When most women find out that they are pregnant, the first thing they want to figure out is when the baby is due. This is the most common use for a pregnancy due date calculator. However, there are also other uses for websites that provide these calendars.

While you can find out your estimated delivery date from your doctor, who will calculate 280 days from your last period to determine this, you can also use online pregnancy due date calculators. They use the same method, and also can give you week by week information on how the baby is growing and what the fetus is like at each stage of pregnancy. Some of these calculators can also tell you what symptoms you might be experiencing and what can be done to alleviate them a bit. Most of these websites aim to give you as much information as possible. You just register with the website and you can just log in to get all the information mentioned above.

Many times doctors use ultrasounds in order to confirm the accuracy of a pregnancy due date calculator. This is often done because women don’t always accurately know when their last period started, or the date of conception. By using an ultrasound, the due date can be confirmed or altered depending on the state of development of the fetus. This can be a more accurate way of determining that due date than a calculator.

Just keep in mind that however your delivery date is determined, it is not likely to be the actual date when the baby arrives. Babies come on their own time, and this actually just gives you a good idea of when to expect the baby. Typically most babies arrive either in the two weeks before or the two weeks after the due date. Those arriving a couple weeks before the delivery date are still considered full term since anything after 37 weeks is considered full term. Once your due date has passed you will have to have frequent doctor visits to monitor the baby and make sure that it is doing well. Usually once a baby is more than two weeks late a doctor will induce since it starts to get riskier after this time.

Following a Healthy Pregnancy Diet Plan

Once you decide that you would like to get pregnant, you should start to eat more healthily in order to ensure that you have enough of the most important nutrients available to the baby in the first trimester. And of course, you need to continue to follow a healthy pregnancy diet plan throughout the pregnancy.

A healthy pregnancy diet plan includes a selection of foods from all four food groups. This diet is not really all that different from a healthy diet during any other time in your life, it is just more important that you actually follow it during pregnancy. You should include dairy products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables (especially those high in vitamin C and vitamin A), and lean protein. Try to keep the fat content down, and to make as much of the fats you eat healthy fats such as Omega 3 fatty acids.

What you do not eat during pregnancy is as much a part of any pregnancy diet plan as what you do eat. You want to avoid any unpasteurized cheeses, milks, or juices. You also should avoid fish and seafood that is high in mercury (while still eating those types of fish that are not). Alcohol is best avoided, and caffeine should be limited. Another thing to be careful of is processed meats. If you do eat these meats, be sure to cook them until they are very hot to avoid the possibility of listeriosis. Junk food should be limited as well since it takes up a lot of calories without providing much nutrition.

Now that you know what to eat and what not to eat, you need to know how much to eat. During the first trimester you should contine to eat about the same amount of calories that you consumed before becoming pregnant. You are not expected to gain weight during this trimester. After the first trimester, you should gain about three to four pounds per month, which translates into an increase of between 100 and 300 calories per day. This really isn’t all that much, so be sure not to fall into the trap of thinking that you are eating for two and pigging out on lots of junk food. Get the Complete Pregnancy Nutrition Diet Plan Guide here!

How To Avoid Gaining Excess Weight During Pregnancy

One thing that women don’t usually look forward to when they find out that they are pregnant is the fact that they are going to have to gain weight. Most women like to keep their figures and avoid gaining weight, but weight gain in pregnancy is unavoidable. In fact, it isn’t good for either you or the baby if you don’t gain weight.

The required weight gain in pregnancy depends on your weight before pregnancy. If you are overweight, you should gain 15 to 20 pounds. Women at a healthy weight should gain between 25 and 35 pounds, and those that are underweight should gain up to 40 pounds. This weight gain is required in order to make sure that both you and your baby get the nutrients that you need. Most women don’t have a problem gaining this weight; in fact, gaining too much weight is a more common problem than not gaining enough.

