7 Ways to Embrace Pregnancy Bliss: Unveiling the Signs of Pregnancy, Conquering Morning Sickness, and Prioritising Maternal Health

7 Ways to Embrace Pregnancy Bliss: Unveiling the Signs of Pregnancy, Conquering Morning Sickness, and Prioritising Maternal Health

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey filled with joy and anticipation. It is a time when a woman’s body undergoes many changes to nurture and support the growing baby. Alongside the excitement, expectant mothers also encounter challenges like morning sickness and a host of other issues. In this blog post, we will explore seven effective ways to embrace pregnancy bliss, focusing on unveiling the signs of pregnancy, conquering morning sickness, and prioritising maternal health.

  1. Recognizing the Signs of Pregnancy:

One of the initial steps to embracing pregnancy bliss is understanding the signs that indicate a woman is expecting. Common signs include:

  • Missed periods
  • Fatigue, and
  • Mood swings. 

Recognizing these signs allows women to seek prenatal care promptly and take necessary steps to ensure their well-being and the health of their baby.

  1. Seeking Prenatal Care:

Regular prenatal health check-ups are crucial for monitoring the progress of your pregnancy and addressing any potential complications. These visits also provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to offer guidance on nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being, ensuring a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Apart from the above, here are some additional benefits of prenetal health check-ups:

  • Early detection of pregnancy complications: Early detection of pregnancy complications can help prevent or minimize their impact on your health and the health of your baby.
  • Education and support: Your healthcare provider can educate you and provide the required support for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. This would prepare you for the challenges and joys of parenthood.
  • Peace of mind: Knowing that you have access to reliable healthcare services would ensure peace of mind while you’re pregnant. 
  1. Nurturing Self-care:

Self-care plays a vital role in promoting a positive pregnancy experience. Engage in activities that help you relax, such as meditation, gentle exercises, or pursuing hobbies you enjoy. Prioritise restful sleep and make time for adequate relaxation. Taking care of your emotional and mental well-being can contribute significantly to embracing pregnancy bliss.

  • Prioritising mental and emotional health: Pregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s important to take care of your mental and emotional health. This means finding ways to relax and de-stress, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature. It also means talking to someone you trust about how you’re feeling, whether it’s a friend, family member, therapist, or childbirth educator.
  • Getting enough sleep: Sleep is essential for both your physical and mental health, and it’s especially important during pregnancy. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try creating a relaxing bedtime routine, avoiding caffeine before bed, and making sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
  • Most importantly, ask for help!
    If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your healthcare provider, a therapist, or a childbirth educator. They can offer support and guidance, and they can help you develop a self-care plan that works for you.
  1. Managing Morning Sickness:

Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and vomiting, is a common symptom experienced during pregnancy. To conquer this discomfort, try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day and avoid greasy or spicy foods that may trigger nausea. 

Ginger, lemon, and peppermint are known to alleviate nausea symptoms. If morning sickness becomes severe or persistent, consult your healthcare provider for further guidance.

  1. Maintaining a Nutritious Diet:

A healthy and balanced diet is vital for both the mother and the developing baby. Ensure you include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy products in your meals. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water. You should also avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive caffeine.

Consult with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized nutrition plan that meets your specific needs during pregnancy.

  1. Staying Active:

Regular physical activity during pregnancy promotes overall well-being and can alleviate discomfort. Engage in low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga, with your healthcare provider’s approval. These activities can help improve circulation, manage weight gain, and boost your energy levels.

Additionally, exercising is a great way to manage stress. If you’re not used to exercising, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.

  1. Building a Support Network:

Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of family, friends, and healthcare professionals is essential during pregnancy. Seek guidance and share your experiences with other expectant mothers through support groups or online communities. Their insight and understanding can provide a sense of connection and reassurance throughout your journey.

By seeking prenatal care, nurturing self-care, managing morning sickness, maintaining a nutritious diet, staying active, and building a support network, expectant mothers can navigate this beautiful phase of life with confidence and joy. Remember, each pregnancy is unique, and it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and support throughout the process. Cherish this transformative time and embrace the journey to motherhood.

Take your pregnancy journey to the next level with the Pregnancy and Baby Tracker App, available for both Android and iOS. This app is designed to provide expectant mothers with the right care, support, and information, from conception to childbirth. Download the app today to access a wealth of resources, personalized tracking features, and expert advice, ensuring a smooth and fulfilling pregnancy experience. Your journey to motherhood starts here.


