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How to Improve Hemoglobin Level during Pregnancy
Haemoglobin is a protein found in the red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen to the rest of the body. During pregnancy, a woman’s haemoglobin levels should be optimum to ensure proper supply of oxygen. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is directly proportional to the circulating haemoglobin levels.
If you are pregnant, your heart must be working harder to provide adequate nutrition to the developing foetus. During pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body will go up by 30% – 50%. We are sure you must be eating healthy foods to meet your excess blood requirements and to ensure that your haemoglobin levels remain stable during pregnancy. But they may steep in the later stages of pregnancy and can result in anaemia. Read on to know how you can increase your haemoglobin levels in pregnancy.
Best Ways to Improve Haemoglobin Levels in Pregnancy
If your haemoglobin levels are low during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe certain medicines and injections to increase it. But if your haemoglobin is not too low, by making a few dietary changes and exercising daily, you can boost your haemoglobin levels. Here’s what you can do to improve your haemoglobin levels during pregnancy.
Eat Healthy Foods
In order to increase your haemoglobin levels, include foods rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin C, iron, folic acid, etc., in your diet. Here is a list of foods you should eat to increase your haemoglobin levels during pregnancy.
1. Leafy Vegetables
Green vegetables, especially the leafy greens that are rich in iron content are a must-include in a pregnancy diet. If your haemoglobin levels are low, you can benefit from eating iron-rich foods. Iron helps in the production of haemoglobin, which helps in the formation of red blood cells. Some iron-rich foods and herbs that you can eat while pregnant include spinach, kale, and broccoli, and coriander, mint and fenugreek. Green leafy vegetables are also rich in other vitamins and nutrients essential for pregnancy. So make them a part of your daily diet.
2. Dry Fruits and Nuts
Dates and figs being high in iron content can help increase your haemoglobin levels. Some other dry fruits and nuts that you can eat daily are walnuts, raisins, and almonds as they can also help increase your haemoglobin levels during pregnancy.
3. Pulses
Pulses are packed with iron and protein. You can eat pulses by adding them in salad or soups. You can even add them to bread for better results. Peas, lentils, and beans are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre, iron, and protein. Hence they would make a balanced diet for pregnant women.
4. Asparagus
Asparagus is rich in iron. You can have a hot cup of asparagus soup if you want something light and easy to digest. You can also add sesame seeds in the soup for more iron content.
5. Fresh Fruits
Eating fresh fruits like pomegranate and oranges too can increase the level of haemoglobin during pregnancy. Pomegranates are very rich in iron content. Oranges are rich in Vitamin C which helps to boost the immune system of the body and in turn boost haemoglobin levels. Other fruits like kiwi, peaches, grapefruit, guavas are also an excellent source of iron and can be considered to increase haemoglobin levels in pregnancy. But you must speak to your nutritionist or doctor before eating these fruits during pregnancy.
6. Vegetables Rich in Folic Acid
Folate or folic acid is a type of Vitamin B and a water-soluble vitamin which helps prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy. This vitamin plays an important part in the production of haemoglobin. To meet your folic acid requirements, you can eat corn, bananas, turnips, sprouts, avocado, lettuce, okra, etc., as they are rich in folic acid.
7. Smoothie
Drink smoothie made of apples, beetroot, and carrots. Drinking this smoothie can increase your haemoglobin levels during pregnancy.
8. Seeds
You can also eat some seeds that are rich in iron, like pumpkin seeds, almond seeds and sunflower seeds. Eating these can help improve your haemoglobin levels during pregnancy.
Take Dietary Supplements
Taking dietary supplements can also help improve haemoglobin levels during pregnancy.
A deficiency of folic acid and Vitamin B12 might result in low levels of haemoglobin. If you have a folic acid deficiency or Vitamin B12 deficiency, you can take supplements for the same after consulting your doctor.
If your body lacks iron, you might be advised to take iron supplements.
Consuming foods rich in iron is important but you should also consume foods that help in iron absorption. If you don’t eat foods rich in Vitamin C that help absorb iron, you will have to take Vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C supplements can improve your body’s capacity to absorb iron. Consult your doctor if you need Vitamin C supplements.
Stimulate the Red Blood Cells
For the stimulation of red blood cells, here’s what your doctor might suggest.
