Diabetes During Pregnancy

Many pregnant women and mothers are familiar with gestational diabetes. This temporary form of diabetes, usually lasting from pregnancy month 5 or 6 through delivery, affects roughly 4% of all women. Complications for the baby such as high birth weight, jaundice, and low blood sugar levels may result from gestational diabetes. The rate of gestational diabetes has remained steady in the last few years. Pre-pregnancy diabetes rates, however, are on the rise.

Women who have pre-existing type 1 or 2 diabetes when they conceive face a different set of complications for pregnancy than do those who develop gestational diabetes. Women who have diabetes during the first few weeks of pregnancy face greater chances of miscarriage. Diabetes also increases the risk of stillbirth, birth defects, and high birth weight.

From the Washington Post:

A study published in the May, 2008 issue of Diabetes Care included 175,249 women who gave birth from 1999 to 2005 in southern California. In 1999, the rate of preexisting diabetes was 0.81 per 100 births; by 2005, that number had jumped to 1.82 per 100 births. In 1999, of all pregnancies affected by diabetes, 10 percent were due to preexisting diabetes, while 90 percent were due to gestational diabetes. In 2005, 21 percent of women had preexisting diabetes, compared to 79 percent with gestational diabetes, according to the study.

The researchers also noted some differences in race and age. Black, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific women were more likely to have diabetes before birth, and teens and women over 40 experienced dramatic jumps in their pre-pregnancy diabetes rates. Teen mothers saw a fivefold increase in preexisting diabetes, while mothers over 40 saw a 40 increase in the rate of pre-pregnancy diabetes.

Experts blame much of the increase on the rising trend of overweight and obesity.

“We saw an increase in type 2 diabetes. That’s due to the increase in overweight and obesity. Also, type 2 is being diagnosed at younger ages,” said Lawrence, who suggested that women do whatever they can to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by eating a healthful diet, maintaining a proper weight and being active. She said there’s no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Dr. Stuart Weiss, an endocrinologist at the New York University Langone Medical Center, said he “was surprised that the incidence of gestational diabetes wasn’t up.”

For women who know they have diabetes before pregnancy, Weiss advised: “Control your blood glucose levels as aggressively as possible. Control isn’t easy to do, because you have to have adequate nutrition and still control your blood sugar.”

But, he added, it’s crucial to try, because it may help prevent some of the serious complications associated with diabetes.

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Women who are concerned about their health during pregnancy should consider taking a prenatal vitamin. Vitamins before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after pregnancy can keep a woman in optimal health. Prenatal DHA (omega 3) is also a good idea to keep your body and baby healthy.

Vitamin B6 during pregnancy

Women who experience morning sickness during pregnancy often find relief in taking a B6 supplement. No one knows for sure why this works, but the supplementation of B6 has stood the test of time for effectiveness at treating pregnancy-related nausea. Doctors first started prescribing B6 as a morning sickness remedy in the 1940s. Numerous studies since then have shown that taking a higher dose of B6 does have a lessening effect on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

In a 1991 trial of 59 women B6 proved to be effective at reducing symptoms of morning sickness. Thirty-one patients received a 25 mg dose of B6 every eight hours for a total of three days. The other 28 patients received a placebo on the same schedule. Before the trial 15 of the 31 patients who received the B6 treatment suffered from nausea and vomiting. After the three day trial, only 8 patients still vomited. Of the 28 on the placebo 10 vomited as a result of morning sickness. After three days on the placebo, 15 had vomiting as a symptom of their morning sickness. [source]

A study performed in China also proved that higher levels of B6 can increase the chance on conception and lower the risk of early term miscarriage. The results were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The study found that women with B6 levels above 30 nanomoles per liter had a 40% greater chance of conception and lowered their early miscarriage rate by 30%. Women with lower levels of B6 were negatively impacted by their deficiency. Alayne Ronnenberg, author of the study explains

“We found that poor preconception vitamin B6 status was associated with increased risk of early pregnancy loss and reduced probabilities of conception and clinical pregnancy in a prospective cohort of young Chinese women.”

