Many women have doubts about flying during pregnancy. Numbers of questions come into picture. Is it safe to fly during this time? Will it harm the baby? Will it affect the cycle of pregnancy? What if it is time for labour while flying?

Usually, flying when pregnant is quite safe and it has nothing to do with the mother or baby as long as it is a normal pregnancy.

Although there is not much risk in flying during the pregnancy cycles, yet minimum guidelines have been prepared for the safety purpose. These guidelines clearly mentions of who are and who are not eligible for flying during pregnancy.

Generally, women who have a healthy and normal pregnancy are free to fly as they want. However, it is not advisable to fly after the 36th week of the pregnancy. Different airlines have different regulations for pregnant women.

Some may not allow you to travel when your due date is just a month away while some may not allow when it is just a week away.

So it is necessary to make your travel plans after consulting your ticket agent. These are some of the things the agents usually don’t say unless you ask them.

Irrespective of the pregnancy stage, it is recommended to consult your health care provider before you make any travel plans.

Sometimes, it is good to have a note from the doctor mentioning that there is no risk with your flying during pregnancy.

This is important when you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy. Though it is not required always but it is always better to move with precautions!

Flying in the earlier stages of pregnancy is safe. But this is the time when the early symptoms of pregnancy are active.

There is the risk of these symptoms becoming worse. You have to make sure that you have extra sick bags nearby. If you are traveling with slight cold and fever, it may become a problem when you are at a higher altitude in air.

Flying during pregnancy is actually comfortable during the second trimester. By this time, the early symptoms like morning sickness, vomiting, nausea, etc are gone.

Risk of miscarriage is also lowered and going for a preterm labour’s chance is also reduced. However the point of concern here is the body circulation.

Problems in circulation are quite common among pregnant women and while flying, there is maximum chance of blood clotting. Care can be taken by wearing loose and comfortable clothes and compression stockings.

It is also important to take plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and avoid sitting with crossed legs. It is also advisable to keep moving in the aisle every hour and stretch hands and feet time to time.

If the seat next to you is empty, then lie down comfortably on both the seats and enjoy the extra space! These are some of the simple measures that can be taken so as to have a happy flying.

Flying during pregnancy becomes uncomfortable as the belly grows with the baby growing inside. However, airline seats are not that famous for providing comfort. In that case, do ask for a seat with some extra space.

Aisle seats are usually recommended to be used while flying for they have that extra spacing. Even emergency row seats can do that but they cannot be used by a pregnant lady because people seated here need to lift the plane door and help the flight crew when necessary.

Update on Aisle seats: Why you really don’t want to sit in the aisle seat (foxnews)

It is not possible for a pregnant woman to carry out all these tasks. Due to this, the Federal Aviation Administration has clearly specified that this area should not be occupied by pregnant women.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends that pregnant women are required to keep their seatbelt on so as to avoid any risk.

Flying during pregnancy, especially in third semester is safe as long as you are not near to the due date. It is advisable to carry all your medical records and check for your health insurance.

Also you may have a medical contact at your destination in case you are required to go for an early labour. If you experience some kind of pain, do inform the flight crew so that they can have an emergency landing.

Health issues are of more concern while flying during pregnancy. Make sure you don’t travel with any risks or complications like cardiovascular problems, uncontrolled diabetes, placental abnormalities, etc.

Also make sure that you have taken all the care and preventive measures before flying. Now pack your bags and enjoy one more travel before the baby comes!

Why do you need to know about pregnancy exercises? How are exercises important for pregnant women? What all exercises should be practiced during pregnancy?

Various questions like these and many more are always in focus and often discussed when a woman is pregnant.

The main reason of giving importance to exercises during pregnancy is they help in delivering smoothly. So it is utmost necessary for a woman to know why and what all exercises she needs to perform and what not to, during pregnancy.

Exercise creates wonders during pregnancy. It helps in the strengthening of the muscles, increases the power of endurance and keeps you active, which is helpful during the child birth. But staying active doesn’t mean that you will burn up yourself.

It is necessary to take care while choosing the pregnancy exercises and their techniques. This is because during this pregnancy time period, the body releases a hormone called relaxin which loosens the body joints as a part of preparation for the delivery.

Therefore the exercise should be chosen such that it would not harm the baby growing inside.

