You Already Know The Best Pregnancy Diet. You Just Need A Reminder

Most new mothers have heard the advice over and over during their pregnancy. But now that the pregnancy is over and you have a new baby, you also have some extra weight that must go. If you don't act on the weight loss advice right away, it's easy to forget. The best pregnancy diet means you have to eat fewer calories than you burn. What makes the best pregnancy diet work is your selection of various options that do that.There are three main ways to lose weight. Eating a healthier diet, getting plenty of exercise and choosing to breast feed are the most effective tools used to lose weight. They will work for you too. They are the best pregnancy diet.

To begin, you gained weight for the health of your developing baby. After you delivered, you found that there was some weight left over. It has to go. You want to return to being that slim attractive thing you were before the baby. That's where you need the best pregnancy diet. Your post-natal advice was to consume a high fiber, high protein diet rich with fruits and veggies. Salads are a vitamin-rich, fiber laden choice but try to avoid the dressings.

Use vinegar and oil instead. Lean meats and other options like skinless chicken and fish are good protein sources. Low fat dairy products like yogurt and others supply protein as well as vitamin D. But the best item is to drink plenty of water. Rehydrating is important during this part of your life now. Water will give you a full feeling and it'll flush the toxins out of your system. Give up those sodas and sweet drinks. They are loaded with calories.

The best pregnancy diet means that you have to burn more calories than you eat. Exercise fits the bill. The object here is to increase your metabolism. You do that by increasing your heart rate and breathing rate. Now, the old advice was to wait for six to eight weeks before exercising. But that's wrong. You shouldn't wait that long unless it's necessary. If you had a normal birth without complications, don't worry. You can start whenever you want.

The best pregnancy diets encourage exercise to increase that metabolic rate. Most new moms begin by pushing the old baby stroller around in the fresh air for a few minutes every day. That's a good start. It exercises their arms, legs and abdominal in a low impact way that's easy to do right after giving birth. After a while, the new mother gets an idea of her physical condition and can add exercise as she sees fit. The best pregnancy diet is really a lifestyle change. Exercise is necessary for a new mother who must care for a family now. There are lots of good exercise plans out there for new mothers. Pick one and get started.

It may come as a surprise that you lose weight when you breast feed. That's why it is an important part of the best pregnancy diets. It's Nature gift of effortless weight loss. When you start to breast feed in your postpartum phase, your body begins a hormonal change resulting in the breakdown of your body fat into nutrients used in your baby's milk. That means a 500 calorie loss every day. If you combine that with diet and exercise, you can expect a loss of a pound every week. Now that's the best pregnancy diet

In conclusion the best pregnancy diet incorporates eating a healthier diet, enough vigorous exercise and breast feeding to achieve your weight loss goals. It must be mentioned that you eat a minimum of 1500 to 1800 calories each day that you breast feed to make sure your baby is adequately nourished. But overall, these three techniques are the most successful choices for the best pregnancy diet.

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For more helpful advice about the best pregnancy diet visit us at losing-baby-weight.com and be certain to pick up a complimentary copy of "7 Tips to Eliminate the Dreaded Kangaroo Pouch"

Fatigue and Pregnancy Can Be Normal Or It May Be a Sign You Are Nutritionally Depleted

Is it normal to have fatigue during pregnancy? Read on to discover why fatigue and pregnancy go hand in hand and what you can do to make sure you are not nutritionally depleted but have normal fatigue during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an amazing event in a woman's life. No matter how long or how hard we study pregnancy we will never fully understand why women get fatigue in early pregnancy.

Fatigue and pregnancy go hand in hand caused by the growing baby:
From the moment of conception, the developing fetus needs lots of vitamins and minerals to ensure normal cell and organ growth and to prevent congenital abnormalities. As the developing fetus grows it also grows a living organ called the placenta. The placenta allows vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, oxygen, nutrients, hormones and blood to cross from the mother's blood supply to the developing fetus. This requires a lot of physical energy and if you are nutritionally depleted it can cause fatigue in early pregnancy.

Mothers are care-givers by nature and during pregnancy they unconditionally, and continuously give all their reserve nutrients to their offspring in an attempt to grow a healthy baby. Under normal pregnancy this is be a huge physical drain on the mother's physical energy level and this is why pregnant women are given pre-natal vitamins to try to prevent some of the fatigue in early pregnancy.