These two studies confirm the ideas that taking a B6 supplement during pregnancy can reduce morning sickness and its symptoms, and taking B6 before conception can improve both the chance of conception and the health of the pregnancy. Many prenatal vitamins contain B6. Look for a vitamin that contains a high dose of B6. Promise Prenatal vitamins contain 19 mg of B6, an ideal level for both women in the preconception stage and women who are pregnant.

Sources:

Better B6 Status Linked to Better Pregnancy Outcomes

Vitamin B6 is effective therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study

Promise Prenatal Vitamins with B6

Gabrielle Reece – Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts

Volleyball star at fit new mom Gabrielle Reece has created a workout DVD for moms-to-be from their first to sixth month of pregnancy. The DVD is broken up month-by-month. Each month contains a warm-up, 15 minute workout, and a cool-down. Gabby’s trainer Mike Monroe instructs the positions and Reece demonstrates. This sometimes leads to confusion between the two about how to execute moves.

The workouts call for a floor mat, stability ball, and hand weights. You can omit these items if you choose. For customer reviews, or to buy, visit Amazon.com.

Prenatal workouts, a healthy diet and prenatal vitamins are a great way to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy. It is best to talk with your doctor before beginning a workout routine, especially during pregnancy.

Losing Weight After Pregnancy

During pregnancy, most women gain 25-35 pounds. After giving birth you will naturally lose some of the weight (the weight of the baby and placenta for sure). Many women expect to lose the remaining weight quickly, within 6 weeks, but this is not the norm. By watching celebrity moms we begin to think that we will be back in our pre-pregnancy jeans in no time. The truth is it isn’t natural, or healthy, to lose the weight that quickly.

Women who breastfeed tend to hold on to an extra 10 or so pounds while breastfeeding. The strain put on your body by nourishing another person requires extra calories.  It is recommended that women wait 6 weeks after giving birth to resume a workout routine. Women who had a c-section may need to wait longer. Eating a healthy diet after pregnancy will help to shed those extra pounds without much effort. It is also important to eat healthy foods because your body requires a healthy balance of nutrients to recover from pregnancy. You should continue to take your prenatal vitamin after delivery and during breastfeeding to provide your body with the extra nutrients it requires.

Listen to your body and don’t deny your cravings. Your body knows what nutrients it needs. Talk with your doctor about exercise to be sure that your body is ready. Start slowly with walking or swimming. As your body adjusts to the increased activity you can begin to add in weights or start running.

For more information on post-pregnancy weight loss visit these sources:

The joy of motherhood goes hand-in-hand with the battle to lose those pesky pregnancy pounds

Losing Weight After Pregnancy

Top 10 Ways to Lose Pregnancy Weight

Prenatal Yoga Benefits

Yoga is known as a calming exercise that connects mind, body, and spirit. During pregnancy, yoga offers many new benefits to the expectant mother. Practicing yoga is a great way to maintain your health and stay connected with your changing body.

Back pain is a common complaint from pregnant women. Yoga focuses on body alignment. By learning to control your body and posture, you can decrease back pain. Certain poses can help to stretch and strengthen back muscles, which also helps to alleviate back pain.

By practicing yoga, you can teach your body to handle pain and muscles differently. When you teach your body to relax rather than tense up, you can relieve some of the pain associated with labor and delivery.

Breathing techniques taught in yoga classes can prove beneficial during labor when breathing relaxes the body and soothes the mother’s pain. When you regularly attend yoga classes, you learn that although your body is changing, you do still have control. This knowledge can remove some of the fear and anxiety related to pregnancy and childbirth.

To find a yoga center near you that specializes in prenatal yoga, please visit Yoga Centers USA.

Pregnancy Weight Gain

We’ve all heard the “But I’m eating for two” excuse, and maybe some of us have even used it. It is true, and it’s important to eat enough food. The key is eating the right kinds of foods and not overdoing it.

How much weight should I gain?

This answer is different for everyone. The following guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists can help you decide how much is right for your body:

Pre-pregnancy weight	Recommended weight gain (in pounds)
Underweight	28 – 40
Normal weight	25 – 37
Overweight	15 – 25

You will generally gain between 2 and 5 pounds in the first trimester and one pound per week during trimesters two and three. If you are pregnant with twins, expect to gain 35-45 pounds total—about 1 ½ pounds per week during the last two trimesters.

Gaining too much weight can result in gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and early delivery. Not gaining enough weight leads to pre-term delivery and low birth weight.

