I wanted to talk to you about how you can cure severe morning sickness. It seems like all women are effected differently when it comes to this. In fact, it seems like each pregnancy is unique. Some women have it in the morning, while others have it in the evening. Some have an extremely severe case of it, while others don’t have any symptoms at all. Pregnancy is the greatest miracle you’ll ever experience and morning sickness can really take away the effect of it. I think all women shouldn’t have to go through this and enjoy their time. I’m going to show you how you can cure severe morning sickness in a perfectly natural way, with no effect on your baby.

To solve this problem you have to understand what exactly happens in your body when you feel nauseous. Basically you an acidity issue in your stomach that gives you this urge to vomit. Obviously if we can control this, than you don’t have to worry about it. This can be as easy as the way you eat. Instead of eating the large meals like breakfast, lunch and dinner, start eating smaller meals more often. This will keep everything consistent for the body.

Also, to cure severe morning sickness, you should be taking your prenatal vitamins before you go to bed. This way when you wake up in the morning, your body will be full of all those great vitamins that help it out. It won’t want you to vomit because it wants to keep those vitamins.

By: Elle Nash

About the Author:

Foreign Exchange Trading

I wanted to talk to you about early pregnancy morning sickness cures. I know all mothers that know they’re pregnant are full of joy, happiness and purpose because of this event. I don’t think there can be a more emotional time in your life. This joy you’ll experience will often be overshadowed by the sickness that comes along during the early stages of pregnancy.

All women seem to have it differently. Some will get it in the evening and some in the morning. Some will have all day events while others won’t even have a problem. I’m going to discuss with you early pregnancy morning sickness cures because you don’t have to go through the sickness, if you don’t have to.

Basically, the sickness is nausea and all the feelings associated with that come from the stomach acids. People always say their stomach turns when they start to feel sick and that actually isn’t that different from what happens. Your stomach acid will change and it will just want “out”. You’re probably still eating pretty big meals a few times a day (breakfast, lunch, supper). Try eating smaller meals more often. This will keep your stomach acid levels balanced all day long, rather than going up and down.

Early pregnancy morning sickness can be cured by strategically taking your prenatal vitamin. Basically vomiting occurs to get rid of something from the body, but if there is something extremely good that could be lost (like the prenatal vitamin) the body won’t do it. So if you take your vitamin a few hours before you typically get sick, you should be able to avoid nauseas feelings all together.

By: Elle Nash

About the Author:

Restore My Credit

A rush of emotions. A little stick. Will it be pink! Or blue? Who should you tell first? What do you do now?

Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience that is full of excitement and love and anxiety and tension. There are a lot of decisions to be made and you must face the realization (whether it’s your first or your 12th) that life will never be the same.

Once you have the details of the actual delivery, the who (midwife or doctor), what (your baby), where (home birth, birthing clinic or hospital) and when (determining your due date) down, you can get on with making sure that baby has the best possible beginning even before you give birth.

Nutrition will be one of the keys to help you to keep your growing baby healthy and safe while still in your womb. And an extra bonus will be helping you to keep up your energy and minimizing the unpleasant effects of carrying your little one inside of you.

If you have a craving, indulge it. If you can’t eat something, don’t worry about it. The body has different needs during this time and those needs show themselves in various ways. It’s a temporary situation and nothing to be concerned about.

Prenatal Vitamins – While many multiple vitamins have the necessary quantities of vitamins and minerals for an average adult, prenatal vitamins have the increased quantities of those vitamins most important during this precious time. In addition, some prenatal vitamins have added the herb Ginger to help with morning sickness.

Calcium and Magnesium – These minerals are important during pregnancy for a number of reasons. If you don’t have enough calcium to provide to your baby as he begins to form bones and teeth, your body will naturally compensate by pulling these critical minerals from your own teeth and hair. This is why many women get more cavities and have brittle, dull hair during pregnancy. In addition, adequate levels of calcium may prevent preeclampsia during late pregnancy. Of course, there is the added benefit of avoiding excess leg or muscle cramps, common in pregnant women.

Red Raspberry – This herb is commonly known as the woman’s herb and can be taken throughout pregnancy. It has been used traditionally to strengthen the uterus and help women carry full-term reducing the chances of premature birth.

5-W – This is an herbal combination by Nature’s Sunshine Products. Many mothers and midwife’s insist they would not deliver without it. 5-W (five weeks) should be taken during the last five weeks before the scheduled due date. This product will help to tone the uterus and shorten the duration of labor.

