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How Pregnancy Forces One to Make Many Lifestyle Changes

Pregnancy is a time in a couple’s life that brings uncontrollable joy. No one expects problems with pregnancy, but it is possible. Taking preventive measures before pregnancy will ensure a healthy start for the mom-to-be. This often comes with having to make some lifestyle changes before, during and following pregnancy.

As stated earlier, expecting mothers do not what to hear the news that their pregnancy is taking a turn for the worse. With little to no fault of the mom, some medical conditions can cause a problematic pregnancy. This article will discuss lifestyle changes to help minimize any problems that can occur. But first, let us explore the type of complications that pregnancy can present for couples.

Complications in Pregnancy

- Miscarriages. The reason for a miscarriage is unknown and usually occurs in the first trimester, 13 weeks of pregnancy.
- Ectopic Pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fertilized egg is implanted outside the uterus, causing severe pain.
- Gestational Diabetes. Gestational diabetes increases blood sugar during pregnancy, putting the mom at a higher risk for diabetes after pregnancy.
- Incompetent Cervix. The fetus’ growth can cause problems for the cervix, causing the cervix to open and deliver the baby before the due date.
- Placental Abruption. It occurs when the placenta is partially or completely detaches from the uterus before the baby is born.
- Low-Lying Placenta. This rare occurrence usually happens in the second or third trimester, causing the placenta to attach to the bottom wall of the uterus.
- Increase or Decrease in Amniotic Fluid. Amniotic fluid protects the fetus during pregnancy. Too much, although rare, amniotic fluid can cause premature rupture of the amniotic membrane. Whereas not enough fluid can prevent the fetus from developing properly.
- Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is presented as high blood pressure and high protein levels in the urine.
- Premature Labor. Premature labor occurs between 20 weeks but before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Most premature deliveries are spontaneous.
- Venous Thrombosis. This is when a blood clot develops in the pregnant mom’s leg, usually occurring with women over 30, overweight, and a family history of thrombosis.
- Molar Pregnancy. Occurs from an abnormality of the placenta. Instead of the embryo forming in the uterus, an abnormal mass takes formation instead.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome(FAS). FAS is the excessive use of alcohol during pregnancy, causing physical and mental defects for the fetus.
- Eclampsia. It is the progression of preeclampsia, attacking the central nervous system causing seizures.

As mentioned earlier, pregnancy can present with problems that can be life-threatening. But a healthy pregnancy can have its rewards for mom and dad-to-be. It is crucial to make some lifestyle changes when considering pregnancy.

Meeting with your gynecologist to discuss the dos and don’ts for a healthy pregnancy is an excellent way to initiate healthy lifestyle changes. If your gynecologist does not monitor pregnancy, this is also an opportunity to discuss recommendations for an obstetrician.

Pregnancy Lifestyle Changes

- Healthy Weight. Being at a healthy weight before pregnancy helps to eliminate any complications that may occur. Consider losing weight if you are obese or overweight. The added weight can cause problems during pregnancy.
- Diet Change. There is nothing wrong with indulging in your favorite foods. The key is to eat more fruits, vegetables, foods high in iron, calcium, and fiber, dark leafy greens, asparagus, seafood such as salmon, shrimp, and catfish. Eat smaller portions at least 5 – 6 times a day and never skip breakfast.
- Use Prenatal Vitamins. Prenatal vitamins have nutrients critical for the baby’s neural tube growth. They also help to create new blood cells.
- Exercise. There are many benefits to exercising while pregnant. One is aiding in preparation for your pelvic floor for delivery and recovery. Exercising also helps to boost your mental health during pregnancy while staying in shape.
- Remove Alcohol, Cigarette, and Caffeine Intake. Sorry coffee lovers, but limiting caffeine during pregnancy to 200 mg per day should be considered. Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes is recommended during pregnancy.
- Stress Management. Cortisol is released when you are experiencing a stressful moment. To help minimize stress, try using essential oils, candles, meditation, yoga, or simply talking to someone.
- Understand Chronic Medical Conditions. Understanding chronic conditions can help you have a healthy pregnancy. Some chronic diseases are inherited, but with the proper management from your obstetrician and primary care provider, you can still have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Who says you cannot be stylish before, during, or after pregnancy? During pregnancy, you are engulfed with many emotions, some good, some not so good. Everyone can use a pick-me-up moment with a little bit of shopping. With various styles offered, Fawn Design provides stylish diaper bag collections, motherhood bundles, satchels, original and mini diaper bags to choose from that will have heads turning.

