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How to Increase Fetal Weight While Pregnant

Once you find out that you are pregnant, it is important to pay heed to your diet, exercise, and lifestyle for the optimal growth and development of your unborn baby. Every mother wishes to have a healthy baby, and one of the parameters that help you know about your baby’s well-being is the foetal weight. How is Foetus Weight Measurement Done? Most pregnant women will have their first ultrasound scan in the first trimester. Your radiologist will take various measurements to understand the foetal growth and development. Following are some measurements that your radiologist will make: FL or Femur length HC or Head circumference AC or Abdominal circumference OFD or Occipitofrontal diameter BPD or Biparietal diameter HL or Humerus length With the above-mentioned parameters, your radiologist will establish the foetal weight and gestational age. You will also be told about your EDD or estimated date of delivery. The measurements made by the doctor may not be exact, but it will help your doctor establish the overall well-being of the foetus. What is the Ideal Weight of a Foetus? Every baby grows differently; therefore, the table below is only to give you an idea, and not the ideal baby weight gain, week by week during pregnancy. Pregnancy in Weeks Foetal weight in Grams 8 1 9 2 10 4 11 7 12 14 13 23 14 43 15 70 16 100 17 140 18 190 19 240 20 300 21 360 22 430 23 501 24 600 25 660 26 760 27 875 28 1005 29 1153 30 1319 31 1502 32 1702 33 1918 34 2146 35 2383 36 2622 37 2859 38 3083 39 3288 40 3462 41 3597 42 3685   Effective Tips to Increase Foetal Weight During Pregnancy As a mommy-to-be you may wonder how to make your unborn baby gain weight, Follow some of these tips to increase foetal weight during pregnancy: A Healthy and Balanced Diet Diet plays the most important role in pregnancy. You should include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat, and poultry in your diet if you wish to increase foetal weight. Include Nuts and Dry Fruits in Your Diet A well-balanced diet also constitutes nuts and dry fruits. You may eat almonds, apricots, figs, walnuts, and other nuts and dry fruits. However, it is recommended not to go overboard with them. Prenatal Vitamins You will be given prenatal vitamins for your baby’s proper growth and development. These vitamins also help your baby gain weight. You should take these vitamins regularly for optimal foetal weight gain during pregnancy. Stay Hydrated Drink adequate amounts of fluids to avoid any kind of dehydration in pregnancy. Dehydration in pregnancy may lead to some serious medical complications. You may take fruit juices, vegetable juices, milk, buttermilk or water to keep your body well-hydrated. Take Adequate Rest It is very important for a pregnant woman to have plenty of rest. Over-exertion or unnecessary pressure may affect foetal development and growth. Try and get a minimum eight hours of uninterrupted sleep to keep your energy levels intact. Stay Calm And Positive It is not only important to take care of your physical health, but also mental wellbeing. Any kind of stress and anxiety can affect you as well as your unborn baby’s health. The resulting emotional outbursts may lead to over-eating, under-eating, or making wrong food choices, and all these may affect foetal health. Medical Guidance Your doctor will guide you in case your baby is not gaining a sufficient amount of weight. You may be told to take additional supplements or make dietary changes to increase foetal weight. The above-mentioned tips may help your baby gain weight during pregnancy. However, it is recommended to take your doctor’s advice in this matter. What Can You Eat to Increase Baby Weight During Pregnancy? You may include the following foods to help the foetus gain weight during pregnancy: Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are loaded with fibre, potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, iron, copper, and beta-carotene. The presence of beta-carotene (an antioxidant) in sweet potatoes gets converted into Vitamin A by your body. Vitamin A, as we know, is essential for foetal skin, bones, and eyes. Sweet potatoes increase the iron levels in the body. You may eat them in mashed, baked, stewed, or shallow-fried form. Lentils And Beans Lentils and beans are jam-packed with iron and protein. You will also get enough fibre, folate and calcium by including beans and lentils in your diet. If