During your first trimester you really don’t need to gain any extra weight, or even eat any extra calories. You just need to make sure that you are eating a healthy diet though and taking your prenatal vitamins so that you get the right vitamins and minerals in the right amounts.

Most weight gain in pregnancy happens during the last two trimesters. During this time you only need to eat an extra 100 to 300 calories for the recommended weight gain. You should eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and a small amount of healthy fats and try to avoid junk food, which tends to have a lot of calories without providing many of the vitamins and minerals that you need.

Besides your diet, you should also take part in some form of exercise, such as walking, swimming, or low impact aerobics in order to keep yourself in shape and avoid gaining too much weight. Exercise has been found to be very helpful in keeping both you and your baby healthy during pregnancy. Just be sure to check with your doctor first to make sure that you don’t have any condition that would preclude you exercising during the pregnancy.

Original Chinese Baby Calendar to Predict Baby Gender

Click On Image To Enlarge!

Pregnancy Calendar

Do you want to know your estimated due date? Pregnancy usually lasts 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period. Due date calculators are used as a general guide. Every pregnancy is unique, and sometimes babies arrive sooner or later than expected. Always talk to your health care provider about your due date. To find out how far along you are, simply enter the date you started your last menstrual period into the due date calculator and then click “Calculate!”

Tips on Skin Care During Your Pregnancy

Most women expect to have beautiful and glowing skin when they become pregnant. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Since the glow often attributed to pregnancy is due to the hormonal changes a woman’s body undergoes, different reactions are to be expected. Some women may break out during the whole term of their pregnancies while others may have acne only during the first trimester. Some women also experience skin dryness and only a select few start and end their pregnancies all aglow. If you are pregnant and want to maintain great skin throughout your term, it is essential that you have a great skin care routine. The following tips can help you achieve that proverbial pregnant glow:

1. Update your skin care products.

Your skin has different needs compared to your skin before the pregnancy. Since hormonal changes can cause your skin to become oilier or drier, you may need to adjust and change the products you use. Some skin care products may also contain ingredients that are not suitable for pregnant women. Consult your doctor and dermatologist for skin care products that are safe for pregnant women.

2. Switch to moisturizing body washes.

Aside from your facial skin, the skin on your body also needs extra care during the pregnancy. The stress and trauma caused by stretching due to your increasing bulk can make your skin dry and itch. Using soaps can strip your skin off its natural oils and reduce its suppleness. Switch to moisturizing body washes to restore moisture on your skin and prevent itching and dryness.

3. Load up on sun protection.

Your skin’s sensitivity will increase during pregnancy. This means that it can get irritated and damaged easier when exposed to the sun. Avoid skin discolorations, dryness, and irritations by applying sunscreen as part of your daily skin care routine.

4. Pamper your bump.

The skin on your abdominal area experiences continuous stretching throughout the whole term of your pregnancy. This stretching can result to unsightly stretch marks long after you have given birth. Prevent stretch marks by regularly massaging your tummy with a moisturizing pregnancy gel or cream.

5. Pay attention to your breasts.

Your tummy is not the only thing that enlarges during pregnancy. Your breasts also increase in size to prepare for lactation. The skin on your breasts and nipples will be particularly sensitive which can lead to itching and dryness. Applying nipple creams on your breasts can reduce the dryness while wearing cotton maternity bras can help reduce the itching.

6. Go easy on the makeup.

Less is more should be your motto when using makeup during your pregnancy. A foundation stick or concealer, loose powder, and a multipurpose color stick are all you need to put on a polished face. Since skin during pregnancy is sensitive and prone to irritations, choosing moisturizing, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic cosmetics is a must.

Following these tips can help you achieve great skin during your pregnancy. Aside from these, eating a balanced diet, doing regular exercise, and getting sufficient rest are still the most basic things you can do for a good pregnancy and even better skin.

