Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

After you give birth, your baby weight may linger for a while. Several things can impact how quickly or slowly the weight comes off. You might feel stressed and might not be sleeping enough. Not only that, but you won't be paying much attention to your own exercise and diet. Losing weight takes time though, and you must put in the effort. You have to change your lifestyle if you want the pounds to come off. Things will be easier after having made these adjustments.

pregnant You need to know about tracking your cycles when you are attempting to get pregnant. By finding out when you are ovulating, you can increase your odds of becoming pregnant. Keeping track of your cycles can also help you accurately pinpoint your conception date so that your due date will be more accurate.

You should increase your caloric intake by 300-500 calories a day when you're pregnant. Understand that you are now eating for two, so make sure you are getting plenty of nutrients for you and your baby. Lean towards eating foods that are good for you, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

During one of your first meetings with your OB/GYN, you will be prescribed a prenatal vitamin. Take this supplement regularly. These will help supplement some vitamins you might not get enough of in your diet and will help the baby grow strong and healthy in the womb.

To stave off constipation during pregnancy, consume high-fiber foods like whole wheat bread, veggies and fruits. Constipation is due in large part to hormonal changes. Not only is constipation uncomfortable; it may also lead to other gastrointestinal afflictions.

If you think there is a chance that you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test or go to your doctor right away. Often, women wait way too long to find out they are in fact pregnant, and that causes complications in pregnancy sometimes. It can also stop you from getting adequate care.

If your feet become swollen during your pregnancy, be sure to tell your physician. Swollen feet are common in pregnancy, but they can also indicate elevated blood pressure and a dangerous condition called preeclampsia. For a healthy birth, this condition must be prevented or detected as soon as possible.

If you are experiencing leg cramps while sleeping, do some stretches before going to bed. Leg cramps are common. Stretching, prior to turning in for the night, can ease your muscle tension and help avoid the painful night cramps.

Act like you are pregnant before you conceive. Quit smoking and drinking, eat healthier, start exercising, and make sure you are getting the proper vitamins and nutrients. It will take a while to get pregnant, so practice these life changes.

Changes made in advance can make weight loss after birth a lot easier. It may take awhile for you to get used to your new way of life, but one good thing is that you were already making a big life change with your new baby. Remember that you gained the weight over nine months, so don't get discouraged if you cannot lose it in a week.