A double dose of fatigue during pregnancy caused by an unhealthy nutritional reserve:
Prior pregnancy many men and women are depleted in vitamins and minerals because of our lifestyles and the food we eat. Vitamins and minerals are essential in building healthy cells and organs. Many miscarriages are caused by abnormal eggs and sperms due to the lack of adequate vitamins and minerals in the cells prior to conception.

A body lacking vitamins and minerals is in a depleted state which can cause physical disease, irritability, depression and excess fatigue in early pregnancy.

What to do to minimize pregnancy fatigue:
Pregnant women need more sleep than normal as when they sleep there is less physical stress on the mother's body. Therefore, sleep gives the mother a better chance of adjusting to all the demands of pregnancy, and helps minimize fatigue during pregnancy.

It is very important as soon as you know you are pregnant to take vitamins and minerals, especially folic acid (600-micrograms) as folic acid helps prevent congenital abnormalities. If you are not already supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals, then purchase some until you have an appointment with your health care provider to help prevent some of your pregnancy fatigue.

Better still, if you are planning to get pregnant, start supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals to make your body more nutritionally sound, reduce miscarriage risk and reduce the degree of fatigue in early pregnancy.

OK I have spoken a lot about vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and you may be wondering how could you be nutritionally depleted or even be tired if you already supplement. Well the truth is most people supplement with vitamins only and they supplement with a pill delivery system which has a very poor absorption rate. The best way to supplement is a liquid delivery system which has about a 95% absorption rate. Vitamins alone are not good enough, the body needs minerals for optimal health and minerals are necessary to absorb vitamins.

Pregnancy can be an extraordinary experience for a woman. It is far more than growing a baby and dealing with issues like fatigue. Pregnancy has a huge emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic side to it. The more you understand these aspects, the easier and less symptomatic your pregnancy will be. Learning how to connect with the emotions of your unborn child will allow you to enhance your pregnancy experience and surrender to its normal physiological process of pregnancy fatigue.

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Hannah Bajor offers more pregnancy support, pregnancy articles and pregnancy videos PLUS a FREE pregnancy support gift by clicking on www.PregnancySuperSite.com/pregnancy.html

Pregnancy Heartburn Remedies That Help Relieve Your Heartburn During Pregnancy Misery

Pregnancy heartburn relief during pregnancy is a common concern many pregnant women have. Read on to see what you what remedies can be used to help relieve heartburn during pregnancy.

What causes pregnancy heartburn?
Heartburn in early pregnancy is a common complaint. The hormone progesterone is released as soon a woman becomes pregnant and can cause many early pregnancy symptoms which include pregnancy heartburn. Progesterone causes relaxation of the cardiac sphincter of the stomach which is the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus (food pipe). Relaxation of this muscle allows for some gastric acid and food to flow backwards and re-enter the esophagus (food pipe). Gastric acid irritates the lining of the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the center of the chest called pregnancy heartburn.

As your baby grows bigger and takes up more room in the abdominal area, the stomach itself is displaced and squashed. The growing uterus can permanently press on the cardiac sphincter of the stomach and allow gastric juices and food to constantly leak back into the esophagus (wind pipe) which may cause severe heartburn during pregnancy.

Heartburn pregnancy remedies that can help alleviate some of your heartburn during pregnancy:
Pregnancy heartburn relief can be achieved by eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk.

Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk can help with pregnancy heartburn.

Eat smaller more frequent meals throughout the day rather than three large meals.

Avoid spicy, greasy, fatty foods, peppers and tomatoes produce extra gastric acid causing pregnancy heartburn.

Avoid foods that relax the cardiac sphincter of the stomach such as alcohol, peppermint, garlic, and chocolate as they can add to pregnancy heartburn.

Sleeping with extra pillows under your head to keep your stomach lower than your esophagus (food pipe) works very well to give you a better start to the day and a better nights sleep and minimize night time pregnancy heartburn.

Avoid eating for at least two hours before going to bed is also a great suggestion to minimize pain associated with night time heartburn during pregnancy.

Do not lie down after eating to prevent the food from the stomach flowing back into your esophagus causing pregnancy heartburn.

Mild over-the-counter antacids such as Mylanta or Tums may prove helpful in relieving heartburn during pregnancy.