A recent article in the Washington Post states that

Every one or two point increase in a woman’s BMI between pregnancies translated to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and delivering a large baby by 20 percent to 40 percent. Women who increased their BMI more than three points between pregnancies had a 63 percent increased risk of delivering a stillborn baby.

For this and more information visit the Washington Post Article.

Other Resources: pregnancy dha, ACOG, American Pregnancy Association.

Common Pregnancy Myths

• Putting your arms above your head will tangle you baby’s umbilical cord.

When the mother moves, there is no change in the position of the umbilical cord. If a baby is
in the head down position it is natural for the umbilical cord to lay across his neck.

• Spicy food will induce labor.

Spicy food does not induce labor. The only thing it might cause is heartburn. You should, however, avoid certain foods. Unpasteurized cheeses (brie, camembert, etc.) can contain a bacteria called lysteria which can be harmful during pregnancy.

• Sex will induce labor.

There is no proof that sex will cause a woman to go into labor. There is also no reason that a pregnant woman shouldn’t have sex. It is perfectly safe for both mom and baby, unless otherwise stated by your doctor.

• You can tell if you’re having a boy or girl based on the fetal heart rate.
• The way you carry your baby will show if you’re having a boy or a girl.

The only accurate way to know the gender of your baby is through an ultrasound.

• You can’t get pregnant if you are breastfeeding.

Your chances of becoming pregnant during the first 6 month of breastfeeding are low, but they do still exist. Once you have resumed your menstrual cycle, your chances of conceiving increase. Please do not rely on breastfeeding as a means of birth control. You may face another pregnancy before you’re fully recovered from the first one.

Pregnancy is a special time that come with concerns for your health and the health of your baby. It is best to take precautions when you are unsure about something. It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor and ask as many questions as you can. As always, taking a pregnancy vitamin (prenatal vitamin) is a great way to ensure that you and your baby are receiving the right nutrients.

New Edition of What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Many of you moms and moms-to-be have probable read, or at least heard of, Heidi Murkoff’s book What to Expect When You’re Expecting. The book has been a staple for pregnant women for over two decades. You’re probably also familiar with the cover: yellowish, with a drawing of a woman in frumpy clothes sitting in a rocking chair. The 600+ page book covers a variety of pregnancy related topics and questions.

Some of the common complaints about the book are that it specializes in fear mongering, isn’t written by a doctor, and causes women to freak out about minuscule issues.  There are of course, some great perks to the book. Because it was written by a woman, a mom, it covers topics that women worry and think about, not just the topics that doctors think about. Also, the book addresses issues that many women might feel uncomfortable asking their doctor about.

A new, 4th edition, of the book was published April 2008. The new edition takes into consideration the fact that many women want to feel comforted, not scared by what they read. With this in mind, the book takes a friendlier, less bossy approach to offering pregnancy information to its readers.

You can check out the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting and its reviews at Amazon.

Don’t forget to take a prenatal vitamin before pregnancy. During pregnancy vitamins can be a great backup for a diet lacking in full nutritional value.

Iron during Pregnancy – An Important Supplement

What causes that “pregnancy glow” that so many women seem to have while pregnant? Poetically speaking, the glow is from the knowledge and anticipation of the life growing inside of a woman’s body. Technically it can be linked to an increase in blood volume. Women typically see a gain of 40-50% in blood levels during pregnancy.

This increased blood volume boosts blood flow to the uterus and kidneys. The increase also compensates for the blood lost during delivery. Blood pressure can decrease during pregnancy because of the increased volume.

Anemia, too few red blood cells, can develop during pregnancy. The red blood cells can become diluted as a result of the increased blood. The fetus uses the mother’s red blood cells to aid in development. This is especially important during the third trimester.

Anemia may manifest itself in the following ways: fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, rapid heartbeat, or difficulty breathing. Anemia is diagnosed with blood testing and is not restricted to pregnancy. Anyone can develop anemia, but it is twice as likely in women as in men.

The best prevention for anemia is taking an iron supplement. Many women have a hard time tolerating iron during pregnancy, so it is important to try different products until you find one that works for you.
An easy way to prevent anemia is to start storing iron before you become pregnant. Many women do not realize the advantages of taking a prenatal vitamin before conception. Taking this vitamin will help your body to store up vital nutrients for pregnancy. Iron is stored in bone marrow and any iron stored up before pregnancy can be used during pregnancy to aid in fetal development.

