Read this blog to know the best foods for pregnancy.
What is pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a process in which the sperm fertilizes an egg after releasing it during the ovulation period. If a plantation is successful then it results in pregnancy. This can be confirmed through ultrasound, blood test, and urine test. Its average duration lasts about 40 weeks. It is almost 266 to 270 days. You can also say it as it is the change in women’s organs due to the fetus in her womb.
Symptoms of pregnancy:
There is some symptom that shows that you are pregnant. But it can be completely confirmed when you take a proper checkup after occurring these symptoms.
- Spotting
- Hip pain
- Anemia
- Hypertension
- Missed period
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Cramps
- Back pain
- Depression
Spotting:
At a very early stage, some women may experience bleeding in their early pregnancy duration. This phase is called spotting. This bleeding mostly occurs after one or two weeks of fertilization. There is also some other reasons for this bleeding like irritation, or an infection. But if you face this bleeding then you have to go for a checkup because sometimes it occurs in serious conditions that may result in Placenta Previa and Miscarriage.
Hip pain:
If you conceive late, then hip pain is a common symptom in your pregnancy. It has some causes like you have pressure on your ligaments, having a heavier uterus, sciatica and also changes in your posture.
Anemia:
It’s a common symptom of pregnancy as you feel dizziness and laziness in this period is due to anemia. But it has risks of premature birth and low weight of the fetus. So you have to take a proper checkup if you face anemia to get rid of these above-mentioned risks. Your health care doctors usually screening this anemia.
Hypertension:
Hypertension or high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. It’s also a common symptom of this pregnancy phase. Several factors can cause hypertension like smoking and a past genetic history of hypertension. One of its major causes is obesity and overweight.
Missed period:
It’s the earliest and classic symptom of pregnancy. But this missed period does not always result in pregnancy due to your irregular periods. In medical science, many other conditions cause a missed periods.
Weight gain:
In the first 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy in which you can gain weight between 1 to 4 pounds. It’s the most important thing that you have to notice in your pregnancy. Because the health of the fetus is considered the most important in pregnancy. When your second trimester starts then you can gain above mentioned weight.
Headache:
Headaches can be caused by hormonal changes because it increases the blood level in your body that results in headaches. If you faced extreme headaches then you must consult your gynecologist.
Cramps:
When your muscles begin to expand or stretch, you may bear the cramps. It resembles your menstrual cycle. If bleeding or spotting occurs with the regular cramps, it’s a major signal of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
Back pain:
When you are pregnant, there is stress on your muscles which is the biggest reason for back pain. And also during pregnancy, when you start to gain weight then you start to feel back pain mostly because your center of gravity shifted. Almost half percent of women complaints about back pain during their pregnancies.
Vomiting:
When you are in the 1st month of your pregnancy starts, you may have a vomiting section also. It’s also known as “morning sickness”. It’s obviously the first sign that you are pregnant. In some women, its duration lasts for 4 months but in some cases also women have to bear this vomiting during all 9 months. Its main cause is the changing and increasing the hormones.
UTIs (urinary tract infections):
It’s one of the common complications that a woman can experience during pregnancy. This occurs when bacteria start to get inside a woman’s urethra and then moving into the bladder. A woman also has pressure on the bladder due to the fetus in her womb. The fetus starts to trap the bacteria which can cause infections in the urinary tract that can be painful for pregnant women. There are almost 18% of women experience UTIs. These infections can be the reason for premature birth. So if you want to get rid of UTIs then you have to empty your bladder immediately and most importantly before and after sexual intercourse. You have to stay hydrated to avoid UTIs.
Tips for a healthy pregnancy :
There are some important tips you should follow in your pregnancy.
- You have to eliminate toxins
- Taking multi-vitamins
- Add folic acids to your diet
- Stay hydrated
- Exercise
Eliminate toxins:
Toxins can relate to miscarriages, premature birth, birth defects and so many other problems that are not a good sign for pregnant women. Alcoholic drinks, tobacco, smoking, and taking drugs to fall in the red zone for pregnancy. Because it decreases the level of oxygen in your baby. Even you cannot use nail polish thinners when you are pregnant because of the presence of alcohol in them. So to avoid the above-mentioned problems you have to eliminate toxins from your daily life during pregnancy duration.
Taking multi-vitamins:
To take care of your fetus and your health, add enough multi-vitamins supplements that are really beneficial for both of you.
Folic acid:
You should eat almost 6 to 7 foods that are rich in folic acid. Because it is helpful for the creation of red blood cells. Folic acids are not so good for a baby’s neural tube and spinal cord development.