If your pregnancy heartburn symptoms are severe or accompanied by headache or swelling (especially if you are later on in pregnancy) consult with your health care provider immediately as you may have pre-eclampsia of pregnancy.

One of the most effective ways to deal with pregnancy heartburn is to try to prevent heartburn developing in the first place. The healthier you are prior pregnancy and the healthier you eat during pregnancy can have a direct correlation to the amount of pregnancy symptoms you have. Supplement with a high quality vitamins, mineral and antioxidants prior and during pregnancy will correct many misalignments within the body, and encourage the stomach to produce the right amount of gastric acid that you body needs for digestion.

Pregnancy can be an extraordinary experience for a woman. It is far more than growing a baby and dealing with issues like heartburn. Pregnancy has a huge emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic side to it. The more you understand these aspects, the easier and less symptomatic your pregnancy will be. Learning how to connect with the emotions of your unborn child will allow you to enhance your pregnancy experience and surrender to its normal physiological process of pregnancy heartburn.

Information about the Author:

Hannah Bajor offers more pregnancy support, pregnancy articles and pregnancy videos PLUS a FREE pregnancy support gift by clicking on www.PregnancySuperSite.com/pregnancy.html

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Do Emotions Really Play A Role In Fertility Treatment

We may think the body controls its own processes and solely determines its destiny and how we feel on an ongoing basis. However, this is only partly true. It is in fact the mind (our brain) and the outward thoughts we manufacture, which end up creating the feelings that in turn manifest into concrete results we see in our day to day.

Fertility is no exception--it also is controlled by this very mechanism. Sure, our physical aspects, genetics and environment have a role to play, but when we think about it... The fact is that our beliefs create our thoughts, which reinforce our feelings and emotions, which lead us to make our choices. Sometimes seemingly insignificant choices such as lifestyle choices about what food we will eat, how much exercise we choose to partake in, whether we will use recreational substances or even continue to smoke and binge drink.

The problem is that seemingly insignificant choices made minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day accumulate into years of potential damage in the body, which in susceptible individuals may lead to reproductive damage. In addition to 'physical damage' brought about by lifestyle choices and environmental aspects there is another type, which we often don't perceive as being something we have control over--and this relates to our harboured emotions, fears, traumas, repetitive thought patterns and the like.

What concerns us can grow in our minds to be greatly magnified according to our own existing reality (or perception) and it can indeed have a negative impact on the way our bodies function as a result, even leading to what is known as psychogenic or psychosomatic infertility. Simply put, it means caused by the mind. A lot of attention is currently being drawn to this field of research because it is finally being recognized that our thoughts and emotions can in fact dramatically influence fertility.

The good news is you can heal your body and naturally boost your fertility to create the baby of your dreams. In my practice this is what I help couples struggling with fertility problems do every day, and my patients' babies are proof that my approach works. It's a comprehensive, step by step approach that gets real results.

Here are some ways to emotionally create a more fertile environment for you and your partner:

:: Seek the assistance of practitioner that will take a holistic approach in keeping you accountable to optimizing your health and healing your fertility;
:: Begin taking positive steps to optimize your natural fertility and you will begin thinking differently about yourself and your circumstance;
:: Forgive yourself for whatever you 'had to be persecuted' for in the past--learn how to be kind to yourself, change your self-talk;
:: Resolve your relationship differences with your parents, husband, siblings--understand they did the best they could with what they knew at the time--free yourself for the sake of your life and fertility (it's surprising how many people contribute to their own fertility problems as a result of keeping stuck here;
:: Let go of stress, fear and anxiety;
:: Learn and practice daily meditation;
:: Get a puppy--it will bring a lot of fun and join into your life and will direct your focus away from 'lack';
:: Start thinking of how much you already have to be grateful for;
:: Join a support group--research suggests this improves fertility outcomes;

(c) 2008 Gabriela Rosa and Natural Fertility and Health Solutions P/L. All Rights Reserved.

Information about the Author:

Leading Sydney natural fertility specialist, researcher and author Gabriela Rosa is devoted to helping bring healthy babies into the world. For free fertility advice and your FREE Natural Fertility Booster subscription visit boostyourfertilitynow.com.

How Modern Technology Can Harm Your Fertility

The hallmark of modern technology is convenience and it can come with at a high price. Modern technology emits high levels of electromagnetic radiation, which is a definite hazard to optimum fertility and the developing embryo. The best way to protect your fertility and safeguard the health and wellbeing of you and your prospective family is to avoid devices that harm your body's delicate cells.

