Health and Nutrition

Preconception Health

Couples planning to have children should think first about their health status to see if they meet the optimum conditions that enable them to achieve a healthy pregnancy.

Both must take into account their medical history and current diseases, which can have an effect on future child development.

Women, for example, must take account of their weight, diet, lifestyle, immunizations and current health before conceiving. Therefore, it is important to keep a preconceptional consultation in which to resolve the concerns of the professional in such matters and, from the construction of medical history, knowing how likely is pregnancy or desirable at any given time. A healthy start before conception ensures also an optimal pregnancy.

Parenting means to prepare physically, emotionally and psychologically. However, very few couples planning the birth of their children.

What to expect in the consultation

A series of tests and assessments may determine the ideal time to conceive. These are the variables and procedures to consider:

1. Reproductive health. How are your menstrual cycles, how long and when was the last. Also, what plans, if you do. The specialist will determine if you have any sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia, syphilis, HIV or gonorrhea, or vaginal infections.
2. Required Tests: cytology, pelvic test, Pap smear or ultrasonography (in case of anomalies in the womb or ovaries).
3. Medical and obstetrical history. He asked if seeking their first pregnancy, have had abortions, premature or ectopic pregnancy or if previous deliveries were normal or ended in cesarean section. Any complication postpartum yours or the baby, it is also reviewed.
4. Also included in its register your current medical condition, to know if you have any chronic disease that can affect pregnancy, and infections or allergies, any condition or previous hospitalization must be reported. All these data are vital to ensure special care during pregnancy, so that everything goes well

Besides the above, it is necessary that the specialist know if you consume drugs, vitamins or special supplements.

Required Tests

1. Physical assessment that takes into account height, weight and blood pressure. Urine test to rule out urinary tract infection and blood test to see if there is anemia, toxoplasmosis, infections or genetic abnormalities.
2. Immunizations. If you have not been vaccinated against rubella or varicella, should be immunized now. If you have pets, you run the risk of toxoplasmosis. You should also get vaccinated against this infection.
3. Emotional state. Depression, eating disorders and stress will be analyzed.
4. Lifestyle. If you drink, smoke or use drugs must inform the specialist. This affects their fertility. Also, the way they feed and exercise.
5. Preconception genetic consultation. If you or your partner has a history of a congenital disease, or especially if you are over 35 years.
6. Visit the dentist. Periodontal disease can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight babies. It is also associated with risk of preeclampsia. Also, if during pregnancy will find any abnormalities, it is unlikely that you may have an x-ray, as it may harm the fetus.

The Atkins diet does it affect fertility?

All you need to know about this diet and its consequences.

“It’s less likely that female mice fed a high protein diet before conception produce live offspring, and scientists at the meeting expressed the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology made a few weeks ago in Berlin.

The information indicates that a high protein diet is not recommended while you are trying to conceive, “says David Gardner, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, who led the study.

Supporters of the Atkins regime diets high in protein and low in carbohydrates with the hopes of reducing some kilos. At one point, fans of the program may be consuming a diet containing up to 25 percent protein, about 10 percent more than what people normally eat.

Gardner’s team to their mice fed diets from 22 to 14 proteins for a month, and then allowed to mate. The researchers transferred the 174 embryos resulting in the wombs of surrogate mothers in order to prove specifically how it affects the maternal diet before conception to the health of the embryo.

Only 65 percent of the embryos in the group fed a high protein diet was developed in fetuses compared with 81 percent in the group fed a standard protein.

It also proved more likely to animal embryos conceived by “high protein” were aborted spontaneously later in pregnancy: 16 percent of fetuses “high protein” were aborted, compared with only 1 percent of the group with a standard diet.

“Rodents and humans are very different,” says Catherine Collins, spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association, therefore, is difficult to extrapolate from mouse to man. But it is possible that high protein diets have long-term effects on fertility, says Collins.

Opponents of the Atkins diet ensure that the nutritional program may cause metabolic problems, mood disorders and gout. Gardner believes that high protein diets may affect fertility by altering the genetic profile of the developing embryo.

While protein is broken down, increasing levels of ammonia. Females with high protein diets have three times more ammonium in their reproductive tracts than animals on normal diets. In turn, this could affect genetic imprinting, the process by which cells activate and deactivate specific copies of genes from parents.

