Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

Pregnancy and Nutrition

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Starting off your pregnancy in the healthiest you!

Nutrition is very important when it comes to a healthy pregnancy. Here at GH Personal Trainer we help women reach the healthiest possible state of mind and body as they plan for baby! We work with you to establish healthy food and exercise habits. We also work with you through pregnancy and post to help you quickly lose the “baby fat.”

It is vital to know the critical growth times of the baby and what nutrients you need to increase during those times. Talking to a nutritionist is very beneficial for the most effective plan, but there are other ways to check your nutrient intake.

Check your food labels! Or log your food journal into a website like www.babyfit.com this site is much like the dailyplate but is run by www.sparkpeople.com. Babyfit allows you to log your food intake and then evaluates your needs, it tells you where you need to eat more or less, and making sure the baby is getting the right nutrients in the right places. It will even generate a grocery shopping list!

Here are some very important increases that need to be included in your diet:

  • Protein intake needs to be between 75 to 100 grams per day. This affects the growth of the fetal tissue, your breast and uterine tissue and helps to increase your blood supply.
  • Calcium requirement is around 1000 milligrams. Helping regulate fluids and build baby’s bones and tooth buds.
  • Iron is needed to help increase your blood volume and prevent anemia. 27 milligrams is an ideal intake.
  • Folic acid prevents spina bifida and 600-800 micrograms is needed daily to prevent that and other neural tube defects.
  • Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables promote metabolism, tooth and bone development and recovery. A minimum of 85 milligrams are needed per day.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for the right prenatal vitamin! Even if you are eating right and varying your food choices it is very important to take the vitamin to ensure everything is absorbed. Remember the baby needs you to gain healthy weight!

Pregnancy and Exercise a few basics!

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

A few reasons to exercise during your pregnancy:

No kankles for you! Exercise during pregnancy improves circulation which helps with constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, leg cramps and ankle swelling. Exercise can alleviate back pain through strengthening the back.

 You’ll be able to tackle the day! Energy can be restored! Exercise can help some of the lethargy caused by pregnancy; baby-growing takes a lot of energy!

You better get some rest now before the baby comes! Exercise will tire you into a deeper more restful sleep.

Your husband will like you a little more! Mood swings no more! Exercise will help stabilize mood and self-image, helping you adjust to your new body!

You will thank yourself in the delivery room!  Shorter labor? Sign me up! Exercise will also give you more endurance for your labor, will decrease the time in delivery room, and the recovery will be much quicker!

Baby will thank you! Exercising during pregnancy will maintain your muscle strength and tone, making it a little easier to carry your baby in your arms post-pregnancy! And the weight will come off a little easier.

Om! Include relaxation and stretching before and after your exercise! Recovery is just as important as the workout itself!

Things to check after you find out you’re with child:

What’s up doc?  Make sure you are cleared to exercise. This shouldn’t be a problem if you are currently exercising, but its always good to check. If you are just starting an exercise program, start very slowly and try not to over exert yourself.

Tone down the intensity not your muscles! Keep exercise controlled, stay within your recommended heart rate level to ensure the baby is getting the oxygen needed. Do not exercise to exhaustion or breathlessness. When you exercise, the blood flow shifts away from your internal organs (including your uterus) to give your muscles, lungs and heart more oxygen. During the second and third, avoid exercises where you need to lie down on your back, this causes discomfort for you, and lack of blood for baby.

Watch your step! As the center of balance shifts forward, falls are much more likely! Joints also have more give during this time, as well. When exercising where comfortable clothing and footwear, make sure that your sneakers have good support in the ankle and arch! Avoid activities that put you at additional risk for slips and falls. And avoid contact sports! And stay within your comfort zone.

Don’t overheat! Avoid exercising in hot weather. Hot or not, take frequent breaks and HYDRATE!

Don’t over do it! Listen to your body; it will let you know when to reduce level of exercise. If you experience any of the following stop! And contact your doctor immediately! -unusual pain or shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadness, racing heartbeat or chest pain, fluid or blood leaking from vagina, uterine contractions, muscle cramps

All this and more can be found at http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/