Since no one can foresee the future, planning a healthy pregnancy will help ease any concerns. Including your healthcare providers in your decision can provide you with the necessary advice needed to ensure both mom and baby will be off to a healthy start because this will be the beginning of a beautiful and unbreakable relationship for years to come.

Author’s Bio

Gemma Hamilton is a marketing enthusiast who enjoys spending time with her family and friends by visiting various natural landscapes and hanging out on beautiful beaches. Besides nature-tripping, she’s also very passionate about writing quality content for Fawn Design, which helps build professional relationships with people and share informative insights to various audiences interested in different types of topics.

The Importance of Having a To-Do List for Expecting Parents

Your entire life changes the moment you find out you’re pregnant. While the change can be exhilarating, it can also be overwhelming for first-time parents. When tasks at a job or school seem monumental, it helps to break them down into manageable steps. In the same way, although you can’t foresee all the twists and turns of your pregnancy, having a to-do list for expecting parents can help you cut back on stress.

Switch up Your Diet

What you put into your body will impact your baby’s health, so it’s good to reconsider what you eat from the moment you find out you’re pregnant. For instance, you should start avoiding undercooked foods, unwashed vegetables, and alcohol and start stocking up on nutrient-rich foods. Some go-to pregnancy foods include:

- Dairy
- Lean meats
- Sweet potatoes
- Cooked Eggs
- Dark, leafy vegetables and other iron-rich foods

Along with that, do your research to find alternatives to medications you shouldn’t take while pregnant. You’ll especially want to research medications that target morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms.

8 Pregnancy Diet Tips for Growing a Healthy Baby — .

Start a Log

Documenting your journey should be first on the to-do list for expecting parents. Your symptoms will change throughout your pregnancy, from morning sickness to body aches to swelling in your ankles or hands. While these are perfectly normal, it’s good to keep track of your symptoms throughout your pregnancy. This way, if something does occur that is out of the ordinary, you will be able to pinpoint exactly when the symptoms started. Along with that, writing them down helps relieve some of the mental stress of your physical symptoms.

Prepare for Parental Leave

As a parent, you are entitled to a parental leave of at least four weeks in the U.S. For some, the idea of taking so much time off work can be stressful, so start planning your leave well in advance. Make sure to add this to the to-do list for expecting parents. Research your company’s policies, then talk to your employees or coworkers about what your leave will look like. If you delegate tasks for your absence, the transition will be smoother, and you will be able to focus more on your time with your baby.

How to Make a Postpartum Plan for a Smooth Recovery — .

Set up the Nursery

You don’t want to put off setting up your nursery for too long. The further into your pregnancy you get, the harder it will be to offer help with the design process, and paint VOCs can linger in the air for weeks. You don’t have to overthink the nursery’s design. Start practical by making sure your crib bedding is safe and babyproofing any cabinets. Then look at the decor. If you’re waiting to hear about the baby’s gender, you can focus on a gender-neutral theme or color scheme.

Pro Tip: Stock up on diapers! On the fence about whether to use cloth or disposables? Consider using eco-friendly bamboo diapers and wipes from EcoPea. They’re the best of both worlds.

Breathe

Perhaps the most important item on the to-do list for expecting parents is to simply relax. As much as you want to make sure everything is perfect for your new baby, you also need to be intentional about taking time to rest. A well-rested parent is better for the baby, after all. And as you relax, remind yourself that ticking every box off a new parent to-do list doesn’t determine whether you’re a good mother or father. You do.

Author Bio

Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and mental health help create thought provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower mothers and women to embrace the beauty of motherhood.

8 All-Natural Shampoos for a Safe Pregnancy

If you are looking for the best all-natural shampoos to use while pregnant, keep reading this article. It is essential to avoid using harsh chemicals. Instead, you should use ones with natural ingredients. Therefore, when choosing any product, don’t forget to read the label to determine its ingredients. Make sure the product you choose is safe for both you and your baby. Avoid ones that can address your scalp and hair issues. In this post, we will provide you a detailed review of the top 8 best shampoos for pregnancy. Keep reading to discover them.

8 All Natural Shampoos for Pregnancy — *This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that I only work with companies and individuals that I trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.

1. Christina Moss Naturals Organic Shampoo

Christina Moss Shampoo — Christina Moss Organic Shampoo

If you are looking for an organic and natural shampoo for pregnancy, you should consider choosing Christina Moss. It doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances, and petrochemicals. Moreover, it is free of cruelty.

