here is a list of things that you should remember and prepare for in order to have a successful pregnancy:
1. Be aware of the changes in your body.
The minute that you see the positive sign on that home pregnancy test kit, that is the time you will start being aware of the changes in your body.
As the child in your womb grows from its first to its third trimester, your body will undergo specific changes – and this is something that you should be prepared for.
During the first trimester, you are bound to experience morning sickness, vomiting and a feeling of being ill. This is usually a result of the hormonal changes that your body is undergoing – and it’s a perfectly natural result of being pregnant.
During the second trimester, you would have already accustomed to the life growing inside of you and weight gain is something that you should be prepared for.
Finally, the third trimester is when you will feel most uncomfortable as the weight in your belly grows bigger and bigger until the time that you will actually give birth.
2. Do away with any ‘nasty’ habit that you may have.
On the onset of your pregnancy, make sure to do away with any nasty habits that you may have. If you smoke, quit if you don’t want to suffer consequences during your pregnancy.
Smoking while pregnant may lead to miscarriage, bleeding or if you successfully carry your baby onto its third trimester, it might be premature or underweight.
Another habit that you should not indulge in while pregnant is the intake of alcohol. Taking illegal drugs is even more of a no-no.
3. Be physically prepared.
One of the best favors you can do for yourself while pregnant is eating right and at the same time maintaining a healthy weight by following good Pregnancy nutrition.
Although you are already eating for two, that is not an excuse to go all out and give into your junk food cravings.
This is because if you unhealthily gain excessive weight during your pregnancy, labor might prove to be difficult and it can even lead to complications in the baby’s health.
4. Make sure that you are prepared financially.
Now that there is an economic crunch, it is even more vital to save up for the time that you will actually give birth, the expenses that you would have to shoulder start with the doctor’s appointments while you are on your first, second and third trimester. You may even want to enroll in birth classes.
The costs of giving birth in the hospital would add a huge chunk to your expenses – but it goes way beyond that.
As a future parent, the mere fact that you will add one more member to your family means that you need to make major adjustments with your budget as a household – and this is something that you really need to prepare for.
5. Plan for the birth and the delivery details.
Whether or not it’s your first time to give birth, your doctor can help map out a birth and delivery plan for you.
Aside from the medical aspect of things, you should also prepare the things that you need to bring with you to the hospital once ‘it is time’.
About a week or so before you give birth, make sure that you already packed the essentials like your clothes, the toiletries and some clothes that you bought for your baby.
6. Make sure that you have a pregnancy backup plan.
Although you may be preparing for a vaginal birth, you should still have a backup plan in case there is a medical need for you to undergo a C-section.
Ask your doctor about the type of incision that will be used, make sure that you know which type of anesthesia will be applied and how long it will take for you to recover.
7. Prepare your home in welcoming a new member of the family.
It’s not just the nursery that you need to prepare when welcoming a new member of your family, it’s the entire household which should be child-proof.
If you already have several kids running around the house, you may have already performed some child-proofing steps. But if you haven’t, now is the best time to do so.
For first time parents, you should enjoy the process of putting together a nursery for your child. Aside from repainting the walls and getting that crib in the center of the room, you should also have your home tested for environmental hazards which include lead paint, radon or carbon monoxide.
Your car should already have child-safety features. You can even get one of those choke-test cylinders to ensure that any toy that you will be placing on the nursery is hazard-free.
8. Practice multitasking even before the baby arrives.
You won’t believe how little sleep you will actually get once the baby arrives. So as early as possible, you can practice multitasking.
You can prepare home cooked meals in advance and freeze them so that you will have microwaveable dishes once you get home from the hospital.
Keep the refrigerator stocked with healthy foods and some baby essentials. Even your bathroom supplies should be well-stocked.
9. Decide on the parenting style that you will take.
This is an especially crucial decision for both parents. Which parenting style will you take? If both parents are working, should one give up his or her job in order to personally care for the baby, or is hiring a full-time baby sitter an option that you are considering?
Will you play the good cop, bad cop scenario? How will you as a couple have a united front while disciplining your child once he or she grows up?
How about sibling care? Will you allow them to do their share in caring for the new member of the family? In terms of religious beliefs, what traditions will you follow? Deciding on these issues in advance will give you a leeway so that conflicts can be prevented in the future.