In some instances it can actually be impossible to completely avoid radiation but being aware of specific sources of radiation and reducing your exposure to these devices is the best approach. One very simple way of doing this is to ensure that you don't carry your mobile phone close to your body such as in a pocket for example.

Here are some of the sources of radiation, which can harm reproduction you need be aware about:

MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones produce radio frequency (RF) radiation. Most mobile phones transmit and receive RF radiation at frequencies between 825 and 915 megahertz (MHz). These radio waves are emitted by both mobile phone handsets and base stations. RF radiation has the ability to heat human tissue, similar to the way in which microwave ovens heat food. The thermal effects produced by the electromagnetic field of the radio waves cause polar molecules in the body to generate dielectric heat and this heat can cause live tissue to die.

In addition, essential to be aware of children's and developing babies' vulnerability to mobile phone radiation. Some studies have shown that mobile phone radiation can cause damage to the DNA of cells - there was damage to chromosomes, changes to the activity of certain genes, and an increase in the rate of cell division and replication. At a time when cells are rapidly dividing and growing into specialized cells and tissues, we need to realise that any interference in this process may result in the development of birth defects or illnesses. Many studies also link module phone use with decrease in production and quality of a man's sperm.

CORDLESS PHONES
Cordless phones emit the same type of radiation as mobile phones, however some experts believe they are even more dangerous than mobile phones. This belief is due to the fact that the base stations of cordless phones emit the same type of radiation as a mobile phone station tower, and depending on the model sometimes more than twice the amount of radiation as mobile phone tower. Radiation emissions from the base station of a cordless phone can be as high as six volts per metre - which is twice as strong as those found within 100 metres of mobile phone station towers. When standing two metres away from the base of a cordless phone, you would still receive radiation as high as 2.5 volts per metre-that's 50 times what scientists regard as a safe level.

The best way to avoid exposure to cordless phone radiation is to not have one in your home or office. Use a standard fixed line and location phone instead-this particularly important if you are working to overcome fertility problems and/or miscarriages and want to have the healthiest possible baby. However, if this is not an option, try limiting the amount of time you spend on your cordless phone, and when you are not using the handset, keep it on the base station (at least 5 metres away from where you spend a lot of time in, such as living room, home office, bedroom etc. It is a good idea to move the base station to an area in your home where you do not spend a lot of time - such as the foyer or entry, or your garage.

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
Wireless technology such as wireless internet, computer networks and hot-spots as well as wireless mice, keyboards and speakers, also operate by using radio frequency non-ionising radiation similar to that used by mobile and cordless phones. Many believe that exposure to these low-level electromagnetic waves radiated from wireless technology devices can be as harmful to health and fertility, causing cellular damage and possibly cancer as the other types of radiation already previously described.

Studies conducted in this area show the non-thermal effects of this type of radiation include DNA damage and inability to self-repair, the opening of the blood-brain barrier (allowing toxins and pathogens to reach the brain), lowered immunity, decreased melatonin levels, cell damage, formation of micronuclei, changes in calcium metabolism affecting communication between cells, changes in brainwave patterns as seen on EEG's, plus effects observed on many different systems of the body. Although there are still no long term studies on the effects of exposure to the radiation emitted by wireless technologies, it is estimated the results will be very similar to those discussed previously, linked to mobile and cordless phone use.

ELECTRIC BLANKETS
Electric blankets (a blanket with a built-in heating element so the person sleeping can maintain a desired temperature) are very popular around the world. Many people use electric blankets because their use can reduce home heating costs, however, what a price for your health to pay. Electric blankets have been seen to produce electromagnetic radiation over 70,000 times higher than normal acceptable levels. The electromagnetic radiation produced by electric blankets is able to penetrate about 6-7 inches (close to 20cm) into the body. Studies have shown that the use of electric blankets has been linked to an increase in the incidence and development of childhood leukaemia.

The use of electric blankets have also been linked to an increased rate of miscarriage, impaired baby development, increased stress levels, memory problems and possibly other types of cancers. One study showed that due to electromagnetic radiation emitted during operation, women who used electric blankets while pregnant had both, longer pregnancies and a higher miscarriage rate.

