Summer do’s and don’ts for to-be-mothers

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Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful phases of a woman’s life. The feeling of nurturing a new life is priceless. But pregnancy comes with its own set of issues. And a harsh summer season just adds to your woes.
During pregnancy, your body temperature is slightly higher than normal due to the increased blood volume. The heat and the humidity further add to your discomfort. Here are a few guidelines to sail comfortably through the summer season during your pregnancy.

dos-and-donts

Do’s:

  • Stay hydrated: This is the most crucial thing to do in summers. During pregnancy, you are unable to eat or drink much due to the pressure on your stomach. Hence, keep sipping water continuously to stay hydrated. You can also go for homemade flavoured water. Other beverages like nimbu paani (fresh lime water), chaas (buttermilk) and aam panna also help you with hydration.
  • Eat fresh fruits and vegetables: Fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables provide you with the necessary nutrients required during each season. Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, tomatoes, plums etc. are full of moisture and nutrients. Have them regularly.
  • Slather on the sunscreen: The high level of estrogen in your body during pregnancy makes you more susceptible to dark patches of skin called melasma. So, slather on the sunscreen to prevent such patches from appearing on your skin.
  • Choose safer sandals: I know that flip-flops seem like the ultimate footwear for hot summers. But they are the worst footwear to wear during pregnancy because they don’t offer any arch support. During pregnancy, you are carrying extra weight which puts pressure on your feet. So opt for comfortable footwear which offers good arch support.
  • Wear breathable fabrics: Wear light weight and breathable fabrics like cotton and mulmul. These help you to keep cool.
  • Stay cool: It is imperative to stay cool during this time. If you are a swimmer, go ahead and indulge in a cooling swim. Carry facial mists with you to spray on. This will instantly refresh and cool you. You can carry a spritzer filled with rose water for a refreshing feeling. You can carry wet tissues with you too.
  • Summer proof your office space: Stock things like extra water bottle, some healthy snacks and a hand fan maybe. Also keep a pair of your most comfortable shoes handy in office. Have a good cushion to support your back. Whenever you get time, try and elevate your feet for some time.
  • Exercise at cooler times during the day: Exercising during the hot time of the day can increase your discomfort.
  • Pamper yourself: Look your best during pregnancy. Go for your regular facials, manicure, pedicure or head massage. Avoid any kind of chemical treatments though.
  • Relax and rest: It is very important to lie down and rest during the day.
  • Stay happy: Happy mom equals to happy baby. The heat and the humidity along with your hormones tend to make you irritable. Try and indulge in relaxing and calming activities that make you happy.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t wear constrictive clothing: Too tight clothes will make you very uncomfortable and sweaty.
  • Avoid sodium: Avoid packaged and salty food. The excess sodium in these will lead to water retention and swelling in the body.
  • Stay away from too much sugar: Avoid too much sugar in any form. Stay away from sweets, bakery products and packaged juices.
  • Don’t eat for two: This myth of eating for two has long been busted. Yes, you do need extra calories, but you don’t have to double your intake. Have nutrient dense food and focus on nutrition more than calories.
  • Don’t go out in the sun during the mid day: The sun during the mid day is quite harsh and hence it is better to be avoided.
  • Don’t take any diuretic: Diuretics lead to a loss of many important electrolytes from the body. Hence, don’t take them unless suggested by your doctor.
  • Don’t stress: Stress is bad for you and your baby. So stay away from it.
  • Don’t take any medication on your own: Consult your doctor before consuming any medicine or even before using any topical creams.
  • Don’t compare: Each pregnancy is different, hence don’t compare your pregnancy with anybody else’s. This will give you undue stress.

Hope these pointers will help you sail through the summer like a song!

Stay healthy, Stay happy 

About Sarika:

sarika

Sarika is a diet and lifestyle consultant. She is very passionate about health and loves to help people be healthy the right way! She consults both online and offline. She is an avid blogger who writes informative articles about diet, nutrition and healthy recipes.

Pregnancy Exercise Tips

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It is essential to have a fit, flexible and strong body when you’re pregnant!

Exercise during pregnancy helps you improve your metabolism, aids digestion, and helps in dealing with pregnancy woes such as back aches and muscle cramps.

Here’s an exercise chart especially for pregnant women that will guide you through an exercise regime.

