Doctors visits: You need to contact your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant. Your doctor will help you design a special pregnancy nutrition programme that will provide the nutrients that you and your baby need. The first 13 weeks of pregnancy are the most critical because that is when your baby’s major organs and brain are being formed. Your pregnancy nutrition programme is especially important during these 13 weeks to ensure proper development, minimise the chances of miscarriage and provide additional support for your body. Most miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. in addition to a pregnancy nutrition programme, you need to begin taking prenatal vitamins and start a pregnancy exercise programme. Special prenatal vitamins are needed because of the different nutritional needs of your body during pregnancy. Make sure that you also review all the supplements, herbs and other counter remedies that you take with your doctor.  I have heard women complaining about the supplements given by doctors during pregnancy, they have all sorts of myths, some claim that such supplements make the babies too big, some claim that the supplements makes it difficult for the delivery of the baby. do not assume that herbal supplements are safe during pregnancy. During pregnancy all of the rules that you used to follow need to be discussed in detail with your doctor. Pregnancy has its own sets of rule and this applies especially to nutrition like all games.

The need for water:Your body needs more water during pregnancy. many experts suggest that you drink 11-12 glasses of water each day. please note that this is about water and not any other liquid. not only is water important it is one of the most critical components of a pregnancy nutrition programme. Remember we consist primarily of water: easily 50% + of our bodies are water. You are drinking water for both you and your baby.if you do not like the taste of water, you can add a little juice or lemon for flavouring. in addition to drinking more water, you will need to cut down or reduce the consumption of certain beverages that may be harmful to your developing baby. many doctors recommend reducing or eliminating soda, coffee and certain teas. Alcohol is definitely off limits during pregnancy.Drinking a lot of water is needed to eliminate waste and toxins from you and your baby’s system on a regular basis; aid the digestive process; avoid dehydration and constipation; and ensure the proper flow of nutrients to your baby. Drinking plenty of water may also help minimise food cravings and other pregnancy symptoms.

Foods to avoid:Since you and your baby are vulnerable and more sensitive during the pregnancy process, there are certain foods that you should avoid like raw eggs, unpasteurised milk and cheese, raw or rare fish and meats – definitely no sushi; fish with high mercury levels; and unwashed fruits and vegetables; etc. it is important that you thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables to remove bacteria, pesticides and other chemicals. Your doctor and a pregnancy nutrition guide should be consulted to develop a more complete list of foods to avoid.

Weight gain during pregnancy:it is equally as important that woman gain enough weight. it is very important that your baby get proper nutrition from the foods you eat. Dieting or limiting food intake during pregnancy is not a wise idea. Healthy eating and healthy weight gain result in many positive pregnancy benefits. Gaining a healthy amount of weight counteracts your baby’s susceptibility to infection and birth defects caused by low birth weight, it decreases your risk for complications such as anemia and pre-eclampsia ; reduces the risk of pre-term labour and delivery and helps to ensure a healthy birth weight for your baby, which decreases the risk of delayed development, disease and mortality during the first few months of life.

The importance of eating enough during Pregnancy

Remember, you body uses food for energy. if you have a history of food restriction or crazy dieting, you may have altered both your metabolism and the way your body uses food when you begin eating normally such as during pregnancy. Don’t be discouraged if you gain quickly during the first trimester. As long as you are meeting your nutrient needs and getting exercise as advised by your physician, your weight gain should taper during the second trimester. Generally, normal weight and underweight woman gain between one and one-and-a-half pounds per week, throughout the second and third trimesters.

Bad symptoms of pregnancy:it `s an exciting time to hear of pregnancy and no doubt like other expectant women you start doing up the nursery, buy baby booties, baby mittens, diapers and even larger items like the pram and cot. it is sensible to be ready and prepared for baby`s arrival because them 9 months just fly by. some women experiencing pregnancy for the first time tend to excite themselves that much, and would you believe, sit back and waits for morning sickness to happen and looks forward to the swelling belly.  Big tummy and swollen ankles are common symptoms of pregnancy just like them early morning vomiting bouts which we accept as normal when carrying a baby, however not all symptoms suffered are classed as normal, in fact they can be nasty and signify problems in your pregnancy.

The most common ailments in pregnancy:Swollen feet: Most common amongst pregnant women but needs special attention. Drink a lot of water when you are pregnant. You must drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day. Water is the most natural therapy to flush out the excess toxins from the body. Thus, the water will expel all the toxic fluids of the body which would otherwise settle in the feet and cause them to swell. Drinking a lot of water could increase the frequency of urination in pregnant women, but that is actually a good sign, as urination is a way to expel the wastes from the body.

Keep your diet well-balanced. this is extremely important for a pregnant woman. if the diet is deficient in any kind of food, or if the woman takes the wrong kind of food, then there is more chance of undigested toxic wastes accumulating in the body, and causing the feet to swell.Recipes for preventing the swelling of feet during pregnancy. (Refer to your food for blood type list)(i) Take two cups of water and add a teaspoonful of palm sugar in it. Add two teaspoons of fennel seeds to it. Boil this mixture, till the volume reduces to half; i.e. only one cupful of water is left. Drink this mixture thrice in a day. it will help protect the feet from getting swollen. (ii) Add a few tablespoons of coriander in two cups of water. Boil this mixture till it reduces to half its quantity, i.e. to one cup. Drink this coriander decoction thrice in a day. it will prevent from swelling of feet during pregnancy. in order to improve the taste, you can add sugar and milk to it, so that it becomes like a herbal tea.(iii) Mix 1 teaspoon lime juice in 1 glass of lukewarm water and drink this three times every day.(iv) Take Vitamin E rich foods like spinach, almond oil, sweet potato, sunflower seed and wheat germ daily.(v) Take 30 sesame seeds and soak in a glass of warm water overnight, take in an empty stomach every morning.