10. Enjoy the experience to the fullest!
Finally, make sure to extract every bit of pleasure that you can out of your parenting experience.
Sure, you are allowed to be an emotional wreck especially if you are a first-time mother – but this should not take away from your marveling at the experience of being pregnant and giving birth.
By following these pregnancy preparedness tips, you can rest assured that you are prepared for your pregnancy, the labor phase and the post-natal care of that new member of your family which everyone is eagerly awaiting with open arms.
Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for ThePregnancyZone.com. This blog covers various pregnancy issues, prenatal care, preparing for pregnancy, tests & procedures, pregnancy tools and pregnancy stages. Visit The Pregnancy Blog
Article from articlesbase.com
Related Second Trimester Articles
Oh Mama! Finally, a Nutrition Bar for Pregnant Women
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Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) April 4, 2005
Addressing a void in the market for healthy and convenient foods aimed at pregnant women, Beth Vincent, CEO and Co-founder of Vincent Foods has created the Oh Mama! nutrition bar. Oh Mama! is the first nutrition bar formulated specifically to meet the needs of women who are trying to conceive, who are pregnant, or who are breastfeeding.
Getting the proper nutrition during pregnancy is critical. Doing so, however, is often a challenge for women who are busy, tired, or simply confused about what is best to eat. Oh Mama! nutrition bars are a convenient, healthy and delicious solution. The Oh Mama! nutrition bar delivers peace of mind to women as it contains DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) as well as 14 vitamins and minerals recommended by the National Academy of Sciences for pregnant women in a tasty, low-fat snack.
Not only is Oh Mama! the first bar specifically designed for expectant and new mothers, it is one of few foods available with supplemental DHA. DHA has attracted attention in the news as a large and building body of research shows that this fatty acid, transferred from mother to child during pregnancy, is critical for a babyÂ?s brain, visual and central nervous system development. Unfortunately, there are not many sources of DHA in the typical American diet. Pregnant women, in particular, do not get enough of this important nutrient because they are cautioned to limit consumption of certain types of fish (a major source of DHA) due to concerns about mercury intake.
The inspiration for Oh Mama! came from Beth VincentÂ?s frustration in finding convenient, healthy and satisfying foods during her three pregnancies. Like most pregnant women, Beth became hungry at inconvenient times and was forced to eat what was readily available. Sometimes that meant eating a pop-tart, french fries, or crackers from a vending machine. When BethÂ?s doctor found out about some of the foods Beth was eating, the doctor recommended Beth eat more nutritious snacks for the health of the developing baby. The problem was that most nutritious snack foods just werenÂ?t convenient to bring to work or on errands. Beth saw that many of her friends also had a difficult time finding healthy and convenient foods to eat while pregnant and she decided to pursue a solution.
Â?I worked with doctors and nutritionists to design a bar that makes it both easy and enjoyable for women to get the proper nutrition at this time in their lives. In formulating this product we looked at what an average pregnant woman eats. We found that even with the help of a prenatal vitamin certain key nutrient levels were inadequate. Oh Mama! is meant to help those of us who canÂ?t eat the perfect pregnancy diet,Â? explains Beth Vincent.
Dr. Suzanne Trupin, a Board Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Professor at the University of Illinios Medical School and CEO of WomenÂ?s Health Practice in Champaign, Illinois has this to say about Oh Mama!,”I am excited to be able to offer the Oh Mama! nutrition bar to my patients. I only wish the bar had been available when I was pregnant with my children!”
Dr. Barbara Luke, ScD., M.P.H., 2005 recipient of March of Dimes Agnes Higgins Award in Maternal Nutrition and best selling author on maternal nutrition states, Â?As a nutritionist specializing in maternal and child health, I am always on the lookout for foods that help women get the right nutrition. The Oh Mama! bar is a wonderful source of vitamins and minerals for expectant and breastfeeding mothers. This unique product provides a convenient and delicious source of crucial nutrients often lacking in womenÂ?s diets. I wholeheartedly recommend Oh Mama! bars.Â?
