While the verdict is still out about the safety of diet drinks during pregnancy, it pays to err on the side of caution. There have been a number of studies that do show the negative effects of low-calorie and artificial sweeteners on pregnancy and almost all diet drinks contain some form of artificial sweetener or the other. Different brands of diet sodas contain different types of artificial sweeteners. Some may contain aspartame, others saccharin, and some new brands may contain sucralose. Aspartame has been used the longest and several studies have been conducted on its long-term effects on pregnancy. Aspartame has been proven to be dangerous to women with diabetes or those who suffer from a hereditary condition known as phenylketonuria. In such cases, aspartame has been directly linked with birth defects and damage to the fetus. On the whole however, doctors do concur that small servings of diet drinks containing aspartame may not cause harm to the fetus in a normal pregnancy.

Saccharin on the other hand has to be avoided at all costs irrespective of the stage of pregnancy. Studies on lab animals have shown that saccharin may cause birth defects and due its carcinogenic nature, it is best left untouched if you are pregnant. The new breed of diet drinks contains the latest artificial sweetener known as sucralose. However, because of its recent introduction no studies have been conducted on its long-term effects and it is recommended that pregnant women as a rule avoid such drinks. It is therefore important to know what drink contains what sweetener. As this may not always be possible, experts simply suggest staying away from diet drinks during your pregnancy.  After all, research is not conducted on every drink that enters the market and some ingredient labels may not be very clear about what the drink contains making it difficult for you to make an informed decision.

Apart from the sweeteners, diet drinks also contain caffeine and everyone knows that caffeine should definitely be avoided when pregnant. If you are looking for alternatives to your favorite diet soda, why not try plain soda with a twist of lime instead? Other healthier options include juices, milk and water that can be sipped on safely throughout the day. Remember pregnancy is a time for choices and it is up to you to make the best possible choices for both your baby and yourself!

1. Books – You can never go wrong with a book. There are tons and tons of children’s books out there and many of them are available at a steal. Old favorites such as Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl can be read out loud to younger kids. Check out online sites such as www.amazon.com and ebay.com if you are hunting for something special or hard to find. If you are lost as to what is age appropriate reading material for children, speak to a local library or a teacher for her opinions.
2. Gift cards – While not exactly imaginative, a gift card can often be your safest bet. It also teaches your preschooler the importance of choice and he can feel all grown up as he selects his own gift. Look for gift cards from toy stores or bookstores for a fun option though a gift certificate for the parents will surely appreciate a clothing store as well.
3. Point and shoot – Kids love photos, and if your budget can accommodate it, why not invest in a basic digital camera? Disposable cameras are another good option. Pack your camera with a small photo album or picture frame to complete the gift set.
4. Getting messy with it – Nothing appeals to a child’s creativity more than the opportunity to get crafty. You can find hundreds of different craft sets for children of all ages and to suit all interests. Most of these craft kits come with their own set of colors, papers, and other art supplies making it a complete project.
5. A whole new world – Some of the best toys for preschoolers are ones that encourage the use of his or her imagination. Dress up toys and clothes, cooking sets, tool kits, doll houses, molding clay and finger paints can open up a whole new world of entertainment and keep them occupied for hours.

And what about what gifts to avoid? An easy answer is stay away from anything with a screen. Recent research shows that kids who spend too much time in front of a screen (TV, video games and the like) end up more obese than children who are more active. Screen time for toddlers should be severely restricted if not totally avoided. Remember that in the end it’s the thought that counts. Don’t stress too much about what to pick as a gift and at the same time teach your child to appreciate the sentiment that comes from receiving any gift.

Chinese food features high on the list of cravings most pregnant women experience. Mothers-to-be are usually encouraged to give up Chinese cuisine but books, doctors and parenting websites say otherwise. Chinese food can be great from a place that practices hygiene while cooking and uses fresh ingredients. When you buy your Chinese food, make sure it is from a place where the quality of ingredients is not suspect.  As long as you know where you are getting authentic Chinese food, it cannot be bad.

For instance, food like spring rolls or chicken balls cannot be considered authentic Chinese food and are best avoided. Avoid fried food or food that can go stale quickly. Avoid foods that contain fish or seafood. Seafood and fish are usually a no-no for pregnant women due to the high content of mercury in sea water. Pick the steamed and stir fried vegetables with fresh rice or noodles. As tempting as it might be, avoid fried rice.

