Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_05_20/GA_2005_E1_018.pdf 

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18

Galway Advertiser

May 20 2004

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY
1. You don't need to eat for two. A healthy diet is necessary for you and your baby because your body needs extra energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals during pregnancy. A balanced, varied diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and wholemeal, high fibre foods is recommended 2. You should only take vitamin supplements if prescribed by your doctor. If you are eating a varied diet, you should be getting all the vitamins and minerals you require, with the possible exception of folic acid and iron. Your GP or midwife will advise you further. 3. Certain foods may be harmful as they may harbour bacteria, such as listeria and salmonella. Avoid soft unpasteurised cheese, all types of pate, soft ice-cream, soft boiled or raw eggs, for instance, in home-made mousses or cheesecakes and undercooked poultry. Try cheddartype hard cheeses, meat pastes in jars or spreads, such as Marmite, hard boiled or scrambled eggs, and well cooked poultry. 4. Nausea or morning sickness may occur at any time during the day. It occurs in at least 50 per cent of pregnancies and normally subsides at 12 to 15 weeks. Taking small, frequent snacks throughout the day will help, eg, toast and jam (no butter), cereals and low fat milk, soup and crackers, and jacket potatoes with low fat fillings. 5. A weight gain of 9-12kg is acceptable. Most of this will be gained during the last two trimesters. If you are piling on too many pounds, cut down on sugar, sweets, cakes, puddings, fried foods and full fat dairy products. 6. Many mums-to-be suffer from constipation. A high fibre diet, including plenty of fruit and vegetables and wholegrain cereals will help. Remember to drink plenty of fluids, six to eight glasses of water a day. Walking will help, too. 7. Alcohol, even in moderation, is not advisable. It can pass through the bloodstream to your baby and interfere with its development. Try fruit juices or water instead. Experts recommend that you reduce your intake of tea and coffee too because the latter may increase the risk of miscarriage. 8. Don't smoke. It can slow down your baby's growth and could lead to a premature birth or a low birth weight baby. 9. Exercise regularly. Walking,

O'CONNOR
allergic conditions, such as asthma, eczema, or hay fever, not eating peanuts while you are pregnant, may help to ensure your baby does not develop the allergy. 18. The normal duration of pregnancy is not nine months. It's actually 40 weeks or around 280 days. Nine calendar months plus seven days are added to the first day of your last period and this gives a fairly accurate expected date of delivery. 19. Nightmares are common, especially at the end of pregnancy. This may be because most women sleep more lightly than usual during this time and are easily disturbed most dreams occur during phases of light sleep. Also, many women are more tense and excited before they have their babies and this may make their sleep more prone to vivid dreams. 20. Your skin may itch. This is because the body does not metabolise bile salts so well when you are pregnant. These can be deposited under your skin and cause irritation. 21. Skin colour changes during pregnancy. This means your skin may tan more easily, the area around your nipples may darken, and also, the area of skin around the brows, cheeks, and chin. This pigmentation fades after the baby is born. 22. The amount of blood in the body increases by up to 50 per cent. This can cause varicose veins in the legs. Other contributory factors include the baby's head pressing on certain major blood vessels. 23. Expect to develop food cravings. Most women long for sweets, fruit, or ice-cream. A few have cravings for more exotic foods, such as pickles, caviar, or avocados. Some yearn for even more bizarre things, like coal, clay, or pencils. Be reassured, you're not going mad, you're just pregnant! 24. Some women become more placid and drowsy as the pregnancy advances. This is due to the increased circulation of the pregnancy hormone, progesterone. This stage will pass once the baby is born. 25. Be alert to the risk of toxoplasmosis. This is an infection which can be passed from the mother to the foetus and can cause stillbirths, miscarriage, and eye and brain abnormalities. Many cases are due to eating undercooked meat but it is possible to pick it up through contact with cat litter. To avoid it, wear gloves when gardening, wash fruit and vegetables, and get someone else to empty the cat litter tray.

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swimming, dancing, and cycling are all good ways of staying fit. But, don't undertake new forms of sport or strenuous exercise without consulting your doctor. 10. Tiredness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. Expect to tire more easily, especially in the early months and again, towards the end of your pregnancy. Rest when you can and try to go to bed earlier at night. 11. Be cautious about taking medication, especially during the first 12 weeks. Although most modern drugs are safe, a few can cause serious birth defects. Check with your doctor before taking any tablets, even

common cold or cough remedies. 12. Avoid x-rays. This includes dental x-rays because the radiation could damage your baby. 13. Be realistic about the risk of miscarriage. It is surprisingly high. About 30 per cent of pregnancies end this way though many end before the pregnancy is detected and can be followed by a successful pregnancy. 14. Dizziness is common. This is especially true of the first three months. Eat little and often. 15. Backache plagues many women. This is because the ligaments become

lax in preparation for childbirth. Watch your posture, especially when lifting, wear lower heels, and make sure your mattress is firm enough. 16. Some women notice a deterioration in their teeth. This may have given rise to the old wives tale about losing a tooth for every baby you have. Visit your dentist regularly and pay attention to good dental hygiene. Milk, and mild products, are good sources of calcium as are cheese, yoghurt, sardines, or tinned salmon. 17. Allergies to peanuts are on the rise. If a baby is allergic to peanuts, the reaction can be very severe. If you or your baby's father suffer from