With Oh Mama! Beth Vincent aims to create a stylish brand that helps women stay fit while helping their babies stay healthy. Beth has extensive education and work experience in public health and maternal and child health. She graduated from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health with a Masters in Health Policy and Management. She has worked in health care consulting, volunteered in both nutrition and prenatal clinics and has trained as a doula.
A low-fat, low-calorie, high-protein food, Oh Mama! supports active lifestyles. Oh Mama! bars come in three fantastic flavors: chocolate peanut butter, frosted white raspberry and yogurt honey ($ 22.50 per case of 15 bars when purchased on the Internet) and can be purchased online at www.ohmamabar.com and in many upscale maternity stores nationwide.
For information please contact Cathy OÂ?Brien at AAM consulting
Phone: 917-670-3757
www.ohmamabar.com
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Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 8, 2006
Pathways to Wellness, a Boston-based provider of holistic health services, recently launched a new Fertility Enhancement Program that combines acupuncture and yoga and is specifically designed to help women and men overcome problems related to infertility.
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, an estimated 3 million couples are unable to conceive after one year of trying.
“The inclusion of acupuncture and yoga along with biomedicine creates a comprehensive fertility treatment plan that addresses all the various and complicated issues that can be present in the patient with infertility,” says Kristen Porter, MAc, LAc, Executive Director of Pathways to Wellness and New England School of Acupuncture faculty. “Holistic care provides an adjunctive treatment that brings support and nurturance to the patient in body, mind and spirit. Addressing infertility on all of these levels cultivates a landscape within that can better create and support a healthy pregnancy.”
Recent studies led by Dr. Paul C. Magarelli, an infertility doctor at the Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Center in Colorado Springs, CO and an earlier study conducted in 2002 by researchers at the University of Ulm in Germany have shown that acupuncture can enhance the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). These studies indicate that using acupuncture in conjunction with IVF therapy increases the chance that the embryo will be implanted successfully and reduces the chance of miscarriage.
A 2003 Fertility and Sterility article, co-authored by a team of researchers at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, provided a summary of research that supports acupuncture’s potential fertility-boosting benefits including regulating reproductive hormones, increasing blood flow to the uterus, and lowering stress hormones.
For many women, adding acupuncture to their infertility treatments has helped them become pregnant. And unlike many fertility drugs, acupuncture has no harmful side effects nor do women need worry about multiple births or ectopic pregnancies, common concerns when undergoing IVF and other infertility treatments.
Men, too, who are being treated for infertility problems may benefit from acupuncture according to a new study published in the July 2005 issue of the journal, Fertility and Sterility.
Findings from that study indicate that acupuncture treatments improved the quality of sperm and increased the overall number of normal sperm in a group of men with infertility problems. The researchers who conducted the study estimate that ten percent of men are infertile, and that the male partner is a factor in up to 50 percent of infertile couples.
Acupuncture and yoga can also relieve the stress and anxiety associated with infertility problems. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, women being treated for infertility face stress levels on a par with those of women coping with illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
Pathways to Wellness Fertility Enhancement Program’s yoga classes are designed to strengthen the body while quieting the mind and provide a supportive environment for women who are trying to conceive.
“The goal of the Fertility Enhancement Program is not simply a pregnancy, but rather identifying and rebalancing the energies of the body that are not flowing smoothly,” says Porter. “When we work at this root level, the patient experiences benefits in multiple aspects of their health and well-being. Acupuncture and yoga during pregnancy can continue to provide support and balance along with drug-free treatment of symptoms that may arise during the course of pregnancy.”
About Pathways to Wellness
Pathways to Wellness is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing equal access to high quality holistic therapies including acupuncture, shiatsu, Chinese herbal medicine, and yoga.
Open to all people needing care, Pathways to Wellness is one of the country’s largest providers of free and low-cost holistic medicine. Pathways practitioners specialize in chronic and life threatening illness, and work collaboratively in a team environment and in conjunction with Western medical professionals to offer an integrated approach to care.