you are a vegetarian, beans will provide you with minerals that you may otherwise get from a non-vegetarian diet (meat and poultry). Being rich in zinc, beans are great for reducing the risk of prolonged labour, low birth weight babies, or premature deliveries. Orange Juice Start your day with a glass of fresh orange juice and spike up your Vitamin C, potassium and folate levels. Folate and folic acid are extremely important in pregnancy. By meeting your body’s daily requirements of these nutrients, you can reduce the baby’s chances of catching certain birth defects. Orange juice helps in keeping your overall health, metabolism, and muscle functions in place. Yoghurt Calcium, protein, Vitamin B, zinc and other bone-building nutrients are power-packed in yoghurt. As a mommy-to-be, your daily calcium requirement is 1000 mg, and you can meet this requirement with yoghurt. Apart from keeping your bone and teeth health in place, adequate amounts of calcium in the body reduce the chances of preterm labour or low birth weight babies. Green Leafy Vegetables Green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and asparagus are loaded with essential nutrients and anti-oxidants. Green leafy vegetables work wonders for a pregnant woman and her developing foetus. You may get your daily dosage of calcium, potassium, Vitamin A, folate, and fibre by eating leafy vegetables. You may eat them in raw, cooked, baked, or stir-fried form for maximum benefits. Salmon Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Omega-3 fatty acids are very beneficial for a growing foetus as they help in brain and eye development, as well as supplying the required amount of protein to mothers. Salmon is considered safe for pregnant women, as it has very low levels of mercury in it. Eggs Egg are a powerhouse of protein, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D, all of which are incredible for the growth and development on the foetus. In fact, the protein profile of eggs is unmatched by any other food, making it beneficial to eat during pregnancy. Eggs are also rich in folic acids and iron, which work towards strengthening amniotic membranes and preventing birth defects and low birth weight in the foetus. Milk A daily intake of 200-500 ml of milk per day can help pregnant women increase foetal weight. Milk contains a high amount of protein and calcium, which are essential for the growth and development of the foetus. You can drink milk in plain form or come up with interesting porridge and smoothie recipes. Chicken Chicken is a great food that helps increase foetal weight. This lean meat is high in proteins that promote cell and muscle development in the body. Besides proteins, chicken also has a high amount of iron that reduces anaemia in the mother and fetus. Soybean Soybean is a rich source of protein for vegetarians and can be consumed in various forms. High in iron as well, soybean prevents anaemia due to its high iron content. You can consume soya in the form of soy milk, soya nuggets, tofu, etc. Precautions to Take While Trying to Increase Your Baby’s Weight in the Womb Some dietary choices may help you increase your baby’s weight in the womb. However, it is very important that you do so in a healthier manner. Overdoing anything may lead to complications. These are some precautions that you should take: Avoid Alcohol and Smoking: You should strictly avoid alcohol consumption and smoking in pregnancy. Both these habits can prove to be fatal for your developing baby and may also lead to serious medical complications. Reduce Caffeine Intake: Consuming high amounts of coffee, tea or aerated beverages can have a negative impact on foetal health. Avoid Fried, Sugary or Fatty Foods: Regular intake of such food items may make you prone to obesity, which in turn increase the chances of cholesterol and hypertension. It is recommended to go easy on oily, fatty, and sugary food items. Staying away from certain food categories will help you have a healthy pregnancy and also be beneficial for your unborn child. Making healthy food choices during pregnancy is key to ensuring your baby’s growth and development is on track. We have made some suggestions in context to dietary changes that you can make during pregnancy to increase foetal weight. However, consult your doctor before making any changes or amends to your diet. With expert guidance and support, you will not only have a healthy pregnancy, but also a healthy baby. References & Resources: Livestrong Read more