Exercises are instrumental in regulating the pumping of heart, managing weight gain and preparing the muscles for hard work of labour and delivery without causing much physical stress.

Pregnancy exercises like walking, running, swimming, etc are fine to begin with but you may need to modify their techniques in the later stages of pregnancy.

It is advisable to avoid the activities like cycling and skiing that maximises the risk of slips and falls.

Before going for any kind of workouts, it is important to consult the health care provider or the mid-wife.

Walking is quite safe and best cardiovascular exercise for pregnant women. It keeps the body fit without jarring knees and ankles.

This exercise can be added to the day-to-day schedule as it can be done throughout the pregnancy.

Other exercises that can be taken up include running and swimming. Running or jogging is the most efficient way to make the heart and body work. Doing the same for at least 15 minutes a day is good enough to keep the body fit and the blood vessels active.

Fitness experts recommend swimming as the safest and best exercise for pregnant women. This is because it exercises both the arms and legs muscle groups and provides good cardiovascular benefits. Besides, it makes pregnant women feel weightless even though they bear the extra weight of pregnancy.

Other than swimming, aquanatal classes can be also considered as an option for pregnancy exercises. Exercising while standing in water does not affect the joints much.

It also helps in reducing the swelling in legs seen in the later stages of pregnancy. Weight training can also be a part of the routine but it must be tackled carefully. Heavy weights, overheating and fatigue must be avoided.

When done with proper technique and necessary measures, it can help in the toning and strengthening of muscles.

Besides the above mentioned pregnancy exercises, yoga, stretches and pilates can also be considered as a choice to keep the body fit during pregnancy.

Yoga and stretching keeps the body flexible with toned muscles. But then, they are to be done with utmost care. Stretches should not be kept for too long and flexibility should not be over developed as well.

Pilates is basically a combination of flexibility and strength training with body awareness, breathing and relaxation.

Most of the Pilates exercises are usually performed on hands and knees position. This helps in taking of stress off the back and pelvis and helps in positioning of the baby during delivery.

Other ways of keeping the body fit apart from these pregnancy exercises are dancing and aerobics. Dancing gets your heart pumping and keeps you at ease but care must be taken while there is a need of twirl or jump or sudden change in direction.

Applying proper technique is important. Aerobics are good for pregnant women because of their time consistency. If you have enrolled yourself in aerobics class then you are sure that you will get some exercise and each movement of yours is safe for you and the baby.

Above mentioned are some of the ways by which a body can be kept fit and fine during the pregnancy periods. These pregnancy exercises help in making the look and feel of pregnant women better by preventing wear and tear on their body joints.

They also help in having a distressed and sound sleep. Besides, these exercises prepare the body for the delivery and again help in regaining the pre-pregnancy body more quickly.

It is important to work out some of the pregnancy exercises with proper care and consultation so as to have a healthy and painless child birth.

The ectopic pregnancy symptoms are more or less similar to those of the normal pregnancy symptoms. Hence it takes some time to identify the ectopic pregnancy situation.

It is the condition of rather complication in pregnancy where the pregnancy implants outside the uterine cavity. Mostly it occurs in the fallopian tube, cervix, ovaries and abdomen.

This is a serious threat for the mother and if not treated properly, can cause horrendous trouble. This is a case which occurs in every two out of hundred pregnancies.

Ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube from the ovary to the womb and gets stuck due to any damage or blockage in the tube. It then implants itself on the walls of the tube and does not reach the destination.

In some cases, it gets implanted in the ovary or in an earlier c-section scar. In rare cases, a woman may have a normal pregnancy as well as an ectopic pregnancy. This is called heterotopic pregnancy.

The ectopic pregnancy symptoms, when in early stage, are not recognizable due to their close proximity with the symptoms of normal pregnancy.

In fact, it is diagnosed at an average of 7.2 weeks after the last menstrual period which is in a range of 5 to 8 weeks pregnancy. Most of the ectopic pregnancy signs are very much similar to the signs of diseases like appendicitis, urinary infections, gastrointenstinal disorder and pelvic inflammatory diseases.

To begin with, the suspect for having an ectopic pregnancy may happen if you notice slight vaginal bleeding of brown colour, after a week of the first missed menstrual period.

This is usually accompanied with a pain in the lower abdomen on one side mostly. If you encounter these symptoms and you are expecting to be pregnant, then it is advisable to go for an immediate check up.