Common ailments and natural alternatives

Sometimes our best efforts aren’t enough and we end up getting sick or having other problems that need to be addressed during this delicate time. Because anything that you take will also affect your growing baby, it’s best to use safe, natural alternatives whenever possible.

For almost all of the following, the best natural prevention is water. Pregnant women need far more of it than the average adult. Be sure you have water with you every where you go and drink it by the gallon.

Allergies and sinus congestion – Fenugreek may assist by acting as a mild laxative (opening the bowels to flush the irritants and mucus) and by reducing mucus secretions. A side benefit of fenugreek is that it promotes lactation in nursing women.

Back pain – See a good chiropractor and use rice pillows to ease the pain.

Bladder Infections – Use cranberry supplements daily as a preventative if you are prone to bladder infections. Should you contract a bladder infection during pregnancy, you could increase your dosage of cranberry and add colloidal silver, a natural antibiotic. Be sure to do this at the very first sign of the infection as bladder infections that reach the kidneys may increase the risk of preterm labor.

Colds – Echinacea is a safe alternative that can be used during pregnancy. Sip on Echinacea tea or take a few capsules several times a day. Another herb that may be effective is Olive Leaf. Of course, don’t forget to increase your vitamin C.

Constipation and hemorrhoids – This sometimes occurs due to the extra iron in prenatal vitamins. While it is generally not safe to take a laxative during pregnancy, there are some things you can do. Increase magnesium. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant and will help to relax the sphincter muscle that allows for proper elimination. Increase fiber. Often, due to cravings or specific food aversions during pregnancy, women don’t get enough fiber. Supplement if needed. Exercise may also help.

Insomnia – Valerian root acts as a natural sedative and may be just enough to help induce sleep.

Nausea – Ginger or peppermint tea can be very helpful here. Also try aloe vera juice.

This is a time of joy but it may take a little extra strength and willpower to stick to your desire to stay natural. Just remember, the less toxins you put into your body, the healthier your baby will be.

By: Nicole Bandes

About the Author:

The DUI Attorney

Let’s face it, morning sickness is about as much fun as a trip the dentist for a root canal. The nausea can range from relatively mild to severe and debilitating and can strike at the most inconvenient times, making it difficult for some women to even leave their houses for most of their pregnancy. The worst part is that pregnancy is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life, but morning sickness can ruin that and can rob you of the joy of being pregnant.

Take heart, though. There are some easy remedies for morning sickness that can really help to get rid of the nausea and get you back to feeling human again. One of the most common remedies for morning sickness that you may have heard about is increasing your intake of vitamin B6. Does taking extra vitamin B6 for morning sickness work?

For a lot of women it does. Although no one is really sure why - whether it is a vitamin B deficiency or some other reason - many women can find relief from morning sickness by taking extra vitamin B6 along with their prenatal vitamins.

If you plan to try this remedy it is important to talk to your health care provider first and ask them how much extra you should take. Prenatal vitamins also contain vitamin B6, though the amount varies between brands. Your doctor or health care provider will be able to advise you how much extra you should take along with your regular vitamins to start feeling relief. It is important to never take more than your doctor recommends since taking too much can cause health problems for both you and your baby.

Vitamin B6 works for many women, although not for all women. Every woman’s body is different so it is important that if you try one thing and it doesn’t work you keep looking for another that will.

By: Sarah Callen

About the Author:

Toddler Bed

It is only natural that expectant mothers should want the very best for their babies and to that end, it is important to make sure that they are consuming the most nutritious foods for their unborn child. However, this may prove to be difficult due to nausea, cravings and loss of appetite for some foods.

One of the best ways to ensure that both mother and their baby are getting enough vitamins and minerals is to take prenatal vitamin supplements.

Many doctors will prescribe prenatal vitamins as early as six weeks into a pregnancy with some even advocating that they be taken if a woman is planning to conceive. The reasoning behind this is that it will help prevent certain birth defects.

Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to ensure that both mother and baby receive the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients regardless of any abnormal eating habits during pregnancy. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can have negative effects on the growth and well being of the unborn child.

Folic acid is one of the minerals that are contained in prenatal vitamins and is an essential nutrient during pregnancy. As well as being important for the growth of the unborn child, Folic Acid has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Calcium is one of the most important elements in an expectant moms diet as it is essential for the developing bone growth of the unborn child. However, prenatal vitamins do not always contain enough calcium while others do not contain any at all. The ones that do have it only contain around 250 mg whilst the recommended intake while pregnant is 1200 to 1500 milligrams. It is therefore important to pay close attention to the calcium content in prenatal vitamin supplements and to make up any shortfall with the consumption of dairy products.