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Thyroid and Risk of Miscarriage

Although pregnancy is the most blissful time of a woman’s life, it has its set of complications. Women have to go through various complications, and one such is related to the endocrine gland called the thyroid. This is a small gland which secretes thyroid hormones and is located in your neck. There are times when your thyroid gland makes excess hormones or very little hormones. These conditions are known as hyperthyroidism (excess hormones) and hypothyroidism (fewer hormones). The hormones released by the butterfly-shaped thyroid are essential because they regulate the use of energy in your body, thereby affecting the function of almost every other organ in the body. Unregulated thyroid glands can cause bodily functions to speed up or slow down drastically. This leads us to the crucial question- can thyroid problems cause miscarriage? How Thyroid Increases the Risk of Miscarriage Thyroid problems have long been associated with spontaneous loss of pregnancy, also known as a miscarriage. The connection between thyroid and miscarriage has long existed, especially if you have a hypothyroid condition. There is an increased risk if you have Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease that affects thyroid function. Hyperthyroid conditions can also lead to miscarriage if not appropriately treated. You could be affected in the following ways: Luteal defects and ovulatory problems are higher if you have a thyroid condition. Pregnant women require an increase in thyroid hormones for foetal development and thyroid dysfunction can hamper this. Hashimoto’s can prevent immunological changes required in the body to support a healthy pregnancy. 1. Miscarriage Risk Due to Hypothyroid Many women are troubled with the question - can low thyroid cause miscarriage? Hypothyroidism can increase risks of miscarriage, anaemia, preeclampsia, congestive heart failure, or stillbirth. Normal levels of thyroid hormone for pregnancy stand at less than 2.5mlU/L during the first trimester and below 3.0mlU/L throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Anything less than this should be treated. If you have mild hypothyroidism, you may require monitoring but no treatment. Treatment will include supplementing your T4 with T4-mimicking hormones for women with very low levels of TSH. You can further help yourself by having a comprehensive thyroid screening if you have a family history or previous miscarriage due to thyroid conditions. 2. Miscarriage Risk Due to Hyperthyroid Levels that are higher than 5.0mlU/L during pregnancy require treatment for hyperthyroidism. The only possible treatment of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is the minimal use of antithyroid drugs to maintain the T3 and T4 levels during pregnancy. Radioactive iodine which is the normal course of treatment needs to be avoided as it can cross the placental barrier and harm the foetus. Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause foetal tachycardia, premature birth, stillbirth, or pregnancy loss in the first trimester. Measures to be Taken to Avoid Miscarriage Due to Thyroid Here are some tips for thyroid and pregnancy loss: 1. Comprehensive Thyroid Screening People with family history and previous complications should have comprehensive screening. 2. Thyroid Hormone Replacement Medication Hypothyroidism with TSH above 10.0 requires treatment. 3. Plan your Pregnancy If you are hypothyroid, then plan your pregnancy well and keep your TSH is in the target range. Increase the dose of your medication when pregnancy is confirmed. 4. Test for Pregnancy Early Test for pregnancy as early as possible and start medication if you have hypothyroid. This is because underactive thyroid and miscarriage go hand in hand. There are tests that can show results within 7 days of conception. Knowing early will help you start treatment on time. 5. Have Periodic Evaluations Take periodic tests during your pregnancy and adjust the dose of medication to suit you. 6. TPOAb Conditions Require Treatment TPOAb-positive (Auto-antibodies to thyroid peroxidase) patients require thyroid hormone-replacement treatment early in the pregnancy. 7. TPOAb Positive Condition If you are TPOAb-positive with a history of recurring pregnancy loss, you should be treated accordingly. 8. ART Procedures for Conception ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) procedure patients like IUI or IVF who have subclinical hypothyroidism should start treatment before pregnancy. 9. Overtly Hyperthyroid Condition Overtly hyperthyroid conditions during pregnancy require treatment with antithyroid drugs. FAQs Frequently asked questions related to hypothyroidism, early miscarriage, and hyperthyroidism have been explained below: 1. What is a Good Thyroid Level for Pregnancy? Thyroid levels during pregnancy should be between 2.5mlU/L to 3mlU/L throughout the gestation period. 2. If I am Treated for Hypothyroidism, How Can I Lower My Risk of Miscarriage? You should be vigilant and take a comprehensive screening. You must also get tested periodically throughout your gestation period and have your doctor alter your dose according to your needs. It is unquestionably possible to have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a beautiful baby even if you have thyroid conditions. What is important is to be aware of your condition and take the required medication. Do not feel stressed because this can only worsen your hormone levels and put you at greater risk. Work closely with your doctors and healthcare professional to get all the help you require. Equipped with the knowledge and the right medication, you should sail through your pregnancy and have your little one soon enough! Also Read: Risks of Miscarriage during Pregnancy Effective Tips for Avoiding a Miscarriage Incomplete Miscarriage Read more

