obstetric consultation: how can hot moms have a good pregnancy life?

With the introduction of the second-child policy, it was destined that the past two years would see a high birth rate. New mothers may feel anxious, and mothers having a second child may want to make up for any regrets from their first pregnancy.

Pregnant and facing various situations? From the hopeful stage of trying to conceive to the successful birth of the child, numerous 'firsts' make the entire pregnancy process nerve-wracking for mothers. Don't worry, we're here to answer your questions and help you through a smooth pregnancy.

 

How can trendy moms 'gain baby weight without gaining body weight'?

This is a common wish among all trendy moms. Expectant mothers hope that most of the weight gained during pregnancy goes to the baby, with minimal changes to their own bodies, maintaining a good figure.

Where does the weight gain during pregnancy go?

The weight gain of expectant mothers and babies during pregnancy is synchronized. Typically, mothers gain an average of about 25 pounds during pregnancy. Generally, the baby weighs 6-7 pounds, the placenta, amniotic fluid, uterus, blood, fluid retention, and breasts weigh about 10-12 pounds, and the actual weight gain on the mother's body is 6-8 pounds, which is a reasonable range.

It is important for expectant mothers not to solely pursue 'gaining baby weight without gaining body weight.' Pregnancy weight should be reasonably managed through diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits.

• Diet management: Balanced diet, small and frequent meals

In the medical field, there is a theory about the developmental origins of health and disease called the DOHaD theory. Scholars have found that newborns with excessive or insufficient birth weights have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases like hypertension, coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes in adulthood compared to normal-weight newborns.

The nutritional status during the fetal period affects the likelihood of developing chronic diseases in adulthood, making nutritional management during pregnancy particularly important. The following image shows the dietary composition and recommended intake for different stages of pregnancy.

 

Balanced diet:Balanced nutrition means a balance among these seven categories, neither overeating nor undereating. Among staple foods, the intake of whole grains should not be less than one-fifth of the total.

Some expectant mothers avoid staple foods to maintain their figure, but staple foods are the main source of energy for the body and cannot be skipped. For example, during the mid to late stages of pregnancy, it is generally necessary to ensure a daily intake of 350-450 grams of staple foods, and even those with smaller appetites should consume at least 250 grams. Insufficient intake of staple foods can lead to the appearance of ketone bodies in the body, which can cross the placenta and affect the baby's brain development.

Small and frequent meals:Divide the daily intake into 5-6 meals. In addition to three main meals, add snacks in the morning, afternoon, or before bedtime, such as fruits, bread, or hot milk. This can prevent overeating during main meals due to hunger and help control pregnancy weight. Especially for expectant mothers with high blood sugar, small and frequent meals can help maintain blood sugar within a normal range.

Some pregnant women experience early pregnancy reactions and should eat light meals and more green leafy vegetables to increase appetite through adjustments in color, aroma, and taste. In the later stages of pregnancy, especially after the baby has dropped, appetite may increase. It is important to eat in moderation and avoid irregular eating patterns.

 

• Moderate exercise is key to persistence

The general principle of exercise during pregnancy is moderation and consistency. Do not push yourself during exercise. If you feel tired or uncomfortable, such as a tight belly, take a break and reduce the intensity. In daily life, find time for moderate exercise. This helps expectant mothers burn excess calories, increase insulin receptor sensitivity, control weight, and facilitate natural childbirth.

Expectant mothers who need bed rest should not give up on exercise. If conditions permit, they can do arm stretches, turning exercises, and ankle pump exercises while lying in bed. Long-term bed rest without exercise can lead to thrombosis, and sudden activity may cause pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.

 

Ankle pump exercises

• Develop good lifestyle habits

Studies have shown that pregnant women can effectively reduce the risk of miscarriage by changing unhealthy lifestyles, especially smoking, drinking, staying up late, and being overweight or underweight. On the other hand, healthy lifestyles, such as regular prenatal check-ups, a regular routine, and maintaining an optimistic mindset, help control pregnancy weight.

Generally, pregnant women should not gain more than 3 kilograms in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy; 5-6 kilograms from 12 to 28 weeks; and 5-6 kilograms from 28 weeks to delivery. Those who are overweight or underweight before pregnancy should pay special attention to nutrition and weight control during pregnancy. Women who are not yet pregnant should manage their weight actively before conceiving.

What should older trendy moms pay more attention to compared to younger ones?

Clinically, all pregnant women over the age of 35 are considered 'advanced maternal age,' but physiological age is just a simple classification. Specific situations depend on individual health indicators. Maintaining a normal weight, appropriate exercise, and a balanced diet can also result in a healthy baby.

 

What tests should advanced maternal age mothers undergo?

Pregnant women over the age of 35 should follow the doctor's schedule for blood tests and amniocentesis to rule out Down syndrome and other diseases. Regular prenatal check-ups (at least once a month) are necessary to monitor the baby's condition and the mother's health indicators, such as blood pressure and blood sugar. Doctors generally advise that women over 32 weeks of pregnancy should stop working, as the heart, lungs, and other organs are under more strain, and the spine, joints, and muscles are heavily pressured. Resting the body as much as possible is recommended. Additionally, older mothers have a higher risk of preterm birth, so they should go to the hospital as soon as labor signs appear.

