Is Running Safe While Pregnant?

Is Running Safe While Pregnant?

March 12th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

If you have just found out you are expecting a baby, then you are probably elated. After all, what better experience could there possibly be in the world? Of course, when you are pregnant, there are lifestyle changes to be made to ensure that you have a safe and happy pregnancy and a healthy baby at the end of it. When it comes to exercise, you might be wondering if you need to make any changes, especially if you are a runner.

If running as a sport is new to you, then starting this new exercise regime when you are pregnant is not a good idea. This is true of any type of exercise. However, if you have previously been running and are in good physical shape, then there is no reason why you cannot continue running well into your pregnancy.

It is pretty much unanimous that you can continue to run during pregnancy, but you will probably find that you will run less and that your pace will be slower. This is to be expected and is also advisable. During your first trimester you will be fatigued, during your second trimester you will feel more awkward, and during your third trimester you will feel both. You will also find that by your third trimester you center of gravity will have shifted and you should be careful to maintain your balance. Running on a treadmill is a good idea at this point.

When you find out you are pregnant it is a good idea to discuss your running activity with your doctor or midwife. They will tell you if there are any risk factors and any warning signs that you should watch for. If you have any risk of premature labor, have vaginal bleeding, pain, or dizziness, or if your water breaks early, then you will have to stop running.

Dailyruns.com featured an article called “Oh Baby! Running While Pregnant“. The article told the story of Paula Radcliffe, the 2007 New York Marathon winner, who won the title only 9 months after giving birth. She ran throughout her pregnancy. With the help of her doctor and specialists, she monitored the health of her baby, rested and took days off when she needed to, and had a healthy pregnancy. You can too, if you take care of yourself.

When running while pregnant, pay close attention to your level of hydration and your heart rate. Make sure you drink lots of fluids and listen to your body. If you feel tired don’t run that day. Slow down if you need to. Don’t push yourself the way you normally would. After all, it is common for runners to push past the pain and challenge themselves, but doing so when you are carrying a baby simply isn’t wise.

As a runner, you know your body. Continuing to run while pregnant is safe as long as you listen to your body. Your level of exercise will allow you to push on after your baby is born. You will be healthier and you will lose your pregnancy weight faster than if you were sedentary during your pregnancy. Best of all, you will keep that facet of your identity in a world in which you become mother. Holding fast to something as personal as your identity as an athlete is important and will help you as you venture into the world of parenting.

Early Signs of Pregnancy

Early Signs of Pregnancy

March 11th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You have been trying for weeks or maybe months. Every little thing that feels different in your body makes you wonder. You are tracking every date of every little change and every event that takes place. You are ready and you are waiting, but how will you really know when you are pregnant? What are the signs?

Well, rest assured that there are definite signs that you are pregnant. Usually, the first sign that tips a woman off is when she misses her menstruation. This is a dead giveaway that there is now a new life growing inside your body. However, when you look back to the week or two prior to your late menstruation, you might, on hindsight, realize that there were other telltale signs of your pregnancy.

Fatigue is one of the early signs of pregnancy. Even before you miss your menstruation or have your pregnancy confirmed by a test, your body is already working very hard to grow that baby. Everything is changing and changing quickly and your body is striving to keep up with those changes. This is likely to cause fatigue in the first few weeks of your pregnancy, beginning soon after conception.

Another noticeable sign of early pregnancy is the shift in hormones. You just might feel moodier than usual. Early in pregnancy it is also common to feel nauseous. While this generally doesn’t come on until about the eighth week for many women, it is not uncommon for it to happen earlier. Morning sickness or nausea due to certain smells and foods can be a sure sign something is up.

One of the most noticeable signs of early pregnancy is breast tenderness. Women generally tend to experience changes in their breasts soon after conception. After all, the breasts are a crucial part of having a baby and the body begins immediately to prepare the breasts to produce milk.

In addition to the above-listed signs of early pregnancy there are a few others that commonly occur. These include food cravings or aversions, the need to urinate more frequently, dizziness or fainting, heartburn or constipation, higher body temperature, lower back pain, bloating, and implantation bleeding (spotting when the embryo implants on the wall of the uterus).