As expected, more than 60 percent of the embryos of mothers “high protein” show imprinting defects compared with 30 percent of the embryos of the group of mothers with a standard diet. A growth-related gene, called H19, was adversely affected. This could explain the poor growth of the embryos, says Gardner.

Pregnancy and Vegetarian Mom, is it possible?

Any pregnant woman requires nutrients in their diet.

It is important that the mother is aware of the diet that is leading, since the deficiency of some nutrients can jeopardize both the health of the mother and the normal growth of your baby.

Moreover, in the specific case of vegetarians, the risk may increase if full coverage is achieved the required dose of vitamins, minerals and proteins.

There are several types of vegetarian:

Ovo-lacto vegetarian Are those which exclude any kind of meat, either red or white, but include dairy products and eggs, also consuming products (cheese, ice cream, yogurt, milk, eggs and foods made with these ingredients).

Lacto vegetarian: This category excludes meat, fish and poultry, as well as eggs and foods containing it. However, eating other products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.

Vegan: It is a vegetarian who avoids eating or using any animal product derived from food such as meat, poultry, dairy products, including honey, to products like silk, skin, although they are not food.

Key risks and how to avoid

To replace the nutrients of animal origin, there are several alternatives, provided that the person follow a balanced diet to the letter, otherwise there is danger of a premature delivery, low birth weight, among other conditions that directly affect the mother.

The key nutrients that a vegetarian mother get are:

Protein: There are amino acids from protein foods that can synthesize (not essential) and others not (essential). The soybean plant except if they can be synthesized, so you have to do to obtain food combinations such as cereals, legumes, cereal with milk, soy and derivatives.
In a rare mother ovo-lacto vegetarian protein deficiency.

Iron: When a pregnant person is a vegetarian diet, iron is consumed by other non-meat food is not absorbed as easily as those that lead a balanced diet, eliminating faecal matter what it takes greater amounts of this mineral.

Folic acid: This nutrient is involved in the production of red blood cells occurs primarily in green leafy vegetables that are fresh, fruit, liver, cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Vitamin D: This vitamin helps the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine, and is involved in mineralization, growth and bone repair. It occurs in animal foods like milk, but in turn is formed from skin contact with sunlight.

Vitamin B12: To obtain this vitamin supplements can be used and the inclusion of foods rich in vitamin A such as cereals, seeds and nuts.
Calcium: Pregnant People eat a vegetarian diet should pay attention to calcium deficiency. Foods like broccoli, leeks, spinach, radicheta, sesame seeds, among others, are rich in calcium but are considered unreliable sources.

When planning pregnancy

Find out what things you should consider when planning your pregnancy

Perhaps they are already thinking about having a child. You and your partner have long cherished the idea, and so entertain yourself and flip through magazines related to the care of a baby.

You do well, it’s good to put in order your knowledge. But a key point when thinking about include a new member in the family unit is that your relationship is, inter alia, well established. Find out what else you have to consider before they plan a pregnancy.

Should a checkup

Do they know you and your partner if they are healthy?

If you have a medical condition, it is appropriate to value the potential consequences, as in the case of infectious diseases, the risk of contagion and complications for you and baby, some might even cause an abortion.

It is possible that treatments for these conditions are not adequate for fetal development. Therefore, if you are planning a pregnancy, always important in health status found. In healthy couples, increasing the chance of having healthy children.

Economic stability and age

Currently, couples have a material stability later. The world of work largely conditions the situation. However, you must think that age also affects the risk of genetic disorders. So do not leave until later pregnancy of 35 years on you and your partner no later than age 45.

Review your eating habits

Start by some changes in eating plan if your eating habits are not very good. Make a fixed meal times, if you work and eat out, say goodbye to junk food and coffee, leaving the cigar and well prepared your body and mind to your pregnancy.

Ask yourself how many meals do a day?, What comes, and what you drink?, Food condiments “?, Consume little salt”?. Follow a low fat diet; include more grains, whole meal bread, cereals, vegetables and fish, plus grilled chicken.

Takes note of this menu for Moms

Morning:

Join breakfast of fruit and cheese, milk or derivatives and toast.

Mid-morning:

Eat a piece of fruit or yogurt.

For lunch:

Prepare a soup or steamed vegetables. Then a dish of meat or fish grilled, roasted or stewed. For dessert, you can eat pudding, fruit or a nut. Rest half hour, but never to sleep.