Located at 142 Berkeley Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02116, Pathways to Wellness can be reached at 617-859-3036. Additional information on Pathways to Wellness’ services can be found on its web site at http://www.pathwaysboston.org
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Related Healthy Pregnancy Press Releases
Pregnancy Symptoms – What Women Should Know
Posted by: | CommentsIn pregnancy, some women experience many signs and symptoms while others experience few. However, many of the symptoms are particularly common, and nearly all pregnant women will experience one or more of these signs and symptoms of pregnancy. The signs and symptoms of early pregnancy are easy to recognize, especially if this is not your first pregnancy. Regardless of how many times you get pregnant, the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy are the same. The best thing to do is to read through the article and check the signs mentioned. The more you have the more likely you are to be pregnant.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms
First Trimester
Somewhere from the 6th to 12th day after conception, the blastocyst will implant into the uterine lining and begin embryonic stage. Cessation of your monthly period is an obvious sign that you might be pregnant. The confusion sets in because a missed period can also be due to stress, illness, and fluctuations in weight. Cessation of oral contraceptives and a polycystic ovary syndrome can also lead to a missed period. If your menstrual cycle normally occurs very regularly, missing a period can be a sign.
You can also experience signs and symptoms like mood changes, food cravings, aversions, tiredness, constipation, incontinence, headache, dizziness and breast tenderness.
Second Trimester
Most women say that the second trimester if much easier compared to the first trimester. You will probably notice that symptoms like dizziness and extreme tiredness are going away. However, there are new signs and symptoms developing. Your pregnancy belly will enlarge further as your baby continues to develop and the most wonderful thing to happen within this trimester is you will feel your baby beginning to move.
You can also experience common symptoms such as body aches, abdominal itching, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face (edema), stretch marks on some parts of your body like abdomen, thighs, and etc.
Third Trimester
Congratulations! You have reached this far. You must know that usually, other discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. The most common problems here are difficulty of breathing, heartburn, hemorrhoids, insomnia, contractions or breast tenderness, which may show a watery pre-milk also known as colostrum.
The baby starts gaining more weight and his length is now somewhere between 16 to 18 inches. The baby’s organ has become fully developed; especially the lungs continue maturing until birth date. At this point, the mother is supplying the unborn child with antibodies. Antibodies help protect the baby against certain diseases.
Additional Tips
The most common foods to trigger nausea during the first weeks of pregnancy are coffee, spicy foods, meat products, and milk. However, you should know that literally anything can trigger morning sickness during pregnancy. It is also essential to understand that all pregnancies are not the same and, therefore, pregnancy symptoms are not the same for all women.
Most people say that you should be eating twice as much. The truth is your nutrient demands increase about 300 calories per day for the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
Constipation
There’s a noticeable change in your bowels in early pregnancy. The intestines may relax and function less due to changing hormones and be one of the 10 pregnancy signs.
If you would like to find out more information on pregnancy symptoms week by week visit Newborn Baby. We offer help and advise to parents on pregnancy week by week as well as free help from our expert panel.
Article from articlesbase.com
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 13, 2007
Child-bearing woman can get the essential fats they need while avoiding known risks from food sources. Taking a stand for the critical importance of adequate omega-3 intake in pregnancy, a group of scientists recently announced a position that differs from a 2004 USDA advisory recommending that pregnant women and young children limit their intake of fish and seafood (http://www.brainybabieshealthykids.org/press-release-100407/) Mothers and their developing babies need the type of omega-3 fats found in fish, but there are serious concerns with how much and what type of fish to consume. Many fish sources contain neurotoxic metals, in particular methyl mercury. Purified omega-3 fish oil capsules are a convenient solution.
Omega-3 fats found in fish are required for normal infant development, in particular for the brain, nervous system and vision. These unique fats support a healthy pregnancy and have additional benefits for mom. Plant source omega-3s do not provide the same essential fats. “I’ve been watching the evidence unfold,” says Gretchen Vannice, MS, RD, Manager of Scientific Affairs, NourishLife, LLC, “and women are concerned and confused. The solution lies in how to get enough of these critical nutrients without potential harm to mom or child.” In North America, an estimated 90% of pregnant women do not get the minimum amount of essential fats that they need.
The company has launched a free trial program to provide their “Life” Omega 3 to help address the issue and contribute to improved health for mother and child. “It’s in every woman’s best interest to consume more Omega 3′s before, during and after pregnancy”, stated Mark Nottoli, co-founder of NourishLife “We decided to make our concentrated and purified product available to every pregnant woman.” Their free trial program is available on the company’s website at:
http://www.pharmaomega.com/shop/freetrial/pregnancy.aspx
About NourishLife:
NourishLife (www.NourishLifePPP.com) intends to contribute to a major improvement in health and wellness by addressing nutritional deficiencies. The firm expects its work to help significantly reduce healthcare costs. Founded by nutrition industry veterans, the firm employs expert scientists and nutritionists committed to science and passionate about health.