Iron is another important mineral contained in prenatal vitamins and is responsible for helping the mother and the baby’s blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiencies can lead to severe birth defects for the baby as well as other complications for the mother.

Other vitamins and minerals included in prenatal vitamins include Vitamin D, Vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin E, vitamin B-12, and zinc. Each of these is important for the mother and her growing baby.

As with all supplements, prenatal vitamins are just that – supplements and to that end, they should not be taken in place of a nutritionally balanced diet. Apart from anything else, any vitamin supplement requires the nutrients found in food to be correctly absorbed by the body.

Many moms to be may feel that they know enough about nutrition and eat well enough without the need to take prenatal vitamins. However, it is important to be realistic about the nutrition that you can maintain while pregnant as nausea and loss of appetite can make a big difference to nutritional intake.
Even if you are lucky enough not to experience morning sickness and nausea, it can still be difficult to be sure that you are getting enough vitamins and minerals for both you and your baby. Best advice is to play it safe and take a prenatal vitamin even if it is just an insurance policy.

If you are confused or uncertain about which prenatal vitamins are best for you and your baby, talk with your doctor about your options.

By: Alan Kenyon

About the Author:

Baby Shower

Pregnancy is a nine-month marathon, and smart moms-to-be begin training well in advance. You know that you should take care of yourself during pregnancy but should you exercise? What kind of exercise should you be doing, how often and for what length of time? What about prenatal vitamins? Pregnancy is a wondrous time, but it can also leave you with many questions.

Exercise

Exercise helps your body best handle labor, delivery and recovery. Exercise also prepares your body for the rigors of childbirth, and it allows you to bounce back into shape quicker after the birth. Exercise also helps keep your mood up and staying active can improve your overall health.

Doing the incorrect type of exercise during your pregnancy can be detrimental to both you and your baby. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Do not exercise if any of the following are present:

Pregnancy induced hypertension Ruptured membranes Incompetent cervix Vaginal bleeding Intrauterine growth retardation A multiple pregnancy

There are a number of other medical and obstetric conditions that may lead to the need to modify or stop an exercise program. Some women simply should not exercise during pregnancy for health reasons.

Avoid eating for two hours prior to an exercise session. If you exercise first thing in the morning, have a liquid snack while exercising then follow this with breakfast after the exercise session has ended. No matter when you exercise, try to have a small snack immediately after an exercise session. Drink lots of fluids making sure to stay hydrated. Drinking eight ounces (226 g) of water before exercising, and an additional eight ounces for every 20 minutes of exercise will help with hydration. It is important that you up your caloric intake, by about 300-500 calories per day, to compensate for a growing baby and calories burned during exercise.

It is important to exercise sensibly at a comfortable intensity and do not exercise to exhaustion or at an anaerobic (or breathless) pace. All exercise should be accompanied by an appropriate warm up and cool down session. Wear light comfortable clothing, drink plenty of water, avoid exercising in very hot temperatures or humid conditions and do not exercise during illness or fever.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women should exercise no more than 30 minutes at a time, one to three times per week, although some doctors suggest some form of exercise most days of the week. Generally, the best exercise is low impact and includes activities such as walking, swimming, stationary bicycling, prenatal yoga, aerobics and weight training. Exercises like yoga or even swimming can be both relaxing and meditative, which are important to counteract the exhaustive physical and mental rigors of pregnancy. Remember to keep the exercise low intensity - exercise should be geared towards maintaining your fitness level instead of increasing it.

After exercise, make sure to cool down by slowly returning to your resting rate by doing cool down exercises and stretches. Pay attention to how you are feeling and remember that you may not be able to exercise at your pre-pregnancy level. Women who are prone to being overweight may choose to plan a healthy diet and exercise plan to help moderate the amount of weight gained.

Prenatals

Prenatal vitamins supply a rich assortment of vitamins and minerals to help a woman conceive and bring forth a healthy baby. These vitamins are an important part of pregnancy nutrition and are intended to be taken before and during pregnancy and during postnatal lactation. Prenatals can be taken by a woman on a daily basis to ensure that she is obtaining appropriate quantities of essential nutrients during pregnancy. They are most important during the first 10 weeks of your pregnancy, which unfortunately is when nausea is often at its worst.

