Wednesday, May 6, 2009

AVOCADOS, My Latest Cravings


It's been almost 2 weeks now since I've been eating Avocados (this was right after I had a month cravings for Mangoes). Unfortunately, I am finished with mangoes! However, I'm afraid to say that, my baby fat size has been doubled since I started eating them! Oh dear... I have been told that this is very fattening, as this contains very high in calories. But I just can't afford to deprive myself, as soon as I think about my baby's sake!

I tell you what, I really wanted to stop eating them, but my baby doesn't want to!! lol....

Here are some of the benefits of the avocado:
• They contains around 25% of the calories and total fat of dairy butter, by weight
.
• When compared ounce for ounce they provide more heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, fiber, vitamin E, folic acid, and potassium than other fruits.

• Avocados are the number-one fruit source of beta-sitosterol, a substance that lowers total cholesterol better than a low fat diet, and even improves
HDL cholesterol.
• It also provides vitamin C and vitamin B6, and about one-third of your daily requirement of folate, a nutrient that helps neutralize excess levels of heart attack-causing homocysteine.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Tips In Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

I've noticed loads of dark spots already on my tummy, but I'm afraid I could not really do much aside from continuously applying this Cocoa tummy butter, at least this would help a bit. Stomach stretches like a balloon and other places just aren't the same size that they used to be. But it is worth it to know that soon you will be holding that precious little person in your arms.

However, you still can't help worrying about developing stretch marks. This article will explain what stretch marks are and your risk of getting them. It will also give you some good tips on preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.

Stretch marks develop in the middle layer of the skin which is made up of collagen. When the skin is stretched continually past the breakdown point, the body will try to compensate by sending more collagen to the over stretched site. The excess collagen is what causes scar like tissue, or stretch marks, to develop.

Researchers say that the likelihood of you getting stretch marks during pregnancy will increase if your mother had stretch marks during pregnancy. But there are things that you can do to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

These tips will give you the upper hand in the war against stretch marks.

  • Eat a healthy well balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Rapid weight gain is a common cause of stretch marks and is unhealthy for you and your baby. Eating right during pregnancy can help you keep your weight gain under control. Talk with your doctor about how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy. Just because you are eating for two doesn't mean that you have permission to overdo it. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated and pliable.
  • Take your pre natal vitamins. Your body needs extra vitamins and minerals at this time so taking your vitamins will supplement those needs. It will also help you develop beautiful skin and hair during your pregnancy.
  • Another way to avoid stretch marks is to use creams that contain vitamin E or cocoa butter. Massage these creams onto your skin where stretch marks are forming. The massaging action itself can increase blood flow to that area and diminish visible stretch marks. There are plenty of creams on the market that claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. You might want to try several to see what works for you.
For some women there is no way to prevent stretch marks. However, the good news is that they do fade over time. They will take on a much lighter color depending on your skin tone. If the stretch marks still bother you, talk to a dermatologist about the best treatment option.

Having a healthy baby should be the most important thing. A few stretch marks are a small price to pay for a beautiful, healthy baby. But if you follow the above tips, you may be able to succeed in preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Weight gain is a source of great anxiety to many pregnant women, like what I do sometimes! I'm afraid to say that I've earned at least 10-12 kgs and it's only on my 5th month of pregnancy, meaning I could still possibly gain double! Therefore, in 4 months time I will be almost twice as my original weight! OMG!!!! Shocking revelation isn't it?

You may worry about putting on too much weight during pregnancy, and not being able to lose it afterwards, or about not gaining enough, and how this might affect your baby. In fact, women vary tremendously in the amount of weight gain during pregnancy, and there’s no such thing as an ideal weight gain.

On average, a healthy, average-sized woman who eats normally in pregnancy will gain around 12.5kg, but women can gain anything from almost nothing to up to 23kg – and still have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby. A lot depends on your pre-pregnancy weight, your metabolism and your level of activity.

The weight you gain is made up of baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, increased uterine muscle, enlarged breasts, extra blood, extra fluid and extra fat supplies (needed for making breastmilk). Most weight is gained between 4 and 7 months, although for some women the pattern is quite different.

Although the range of normal weight gain is large, there are disadvantages to being at the outer limits of it. At the lower end, a very low weight gain tends to be associated with lower birthweight babies, especially if associated with smoking, or poor diet, or drug or alcohol abuse. However, if you are a non-smoker, basically well, and eating a healthy diet, simply eating more will not increase the weight of your baby.

At the upper end, gaining a lot of weight makes you more likely to develop varicose veins and to have problems with breathlessness, heartburn or swelling. There is also an increased risk of developing complications such as high blood pressure, pregnancy-related diabetes or pre-eclampsia. This is why most experts would recommend that very overweight women try to lose some weight before becoming pregnant. If this is not possible, expert dietary advice may help prevent further unhealthy weight gain.

Do not be surprised if, after your initial visit, you are not routinely weighed during your antenatal checks. Research has shown that weighing during pregnancy is often inaccurate, a source of considerable anxiety, and unhelpful in clinical terms. Routine weighing is now generally reserved for women who are significantly over- or under-weight (although some pre-eclampsia experts still recommend weighing as part of routine screening for this condition).

What can I do about it?

  • Rather than worrying too much about precisely how much, or how little weight you have gained, the important thing is that you eat well. Pregnancy is not a time for dieting, nor for eating too many empty calories. Both you and your baby need to be well nourished. Eat a full and balanced diet, and your body will take care of the rest.
  • If you have a pre-existing weight problem – either too heavy or too light – ask your midwife or doctor to refer you to a dietician for guidance. Many women in these situations benefit from specific dietary advice and/or expert counselling.
  • Some women weigh themselves regularly at home. If you chose to do this, do not weigh yourself more than fortnightly, and try to standardise when and how you weigh yourself, in order to minimise the normal fluctuations that occur during each day.

Weight gain alert

If you notice that you are putting on weight very rapidly in the last three months of pregnancy, tell your midwife or doctor. Sudden weight gain may indicate acute fluid retention – a possible sign of pre-eclampsia.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Hubby Bought Me This Support Pillow Back/Body Cushion

I started having difficulties in lying on my sides as soon as I was as early as on my 14th week of pregnancy (about 3-1/2 months)! You'd be wondering why not using a pillow instead to support my tummy? Yes I could do that really, but this has special features which is totally different from normal pillows (read below).

We bought this on Ebay UK, which only arrived the other day. I love this really, it has the same texture as duvets....I cuddled this for two nights now, but only on early evenings. I still love to cuddle my big baby LOL...

This Body Pillow may help relieve:
  • Fibromyalgia, arthritis and osteoporosis pain
  • Back, neck and shoulder pain
  • Restless sleep
  • Maternity discomforts
  • Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

This full length V body pillow can be sculpted into various forms depending on your needs. Gives great support for pregnancy, giving support to your back and bump at the same time. Won't shift in the middle of the night, as may happen if using multiple pillows to get comfortable. This is a great sleeping support for anyone with problems getting comfortable.

Measurements: Approximately 63" long and 2ft wide (each arm 1ft wide). Filled with high quality polyester hollow fibre, complying fully to all furniture and furnishings (fire safety) regulations (BS5852). Washable at 40ÂșC.