The PharmaOmega division of NourishLife (www.PharmaOmega.com ) is the web’s premier source of omega-3 information, research and news. PharmaOmega creates specialty omega 3 nutrition products of the highest concentration, quality and purity.
NourishLife is a privately held company located in the Chicago area.
About Gretchen Vannice:
Gretchen Vannice, MS, RD is a healthcare practitioner with an extensive career in nutrition education and dietary supplement research. For the past 6 years Ms. Vannice’s work has focused exclusively on evidence and safety regarding Omega-3 fatty acids and human health. She is currently Manager of Scientific Affairs for NourishLife, LLC. Vannice is a Registered Dietitian (American Dietetic Association), with a Master of Science in Nutritional Science.
Ms. Vannice is available for phone and email interviews on request.
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Healthy Food for Pregnant Women
Posted by: | CommentsPregnant mothers always have their babies’ best interests at heart. Part of doing what’s right by your child includes making sure you’re getting the vitamin-rich foods she needs for sound development. Food for pregnant women should be rich in iron, omega-3, protein, folic acid and calcium.
Food That Contains Folic Acid and Omega-3
Folic acid is vital to have in the in the body even before you are pregnant. This nutrient reduces the risk of a neural tube defect known as spina bifida. When a child is born with this condition, her spine is not completely closed, and she can suffer with varying degrees of paralysis, learning disabilities and incontinence.
Most experts recommend women get at least 400 micrograms of folic acid prior to pregnancy, and 600 micrograms during pregnancy. Foods that contain folic acid include citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, beans and nuts.
Although prenatal vitamins contain adequate levels of folic acid, it’s still important for you to eat plenty of foods that contain this nutrient throughout your pregnancy.
Omega-3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat that is important for the healthy development of your unborn baby’s retinas, brain and nervous system. This fatty acid also reduces the risk of cesarean birth, low birth weight, preterm labor and postpartum depression. It is recommended that you get 250mg of omega-3 in your diet everyday when you’re expecting.
A diet rich in seafood can help you get all the omega-3 you need. When choosing fish, remember that some types of fish contain high levels of mercury. Eating too much mercury-contaminated seafood can affect your baby’s nervous system.
Some types of fish to avoid during pregnancy include swordfish, shark, tilefish, orange roughy, marlin, grouper and king mackerel. Safe types of seafood include anchovies, herring, spiny lobster, wild salmon, sole, shad, king crab, catfish, whitefish, caviar, ocean perch, squid, shrimp and scallops.
If you’re not a fan of fish, you can get omega-3 from non-seafood sources like flaxseed oil, organic eggs, walnuts and dark green leafy vegetables. You can also get this nutrient by taking omega-3 fish oil supplements. However, never take these supplements without talking to your doctor first.
Foods That Contain Calcium and Iron
Calcium is important for the development of your baby’s bones. If you fail to get enough of this mineral for your body, your fetus will leech from your stores and leave you with weak, brittle bones.
It’s a common misconception that dairy products are the only available source of calcium. But this mineral is abundant in plant-based foods like green beans, cabbage, okra, oranges, black beans, almonds, hazelnuts, chick peas and broccoli.
Calcium from plant sources are absorbed more efficiently by the body than calcium obtained from dairy sources.
Your baby relies solely on you for the iron he needs to build red blood cells and transport oxygen through the body. Without adequate levels of iron in your body, you’ll become weak, tired, and have trouble regulating your body temperature.
Experts recommend expecting mothers get between 30 to 50mg of iron per day. You can meet these recommendations by filling your diet with iron-rich foods like lean meat, poultry, green veggies, beans, chick peas, lentils and pumpkin seeds.
Protein-Rich Foods
The amino acids in protein aids in the development of fingers, toes, muscles, internal organs, hair and nails. This nutrient is especially important during the second trimester of pregnancy when your baby is growing at an accelerated pace. Protein-rich foods include raw nuts, lean meats, poultry, eggs and fish.
