If you’re new at exercising, now’s not the time to start training for a marathon — but you can start working out slowly, aiming to reach at least 30 minutes a day.
If you’re really ambitious (or just really fit) and you’ve been green-lighted by your practitioner based on your fitness level, it’s safe to work out for an hour or even more as long as you listen to your body. Expecting moms tire out sooner, and being tired increases your risk of injury. Remember that while pregnancy is a great time to maintain your fitness level, it’s not a time to increase it or to train for an athletic competition.
While breathing hard during your workouts is perfectly fine when you’re expecting, overexerting yourself can lead to problems like dehydration (a risk factor for preterm birth) or lack of oxygen to your baby if you end up short of breath for long periods. That’s why it’s more important than ever to learn to listen to your body during pregnancy.
So how exactly do you do that? Checking your pulse is actually not one of the ways to tell whether you’re overdoing it. Instead, get in sync with how you feel. If an exercise feels good, it’s probably okay, while experiencing pain or strain is not. A little sweat is good, while drenching sweat is not. And remember the “talk” test: You should be working hard enough that you feel yourself breathing more heavily, but you should never be so out of breath that you aren’t able to talk, sing or whistle while you work.
Experts at ACOG recommend using what’s known as a “Rate of Perceived Exertion” test. Think of a scale that goes up to 20, where at 7 you’re walking slowly and at 20 you’re working out as hard as you can. Your goal is to keep your exertion rate between 13 and 14 on that scale, or at a somewhat hard rate.
Sports that carry a higher risk of falling or abdominal injury, like gymnastics, downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, vigorous racket sports (play doubles instead of singles), horseback riding, outdoor cycling, contact sports (such as ice hockey, soccer or basketball), diving, bungee jumping and rollerblading.
Sports that involve altitude change. Unless you’re living in high altitudes already, avoid any activity that takes you up more than 6,000 feet. On the flip side, scuba diving, which poses a risk of decompression sickness for your baby, is also off-limits, so wait until you’re no longer pregnant for your next dive.
Exercises that involve lying flat on your back for long periods of time are off-limits after the fourth month, since the weight of your enlarging uterus could compress major blood vessels and restrict circulation to you and your baby. That, in turn, could make you feel nauseous, dizzy and short of breath.
Advanced abdominal moves, like full sit-ups or double leg lifts, can pull on the abdomen, so they’re best avoided when you’re expecting. Try these pregnancy safe an exercise instead.
Hot yoga or exercise in super hot weather: Any exercise or environment that raises your body temperature more than 1.5 degrees F should be avoided, since it causes blood to be shunted away from your uterus and to your skin as your body attempts to cool off. That means staying out of saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs, too.
Back bends orother contortions, as well as movements that involve deep flexion or extension of joints (like deep knee bends), can increase your risk of injury.
Jumping, bouncing and sudden, jerky motions are best avoided (although otherwise aerobic activity is perfectly safe so as long as you’re comfortable and can easily keep your balance).
Excessive or bouncy stretching. Since your ligaments are already looser, pregnancy isn’t the time to force a split or progress your yoga practice. If something hurts, stop.
Holding your breath is never recommended during pregnancy. Both you and your baby need a constant flow of oxygen.
Motionless standing after the first trimester can restrict blood flow, so avoid these types of movements in yoga (like tree, or extended hand to big toe) and tai chi.
Raw Meat: Uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella. Deli Meat: Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria, which can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby, which could lead to infection or blood poisoning and may be life-threatening. If you are pregnant and you are considering eating deli meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming . Fish with Mercury: Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. A sample of these types of fish includes: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned, chunk light tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna, but still should only be eaten in moderation. Get our Free American Pregnancy Association app: IOS Android. It features meal recommendations, kick counter, blood glucose tracker and more. Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury. Please see Mercury in Fish for specific types of fish and further information on how to calculate mercury levels. Raw Shellfish: The majority of seafood-borne illness is caused by undercooked shellfish, which include oysters, clams, and mussels. Cooking helps prevent some types of infection, but it does not prevent the algae-related infections that are associated with red tides. Raw shellfish pose a concern for everybody, and they should be avoided altogether during pregnancy.