If you have chronic diseases, it might result in low haemoglobin levels. You might be suggested iron pills and vitamins increase your haemoglobin levels.
When nothing works, your doctor may give you haemoglobin injections during pregnancy. Synthetic erythropoietin injection can help in the production of red blood cells.
Exercise
One of the simplest ways to increase your haemoglobin levels naturally during pregnancy is by exercising. When you exercise, your body will produce more haemoglobin to meet the increasing demand for oxygen. You can start with moderate-intensity workouts after consulting with your doctor. Avoid high-intensity workouts during pregnancy as these workouts can be injurious. You can also try pranayama like shitali pranayama, nadi shodhan pranayama, or kapal bhati to improve your haemoglobin count.
Opt for Steroid Treatments
Steroid treatment should be your last resort. Steroid treatment is prescribed to a woman when her immune system forces to have a low level of haemoglobin. In this case, healthy RBCs are destroyed by the immunity cells. To combat this, a woman will be prescribed immune system suppressant. This medical condition is known as hemolytic anaemia.
These are some ways to improve haemoglobin levels during pregnancy. However, there is one thing that you should avoid to prevent your haemoglobin levels from dropping.
Avoid Iron Blockers
If your haemoglobin count is low, avoid foods, beverages, and drinks that block your body’s capacity to absorb iron. Quit drinking tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
What Should Be the Normal Range of Haemoglobin During Pregnancy?
The haemoglobin count is measured in gram per decilitre (g/dl). In the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s haemoglobin levels should be between 11.6 g/dL and 13.9 g/dL. In the second trimester, haemoglobin levels are somewhere between 9.7 g/dL and 14.8 g/dL. And in the last trimester of the pregnancy, the haemoglobin count between 9.5 g/dL and 15 g/dL is considered ideal.
Haemoglobin is responsible for the movement of oxygen throughout the body. Low levels of haemoglobin can cause weakness and may lead to anaemia. Hence, maintaining proper levels of haemoglobin during pregnancy is essential for the health of the mother and the baby. Try these ways to improve your haemoglobin levels after consulting with your doctor.
Also Read: Thalasemmia during Pregnancy Read more
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Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk Along With Solid Food? Check These 5 Signs Carefully!
Babies need the right kind and the right amount of food to grow up fast and healthy. In their initial years, milk does everything for them. Yes, as a mother, you are still worried if he has drunk enough milk to be satisfied and well-fed. But once you have introduced solid foods to your child, the challenge gets even tougher! How much is really sufficient? Now that the infant is eating solid foods too, how much milk does he still need and how can you check if he's getting enough? Well, your baby makes it easy for his mom by displaying some clear signs...
Paediatricians recommend exclusive breastfeeding, as far as possible, for the first six months of a baby's life. After six months, many mothers introduce some solid foods to the baby. It is a challenging experience, and while some babies love the novelty, others make a big fuss. But one common problem that many of us face as mother is this: HOW MUCH milk does the baby still need? Since he is eating solid food also, does he really need all that milk still?
The Secret of Balanced Diet - Solids are NOT Substitutes
First, it is very important to remember that although your baby has started on solid foods, the solids cannot be a substitute for breast milk/formula milk just yet. A major part of your baby's nutritional requirements have to still be covered with milk. In the initial stages, solids are used just to get the baby used to the idea of chewing food. Your baby will most likely have small quantities of solids at frequent intervals, since, she is more interested in checking out new textures and flavours rather than simply filling her tummy! There will also be days when she wants to have more of milk feeds. It is better to allow her to do so.
5 Signs To Watch Out For If Your Baby is Refusing Milk After Starting Solids
Here are the five signs you must keep track of in your baby to guarantee that's getting a good balance of milk and solid food. If you notice any abnormalities, you can then adjust your feeding patterns accordingly.