Do advanced maternal age mothers have to choose a cesarean section?

It depends on individual circumstances. Generally, older mothers have weaker muscle strength, which can lead to poor uterine contractions, poor cervical dilation, cervical edema, and other complications. However, if the baby is not too large and both the mother and baby are healthy, natural childbirth can still be attempted. Natural childbirth is more beneficial for both the mother and baby, so don't give up easily.

 

Feeling unwell, can I get a massage?

Massages above the waist are fine, but be particularly careful with massages below the waist. If leg massages feel comfortable, they can be done in moderation.

10 tips for trendy moms to prevent colds

No one should get sick, especially expectant mothers. Being sick is uncomfortable, and many medications are off-limits. To be safe, remember these 10 tips to prevent colds.

1. Brown sugar ginger water and a good sleep

When expectant mothers feel cold or think they might catch a cold, drinking a bowl of hot brown sugar ginger water and getting a good sleep can help. You've probably heard the saying 'raw garlic and raw onions are better than medicine.' Eating raw garlic and onions is a good way to prevent colds. Garlic capsules are extracted from garlic and not only help prevent colds but also inhibit intestinal pathogens.

2. Zinc and respiratory defense

Eat more zinc-rich foods. When zinc is deficient, respiratory defense functions decline. Pregnant women need to consume more zinc-rich foods than usual. Seafood, lean meat, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and legumes are all rich in zinc.

3. Vitamin C and respiratory cilia movement

Vitamin C is a scavenger of harmful peroxides in the body and helps improve respiratory cilia movement and defense functions. It is recommended to eat more vitamin C-rich foods or take vitamin C supplements, such as tomatoes, cauliflower, green peppers, oranges, strawberries, kiwis, watermelons, and grapes. Vitamin C is lost in large quantities during heating, so take care to preserve it during cooking.

4. Saltwater gargle, cheap and effective

Gargling with salt water every morning after brushing your teeth can prevent colds and benefit gum health, as gums are prone to congestion and gingivitis during pregnancy.

5. Wash your face with cold water in the morning

Washing your face with cold water in the morning can enhance your ability to resist colds. Use warm water at night to avoid the cold stimulus affecting your sleep.

6. Maintain indoor humidity at 45%

Winter air is dry, especially in the north where heating is used, making the air very dry. Dry air facilitates the growth of viruses in the respiratory tract. Use a humidifier to maintain suitable indoor humidity.

7. Controversial but harmless vinegar fumigation

The effectiveness of vinegar fumigation in preventing colds is still debated, but since it is harmless, some families continue to use this method.

8. Don't forget plain water

Drinking plenty of water is very effective in preventing colds and pharyngitis. It is best to drink 600-800 milliliters of water daily.

9. Air conditioning ventilation cannot replace opening windows

Most people like to open windows for ventilation in the morning and then keep them closed all day. This is not good. Ventilate at least after a nap and before bedtime. Even if using air conditioning, do not keep windows closed 24 hours a day. Air conditioning cannot completely replace fresh air from outside. Also, open windows after the sun rises. If the air pollution index is high, use an air purifier to help.

10. Avoid crowds and keep exercising

Try to avoid or reduce visits to crowded public places, as the more people there are, the higher the chance of infection. Avoidance is the best choice. Exercise is an effective way to improve the body's resistance to disease, and pregnant women should continue to exercise throughout pregnancy.

Want to be closer to your baby? Here are 3 types of parent-child interactions for trendy moms

Parent-child interaction is the best way to strengthen the bond between parents and children. Want to be closer to your baby? Try playing with them like this~

Reading storybooks

Reading storybooks to your baby is one of the best parent-child interactions and the best way to guide your baby to enjoy reading from an early age. Read together, choose books that interest your baby, read aloud with exaggerated expressions, and ask your baby simple questions. If your baby answers correctly, praise them generously. You might see your baby’s proud and satisfied expression.

Learning to do housework

Never underestimate your child. Children have strong learning abilities. If you give them the opportunity, they can do many things well. Worried that your child will find housework boring? With the right approach, housework can be fun and engaging, while also fostering a sense of responsibility.

· Task 1: Collecting toys

You can categorize toy bins or storage boxes with numbers, making it simple and space-saving to put toys away. Tell your baby where their toys belong and that they should put them back after playing. This helps develop their sense of order. For small assembly toys like puzzles and building blocks, you can number them on the back or use stickers.

· Task 2: Sorting socks

Teach your baby to sort socks by pairing them and then put them in a basket or drawer together. This will make your baby more interested.

· Task 3: Organizing books

Classify books by size. While organizing, interact with your baby by saying, 'This is big, put it here; this is small, put it here.' This helps your baby develop a sense of achievement and learn to cherish books. Simple book organizing tasks can be done together, but it is not recommended to let them handle newspapers due to the ink, which can easily get on their hands and be ingested.

Paper folding

Paper folding is a simple and eco-friendly game that can develop your baby's intelligence and aesthetic sense, and also provide effective parent-child interaction, making your baby admire you! There are various templates available online that trendy moms can download and print at home to complete with their baby.

For children, the most important thing is parental companionship, not leaving them alone in a mall playground. For parents, playing parent-child games with their children not only strengthens the bond but also develops various skills. Why not enjoy it?

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