The various changes that occur in hormone secretions during pregnancy have been reviewed. The first trimester is characterized by a rapid rise in levels of chorionic gonadotrophin in blood and urine. The function of the adrenal cortex is slightly increased at this time. In the last trimester, estrogens, progesterone (or its metabolite pregnanediol) and the adrenocortical hormones are at a high level in blood and urine. The relationship of the hormones to certain metabolic changes observed in pregnancy is discussed.
The earliest symptoms of pregnancy differ from person to person. For most, this is the month you discover you’re pregnant – and that positive pregnancy test (and a missed period) may be the only sign you have.
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
Nausea – the earliest signs of “morning sickness” can appear in the first month.
Breast Tenderness – your breasts or nipples may be swollen and tender to the touch.
Fatigue – you may feel tired as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.
Frequent Urination – a common side effect of the production of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which causes an increased need to urinate in early pregnancy.
Food Sensitivity – just the smell of food may turn your stomach.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby is only .1 to .2 millimeters and at this stage is called a blastocyst. At three weeks pregnant, your child has already developed all his genetic material – and the sex is already decided.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
A pregnancy test to confirm the pregnancy.
You’ll complete an extensive family medical history.
The doctor usually performs an internal pelvic exam to check your uterus, vagina, and cervix.
A Pap smear, if you haven’t had one in the past year.
Routine blood tests and urine tests may be performed.
An assessment of your health, including height, weight and blood pressure.
You will be prescribed a prenatal vitamin and folic acid.
Consult with your doctor about any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you take.
Second Month
Baby goes from blastocyst to zygote, as that dividing ball of cells takes on a more human form. You may be experiencing a change, too, as your body and mind adjust to your new role as mom-to-be.
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
Nausea, vomiting, food sensitivity and fatigue may develop or become more severe.
If you haven’t already, you should make changes in your lifestyle so you and your baby will be healthy. You should stop smoking, drinking and using caffeine. Consult your caregiver about other changes you may need to make.
You may experience moodiness as hormone levels adjust.
Sexual desire may wan as fatigue and nausea increase.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby is now a little under an inch long but has developed into a tiny human being. The heart is beating, the brain is developing and she has developed all her limbs as well as hands and feet. The eyes have not fully developed.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
If this is your first visit, you will receive an internal pelvic exam and Pap smear.
Weight gain and blood pressure will be measured and monitored.
Urine will be tested for possible infection.
Blood may be drawn to test for anemia and HIV. Genetic testing may also be given if appropriate.
Third Month
You’re reaching the end of your first trimester, and your body is adjusting to the shifting hormone levels. By the end of the third month, your baby is fully developed.
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
Nausea may decrease as your body adjusts to hormone levels.
Your middle may widen, as the uterus grows to the size of a grapefruit.
As you feel better, develop an exercise plan to increase strength and flexibility, which will help during labor.
Moodiness and food aversions may continue but usually subside by the end of the trimester.
You may experience your first food cravings as appetite returns.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby is now officially a fetus and is between two and four inches long. By the end of the first trimester, all organs are present, and even fingernails are developing. Your baby is also moving her arms and legs, though you won’t feel it yet. The rate of miscarriage drops at this point.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
You will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), which can detect Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anemia, Down syndrome, and other genetic defects, is usually scheduled between ten and twelve weeks if desired.
Weight, blood pressure and other monitoring will continue.
Fourth Month
Hormones settle, morning sickness fades, and you start to feel normal again. You also start showing – and feeling like a true mom-to-be. Welcome to the joys of the second trimester!
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
By the end of this month, you may feel “quickening” – the first flutters of baby movement often described as “butterflies” or “bubbles.”