1. Your Baby's Needs
The amount of food your baby needs will depend on a lot of factors like her weight, feeding patterns, and level of activity. Thus, the amount of milk will vary for different babies and will also depend on how much solid food your baby actually consumes (as opposed to how much he throws or spits up!). According to some well-accepted studies on this subject, here are some guidelines to remember:
At 6-7 Months: Your baby needs a lot of milk now - safe to say that it is milk that will actually give him his nutrition while solid foods are more 'experimental' in nature to just give him a feel. Many doctors also recommend that solids should be fed after nursing session, not before. This helps your baby get breast milk first, which is still your baby's primary source of nutrition till he is a year old
At 8-10 Months: The amount of milk will now start going down as your baby slowly accepts and enjoys solid food. Feed on demand by reading your baby's cues that denote he is still hungry
At 11-18 Months: Milk still accounts for a good percentage of your child's diet, almost 50%, as suggested by child nutrition experts
At 24 Months: By now, your child is getting a lot of his nutrition from solid foods. Milk will now account for about 20% of his nutritional needs
Tip: It is always better not to have a strict feeding schedule for your baby at first, but rather to go with the flow. You will notice that as your baby grows, she will show more inclination towards a variety of solid foods and the milk feeds will reduce accordingly.
Watch: 12 Infant Nutrition Do's & Don'ts to Keep in Mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBPhMYHQpKk
2. Your Baby's Height and Weight
Two of the most significant signs you must track are your baby's height and weight. Make sure that you take your baby for regular checkups so that the doctor is able to assess her weight, height and growth parameters.
At 6 Months: Your little boy should weight about 7.8 Kg now, with a height of about 67.8 cm. For little girls, the number stands at 7.2 Kg and 66.6 cm
At 9 Months: By this time, baby boys usually reach the weight of about 9.2 Kg now, and a height of about 72.3 cm. For baby girls, the number stands at 8.6 Kg and 71.1 cm
At 1 Year: At the one year milestone, 10.2 Kg is a healthy weight for boys, with a height of 76.1 cm. Baby girls, on an average, weigh about 9.5 Kg on their first birthday, with a height of 75 cm
If your baby's height and weight are all well within limits, you can be assured that she is being fed right both in terms of milk and solid foods. Note that these are only indicative and there will be minor variations depending on your baby's activity level as well as family background. You can refer to more details in the chart below.
3. Your Baby's Reaction
When you start off with solid food, your baby has to be your guide in checking whether he's full or needs his favourite milk! But babies can be very unpredictable. So, one day you may find your baby happily finishing up her bowl of puree, while the next day she may refuse to have more than a few spoonfuls. The best thing to do when you are introducing a new food is to dab a pea sized amount on your baby's tongue. Watch her reaction to see if she likes it, and you can gradually increase the quantity. If not, don't push it and let her find comfort in milk for the time being.
Also observe your baby when it comes to your feeding style. For instance, your baby may prefer to have small mouthfuls. She may be comfortable with chewing slowly and may not open her mouth for the next mouthful until she's through.
Tip: Offer your baby only as much as she accepts willingly. It is not a good idea to force feed her at this stage, as she may develop an aversion to the whole feeding routine.
4. Your Baby's Diapers
This is critical and a great way to check if your child is getting the right nutrition. Your baby, if she is eating sufficient quantities of food, will wet the diapers at regular intervals - typically 4-5 times a day at least. She will also have one or two bowel movements over the course of the day. If your baby is peeing and pooping far less than this, chances are she is not getting enough nutrition. She could also be facing dehydration. It is best to consult a paediatrician.
Also note the colour of your baby's poop as a good indicator of whether his feed is going down well. If the poop is continuously green for a few days, it can indicate a stomach infection. Yellow-brown poop is also a cause for alarm as it can indicate irritable bowels. Many babies experience tummy problems when their feeding routine first changes from exclusive milk to solid foods + milk. If you notice any abnormality in the poop, discuss it with the doctor to get proper treatment without delay.
5. Your Baby's Health
Lastly, remember that your baby's requirement for food (solid/milk) will be different when he is unwell. For example, if your baby is running a fever or has a stomach infection, his needs will naturally be different. It is widely believed by many moms that babies should not be fed solid food if they are sick. But the truth is that most doctors advise it is best to continue feeding the baby normally, unless she is throwing up at regular intervals. If your baby is throwing up food, it is best to cut back on her solid food and keep giving your baby milk (formula or breast) at regular intervals. You can also try an oral re-hydration solution after getting a go ahead from her doctor.
