Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Blog 4

 List the top 5 questions a woman might have who recently found out she was pregnant. Provide the answers to each of these questions in your own words and list the source of information. 
   5  Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy
1. What should I do before I get pregnant to ensure a healthy pregnancy for me and my baby?

    According to the information recommended on WedMD, you should consider planning before getting pregnant to receive prepregnancy checkups with your doctor. This should include addressing any questions about family medical history, genetic conditions, chronic diseases etc. A healthy diet is very important as it is recommended that you eat lots of leafy greens, fiber and lean proteins. A prenatal vitamin that includes folic acid should be included in your daily regimen to prevent Spina Bifida. 
If you are a smoker, it is advised that you quit.
2. What should and shouldn't I eat while I'm pregnant?
  
 For a healthy start, it is important to eat lean meats, such as chicken and turkey, calcium rich foods, leafy greens, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  It is recommended that you also continue to take prenatal vitamins before, during and after pregnancy.  Foods to avoid are those with high levels of Mercury such as certain kinds of fish. Raw foods and unpasteurized cheeses such as sushi and brie should also be avoided due to the risk of bacterial infections. Alcohol should be avoided during the entire pregnancy as it is not exactly known what levels are safe.

3. Are there other activities I should steer clear of while pregnant?

   Certain activities should not be performed such as lying flat on your back during the later stages of pregnancy, changing a litter box,  using hot tubs and saunas, riding roller coasters and x-rays.

4. How can I safely exercise while pregnant?

   Light to moderate exercise is actually recommended. Back and abdominal strengthening are beneficial as this will assist you in post delivery recovery. As a rule of thumb, do not begin another exercise regimen without consulting your doctor. It is safe to continue performing the same exercise program that you had been performing before pregnancy.
 
5. How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

    If you are within a normal weight, 25 to 35 pounds is the recommended total weight gain. For women who are overweight 15 to 25 pounds are recommended. Consultation with your doctor is important if you are expecting more than one child.

References
Frequently Asked Questions about Pregnancy. 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2011.     http://www.webmd.com/baby/frequently-asked-questions-about-pregnancy



3 comments:

  1. I also chose to talk about this subject. The article I found really stressed thoroughly cleaning raw fruits and vegetables, and also properly cooking all meats to ensure that they are microbe free. I did not know that cat litter was dangerous to be around when pregnant. After reading that in your post I did a little research and was surprised to find how harmful it can be.

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  2. These are very good questions that any woman would have while planning t become pregnant or already pregnant. It is also a good tool for the husband or boyfriend that will be sharing in the health of mom and baby. Family members can also support the family by understanding the needs of the mother.

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  3. Having a healthy baby starts prior to conception. It is ideal, but not always the case to have pre-pregnancy screenings and check ups to ensure a healthy child is produced. That said, it may not always guarantee that these checks may divert health issues later in life, so it is important to keep up with a child's check ups after they are born. I think that it's really great you noted that mercury containing and raw foods be avoided because many people forget that even though foods are in the store, they may have some levels of harmful elements in them. These are all great ideas to jump start a healthy pregnancy! Great Job :)
    Sincerely,
    Elissa R.

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