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একদিন সন্ধ্যেবেলা আমি আমার ছেলেকে পড়াতে বসিয়েছি| সেইসময়ে আমার মা এলো| আমি দরজা খুলতেই মা জিজ্ঞেস করলো, "বাবু ( আমার ছেলে ) কোথায়?" আমি বললাম - "ঘরে, পড়তে বসেছে"| মা আমার সাথে আর কোনো কথা না বলে সোজা সিঁড়ি বেয়ে উপরে উঠে চলে গেলো আমাদের ঘরে| আমিও মায়ের পিছন পিছন উপরে উঠে এলাম| উপরে আমাদের বসার ঘর পেরিয়ে আমাদের ঘরে যেতে হয়| আমি বসার ঘর অব্ধি পৌঁছেই আমার ছেলের কণ্ঠস্বর শুনতে পেলাম - "আমি এখন পড়ছি"| ভাবলাম, অন্য সময় 'দিদানমা'কে দেখলেই যে ছেলে সব ভুলে 'দিদানমা......' বলে লাফিয়ে ওঠে, তার আজ হলো কি? ওদিকে দিদানমা-এর ব্যাকুল আর্তি - "কি হয়েছে দাদা? আমার ওপরে রাগ করেছো?" বুঝলাম , এ তো মান-অভিমানের পালা| আমি তাদের মাঝে তৃতীয় ব্যক্তি, গিয়ে কাজ নেই বাবা| তাই আমি মায়ের জন্যে চা বানাতে সোজা চলে গেলাম রান্নাঘরে| চা নিয়ে যখন ঘরে এলাম, তখন দিদানমা-এর কোলে গম্ভীর মুখে চুপ করে বসে আদর খাচ্ছেন ছোট্ট অভিমানী মানুষটি| আর তার অভিমান ভাঙাতে ব্যস্ত দিদানমা-এর অক্লান্ত প্রচেষ্টা| এবার আপনাদের আরো কয়েকটি দিন আগের একটি ছোট্ট ঘটনা বলি| আমার ছেলের কাছে ওর স্কুল ছুটি মানেই ওকে ওর দিদানমা-এর বাড়িতে রেখে আসতে হবে| দিদানমা, যাকে ও প্রথম নিজে থেকেই 'মা' বলতে শেখে| পরে ওকে 'দিদান' ডাকতে শেখানো হয়| আর এই 'মা' এবং 'দিদান'-এর মেলবন্ধনেই ওর নিজস্ব ডাক 'দিদানমা'| দিদানমা-ই হলো ওর সবচাইতে প্রিয়, সব চাইতে কাছের, আপনজন| প্রতিদিন ফোনে অন্তত একবার দিদানমা-এর সাথে কথা না বললে ওর চলেই না| এমনকি যখন ও দিদানমা -এর কাছে থাকে তখন ও সেখানে আমাকেও চায় না| গত সপ্তাহে ওর স্কুল দু'দিন ছুটি ছিল| তার আগেরদিন ওকে নিয়ে গিয়েছিলাম আমার মায়ের কাছে| বিশেষ কারণে মা ওই সময়ে ব্যস্ত থাকায়, ওকে আর ওর দিদানমায়ের কাছে রেখে আসা হয়নি| অতএব বাবুর খুব অভিমান হয়েছে দিদানমায়ের উপরে| কেন দিদানমা ওকে নিজের কাছে না রেখে আমাদের সাথে বাড়ি ফিরতে দিলো| এতটাই অভিমান যে পুরো এক সপ্তাহ সে আর ফোনে একবার -ও দিদানমায়ের সাথে কথাই বলেনি| যখনি তার দিদানমা ফোন করে তার সাথে কথা বলতে চেয়েছে তখনি সে খুব ব্যস্ত| হয় পড়ছে, না হয় আঁকছে, অথবা খেলছে, কিছু না কিছু করছে অথবা তার বক্তব্য - "আমি এখন কথা বলবো না"| তার এরকম ব্যবহারে খুব অবাক হয়েছি| বুঝিয়েছি বড়রা ফোন করে কথা বলতে চাইলে কথা বলতে হয়| কখনো বা শাসনও করেছি| কিন্তু বুঝতে পারিনি মাত্র পাঁচ ছুঁই ছুঁই ছেলের এতটা অভিমান হতে পারে| আমার মা কিন্তু দূরে থেকেও টের পেয়েছে তাঁর দাদার অভিমান| বুঝতে পেরে ছুটে চলে এসেছে সেই অভিমান ভাঙাতে| কারণ এই অভিমান যে আর কেউ ভাঙাতে পারবে না| শেষ অব্ধি সফলও হয়েছে| বাড়ি ফেরার আগে দিদানমা তাঁর ছোট্ট দাদাকে কথা দিয়ে গেছে, পরেরবার ছুটিতে সে অবশ্যই থাকবে দিদানমায়ের কাছে| এই ছোট্ট ঘটনাটি আমি সকলের সাথে ভাগ করে, সকলের, বিশেষ করে যাঁরা আমার মতোই ছোট সন্তানের মা, তাঁদের উদ্দ্যেশ্যে বলতে চাই - আপনার সন্তানটি ছোট বলেই মনে করবেন না যে তার রাগ বা অভিমান হয় না বা হতে নেই| তার অভিমানকে বোঝার চেষ্টা করবেন| না বুঝে, খারাপ আচরণ ভেবে এমন কিছু করবেন না যাতে তার অভিমান, রাগ বা জিদে পরিনত হয়| বরং বুঝে, সেই অভিমান ভাঙাবার চেষ্টা করুন| একজন মা রূপে আমার অভিজ্ঞতা এবং উপলব্ধি - ছোট বাচ্চাদের মন সহজ এবং সরল| তাই বড়দের যেকোনো প্রকার ব্যবহার ওদের মনে খুব সহজেই ছাপ ফেলে| ওদেরও অভিমান হয় আর সেই অভিমান ভাঙাবার দায়িত্ব কিন্ত বড়দেরই| Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more

