| During pregnancy your body goes through | | | | experimentation.Source: National Clearinghouse for |
| different changes. Sometimes there changes | | | | Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)Taking |
| taking place causes irritation and discomfort and | | | | Medications During PregnancyDuring my |
| at times they may seem quite upsetting. There | | | | encounters with my patients' mothers, they have |
| are quite a few things you can do during your | | | | mentioned that they experienced having urinary |
| pregnancy to help improve your and your baby's | | | | tract infection during their pregnancy and their |
| health. You can also avoid risks that can | | | | doctors have prescribed some medications for |
| complicate or terminate a pregnancy. For | | | | them to take. However, when asked what those |
| example, you probably know that getting enough | | | | medications are, they cannot recall the exact |
| Folic Acid is important. But did you know it is just | | | | prescriptions anymore. The same story is |
| as important to avoid cats? You probably knew | | | | reported by some moms who had experienced |
| that X-Rays are harmful to the fetus, but did you | | | | having a fever or flu instead during their |
| know about electric blankets?An expecting | | | | pregnancy. Some medications are really dangerous |
| mother should be especially careful about | | | | to be taken during pregnancy and doctors will |
| adequate nutrition and exercise. Good nutrition is | | | | probably not prescribe medicines to pregnant |
| crucial to a developing child. Apart from a healthy | | | | women if those are known to be harmful. Illegal |
| regular diet you should get enough folic acid to | | | | drugs are out of the questions because those are |
| avoid birth defects. At least 400-1000 micrograms | | | | definitely dangerous even to women who are not |
| of this essential vitamin B is suggested starting | | | | pregnant.What women should do during their |
| oneConstipation can be a very real problem during | | | | pregnancy is to consult their doctors regarding |
| pregnancy when the hormone progesterone is | | | | any medications that they plan to take for any |
| released into the body in high amounts. This can | | | | illness. Avoid taking unprescribed medications, if |
| cause the muscles of the intestines to lose some | | | | possible. You and your doctor should carefully |
| of their strength and as a result the passage of | | | | weigh the risks and benefits of using these |
| food through the intestines slows down. The | | | | vaccines during your |
| weight of the fetus toward the end of pregnancy | | | | pregnancy.BackacheBackache can occur in |
| pressing down on the intestines can also | | | | pregnancy owing to the increasing size and weight |
| contribute to constipation. If this constipation is | | | | of the womb and the breasts, and because |
| not relieved you could develop hemorrhoids. By | | | | pregnancy hormones loosen the ligaments that |
| eating foods rich in fiber such as: bran cereals, | | | | attach the spine to the pelvic bone.Backache may |
| green peas, rolled oats, grits, dried beans, whole | | | | be relieved by resting, having warm baths, or |
| wheat bread, cooked cabbage and cracked wheat | | | | massage. If pain is severe, a doctor may |
| you can consume more fiber thus eliminating | | | | prescribe painkillers (such as paracetamol) that are |
| most or all of the constipation. Other foods that | | | | safe to take in pregnancy. Stretch MarksMore |
| will help are: white bread, apples, raw plums, | | | | than 90% of pregnant women will develop |
| banana, strawberries and pearsIncreased heart | | | | stretch marks in response to the pulling and |
| rate: Your heart rate increases during pregnancy | | | | stretching of underlying skin during pregnancy, |
| to pump more blood, and as more of your blood | | | | Kroumpouzos says. Stretch marks are pink or |
| supply goes to the uterus, your heart will be | | | | purple bands in the stomach area and sometimes |
| working harder to send sufficient blood to the | | | | on breasts or thighs. Medical problemsThe |
| rest of your body.Smoking and PregnancyDid You | | | | symptoms described so far are common in a |
| Know?Studies have shown that maternal smoking | | | | normal pregnancy and generally clear-up without |
| during pregnancy has long-term effects on | | | | medical treatment. However, there are a number |
| children's behavior and health, including adolescent | | | | of less common pregnancy-related conditions that |
| drug abuse and negative behavior and conduct | | | | may need medical treatment. For more |
| such as impulsiveness, risk-taking, and | | | | information, please see the separate factsheets |
| rebelliousness. Prenatal exposure to smoke may | | | | on Anaemia, Pre-eclampsia, DVT and Diabetes in |
| also predispose children to early smoking | | | | pregnancy. |