Pregnancy

Natural birth-control methods can be effective if used accurately. A popular option is to keep track of changes in your body temperature and cervical fluid while tracking your monthly cycle. Using fertility tests can also be useful. Lactational amenorrhoea, outercourse, and herbal medications also help.

If you’re due to deliver soon and have had a C-section before, some comforting statistics should make you feel better about a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). While risks of uterine rupture exist, the odds aren’t worse than when having multiple C-sections. What’s best depends on your health, age, and pregnancy complications if any.

Intrahepatic holestasis of pregnancy (ICP) causes bile flow to slow down and bile acids to move into your bloodstream. Since the bile acids may cross the placenta and reach your baby, if untreated, it can lead to complications like fetal distress, meconium passage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and maternal hemorrhaging. Symptoms include itching, dark urine, pale stools, and abdominal pain.

Wondering if exercising during pregnancy is a good idea? Engaging in low to moderate intensity exercise while pregnant reduces the duration of and exertion during labor. Not just that, it also allows for a speedy recovery after delivery and reduces the risk of pregnancy-related complications. While pregnant, steer clear of contact and high-intensity sports. Take to lighter forms of exercise like walking, stationary cycling, and swimming instead.

Ideal weight gain during pregnancy varies depending on your BMI. Weight gain recommendations include 25–35 pounds if you’re normal weight, 28–40 pounds if you’re underweight, 15–25 pounds if you’re overweight, and 11–20 pounds if you’re obese. Keep your diet healthy, exercise regularly, and aim at steady and gradual weight gain.

Foodies who love their meat find it extremely hard to give up. Attachment to and an affinity for meat causes meat cravings. Not meeting the adequate dietary protein requirements might also be a cause for this. People who are deficient in iron, zinc, vitamin B12, folate, or magnesium might crave red meat. Pregnant women might also have these cravings. Often, craving for meat might be craving for junk food. The latter is highly addictive.

Asthma affects between 4 and 12% of pregnant women but it doesn’t cause any significant risk when it’s well controlled. Take asthma medication as prescribed by your doctor to keep the condition under control and to avoid potential risks to both you and the baby.

Bleeding during pregnancy can be caused by harmless changes as well as serious conditions. Light bleeding can occur when the baby implants in the uterus or due to increased blood flow in the cervix. But it may also point to problems with the placenta, infection, ectopic or molar pregnancies, miscarriage, or preterm labor.

Miscarriages are never easy to deal with and many women end up blaming themselves. The reality, however, is that most early pregnancy losses are linked to natural causes like chromosomal abnormalities. Underlying maternal health problems and lifestyle factors may also cause miscarriage though these do not make up the bulk of cases.

Back pain is a common problem during pregnancy. Applying a cold or hot pack to the area, maintaining proper posture, avoiding lifting heavy objects, and using a firm mattress and supportive pillows while sitting can help. Practice back strengthening exercises and prenatal yoga or aquanatal exercises. Or try acupuncture.

Both spearmint and peppermint are used to deal with two common problems associated with pregnancy – morning sickness and indigestion. But excessive use of these herbs can be harmful during pregnancy, so limit intake. Peppermint tea should also not be used if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Indigestion is a common complaint during pregnancy. Have small frequent meals instead of large ones. Eating bananas, drinking turmeric or ginger tea, and having honey can help. So can sitting up while you eat, cutting down on caffeine and fatty or spicy foods, and eating foods like yogurt that boost digestion.

Swimming is a great way to relax and stay fit when you’re pregnant. It can also reduce pregnancy symptoms like back pain or water retention. Just ensure the water is clean so you don’t catch recreational water illnesses or expose yourself to problematic pool disinfectant byproducts. A little care can help you make the most of this low-impact aerobic workout.

Whether you can give birth to fraternal twins depends on your genes. Other factors that raise your chances include age above 35 years, a higher BMI, a diet rich in dairy products, and multiple pregnancies. IVF is known to hike the chances too. Do note, however, that the factors responsible for the conception of identical twins remain unknown.

If morning sickness hits you, have dry toast or crackers. Eat smaller meals frequently, sip small amounts of water through the day, and steer clear of greasy or spicy foods. Eating your meals cold, having vitamin B6, drinking ginger tea, and smelling lemons can ease the sickness pang. So can yoga moves like balasana and applying pressure three finger breadths beneath your inner wrist.