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9 Exercises You Should Avoid When Pregnant
A pregnant woman is often advised to refrain from any strenuous activities and one of the first things to come to mind when you think of these activities is exercise. However, as logical as it may seem that exercise during pregnancy is to be skipped, exercising during pregnancy is very safe, provided the right kind of exercises are chosen and done under the guidance of a trained person. High impact exercises that put stress on the abdomen or lower back need to be avoided as it may affect the developing foetus.
Is It Safe to Exercise During Pregnancy?
It is safe to practice light exercises every day during pregnancy. By avoiding rigorous and stressful workouts, you can stay fit and healthy with some simple exercises. Practising light exercises not only gives you stamina and energy but also gives you good sleep, reduces stress and tunes the body for delivery.
When Not to Exercise
Typically, there are some exercises that need to be avoided during the first trimester and some others that are unsuitable for the second and third trimester. It is better to learn the exercises from an expert who understands the impact of each exercise on the various muscles of the body. If you have conditions like diabetes, heart problems, low placenta, weak uterus or bleeding, you must seek medical advice before starting on an exercise regime.
9 Exercises To Avoid During Pregnancy
Your instincts are the best judge in deciding what exercises to avoid during pregnancy. A growing baby bump considerably shifts the centre of gravity and restricts body movement. The following are some activities that you can avoid during pregnancy.
1. High Impact Aerobics
Those exercises that involve heavy jumping, jogging and exertion can be avoided during this period as there are chances of losing balance while doing so.
2. Heavy Weight Lifting
Exercises that involve weight training by lifting weights, cause a pull in the abdomen putting pressure on the uterus. Overhead shoulder presses also put a strain on the lower back.
3. Lying on the Abdomen
Lying on the abdomen and doing exercises can be very harmful to the foetus. After the first trimester, even lying on the back can be a little uncomfortable. Exercises in both these position cause discomfort and can be avoided.
4. Contact Sports
Active sports like volleyball, basketball, horse riding etc., have a high risk of injury. The ligaments and bones tend to be more fragile during pregnancy and are prone to damage.
5. Cycling
Cycling is a very good physical exercise. But during pregnancy, the growing uterus can make it difficult for you to balance the cycle. The chances of tripping and falling are more due to the altered centre of gravity.
6. Crunches
Crunches are great exercises for shaping the area around the abdomen. However, it is especially an exercise to avoid during pregnancy first trimester. The pull in the lower abdominal muscles can cause undue stress to the uterus and the baby.
7. Sauna/Hot Yoga
Exposure to excessive heat is harmful to the developing baby and for this reason hot sauna baths or hot yoga techniques must be avoided during pregnancy.
8. Tough Yoga Asanas
Yoga is very good during pregnancy, and in fact, there are many pre-natal yoga courses that you can take to relax and de-stress themselves. However, there are some yoga postures that require a lot of twisting and bending. If you have practised yoga before getting pregnant, consult the doctor or a trained yoga instructor before continuing with those asanas during pregnancy.
9. Back Bending Exercises
Exercises and yoga postures that involve bending of the back, for example, the sun salutation, must not be done during pregnancy. These postures create an unnecessary pull in the uterus, which can affect the foetus.
Safety Tips for Exercising
While exercising during pregnancy, it is very important for you to understand the changes in your body. Hormonal changes that lead to losing ligaments and bones, increased resting heart rate, along with a sense of imbalance restricts the options available for an exercise routine. Here are some of the exercise don’ts when you are pregnant:
Don't exert yourself to do any exercise. Stop or at least briefly pause when there is a pain in any part of the body, nausea, dizziness, headache or shortness of breath.
Don't do exercises that give any kind of stress on the abdomen or the lower back.
Don't do your exercises without consulting experts.
Don't start exercising without consulting your doctor if there are any pre-existing medical conditions.
Don't exert yourself in the hot sun or in hot water baths. Set the surrounding temperature equal to the body temperature.
Always remember to:
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and replenish the loss of fluids.
Practise deep breathing exercises to increase the oxygen uptake, which eventually gives good oxygen supply to the growing foetus.
Exercise Frequency
If the doctor gives a go-ahead for exercise, then you can follow a light exercise regime for about 30 minutes a day for four days a week. However, walking and other physical activities can normally be done as before.