Afternoon:

Make another stop and eat a snack similar to midmorning.

Early Dinner:

In a very light and chewing your food well.

Prepare for the ideal pregnancy-Part 2

Consume enough folic acid and iron

Whether you lead a balanced diet is provided for you to get a successful pregnancy, but certainly the folic acid and iron are particularly important during early pregnancy.

Iron forms part of red blood cells carries oxygen to all body cells. Both the growth of your baby as increased blood volume you will experience during pregnancy require good deposits of this mineral, which can only be ensured through adequate consumption of red meat, legumes such as lentils, green leafy vegetables (chard, spinach , alfalfa), fortified cereals, and so on.

Remember that the iron in grains, vegetables and cereals, it is harder to digest than is found in meats, so you should consume at the same time a source of vitamin C, making it easier absorption.

In contrast to folic acid, there are countless studies documenting its effectiveness in promoting the development of the baby’s nervous system (the critical stage occurs during the first and second month of gestation) to prevent precisely neural tube defects such as anencephaly, hydrocephalus and spina bifida, among others.

Folic acid is a B vitamin that can be obtained from foods such as whole grains, legumes, broccoli, tomatoes, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, asparagus and many more, but given its importance, is likely and desirable that your doctor tells you some supplements in tablet from one or two months before the start of pregnancy and one or two months thereafter.

Get in shape physically

During pregnancy, ongoing events such as weight gain and the displacement of the shaft and body center of gravity are hard to test the strength and tone of certain muscles. It is therefore desirable that even before getting pregnant exercise these muscle groups, especially if we consider that labor is also an effort for which you must be prepared.

Also note that a good Lamaze class (which your doctor will recommend security around the fifth month of gestation) often include muscle relaxation techniques and various exercises to prepare for childbirth, which work better with higher fitness have before. Some other options include swimming and aerobic sports in general, are the most appropriate before and during pregnancy.

Say goodbye to bad habits

The following are the most harmful habits for your plan to become pregnant if you have any or all, say goodbye as soon as possible and avoid risks to conceive. Remember your child’s health is at stake!

#1 Smoking .

The snuff has a very negative effect on the female reproductive system and has been associated with infertility and premature menopause, and this of course means that smoking may delay your project now become pregnant, in addition to the adverse effects that this habit would have on the newly fertilized embryo, retarding their growth (which eventually leads to low birth weight) and increased risk of perinatal death.
#2 Alcohol

The first 4 weeks are the most critical to the development of a baby. Since you’re coming to get pregnant, stop drinking, because alcohol can affect an uncertain amount your baby from the very beginning of its development.

#3 Drug addiction

You must remember that a baby receives all the necessary training to live and develop through the placenta and umbilical cord. Most substances will come from the maternal circulation, and toxic are no exception.

This, of course, can have devastating consequences for the baby, so be the case, you must stop using all drugs at least for a month before seeking pregnancy, to ensure that your body before the throw pregnancy occur. In the case of drugs to treat a chronic medical condition, consult your doctor more harmless versions.

How long do you need?

• For your ovulation cycle to normal after stopping oral contraceptive use: 1 month.
• For you are safe for pregnancy after application of vaccine atirrubéola: 4 months old.
• To find out the results of laboratory tests: about 15 days.

Ok, thats all you need to know to prepare for ideal pregnancy.

Prepare for the ideal pregnancy-Part 1

A planned pregnancy is the result of a commitment to be fulfilled.

A successful pregnancy is a responsibility and commitment is fulfilled through and through, from before conception takes place … and in your hands is do it!.

Getting a healthy pregnancy is a major advantage we have now in our times because thanks to advances in science and technology today we can prevent most complications and promote optimal development of the baby they desire.

So if you’re thinking of being a mom, take note of what you mention below and get ready to make your pregnancy a great experience.

Ensures have a good health

Pregnancy requires a good state of health of the couple who will design and especially the mother. However, some chronic diseases like diabetes are not a barrier to pregnancy, being under control not interfere with the development of the unborn baby.

Some pathogens such as those produced rubella, toxoplasmosis or herpes or cytomegalovirus infections must be absent or at least defused before conception occurs, since otherwise they may cause birth a baby. To see if these infectious processes are present in your body, your doctor should help you, you must submit to a laboratory study known as TORCH.