Pregnancy is not the time to compromise on nutrition. Eating foods that are rich in folic acid, omega-3, iron, calcium and protein can help meet your baby’s nutritional needs so he can grow healthy and strong.
Food for pregnant women should be full of nutrition. Learn to follow a nutritious eating program at http://www.whattoeatwhilepregnant.com/.
Article from articlesbase.com
Aptamil Creates More Support for Pregnant Women and New Mums
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(PRWeb UK) May 17, 2010
The use of pregnancy and baby websites has grown phenomenally within the last decade, as studies show mums are turning to the internet more and more for information related to their baby’s development. Recent research¹ identified that 84% of UK mothers are online and that the average British mum uses the internet as her main source of information². Indeed Aptamil’s own website is evidence of this, receiving over 60,000 visits per month.
The re-launch sees over 230 articles added to the site to help mums with all types of questions about
being pregnant and when faced with a new baby or toddler. Content on the homepage is tailored to mum’s stage of pregnancy or the age of her baby based on their due date, and information updates automatically every time they revisit to reflect their baby’s development.
Michaela Page, Brand Manager for Aptamil CRM said “Pregnancy and having a baby are exciting but worrying times. We recognised that mums need to be able to get the best information that’s relevant for their stage, and easily.”
Topics centre on nutrition in pregnancy and baby feeding but also include general pregnancy information and an entirely new section on weaning and toddlerhood. This reflects the brand’s expertise in toddler nutrition with their Growing Up Milk³ and their recent move into baby cereals too. Articles include:
A healthy pregnancy diet
Vitamins and supplements in pregnancy
Labour and birth
Breastfeeding; and
Baby feeding problems and allergies.
A survey in 2009¹ found that mums lack confidence in child nutrition and health, but Aptamil aims to inform mums more than ever before. The baby feeding brand’s existing users already see that expertise. In a survey, nearly 80% of members agreed that Aptamil are the experts in baby and toddler nutrition, something which is demonstrated in all of their communications with mums signed up to the Aptamil baby club (abc).
The club itself has seen a refresh too, with new mailings being sent to postal subscribers (including coupons and samples) and email updates now containing even more pregnancy and post birth stage related information than ever.
In the future, Aptamil also have plans to launch digital coupons where members can download vouchers online and video “how-to-guides” about topics such as breastfeeding and weaning.
Some of the favourite features of the old website have also been retained. With Aptamil’s members scoring their forums on average 8.2 out of 10 and research¹ showing 27% of mums visit social networking sites, the redesign has kept this important social interaction in place. The mums’ forums has been extended to incorporate the move into toddlerhood by having a new specialist toddler forum section.
For those looking for more expert advice, the Aptamil Careline team made up of midwives, healthcare professionals, feeding advisors and mums are still on hand to give one-to-one advice. The Careline are ready to answer individual questions via email, over the phone or through the instant messaging Live Chat service. Mums can ask questions on pregnancy or any worries they may have about their babies or toddlers, safe in the knowledge that the answer will be both expert and caring.
Ruth Tayt, pregnancy advisor, nurse and ex-midwife on the Aptamil Careline said “It’s fantastic being able
to support mums through Aptamil. Information online is one thing, but we find that having a personal touch and chatting through specific concerns, goes that little bit extra in terms of reassuring them.”
Aptamil’s new website is already proving to be a success: “The reaction has been great” says Michaela Page, “the existing members like the new format and we’re seeing new mums interacting with the website and the Careline every day. Hopefully, we can help even more mums become confident with pregnancy nutrition or baby and toddler feeding in the future and really deliver on helping mums give their babies a healthy start in life.”
Aptamil have been pioneering research into infant nutrition for over 50 years, and throughout this time they’ve gained a level of knowledge and expertise they’re proud to share. With around 300 scientists worldwide who are dedicated to research in infant nutrition, as well as a team of nutritionists, midwives and other healthcare professionals here in the UK, they’re committed to providing the best support for babies and toddlers.
