Questionhello im 5 weeks and 5 days pregnant im for some reason really worryed about losing the baby. i stoped drinking soda and running and jogging. im eating more but im under weight can that hurt the baby? im taking prenatl pills and i dont have a doc appt till july 16th is there anything else i can do to keep the baby safe...
AnswerDear Heather,
Try to relax and not stress. It is natural to worry a bit, but try not to worry overmuch. Moderate exercise is fine. Instead of running, you can definitely go for a brisk walk. In fact that is WONDERFUL for you and the baby. It is easier on your knees than running and can be easily worked into your schedule if you already ran. Biking is also fine. A stationary bike is great exercise because you have less of a chance of falling. Fitness professionals say swimming is the safest exercise for pregnant women. Swimming keeps your body toned without adding weight and stress to your joints. With any exercise, don't wear tight clothes, but do wear a good sports bra that will give you good support. Wear shoes that have good support and are not slippery, so you won't fall. Breathe deeply, drink a lot of water, and remember to keep your heart rate under 140 beats per minute. Stop exercising if you have any vaginal bleeding, dizziness, faintness, shortness of breath, contractions, or nauseous feelings.
Cutting back on your caffeine was a great idea, since caffeine is a stimulant - it increases your blood pressure and heart rate, both of which are not recommended during pregnancy. Caffeine also increases the frequency of urination. This causes reduction in your body fluid levels and can lead to dehydration - especially this time of year. Caffeine is not only found in coffee and soda but also in tea, chocolate, and even some over-the-counter medications that relieve headaches.
Eating well balanced meals is important at all times, but it is even more essential when you are pregnant. There are essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that your developing baby needs which is why prenatal vitamins are so important. Most foods are safe; however, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy. Soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk, pate, raw meats of any kind and deli meats (uncooked) can be contaminated with certain bacteria which are dangerous during pregnancy. Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. Smoked seafood and raw shellfish also should be avoided during pregnancy. Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Also make sure to wash fruits and vegetables well before eating. Alcohol is also not recommended.
That may seem like alot but really all you need to remember is anything uncooked should give you pause and seafood in moderation. And wash anything raw.
It is important to gain weight at a steady pace throughout pregnancy. If a woman does not gain weight throughout pregnancy, complications such as a low-birth weight infant or premature delivery could occur. Babies who are born to mothers who do not gain more than 20 pounds are often considered small for gestational age (SGA), meaning they may have been malnourished during pregnancy. Just try to eat a well-balanced diet. Women who are underweight during pregnancy tend to eat low-calorie foods and not enough protein. The following are ways to get more calories:
-Eat breakfast every day. Peanut butter or a slice of cheese on toast can give you an extra protein boost.
-Snack between meals; yogurt and dried fruits can provide protein, calcium, and minerals.
-Drink juices that are high in vitamin C or beta carotene, such as grapefruit juice, orange juice, papaya nectar, apricot nectar, and carrot juice.
If you were underweight to begin with, you should be gaining approximately 5-6 pounds or more in your 1st trimester (this also can depend on how underweight you were before pregnancy & your doctor's recommendations) and 1-2 pounds per week in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