It is important to know that not every woman will experience all of these symptoms or experience them to the same degree as another woman. Some women will feel ultra fatigued, but notice no other signs. Some women will feel nothing at all until they miss their menstruation. One woman might not even experience the same signs from one pregnancy to the next. This means that, while the above early signs of pregnancy are common, you have to be aware of your own body and how it feels.

It can also be frustrating that these symptoms are very similar to those experienced each month when you are due to menstruate. This means that you cannot be sure if you are pregnant until you take a pregnancy test. If you are trying to become pregnant, then this can feel like the most frustrating thing in the world. The best thing to do is stay calm, try to remain stress-free, and wait until you can confirm your pregnancy with a test. Once you know for certain that you are pregnant you can celebrate the new life growing inside you.

Do Pregnancy and Cats Mix?

Do Pregnancy and Cats Mix?

March 10th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You are absolutely ecstatic! You have just found out that you are pregnant and what better cause for celebration and jubilation. You want to shout it from the roof tops and share it with everyone you know, including your beloved pet. However, you have been told by someone who was told by someone that cats can carry a disease that can harm your baby. Is it true? Do you have to give up your precious cat?

Well, you will be relieved to know that the answer to this question is NO. Just having a cat during your pregnancy is harmless. However, you will have to make one major change, because there is a risk of disease. This change, unless you are already very fortunate not to have this job as part of your chores, is that you must stop cleaning the litter box.

“Woohoo”, you shout. No more litter box scooping. Yes, this is a nice side bonus of being pregnant. If you are on your own for any reason and need to clean the litter box, then wear rubber gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after you are finished. So why all the fuss? The name of the disease that can be transmitted is called toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is generally transmitted to outdoor cats from a parasite that they pick up from prey that they eat or from contaminated soil. Indoor cats rarely have a chance of infection. If you work outdoors in your garden, then you should also wear gloves. Humans can also contract the disease from coming into contact with or eating raw or undercooked meat.

This means that if you eat meat, then you also need to take precautions. Of course, safe handling of meat is always a concern, but when pregnant you need to be even more diligent. Ensuring you do not cut meat and other food on the same cutting board and that you clean up thoroughly after handling and cutting raw meat is essential.

Of course, you might already carry immunity to toxoplasmosis. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that more than 60 million people in the US carry the parasite that causes the disease, but few show the symptoms of it because the human immune system generally keeps the parasite under control.

The symptoms of toxoplasmosis are often not present, but when they are present they are usually flu-like symptoms that last for a few weeks. Once gone, the parasite lies dormant and will remain that way unless the immune system becomes compromised. However, in the unborn child there can be severe consequences if infection occurs. The child’s neurological and ocular development can be compromised. Miscarriage is also possible.

Of course, if the pregnant woman already has immunity to toxoplasmosis, then the baby will also have that immunity. It is only when the mother contracts the disease for the first time while pregnant that the unborn child is in danger. If you take the precautions mentioned above and avoid cleaning the litter box or handling raw meat, you should be able to safely go through your pregnancy without concern. You can enjoy the feeling of being pregnant and you can still enjoy your first baby – your cat. After all, we do love our pets and you will want your child to grow up with the joys of having a cat in the house. Rest assured that you can do so safely.

The Safety of Computer Use During Pregnancy

The Safety of Computer Use During Pregnancy

March 9th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There has been a fear around using computers while pregnant that has been with us since the 1970s. If you use computers for a large part of your day, either for work or for school, then you might be concerned. The good news is, you have nothing to worry about. While there was once a concern that computer use could harm the unborn baby, causing miscarriage or birth defects, this is now not considered to be the case.

So what caused these concerns in the first place. In the 1970s there were clusters of miscarriages in the US, Canada, and in the UK. An article on babycenter.com cites a UK study of women working for the Civil Service. Women who worked with computers had a higher rate of miscarriage than those women who didn’t. However, this study just didn’t hold up to repeated research. There simply was no correlation to be found between computer use and miscarriages.