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Expecting Mom due in 7 months

5 hours ago

Q. I got chicken pox in my 8th week..it's just started how I can deal with it?

Sai Prasanthi R L

Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy

5 hours ago

A. Hello dear! Chicken pox during pregnancy is a matter of concern. Consult your doctor for personal evaluation and seek medical advice. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and follow your doctor’s advice. Good luck and take care

Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer

Guardian of 0 children

4 hours ago

Q. is sesame seeds healthy in 37th week of pregnancy

Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant

Ayurvedic Gynaecologist

2 hours ago

A. yes you can have but limited . During pregnancy it is always advisable to have your normal routine foods and include more of sprouted grains along with green leafy vegetables and adequate water intake which helps maintain good health Do have regular daily walking

Dr Ghouse has added a new answer

Guardian of 0 children

56 mins ago

Q. ninth month mein kab tak delivery ho sakti hai

Dr Ghouse

Paediatrician

30 mins ago

A. anytime after full term ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok

Rashmi has added a new answer

Guardian of 0 children

48 mins ago

Q. my last period date Dec 26 pregnancy test date January 31 check panen apom 37 days ipom enaku evlo weeks and days what ?..

Rashmi

Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl

24 mins ago

A. I don’t understand your language can you please post your question once again in English or Hindi whatever language you are more comfortable with because anybody on this only we can give you response on that

Dr Ghouse has added a new answer

Guardian of 0 children

44 mins ago

Q. which good formula milk or baby food for 4 months old baby

Dr Ghouse

Paediatrician

30 mins ago

A. no complementary foods below 4 months can use any branded formula milk. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok

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Expecting Mom due this month

43 mins ago

Q. Iam 9month pregnant and having very painful condition due to constipation and gastric issues

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30 mins ago

A. during pregnancy better not to take medicines for constipation take lot of water green leafy vegetables seasonal fruits you can try suppository if the problem is more o k o k

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