Mostly radiation is something we have to learn to live with because it is not going away. However making better choices to reduce your exposure is ideal for optimum fertility and the health of your prospective child.

(c) 2008 Gabriela Rosa and Natural Fertility and Health Solutions P/L. All Rights Reserved.

Information about the Author:

Leading Sydney natural fertility specialist, researcher and author Gabriela Rosa is devoted to helping bring healthy babies into the world. For free fertility advice and your FREE Natural Fertility Booster subscription visit boostyourfertilitynow.com.

How Smoking Harms Your Fertility And Your Chances Of Having The Healthy Baby Of Your Dreams

Everyone knows that smoking is hazardous to health; and that the sooner one quits, the better the body is able to repair and reverse the effects smoking has had on various bodily functions and systems. Most studies and public warnings focus on the adverse effects of smoking on the respiratory and the cardiovascular systems. However, the effects on the male and female reproductive systems are often not as well appreciated despite the real damage it causes.

Studies have established that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous miscarriages, premature births and birth deformities in infants. There is also an established connection between smoking and infertility in both sexes. In women, the chemicals found in cigarettes directly affect the ovaries by decreasing estrogen production, and accelerating death of eggs produced. The toxic compounds in smoke also indirectly affect fertility by causing pelvic inflammatory disease, adhesions, ectopic pregnancies and by accelerating the onset of menopause.

Men who smoke have lower sperm count and motility, with increased abnormalities in sperm shape and function. They are also at a higher risk of impotence, which could result in infertility. Moreover, men who smoke are putting their partners at a higher risk of infertility through passive smoking. Interestingly, the effects and damage caused by passive cigarette smoke exposure is only slightly different to active smoking. Smoke cessation is an integral part of any fertility boosting efforts whether you are aiming for a healthy natural or assisted conception.

The best advice anyone can give you is: If you are a smoker, quit as soon as possible and if your partner smokes be supportive whilst encouraging him or her to quit. The decision to quit is the first of many important, positive steps which can be taken towards creating the healthy baby of your dreams. Here are a few approaches available for someone who wants to quit, and stay smoke free.

:: Choose a replacement habit or activity--There is no such thing as giving up an addiction. The best way is to replace it with a new healthy habit. So right now, consciously choose what you will do instead of smoking whenever you get the urge. You may choose to drink water each time you feel like smoking or writing in your journal or going for a run. Whatever you choose be sure to stick with it and the choice will become easier each time you exercise it.

:: Nicotine patches and gums--There are a wide variety of nicotine products such as patches, gums and oral tablets available. These deliver a small dose of nicotine, so that withdrawal symptoms are minimized. The goal is to taper off use of these products as quickly as possible. Nicotine itself is a fertility toxin so the sooner you can rid yourself of it, the better. Homeopathic remedies such as Lobelia inflata and Nux vomica may also be helpful to reduce cravings.

:: Hypnotherapy--Sessions with a professional or hypnosis recordings can be extremely beneficial and very effective in helping with smoking cessation. The basic principle of hypnosis is promoting positive behavior modification by complete relaxation of mind and body.

:: Emotional Freedom Technique--A fabulous tool to help balance the body's energy system and address emotional attachment to smoking and the beliefs that quitting is hard, or that you will put on weight as a result or whatever other feelings or emotions that keep you attached to this poisonous habit.

:: Allen Carr Smoking Cessation Method--This is a very popular and effective smoking cessation method many of my patients have used in combination with EFT to stop smoking easily and effortlessly. You can too!

:: Acupuncture--This treatment comprises of stimulation of key acupuncture points on the ear, and may be done using needles or cold laser (low level laser beams). This promotes relaxation and the release of endorphins (the natural feel-good hormones) which mimic the effect of nicotine in the brain.

:: Request assistance of family and friends--A strong social support network can help you stay motivated.

:: Maintain a healthy lifestyle--Take up other activities that you are passionate about to keep your mind occupied. Exercise and healthy eating habits will help to rebalance your system allowing your body to heal quicker.

Copyright 2008 Gabriela Rosa and Natural Fertility and Health Solutions P/L. All Rights Reserved.

Information about the Author:

Leading Sydney natural fertility specialist, researcher and author Gabriela Rosa is devoted to helping bring healthy babies into the world. For free fertility advice and your FREE Natural Fertility Booster subscription visit boostyourfertilitynow.com.