Month by Month Pregnancy Guide

Discovering you are pregnant is a joyous occasion. For the next nine months, you will go through many changes. Although each woman's pregnancy is different, this month-by-month guide to pregnancy may help you plan for some of the changes that may occur.

onth !ne, "wo, and "hree onth Four onth Five onth #ix onth #even onth $ight onth %ine

Month One, Two, and Three

Your Body &y the end of the third month, you may have gained several pounds. 'ou may be particularly tired due to hormonal changes. (lan to get extra rest, snea)ing in naps when you can and slow down. 'ou should feel more energetic by the end of the third month.

'ou may need to urinate more fre*uently now. "his is common during the first trimester of pregnancy, and again right before the baby is born.

For comfort, start wearing loosely fitting clothes.

#ee your practitioner by the second month to confirm your pregnancy. +egular chec)-ups will be scheduled for your prenatal care.

Your Diet During the first three months you may feel *ueasy and sic). "his is commonly called ,morning sic)ness,, but you may feel nauseous anytime during the day and night.

'ou can try several of these suggestions until you find the ones that wor) for you $at a piece of bread or a few crac)ers before you get out of bed in the morning, or when you feel nauseated. (ut them close to your bed the night before.

.et out of bed slowly. Avoid sudden movements. #uc) on a fresh lemon, or inhale the scent of a freshly cut lemon.

$at small meals several times during the day so your stomach does not remain empty for long periods of time /#ix small meals instead of three0. $at high-protein meals /lean meats, vegetable proteins, beans, legumes0, complex carbohydrate foods /crac)ers, breads, potatoes, rice0 and fruit and fruit juices. #uch foods help prevent low blood-sugar levels which can cause nausea.

Drin) soups and other li*uids between meals, rather than with meals. Avoid greasy or fried foods. "hese foods are hard to digest and may cause nausea. $ven coo)ing such foods for others can cause nausea in some women. $at lightly seasoned foods and avoid spicy foods. #ip soda water /no sodium carbonated water or ginger ale0 when you feel nauseated. "ry plain cola syrup. Drin) herbal teas such as spearmint, peppermint, raspberry leaf or ginger. #ome herbs are contra-indicated for pregnancy. Fresh air may help. "a)e a short wal) or try sleeping with a window open. 1hile coo)ing, open windows or use the exhaust fan to get rid of odors. "ry cold foods such as popsicles or ice.

#ee 2ommon Discomforts of (regnancy for more information regarding morning sic)ness.

2alcium is very important for both you and your baby's bones and teeth. An easy way to include calcium in your diet is to eat dairy products li)e mil), cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

$at plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, and bran cereal to avoid constipation.

&e sure to drin) plenty of water.

Your Feelings "al) to your partner about how you are feeling. As) for help, especially if you are tired. During this time you may be feeling overweight and clumsy. +emember the extra weight is preparing your body for pregnancy and breastfeeding, not fat.

During pregnancy, it is common to have mood swings in your feelings about sex. 3t is not harmful to have sexual relations during pregnancy. &ut remember, it is very important to practice safe sex to protect you and your baby. &e sure to chec) with your healthcare provider about sexual activity during this time.

+ead more about the First "rimester in our 4ealthwise Database.

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Month Four
Your Body 'ou may notice you have more energy. %ausea and fatigue may stop. 'ou may also notice that your belly will loo) larger because the baby has grown.

Your Diet During pregnancy, your need for iron increases. "o be sure you are getting enough iron, eat meats, leafy green vegetables, whole grain breads, dried fruits, and beans.

+ead more about the #econd "rimester in our 4ealthwise Database.

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Month Five
Your Body 2hanges in your circulation re*uire you to stand and move regularly. 2ontinue to do this throughout the remainder of your pregnancy.

'our breasts may begin to secrete a yellowish fluid called colostrum in preparation for breastfeeding and you may begin to feel the baby move during this month.

Your Diet &e sure to include food rich in 5itamin 2 in your diet. 'our body does not store 5itamin 2, so it is important to get a fresh supply every day. .ood sources of 5itamin 2 are oranges, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Choosing a Doctor for your Baby !ne thing you must thin) about before your admission to the hospital is who will ta)e care of the baby after the delivery. "his is a good time in your pregnancy to start loo)ing for a physician for your baby if you do not already have one chosen. "al) to your friends and as) whom they use for their children and if they are happy with them. any pediatricians and family care physicians will set appointments with you so that you can interview them. 3t is a good idea to try and select one that is close to where you live6

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Month Six
Your Body 'ou may gain 7-8 pounds this month. 'our feet may swell during the latter stages of pregnancy. (utting your feet up may help reduce any an)le swelling that may occur. #hop for wide, comfortable shoes, preferably with a flat heel.

Your Diet 'ou may crave certain foods or find other foods intolerable. 3f this happens, try to find substitutes that will provide the right nutrients.