The potential danger in computer use during pregnancy was considered to come from the monitor. The monitor does put out electromagnetic radiation and this was the concern. It has been determined, after many years of study, that women and their unborn babies are safe when it comes to sitting in front of a computer screen. The electromagnetic radiation is non-ionizing and this means that it does not affect the body in the same way that x-rays and CT scans do.

The real concern these days when it comes to pregnant women using the computer for long periods of time is that they get little or no movement, which is crucial while pregnant. Sitting at a desk in front of a computer for hours is not recommended. If you must be at your computer for hours, then it is advisable to take frequent breaks during which time you get up and walk around. The general rule of thumb for the average person is 10 minutes per hour of sitting, but you will need to lengthen that while pregnant. Stretching will also help. Movement causes your circulation to get moving faster and it will help if you have any conditions such as sciatica.

It is also more important than ever to ensure that you have good ergonomics when you are pregnant. Make sure your chair and computer monitor are both at a good height so that your eyes are level with the top of the screen, your forearms are horizontal, and your wrists are straight. Your feet should be flat on the floor and your back should have good support. It is also a good idea to get your eyes checked and make sure that your vision is good.

Knowing that it is safe to work with a computer for long periods of time is a relief for those women who have to use a computer for many hours each day. Knowing that your baby is safe while you earn a living is important because the stress it would cause if you were to have to give up your job or have to find some way around using a computer would be monumental. In today’s world the computer is so much more important and integrated into society than it was in the 1970s. People use them at work and then come home and use computers for banking, paying bills, shopping, finding information, and keeping in touch with family and friends. Computers simply cannot be avoided. There is peace of mind in knowing you can use yours risk-free.

Air Travel: Should You While Pregnant?

Air Travel: Should You While Pregnant?

March 8th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Cause for travel can come up at any point in life, and while you are pregnant there is no exception. This travel could be planned, such as a family vacation you have been planning for months, it could be a last-minute getaway before baby is due to arrive, or it might be a trip due to a family emergency. Regardless of the reason for you flight, the American Pregnancy Association states that it is generally safe to travel throughout your pregnancy.

Of course, there are times when you will be advised not to travel. If you have had any complications with your pregnancy, have high blood pressure, have had any bleeding, or any other notable issues, then your doctor will tell you not to fly. Otherwise, you are free to travel. It is important to be aware that most airlines have a policy that allows pregnant women to fly up until their eighth month, but they will generally allow you to fly in your ninth month if you have a signed notice from your doctor allowing you to fly.

When flying during pregnancy, there are a few things to keep in mind. Try to get an aisle seat so that you can stretch your legs and back. If you can get a bulkhead seat that is even better because you might be able to stand up and walk a bit. This is important, especially on long flights. Sitting in the aisle also makes it easier to get to the washroom more easily.

Now for the washroom discussion. The aisles and washroom on an airplane are small and cramped, which will make it more difficult for you to maneuver. It is important to hold on to the backs of seats or the hand rails in the bathroom. When pregnant your center of gravity is different and balancing is more difficult. You need to be prepared if you are standing when turbulence hits.

Another thing to note when flying is that dehydration can happen more easily. Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after your flight so that you can remain fully hydrated. While this might mean more frequent trips to an awkward washroom, it is better for you and baby.

You should also always travel on major airlines that have pressurized cabins. If you must travel on a small airplane, then be sure not to fly above 7,000 feet. You should also be sure to find out the regulations of the airline with which you are flying because you will need to know ahead of time if you need a note of permission from your doctor. Many airlines require this note to have been written within 48 hours of departure. Do not rely on the travel agency to inform you of these details as they often do not know them.

All in all it is safe for pregnant women to fly throughout their pregnancy. Of course, if you are close to term, you might want to consider if you want to risk having your baby on an airplane. Flying in your ninth month does pose the risk of going into labor on the airplane. You, with your doctor’s or midwife’s input, are your own best judge of your body, your pregnancy, and your situation. Whatever decision you make, enjoy your travel and enjoy your destination.

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