It may not be the FLU

A well-balanced meal is always a good idea, but and there’s always a but, it’s even more important during pregnancy. The essential vitamins and minerals obtained from a healthy meal are very important throughout the pregnancy. Most foods are safe; however, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy.

MEAT: Obviously any type of tartare is off the menu, but you should be careful to avoid any undercooked meats as well. The risks associated with such meats are salmonella, coliform, and toxoplasmosis. The typical symptoms will make you feel as if you have the flu. Deli meats will also require some attention, as they are known to be carriers of the bacterium listeria, which has a known relationship with miscarriage. A listeria bacterium has the ability to cross the placenta, which may lead to infection and/or blood poisoning possibly creating a life-threatening situation. If you must eat deli meats, reheat the meat until it is steaming.

FISH: The danger associated with fish centers around the possibility of consuming mercury. Developmental delays and damages to the brain are related to mercury exposure. Examples of fish to avoid include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Canned light chunk tuna generally has a lower amount of mercury than other tuna products, but should still be eaten in moderation. So, it goes without saying sushi is not a choice during pregnancy.

RAW EGGS: Foods such as homemade mayonnaise; uncooked brownie mix and cake batters; and hollandaise sauce to name a few should be avoided. The threat of exposure to salmonella is greater when foods with raw eggs are consumed. Commercially prepared items generally are pasteurized as a result the risk of salmonella is reduced. Salmonella exposure will present as headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Anytime you’re having difficulty keeping fluids down you need to consider seeing a doctor because of the threat of dehydration.

Soft cheeses may also pose some risk as they tend not to be pasteurized. Same symptoms as mentioned before with eggs and meat. Some examples: Brie, camembert, Roquefort, feta, gorgonzola and Mexican style cheeses include queso blanco and fresco, unless clearly state that they are made from pasteurize milk.

Caffeine: The judgment on caffeine is still out, some say in moderation others suggest a connection to miscarriages. The majority is in agreement that caffeine should be avoided during the first trimester. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited to no more than 300 mg per day the decision is yours. If you are experiencing excessive vomiting or diarrhea caffeine intake can complicate matters. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means its purpose is to evacuate fluids from the body. This poses a dehydration risk.

Vegetables: Vegetables are safe for the most part, however to be on the safe side, wash all fruits and vegetables before eating. Toxoplasmosis is a bacterium connected with fruits and vegetables through the soil where they are grown. Symptoms of toxoplasmosis present general aches and pains similar to the flu.

Symptoms of Pregnancy in the First Few Weeks

It’s not unheard of for women to know the next morning that they have conceived. On the other hand, some women have no idea until the second trimester. Therefore, it is possible to sail through the early stages of pregnancy without any symptoms whatsoever. Pregnancy is a unique experience for every woman. It is not unusual for your second pregnancy to be different from the first. Naturally, what worked to resolve your symptoms in your first pregnancy may not work in the second. With that said, here is a list of commonly experienced symptoms in the first trimester regardless if it’s your first, second, or third pregnancy.

• Nausea and/or vomiting (Morning Sickness)
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Changes in the breast (e.g. soreness, tenderness, tingling nipples, fullness, heaviness, darkening of the areolas)
• Cramping similar to menstruation
• Missed period or very light period
• Bloating
• Cravings
• Aversion to certain smells and/or increased sense of smell
• Basal body temperature remains high
• Spotting around the time of implantation

If you are interested in a natural remedy for the nausea associated with morning sickness visit End Morning Sickness

Foods and Your Pregnancy

Empty calories are empty calories and should be avoided or at least kept to a minimum regardless if your pregnant or not. But since you are, understand this, your body in the first stages of pregnancy requires an enormous amount of energy. This demand is the direct result of the increasing amount of hormones being produced to prepare your body for the growth and development of your baby. Follow a few simple rules and a carefree and safe pregnancy is yours.

Most pregnant women know to avoid or minimize things that have little or no nutritional value like caffeine, sweets, processed foods, etc. However, there are a few other things that wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep in mind:

No more licking the cake batter spoon or any batters that contain raw eggs. Make sure that all meats are fully cooked. Oh, you probably haven’t heard this one before; wash your cutting boards thoroughly after cutting up chicken. You need to wash all vegetables and fruits before eating. Common first symptoms of pregnancy include headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, shivering, and/or fever. Usually these symptoms occur within 12-48 hours after infection and last about 2-3 days. Does any of this sound familiar, salmonella. Only if the symptoms are severe will treatment be necessary. Excessive vomiting and/or diarrhea, basically anything where you are losing large amounts of fluids could be considered severe and possibly require IV therapy.

