Overview
If an egg fails to be fertilized during the first few days of ovulation, conception may not occur. If a sperm fails to meet an egg and fertilize it, the resulting embryo is not viable and may die. Sometimes an egg fertilizes and then fails to continue the pregnancy. Pregnancy also involves the body’s production of an array of hormones that help the embryo develop. In fact, the environment in which an egg and sperm meet can affect the way in which the embryo develops.
The brain has a hormone that controls sexual behavior, known as LH. In some cases, the conditions for a successful fertilization also affect the production of LH. If the female is ovulating or in heat, her estrogen levels will increase. And if there are any chemical changes occurring in the female’s body, then there can be a lower likelihood that she will conceive. A sudden hormonal change in an unfertilized egg’s development could actually harm the embryo.
Changes to Your Pregnancy
Once the embryo is out of the ovary, the pregnancy progresses through its development phase. The embryo then undergoes its final formative phase, known as the eighth week, where it starts growing arms, legs, and digits. During the ninth week, the embryo starts to take on a pigmentation, known as melanin.
The pregnancy will then continue on to a point where the embryo implants in the uterus, at which time the fetus will implant in the shape of a baseball. Changes in your hair and body’s look are very subtle.
The hair follicles and nails on your body are atrophied. The skin on the body is atrophied, and wrinkles form on the face, arms, legs and torso. The endometrium shrinks, making it thick and rich in blood. The womb lining becomes very thick and large. Changes in Your Miscarriage
Do’s
Taking a multivitamin
There is some debate over whether taking a multivitamin can actually make any difference in your baby’s development, and your doctor should give you the go-ahead before making any big changes to your diet and supplements. Still, it’s worth asking whether a multivitamin will help you meet your dietary needs.
Being active
It’s important to be active throughout pregnancy, Litton says. Having a strong heart is essential, but that may not be enough to avoid some birth defects, she says. Research shows that children who are obese at birth are more likely to have a higher risk of learning disabilities. “Increasing activity level during pregnancy may improve health outcomes for children,” Litton says. “Even a 10-minute walk after lunch or in the evening can improve the health of your child.”
Eat your greens
To help your baby develop properly, pregnant women need to take a prenatal vitamin with iron. All iron-rich foods should be avoided, however. “There is no evidence that consuming foods high in iron — such as beef, meatloaf and red meat — during pregnancy is safe or helpful,” Litton says.
Limit junk food
Junk food, as Litton puts it, can make you fat and, at worst, lead to diabetes. “Junk food is high in fat and low in fiber, and too much of it can lead to obesity,” Litton says. “Eating too much of a bad thing — such as fat and sugar — can be bad for your baby.”
Eat plenty of fruit
Fruit is high in nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, and it also provides essential sugars and fiber. Eating a banana during pregnancy helps regulate blood sugar levels, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Bananas are delicious and easy to eat with one hand,” Litton says. “They’re also low in calories and high in fiber, so they help you feel full and give your baby a healthy start.”
Let go of cappuccino
This year, cappuccino lovers get two good reasons to cut back on caffeine. First, drinking too much of the caffeinated brew may affect your baby’s development. As the Mayo Clinic explains, studies have shown that caffeine suppresses melatonin production in the brain, which can harm your baby’s sleep.
A March study from the journal Nature Neuroscience found that a caffeine intake level that typically helps adults get adequate sleep actually has the opposite effect in teens. Second, cappuccino isn’t good for you, either. While it contains high levels of antioxidants and may offer some health benefits, it also may cause a spike in blood pressure and heart rate, according to some research.
Plus, having a child who drinks too much cappuccino could have negative effects on you: In one Swedish study, kids whose parents drank cappuccino and other caffeinated beverages while pregnant had a higher risk of obesity and diabetes, as well as sleep issues and hyperactivity.
Keep a food journal
Pregnant women are prone to food comas. If you know that that after lunch you’re going to want to go to bed, or if you start smelling like sweet potatoes write down the date and time you eat, when you feel your best, and any changes you notice in your physical state.
(You’ll also probably feel your best and think sweet potatoes are good at 11:30 a.m.) Try to record this information at least two to three times a week, or you may just lose the evidence.
Daily Workout
In fact, regular exercise may help you combat many of the issues that arise during pregnancy, including: insomnia muscle pain excessive weight gain mood problems If you regularly exercised before you became pregnant, keep it up.
Talk with your doctor about any adjustments you should make to your routine, especially as you move into your second and third trimesters.