References:

  1. Healthline
  2. Together For Her App
Common Infections During Pregnancy: Stay Safe & Informed

Common Infections During Pregnancy: Stay Safe & Informed

Pregnancy is a phase in which every woman wishes to be in the best of her health, but however, it does come with its share of ups and downs. 

We all know that our body has a natural defence mechanism to protect itself from viruses and bacteria. To fight infections, antibodies are the ones that help, but sometimes our body might fail to make enough antibodies. During pregnancy, the immunity is lowered due to which infections might occur. 

In some cases, infections can affect both you and your baby. Hence, staying updated about the infections and getting them treated timely is crucial. Check out the list of some common infections that are prone to occur during pregnancy:

Bacterial Vaginosis:

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the common infections that may occur during pregnancy. It usually occurs due to the overgrowth of bacteria that naturally lives in the vagina. 

What are the symptoms to look out for?

  • Pain during urination
  • Itching
  • Foul smelling odour
  • Greyish discharge

Yeast Infection:

Commonly caused by a fungus called Candida – another common infection that may occur during pregnancy due to some hormonal changes. 

What are the symptoms to look out for?

  • Pain and itching
  • Thick whitish-yellow discharge
  • Burning sensation while urinating

Group B Streptococcus (GBS):

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is usually found in the digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts. So, there is a small risk for GBS infection to pass to the baby. 

Early onset GBS infection – Usually occurs in the first week after childbirth and the symptoms may develop within 12 hours of birth. 

Late onset GBS infection – Develops after 7 or more days after childbirth. 

What are the symptoms to look out for?

  • Irritability 
  • High or low temperature
  • Being unresponsive
  • Fast or slow heart rates 

It may lead to sepsis or meningitis. 

Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can be passed to the baby during pregnancy. Hence, it is wise to get the test done as a precautionary measure to protect the baby from contracting the virus. 

What are the symptoms to look out for?

  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting 

What are the few things you can do to prevent certain infections?

You’re responsible for the life growing inside you, so taking the necessary steps is important. Follow these simple steps to avoid or prevent certain infections:

Maintain good hygiene – 

Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and regularly to maintain good hygiene. To eliminate the germs and avoid getting sick, keep your hands clean before and after any activity especially before preparing, serving or eating food. 

Avoid consuming uncooked or unpasteurized food – 

Unpasteurized and uncooked products may contain harmful bacteria that can cause infections during pregnancy. Before buying any products make sure you read the food labels and while cooking meat ensure that it is cooked well from inside. 

Get the right jab at the right time – 

There are a few vaccinations recommended before, during and after childbirth – talk to your doctor about them to help you stay healthy and protect the baby.

Get tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) –

Protect yourself by getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. You can take preventative measures to protect your baby if you have any of these. 

Delegate Tasks –

Avoid touching or cleaning cat litter and have someone else do it for you. But, if there is no one to help then make sure you wear gloves and wash your hands properly. Dirty cat litter might contain harmful parasites that can be the cause of infection during pregnancy. 

It is important to be aware of the different types of infections during pregnancy as it allows you to recognize the symptoms. Seek advice from your doctor as s/he will recommend appropriate tests and treatment for the same. 

Be updated with more such amazing facts and information only on the Together For Her app! Download now. 

7 tips for pregnant women to take care of their Mental Health

7 tips for pregnant women to take care of their Mental Health

Pregnancy is life-altering, but a wonderful experience for all the mothers-to-be. From conception to childbirth, the journey to motherhood is like a sea of varying emotions that may add up to stress and anxiety. 

It is natural to feel stressed and anxious than usual while dealing with hormonal and physical changes. But, the ongoing pandemic has certainly added to the stress and anxiety levels of expectant mothers. Therefore, as a mother-to-be it is crucial to guard your mental health for you and your baby. 

Here are a few things you can do to manage your mental health and well-being during pregnancy –

Talk it out:

Getting things off your chest and discussing your worries with someone who understands you well can be helpful. Talk to someone you trust – it can be your partner, friend, relative or a work colleague. You can also opt for antenatal classes and get to know other mothers-to-be. 

Be physically active:

Maintaining a regular exercise routine can help you to stay fit and feel good throughout your pregnancy. It can also help you improve your posture and decrease some discomforts like backaches. Include some light exercises into your daily routine and make sure you consult your doctor before you begin an exercise program. 

Maintain a pregnancy journal:

Keeping a pregnancy journal is a great way to remember what it felt like during your pregnancy journey – right from feeling your baby’s first kick to picking up a name for your little one. It’s a perfect way to capture all the moments, tears, laughter, cravings and sadness. It will also help you to create a special bond with your baby, act as a stress reliever and bring some calmness to your life. 