The subsequent ectopic pregnancy symptoms include severe pelvic pain and faintness and dizziness caused by blood loss. The pelvic pain persists on one side of the lower abdomen and is often accompanied by cramps and abdomen inflammation.

Pain can also be felt while coughing, sneezing, urinating and having bowel movement. Dizziness and tiredness is often combined with diarrhoea. The blood loss faced due to vaginal bleeding makes the body tired and weak. The pregnant woman sometimes collapses or faints due to this symptom.

Apart from the above mentioned, other ectopic pregnancy symptoms are external and internal bleeding. The former is caused due to a decrease in the progesterone levels while the latter is caused due to haemorrhage from the affected tube.

These happen as the ectopic complication is not detected and treated at the right time. Due to these internal and external bleeding, a pregnant woman can experience symptoms like lower back pain in combination with pelvic pain.

Shoulder-tip pain also persists due to the free blood tracking up the abdominal cavity, causing irritation to other body parts. Cramps are also felt on various body parts.

Whenever a woman comes across any of these signs or others which are different from normal pregnancy, she should report to her doctor immediately. Delaying in check up may worsen the ectopic pregnancy.

Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy is important as the ectopic pregnancy symptoms are encountered late. First of all, a pregnancy test is done. Once that is found positive, ultrasound is done to check for pregnancy in uterus.

Once that fails, further tests are performed and then proper treatment is started. Diagnosis is often made by the process of laparoscopy. The location of the pregnancy is located through laparoscope. It is also used in the removal of the pregnancy.

Ectopic Pregnancy, symptoms to look for

As soon as the ectopic pregnancy symptoms are experienced and diagnosis is done, immediate medical treatment is provided to it. A drug called methotrexate, which has lesser side effects, is prescribed in selected cases of ectopic pregnancy.

If there are signs of internal bleeding, then a surgery is done to evacuate any blood and remove the pregnancy. Once the ectopic pregnancy is removed, there is about 10 percent risk in having another one which means the probabilities of having a healthy and normal pregnancy next time is still high.

Nothing much can be done to prevent the ectopic pregnancy once again. You can have a course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor to clear the previous infections and reduce further damage to your tube. The next time you are pregnant, see your doctor to know if your pregnancy is at the right place.

Providing proper treatment as soon as you experience ectopic pregnancy symptoms can pose less threat on your pregnancy. So next time, you come across any of the above mentioned signs, rush to your health care provider immediately.

Smoking during pregnancy is very harmful for both the mother and the child. It can lead to severe health conditions like cancer, heart and lungs problems, eye problems and gum diseases and oral cancer, etc. Sometimes, it even creates problems in getting pregnant.

Smoking releases dangerous chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. When pregnant, exposure of nicotine in the utero leads to an alteration in the breathing patterns and body’s ventilation.

The baby growing inside the body is exposed to all these substances which lessen the amount of oxygen it takes and may damage its lungs as well.

Nicotine narrows the blood vessels inside the body and blood cells carrying oxygen, starts picking the molecules of carbon monoxide.

This stops the whole breathing process of the baby. This now clears why smoking during pregnancy is dangerous. It increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

It has been found that a cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals including poisonous substances like cyanide, lead and at least sixty cancer-causing compounds. When a pregnant lady smokes, the toxic brew gets into the blood streams of the baby.

While none of the compounds are required for the baby, two substances, nicotine and carbon monoxide are extremely dangerous and are the root cause of many of the problems and complications caused due to smoking during pregnancy. The most serious complications include stillbirth, premature delivery and underweight of the baby.

Smoking when pregnant may lead to vaginal bleeding and placental abruption. Sometimes, it may result in an ectopic pregnancy as well.

Ectopic pregnancy is a situation in which the pregnancy implants outside the uterine cavity. There is also the risk of placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers the cervix.

While the effects are not good for the mother, they are really dangerous for the baby growing inside the body. The child is born with various birth defects like cleft lip or palate and lifelong disabilities.

Smoking during pregnancy may cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy and other learning problems in the child and also death in some cases.

Not only active smoking, second-hand smoking is equally harmful. Apart from being underweight, there are greater risks of the baby for problems like asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory symptoms.

The baby may have shorter length and smaller head circumference. It may also acquire dangerous diseases like tuberculosis and cancer too.