Prenatal vitamins are packed full of nutrients that will help support and nourish both your growing child and your own body during pregnancy. However, they are only as good as the diet they are being added to. Prenatal vitamins are meant to supplement an already good diet, not make up for a poor diet. They are almost universally given to pregnant women today and often contain high amounts of folic acid and other compounds, such as iron and vitamin A.

Taking prenatal vitamins may reduce the risk of low birth-weight babies and supplementation of folic acid has been shown to decrease the risk of several congenital malformations.

Prenatal vitamins are extremely important before and during pregnancy, and many women continue to take prenatal vitamins throughout their childbearing years.

By: Tony C Edwards

About the Author:

Baby Clothing

When trying to get pregnant, many times we can fail to conceive because our diets are lacking in the nutrients necessary for a successful conception and pregnancy to take place. Even when we are very careful about our diet and “eat well”, our diet can still be insufficient.

When trying to get pregnant your main objective should be is to try and create the healthiest eggs and sperm possible, and in the woman, the most fertile environment possible so conception can occur.

Often, with many couples, an ordinary diet lacks the necessary nutrients a healthy pregnancy requires. The body knows this, and until the nutrient levels are there, doesn’t conceive.

So in order for the body to receive the nutrients it needs to conceive nutritional supplements are often required to supplement even the best most carefully planned diets.

There are a wealth of supplements available. A short stroll through you local supermarket or health food store reveals an array of choices; Fertility Supplement, Prenatal Vitamins, Fertility Blend, Natural Fertility Supplement, and so on.

The key is not so much what brand you buy, although quality is important, but more important is that the supplement you buy contains all the nutrients needed for high fertility. To achieve this you may have to buy more than one supplement to make sure you cover every nutrient.

Whether you buy a single supplement product or you need to buy quite a few different ones, it or they should contain the following:

- Vitamins A,E,D

- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12

- Biotin, Cholene, Inositol, PABA

- Folic Acid

- Vitamin C and Bioflavinoids

- Calcium

- Magnesium

- Potassium, Iron, Manganese

- Zinc

- Chromium, Selenium, Iodine

- Evening Primrose Oil

- MaxEPA

After taking supplements containing all of these, apart from giving your body everything it needs to conceive, you should feel greater well-being and notice higher levels of energy. How these supplements benefit you in terms of you conceiving are as follows:

Vitamin A – For men, vitamin A is necessary for sperm production and production of testosterone. In women it keeps the cilia in the fallopian tubes healthy, and deficiencies in either men or women could lead to infertility and miscarriage. Vitamin A is a known antioxidant so it plays an important role in detoxifying your body.

Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, PABA, Folic Acid, Inositol, Choline – These vitamins usually occur together and are necessary for balancing estrogen and progesterone, as well as the production of sex hormones. For male fertility the B group is especially important. Vitamin B5 is needed for the testes to be healthy, high sperm count and motility require Vitamin B12, and Inositol is needed for a healthy prostate gland. A deficiency in Vitamin B can result in a miscarriage or risk of the baby being stillborn.

Vitamin C and Bioflavinoids – Because Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant it works to eliminate toxins in your system, like lead for example. Vitamin C encourages ovulation in women who haven’t been producing eggs and who may be anovular. In men it prevents the sperm from clumping. However a deficiency of Vitamin C during the period of conception and early pregnancy can result in a miscarriage.

Calcium – You need calcium for producing fertile mucus in the vagina. You know it’s fertile when it is stretchy. Calcium deficiency can result in toxemia while pregnant.

Magnesium – Estrogen and Progesterone require Magnesium if they are to be produced. If a woman has a Magnesium deficiency the muscle contractions of the Fallopian Tubes can be affected, interfering with the movement of eggs and sperm within the uterus. You know you have a Magnesium deficiency if you crave sugary foods, chocolate in particular.

Potassium – Potassium is necessary for sperm motility and the general wellbeing of glands. Iron – Iron is essential for hemoglobin production and the correct formation of fetal blood. Without enough iron infertility can result.

Manganese – Manganese is involved with building and breaking down genetic material, like nucleic acids. It also plays a part in the secretions from glands that affect a womans’ maternal instinct, her desire to love and nurture her child. Deficiencies in Manganese reduce sperm count and can result in infertility.

Zinc – Zinc is required for a healthy sperm count and for the sperm to be well formed. Zinc deficiency can result in chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm and low levels of testosterone. For women, low zinc can lead to a miscarriage. Whether male or female zinc is very important to your reproductive health.

Chromium – Chromium helps with glucose metabolism, which stabilizes blood sugar levels.

