Category: 13 weeks

Your Pegnancy Journey

At the stage usually Moms begin to enjoy their pregnancy. The second trimester is the comfortable period of pregnancy. The breast continues to grow although the tenderness may reduce. The uterus is growing steadily and will soon make its way out of the pelvic cavity. The bump starts showing and it is difficult to hide the pregnancy. An increased sex drive in the second trimester of your pregnancy is absolutely normal and if you’re feeling the same there’s no need to worry J

For most pregnancies sexual intercourse is allowed. However it is prudent to discuss your case with the doctor. What is important to remember if you get the go ahead that you do not put pressure on the abdomen. This can be achieved by the father being in the doggy style, or the woman on top or side ways. If you find this uncomfortable or are overly concerned you can think of other non invasive methods to pleasure each other. Most women do find intercourse uncomfortable due to vaginal dryness and you could use a lubricant. Ensure that you do not try any incorrect postures or rectal intercourse as this can cause infections. Intercourse is generally allowed between week 12 to week 35. Post week 35 most doctors will ask you to abstain as it increases the possibility of vaginal infections. It can also lead to infection passing to the baby if your water bag were to break. It is also important to abstain from nipple stimulation during intercourse as this can lead to pre term labor especially post week 28. If you find that your nipples are leaking don’t worry this is absolutely normal. Additionally you may want to ask your partner to avoid touching your breasts as they may be sensitive.

Your Baby’s growth

Hurray! Your baby is completely formed and if seen through an ultrasound resembles a completely developed miniature baby. Let that Awww-some feeling sink in. A tiny version of you has almost developed in your womb and it’s the greatest feeling ever. The baby is however still quite tiny and needs the mother’s uterus to survive as it cannot support itself.

I am sure that you have heard this enough number of times – “The baby is eating what you are eating”. This is one of the most common statements that is repeated time and again to pregnant moms by well meaning family and friends. Most of us do know that eating right is helping the baby develop physically and mentally. Besides this it also helps the mom to stay fit and healthy, gain the right amount of weight and have a better birth experience. But then there are so many foods out there, so what exactly am I supposed to concentrate on ? A Balanced Diet, Yes. But besides this a special focus on some of the vital nutrients would be great as well.

CALCIUM – Calcium is needed for the formation of teeth, skeletal system, nervous system, muscles and heart. Just about everything. Calcium is best absorbed when vitamin D is present which is why most calcium supplements come with a small dose of Vitamin D. The main sources of calcium are milk and milk products. Consume 2-3 cups of milk per day to meet your calcium requirements during pregnancy. Other sources of calcium will include dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, sesame seeds, nachni and jaggery. The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight which your body can absorb through the skin. Some food sources of Vitmain D include Salmon, Mushrooms and Egg Yolk.

Essential Fatty Acids – There are three main types of Essential Fatty acids that your body needs during pregnancy. Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9. There are certain kinds of Omega-3 fats, called EPA and DHA which are essential for the normal development of your baby’s brain, nervous system and immune system. There has been a lot of research which has proved conclusively that Omega-3 fats are critical in the formation of the human brain in the womb and in the first couple of years of life. It is essential that Essential Fatty Acids are consumed in the form of food as your body is unable to produce these naturally. Some food sources of Essential Fatty Acids include Fish, Hemp seeds, Flax Seeds, Walnuts, Almonds, Olive Oil, Eggs, Whole grain foods and Dark Gree leafy vegetables.

Folic Acid – Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate which is part of the vitamin B family. This nutrient is specially important in the three months prior to conception and in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is recommended that if you are a woman of child bearing age and are planning to have a baby then you should start taking a folic acid supplement regularly. It is essential for the development of the baby’s brain, skull and spine. Adequate intake of folate can help prevent abnormalities and birth defects related to the spine. Natural sources of Folic acid include legumes, fortified cereals, oranges and green leafy veegtables.