Now -a-days, third-hand smoke has become hazardous too. This is made up of the toxic gases and particles left behind from cigarette or cigar.

These residues include lead, arsenic and carbon monoxide. Inhaling these toxins can prove dangerous and increase the risk of the child acquiring breathing syndromes.

Mental disorders are usually obvious in the infants whose mothers are addicted or in some way related to smoking during pregnancy.

Keeping the health conditions of the child, it is utmost urgent for the pregnant woman to quit smoking. The best time to go for this is while planning for the pregnancy itself.

If not, then it is better to kick off this addiction at the earliest. For women who need assistance in giving up this bad habit, special programmes are available.

Getting rid of smoking will help in having cleaner teeth, fresher breath, fewer wrinkles and lesser stain marks. This also provides greater strength and keeps active. Quitting of smoking during pregnancy also paves a completely different stage for the child.

The risk of the child coming with severe mental and behavioural is eliminated. Usually it is born healthy without much respiratory problems.

Effects of Smoking During Pregnancy (Video)

It is advisable for the pregnant woman to keep distance from the active and passive smoking and stay in a fresh and happy environment. Quitting of smoking may become painful for some time, yet it is necessary for the baby to arrive in the world.

To retain the habit of staying away from smoking during pregnancy, self motivation is important. You can always try to divert your mind when you feel the temptation for smoking. Keeping yourself busy with reading, music or knitting, etc is the best way to do this.

A round of exercise, yoga and meditation can also help in this regard. Keeping away from regular smokers is essential, seeing them you might be tempted to smoke as well.

Chewing sugarless gums and raw vegetables can prove to be helpful. Besides these, you can always consult your health care provider for any medical assistance in this direction.

Smoking during pregnancy is injurious to the health of both the mother and the child and hence should be avoided. The sooner it is done, the better it is for both the mother and the baby.

It is common for pregnant women to experience back pain. The drastic weight gain, awkward walking as well as the many hormonal and chemical changes in the body would give anyone a back ache.

Fortunately, there are some strategies you can implement to treat or even prevent your back pain while you are pregnant.

Here are a couple of ideas for reducing back pain:

Good Posture – While the baby grows inside of you, your body’s pulled forward. To compensate, you arch the back which places strain on the lower back muscles.

This causes back pain. Be conscious of your posture. Tuck the buttocks under more and pull shoulders down and back. Stand tall.

Sitting and Standing Carefully – Try to keep your feet elevated slightly while sitting. Make sure the back is properly supported by the chair or put a small-sized pillow at the lower back. Avoid remaining in one position for too long especially standing. Find support when standing. Rest your foot on a step stool that is very low when you have to stand for a long time.

Sleep on Side – Don’t sleep on your back. Always sleep on the side. Try to keep at least one knee bent during sleep. Many women find it helpful to sleep with a pillow between the knees. It is also good to place a pillow under the belly or sleep with a body pillow.

Proper Lifting – Lift as little as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. If you have to lift small objects, don’t bend at your waist. Squat and lift using the legs.

Proper Gear – Wear shoes that have arch support and low heels. Maternity pants have supportive waist bands that sit low. There are also maternity support belts available.

Soothe a Sore Back – Heat is the best thing for a sore back. Place an electric heating pad behind your back while sitting or soak in warm water. Back rubs are always helpful or massagers you can easily maneuver yourself.

Stay Fit – You can alleviate back pain and possibly prevent it with regular exercise. Obtain your physician’s approval before trying walking, swimming or stationary bike riding to strengthen the back.

Pelvic exercises – While kneeling on knees and hands, keep the head aligned with the back. Arch spine upward pulling in the abdomen. Hold for a few seconds. Release back and abdomen muscles. Start out by repeating 5 times and gradually work up to doing 10. Stretching exercises may be helpful as well as recommended by your physician.

Complimentary Treatments – Some women may receive relief from acupuncture or chiropractic treatments although there is no supporting data for the effectiveness of these treatments for pregnant women.

Before pursuing these types of treatment, consult your physician about the back pain to be sure there is no underlying condition contributing to it.

Pain Relievers – Acetaminophen is considered safe to ingest while pregnant and works well for most women. Tylenol and other over-the-counter pain relievers with acetaminophen as the active ingredient are available just about anywhere. You should always check with your physician before taking any medicine while pregnant.