Chinese food also gets a bad reputation because it can contain monosodium glutamate or MSG. MSG has been on the receiving end of a lot of bad publicity but it does not harm you or your baby. If you were sensitive to MSG before you got pregnant, then you should avoid it during your pregnancy too. Allergies and food intolerance are generally highlighted during pregnancies.

Pregnant women are also advised not to eat out too often. Fast food usually contains high degrees of sodium and fat. You cannot ignore that fact which is why moderation is also very important.  Excess sodium can increase water retention in pregnant women and in really high doses, sodium can also cause preeclampsia.

All said, you have to be able to gauge what your body wants and how much to satisfy that urge. Each woman’s body is different and will react differently to the same food. Your body might display different traits even with different pregnancies so being intuitive helps. While books and forums are a good guide, it is not the gospel truth. Rely on your instincts and practice everything in moderation.

Mothers run the risk of child mortality if nutrition is not good during the pregnancy. The mother-to-be should not only be worried about physical disabilities in the child but also the possibility of neurological disorders cannot be ruled out. Over 23 per cent of babies born are born below their optimal weight because of deprived nutrition. Incomplete nutrition leads to underdeveloped brains. Underdeveloped brains can eventually lead to degenerative diseases later in life.

Step By Step

A pregnant woman needs to make sure that not only is her diet a balanced one, she should also supplement with additions as needed. You should be careful about over-supplementing. Remember to consult your doctor or your dietitian.

The first trimester is the very crucial where nutrition is concerned. Food and its nutrition protect the embryo and the placenta till the baby forms. Once the baby forms, it provides nutrition to strengthen the baby and grow till it is born. In each trimester, your nutrition needs change. Your doctor can guide how to increase your nutrition by eating wisely.

Mothers have to increase their calorie requirement gradually, ensuring that the right foods help increase the count. Add good fats to your diet, more protein (preferably low fat) and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Increase your milk intake. Iron is also important. As your body is using its own reserves to help the baby grow, eating well is necessary. Folic acid supplementation is usually quite necessary. Vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc are also needed additionally for the baby to grow properly. An increase in omega 3 fatty acids is also needed. Pregnant women often need to control their sodium intake by trimester three because it leads to excess water retention.

Turn Down that Drink and Resist the Smokes

Quit smoking and avoid consuming alcohol for these 9 months. Such stimulants have been known to cause permanent cognitive issues in babies. Drugs and medication dependencies need to be addressed as well. Continuing with these habits during pregnancy can be dangerous to the baby.

Some foods are considered a complete no-no. It’s best to avoid all kinds of junk food, spicy food, outside food for hygiene and nutritional reasons. You can eat them once in a way but err on the lower side of moderation. Immunity of pregnant women is also lower so they need to be additionally careful. Mothers who are on restrictive diets like vegan or macrobiotic should bring it to the attention of their doctors or consider a normal diet for the duration of the pregnancy, unless an intolerance is involved.

We try to list out some healthy options to fast foods:

1. Fruit – chopped and served in individual cups. Cut the fruit in interesting shapes to trick your mind into thinking of it as a great and exciting snack. Chill the cups for a quick snack on the go. Ready-made cut fruits are usually high in syrup and something you can avoid.
2. Yogurt – plain yogurt, with a little honey or topped with granola or cereal or even top cut fruit with beaten curds. You get nice flavored one-serving yogurt packs which make good snack portions.
3. Raisins – raisins are great sources of potassium and iron. Naturally sweet, few raisins can make a great snack and provide the much needed burst of energy.
4. Baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and other crudites – a one-time effort needed for chopping the bigger vegetables but these make a great snack – adding fiber to your diet, keeping you full longer and keeping other snack urges at bay.
5. You can make your version of trail mix, rich with dried fruits, whole wheat cereal and even chocolate. Keep a bag handy for a quick snack. Avoid buying a ready-made trail mix because these generally contain high amounts of fat, sugar and even salt.
6. String cheese or low fat mozzarella or even single serving of cottage cheese – a great source of protein and will keep you full longer.
7. Small one serving containers of juice or milk or even soy milk. These portions are small enough for snacks and can add to your nutritional profile, adding calcium and minerals. Fortified juice is also a good idea.
8. If you are going to eat outside, choose to fill up with salads that have chickpeas or beans of any kind. This form of protein also keeps you full longer.
9. Don’t forget smoothies. A lot of the foods listed here can be put in a blender and you can get a tasty smoothie. It’s an easy snack, fast and quick, on the go.
10. Hard boiled eggs – Eggs get a bad rep as food for pregnant women but boiling them takes care of any threats. It makes for a very filling snack.