Staying fit and active in the journey to motherhood is very important for any woman. Apart from the regular chores, a few minutes of stretching and exercising can go a long way in preparing the body for a safe and easy delivery. Making an informed choice of exercise ensures that any kind of complication is kept away.
Also Read: Squats During Pregnancy: Benefits, Tips And Safety Read more
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Winter Diarrhoea - A Common Problem during Winter and our Experience
Its January and winter is at its peak. Winters are the most difficult time for babies. Baby care during winters is challenging. It's the time when your baby may catch infections or may just suffer due to temperature extremities. Winter diarrhoea is one common problem babies may face during winters.
Our Experience
A few days ago, we went out early morning with our five-month-old. We came back 5 hours later and the baby started passing greenish loose stools. First, she did it three times. The frequency increased to 10-12 times from next day. The baby was otherwise fine and well fed. We consulted our paediatrician and he diagnosed it to be winter diarrhoea. He suggested a probiotic for 5 days, a zinc solution for 14 days and ORS. He further suggested keeping the baby hydrated. It took her 10 days to get well.
Is It Serious?
Winter diarrhoea is not a life-threatening condition but still very uncomfortable for babies. So, the following conditions should not be ignored:
If the baby is not active enough
If the baby is not passing urine (at least 6 times a day)
If the stool is too smelly or has blood in it
If the baby is not taking feed properly
If you observe any of the above symptoms, do consult your paediatrician as soon as possible.
What We Learnt from the Experience
The most important thing in winters is to keep your baby hydrated.
Keep your baby warm enough and cover their palms with gloves or mittens while going outside, as babies take their fingers in their mouth which can cause infection.
Allow your baby to rest well.
Postpone any scheduled vaccination when your baby is not well.
Do not ignore any symptom which is not normal for your baby as every baby is different.
Happy winters
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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Conventional DwPT Vs Painless DaPT Vaccine
My blog aims to address the many dilemmas parents, especially us mothers, go through at various stages while raising our child. This post is about one of the very first choices I had to make regarding my son's preventive healthcare.When our paediatrician told that my son's next vaccination would be DPT and we could opt either for a painless dose or a normal one, I was confused. Being a person who likes to be aware of the repercussions of my actions, I took it upon myself to read up on as much information I could find; difference between the two types, ways of administration, required follow-up, side- effects, pain, fever and even the cell structure of the antigens. I even consulted many moms with children of roughly the same age.The information that I gathered is summarised below as a quick reference guide:
1 . Painless dose is not literally painless. There will be pain of the prick, yes but mostly no fever, redness, and swelling. On the other hand, after the conventional dose, the child is more likely to develop all of the above side effects and require anti paramedic drugs, ice pack on swelling, pain during leg movement and probably a sleepless or, at the very least, an extremely disturbed night.2. The child may be slightly sluggish for a day after the painless dose but would be spared most of the above stated side effects of the normal dose.3. The outer shell of pertussis antigen is removed in order to make the dose painless that is why the name DaP( anticellular Pertussis)T, reducing its efficacy slightly compared to normal ones; as indicated by a majority of Indian research literature.4. The painless dose costs more than the conventional with a difference of almost 1500-2000 INR.
I went for the conventional doses of DPT for all his schedules as I perceived it to have better immunity benefits. I would also like to tell you that the two days post all his DwPT schedules were the most difficult, both for him and me. He always had high grade fever, pain, redness and all the conventional dose's side effects and wouldn't settle until lifted on the shoulder and carried around. We are past that now, with him smoothly beyond his second birthday.I would like to suggest all the mothers out there, who are faced with a similar dilemma, to trust your gut instincts and, more importantly, your child's primary paediatrician.Have faith, don't second-guess, don't feel judged for the choice that you make.Just give your child extra love, hugs and cuddles and all will be well in roughly 36 hours.Happy parenting and decision making.
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.
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Bonding with Baby - A Bond of the Heart That Can Never be Expressed in Words
Generally, they say that once the baby is born he should be given to the mother for bonding to happen. In my case, I never had that chance. Since being a premature child, he was in the NICU for 11 days. I was allowed to feed him after 7 days .
And then the bonding starts.. ?
No!
Even as fetus bonding happens.
I would rather say that my bonding with my baby started when he was in my womb.. soon after marriage when I conceived I didn't get the chance to resume my work. I was at home getting bored, feeling lonely and depressed.