Moreover, other equally important analysis luetic serology, which detects whether you have contracted syphilis antibody test anti HIV, which indicates whether you’re living with HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-or if you have AIDS, hematological parameters, which reveals the presence of anemia or blood disorders resulting from urinary tract infections, the fasting plasma glucose levels, showing possible disruptions in blood glucose levels, and analysis of blood group and Rh factor, essential for the management of pregnancy in case you are RH Negative Rh positive and your partner.

Based on the foregoing, the doctor will determine which vaccines or treatments need to receive or what steps you should take to prevent diseases that might endanger your pregnancy and your growing baby healthy.

Of course, your partner should also undergo a thorough medical evaluation that includes both anti HIV assay for antibodies, serology and determination luetic your blood type and RH factor.

To stabilize your weight

If you’re in the right weight for your complexion and height is another factor to achieve a healthy pregnancy, and is something you have to work early enough and medical surveillance for any diets do not wreak havoc on your nutritional status at the beginning of gestation.

If you are considering pregnancy, you should avoid as soon as the two extremes: on one hand that you are below your ideal weight, because in the opinion of some doctors pronounced thinness may not only lead to nutritional deficiencies, but also imply lower levels of fat in the body which, in turn, discourage the production of hormones necessary for the proper course of pregnancy.

Moreover, if you are overweight, involves having more fat in the body that can hinder the observation of ultrasound and palpation of the baby in the womb and would enhance the appearance of diseases such as gestational diabetes and hypertension , among others.

Rh Factor in Pregnancy

What is the RH factor? What is the incompatibility? Find out!

There are different types such as blood groups A, B, O and AB, which may also vary in either Rh positive or negative.

This means that the blood in each person has specific characteristics. The blood group is found as proteins on red blood cells and body fluids.

Moreover, the Rh factor is a protein found on the cover of red blood cells. When this protein is present in cells, the person has the Rh factor positive, but if the protein is not present in these cells, there is talk that that person has the Rh negative.

Rh incompatibility

This condition occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood of the mother (Rh negative) and her fetus (Rh positive). It is in this case where there is a danger that some red blood cells of the baby’s Rh positive blood from entering the bloodstream of the mother during pregnancy and especially during labor and birth.

As these red blood cells contain the Rh factor is foreign to the mother’s body system, your body tries to eliminate them through the production of antibodies, for the reaction of the mother is called sensitization.

It is unlikely that there is this type of reaction during her first pregnancy, but you should consider this risk in your next pregnancy, because if your blood these antibodies cross the placenta can affect the fetus, destroying a large amount of their blood cells is there when there is Rh.

It is very important that before you plan to become pregnant you do some blood tests, so you’ll know what your blood group factor and you can prevent this kind of intolerance that may affect your baby.

If you know you’re Rh negative and you will give birth, it is very convenient to get a shot of a blood product called Rh immunoglobulin (Rhlg) before 72 hrs. to give birth to an Rh positive baby.

With this shot you can prevent sensitization by 95 percent. But it is also advisable to apply this shot around the 28th week of pregnancy for women who are sensitized before birth.

If this intolerance becomes not detected in time, it can cause jaundice (yellow skin and eyes to the baby), anemia, brain damage, heart failure and even death of the newborn baby.

Food for mother before conception

Nutrition is important at different stages of life.

You have to take account of the food you eat, both before conception and during the same, as this determines the outcome of pregnancy for both you and your baby.

Nutritional problems you have before conception are risk factors for development of some complications for both mother and infant, so if you want to enter a stage of pregnancy, you previously made an assessment of your status health and if necessary, you can modify your habits to keep you in optimum conditions for conception.

These are some recommendations general diet for pregnancy:

1. In the opening days (17 and 56 days after conception) the total supply is important in the development of the baby, but most of us do not know that we are pregnant until after this period, which is why the diet should be optimal preconception.You eat from all food groups at each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner), you should include fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes or tubers, and animal products, fats in moderate amounts (preferably of vegetable origin) and sugars.
2. The increase in energy requirements should be calculated taking into consideration:  (a) For Pregnancy: Your age, how long you are pregnant, your current weight, the rate of weight gain during pregnancy and physical activity.  (b) Nursing: Your current weight, expected weight for time after your birth, your physical activity, age and milk production.
3. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends increased during pregnancy 150 calories during the first quarter and 300 to 350 calories a day coming quarters. And for breastfeeding, increasing 500 calories for the time you nurse.
4. The percentage distribution of macro nutrients is Protein: 10 to 15. Fats: less than 25 and Carbohydrates: 60 to 65. These percentages are considered for a normal diet.
5. If you are pregnant or nursing young, or intense physical activity, calculate your needs should consider these variables.