Although back pain while pregnant should be expected, it should not be ignored. A backache that is in the lower back and feels dull may be an indication of early labor.

Get Rid of Back Pain during Pregnancy

Severe pains in the back with or without vaginal bleeding may indicate a serious problem and should be checked by your physician. Err on the side of caution when experiencing back pain and check with a physician as soon as possible.

Pregnancy pillows can be excellent tools used to enhance comfort and ease of sleeping while pregnant. They are usually body length pillows simply constructed and the ends are often curved.

They are useful in a variety of positions to increase body support while sleeping and offer relief for the common ailments of back pain and leg cramps.

Experiment with the pregnancy pillow while in your usual sleeping position in bed to ascertain the best way to increase support where you need it.

How to Use a Pregnancy Pillow

If you have difficulty finding a position that is comfortable for you, try a position other women have found beneficial.

* If you usually sleep face up, place the pillow underneath you on one side. This will tilt you, relieving the pressure on the abdominal nerves and the uterus.

* If you normally sleep on a side, place your pillow between the arms and knees to keep the spine properly aligned and lessen back stress.

* If you normally lay stomach down to sleep, place one leg and one arm on top of the pillow next to you. This provides enough space for your growing belly while allowing you to sleep in the position you are accustomed to.

Doctors recommend on the side as the best sleeping position while pregnant. If a pregnancy pillow’s unavailable, substitute a standard body-length style of pillow instead.

Use the pregnancy pillow on your couch or anywhere else you rest. Once your baby is born, wrap the pillow around the waist for support while feeding or nursing.

During the early stages of pregnancy, it is recommended that you begin to become accustomed to sleeping on one of your sides as opposed to the back or stomach. Sleeping with knees bent and on the side is probably the best position for comfort as you pregnancy goes on.

This sleep position also reduces strain on the heart by shifting your baby’s weight off of the inferior vena cava (large primary vein) which is working to move the blood between the lower extremities and the heart.

Many doctors recommend specifically left side sleeping during pregnancy because the liver is located on your right. By left side sleeping, you keep the baby’s weight off of the liver.

Circulation and uterine blood flow are improved by left side sleeping. The opinions of doctors may vary, but most agree that sleeping on either of the sides relieves pressure on the back and is better for the health of baby and mother.

All doctors agree that sleeping on the back should just not be done while pregnant, particularly in later months. While sleeping on the back, the increased weight of the uterus rests on your spine, internal organs, blood vessels and the spine.

Conditions such as hemorrhoids, impaired circulation, aches, pains and general discomfort can result from sleeping on the back while pregnant.

Dizziness due to decreased blood pressure is another side effect of back sleeping. In some cases, it can cause an increase in blood pressure. Snoring and sleep apnea can also result from back sleeping as the pregnancy continues.

Shifting positions while sleeping is natural and you are not going to irreparably harm your baby or yourself by accidentally rolling on your back at night.

It is not likely that your body will naturally shift to cause you to back-sleep when you are in your third trimester. It is too uncomfortable.

The pressure of the baby on the inferior vena cava is uncomfortable enough to awaken you. If this seems to happen often while you sleep, discuss it with your physician. You might want to prop a pillow behind your back to prevent turning over.

Experiment with one or more pillows to find a comfortable position of sleeping for you. Most women feel better with a pregnancy pillow between the knees or under the belly.

A pillow at the lower back often relieves pressure. There are pregnancy pillows available specifically designed in a few different styles to offer comfort and relief. You may want to discuss the best style for your purposes with your physician.

Tips for Sleeping Well During Pregnancy

The many changes your body is undergoing during pregnancy can cause sleep to be elusive at times. It is important to remember that although tempting, all over-the-counter and even herbal or natural remedies are strongly advised against during pregnancy. Here are some tips to safely encouraging sleep:

Eliminate drinks that contain caffeine late in the day or in the evening. Restrict their consumption to the early part of the day.

Avoid eating full meals and high quantities of fluid within the hours close to bed time. However, do not neglect taking in liquids and a balanced diet full of nutrients during the rest of the day.

Many women have found it better to eat hearty breakfasts and lunches and then later have a lighter dinner. If you are experiencing nausea at night, eat a few saltines before bed time.

Establish a set routine of waking and retiring to sleep daily.