Finally moms, let's never forget that every baby is different and the amount of food a baby should eat isn't set in stone. The main thing is to follow your baby's cues to decide how much of what she should eat, keep some room for flexibility, and let your baby chalk out her own meal plan! Read more
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Facts and Information About Bats for Kids
Bats are the mammals of the order Chiroptera. These tiny creatures with wings love to hang upside down on trees, in dark caves, etc. Bats are the only mammals that can sustain continued flight. Some species of bats are insectivores and some survive on fruits. But there are some species that feast on blood. Vampire bats are one of the examples of such species. Read this article to find out more information on bats.
Information About Bats Your Kids Will Love to Know
Bats are mainly categorised into two suborders - megabats and echolocating microbats. Read on to get more in out more from about bats.
1. Bats are the Only Mammals With Wings
Surprised on reading this? Well, don't be because it's true. Bats are the only mammals with wings. Bats have wings and can fly and flap their wings just like birds do.
2. Anatomy
The shape and size of bats depend on their species. Learn more about the body parts of bats.
Skull and Teeth
Usually, bats have sharp teeth, large eye sockets, small ears, and a big nose, which makes them look like a canine. Megabats, which are mostly fruit-eating bats have sharp edges on their molars and flat surfaces to enable the crushing of food. On the other hand, microbats, which eat insects, other small animals, and nectar have a long nose. However, the vampire bats have a small nose. They also have spiked teeth, which are sharp and help them crush food. Baby bats have 22 deciduous curved teeth. Adult bats have anywhere between 20 to 38 teeth, based on the species.
Wings
The most distinct feature of bats is their wings. To be precise, bats have wings instead of forearms. Their wings are mostly made up of cartilage and contain only a fraction of calcium. The skin covering their bones of the fingers is very thin and elastic which stretches when they fly. Since the skin of their wings is very thin, it is easy to tear as well, but it grows back quickly too.
3. Species of Bats
Most of the bats are found in tropical places. There are about 1200 species of bats all over the world except in cold places. Following are some of the common species of bats:
Egyptian Fruit Bats
Egyptian fruit bats are found in Africa and the Middle East. These bats are small in size and are about 6 inches in length.
California Leaf-nosed Bats
California leaf-nosed bats are found in Mexico and the U.S. As the name suggests, these bats have a nose that resembles a leaf so it’s easy to distinguish them from other species. They love to eat small insects like grasshoppers, moths, and crickets.
Honduran White Bats
The little Honduran white bats have beautiful white fur and yellow ears and nose. They only a few inches long and you can hold them with your two fingers.
Indian Flying Fox
The Indian flying fox is also known as the greater Indian fruit bat. These bats have a wingspan of about 4-5 feet. This species of bats love to eat fruits.
Big Brown Bats
These fur balls are found in North America, Central America, and in a few parts of South America as well. They are a great help to farmers as they like to feast on moths, beetles, and wasps.
4. How Do Bats Reproduce?
The reproduction process of bats is unique. The gestation period for bats ranges between 40 days to 180 days. Bats are the slowest reproducing mammals. Usually, they give birth to only one baby at a time. However, sometimes they may have twins. Babies of bats are called bat pups. A bat pup weighs only 25% of its mother’s body weight. Bat pups are born hairless, but they possess strong claws and legs which help them to hang on to their mothers.
5. Diet of Bats
Based on the kind, bats eat different things. Some are carnivorous and others are not. Given below is what they may eat:
Insects
Fruits (Fruit-eating bats)
Nectar (Nectar-eating bats)
Frogs
Lizards
Fish
Blood (Vampire bats)
Amazing Facts About Bats for Children
In many cultures, bats are associated with fear. They are also considered a bad omen. But in some cultures, people see bats as a symbol of good luck. In Chinese culture, bats are considered a symbol of good fortune. Following are some interesting bats facts for first-grade kids:
Bats actually come out only at the night time in search of their food. This is because bats are nocturnal creatures, which means that they are active only during night-time.
The largest cave of bats is Bracken cave which is in Texas. Interestingly, during summer this cave becomes a home to 20 million bats.
Bats use sonic waves to navigate themselves and to see in the dark. This process is called Echolocation. In order to see in the dark, bats emit high-frequency sounds and wait for the sound waves to bounce back, just like an echo. This tells them whether their is a danger or not.