You can include foods like sweet potatoes, popcorn, lean meats, green leafy vegetables, colorful fruits and vegetables, all in your diet, to ensure a balanced diet.

Of course, none of these foods are actually are like junk food that you might crave. Ready-made junk food is usually high in sodium and fat. These foods are also high in preservatives. These ingredients are harmful for your baby and can hamper growth and development of the baby. The foods that you need to avoid are ready-made burgers, ramen or instant noodles, packed lunched, packaged soups, and frozen meals. You also need to avoid deli meats or any items that can contain raw eggs. Even items like carbonated soda and cookies and baked goods are not advised because of its high content of refined products. If you are up to it, bake at home. Homemade baked goods are a much better way to satisfy the craving. You can use healthier replacements.

These are the top 10 maternity clothes that you should try on when you go shopping.

1. Cardigans: Make sure that you own at least one piece of clothing that can help you cover up, especially if the weather is unpredictable. Go in for a short, bolero style cardigan, which will sit nicely above your tummy. Cardigans go very well with most dresses, jeans, and trousers.
2. Drawstring trousers: As your pregnancy progresses, trousers that dig into your tummy will feel quite uncomfortable. Drawstring trousers will not get too tight around your stomach, even in the third trimester of pregnancy. Just a few pairs of these trousers can help you pull through the entire nine months of pregnancy.
3. Empire waist dresses: When it comes to comfort, most pregnant women swear by maternity dresses. In case you are planning to add a few maternity dresses to your wardrobe, choose the ones that have an empire waist. Maternity dresses with an empire waist are usually a lot more flattering than plain maternity dresses.
4. Jackets or blazers: If you’d like to conceal your pregnancy bump, a jacket or blazer is probably what you need. Add a touch of class to your dress, trousers, or even your jeans, with the help of a blazer.
5. Jeans: In the earlier days, women had to stop wearing their favorite jeans during pregnancy. Fortunately, maternity jeans are now easily available and have become an essential part of a pregnant woman’s wardrobe. These jeans have elastic panels that stretch to accommodate your growing midsection. Before you buy maternity jeans, try them on. Choose a pair that is roomy and keeps you comfortable.
6. Jersey dresses: One piece of clothing that can really help you feel comfortable even during pregnancy is a soft jersey dress. You could opt for a wrap jersey dress in plain or printed material.
7. Tunics: Your shirt-size is bound to change as your pregnancy progresses. Instead of buying tops of different sizes, you could just pick up a few tunics, as you will be able to wear them longer than regular tops.
8. Shoes: Your feet undergo changes during your pregnancy too. They will probably expand and get a bit puffy, making it difficult for you to walk around comfortably. To avoid tripping, choose a shoe that is well-fitting and grips your foot well. Stay away from high heels, tight shoes, and flip-flops during pregnancy.
9. Swimwear: Around the second trimester of your pregnancy, your doctor may advise you to engage in exercises to reduce stress and regulate weight gain. Swimming is an excellent activity for pregnant women, as it also helps relieve aches and pains. Make sure that you acquire a good maternity swimsuit that fits your expanding belly without causing any discomfort.
10. Maternity bra: Not many women realize the importance of a good, supportive bra during pregnancy. You can start wearing maternity bras right from the 8th week of pregnancy. Underwire bras should be strictly avoided, as they can be uncomfortable and may dig into your skin.

Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you cannot look stylish and fashionable. Several couturiers excel in designing clothes for pregnant women – with patterns like godets, cowls, side seam extensions, plackets, and so on. You also need to pay special attention to the fabrics you choose during pregnancy. Speak to your physician about your maternity wear choices so that you can stay chic and comfortable throughout your pregnancy.

How to avoid an unplanned teenage pregnancy

Teenagers are usually under the impression that even if they have unprotected sex they will not become pregnant. This is mostly on account of ignorance or lack of education with regards to sex and reproduction. This ignorance when coupled with an increase in the hormonal levels on account of puberty, as well as general curiosity towards the opposite sex tend to be the primary causes for unplanned teenage pregnancy.