Hospital Pre-Registration 3f you have not already pre-registered at the hospital you will be delivering at, this is a good time to do so. 'ou can find out how to do so by discussing it with your healthcare provider or calling the hospital directly.

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Month Seven
Your Body 'ou may gain 7-8 pounds this month. 'ou may tire more easily. Again, as) for help. 3f you wor), try to wor) shorter hours or a more flexible schedule if possible. +est when you can.

Your Feelings ood swings and increased irritability are common during the last three months of pregnancy. &e sure to discuss your feelings with your partner.

&egin childbirth preparation classes with your partner. "hese classes will offer useful information on labor and birth, and what to expect.

+ead more about the "hird "rimester in our 4ealthwise Database.

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Month Eight
Your Body 'ou may gain 7-8 pounds this month. 3ncreases in fre*uency of urination, bac)aches, anxiety, heartburn, and

shortness of breath occur at this time. #hop for larger maternity clothes, if necessary. 'ou will be growing *uite a bit these last few wee)s.

Your Diet 1hat you eat is still important. 3f you have trouble sleeping, try drin)ing something warm and lying on your side with pillows to support your body. "a)ing a warm shower before bed also helps to relax you and ma)e you sleepy.

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Month Nine
Your Body 'ou may gain 7-8 pounds this month. 'our stomach may change shape as the baby begins to position itself for birth. 3t may be easier to breathe now, but you may have to urinate more often.

.et plenty of rest6

a)e arrangements for your hospital stay. 9eep important phone numbers and papers close by. (ac) your bag for the hospital, and plan how you will get there at different times of the day or night. you will need when you come home from the hospital such as food and diapers. a)e sure you have everything

A guide to healthy brainy babies

Karan Makhija, Mumbai Mirror May 5, 2012, 12.00AM IST

Tags: pregnancy| Parents| kids| health| foods| brain

The mother regains her strength through an easily digestible and nutritious diet, and loses excess eight through basic yoga. The date !o der, shata"ari #al!a and dhatri rasayan must be continued to hel! the !roduction o$ good and ade%uate breast mil#. Some guidelines for childcare & 'ntil the child is t o years old, it needs regular oil massages to hel! gro th & (hile he or she can start eating other $ood a$ter it is six months old, it must be breast $ed until it is a year old & )o not !lace the baby*s bed under direct light & A"oid loud and disturbing noises + Introduce ne $oods gradually, and allo the baby to start eating by itsel$ at a certain age e"en i$ it creates a mess Diet considerations How to make panchamrut ,anchamrut, meaning *the $i"e nectars*, is a traditional, extremely nourishing reci!e. It !ro"ides general strength, boosts !otency, im!ro"es immunity and "italises the brain. It should be eaten e"ery day, !re$erably in the morning, on an em!ty stomach. Recipe: In a cu!, add in the $ollo ing order -ser"es 1. 1 ts! curd -not yogurt. 1 ts! sugar 1 ts! honey 2 ts! ghee /&0 teas!oons mil# -$ull $at, boiled and cooled. Mix ell be$ore eating Pre conception foods 1or !otential !arents, almonds, !anchamrut and chyan"an!rash are essential. !ood during pregnanc" & A!art $rom a balanced "egetarian diet, iron and calcium are most im!ortant $or a !regnant oman. She should consume mil#, Ayur"edic ghee and $resh 2uices o$ s eet seasonal $ruits & 3alcium can be ingested through dry dates, traditional din# -4um acacia. ladoos and !o!!y seeds & 1or iron and $olic acid, eat blac# raisins, $igs, sa$$ron, s!inach, !omegranate and a!!les !oods suggested for e#er" month $st month: Mil# at room tem!erature si!!ed throughout the day %nd month: A cu! o$ mil# ith a s!oon o$ shata"ari #al!a t ice a day, be$ore sunset

&rd month: Mix one teas!oon o$ ghee and 5 teas!oon o$ honey in a cu! o$ room tem!erature mil#. )rin# e"ery morning 'th month: 6"er the day, eat 10 gms o$ homemade butter - hite. (th month: Ingest six to se"en teas!oons o$ ghee o"er the day )th * +th month: 1 teas!oon o$ ghee cultured ith s eet herbs e"ery morning. This should be !re!ared by an Ayur"edic doctor ,th month: 6ne bo l o$ #heer ith brea#$ast or lunch. 3an be made ith rice, semolina, heat, or se"iya -th month: 7o s!eci$ic diet. 8egular inta#e o$ mil# and ghee Post deli#er" diet 9hichdi, light sou!s, dal and rice, bha#ri and cha!ati. Ahlee" -garden cress. #heer. :ightly !re!ared "egetables. 7o gra"ies. 7o oil and minimal s!ices until the child is being breast$ed. )rin# arm ater instead o$ room tem!erature ater throughout the day. Disclaimers: & This chart is only a general indicator. The mother and baby*s re%uirements may di$$er on an indi"idual basis & 4hee al ays re$ers to traditional, homemade ghee