All about Pregnancy

       Your lifestyle during pregnancy  
 



Reliable information on
pregnancy topics
by Heisje de Jong,
Certified Lactation Consultant

Welcome (home page)
Your pre-conception diet
Home pregnancy tests
Early signs of pregnancy
Diet for your pregnancy
Things to give up
Lifestyle changes
Childbirth classes
Breastfeeding - preparation
Complications during pregnancy
Prenatal testing
Pregnancy Week-by-Week
When to contact your doctor
What to ask your obstetrician
Hospital or home delivery?
    And your Packing Guide!

Pain relief in labor & birth
Medical intervention during
    labor and delivery

Post partum exercises
Breastfeeding

About Heisje de Jong
Useful links
Contact Heisje

 


 

   

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EXERCISE

Should you slow down or give up certain types of exercise? This depends mostly on you. Most exercises are all right and even beneficial for you during pregnancy, it reduces stress, improves endurance and can help reduce aches and pains and strengthens your body for childbirth. As long as everything proceeds normally with your pregnancy, you can go ahead with exercising as long as you do not exhaust yourself and push yourself to the limits. If you are not sure about a certain form of exercise, just check with your doctor. It is better to avoid sports like skiing, horse back riding and squash.

 

Ideal forms of exercise for mid and late pregnancy are swimming, walking, dancing and cycling. It is a good idea always to listen to your body; if you feel exhausted or breathless after a particular form of exercise, take a rest and avoid these exercises until after the birth. If you experience cramps or bleeding stop the exercise and inform your doctor.

Exercise is not recommended if you have any of the following conditions:
hypertension
ruptured membranes
incompetent cervix
persistent 2nd or 3rd trimester bleeding
a history of premature labor or slow fetal growth
pre-existing medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.

TRAVEL

In pregnancy, it is usually quite safe to travel. Avoid sitting immobilized for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks during long journeys and walk around.

During long plane flights, get up every now and then and walk around in the plane to keep your circulation going. Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes that allow for a little expansion, as your feet are likely to swell. From the eighth month on, most airlines require a letter from your doctor saying that it is safe for you to travel.

Driving is safe during pregnancy as long as you do not experience headache or blurred vision. Take regular stops and avoid long journeys on your own.

WORK

Usually you will experience no problem when you work while being pregnant, although you may tire more easily, especially in the first and last trimester of your pregnancy. Take more rest and put your feet up whenever possible. Remember to eat a healthy diet. Avoid fast-food lunches, take a healthy, home made lunch with you.

If your job requires long hours on your feet, you should ask for a chair. It is not wise to stand for long periods in mid and late pregnancy, it will tire you excessively and it is not good for your blood circulation.

Most women stop working about one month before their due date. Some women prefer to work until term because like this they have more time off once the baby is born. I recommend you do take some time off before your due date, you will really need it. If you plan to continue working once the baby is born you may want to consider to take some unpaid leave in order to spend some more time at home with your baby.

PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS SITE NOW SO THAT YOU MAY RETURN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

EXERCISE

Should you slow down or give up certain types of exercise? This depends mostly on you. Most exercises are all right and even beneficial for you during pregnancy, it reduces stress, improves endurance and can help reduce aches and pains and strengthens your body for childbirth. As long as everything proceeds normally with your pregnancy, you can go ahead with exercising as long as you do not exhaust yourself and push yourself to the limits. If you are not sure about a certain form of exercise, just check with your doctor. It is better to avoid sports like skiing, horse back riding and squash.

Ideal forms of exercise for mid and late pregnancy are swimming, walking, dancing and cycling. It is a good idea always to listen to your body; if you feel exhausted or breathless after a particular form of exercise, take a rest and avoid these exercises until after the birth. If you experience cramps or bleeding stop the exercise and inform your doctor.

Exercise is not recommended if you have any of the following conditions:
hypertension
ruptured membranes
incompetent cervix
persistent 2nd or 3rd trimester bleeding
a history of premature labor or slow fetal growth
pre-existing medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.

TRAVEL

In pregnancy, it is usually quite safe to travel. Avoid sitting immobilized for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks during long journeys and walk around.

During long plane flights, get up every now and then and walk around in the plane to keep your circulation going. Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes that allow for a little expansion, as your feet are likely to swell. From the eighth month on, most airlines require a letter from your doctor saying that it is safe for you to travel.

Driving is safe during pregnancy as long as you do not experience headache or blurred vision. Take regular stops and avoid long journeys on your own.

WORK

Usually you will experience no problem when you work while being pregnant, although you may tire more easily, especially in the first and last trimester of your pregnancy. Take more rest and put your feet up whenever possible. Remember to eat a healthy diet. Avoid fast-food lunches, take a healthy, home made lunch with you.

If your job requires long hours on your feet, you should ask for a chair. It is not wise to stand for long periods in mid and late pregnancy, it will tire you excessively and it is not good for your blood circulation.

Most women stop working about one month before their due date. Some women prefer to work until term because like this they have more time off once the baby is born. I recommend you do take some time off before your due date, you will really need it. If you plan to continue working once the baby is born you may want to consider to take some unpaid leave in order to spend some more time at home with your baby.

PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS SITE NOW SO THAT YOU MAY RETURN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

EXERCISE

Should you slow down or give up certain types of exercise? This depends mostly on you. Most exercises are all right and even beneficial for you during pregnancy, it reduces stress, improves endurance and can help reduce aches and pains and strengthens your body for childbirth. As long as everything proceeds normally with your pregnancy, you can go ahead with exercising as long as you do not exhaust yourself and push yourself to the limits. If you are not sure about a certain form of exercise, just check with your doctor. It is better to avoid sports like skiing, horse back riding and squash.

Ideal forms of exercise for mid and late pregnancy are swimming, walking, dancing and cycling. It is a good idea always to listen to your body; if you feel exhausted or breathless after a particular form of exercise, take a rest and avoid these exercises until after the birth. If you experience cramps or bleeding stop the exercise and inform your doctor.

Exercise is not recommended if you have any of the following conditions:
hypertension
ruptured membranes
incompetent cervix
persistent 2nd or 3rd trimester bleeding
a history of premature labor or slow fetal growth
pre-existing medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.

TRAVEL

In pregnancy, it is usually quite safe to travel. Avoid sitting immobilized for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks during long journeys and walk around.

During long plane flights, get up every now and then and walk around in the plane to keep your circulation going. Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes that allow for a little expansion, as your feet are likely to swell. From the eighth month on, most airlines require a letter from your doctor saying that it is safe for you to travel.

Driving is safe during pregnancy as long as you do not experience headache or blurred vision. Take regular stops and avoid long journeys on your own.

WORK

Usually you will experience no problem when you work while being pregnant, although you may tire more easily, especially in the first and last trimester of your pregnancy. Take more rest and put your feet up whenever possible. Remember to eat a healthy diet. Avoid fast-food lunches, take a healthy, home made lunch with you.

If your job requires long hours on your feet, you should ask for a chair. It is not wise to stand for long periods in mid and late pregnancy, it will tire you excessively and it is not good for your blood circulation.

Most women stop working about one month before their due date. Some women prefer to work until term because like this they have more time off once the baby is born. I recommend you do take some time off before your due date, you will really need it. If you plan to continue working once the baby is born you may want to consider to take some unpaid leave in order to spend some more time at home with your baby.