Avoid rigorous activity just prior to bed time. Opt for soothing activities such as a 15 minute warm soak or drinking a warm cup of decaffeinated tea or milk and honey.

If you are awakened by leg cramps, stand or press feet against a wall with force. Make sure you have adequate amounts of calcium in supplements or diet since calcium helps reduce these cramps.

Learn relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. These types of activities can be beneficial for relaxation at any time of day as well. Discuss new physical activities or regimens with your physician before starting.

If anxiety and fear are causing sleeplessness, consider taking parenting or childbirth classes. You can derive some confidence and security from being more knowledgeable about the great adventure you are beginning.

Being a part of a group with which you can share experiences and thoughts can be instrumental in relaxing worries.

When Sleep Just Won’t Come

There are likely to be some times when no matter what you do, you can’t fall asleep. It’s natural so don’t panic. Instead of worrying about the fact that you can’t get to sleep, find a diversion.

Watch television, read or listen to some relaxing music. Occupy yourself with an enjoyable and relaxing activity. You may just be experiencing an energy spurt, so use it. Allow yourself to go back to bed when you naturally tire out.

Take naps during the day to catch up on any loss of sleep at night. Thirty or sixty minute naps will help prepare you for the intermittent sleep you will be catching once your new baby starts dictating the schedule.

We all expect to lose sleep once a baby arrives in our lives, but many expectant mothers are surprised to realize how difficult catching enough sleep during pregnancy can be.

During your first three months of the pregnancy, you will notice a marked increase in the sleep your body demands. This is a normal response of the body making sure it has all it needs to nurture and protect its new resident.

 

 

Must Reading: What Causes Back Pain During Pregnancy?

Your newly pregnant body is working over-time to form the placenta which nourishes your baby until it’s born and pumping much more blood for your baby to live on, as well.

Generally, as the pregnancy progresses, expectant mothers start having difficulty sleeping.

The growing fetus inside that ever expanding belly is the primary cause of most trouble finding the sweet spot to fall asleep in.

Tossing and turning takes on a whole new meaning when you are large with child. Many women experience trouble adjusting to the new side-sleeping if they have been a stomach or back sleeper before pregnancy.

Other Common Sleep Obstacles:

Frequent Need to Urinate

 

The kidneys work harder during pregnancy due to the increased blood volume, which is 30% – 50% higher than when not pregnant.

This increases urine output. Additionally, there is increased pressure on the bladder due to the growth of the uterus as the fetus develops.

These factors make you have to get up for the bathroom more often, especially if the baby is more active during the night.

Higher Heart Rate

Because your body has to produce more blood for the baby, the heart pumps faster and harder than normal. This can cause you to feel more active and awake even when you are not doing anything.

Being Short of Breath

Early in pregnancy, the change in you hormonal levels can cause a need for deeper breaths. As the pregnancy goes along and the uterus expands, it presses against the diaphragm which is the muscle below the lungs. You will often feel like you are not getting enough air.

Aches and Pains

Cramps in the legs and back pain are natural results of extra weight being carried by the body at the time of pregnancy.

At the onset of pregnancy, the body produces high levels of the hormone relaxing which aids in the body’s preparation for labor by loosening the ligaments in the entire body. Looser ligaments make you more unstable and prone to back aches as well as injury.

Digestive Disorders

The digestive system in a pregnant woman moves much slower in order for the food to stay in the digestive tract for a longer period of time.

This can cause heartburn and constipation. Heartburn is particularly worse when lying down because digested food and fluids are refluxing back to the esophagus.

As the baby and the womb grow with the progression of the pregnancy, more pressure is exerted on the digestive organs increasing the possible occurrence of the digestive problems.

Sleep can also suffer due to stress, anxiety and worry. Many women experience nightmares and more vivid dreams than usual.

Concern over impending parenthood and worries about the actual delivery can result in a loss of sleep. These are natural thoughts and considerations so don’t spend all night worrying about worrying.

Experiencing back pain while being pregnant is most simply explained by the multitude of hormonal changes and the growing uterus.

A pregnant woman’s center of gravity is shifted by the expanding uterus which weakens the abdominal muscles. This alters the normal posture and adds stress to the back.

The shift in posture can also cause pressure on a specific nerve which will also cause pain. The additional weight increases stress on joints and muscle strain.

