You know you need to be looking after your body to help your baby to grow during pregnancy, but what should you eat? What’s healthy, and what’s not? Are you eating for two, or is a small increase in calories “good enough”?
Nutrition during pregnancy
It is always important to eat a balanced diet, but even more so while you are pregnant. The food you eat is the main source of nutrients for your growing baby. Many women don’t get enough iron, folate, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin Bs, or protein. ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) guidelines show that a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins should provide enough nutrients and vitamins for
you and your baby. A diet of fresh foods, with less processed, sugary foods will help you and baby during your pregnancy. Also, be sure to look into a multivitamin that is safe for you to take during your pregnancy to help supplement any of the vitamins and minerals you may be missing in your normal diet. Your doctor may be able to assist with a prescription, or he/she may recommend a good OTC brand.
Important vitamins and minerals
Your body needs higher amounts of these important vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. The amounts below are taken from the ACOG guidelines around how much of each vitamin and mineral you and your baby need during pregnancy.
Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth. It can be found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables and fish. During pregnancy, you need 1000mg daily.
Folate, also known as folic acid, is very important during pregnancy as it helps with production of blood and protein. Folate can be found in leafy greens, legumes, liver and orange juice. Your daily intake should be 400 micrograms.
Vitamin B12 and B6 help form red blood cells, help to maintain your neural system. These can be found in animal products such as liver, meat, fish, poultry and milk. You need 2.6 micrograms of vitamin B6 and 2.6 micrograms of B12 daily.
Iron is important for red blood cells delivering oxygen to the baby. You will find this in lean meats, dried beans and peas. Daily, you will need 27mg.
Vitamin C is good for healthy gums, teeth and absorption of iron. Great sources are from citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes and strawberries. During pregnancy, you need 85mg daily.
Vitamin A is important for healthy eyesight and bone growth. It is found commonly in carrots, leafy vegetables, and sweet potatoes. You will need 770 micrograms during pregnancy.
Weight gain is normal and important
It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy, and it is very important. If you gain too little or too much, this may impact the health of both you and your baby. Most women should only be eating about 300 calories extra per day, not eating for two and doubling your calories.
ACOG and The Institute of Medicine recommend if you are currently underweight to healthy weight, a gain of 20-35 lbs. is normal and within a good range. If you were overweight pre-pregnancy, a weight gain of 10-25 lbs. is within normal range. However, discuss this with your doctor to ensure you are gaining enough, but not too much weight to keep you and baby healthy.
Little changes can go a long way
It may seem overwhelming to try include all of these nutrients and minerals into your diet, but slowly look at each one and see how you can incorporate them into your daily diet. This will your baby to grow well ,and it will help you to have the right nutrients to look after your body.
Your doctor can help to give you more information on the right nutrition guidelines for you and your pregnancy.
The visit to your OB-GYN to get a pap smear is one that most women dread. However, this test is essential in helping to prevent more serious conditions. It’s important to remember that just a few moments of discomfort can potentially save your life.
What is a pap smear?
A pap smear involves collecting cells from your cervix in order to check for pre-cancerous cells and for any traces of human papillomavirus (HPV). The presence of HPV is a risk factor for developing cervical cancer.
If there are abnormal/pre-cancerous changes present in the cervical cells, and they are detected early on, there are preventative treatments that may help to prevent them from developing into cancerous cells.
Who should have a pap smear and how often?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women begin scheduling pap smears from the age of 21. You should have your test every 3 years until age 30. Thereafter, ACOG recommends a pap smear and an HPV test every 5 years.
If there are any abnormal results, or if you have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system, your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings.
What does it involve?
You can have your pap smear done on your annual visit to your gynecologist, or you may schedule a separate appointment for this.
During the procedure, you will lie on your back with your knees bent and heels together, or with your heels in stirrups.
The pap smear is performed with a speculum, which is a special tool that allows your specialist to open your vaginal canal, in order that the cervix can be seen. A sample of cells are then collected from the cervix using a tool called a scraper.
Some women dread their pap smears due to the insertion of these instruments, but most only feel mild discomfort from these tools. The more relaxed you are, the more your vaginal muscles will relax and make the experience less uncomfortable. Taking deep breaths is helpful to relax yourself during the procedure.
After the cells are collected, they will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Your doctor will contact you several days later with your results.
How do you prepare for your pap smear?
It is best to avoid intercourse, douching or using any vaginal medications up to two days before your pap smear. These may have an effect on the results found during your pap smear.
It is best not to schedule your pap smear during your menstrual cycle. If you are menstruating, your results may be less accurate.
Book your next checkup with Hart Fertility today!
Although it may be an uncomfortable experience for some, a pap smear is well worth your time as it can save your life and help with early detection of serious illness.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is any infection affecting the urethra, ureters, bladder or kidneys. Your urinary tract can be divided into the upper urinary tract and the lower urinary tract. The upper tract consists of the kidney and the ureters; the lower tract consists of the bladder and the urethra. The infection usually starts in the urethra and bladder, and may become more serious if it moves up to the kidneys.
What causes UTIs?
UTIs are more common in women than in men. This may be due to women having shorter urethra, which allows bacteria to access the bladder quickly.