You may find yourself feeling better. Nausea usually subsides and energy increases.
Hormones stabilize, and you feel less moody. Your sex drive may also return. Enjoy this time!
You may develop heartburn as your uterus rises in the abdomen.
Outward signs of pregnancy may begin to appear.
Most moms-to-be start shopping for their pregnancy wardrobe at this point.
Now is a good time to sign up for prenatal classes.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby is five to six inches long and weighs up to four ounces. Baby’s face and heart are fully formed at this point, though the lungs are still developing. Baby’s eyes will open during this month and he or she will begin feeling the urge to suck.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
Much like last month’s visit, monitoring of fetal heartbeat and size, as well as your own weight and blood pressure, will continue.
As it is every month, your urine will be tested for sugar and protein.
An ultrasound is usually performed to check for fetal age.
The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test for neural defects is given in week 16.
Amniocentesis test for abnormal chromosomes may be offered.
Fifth Month
You’re glowing – and showing! You’re halfway through your pregnancy, and your baby is thriving.
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
Most women gain between 5 to 15 pounds by this time.
Your uterus is now the size of a cantaloupe.
Appetite often increases.
Fatigue may return, as you’re carrying extra weight and your heart is pumping more blood.
Some women experience bloating, constipation or other uncomfortable symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Some women experience forgetfulness, sometimes called “pregnancy brain.”
Your belly button may pop out.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby is now about 10 ounces and six to nine inches long. Baby is covered with a fine protective hair. This month he or she will develop fingerprints and permanent teeth buds behind fully formed baby teeth. Little girls’ ovaries also develop at this time, and sex may be determined through ultrasound.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
Monitoring of baby’s growth and heartbeat continues.
Your weight, urine and blood pressure will also be checked.
At this point, an ultrasound may reveal the baby’s sex. This “second scan” may also show any anomaly.
Sixth Month
As the second trimester comes to an end, your baby is making his presence known – and your maternal instincts may be emerging as well. Start the countdown – labor day is just months away.
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
Your uterus is now the size of a basketball resting above your belly button. The skin on the stomach may feel itchy as it stretches around your growing womb.
Complaints of mid-pregnancy, including bleeding gums, constipation, heartburn and leg cramps, may intensify at this time.
You’ll gain about a pound a week at this time. The increased weight may result in varicose veins or hemorrhoids. Talk to your doctor if you notice protruding veins in any area.
You may become tired more easily – no wonder! Listen to your body and rest as necessary.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby is about 10 inches long and weighs over a pound. You’ll be aware of baby’s movements as he or she stretches and hiccups. Baby’s eyes now open and close, vocal cords are functioning, and “finishing touches” like eyebrows have formed.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
Monitoring will continue. Pregnancy-induced blood pressure problems (hypertension) often start at this time, so make your caregiver aware of problems with swollen ankles, headaches or nosebleeds.
Most women are tested for gestational diabetes at this time.
Seventh Month
The fetus at seven months is becoming more baby-like. Time to start thinking about maternity leaves and birth plans, as you enter the third trimester!
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
Your feet or hands may start cramping.
You may experience more movement of your baby.
Your joints may feel looser due to softening in preparation for birth.
Many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions (non-productive contractions) starting in the seventh month.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby is starting to develop fat under his or her skin. Baby’s now almost 12 inches long and weighs between two and four pounds. Your child can now see, hear and taste, and the brain and nervous system are growing rapidly.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
Monitoring of your weight, blood pressure and urine, as well as the baby’s growth and position, will continue.
Women who are Rh-negative may receive a shot of Rhogam at this time to prevent complications later.
Stretch marks may appear as the skin continues to stretch.
You may start seeing your caregiver more frequently at this point. Most start out with checkups every other week once you’re seven months pregnant.