Take prenatal vitamins
In addition to exercising, prenatal vitamins (also known as multi-vitamins) help promote a healthy pregnancy and to provide all the nutrients a fetus needs to grow and develop. Talk to your doctor before beginning prenatal vitamins.
Some women are advised to avoid prenatal vitamins during their pregnancy because they can pose a risk for the baby to develop an allergy to certain ingredients in the vitamins, or because the vitamins contain too much iron.
Sea Food Intake
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, avoid seafood that is covered with ice or has an open head or fish that is less than 6 to 8 ounces. Also, look for safe seafood products, such as canned tuna or chicken, that do not have an “est” designation or that have an expiration date.
And be careful when eating raw shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters, or crab. Even though these foods are generally safe, they may contain some toxins, such as arsenic or mercury.
Meat And Potatoes
DO… try to eat your “meat and potatoes” at least a couple of times a week. look for iron-fortified cereals and breakfast bars or other foods that are high in iron. eat seafood on a regular basis.
Sex Is Fine
Of course, if you do, talk to your doctor about the options. However, if you decide that you don’t want to have sex for the rest of your pregnancy, you can take steps to limit sex for the duration.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has specific guidelines to help you manage pregnancy and sex: Warm up for sex Warm-ups for sex can help prepare your body to have sex in the future.
Don’t s
High Fats
Don’t overload on fats A high-fat diet while you’re pregnant may be linked to a higher risk of an underdeveloped baby. It’s also possible that fat-laden foods, such as fried foods, could harm your baby, but it’s not clear whether this is the case. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises women to avoid eating too much of these kinds of foods during pregnancy.
They also suggest pregnant women eat plenty of lean, unsaturated fats, such as avocado and olive oil, as well as nuts, seeds, and avocado. However, the ACOG says the best choice is an overall balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods, such as a moderate intake of unsaturated fats from sources such as olive oil and nuts.
Alcohol
Avoid certain types of alcohol
Alcohol is toxic to the developing fetus, and it’s not safe for pregnant women to drink. However, some people believe that beer and wine are ok to consume during pregnancy, as long as they are not consuming very much, according to the March of Dimes.
The ACOG says that there isn’t enough information to say definitively whether or not alcohol is safe during pregnancy. It’s best to err on the side of caution and don’t drink alcohol. The ACOG notes that moderate drinking (up to 1 drink a day for women) during pregnancy has not been shown to cause any harm to the baby.
The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day, which is about 12 ounces of beer, 6 ounces of wine, or 1 1/2 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Know the difference between morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum .
Say No To Smoking
Additionally, cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, is found in high concentrations in the placenta. “This is thought to contribute to brain development problems in infants born to smokers,” Litton says. “Exposure to nicotine in the womb can be just as harmful as that of secondhand smoke.”
No Unpasteurized Milk Products
Here’s what to look for:The food safety mark on a container of raw milk doesn’t always mean it’s raw. Sometimes the letters are raised or replaced by a little heart. If you’re allergic to or intolerant to dairy, check the label.
Be careful buying natural yogurt for babies. Yogurt with live active cultures is better for you and baby than regular yogurt because they can produce antibodies that will protect your baby from potential infections.
No Eating Raw Meat
It’s important to cook meat thoroughly and use safe water to wash your hands,
and use safe water to wash your hands. Avoid eating undercooked eggs, especially if you’re allergic to egg proteins, such as gluten. eat undercooked poultry , especially if you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten or any of the other ingredients. , especially if you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten or any of the other ingredients. be aware that salmonella can live in raw chicken, especially in the nooks and crannies of hard-to-clean items, such as cutting boards and counters.
Guidelines To A Successful Pregnancy
Some of these guidelines may apply to some areas of your pregnancy, but others will only apply to your particular child.
- Avoid tick bites It’s not unheard of for pregnant women to contract tick-borne diseases. To avoid any tick-borne infections, experts advise that you avoid wooded and bushy areas where ticks typically thrive. Even a couple of minutes in an area like this could help allow a tick to latch on to your body and go on a blood-sucking spree.
- Stay away from anticoagulants.Anticoagulants are commonly found in many prescription and over-the-counter medications. The bottom line: steer clear of anticoagulants altogether, if you’re taking a blood thinner or something similar. 3. Avoid other prescribed medications. Unless it’s medically necessary, avoid medications that have been prescribed by doctors. That could include blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin, which could possibly cause a fetal stroke if you’re taking them while pregnant.
Bottom line
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that expectant mothers have a routine oral health assessment while pregnant, along with regular dental cleanings. Be sure to tell your dentist that you’re pregnant.
References
