new to becoming a mommy... full of questions

[nmcope39]

hi,
i know some information about being pregnant but not everything. i do have some questions so if someone can help it would ease my mind...

*i get very fatigue during early afternoon and i'm at work so i can't nap, any suggestions like any types of food to give me a lil burst of energy?

*when and what cream should i use to help with stretch marks?

*what sorta foods/drinks should i avoid during pregnancy. i know about alcohol and caffeine.


thank you, i am sure i'll develop more throughout the pregnancy.

[MaerynPearl]

*i get very fatigue during early afternoon and i'm at work so i can't nap, any suggestions like any types of food to give me a lil burst of energy?

While this can be normal, get your iron levels checked. If that is the culprit, fixing your levels could very well take care of this!

*when and what cream should i use to help with stretch marks?

To be totally honest, if you are going to get them, you will get them. It does not matter what you use. So I suggest a nice soothing lotion with vitamin E and maybe some aloe to take care of the itchiness.

*what sorta foods/drinks should i avoid during pregnancy. i know about alcohol and caffeine.

Depends on your own perspective.

Some ladies avoid cold lunch meat due to the risk of listeria. I don't really care, I'm more likely to lose my child driving to the deli than I am to get listeria.

Some say avoid seafood. I'm more of the mindset of just keeping it at a decent amount (if it is actually from the ocean, too much CAN cause your mercury levels to raise, but a little here and there is not too much)

Some say avoid sushi. If you trust the place you are getting it from, that's up to you!

Some say to cut down on salt. I actually have a problem with LOW blood pressure (rather than high) and cutting down on salt is bad for me!

What you SHOULD be focusing on though is getting enough water every day... it is extremely important and will help you avoid a lot of the common pregnancy problems most of us face. My doctor, nutritionist AND midwife have all told me to focus on getting one gallon of water in my system every day. Its tough and I almost never succeed, but trying is better than nothing right?!

adequate water intake lowers your risk of UTI, swelling, dizziness, low blood pressure, and various other problems. Of course, it does not totally get rid of the risk but if you are drinking enough you are not quite as high of risk for these things as a woman who is dehydrated.

[Kelly1101]

For fatigue, well, that's called being pregnant, haha. Something high protein / complex carbs could help-- like peanut butter on whole wheat crackers or toast-- but you ARE going to be a bit more tired than normal, especially in the first trimester when your body is just burning up crazy amounts of energy building the placenta.

Originally Posted by nmcope39

*when and what cream should i use to help with stretch marks?

A lot of people recommend cocoa butter, but really your genetics matter more when it comes to stretch marks. Since stretch marks originate UNDER the skin, anything you put on TOP of the skin isn't going to make a difference. You can help to lessen stretch marks by keeping hydrated-- which being pregnant you should be doing anyway, drink water like it's going out of style, at least 8 8-oz cups a day (64 oz total)-- but if you're going to get them, you're going to get them. Ask your mom if you want a hint-- if she got them bad, you probably will too. Luckily they fade. I got a belly full of stretch marks with my first preg but after a few months, you could barely see them unless you were up close to my skin LOOKING for them.

Like Maeryn said, you want to put a good lotion on anyway, though, because when that skin starts really stretching, it gets so TIGHT and itchy and uncomfortable, a good lotion makes it feel so much better. I just use a cocoa butter that says "for stretch marks" but I'm resigned to getting a few more anyway.



As far as food/drink avoidance, depends on how extreme you want to go. We do kind of have a "fear culture" in the US that makes pregnant women scared to eat anything, hahaha. Beyond alcohol and caffeine (which you definitely should limit or cut out entirely), two things you hear a lot about are listeria and mercury. Listeria can be in, for example, deli meats. But if you need need need that turkey sandwich, and you're scared of listeria, you can just heat it to steaming. Lots of people don't really worry about specific foods, as much as worrying about where the food comes from-- try to get food from a good source, if that makes sense. No 711 hot dogs, in other words. When it comes to mercury, some people say to eat no seafood because of mercury risk, and this really is wrong. Seafood is GOOD for you, and GOOD for the baby. You just want to avoid certain deep-sea fish that are high in mercury. Here's a list: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pre...ishmercury.htm




Most of all, relax Low levels of stress, and lots of calm and relaxation, are very good for the baby.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by nmcope39

hi,

*i get very fatigue during early afternoon and i'm at work so i can't nap, any suggestions like any types of food to give me a lil burst of energy?

That might happen no matter what you eat, but I usually ate some cheese and crackers, or pb on bread. A little bit of protein should help, but don't eat a 12 oz steak
When I had low iron during my later pregnancy, I felt like my legs were lead weights and could barely walk without getting out of breath, so it is something to watch out for if you notice a sharp change in being able to function.

Originally Posted by nmcope39

*when and what cream should i use to help with stretch marks?

I think this is hereditary, only one sister said she got them, after her 4th kid, and she only got one. I never got them and I gained a lot. MotherLove makes a belly cream and oil that I always thought looked nice

Originally Posted by nmcope39

*what sorta foods/drinks should i avoid during pregnancy. i know about alcohol and caffeine.

This is a tough one, because I don't limit caffeine. I don't drink coffee, but I certainly don't worry about caffeine content in anything, so that is a personal choice. I drink soda - I am more concerned about the sugar than caffeine, but I do like it.

Again, lunchmeat, a personal choice. If you want to eat them warm, I love turkey rachels! But the first pregnancy I ate cold turkey deli meat all the time.

I don't like fish all that much, but I love shellfish, so I don't limit that - plus I am from Maryland, so it's obligation to eat crabs and such all summer. I love tuna fish and have eaten it a few times in one week. I don't eat orange roughy while pregnant, I do eat it when not pregnant.

I eat hot dogs and bacon (I know, I know it's bad, but when a craving hits, I got have it)

Like the other poster, I don't limit salt either because I always have LBP, pregnant or not. More salt actually cuts down on me being lightheaded

I also stopped drinking my usual drinks and mostly drink water.

I have heard soft cheeses, but I have never seen unpasteurized soft cheese anywhere.