Some of the key precautions for an unplanned teenage pregnancy include:

• Condoms: Teenagers should be well educated about the importance of using a condom or any other contraceptive or the overall practice of safe sex. Teenagers should also be educated about the correct use of a condom so that the possibility of having an unplanned teenage pregnancy is minimized. The use of condoms is also essential to prevent the use of sexually transmitted diseases and possible infections.
• One of the simplest and of course most effective way to avoid teenage pregnancy is to abstain from sexual intercourse at an early age. At this time a teen is already undergoing a lot of physical and hormonal changes and hence may not be able to cope with the physical demands of pregnancy, let alone the emotional ones.
• Teenage girls should also be explained the importance of birth control pills and their use in case they are sexually active. Before indulging in teenage sex, a teenage girl must visit a gynecologist who will prescribe the right birth control pills for her taking into consideration any pre-existing medical conditions such as migraines.
• In case a teenager has indulged in unsafe sex, then to avoid an unplanned pregnancy they should be educated about the morning after pill or emergency contraception which is known to be effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies.
• One of the most effective ways to guide or educate a teenager about sexual intercourse is maintain a clear channel of communication. To avoid an unplanned teenage pregnancy, parents must speak openly to their children about sex. The teenager feels comfortable and can then share his feelings, opinions, ask questions and clear doubts.

How to cope with an unplanned teenage pregnancy

Most teenagers tend to have three options in terms of coping with an unplanned teenage pregnancy and these include:

• Adoption
• Abortion
• Continuing the pregnancy

In all of these options, the teenager should be given appropriate medical advice with regards to the pregnancy and also have the support of their family and friends to cope with the unplanned pregnancy in a healthy and mature way.

Kids Gone Wild

The issue of teenagers and sex is a sensitive one. The continuing rise in the numbers of teenage pregnancies can be attributed to factors such as lack of proper sex education and the portrayal of sex by the media. In addition to this, teenagers may lack the maturity required to practice safe sex. Unprotected sex in turn increases the chances of an unplanned pregnancy. Teen pregnancies are also often a result of sexual abuse and date rapes. In such cases, dealing with a teen pregnancy becomes even more difficult.

Abortion Rates on the Rise

As the number of teen pregnancy rises, it is not surprising that the abortion rates increase as well. The National Abortion Federation estimates that women younger than 25 account for more than half of the number of abortions performed. Other teen abortion facts state that nearly 35% of all teen pregnancies end in abortion.

Putting the Choice in Pro Choice

The laws regarding teenagers and abortion vary from state to state. As of 2010, 34 states require parental consent before an abortion. While in most cases, at least one parent is aware of the pregnancy, there are still a large number of cases where young girls are unable to obtain parental consent. They then resort to illegal ‘back-alley’ abortions or dangerous self-induced abortions. These efforts more often than not result in the death of these young women.

A Difficult Decision

Teenage pregnancy can be difficult to deal with for all concerned. It can affect the teen as well as her parents and other siblings. Young teenage mothers are often forced to give up their plans of higher education. An uncertain future and fewer job opportunities can affect the standard of living of both mother and child. Apart from financial circumstances, pregnancies are often dangerous for young girls. Due to an underdeveloped pelvis, girls below the age of fourteen tend to have a difficult labor and complicated childbirth. Lack of family support and mature personal relationships can create a situation where abortion is often the only solution.

In order to find a real solution to the problems of teenage pregnancies, there needs to be a combination of efforts and approaches. These include:

• Sex education needs to be offered in schools with an emphasis on creating awareness of the risks of unprotected sex and STDs.
• Parents need to take more responsibility for the actions of their children and religious institutions should become more involved.
• There needs to be access to free or subsidized forms of birth control. Government policies aimed at tackling the problem of teen pregnancies should also be aimed at improving the education and employment opportunities of young girls who are at a high risk of becoming pregnant.

In this way, society can provide young teens with the resources they require to create a better life for themselves and the generations to come.

However, bathing during pregnancy is only safe, as long as a few tips are kept in mind -

• Be very careful while getting in and out of the tub. Your chances of slipping and falling are higher during pregnancy, because there is a change in your center of gravity. If possible, have someone help you into the tub and out of it. If not, see that your feet and the ground are dry, so that you do not slip.
• Make sure that your bath water is warm, not hot. The ideal temperature of your bath water during pregnancy should be 98.6 degrees F. This will not cause your body temperature to rise.
• Test the temperature of your bath water, just to make sure that it is neither too warm, nor too cold. You should be able to get right into the tub, instead of easing into it.
• While draining the bath water away, remain seated in the tub. This allows your body to cool down slowly. In case your body cools of too quickly you could experience a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Before you decide to get into your warm and soothing bathtub, do make sure that you are neither bleeding, nor has your water broken.

