Nutrient supplementation, is it really useful when expecting a baby? What about food supplements and fortified foods?

A varied and balanced diet

Since the mother has a varied and balanced diet, it will draw all the nutrients she needs for her and for the proper development of her child. Nature is very well done, pregnancy is indeed profound metabolic changes that lead to greater absorption by the body of these nutrients. Nevertheless, some can be prescribed by your doctor, but for supplements and fortified foods, you do not need.

At the doctor, drug supplements

Four nutrients - vitamins B9 and D, iron, iodine - can be prescribed. No other supplementation (vitamin A, fluorine, polyvitamins, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, copper and selenium...) is justified.

Vitamin B9

What is it?
Also called folic acid, it plays a crucial role in the growth and multiplication of cells. A deficiency in vitamin B9 prevents cells from dividing properly, posing a risk of malformation - including that of neural tube, which is the outline of the nervous system of the embryo. The neural tube fails to close properly (this closure takes place between the 22nd and 28th day after conception), which can cause serious neurological damage for the baby.

For whom?
For all women during pregnancy, a month before the start of pregnancy and for two months after conception. Despite the recommendation, few doctors prescribe their patients vitamin B9%u2026 If your gynecologist does not ask you, ask yourself the question. And think about it when you have the chance to make a healthy baby!

Vitamin D

What is it?
She participates in the construction of the skeleton of the baby and the healthy bones of her mother because it promotes the establishment of calcium. It reduces the risk of Hypocalcaemia for newborn.

For whom?
For all pregnant women, a supplementation of vitamin D is recommended at the beginning of the seventh month of pregnancy (single dose).

Iron

What is it?
It comes in the composition of hemoglobin. A deficiency may cause the mother anemia. This translates into a great fatigue, which can lead to a slight increase in weight of the fetus and a premature birth.

For whom?
Only for expectant mothers. Anemia must be identified very early, to avoid any complication during pregnancy.

Iodine

What is it?
It is essential for brain development of fetuses and ensures the proper functioning of the thyroid gland of the mother.

For whom?
Only for women living in areas at risk of deficiency.

As i always say: Keep things simple and natural, nature is very well done.

The period of fertility is quite long for a woman: with puberty, which begins on average at 13 years and menopause, which occurs around 51 years, it still represents 38 years and nearly 500 rounds of 28 days!

Starting the first day of your period and ending the first day of the next menstrual period, a cycle lasts an average of 28 days, but there are wide variations from one woman to another and for the same woman.

Regular cycles have a dependence of the good functioning ovarian, itself controlled by two small glands of the brain (the hypothalamus and pituitary), it takes little to disrupt the mechanism precision: most of the conditions endocrine, being anorexic, or obese and to a lesser extent, stress can affect the smooth running of the menstrual cycle. This explains why it happens to all women or almost, to have shorter cycles and other longer during their lives. At the time of puberty and before menopause symptoms, this irregularity is almost inevitable.

During your first week of pregnancy you may experience this physical discomfort, it's natural so don't worry :)

The intestinal bloating

Linked to intestinal fermentation, they can be reduced by eating small bites, and avoiding certain foods (turnips, corn, fried, sweet desserts, cakes, candies, cauliflower, cabbage, pulses, beans, asparagus etc.)..

Constipation

It is very common during pregnancy, encouraged by the hormonal changes and that causes a lowering of intestinal contractions.

To remedy this, food must be balanced and include foods rich in cellulose fibers: fruits, vegetables or bread. An abundant moisture is also needed: drink enough water.

Be careful not to take stimulant laxatives or irritants. If necessary, it is preferable to use mucilages or laxatives and lubricants. Small enemas are sometimes necessary. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor.

Bleeding and cramping can occur frequently in the first trimester of pregnancy also known as implantation bleeding and may not be a sign of problems. This type of bleeding is usually a bit earlier, spottier and lighter in color than a normal period and doesn't last as long and they are normal pregnancy symptoms that can occur anywhere from 6-12 days after possible conception.

Heavy bleeding with back pain can be a symptom of miscarriage and several other problem like molar pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies and should always be reported to your doctor, this is a critical period for your pregnancy and you should be careful.

During early pregnancy you may experience cramping,but there is a lot of reasons to cause abdominal cramping in a women. Not only pregnancy.