It is important to continue to take iron during pregnancy. If you have a hard time tolerating the iron in your prenatal vitamin, try another prenatal that might be better tolerated. Promise Prenatal vitamins contain micro-encapsulated iron, which tends to be gentler on the stomach. The iron is released over time, which alleviates the number one cause of iron-related nausea–it hits the stomach all at once.

Another important nutrient for pre-pregnancy is Folic Acid. By taking 600 mcg of Folic Acid before and during pregnancy you are greatly lowering your baby’s chances of neural tube defects like spina bifida. Folic Acid and Iron are often found in the same food types. Many vegans do not receive the nutrients necessary for pregnancy through food alone. Meat, poultry, fish, grain products, leafy vegetables, and dairy products are important sources of nutrients for pregnancy.

You will typically not know that you are pregnant until after week two. This is another great reason to start taking your prenatal supplement when begin to try to conceive. Very few women get the nutrients they need from food alone.

Over the Counter Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are available in both prescription and OTC formats. So which is best? There is no easy answer because it is different for every woman. Here’s what you need to know:

Prescription prenatal vitamins usually contain 1,000 mcg (1mg) of Folic Acid. OTC prenatal vitamins usually contain anywhere from 400-800 mcg. The recommendation for pregnancy is 400 mcg. It is helpful to get more than 400mcg, but is not necessary.

Prescription prenatal vitamins often contain large doses of iron. Iron is necessary during pregnancy, but often causes nausea. Over the counter prenatal vitamins may contain less iron, which increases the chance of toleration. Micro-encapsulated iron slows down the absorption rate of iron, which can greatly reduce nausea. Promise Prenatal is the only prenatal vitamin we’ve found that contains micro-encapsulated iron.

Many prenatal vitamins available by prescription contain a high amount of Vitamin A. Vitamin A should not be taken in high doses in early pregnancy as it can lead to birth defects. Also, Vitamin A should come from 100% beta carotene. If you are taking a prescription vitamin, check with your doctor to see if the level of Vitamin A is safe for you.

When a vitamin, supplement, or drug is sold by prescription, it must meet FDA standards. This requirement is not in place for over the counter prenatal vitamins. However, some OTC prenatals do adhere to these standards. Promise Prenatal is one such vitamin. You can purchase Promise Prenatal online without a prescription, yet it is manufactured to the same high standards as prescription prenatals.

Prescription prenatal vitamins are packed with nutrients, which means that quite often they are large pills. The size of the pill can affect toleration. Many women have trouble swallowing large pills during pregnancy. Some prenatal vitamins are liquid or chewable, allowing for better toleration.

if you experience any negative side effects when taking a prenatal vitamin, do not give up. You may need to try two or three brands before you find one that works for you. Remember, you are taking the vitamin to improve your growing baby’s health. Find a prenatal, whether it is prescription or OTC that works for you and take it faithfully. You and your baby will be glad you did.

Side Effects of Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are a great way to give your body the nutrients it needs before, during, and after pregnancy. Unfortunately, many women experience side effects from taking a prenatal supplement. As a result, some women stop taking their prenatal, or simply take a child’s chewable vitamin instead.

Most common side effects of prenatal vitamins:

• Iron is often the culprit of prenatal vitamin related nausea. Iron can be hard on a woman’s stomach and prenatals often contain a high level of iron.
• Constipation can result from taking a prenatal vitamin because of the high iron as well.
• Some prenatals are large and can be hard to swallow and may cause a sick feeling.

Here’s what you can do:

• Many women find relief by taking their prenatal vitamin at a different time of day. Some women become nauseated when they take their prenatal vitamin first thing in the morning, but have no problem taking it at night.
• It is best to take your prenatal vitamin with a meal. If this isn’t possible, try taking your pill with a full glass of milk or water.
• Take a prenatal with a lower dose of iron if possible. You might also try Promise Prenatal Vitamins which contain micro-encapsulated iron. This form of iron breaks down more slowly in your stomach, which relieves the sickness many women feel as a result of taking a prenatal vitamin.
• Take a prenatal with a high dose of vitamin B6. Taking a larger dose of B6 during pregnancy has been shown to reduce morning sickness and nausea, especially during the first trimester. Promise Prenatal Vitamins contain 19 mg of B6, an ideal amount to reduce nausea.