Selenium – Healthy levels of Selenium help males with sperm production and motility. It is a known antioxidant and can help remove toxins from the body. Low levels of Selenium reduce sperm production and sperm motility.

Iodine – The thyroid gland the balance of hormones in the body and for it to function properly it needs Iodine. When a woman has a thyroid gland that is not sufficiently active she may not ovulate during her cycle.

Evening Primrose Oil and MaxEPA – These two contain Omega 3 essential fatty acids which are important for providing what body needs for building cell membranes and body structures. They are also necessary for correct hormone balance and prostaglandin production. In females they help with bloodflow in the uterus. Deficiencies of essential fatty acids can lead to chromosomal defects and miscarriage.

Search your local health food store or supermarket for a supplement product or a combination of products that contain all of the vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids mentioned above. Taking the recommended daily doses of these will provide your body with all the nutrients it needs for it to become a highly fertile environment where conception can occur.

Copyright 2006 Helene Kvist

By: Helene Kvist

About the Author:

Debt Consolidation

Many women are either confused about what to look for in fertility vitamins or they don’t see the need to take vitamins at all. Let me take some time to explain why vitamin supplements are necessary in order to increase your fertility as well as why prenatal vitamins are necessary prior to and during pregnancy for you and your unborn child. Most women don’t get the vitamins and minerals needed from the food they eat from day to day. We would have to eat a whole lot of fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains in order to get the balance of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to thrive and be our healthiest.

Women’s vitamins are especially important when a woman is trying to conceive and during pregnancy. These are specifically called prenatal vitamins.

Prenatal vitamins supply a rich assortment of vitamins and minerals to help a woman conceive and bring forth a healthy baby. These vitamins and minerals are necessary to help keep our hormones balanced and our nervous system running smoothly as well as keeping all our organs functioning optimally.

Let me stress - We all need to take a multivitamin and multi mineral supplement to make up for what is lacking in the food we eat. Even the best diet in the world will not give you all the nutrients you need for your best chance at getting pregnant and bringing forth an optimally healthy child.

So what do you look for? What are the qualities of the best fertility vitamins and prenatal vitamin supplements?

Well, I’m no expert. But I can tell you what I took that helped me to be more fertile and energetic and have a trouble-free pregnancy. I looked into several prenatal vitamins before choosing what I believe to be the best multi vitamin supplement that’s all natural and made from organically-grown plant compounds (see below). The other prenatal vitamins were synthetically made with artificial coloring.

I also ate lots of fruits and vegetables and drank a lot of purified water. (See my Preconception page for more on this.) Make sure your multivitamin has at least 400 mcg of folic acid (I took 800 mcg daily) in order to prevent neural tube defects in your unborn baby. This neural tube develops within the first month of life, so it’s important to get enough folic acid before you get pregnant.

* Remember that even the best multi vitamin supplement won’t replace eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, meats, and drinking lots of purified water. Both a healthy diet and a great multi vitamin supplement are needed to increase your fertility and ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy.

By: Sally Moran

About the Author:

Asbestosis

I wanted to give some help for morning sickness because this can be a pretty miserable thing to have to go through. You have all these new hormones pumping and you’re very excited to be having a child, but you’re stuck getting sick. Most women these days have to still go to work and do other things, so there is no time to get sick. The fact is that this sickness seems to effect all women differently. The morning isn’t always the time it occurs. Sometimes it happens in the evening, all day long or even not at all. I want to give you some help for morning sickness, so you don’t have to go through a miserable time with it.

Since all these new hormones have started to pump through your body, you’re just not used to it. Hence why you get that nauseas feeling. The central point of all nauseas feelings start in the stomach, with your stomach acids. If you can control the acids, than you can actually reduce your chances of actually getting sick. One of the easiest things you can do is start eating smaller meals more often. This will keep your acid level all through the day, instead of going up and down from big meals.

Help for morning sickness can also be achieved with prenatal vitamins. Our body doesn’t like to vomit if it is going to lose very important nutrients, as are contained in prenatal vitamins. If you take your vitamin a few hours before you typically get sick, your body is less likely to get sick.

By: Elle Nash

About the Author:

Making Money at Home

Dill pickles dipped in chocolate ice cream… peeled lemons with salt… sardines and olives… people are amused by a pregnant woman’s odd food cravings.

You may wonder, What is my body trying to tell me? And sometimes, that is the case—your body is craving something it needs, like calcium, potassium, or more protein. Other times, it’s a mystery why you crave what you do.