You have to consider a Balanced diet since the beginning of your pregnancy is decisive for the favorable outcome of it.

In search of ideal gynecologist

You know he’s an obstetrician? What is specialized? Find out!

Incredibly, many years ago women had to live her pregnancy in a passive way, “right? Because she was his doctor who made the decisions and it was limited only to obey them.

So, nobody thought about the importance of choosing the right, within four months of all, what difference did this or that?

But times change, although the role of the specialist carries the same objective. Today, most women want a doctor with special care, as is who will monitor and care for the good health of both mother and child during pregnancy.

In addition, women today want their obstetrician will devote time and attention on each visit, they resolve their doubts, especially to convey to them peacefully. It is about establishing a trust relationship with the specialist, to speak freely about any concerns or ideas they ronde on his head.

What to consider before you choose?

The form of being of pregnant women is crucial for you to feel comfortable with a doctor. So before you choose your specialist sit a few moments to reflect on your personality and your way of life including everything.

• If you have very clear ideas of how you want to attend during these months and at the time of giving birth, you should seek a specialist to advise and guide you, but let you make your own decisions, provided it is medically feasible option .
• If, however, you are of those usually rely on the specialist and prefer to leave everything in your hands, bend by a doctor that gives little explanation and accustomed to follow established clinical guidelines for the care and control pregnancies.

The fact that the obstetrician is a man or woman is an important condition for some Moms.

The specialists are usually more understanding from an emotional standpoint, but we must also expect that may happen contrary to downplay the concerns, doubts and discomfort of pregnancy, because they have successfully undergone this experience.

In any case, it is recommended that pregnant too shy or too modest to opt for an obstetrician. For the simple fact of knowing that a woman who will examine them, surely help you feel comfortable and relaxed every time you have to attend consultation.
You’d better be friends and family guide

Before you opt for an obstetrician, you can ask your friends or relatives if they know any good references.

Another view is to ask advice to your family doctor or your regular gynecologist, provided that you are satisfied and happy with the way they practice medicine. Often, doctors recommend other specialists with similar criteria.

Anyway, think that the only way of getting it right is to make an appointment with you think we can become your physician. Only after knowing him personally, to talk to him and see how it is and how pregnancy controls, you’ll know if you’ve found the ideal specialist for you.

6 Ways to stay healthy before getting pregnant

Adopt a good system to improve or maintain your good health.

Your health is partly determined by your genetic inheritance and partly by external factors.

If you pay attention to each of the following aspects of health care, take a good system to improve or maintain your individual levels of general health and fitness.

#1 Eat reasonably.

A balanced diet is a key feature for any health plan. Check with your doctor which foods are best for you during your pregnancy. Do not eat too much fat and takes plenty of water.

#2 Don’t smoke.

The fact is the relationship between snuff and the emergence of deadly diseases. You have to quit if you plan to become pregnant before, otherwise you will be more difficult when you get pregnant and be in constant temptation. To avoid harming your baby, you better not smoke before, so easy.

#3 Exercises.

Regular physical exercise can improve or maintain physical and mental shape. The exercise will keep you away from stress, when you get pregnant, you can also clear that exercise, walking and swimming are practical and easy. Consult with your physician and / or coach which exercises are best for you.

#4 Limit alcohol consumption.

If you are in plans to become pregnant, seeking an extremely moderate alcohol consumption. And if you’re pregnant, forget the alcohol.

#5 Watch your weight.

People with excessively high or low weight tend to get more diseases than other people. Food is very important during pregnancy because virtually eat for two, but do not overdo it! Your doctor will guide you to control your weight within limits. And at the end of your pregnancy will regain your figure quickly.

#6 See your doctor.

Go to your doctor as soon suspect you have a medical problem. Do not leave any doubt lightly or symptom that feels strange. Talk with your doctor your plans for pregnancy.

Remember that your health is most important. Getting pregnant is a health responsibility that lasts more than 9 months, only put these tips into your life.