How much weight should a pregnant woman gain during pregnancy and how can she achieve this?
It is important that pregnant women gain the proper weight and follow a proper nutrition (5 meals), in order to keep their blood sugar at good levels and their metabolism active. A pregnant woman does not need to increase her daily calorie intake by more than 300 calories compared to her previous calorie intake. Thus, a pregnant woman who starts from a good base weight, will gain approximately 8-10 kilograms. If she starts from some other base weight, then depending on her weight, she shall follow a diet in collaboration with a nutritionist, in order to preserve her health and the one of her child.
What should I avoid in my diet?
- You must pay attention to mercury. You should eat fish only twice a week and prefer fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna or sardine.
- Low caffeine intake (coffee, tea, chocolate); it is allowed only once per day.
- Do not consume alcohol.
- Always pay attention, when you do not eat at home, to raw vegetables that may not have been properly washed, and exposed or perished foods.
- Always keep in mind that your meals must be balanced in hydrocarbons - protein
Can I travel during pregnancy?
Yes, as long as you travel to a place where you can access an organized maternity hospital, in case of any complications during pregnancy. Take care that you stay hydrated and if you travel by airplane, it is advisable to wear anti-thrombosis stockings during the flight, particularly in the case of long flights. Up to 35 weeks of pregnancy, you can organize your holidays or professional trips.
Swimming and pregnancy. Can I?
It is the optimal exercise for you in this period until the last day of your pregnancy.
Sauna, hot steam baths and pregnancy. Can I?
No, because they may cause drop in blood pressure and arrhythmia to the fetus or contractions.
Supplements and pregnancy: What medicines can I take when I am pregnant?
In the First trimester you can take folic acid and if there is the need of support of more elements, maybe a multivitamin that is special for the First trimester of pregnancy. In the process, we administer to the body supplements of iron, magnesium, while we check the levels of vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B12, so that we administer the respective supplements if necessary. Any special medicine that is required depending on the existence of pathology or not, must be administered always in consultation with a gynecologist who is responsible for you.
What does the pregnancy monitoring include?
Initially and ideally, before you get pregnant it is good that the prenatal blood tests, PAP test, culture of vaginal fluid, ultrasound of internal genitalia and breast palpation have been completed; otherwise they shall be performed at the first appointment. Subsequently, there is a schedule of ultrasound and blood tests, general and special, which guarantees the good health of the pregnant woman, as well as the good state of the fetus, until childbirth and puerperium, in collaboration with a maternal-fetal physician, a midwife and a neonatologist. The number of additional tests or ultrasound examinations depends on the existence of any pregnancy pathology, the age of the pregnant woman or the medical history of the family.