Now is the time to talk to your caregiver about your birth vision. Discuss your feelings about pain management, fetal monitoring, episiotomies and breastfeeding at this time. Just remember these plans are just a blueprint, which can be adjusted as necessary during labor and delivery to protect the well being of mom and baby.
Eighth Month
Babies grow rapidly when you’re eight months pregnant – and you may be tiring of pregnancy and anxious for baby’s arrival. Enjoy setting up a nursery as the countdown begins!
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
You’ll continue to gain about a pound a week.
You may feel discomfort as the baby pushes on the rib cage or organs.
Pelvic pressure may increase as the baby drops into this area.
Indigestion and heartburn may become more intense.
Skin continues stretching and stretch marks may appear.
Braxton Hicks contractions become more regular.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Your baby’s brainwaves resemble those of a newborn by this time. He may be a foot (12 inches) or longer and weigh about five pounds. The lungs and brain are continuing to develop and other body systems are refining to be ready for living outside of you. Movements may slow as the baby fills more of the uterus and has less room to stretch. By the end of the month, most babies are head down and descending into the pelvic area.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
Monitoring of your weight, urine, blood pressure and swelling will continue.
Baby’s growth, heartbeat, size, and position will be checked.
Some caregivers order a second ultrasound at this time to verify the baby’s size and position.
Caregiver visits usually increase from bi-weekly to weekly starting at the 36th week.
Ninth Month
The countdown to baby’s birthday begins. You may be tired one minute and energetic the next, as you anxiously wait for baby’s arrival.
CHANGES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
You may breathe a little easier as baby settles into the pelvis, giving you more room in the abdominal area. This is known as lightening.
Sleep will become more difficult due to your size and any anxiety you may feel about the upcoming birth.
Some women experience a “nesting instinct” and feel compelled to ready the home for the baby’s arrival.
Your weight gain will be as high as it will go – up to 35 pounds is average. Some women start losing a pound or two as labor approaches.
HOW YOUR BABY IS DEVELOPING Baby’s lungs are maturing, and he or she is shedding the layer of hair that protected him or her in the uterus. Your baby’s brain is growing tremendously this last month. Baby measures about 18 to 21 inches long and weighs about six to eight pounds.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PRENATAL VISIT THIS MONTH
All monitoring will continue. You will also receive an internal examination to determine if the cervix has ripened or started to dilate.
Your caregiver may swab your vagina and rectum to test for group b streptococcus infection (group b strep).
You will visit your caregiver weekly for monitoring at this point. Visits may increase if you pass your due date.
It used to be considered bad manners for a family member to throw a shower because it might seem like you’re asking for gifts. But these days, just about anything goes. Any relative, close friend, or close co-worker should feel perfectly okay about planning a baby shower.
When should the baby shower be held?
There’s no hard and fast rule, but many baby showers happen one or two months before the baby’s due date. Throwing the shower sooner is fine, too; maybe there are scheduling constraints or concerns about the baby arriving early, for example. If it’s best for cultural or logistical reasons to throw a shower after the baby’s here, no problem. The point is to celebrate the addition of the baby to the family and to shower the parents-to-be with love and support – and some of the stuff they’ll need.
When scheduling the party, first talk to the parents-to-be and settle on a date and time that will work for them. You may also need to work around the schedule of any VIP guests, like the baby’s grandparents.
Once the shower date is set, the guest or guests of honor should create a baby registry (if they’re planning to use one) at least a couple of months before the party. Figuring out what to register for can take a while. And it’s a good idea to give guests several weeks to shop for a gift.
Who should be invited to the baby shower?
If you’re hosting the shower for a close friend, you may have some ideas about the guest list already. It’s best to consult with the guest (or guests) of honor before finalizing your list, though. That way, you won’t accidentally leave out someone important – or invite someone they would rather not include.
If the parents-to-be have close friends and family who live far away and can’t make it to the shower, consider setting up a time during the event when they can be included through FaceTime or Skype. Make sure they get an invitation with all the details!
What about hosting a shower for the expectant mom anddad?