And as days passed, my emotions took a huge toll on me and I was left crying n weeping with no reason or person to blame.. and that is when I first started feeling his kicks.. quite strong.. n since then whenever I was sad I would get a kick. It was like my baby was telling me that he is there with me and that I am not alone.
When was angry, he used to roll over like anything as if even he was angry.
And the sweetest part was his response to my talk and my questions. I used to ask him if he is a boy or a girl. Whenever I asked if he is a boy, he used to kick and when asked if a girl he kept silent.
When asked if he you liked me, am I nice, he used to roll over.. and this rolling didn't seem like the one he did when angry.. it felt different.. like he was happy.
I used to listen to songs and there was this one song which, no matter when I played, he used to start moving around here and there as if he liked the song. And even after birth, when I played that song or sang it to him he used to calm down.
I am not sure if the baby could hear songs or us inside the womb. But they most definitely can feel us. They can feel what we feel. And I will say, the best time to bond with the baby is when they are in the womb. The more we talk to them and express our love, the better.
If we talk good things, like how happy we are to have him, how good it would be if they could listen to us after they come out. If they could help us and anything like how you expect your child to be... They might be like that.
It is the cord, the blood and everything natural that bonds us with our child. And no words can actually express the emotions involved in the journey of motherhood.
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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Are we creating negative impact on our Children, Unintentionally ?
Parenting is changed a lot from the time we were kids to the time
we have kids.Healthy life style, good
behaviour, manners, Presentation all these are the keys now a days to judge parents.
Because of the busy schedule and life, we are indirectly creating a negative
impact on our children Saying No to all questions asked, No Oreo, No Chocolates
it will ruin your teeth. No to TV it will impact your vision, No to Games, is
making them think that answer for every question asked is NO”. Talking about myself I never thought my Daughter who is just 2
year 9 months will start saying NO to every single thing. Asking her anything
like Let’s go out or Have your meal anything her reply
is NO, NO, NO. Anything which can make them happy or which is good
for them the answer will be NO.I am the one who is responsible what she is learning as I am only
the person who was nagging her. I thought it’s not nagging but its caring maybe
she took it in different way.What I concluded with this
situation is I could have used more affirmative sentence instead of saying
direct no to her. Agreeing to her demands is also necessary but in a way that
it make her feel positive. Telling her what I want her do to rather what I don’t
want her to do is the best solution. Asking her what she is willing to do. Do
you want to go out now or later? Definitely she will try to say something which
is reasonable instead of NO. Alternatives of No is now part of my life as well.Unintentionally, I was creating
some negativity around her but now It’s time to learn and make changes in my
Parenting Afterall I am also in a learning phase like my daughter. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
11 hours ago
Q. When baby movement starts??
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. 5-6 months 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
10 hours ago
Q. hello dr..I am 39 weeks 3 days pregnant, AFI level 8 is this normal?and normal delivery possible for me? Is the fluid enough for up to 1 week?Do I need a drip? please suggest me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. the levels are on the lower side. 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
Sarika gupta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
9 hours ago
Q. Hi.. Priyanka kalra doctor..I am 39 weeks 3 days pregnant, AFI level 8 is this normal?and normal delivery possible for me? Is the fluid enough for up to 1 week?Do I need a drip? please suggest me.
Sarika gupta
Mom of 2 children
9 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much and it is quite difficult to say anything about it without personally examination and proper reports evaluation. So better to consult with your treating gynaecologist in person as she knew the exact health condition of your pregnancy and can guide you better.
Take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
7 hours ago
Q. Hi, for May 1st they will check AFI fluid... should I need to be on empty bladder for that scan... which is around 37 weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. It’s completely normal this kind of an ultrasound is different it is not necessary that your stomach should be full or you should go empty stomach you can have your basic breakfast and all whatever you would want to eat before you go ahead with getting a scan and there is no need to go empty stomach for the scan
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. hi everyone..the position of my baby is still in breech position from first trimester till now as I entered in my third trimester position is still breech is it normal..
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Absolutely hundred percent normal if the child changes the position then it’s just a matter of time otherwise I would just say that sometimes kids do not change the position throughout their pregnancy so now you should just be mentally sorted to have a C-section
parminder kaur has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. Mera Mera 7th month end pe hai ab scan Karate doctor please tell me
parminder kaur
Mom of a 1 yr 1 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. yess
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