Try meditation:

Meditating will help you cope up with physical and emotional stresses during pregnancy enabling you to relax, focus, reduce stress and increase your peace of mind. When you do it consistently throughout your pregnancy, it can have a host of benefits. 

Join antenatal classes:

Antenatal classes will help you prepare for childbirth with confidence. These classes are usually informative where you’ll learn about your pregnancy journey and giving birth to the baby. It will also teach you how to take care of your baby and your own body during pregnancy. 

Ask for help:

Make sure you don’t exhaust yourself with work. It’s okay to ask friends or family for help – they’ll always be there for you. They can help you with household chores, shopping or cooking. This is the phase where you’ll have to take care of yourself, so people around you will understand if you say “no” for any work. 

Do what you love:

Every expectant mother wishes to have a healthy and happy pregnancy. So, let’s make the most of your nine months – starting now. Enjoy the opportunities throughout your pregnancy journey so that you can cherish these moments. You could learn new recipes, read a book, watch your favourite movies, listen to music, and many more. 

To sum it up – every pregnancy and every pregnant woman is unique! Prioritize yourself as you have a little one growing inside you. Download the Together For Her App for more such helpful tips.  

Pregnancy during 2nd wave of Covid-19

Pregnancy during 2nd wave of Covid-19

Getting pregnant is the world’s most beautiful experience. Right?. The care and warmth you get are uncountable. Motherhood is knocking on your door in no time. Your body has given you the best gift of your life.

But, many of you are living two phases of life. On one side, there is excitement, happiness for your baby, who will soon come into this world. And on the other side, there is fear, anxiety, sadness about this pandemic. When you thought now things are getting better, suddenly things got worst. Now there is a 2nd wave of Covid-19.

During pregnancy, what matters the most is your 100% care, not even 99%. Right? In this blog, we will be sharing how you can take care of yourself in your pregnancy during this 2nd wave of Covid-19 virus.

TAKING CARE OF THE LIFE INSIDE YOU AND YOUR LIFE 

  1. STAY AT HOME:– 
    1. Nothing better than staying at home. Go out only for your medical checkups and scans. 
    2. Order everything online. It will be great if your family members also avoid going out. 
    3. If you are working women, make sure you work from home only. 
    4. If meeting any outsider, then make sure that you are at least 1 meter away from them.
    5. Restrict people from coming to your home

“ The best medicine of Covid has been made by architects- HOME.”

  1. HANDWASHING:- This remedy always win the fight against COVID. It’s simple and most effective. Wash your hand at regular intervals with soap for 20 seconds. Wash your hands after:-
    1. After coughing/sneezing 
    2. Touching anything from outside-parcels, milk pouches, veggies etc.
    3. Before eating, while preparing food
  1. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE:- Unconsciously, you may often touch your face, mainly nose, mouth, eyes. Avoid touching them with your hands. We touch so many things that our hands are one of the causes of respiratory infections, including COVID-19; in a second, the virus transfers from hand to your face. Therefore, it is recommended to wear masks and not to touch the nose and mouth.
  2. COVER THE MOUTH WITH ELBOW WHILE SNEEZING:-Sneezing transmits virus, including Coronavirus. Droplets coming out of the mouth can travel up to 5 feet. Moreover, they remain in the air and on the surface for a longer time. It leads to infections. Therefore:-
    1. Cover your mouth while coughing/sneezing with an elbow- cover your face with an elbow.
    2. Wash your hands after sneezing, and don’t touch anything before that.
  3. SOCIAL DISTANCING:- You are not alone. You have a life inside you. The immunity level of pregnant women at the lower side; therefore its is recommended that you stay at home and avoid meeting people. If you have to go out, do not touch anyone and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
  4. STOP SOCIAL MEDIA:- The best medicine for a healthy pregnancy is being happy, positive and joyful. PLEASE STOP USING SOCIAL MEDIA, WATCHING COVID NEWS. It spreads negativity and will make you anxious, and this is not good for your baby. STOP THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT COVID. Relax your body and mind by –
    1. Listening to music
    2. Doing yoga and meditation
    3. Spending time with family

HAPPY AND HEALTHY MOTHER = HEALTHY BABY

  1. PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING:- To maintain your health and immunity level 
    1. Do short walks a home
    2. Eat a balanced diet- green veggies, fruits etc.
    3. Sleep Properly

Now we know that you will do your best to take care of yourself. 

HAPPY MOTHERHOOD!!!!

Authored by – Anshima Kolatkar