It is made of coconut oil. When using it, your hair will become soft. Also, it is effective in removing the dirt from your hair. Besides, this shampoo can also maintain your hair’s color. Plus, it is sure to improve texture.

When using it, you also have not to worry about the accumulation of oil on the scalp. It can keep your hair moisturized. It also prevents you from the damage of hair styling products. Plus, you will get a 6-month satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturer.

2. Pura D’or Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo

With this all-natural shampoo, you don’t need to worry about your hair becoming thinner during pregnancy. It is a natural product. It doesn’t contain gluten, sulfates, parabens, as well as harmful chemicals. It is safe for people with a sensitive scalp.

It is made of aloe, one of the main ingredients for pregnancy. Therefore, this shampoo can give you soothing and healing benefits. Also, you can find argan oil in this shampoo. This ingredient can prevent your hair from losing.

Additionally, you will get a one-year money-back guarantee from the manufacturer. Therefore, you can get an unconditional refund if you are not satisfied with the shampoo within 1 year.

3. Majestic Pure Hair Loss Shampoo

During your pregnancy, you may face hair loss. Then, you need to use a hair-strengthening shampoo. The Majestic Pure is highly recommended for this purpose. This product includes 14 DHT blockers. Therefore, it offers you herbal nourishment to make your hair stronger.

Also, this product contains niacin and biotin. Besides, there is a wide range of botanical extracts. Therefore, it is able to promote your hair healthy. It is available in a pump bottle. Thus, it is easy to use. Its design also helps to reduce waste.

4. Paul Mitchell Original Shampoo One

This unit is free of fragrance. Therefore, you haven’t to worry about it irritating your nose. Also, you have not to worry even when you are using it daily. This product is made for all types of hair.

It is made of wheat-derived conditioners and panthenol. It is sure to improve your hair’s manageability. Besides, it is an excellent option for those who have color-treated hair. It can help to prevent fading your hair’s colors.

5. Klorane Shampoo with Peony

When it comes to the best shampoos for pregnancy, we should not miss the Klorane Shampoo. It is an excellent solution for straight, wavy, or curly hair. The shampoo cleanses the hair. At the same time, it also comforts the scalp.

Many people choose it because of its effectiveness. Also, the product is pH-balanced. It contains peony extract. You will get immediate scalp comfort lasting for one day. It is ideal for pregnancy since it is free of silicone, paraben, as well as sodium lauryl sulfate.

6. Byrd Purifying Shampoo

When choosing the best shampoos for pregnancy, you should go for ones that are free of harsh ingredients. That’s why we list the Byrd Purifying Shampoo here. It is free of mineral oils, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

It is made of natural ingredients that are safe for you. It contains sea salt. Therefore, it can improve the texture of your hair. Moreover, it contains red algae, vitamin B5, and kelp to avoid breakage.

Besides, you can find aloe vera in the ingredient. It means this shampoo can moisturize your hair effectively. You will also love its coconut scent.

7. Wow Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo | Amazon

Not like other shampoos, this product uses apple cider vinegar as a main ingredient. Although it is made of apple cider vinegar, it still smells sweet. Moreover, it contains saw palmetto that helps to slow down your hair loss.

It is free of sulfate, paraben, and silicon. It also does not come with harsh chemicals. Therefore, you have not to worry it harming your baby. There are many benefits you can get from using this shampoo, such as hair repair, dandruff control, as well as frizz taming.

8. Puracy Natural Daily Shampoo

You should consider this shampoo since it promises to give you healthier hair. Also, it ensures to keep your scalp moisturized. It is free of sulfate.

The main ingredient of this product is coconut. Therefore, it helps to moisturize the hair. It also contains black walnut leaf extract, beet sugar extract, olive oil, ginger extract, as well as Vitamin E.

There are no adverse effects. It is free of salicylate, sulfate, petroleum, phosphate, perfume, dye, and other harsh ingredients.

Things to Consider When Choosing an All-Natural Shampoo

There is a wide range of shampoos for pregnancy. Therefore, you may be overwhelmed. To help you make your choice easier, here are some essential factors to consider:

Ingredients: You should avoid harsh chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and paraben. Instead, look for ones with organic and natural ingredients.

Scent: It is best to look for unscented products. Some shampoos may have too strong fragrances. They may irritate. These products often contain artificial ingredients.

