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Best sleeping positions during pregnancy.

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  11 foods to avoid during pregnancy While most foods and drinks  are  safe to have during pregnancy, there are some things you should be careful with or avoid Knowing what you can and can’t (or rather, shouldn’t) eat during pregnancy is a bit of a minefield. Which foods should you avoid during pregnancy? Are some foods unsafe in pregnancy? Or harmful? Numerous studies recommend avoiding certain foods during pregnancy due to potential risks to both the mother and the developing fetus. These risks include: Risk of food poisoning According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC): ‘pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than other people to get listeriosis.’ A  2014 study  revealed that listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to severe outcomes, including  miscarriage , stillbirth, and neonatal infections. High mercury levels Mercury, particularly in the form of methylmercury found in certain fish, is e...

How to tackle pregnancy insomnia head-on

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  Top tips to tackle pregnancy insomnia head-on Growing a human is a tough job that takes its toll on your energy levels at the best of times, but what happens if you start to suffer from pregnancy insomnia? It’s a very real problem for an estimated 78 percent of expectant mums, as things like hormonal changes, heartburn, and nausea take hold. 6 reasons why you can’t get to sleep in early pregnancy You’ve heard that one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy is fatigue – so why can’t you get to sleep during the first trimester? One of the greatest things in life is a night of sound sleep. It’s such a pity that it doesn’t happen more often! You would think that being pregnant would help with the sleep thing – while fatigue is a bother during the day, shouldn’t it mean a great night’s sleep at bedtime? Unfortunately for some women, during early pregnancy, they can feel sleep, but they may not necessarily be able to get to sleep. It’s a common enough dilemma, and a frustrating one. Whe...

What Diet do you have to eat During Pregnancy

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  Diet During Pregnancy Might Increase ADHD, Autism Risk Key Takeaways A mom’s diet during pregnancy can increase her child’s risk of ADHD and autism Diets high in sugar, fat, and refined products and low in fish, vegetables, and fruit increased risk Even slight moves toward a more Western diet caused a 66% increased risk of ADHD and 122% increased risk of autism  A mother’s diet during pregnancy can influence her child’s risk of ADHD and autism, a new study says. In particular, the unhealthy hallmarks of a typical Western diet appeared to increase a child’s risk of developmental disorders, researchers reported in the journal  Nature Metabolism . “The greater a woman's adherence to a Western diet in pregnancy - high in fat, sugar, and refined products while low in fish, vegetables, and fruit — the greater the risk appears to be for her child developing ADHD or autism,” lead researcher Dr. David Horner of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark said in a news rel...

Sex Hormones During Pregnancy and Child Development

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  Sex Hormones During Pregnancy and Child Development This project aims to examine associations between maternal blood levels of sex hormones during pregnancy and child development, including in children with and without autism. Summary Sex hormones during pregnancy can have a significant impact on brain development, behavior, and health, yet knowledge in this area remains limited. Autism can present differently in children assigned to females at birth compared to those assigned to males, and the lack of research on autistic traits in girls may contribute to delayed recognition and diagnosis.  A better understanding of hormonal influences could improve knowledge of how autism traits manifest in boys and girls, potentially facilitating earlier identification and more tailored support and accommodations. A substantial part of the disabling challenges experienced by autistic individuals stems from co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Understanding...

Dos And Don'ts For Pregnant Women

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  Healthy Pregnancy: 7 Dos And Don'ts For Pregnant Women To Follow In First Trimester Enjoy your first trimester and the rest of the pregnancy by following these DOs and DON'Ts that will benefit your health along with that of your baby. Read on. First Trimester Dos And Don'ts The first trimester is a very crucial period in pregnancy, and doctors often hand out a list of dos and don'ts for pregnant women to follow. It is mostly from the dietary standpoint, but it may also include other aspects of health like rest and overall lifestyle. Here are some dos and don'ts that one must follow in the first three months. Do check with your gynecologist for more personalized guidance. Scroll down DO Stay Hydrated Drink plenty of water (at least 8-10 glasses a day) to help your body support the growth of your baby DO Eat A Balanced Diet Focus on eating whole, nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. DO Take Prenatal Vitamins You...

How to prepare your body for birth

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  What do the physical therapists want you to do to prepare your body for birth? Preparing now will give you the best shot at smooth labor and delivery and help you recover postpartum. With all the changes that can happen during pregnancy, it's easy to feel like you've lost some control of your body. I'm expecting my first baby in a few weeks, so I get it. Luckily, I've had the energy to stay active throughout my pregnancy — keeping up with my strength training workouts and Pilates classes, while making necessary modifications. Still, as my due date crept closer, I wondered if I'd been doing enough to prepare for delivery and postpartum recovery. So, I started seeing Gabriela Majcher, DPT a New Jersey-based physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor, at around 30 weeks to tackle everything from low back pain and core strength to hip mobility and push prep. Now I feel more confident in my body's ability, have better knowledge of my anatomy...