Hot bath during pregnancy

During pregnancy, your doctor will ask you to stay away from steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs. You will also need to avoid taking hot baths at home, till the time you are pregnant. Soaking in a hot tub for more than 10 minutes during pregnancy can raise your body’s core temperature to 102 degrees F. This is known as hyperthermia which could be dangerous for your unborn baby. If hyperthermia occurs within the first few weeks of pregnancy, it could increase the risks of a miscarriage considerably. Overheating during pregnancy could also increase the chances of birth defects like Neural Tube Defects (NTD) in your baby.

Moreover, a hot bath could lower your blood pressure during pregnancy, causing you to feel sick and faint. A drop in blood pressure during pregnancy is quite dangerous as it can affect the flow of blood and oxygen to your baby. Therefore, to avoid such problems, it is best for you to take a warm bath during pregnancy, instead of a hot one. You could soak in a warm bathtub each day during pregnancy, as long as the temperature does not exceed 98.6 degrees F. If you start perspiring or experience any discomfort while taking a bath during pregnancy get out of the tub immediately and speak with your doctor about it.

Many of the changes that occur during pregnancy take place because of hormonal fluctuations in your body. Swollen or puffy eyes could be one of the less-desirable side effects of pregnancy that you experience. Though puffiness in the eyes is hardly a cause of concern during pregnancy it can lead to a lot of discomfort.

It is still not clear why some women get swollen and puffy eyes when they are pregnant while others don’t. However, if you have been noticing swelling in your hands, fingers and feet, it is quite likely that the undesirable eye-bags will make an appearance too.

What are the symptoms?

Puffy eyes symptoms during pregnancy are hard to miss, as you will immediately realize that your eyelids look and feel heavier. The degree of swelling should be the same in both your eyes. For some women, the puffiness is seen in the upper and lower eyelids, but in others, it is usually just the lower eyelids that swell up (eye bags). The puffiness is generally the maximum when you wake up from your sleep, or in case you have strained your eyes. However, as the day progresses, the swelling may abate a bit. At times, the skin around the eyes may also darken a bit during pregnancy.

Causes of puffy eyes in pregnancy

There are two factors due to which your eyes may swell up during pregnancy. The two puffy eyes causes include -

• Water retention: The surge in pregnancy hormones causes your body to retain water when you are pregnant and this becomes evident when different parts of your body, perhaps even your eyes, begin to bloat.
• Lack of adequate sleep: Many moms-to-be often complain of fatigue and tiredness, because they do not get enough sleep during the day. If you sleep for less than 8 hours a day, it could be the cause of puffiness under your eyes.

In case the swelling in your eyes occurs all of a sudden and causes a lot of discomfort, speak to your doctor about it right away. In some instances, puffy eyes during pregnancy could be an indication of preeclampsia.

Treat puffy eyes during pregnancy

As long as your doctor confirms that the swelling in and around your eyes during pregnancy is not a cause of concern, there are several steps you can take, to obtain get from the discomfort. The treatment for puffy eyes during pregnancy will usually include simple self-care steps and home remedies, as medication should be avoided as far as possible. Some of the steps you could take to treat puffy eyes during pregnancy include -

• Drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water and other healthy liquids during the day
• Follow an exercise routine, which includes at least half an hour or walking or swimming, 5 days a week
• Get an adequate amount of sleep (8 hours) and rest each day
• Lie down for about 10 minutes or so, with your feet elevated a few times a day
• Restrict your intake of salt and other unhealthy foods, like fried food, junk, sweets, coffee and caffeinated products

If the swelling in your eyes does not lessen in spite of following the steps mentioned above, it may be best for you to visit your doctor

Home remedies for puffy eyes

Fortunately, you can reduce the swelling and discomfort caused by puffy eyes quite easily. All you need to do is place something cold on your eyes when you wake up in the morning or whenever you feel the heaviness getting worse. There are several home remedies for puffy eyes that can be used during pregnancy, some of which include -

• Bags of frozen peas or berries
• Chilled and used tea bags (avoid herbal tea bags, unless you have checked with a doctor)
• Cool cucumber slices
• Eye gel
• Grated, chilled potato
• Ice cubes wrapped in a thick towel

While these home remedies for puffy eyes are quite safe if used correctly, it is best to check with a doctor before trying any of them.