If you experience side effects from taking a prenatal vitamin, do not simply stop taking the supplement. Prenatal vitamins are an important part of your nutrition during pregnancy.  Please talk to your doctor or try a different vitamin. Flintstones vitamins were designed for children, not pregnant women, so please leave these as an absolute last resort for a prenatal substitution. Start taking a prenatal vitamin before pregnancy to allow your body time to adjust to the increased nutrients. This may also alleviate side effects during pregnancy.

Technorati Tags:pregnancy, vitamins, health, pregnant, baby

Maternal DHA Intake Boosts Baby’s Brain

You should take DHA during pregnancy! Here’s why …

New research proves that prenatal DHA supplementation really does improve a child’s motor, visual, and cognitive development. The study of 109 infants was conducted in Quebec and the results were recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

DHA levels of the umbilical cord were tested to determine the amount of DHA the child received in utero. “DHA concentration in the umbilical cord is a good indicator of intra-uterine exposure to omega-3s during the last trimester of pregnancy, a crucial period for the development of retinal photoreceptors and neurons,” explained lead researcher Eric Dewailly.

The infants were subjected to visual and motor tests at age 6 months and 11 months. The level of DHA present in the umbilical cord at birth was very closely related to the child’s development speed and progress.

There are also studies that show omega-3 supplementation can influence breast milk composition and subsequently a child’s brain. Mothers who take DHA also have lower instances of postpartum depression and often recover from pregnancy more quickly.

DHA is just one of many important nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. It is highly recommended that women take a pregnancy vitamin before, during, and even after pregnancy. Many women do not get all of the essential nutrients needed through diet alone. Supplementing a balanced diet with a prenatal vitamin is always a good idea. Many women begin to take DHA and a prenatal vitamin before pregnancy to increase their chance of conception.

Resources:

Maternal omega-3 again linked to children’s coordination
Omega-3 Intake During Last Months Of Pregnancy Boosts An Infant’s Cognitive And Motor Development

Technorati Tags:pregnancy, DHA, Omega3, pregnant, baby

Angelina’s Baby Kicks

People.com reported yesterday that Angelina Jolie finally made some public statement about being pregnant. I mean, it’s obvious from the pictures that she is, but still. She was speaking at a conference in Washington DC when she began to feel the kicks.

Angelina is truly beautiful, even and especially when pregnant. She is expecting her second (and third) biological child with her partner, Brad Pitt. The couple also have 3 adopted children.

I’m sure that since she’s such a smart lady she knows all about the benefits of prenatal dha. By taking DHA throughout pregnancy and while breastfeeding a mom gives her child a head start on attention span, brain and eye development and cognitive thinking. Why wouldn’t you give your baby the best by taking a prenatal supplement with DHA?

Fertility Tips

I read a couple interesting articles today about how to get pregnant naturally. So many couples go through fertility treatment and endure months of shots, IVF, and more in an attempt to produce what should be a easy, natural event. The bad news is that for many, it’s not an easy feat. If you or someone you know are trying to get pregnant, try these tips before spending all your time and money at a doctor’s office.

Get Pregnant Naturally – 10 Fertility Tips

Homemade Remedies that Will Help You Get Pregnant Naturally

And as always, be sure to take a prenatal vitamin as soon as you begin to try to conceive. Women should take at least 400 mcg of Folic Acid during pregnancy, especially the first few weeks, to prevent neural tube defects. Prenatal DHA is also a great addition to your prenatal vitamin.

Technorati Tags:pregnancy, fertility, ttc

Jessica Alba’s Baby Shower

I guess Jessica Alba has come to grips with the fact that she’s pregnant. All I’d seen were pictures of her hiding her belly. Now she’s having a shower, announcing it’s a baby girl, and wearing clothes that show she’s got a bump.

Jessica is engaged to Cash Warren, the father of her yet-unborn child.

Info from People.com

Pregnant? Are you taking your prenatal vitamins? And do you know the benefits of taking DHA during pregnancy, including healthy fetal brain and eye development?