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Obese Mothers Stop Breastfeeding sooner

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SEE ALSO: PREGNANCY OVER 40 (getpregnantover40.com)

 

Birth Defects: What You Should Know

Pregnancy Over 40, Some Birth Defects are Preventable

Some birth defects don't have known causes.
My site: www.getpregnantover40.com
However, there are some birth defects that are preventable by getting enough essential nutrients and by avoiding toxins and radiation.
Here is a very thorough article about the different types of birth defects andwhat you may do to prevent them. Read more:

Birth Defects (www.kidshealth.org)

From the article:

Women who are planning to become pregnant should make sure their vaccinations are up to date, that they don't have any sexually transmitted diseases, and that they are getting the daily recommended dose of folic acid (which is present in orange juice and green leafy vegetables, or can be taken as a supplement in pill form). One way to ensure that you are getting enough is to start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you begin trying to conceive. It's generally best to avoid unnecessary medications during pregnancy, so make sure you talk to your doctor about any and all over-the-counter and prescription medicines you're taking before you get pregnant; you'll want to stop taking any that aren't vital to your health. Don't do this without talking to your doctor, however.

If you or your partner have a history of any kind of birth defects in your family, if you've already had a child with a birth defect, or if you are part of a high-risk group (because of your age, ethnic background, or medical history), you might want to consult a genetic counselor before you get pregnant. More is being learned about the genes and other factors involved in birth defects all the time and genetic testing and gene therapy are becoming increasingly viable aspects of prepregnancy planning and pregnancy. A genetic counselor can give you advice about prenatal testing and help you deal with any concerns or fears you might have.

While you're pregnant. The best thing that pregnant women can do to increase their likelihood of having a healthy baby is to make sure they take care of their bodies during pregnancy by:

not smoking, and avoiding secondhand smoke
avoiding alcohol
avoiding all illicit drugs
eating a healthy diet and taking prenatal vitamins (make sure you're getting enough folic acid)
getting exercise and plenty of rest
getting early and regular prenatal care

Abdominal Strength After Pregnancy

Picture: gabbydaily.com
After my pregnancy (where I did little to no exercise at all out of fear), I did start a workout routine about three times per week. I was surprised at how fast I saw results. Not only did I lose the extra weight, but the abdominal exercises really helped my belly to snap back. Here is an extensive explanation with pictures on some helpful abdominal exercises after pregnancy:


www.gabbydaily.com