For more information or to check out the new website, visit http://www.aptamil.co.uk, or get in touch with the Careline team for personal advice about your pregnancy or baby on 08457 623 628, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
¹ Survey from Joshua G2 (mum-talk) 2009
² Marketing Week: Making your messages strike home 2009
³ Growing Up Milk is suitable for toddlers from 12 months to 3 years.
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Related Healthy Pregnancy Press Releases
Breast Cancer Drug Provides Surprising Hope to Infertile Women
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Norwalk, CT (PRWEB) July 7, 2005 -
A breast cancer drug called Letrozole is providing surprising new hope for the more than five million women in the U.S. who struggle with infertility due to ovulation disorders. The drug has been shown in clinical trials to promote ovulation and increase conception rates, while reducing the risk of multiple gestations Â?- a critical risk factor to both mother and baby during pregnancy.
A study in the February 2005 American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, confirms that women who took Letrozole Â? alone or with injectable fertility medicationsÂ? were just as likely to conceive and remain pregnant as those who took other ovulation stimulators, and more likely to achieve pregnancy than those on placebo. However, study authors note that the women who took Letrozole had Â?a significantly lower rate of multiple gestation compared with clomiphene citrate [Clomid],Â? which is one of the most popular first-line treatments for ovulation stimulation.
Â?The risks to women and their babies associated with multiple gestation pregnancies just canÂ?t be overstated,Â? notes Dr. Mark Leondires, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and medical director at Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT. Multiple gestations are linked to increased rates of premature birth, birth defects and a host of other maternal-fetal issues. In fact, a November 2004 data review by the Centers for Disease Control shows that the pregnancy-related death rate in the U.S. is approximately 8 per 100,000 for singleton pregnancies; for multiple gestations Â?- from twins to sextuplets and beyond Â? the rate more than quadruples, to nearly 37 per 100,000. Â?So, when a drug like Letrozole shows so much promise in addressing the challenge of anovulation successfully, while reducing the incidence of multiple gestations associated with other drugs, the reproductive community gets excited,Â? Dr. Leondires adds.
Ovulation disorders can be categorized two ways Â? oligo-ovulation is the term for infrequent ovulation, while anovulation is the term for a complete lack of ovulation. Both conditions are usually caused by hormone imbalances, stemming either from malfunction of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary glands, or from a disease called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. While researchers are unsure of its exact mechanism, Letrozole seems to restore ovulation by blocking the enzyme in women that converts male hormones (androgens) to female hormones (estrogens). Â?It is possible that this restores a better hormone balance in women with ovulation disorders,Â? Dr. Leondires confirms. Â?This seems to help secondary aspects of their infertility as well,Â? he adds. Â?For example, women in some Letrozole studies have shown thicker endometriums at mid-cycle, which is associated with a better chance for implantation of the fertilized egg.Â?
Another study shows that Letrozole can be less costly and can require lower doses of medications than other first-line treatments as well. In the September, 2004 Journal of Social Gynecologic Investigation, researchers found that lower doses of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) were needed to induce ovulation in women with PCOS when Letrozole was administered in combination with FSH, as opposed to administering FSH alone. Â?Whenever we can reduce the amount of medication needed to achieve a desired result, there is a benefit,Â? Dr. Leondires explains. Â?In addition to cost-effectiveness, we also achieve a better quality of life for the patient when we can lessen the frequency or amount of medication she needs to take.Â?
The same hormone-neutralizing action that makes Letrozole effective as a fertility medication is responsible for its popularity as a breast cancer drug. It has been used safely for a number of years in women with postmenopausal Â?estrogen-receptorÂ? breast cancer. Â?Letrozole is giving so many women new hope,Â? Dr. Leondires notes. Â?Just as this drug has helped women overcome breast cancer, we believe that it will continue to provide help to millions of women who struggle with the inability to achieve a healthy pregnancy and delivery,Â? he concludes.
Bio:
Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D., FACOG, is a leading authority on reproductive medicine. Dr. Leondires is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Leondires earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. Dr. Leondires completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. After completion of his training, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving as the ART Director for the largest and most successful program in the military health care system at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Leondires is currently Medical Director and lead physician with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA-CT) in Norwalk. Along with numerous teaching and research activities, Dr. Leondires has published articles in professional medical journals, national consumer magazines and newspapers, as well as abstracts and book chapters. More information about Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut is available at www.rmact.com.
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