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What To Pack For Delivery

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On the day of your delivery, you have no time to think about what to carry along & the pre-requisites to be packed in the middle of all the excited hustle bustle!

Here’s a compact checklist to your rescue! Keep these items in your bag and you are sorted for your big day!

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Five things you can stop worrying about now that you’re pregnant!

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Hello to be mommies, Congratulations on your pregnancy! We understand that you are curious, excited, sad, frustrated and at times really tired. But we would want to throw some light on five things that you can stop worrying about since you are pregnant. We hope this gives your belly a good laugh!

Sanitary Napkins and Tampons

Yes you heard it right. Its 42 weeks of bliss without your periods. You can get rid of tampons and sanitary napkins. You don’t need them anymore. Enjoy this break from cramps, bleeding and back-aches

Trying to get pregnant

The struggle finally ends. You clearly don’t need to keep checking and monitoring pregnancy tests. Now that you are finally pregnant, go ahead and make the big announcement!!

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Looking Fat

Your tummy will keep growing each week. Enjoy more shopping as per your new sizes. You don’t need to worry about being fat or looking fat. Your husband, girlfriends and sisters cannot question your body weight anymore!!

Birth Control

You don’t need to worry about contraception anymore.

Mood Swings

You will be pampered by your hubby, friends and family members, so you can stop being conscious about your mood and hormonal changes. Enjoy the love and pampering. The best way to burst your pregnancy stress is to spend time with your loved ones.

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Bumpy Bonding!

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Pregnancy is the most exciting phase of any woman’s life. It is a journey that takes a woman to a new phase called – Motherhood!

While you are excited about getting to that new stage, your body goes through a complete roller coaster ride – mentally, emotionally & physically! You will be very cautious about things you do! One of them is an attempt to bond with the bump!

Bonding with your bump helps you build a stronger connect with your baby! But in most of the cases mommies-to-be wonder how?

To help you sort this dilemma, here are few ways that you can try:

1. Massage your bump

A soothing way to bond with your baby is to gently massage your belly. This is safe to do after the first three months of pregnancy, and it’s a great way to relax and unwind.

2. Sing soothing songs to your bump

If you are wondering what to talk to your baby, in that case singing out your favourite song would be the best thing to do. This will also help you develop a habit of singing lullaby to your baby for the coming time.

3. Read out positive stories

A baby always believes in the stories heard from his mother. Reading out stories to your bump will lay a foundation of positive thoughts in the baby?s brain.

4. Listen to some music together

A baby can sense music while in the womb. Music is one such thing that can calm and sooth all the senses.

5. Feel the kick

Feeling the baby?s kick is one sensation that should be experienced by both the parents. Together responding to the kicks will not only nurture your bond but builds a two way communication with the baby too.

One last quick tip – To connect better with your bump choose on a name to address your unborn child. Keep a unisex name for the bump and address him with that name. This will help you give your bump a definitive identity and make your bond with it even more special.

Style your comfort in pregnancy trimesters!

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In pregnancy the only key factor that your dressing depends upon is comfort. Relying on that completely, often your style goes for a toss. Being pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with fashion trends. Pregnant women too can wear whatever they like, the only key is to modify and adapt it to your new body!

1st trimester: In the 1st trimester the major challenge you face is to keep your pregnancy under wraps. To overcome this challenge you can opt for clothes which are lose and flowy. This will help you cover up those extra kgs you gain in your first months. The best suggested attire would be a lose kurta, an A-line skirt with a lose top or a blouson top with a stretch band at the bottom.

2nd trimester: While you move on to your 2nd trimester you will realize your body is changing with the day. At this time the major challenge that you will face is spending on new clothes every time. But rather than blowing up your budget on buying new clothes every month invest in a few items that will grow with you. Try going for dresses that have details like ruching, tie-backs, buttons or gathering at the sides. They will let you adjust your clothing as your body grows and changes.

3rd trimester: The moment you enter your third trimester you feel huge and uncomfortable. Everything you wear right from zippers to waist bands will be torturous. In this phase try going for comfortable yet stylish ankle length maxi dresses. Maternity leggings along with tunics can also add quite a lot to your style and make you feel comfortable at the same time.

During all the three trimesters make sure you play with colours and don?t just stick to blacks and greys. Whatever you pick make sure it suits your body. If you think you are comfortable in extra lose clothes make sure you pair them with accessories; they are certain to take your look from drab to fab.