Ensuring that you consume adequate amounts of these vital nutrients is essential for every pregnancy so make sure that you include generous portions in your daily diet.

Pregnant Moms also need to eat every 2-3 hours which means six meals. Lets look at the combination of different food categories that should make your every meal. These would be your main meals. Each of your main meals must contain all the five food groups – Carbohydrates, Vegetables/Fruits, Protein, Milk Protein and Fats. All of these nutrients work in tandem with each other and hence there is maximum nutrient absorption. Imagine if my hand was missing one finger, the hand would not be fully functional right ? The same way if any food group is missing from the meal then the absorption of nutrients is not optimum.

Stretch Marks in Pregnancy

Another common skin issue that women face in pregnancy are stretch marks. Have seen any on your body already or worried that you may have some soon? Thats ok. Read on to find out what causes stretch marks in Pregnancy and what you can do to lessen the effect or avoid it from occurring.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks appear when your body starts growing faster than your skin due to your baby growing inside of you. The elastic fibers under your skin hence split and stretch marks are developed. Stretch marks however can be prevented. The right kind of skin care used at the right time can help prevent stretch marks. The ingredients in the stretch mark skin care help infuse elasticity into the skin and nourish and hydrate it so as to arrest the appearance of stretch marks.

Stretch marks can be hereditary and are bound to happen if the mom’s mom has had them.

You can do a few things to make sure you lessen the effect/ avoid it

Make sure you eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Hydrating and applying a vitamin E based cream / lotion or oil will also help. Apply twice a day to abdomen breasts and buttocks starting from the 12th week. Continue this practice  for six months post delivery.

Swollen ankles, toes and overall swelling in the feet are normal symptoms that occur in the 6 or 7th month of your pregnancy.

A few moms don’t experience it but a large majority of mums do find some foot changes. Along with swelling a lot of moms also do go up one foot size. Shocked?? Well don’t be. This normally takes place because of the hormone relaxin which tends to loosen the ligaments in your feet thus resulting in an increase in your foot size.

In this phase a lot of mums don’t quite feel comfortable in their existing shoes. The shoes feel tighter, less comfortable and may result in further swelling, redness if you continue wearing your pre pregnancy footwear. Most mums have learnt to live with this discomfort for a long time.

Not anymore!

Awww offers you Maternity Shoes that are not only comfortable but are fashionable too. These shoes contract and expand due to flexi leather thus comforting those swollen ankles and feet. It is bite free, anti-slip with power cushioning insole and keeps the mum happy and comfortable.

Food groups: What must you eat and what must you avoid in pregnancy!

Eating for two is what comes to mind when you find out that you are pregnant. But is that really true ? When you announce your good news, you are inundated with well meaning advice and most of it is food related. And of course as a mother you want to do what is best for your developing baby. So let’s take a look at how to optimally plan your meals during pregnancy.

Pregnant Moms need to eat every 2-3 hours which means six meals. Lets look at the combination of different food categories that should make your every meal. These would be your main meals. Each of your main meals must contain all the five food groups – Carbohydrates, Vegetables/Fruits, Protein, Milk Protein and Fats. All of these nutrients work in tandem with each other and hence there is maximum nutrient absorption. Imagine if my hand was missing one finger, the hand would not be fully functional right ? The same way if any food group is missing from the meal then the absorption of nutrients is not optimum.

Most food items are safe for a pregnant mom to consume. However there is a short list which must be avoided – Uncooked eggs which can appear in various desserts, Soft cheeses, Unpasteurized Milk or Milk products, Sea food with shells, Raw fish, Tuna, Mackerel, Sword Fish, Shark Fish, Processed meat and excessive amounts of caffeine. Caffeine can sneak into not only tea and coffee but aerated drinks as well.

If you are not able to eat everything but can still hold some food that’s ok too since at this time the baby is feeding off the mother. Your body has enough store of nutrients to ensure that the baby is nourished even if you are currently not able to eat too much.