The hormonal changes of pregnancy also cause a loosening of the joints and ligaments attached to the pelvic bones and spine to accommodate the extra load of the baby.

This causes instability and pain when walking, standing or sitting for extended time periods. It can also cause difficulty bending, rolling over and standing from low seats.

All of these changes and pains are common among pregnant women. Very few women, less than one quarter of those surveyed, have not experienced back pain during pregnancy.

The back pain gets worse during the later parts of the pregnancy. There will also be some pain postpartum but it usually subsides after a couple of months.

Common Types of Back Pain during Pregnancy

There are basically two types of back pain women experience when they are pregnant:

1. Lumbar – This is pain experienced in the lower lumbar vertebrae of the spine. This feeling of fatigue in the lower back is probably familiar as it is common pain experienced even by women who are not pregnant.

It occurs around the waist area and intensifies after long periods of standing, sitting or after lifting. It often feels worse after a day of activity. This pain can also radiate through the legs.

2. Posterior Pelvic – This type of pain is experienced in regions lower than the lumbar area such as within the buttocks or backs of the thighs as well as behind the pubic bone.

The source of the pain is behind the pelvis and may be set off by any number of activities including rolling over while reclined, climbing stairs, walking and trying to stand from low starting positions like a chair or bath tub. Bending at the waist aggravates posterior pelvic type pain.

Women who experienced lower back pain during previous pregnancies or while not pregnant are likely to experience it during a current pregnancy.

Women who have a relatively inactive lifestyle or do not exercise are more prone to experience this pain. Other contributing factors would be weak or inflexible abdominal and back muscles, excessive pre-pregnancy weight and carrying more than one child in the womb at a time, like twins.

During your pregnancy, you can get hungry at anytime.  That’s why it is important to have a couple pregnancy snacks on hand at all times.

Making sure you have the healthiest choice snacks is best to provide you and your baby with the best nutrients for growth and development.

When making pregnancy snacks, you should always consider the nutrients that you require more during pregnancy.  It is more likely that you will be deficient in these nutrients because your requirement for them has increased during this time of your life.

If the pregnancy snacks you choose have nutrients like vitamin C, B vitamins, folic acid, etc, you will be able to get the right amount of these nutrients throughout the day.

For years, women were told to eat for two.  This led to too many extra calories and a difficult time getting their body back before pregnancy.

Today, it has been shown you only require an extra 300 calories per day.  This works out to be roughly one or two pregnancy snacks a  day.

The part most women have a hard time with is choosing which snacks are best.  It can be pretty simple getting those extra calories with a candy bar but that won’t do you any good for your health.

Try out one of these quick and easy pregnancy snacks next time:

1. Fresh Fruit – This is one of the easiest and best snacks during any part of your life.  It doesn’t matter if you are pregnant or not.

Fruit provides high amounts of great vitamins and minerals.  It’s pretty easy to “prepare” fruit to be eaten too.  Just grab a apple on your way out the door and you are set for one snack of the day.

2. Cheese and Whole Grain Crackers – This snack will give you a boost in fiber and protein.  Remember to stay away from soft cheeses while you are pregnant for they increase the risk of getting harmful bacteria.

3. Whole Wheat Bagel and Peanut Butter – This is another great snack to get your fiber and protein.  The peanut butter also has good monosaturated fats which are important for development.

4. Nuts – A handful of almonds is a great pregnancy snack.  It is simple, quick, and provides good amounts of protein and essential fatty acids.

5. Hard Boiled Eggs – These little guys are packed with protein and easy to take with you on the go.  Don’t forget about them in your purse or you are in for a suprise later in the week.

6. Rice Cake with Cottage Cheese spread – Add some fruit on top for a delicious treat.  This is great for protein, carbs, and calcium.  All of which are needed during pregnancy.

7. Edamame – This tasty snack is a great source for protein, Vitamin A, folate, iron, and calcium.

Pregnancy snacks don’t have to be difficult or confusing.  Next time you are deciding on what snacks to eat for the day, make sure to give one of these a try.

If you still don’t seem to get enough of the right nutrients throughout the day.  You should consider supplementing.

Always talk with your doctor first, but here are some guidelines to follow when choosing  a prenatal supplement.

These pregnancy snacks will definitely help you along your way to being one hot mama!  Eat healthy and exercise for the happiest pregnancy yet.