Tips for Healthy Eating During Your Pregnancy

You probably already know how important it is to eat a well-balanced diet, but it is even more important when you are pregnant. Keep in mind now you are eating for two. Whatever you eat, the baby eats as well. In fact the baby actually takes your nourishments so you must eat enough for both of you. The healthier you eat the better it is for the pregnancy and you.

Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!

Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy produce a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.

Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.

Foods to Avoid

Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:

- unpasteurized products- brie and other soft cheeses if unpateurized.
- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything potentially high in mercury.
- Raw eggs.
- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to heat the meat up a little.
- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.

If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat, you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They’ll be more than happy to share this with you.

You may also learn that your stomach won’t handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.

While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn’t mean neglecting your fluid intake. You’ll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier meals and continue it even after the pregnancy.

The Whole Nine Months: Low Carb Diets and Pregnancy

It’s very important to watch what you eat. You are eating for two—which doesn’t mean that you eat more (so say goodbye to that second slice of cake), but that you eat smart. You are your baby’s only source of nutrients, and you need the proper balance of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates.

That being said, most prenatal dieticians strongly advise against adhering to a strict no-carb diet. Without sufficient carbs, your body will produce a by-product called ketones during your blood stream, which can put your baby at risk for brain damage.

But what about low carb diets? Aside from the risk of mental retardation, there are some aspects of low carb diets that can worsen the discomforts of pregnancy. For example, low carb diets tend to have low levels of dietary fiber, which exacerbate the constipation that many pregnant moms suffer because of the required iron supplements. Also, most prenatal dieticians recommend taking a lot of fruit because of its rich vitamin content, but most of the items you’ll find in a typical shake are banned by Atkins and South Beach because of the sugars.

But some doctors may recommend taking modified low-carb diets, especially if you are obese, suffer from gestational diabetes or low blood sugar. All three conditions have been proven to have adverse affects on the baby (including prematurity, birth defects, and early rupture of the membranes) so losing weight or controlling intake may actually be the best thing for your baby.

If you are asked to go on a low-carb diet during pregnancy, you will probably be told to go on the maintenance phase of the Atkins Diet, or the second phase of the South Beach Diet. Here, you are allowed a controlled number of carbohydrates, usually from whole grains and fruits, while minimizing white bread, white rice, and pasta. That is fine, as you are still giving your baby the adequate nutrients, while removing processed foods.

If you are not allowed to go low-carb, but still need to control your weight, there are some options open to you. First of all, eat small but frequent meals. If you want a snack, instead of taking junk food or processed meats (which have a lot of calories, but significantly less nutrients), take salads, fruits, nuts and crackers. Choose lean cuts of meat, and minimize salt and rich sauces during cooking. And while you do need carbohydrates, take in moderation. One plate of pasta is good, three servings of it smothered in white sauce is not.

But the most important thing to remember is that before you go on any diet during pregnancy consult your obstetrician-gynaecologist. She or he can properly determine the best course of action given your particular medical history and the condition of your baby. Do not go on any weight management program without the advice and the approval of your doctor. Whether it’s low carb or Zone or the Mediterranean Diet, the point is that there is a proven link between prenatal nutrition and the baby’s health. Complications can include low birth weight, birth defects, and early delivery.

Pregnancy Fitness After The Baby Is Born!

What happened to that pre-pregnancy body you once had? After nine months of your body going through numerous changes, many of which you do not like or enjoy, your newborn is here and its time to lose the excess weight you have most likely gained. You can speed the process of regaining your pre-pregnancy shape by exercising regularly.

While it may not help eliminate any stretch marks you may have, exercise will help you regain the body you had prior to becoming pregnant. Some of the most common questions asked by new moms are: How soon can one begin postpartum exercises? How long will it take to regain my pre-pregnancy shape? And what are the best exercises to help me achieve my goals? Keep in mind one of the most critical factors that help determine the answers to these questions is how healthy you were during your pregnancy – both physically and mentally.

