http://articles.maternityandbabystore.com/rss.xml A blog about maternityandbabystore.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.maternityandbabystore.com/?a=35596 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Mood swings, fatigue, nausea, backaches, sore breasts. If you are in your first trimester, it is entirely possible you can relate to all of these, and probably more. Although some (few) women get through pregnancy with very little symptoms, it is most likely you will experience at least a little pain along the way.<br /><br />HCG is a hormone, which is secreted by the embryo and creates progesterone. The level of HCG and progesterone are generally parallel to the symptoms you experience. The worst symptoms seem to go away once the placenta takes over, at which point cholecystokinin increases, and digestion becomes more efficient as it makes better metabolic of your food. In turn, this can contribute to things such as low blood sugar, nausea, dizziness, and after-meal sleepiness.<br /><br />To help alleviate morning sickness, avoid smells which are unsettling or uncomfortable to you, such as coffee or fish. Small things that didn't affect you before can now force one hand to your mouth and the other to your stomach, things such as left over food, garbage, or perfumes.<br /><br />Try to pinpoint these scents and do your best to avoid producing or encountering them. Figure out what times of the day you feel worse, and spend it at home, then figure out what things make you feel both worse and better.<br /><br />Starting the day off feeling sick is likely to result in spending the day sick. For this reason, try to eat before bed, and right when you get out of bed. If you get up in the middle of the night, try to eat then too. Nibble on foods throughout the day and you should feel at least better than you would, if not good.<br /><br />As you are eating throughout the day, eat foods which are packed with nutrients (such as cheese, tofu, or brown rice). Try to avoid rich, spicy, acidic, fatty, fried foods when you are feeling nauseas, and avoid eating too much at once. Try to consume as much protein and as many high-energy foods as possible, and force yourself to continuously eat. The result of not eating will get you an acid-filled stomach and low blood sugar.<br /><br />Drink as many liquids as possible! Anywhere from water, to sports drinks, to juicy fruits. If you have to leave the house to buy, get, or go something try driving instead of getting a ride, as many women feel waves of nausea if they are along for the ride, rather than driving themselves.<br /><br />Wear loose, comfortable outfits. Make sure they are not pressing into your skin. Take the time to relax. If you're having troubles relaxing, try acupuncture. It is important to relax for yourself and your baby.<br /><br />And, when all else fails, sleep it off. If you use these suggestions as a general guide throughout your pregnancy, you will be certain to expend comfort as much as possible.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Maternity Clothes and More at <a href="http://www.maternityandbabystore.com/">http://www.maternityandbabystore.com</a></p> 2006-08-27T23:15-04:00 http://articles.maternityandbabystore.com/?a=35595 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>It's ironic: the most common side effect of a healthy pregnancy is nausea (note: not experiencing morning sickness doesn't mean your pregnancy is abnormal, some women simply do not experience it). Morning sickness is common, as over half pregnant women have had to deal with it, and it becomes hard to deal with, as it usually occurs multiple times throughout pregnancy.<br /><br />One theory as to why women experience morning sickness is that it is a result of the hormone HCG. HCG is secreted by the egg, and causes a rise in progesterone. Progesterone is the main cause of nausea and how sick you feel can vary based on the amount of how much HCG is being released.<br /><br />If you are pregnant with more than one child, you are at the receiving end of double the hormones! In the first trimester, you will feel double sick. Past experiences don't necessarily reflect the present situation, either. If you experienced morning sickness in other pregnancies, you may have a better chance of experiencing it again, but nonetheless there is a chance you will not.<br /><br />Women who became nauseous while on birth control are likely to have morning sickness, since the hormones are the same (but higher dosed during pregnancy). It is also linked to genetics, so if your mother or other relatives had it, you may be next in line. Also, those who experience migraines are at a higher risk to feel morning sickness.<br /><br />A Common misconception is that morning sickness arrives in the morning. This is not true! Most women experience it at different times of the day, and it generally depends on the individual.<br /><br />Avoiding discomforting smells (such as fish, waste, coffee etc.) to help alleviate your nausea. If you smell something that is making your stomach turn, leave the room, dispose of the item, or take a shower. Another thing that will help alleviate nausea, is taking a prenatal vitamin.<br /><br />There are some tips collaborated by doctors and moms alike to avoid morning sickness all together, ranging from certain foods to acupuncture.<br /><br />The best accommodation to make has everything to do with what you eat. Citrus fruits, crackers are good for fighting nausea. Try to keep crackers next to your bed at night.<br /><br />Also, try to avoid having an empty stomach. Smaller, carbohydrate-rich foods (such as rice or potatoes) seem to help. Eat foods that don't smell bad to you, and eat them throughout the day. As you are eating throughout the day, try to avoid rich, spicy, acidic, fatty, fried foods when you are feeling nauseas.<br /><br />Take prenatal vitamins at night with a starchy meal. If it has too much iron, ask to have another type of pill instead. Also, talk to your doctor about taking vitamin B6 and doxylamine.<br /><br />Drink a ton of liquids! And, if all else fails, try checking into acupuncture. With all the available advice on how combat morning sickness, you're sure to enjoy the most comfortable, morning sickness free pregnancy as possible.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Maternity Clothes and More at <a href="http://www.maternityandbabystore.com/">http://www.maternityandbabystore.com</a></p> 2006-08-27T23:11-04:00