Cravings are not harmful as long as they’re healthy. There’s nothing wrong with eating watermelon every day or having a peanut butter and banana sandwich once in awhile. The problem may come if eating too much of a good thing leads to gaining too much weight. That’s likely to happen if you happen to crave ice cream sundaes and glazed donuts, and you let those high calorie foods get the best of you. But that doesn’t have to happen.

You can take steps to get cravings under control and gain only the amount of weight that is healthy for you. (Research has shown that gaining too much weight puts you, and your unborn baby, at risk.) Here are seven tips to help you win the battle over those constant and sometimes annoying cravings:

1. Eat natural, unprocessed foods.

Fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats are healthier, take more time to digest, keep you feeling full longer, and stave off cravings. On the other hand, highly processed foods such as donuts, candy bars, ice cream, and white bread are stripped of their nutrient content. Even though they may be tempting, these foods are the ones that spike your blood sugar and then send it crashing, zapping your energy and creating a never-ending cycle for cravings that lead to increased body fat. Therefore, it’s best to limit your intake of these to an occasional splurge snack and concentrate on eating natural, healthy foods instead.

2. Eat five mini meals, spaced three hours apart.

By spreading your meals over five mini-meals, rather than two or three large meals, you stabilize your blood sugar levels (which stops fat storage), you jump start your energy levels (instead of feeling sluggish and tired), and ward off cravings–all things you need when you’re pregnant. This eating schedule has even been recommended in prestigious scientific journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association.

3. Drink water throughout the day, at least 10 glasses.

Some women report having an insatiable desire for ice when they’re pregnant, but even if you don’t, your body needs lots of water, because water is absolutely vital during pregnancy. Water carries nutrients through your blood to your baby. Water is also great for helping prevent bladder infections (common during pregnancy), constipation, and hemorrhoids. During the third trimester, dehydration can even cause contractions that may trigger premature labor.

Water also helps flush out toxins that can be released when fat is burned for energy, and it is involved in every metabolic function in your body. Yet another important thing to keep in mind about water—it makes up 75 percent of muscle tissue, so it’s vital for the development of your baby.

The key is to drink water even when you’re not thirsty, because by the time your body “signals” you that it’s thirsty, you’re already too low.

4. Get regular physical exercise.

Studies have showed that women who walked for 30 minutes a day were better able to cope with their emotions and handle challenges that came up during the day. Walking is considered safe for pregnant women, even for those who previously have not exercised. Other good aerobic activities are swimming, prenatal yoga classes, and riding a recumbent bike. As one woman said, laughing, “I can’t eat while I’m exercising!”

5. Take your prenatal vitamins faithfully.

Getting the vitamins you need nourishes your baby, yourself, and helps keep cravings away. When you get an overwhelming desire for a Big Mac and fries, it’s not that your body needs that particular food. More likely, it’s trying to tell you that you need more protein, sodium, or potassium. Prenatal vitamins help provide the nutrients you need on a consistent basis.

6. When you’re done eating, get busy doing something else.

Go for a walk, organize the baby’s room, read a good book, or anything else that gets your mind off of food. Don’t feed your emotions by consuming extra calories. Writing in a journal can help you deal with the ups and downs of being pregnant and even provide valuable insight as you look back over what you’ve written.

7. Report any bizarre cravings to your health care provider.

A condition known as pica is an overwhelming craving for a nonfood item such as clay, dirt, or laundry starch. Peter S. Bernstein, MD, MPH, medical director of obstetrics and gynecology at the Comprehensive Family Care Center in N.Y. said, “I’ve had women and their babies develop lead poisoning from eating dirt during pregnancy; the neurological damage can be overwhelming.”

The cause for this unhealthy craving may be an iron or zinc deficiency. If you have pica, your doctor can test you to see what you need and give you relief.

The good news for all expectant women who yearn for a particular food is that you don’t have to go without some satisfaction. If you’re craving something with a lot of sugar and calories, try substituting something healthy that will give your body the nutrition it’s asking for.

For example, instead of having ice cream, have non-fat yogurt. Instead of donuts, have whole wheat toast with fresh fruit jam. Instead of a slice of cake, have low-fat banana bread. Pass on the sugary cola drinks and opt for mineral water with fruit juice or lime.

These ideas can help you start thinking in the right direction. Once you understand what your body really needs, you can take control. And if you happen to be one of the lucky 10 percent who craves vegetables like broccoli and spinach, then go ahead and give in to your desires. For the other 90 percent, a bit of knowledge and a big dollop of coping skills go a long way.

By: Jennifer Polimino

About the Author:

Webhosting for SEO