Have you ever wondered how celebrity moms lose their baby weight so rapidly? One of the most common reasons is because they exercise strenuously prior to and during their pregnancy. Celebrities have been known to lose up to 60 pounds in what seemed like a few days. However, please keep in mind that this is not considered as the normal time frame. These individuals are also quite careful (almost to the point of obsession) about the types of foods they eat. They are also quite able to afford personal trainers and nannies so that they can perform their exercise routines 5-7 days a week for many hours at a time.

Because most new moms have the regular everyday tasks to contend with such as work, errands, families, losing that excess weight after childbirth is not quite so easy. Hopefully you found the time and the desire to engage in some kind of exercise during your pregnancy, even on the days you just wanted to simply crawl back in bed. If you did, you will find that the process of losing that extra baby weight will be a lot easier for you than for new moms who did no exercise at all while pregnant. Exercising regularly during your pregnancy will have given you the opportunity to become familiar with what will motivate you, give you the best results, and identify the types of exercise that you
find the most enjoyable.

Walking, jogging, aerobics, yoga, and many other types of exercise will allow you to lose the extra weight more quickly and you will feel better at the end of each day. Having a new baby can be an exhausting task and the simple act of exercising regularly will undoubtedly increase your energy and stamina when you need it most. Most doctors will say that it is safe to start a post-pregnancy exercise routine six weeks after the birth of your child. Walking and swimming can be started shortly after your baby is born if you do so in moderate amounts at a slow pace. Work up slowly to the more strenuous exercises to ensure your safety and reduce the risks of any complications that could arise from over-exerting yourself before your body has had adequate time to recover.

Pregnancy Exercise Guide – Enjoy a Healthy Lifestyle While Pregnant

Many women enjoy a healthy lifestyle that includes regular work out and a balanced eating. It can be difficult to keep up that lifestyle when she becomes pregnant, particularly throughout the later stages. But it is possible, and actually preferable, to maintain an exercise regime at least up until the last stage. This routine will pay off with a healthy baby Here are a number of exercises that you could do in the course of your pregnancy. Remember to consult you doctor before starting any of these activities.

Biking through pregnancy

By and large, riding a bike through pregnancy is not a problem. Nonetheless, you fall into a risk category if you are carrying more than one child or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or some other complications, your doctor might give you explicit exercise guidelines. Some high-risk women will be recommended against exercising at all. But if you are not in the high-risk category then start cautiously. even if you ride a bike regularly. Bear in mind, it’s not just you cycling anymore. Pay close attention to how you feel. If you start to feel tired and dehydrated cease cycling.

Swimming in the course of your pregnancy

Swimming is a invigorating and comforting exercise that has outweighing benefit for non-pregnancy women and especially a particularly woman. Swimming is great exercise since it uses both large muscle groups (legs and arms). Although low-impact, it provides good cardiovascular benefits and allows expectant women to feel lighter in spite of the extra weight added by pregnancy. Swimming also poses a low risk exposure to your baby.

Safety when swimming

Even though swimming poses a very low risk of injury it is always safe to see your doctor before you start any swimming exercise. If your doctor give you green card then start slow if swimming is not an exercise that you regularly take. If swimming was a regular activity then you should not have to modify your routine. Just be prudent.

Practicing Yoga through pregnancy

Yoga is by far the most adaptable fit pregnancy activity catered to the requirements of women, both during and after pregnancy. The mellow exercises can put you in synchronization with your changing body, and ease you back into fit condition after the baby is born. Yoga is considered perfect for learning breathing exercises that ease stress and increases flexibility in preparation for birth. By using, stretching and cultivating the muscles for birth, you basically make birth easier. Not to mention the superb relaxation skills that you can bring to your birth after the months of practicing.

Exercising is very important for a healthy baby and has tremendous rewards for the baby through pregnancy. Work hard and keep that blood circulation going. Add the exercise rewards to your life as well as to your baby.