Stay hydrated:
Your blood volume increases level up to 50% when you are pregnant. Because when you are pregnant, through the placenta your blood is supplying oxygen and all the other nutrients to your fetus. So you have to drink more water to prevent fatigue like headaches and swelling. At least drink 10-12 glasses of water to stay hydrated.
Exercises:
If you want to modify your fitness before and after pregnancy then exercises always remain the best option. But in exercise, Yoga stretches play an important role in maintaining your health. But one point to remember is to avoid overdo stretches because they might give you risk injuries that are not good for pregnant women. Exercises may help in your labor pains.
Best Foods for pregnancy that can help you to get pregnant:
If you want to conceive then some foods can help you to increase the chances of pregnancy. These foods will be beneficial for you your immune system and boost your fertility chances.
Pumpkin seeds:
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of iron. Iron supplements are very essential for pregnant women. There is 40% of women face less trouble in getting pregnant in comparison with those women who didn’t take enough amount of iron and iron supplements. So add pumpkin seeds to your diet to increase fertility chances. These are the best foods for pregnancy.
Beans:
Beans are the highest source of protein. You can call this a “magical fruit”, because of its high amount of nutrition and protein. Such beans are fertility boosters. So if you try to get pregnant or if you are pregnant, then beans are very beneficial for you in both cases. If you don’t like beans then lentils and nuts are there for you. You can use them at a place of beans. These are the best foods for pregnancy.
Olive oil is the best foods for pregnancy:
Olive oil is a type of fat which probably monosaturated. It helps to reduce the inflammation level and also increases the level of insulin throughout the body. The proper amount of olive oil can help the development of the embryo at the early stage. You can use it on salads and also use it for cooking. These are the best foods for pregnancy.
Leafy green vegetables:
Leafy green vegetables are a great source of vitamin B, protein, and folate. Usage of dark green leafy vegetables can reduce the chances of miscarriages and also be beneficial for healthier sperm. You must have to add leafy green vegetables to your diet to get the proper amount of vitamins and protein. These are the best foods for pregnancy.
Wild salmon:
This one has a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which can be beneficial for the regulation of reproductive organs and tracts. It increases your blood flow level. In comparison with other fatty fish, this wild salmon is low in mercury than the others. If you are trying to get pregnant you have to stay away from taking tilefish, shark, and swordfish in your diet. So wild salmons are best for you if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. This is the best food for pregnancy.
Whole wheat bread:
Whole wheat bread is the combination of complex carbs used to maintain your body’s sugar level. Your increased insulin level can disturb the reproductive tract. While you are pregnant try to take dark bread instead of choosing the light one. And always prefer to take brown rice and avoid taking white or boiled rice. Just try to take the complex carbs such as whole-wheat bread and whole wheat pasta.
Some foods that are not best foods for pregnancy like:
- Raw meat
- Raw eggs
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Soft cheeses
- Raw shellfish
- Unpasteurized milk
These are not best foods for pregnancy.
Raw meat:
This is the same as raw shellfish. It affects your child and leading to stillbirth, intellectual disability, epilepsy, blindness, and some neurological issues. These bacteria can be found on the surface of meat pieces.
Raw eggs:
Raw eggs resemble salmonella bacteria. There are many causes of salmonella bacteria like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and nausea. It might results in cramps in your uterus. So try to avoid taking raw eggs during pregnancy.
Caffeine:
Usage of caffeine in your daily routine can be harmful to you and your child because it easily absorbs into the placenta which means the health of your baby is not safe. If you take a high amount of caffeine then you might face the risk of the low weight of your child. So it’s better to leave caffeine and caffeine products to remain healthy during pregnancy.
Alcohol:
When you are pregnant, it’s better to leave alcohol completely because it increases the risks and chances of miscarriages and also impacts your baby’s brain development. If you take alcohol during your pregnancy then it’s responsible for your intellectual disability and heart defects.
Soft cheeses:
This resembles unpasteurized milk and has some side effects also. So it’s important to avoid all unpasteurized things included soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk, and fruit juices.
Raw shellfish:
Raw shellfishes might be responsible for many infections. These infections can be bacterial, parasitic, and viral. Listeria, norovirus are examples of these infections. Due to these harmful infections, you may face weakness and dehydration. Common bacteria listeria is very dangerous because without showing any illness or signs it can easily pass to your baby through the placenta. So it’s better to avoid raw shellfish and sushi dishes during your pregnancy.
Unpasteurized milk:
The bacteria which are produced by unpasteurized milk can cause life-threatening infections for your unborn child. For the safe delivery of your baby, you have to drink only pasteurized milk and avoid taking unpasteurized milk which is not good for both of you.
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