Cramping is one of the early symptom of pregnancy, it's the way that body react to the implantation, you may think that it's your period but this is your uterus preparing for the baby, this is completely normal unless you're experiencing other symptoms like bleeding, fever..., so while cramping could be a sign of pregnancy, it can also be a sign of your menstrual cycles following an early miscarriage, be careful in this case and consult your doctor for a healthy pregnancy.

Weight gained during pregnancy is normal/inevitable and vary from women to women, gaining the right amount of weight is a good sign that your baby is getting all the nutrients he or she needs and is growing at a healthy rate.

How much weight you need to gain depends on various factors, including your pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI). Your health and your baby's health also play a role. You can expect during your normal pregnancy a weight gain about 10 to 12 kilograms (22-26 lb).

Where does it go?

This is not the weight gain during pregnancy first week, but general weight gain to expect:

* Baby 8 pounds

* Placenta 2-3 pounds

* Amniotic fluid 2-3 pounds

* Breast tissue 2-3 pounds

* Blood supply 4 pounds

* Fat stores for delivery and breastfeeding 5-9 pounds

* Uterus increase 2-5 pounds

Total 25 to 35 pounds

What To Eat ?

I'm not a doctor but as I will always say, keep things natural, try to eat fruit they are rich with vitamin, spinach, salad with soy nuts or black beans, raisins, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, and ice cream/yogurt, fish and try to add condiments to your meal, such as butter or margarine, cream cheese, gravy, sour cream, and cheese.

Keep things light, natural for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Should I Lose Weight When I'm Pregnant ?

Some women with fears of weight gain when pregnant tend to lose weight during theirs pregnancy, this is wrong, because insufficient weight gain can compromise the health of the fetus and put your health and pregnancy at risk.

You can work with a health professional to ensure that pregnancy does not trigger disordered eating and plan healthy diet and exercise.

The first trimester of pregnancy is the most crucial period in pregnancy, since here the woman might feel sick and exhausted, and may even be advised bed rest.

Most pregnant women do not have any specific signs or symptoms of implantation, although it is not uncommon to experience light bleeding at implantation or cramps but this is normal unless there is spotting or bleeding as well, you should take that seriously and contact your doctor.

During your pregnancy first trimester you may experience morning sickness, dizziness, and leg cramps that occur due to low levels of calcium and other vitamins, even thought that all vital nutrients can be found in your diet, there are a few crucial nutrients like vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B9 (that is proven to limit fetal neural tube defects and birth defect.) that your diet is likely lacking and are necessary for a healthy baby and pregnancy.

So take your vitamin and contact your doctor if any problem appears because most miscarriages occur during this period.

This sign of pregnancy are classified from the most important that will confirm that you are pregnant, to the less important sign.

1. Your basal body temperature stays high

If you have been watching your body temperature carefully and you see that your temperature
has stayed elevated for 16 days or more, you are probably pregnant.

2. A missed period

This is the most common symptom, if your period doesn't arrive on time there is a chance that you are pregnant, but if you are not regular and don't keep track of your cycle you will not take that seriously, but you can know the early pregnancy symptoms like nausea and breast tenderness that will signal pregnancy before you realize you didn't get your period.

3. Frequent urination

during pregnancy the amount of blood and other fluids in your body increases, which leads to extra fluid being processed by your kidneys and ending up in your bladder.
This symptom starts in the first trimester and will continue as your pregnancy progresses.

4. Abdominal bloating

A bloated feeling that is caused by hormonal changes in your early pregnancy may let you
feel snugger than usual at the waistline, even early or when your uterus is still quite small.

5. Increased sensitivity to odors

You may find that certain food or aromas are suddenly completely repulsive to you.

6. Nausea or vomiting

This can be a problem for some women about a month after conception, but some women
do start to feel it a bit earlier.

7. Implantation bleeding

You may experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding around 11 or 12 days after conception
and this is caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the blood-rich lining of your uterus.

8. Fatigue

This is one of the early pregnancy symptoms; I think it's the hormonal change that contributes to the feeling of sleepiness

9. Tender, swollen breasts

An other early signs of pregnancy are sensitive, sore breasts like before your period, this will diminish after the first trimester.

The Solution: a home pregnancy test

This is not the most effective method to detect that you are pregnant until at least 12 to 15 days after the fertilization, so, if you need a more accurate way to detect an early pregnancy symptoms you can use the clinical blood test which can confirm the fertilization early as 6 to 8 days.