Hair types: It is essential to consider the type of your hair before choosing a shampoo for pregnancy. Whether you have thin, thick, colored, curly, or any others will affect your decision.

6 Common Pregnancy Misconceptions and Mistakes — .

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are shampoos safe for pregnancy?

Yes, they are safe to use during your pregnancy. However, not all products are safe to use. You have to consider the ingredients of each product. The product you choose should be free of harsh chemicals.

1. What chemicals should you avoid?

When choosing shampoos for pregnancy, you should avoid some chemicals, such as paraben, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic fragrances, and phthalate.

1. How often do you use shampoo during pregnancy?

Before using any shampoo, you need to look at its instructions. It is best to follow the guide from the manufacturer. It is ideal to use the shampoo once every other day. It is not essential to use it daily.

How to Deal with Hair Loss Caused by Excessive Stress — .

Conclusion

During your pregnancy, you may have to suffer from dry hair. Also, your scalp may become oilier. To deal with these issues, you should use the best all-natural shampoos for pregnancy. If you are a beginner, consider our top eight above. They are beneficial to you. You should consider the ingredients of each product before making your purchase. Look for natural options and void harsh chemicals.

Author Bio:

I’m Aida from LippieHippie.com where I write mostly about beauty & make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often!

Pregnancy Self Care Tips That Will Benefit Mom and Baby

Practicing self care during pregnancy can benefit moms as well as their growing babies.

Expectant mothers have a lot on their minds, in addition to making it through the discomforts and excitement of pregnancy. These pregnancy self care tips are something all moms can try in order to ease symptoms of prenatal depression, anxiety, stress and to ensure a healthy 9 months for both mom and baby.

Pregnancy Self Care Tips That Will Benefit Mom and Baby — *This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate and/or paid links. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. Always speak to your doctor before implementing any changes to your normal routine during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a time of massive change in a woman’s life, and becoming a mom brings the most significant life transformation ever. Society tells us that pregnancy is a magical time, and while this is true, it is also a time of many other emotions too.

Many women can feel overwhelmed by the prospect of their impending arrival and may feel anxious about what they will experience as life as a parent. With such a life-changing moment just around the corner, it can help to put some self-care habits into place to help you feel as prepared as possible for your new baby’s arrival, and to make the rest of your pregnancy as relaxed as it can be. As soon as you find out that you are expecting, subscribe for monthly Bump Boxes to make your pregnancy go smoothly.

Nutrition

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is of course always important, but doing so in pregnancy can feel like a challenge if you are suffering from morning sickness, or worse still, hyperemesis gravidarum. Trying to eat a diet which is as healthy as it can be is not only a great way to keep yourself feeling good but could also keep your baby healthier in the future too.

According to the Early Life Nutrition Coalition, the First 1000 Days are a crucial time, where your diet can impact on the chances of your child becoming obese in the future, and can also affect them having allergies. What you eat at the preconception stage and throughout pregnancy is worth considering carefully to get your child off to the best start in life.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a powerful tool to use in life in general but can come in especially handy during pregnancy and your life as a parent. Mindfulness is all about bringing your attention to the present moment and letting your thoughts come and go. With regular practice, mindfulness becomes second nature for use at times of anxiety and stress.

Keeping calm, and practicing mindfulness should help you from worrying about future scenarios, and past events, enabling you to focus on the here and now, and yourself and your baby.

Gentle Exercise

During pregnancy, you will probably need to change your existing exercise routine if it could be unsafe to follow during your pregnancy. Although you may have to put your usual routine on hold for a little while, you can try out some completely different activities instead, which will provide you with some gentle exercise.

Pregnancy yoga is a popular choice of exercise, which is no surprise as it offers many reputed benefits. Pregnancy yoga enables you to focus on your growing baby without all the interruptions of everyday life to disturb you. Your yoga session should fit well with your mindfulness practice, meaning that you can relax and exercise all at the same time, which should leave you feeling much calmer after the session. Joining a pregnancy yoga class is also great for making friends with other local expectant moms, and if you keep in touch, your baby will have a ready-made friendship group as soon as they are born!

Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor Muscles with Perifit — .

All women experience pregnancy differently but one thing remains the same. It’s a time to prepare for the changes ahead. Once baby arrives, life will become significantly different. Taking the time to focus on yourself now, means that baby will also benefit from your peaceful state. Using some of these pregnancy self care tips will give you a head start for maintaining your self care routine once you’re juggling the demands of a newborn baby.