Bats can’t stand upright, hence they always hang upside down. They sleep, drink, and even socialise hanging upside down.
Brazilian free-tailed bats, the fastest species of bats, can fly at a speed of up to 160 km per hour.
Bats have a lifespan of about 20-30 years.
A bat can eat about 2000-6000 insects per night. It helps maintain the ecological balance.
Bat droppings can be used to make gunpowder or as fertiliser.
Of all the species of bats around the world, about 70% of bats feast on insects.
In winter some bats go into 'torpor', which is a form of hypothermia that is regulated and can last from a few days to months.
Bats help in pest control and can maintain our ecosystem. We hope this information and facts about bats kept you engaged. You can share it with your child - he will have a good time learning about a new mammal.
Also Read:
Funny Science Facts for Children
Interesting Information about India for Kids
Interesting Human Body Facts for Children
Information and Facts About Animals for Kids Read more
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Mashed potatoes
Potatoes are starchy foods rich in carbohydrates and a child's favourite first food. Carbohydrates are a quick fuel for your child to stay active. Just boil and mash them for your bub. They help in healthy weight gain of your child. You can add formula milk to this mash in case you need it to be more creamy.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
2 People
5 Minutes
15 Minutes
Ingredients
2 medium potatoes
Method
Step 1
Boil potatoes in a pressure cooker till 2-3 whistles.
Step 2
Allow to cool.
Step 3
Peel and mash the potatoes with fingers or spoon.
Step 4
Add water or formula milk to thin down the consistency if required.
Step 5
Serve at room temperature. If not serving immediately, then refrigerate it.
Nutritional Information
Calories 134 (560 kJ)
Calories from fat 1<br/
Total Fat
0.2 g 1%
Sat. Fat
0.1 g 1%
Sodium
8 mg 1%
Total Carbs.
31.2 g 10%
Dietary Fiber
2.8 g 11%
Sugars
1.3 g
Protein
2.7 g
Calcium
12.5 mg
Potassium
511.7 mg
Tip: You can add salt or sugar to the mash, only if needed.
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
11 hours ago
Q. It’s app not working properly now so not opening app
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
10 hours ago
A. Sometimes there could be a bug into the app so what you can do is uninstall the app and then you reinstall the app that is going to help and clear all the cache data that is going to help and then reinstall the app hopefully after that it should start working still if you’re facing a problem kindly get in touch with the concerned department call them on the helpline number for further assistance
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Expecting Father due in 5 months
10 hours ago
Q. vomiting after take iron tablet
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. Take after some food
More proper information and answer regarding this will be given by your personal doctor and you can contact your doctor for this
You can check with the nearest doctor.
Take care.
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. Hello sir, my baby is 3 years old and her body temperature is high and her face is also looking dull since yesterday but she is active and playing and doing her routine things good. I have given paracetamol syrup 3 doses but there is no change in temperature. I am worried about this. Can you please let me know what might be the reason for this
Read moreDr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. your history tells us that the child is suffering from viral fever and in viral fever you have to give only symptomatic treatment tthat is for fever have to give paracetamol(max 4 times per day if needed) and plenty of water to drink and at least 60 to 70% of the regular diet and if the fever continues beyond 3 days then meet the doctor
please do body sponge that isy body wiping to decrease the body temperature with wet cotton cloth.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
7 hours ago
Q. 5month of pregnancy...to much desires of getting intimate.. is there any proper way or time period to do sexual activities or not..
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. If you have no complication to your pregnancy and if it is going healthy and smooth then you can go ahead with that there is no problem in it further you can check with your Gyne because if you do not have any problem or any kind of a complication in your pregnancy then you can have intercourse
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. Class 10 CBSE Competency Based (Case Study) Questions Books - Science & Mathematics | MCQ's, A&R, Case Based Questions | Practice Questions for Board Exam
is this book is a latest edition or old ?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Madam this place is associated with parent enquiries if you want to know about these things you have to check about it online you find every detail that you’re looking for on the website associated with this so kindly look over there
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
2 hours ago
Q. i am 32 weeks pregnant and my bby weight is 1.5 kg..is it normal
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 min ago
A. low weight ok see. 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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