Need to eliminate any contact with foods that are unpasteurized. Foods that are unpasteurized have a greater probability of being contaminated with a bacterium called listeria. For example, milk products, improperly cooked meats, fully cooked meats that are chilled (e.g. luncheon meats, hot dogs…), soft cheese are some of the major players. Normally this bacteria is killed during the pasteurization process, however mistakes can happen at anytime. If during your pregnancy you come down with the flu or so you think, perhaps its listeriosis. Many expecting mothers are fooled by thinking it’s just the flu. Listeriosis has been linked to miscarriage (including recurrent) and stillbirths.

Do ya have a cat? What does a cat have to do with foods and conflicts with pregnancy? Many people associate litter boxes with toxoplasmosis. Cat boxes are considered to be a source of transmission of the bacterium toxoplasma. It’s the urine in the litter box that expecting mothers need to avoid. The more common method of transmission of the bacteria toxoplasma is through eating improperly washed homegrown raw vegetables, particularly when cats urinate near the growing area. Take note, undercooked meat and pork are another avenue to the infection. Again the symptoms are very similar to the flu, general aches and pains accompanied by fever.

Here are some general tips not only for your pregnancy but also for life in general.

• Avoid dented cans
• Never eat raw meat or eggs
• Always wash your hands after preparing foods
• Wash your hands after using the restroom
• Completely defrost foods, especially meats, prior to cooking
• Don’t refreeze anything that has been defrosted
• Reheat food only once, then toss it

First Symptoms of Pregnancy

Symptoms of pregnancy can start before your first missed period. Here are some of the first symptoms of pregnancy to consider if you are suspicious.

Within two weeks after conception some women notice changes in their breast; this may be the first sign of pregnancy. The sudden increase of hormones can make your breasts tender and sore. Some women describe their breast as feeling heavier and fuller.

As the levels of progesterone rise, fatigue is often another symptom of early pregnancy. Some women have a difficult time getting anything done because all they want to do is sleep. This can be the result of excessive levels of progesterone. The side effect is low blood sugar, pressure and increased blood production. The combination of the side effects will simply zap your energy. Be careful, low blood sugar can also make feel like your going faint.

Another early pregnancy symptom reported by some women is a small amount of spotting. Implantation bleeding is the result of the fertilized egg attaching to the uterus. Typically this form of bleeding happens 10 to 14 days after fertilization. The good news is that it doesn’t last long. It is not uncommon to experience abdominal cramps similar to what you experience during your regular cycle.

The classic symptom is of course morning sickness, which can strike at any time during the day. Not all but some women claim to feel queasy within two weeks of conception. The hormones are thought to be behind this bit of evil. High levels of estrogen will cause the stomach to empty more slowly, which can cause you to feel nauseated. The heighten sense of smell can intensify the nausea, so write down any various odors that seem to bring about an uneasy feeling.

Sudden cravings for foods you normally would say no too might be a sign alluding to an early pregnancy. Cravings are common especially in the first trimester when hormones are changing rapidly.

Again with the hormones, increased blood circulation in the early stages of pregnancy can trigger frequent but mild headaches. As the blood vessels dilate and your blood pressure drops feelings of lightheadedness is common.

Estrogens crazy cousin progesterone slows down the colon. The obvious result is constipation yet another early symptom of pregnancy.

Keep an eye on the people around you; if you notice strange looks it may be the result of your mood swings brought on again by the drastic changes in your hormones. It’s not unusual to be emotional and weepy in the first trimester.

I’m sorry to say that these early pregnancy symptoms are a blessing and a curse. Keep in mind the fact that you are feeling sick is a good sign. On the other hand, you may not experience any of these symptoms, which is not a bad thing. Don’t forget if you suspect your pregnant make an appointment with your doctor, we only want the best for you and your baby.

Women have been searching for an answer to morning sickness since, well the beginning of time. If there were a cure that worked for everyone it would be on the market by now. Truth is what works for one expecting mother doesn’t necessarily work for another. Ninety-five percent of the women who have tried acupressure have had success. Don’t get me wrong in the grand scheme of things not that many women know about the fruits acupressure can bring. Nevertheless, this is a viable option that should be explored before dismissing it altogether. Information on how acupressure for morning sickness can help visit End Morning Sickness.com.