It is important to always wipe from front to back as the urethra is located close to the anus. There are many bacteria such as E. coli that are located in the large intestine which may escape via the anus.
Sexual activity can also introduce bacteria to the urinary tract.
It is also important to empty your bladder frequently and not hold your urine for too long, as this can expose the bladder to bacteria, which can increase your chances of developing a UTI.
Symptoms of a UTI
These symptoms indicate the possibility of a UTI:
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- Pain or pressure in your lower abdomen and lower back
- A need to urinate frequently, even when your bladder is empty
- Feeling tired or shaky
- Fever or chills
Treatment for a UTI
If you observe one or more of the above symptoms, the first thing to do is to seek help from your doctor, who will test your urine for the presence of bacteria. The standard treatment is usually antibiotics to help to kill the bacteria. It is best to see your doctor sooner rather than later, so as to prevent your infection from escalating into a more serious kidney infection.
Equally important is the intake of lots of fluids to help to flush out your urinary tract. Studies on the effectiveness of drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills have had some encouraging results as well. Cranberry is thought to contain a tannin that prevents the bacteria from clinging onto the bladder wall.
Prevention is better than cure
To reduce the risk of developing UTIs, there are a few things you can do:
- Drink plenty of water and urinate often
- Urinate immediately after sexual intercourse
- Wipe from front to back after urination and bowel movements
- Cleanse your genital area regularly with mild soap and water
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine if you suspect a UTI, as they can irritate the bladder further
The above strategies may be helpful to prevent UTIs. However, if you feel the aforementioned symptoms coming on, it is best to seek help from your doctor as soon as possible to prevent development of a more serious infection.
“Postpartum” refers to the six weeks after the birth of your baby. It is such a special time of bonding with your baby, as well as a time of adjustment to all the lifestyle changes. However, it is also important to look after yourself after the birth of your baby.
Depending on whether you had a vaginal or caesarian section, your body will require some different recovery strategies. Regardless, both types of delivery are taxing on your body, so you make sure that you employ these simple, universal tactics for self-care:
- Get enough rest. We know this is easier said than done, but you and your body need to heal and adjust to these new expectations and changes on your body. Your baby will wake up every two to three hours, so it is important that you get as much sleep and rest as possible whenever you can.
- Eat healthy meals. It’s important that you are stocking up on your vitamins, minerals, whole grains and extra protein as this will help you to heal faster. It’s also good to be drinking extra fluids – especially if you are breastfeeding.
- Ask for help. It’s okay to ask friends and family for support. Your body needs to heal, and you will need practical hands on help around the house. Most of your close ones will be happy to help, so give them a chance to be involved and assist with cooking meals, running errands and handling simple chores if needed.
Vaginal delivery vs caesarian section
The type of delivery you have may affect the length of your hospital stay and some of the restrictions and discomfort you may experience postpartum.
After a vaginal delivery, you may experience some tenderness while sitting due to a pelvic floor tear or episiotomy. Sitting on a special cushion or “donut” may relieve some of this pain. Sitz baths may be helpful for post-episiotomy soreness as well. It is important to increase your fiber and fluid intake to avoid any constipation. Talk with your doctor if you need stool softeners to help you with this.
After a caesarian section, you may not be able to drive or pick up anything heavy for up to six weeks’ postpartum. Your doctor will let you know how long you should rest. Avoid doing any “sit-up” motions, crunches, or anything that requires using your abdominal muscles, as they will require some time to heal. Your incision site may be tender initially, but it will heal and become less uncomfortable with time. It is important to keep the scar area clean and dry.
If you have concerns or are simply wondering if what you are feeling is normal, then it’s best to contact your doctor. The doctors and medical professionals at HART Fertility Clinic would be happy to help you as you journey through these first few weeks with your baby.
IVF was first pioneered in 1978 and has been advancing in medical knowledge and technology ever since. One of the safest and most successful forms of assisted reproductive technologies, IVF has helped millions of families. However, it is important to keep in mind that every medical procedure does have potential risks, including IVF. At Hart Fertility Clinic, we believe that it is important to fully inform our patients before they make the decision to pursue IVF.
Throughout the entirety of the procedure, your doctor will make every effort to induce as little pain and discomfort as possible. However, there are potential risks during egg retrieval of infection and possible damage to the bladder or bowels. There are also a handful of possible side effects to be aware of.
Some mild side effects may include:
- Discharge that is clear or slightly blood tinged
- Mood swings
- Cramping
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Constipation
If you experience any sharp pains, fever, or prolonged bleeding, you should reach out to your doctor right away. Following the IVF procedure, there have been extremely rare cases of infection, ovarian torsion or the twisting of the ovary, and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). If you do find that you are pregnant, there may be a slightly higher rate of increased blood pressure, preeclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and birth defects.
Some of our patients have come to our clinic with a known medical history of complex fertility-related conditions; it’s always best to discuss these and other factors with your doctor entirely before proceeding with IVF. Our doctors have extensive experience and are highly qualified to make the necessary adjustments to our patients’ treatment processes to identify and account for their conditions.
Whatever your situation, the Hart Fertility Clinic team is here to help - call us today to schedule a consultation with our fertility doctors.