Although many baby showers still follow the “women only” tradition, baby showers for both women and men are also popular. Some dads even have their own baby shower. It all depends on what sort of gathering the expectant mom or parents prefer.
Is it okay to throw a baby shower for a second child?
Showers for a second or subsequent baby have become more common and are considered appropriate. Parents whose children have a large age gap may be especially appreciative. There’s always reason to celebrate a new baby, whether it’s a large or small affair.
For parents who prefer a smaller event the next time around, consider throwing a “baby sprinkle,” which is a scaled-down version of a full shower. For example, the gathering could be an afternoon picnic or a simple pancake breakfast, with or without games. There may be only a small registry or no registry at all.
Is a surprise baby shower a good idea?
Think long and hard before choosing to throw a surprise party. If your guest of honor doesn’t like surprises or was really hoping for a specific type of event, you could put her in an awkward position. On the other hand, if you let the future parents in on the arrangements, you can be confident that they’ll be pleased with the outcome.
What kind of invitations should I send?
You can send invitations by mail or email, or by scheduling an event on social media.
In addition to all the basic information (who, what, where, when, and RSVP instructions), it never hurts to let people know the theme of the shower if there is one. If the expectant parents are registered anywhere for baby gear, it’s fine to mention that too. (Or you can give guests the registry information when they RSVP.)
When should I send the invitations?
Send invitations early enough to give the guests four to six weeks’ notice: That way everyone has enough time to put the shower on their calendar and shop for the perfect gift.
What should we do at the baby shower?
Keep your guest of honor’s preferences in mind when it comes to activities. Some moms- and dads-to-be dislike shower games and would rather spend time socializing with guests. Asking about these kinds of things before you start planning ensures that the shower will be fun for everyone.
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You may want to select a theme to tie everything together. It’s certainly not necessary, but it can help you make decisions about elements of the party, and it’s often fun for guests.
Plan to serve some type of food and refreshment, depending on the time of day, your budget, and how fancy (or informal) the shower will be.
It’s customary to give favors to everyone who attends the baby shower. Or you can offer prizes to the guests who win games instead.
Aside from socializing and honoring the parents-to-be, the main event at a baby shower is often opening the gifts. If there’s no registry and guests need help figuring out what to bring, have them check our list of top baby shower gifts and our roundup of readers’ favorite baby shower gifts.
A highly contagious viral infection which can cause problems for both the baby and the mother. Even though most women experience chickenpox at a very young age and are immune to this disease during pregnancy, it is likely to occur the second time. If the mother hasn’t had it previously, the probability is higher. This can cause damage to the baby’s physical growth.
2. Hepatitis:
Hepatitis is a viral infection in the liver of the pregnant women impacting the process of detoxification of the body. When the liver fails, there are lots of toxins produced in the body, leading to the inflammation of the liver and causing liver cancer. There are different varieties of hepatitis, such as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Most of this is caused by the oral contact or sexually transmitted from an existing infected person. The disease usually spreads to the baby and it impacts the puberty period of the child.
3. Dengue:
A mosquito-transmitted infection impacting both the baby and the mother. A proper and timely vaccination along with hygienic, clean and dry environment at home could be a preventive step to stay away from the infection
Pregnant belly with big mosquito. Zika infection control concept.
An infection in the uterus can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. The infection may affect the placenta, harm the developing baby, cause premature labor, or lead to birth abnormalities.
Uterine infections can also make labor more dangerous and difficult. Some individuals experience organ failure and other life-threatening complications.
Uterine infections often develop when bacteria from the vagina travels to the uterus, so an untreated vaginal infection is a risk factor for uterine infections. A person is more susceptible to uterine infections if their membranes rupture during an extended labor.
Treatment includes antibiotics and may require hospitalization. If a fever develops during labor, a doctor or midwife will monitor the fetus. If the symptoms are severe, the doctor may recommend a cesarean delivery.
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