By Gia Calhoun Many new mothers underestimate the role of breath work and exercises in postpartum recovery. We at Women Fitness got in touch with Gia Calhoun, a Pilates teacher based in Los Angeles, to answer common concerns often raised by new mothers. Gia has been part of Pilates Anytime since 2013, where she also served as Vice President, and she continues to be … [Read more...]
Body Building During Pregnancy: Do & Don’ts
Bodybuilding is good for women of all categories. It is very important for pregnant women to keep fit since their bodies require high levels of stability in maintaining normal metabolism. Suppose you have been weight training before becoming pregnant. In that case, you may continue your weight training activities during pregnancy as long as they are not activities that … [Read more...]
Maternal Mental Health: What Every Mom-to-Be Should Know
Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of glowing joy, excitement, and anticipation. But for many moms-to-be, it also brings emotional challenges, anxiety, and silent struggles that often go unspoken. As we mark World Maternal Mental Health Day on May 7, it’s time to shine a light on an essential but often overlooked part of pregnancy: perinatal mental health. What Is … [Read more...]
Sun Protection During Pregnancy
Pregnant Women are left with a question to ponder- whether or not to use sun protective creams during pregnancy? The answer is- Yes, it is important to wear sun protection while you’re pregnant, but with extra alertness about the ingredients being used. The active ingredients in sunscreens work either by absorbing the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing it from … [Read more...]
Maternal Mental Health Issues: Causes & Management
By Ryan Sultán, MD Perinatal mental health refers to a woman’s mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth. This includes mental illness existing before pregnancy, as well as illnesses that develop for the first time or are greatly exacerbated in the perinatal period. The theme of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 is ‘Together in a changing … [Read more...]
Top Tips for Crafting the Perfect Maternity Photoshoot
By Kelsey Smith l Social Media Manager and Photographer, https://kelseysmithphotography.net/ A maternity photoshoot is a beautiful way to capture the joy and excitement of pregnancy and celebrate the journey of motherhood. Use natural light: As mentioned earlier, natural light is the most flattering and beautiful light for pregnancy photography. It creates a soft … [Read more...]
4 Things That You Might Not Know Can Affect Your Unborn Child in the Womb
Image Source: Pixabay There is no doubt that being pregnant can be one of a woman's most exciting and anxious periods. During pregnancy, what you don't ingest or expose your body to is just as crucial as what you do. However, worrying excessively about every little thing you encounter might make for a protracted and unpleasant three trimesters. Several things, some more … [Read more...]
Improved Metabolic Health of the Baby: Another Reason to Exercise During Pregnancy
A new study, conducted on mice, shows that exercising during pregnancy improves the metabolic health of the baby, even when the mother has obesity or consumes a high-fat diet. Researchers found that physical exercise by the mother induces the placenta to secrete a key protein called superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), which results in a lowered risk of diabetes for the offspring. … [Read more...]
Guidelines on Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery
Women who undergo bariatric surgery should be well informed to improve pregnancy-related outcomes. Obesity increases the risk of infertility for men and women and decreases the effectiveness of fertility therapies, according to Dr. Sarah Cheah from the St George Hospital in Sydney. Almost 60 percent of female patients who have bariatric surgery are within the age range … [Read more...]
10 Weird Things About Pregnancy
By Kathy Fang Pregnant women can develop diabetes during their pregnancy Gestational diabetes only happens during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth of the baby. This came as a huge surprise for me during my first pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can happen to any expecting moms, even those who are healthy and fit. I had to cut out fruit and carbs for a … [Read more...]
2 ObGyn Expert Answer 9 on Pregnancy Termination
Women Fitness got in touch with two experienced and qualified gynaecologists to answer FAQs on Pregnancy termination, options available, risks involved and future pregnancy. Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt, an Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist in Napa, CA Dr. Kimberly Langdon M.D. is a retired obstetrician/gynaecologist with 19-years of clinical experience. Physical … [Read more...]
Why Should Every Woman See A Chiropractor?
The evidence shows that all kinds of people can benefit from chiropractic treatment, but women can find it especially beneficial. Pregnant women, new mothers, those who struggle with their weight, those with stressful lives, and those who participate in sports and physical activities, are all good candidates for regular chiropractic treatments. Chiropractors offer a … [Read more...]
A How-To Guide To Nutrition During Pregnancy
Monitoring your nutrition during pregnancy is extremely important because it has the potential to impact your child’s health in the long-term. No doubt it can get a bit complex when you’re thinking for two, so here are some tricks to help guide your food intake throughout the process. Meal Tips for Each Trimester While there are certain things you should keep in mind … [Read more...]
What to Eat and Not to Eat While Pregnant
Pregnancy is a truly special time in most women’s lives, but it is also a time to take extra considerations for our health. You have not just yourself to be concerned with, but additionally, the wellbeing of your unborn baby growing inside of you. This is a huge responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Fortunately, with the aid of a good prenatal vitamin paired with … [Read more...]
7 Dressing Up Ideas To Look Great In Third Trimester
Once you have entered the third trimester, you will beat the peak of your mood swings. Sometimes you feel excited about the baby’s arrival, and sometimes you will have anxieties about birth. All the emotions you will have during this phase are inevitable. Apart from the emotional rollercoaster, you will also face the wardrobe challenges, because, during the third trimester, … [Read more...]
Saliva Fern Test: Predicting Ovulation Pattern
The fern test is becoming increasingly popular in place of the traditional urine-testing ovulation sticks. This test uses a tiny microscope to view a drop of saliva once a day from the last day of period until a fern-like pattern appears in the saliva. The fern pattern indicates ovulation is about to occur. The test is considered extremely reliable by medical … [Read more...]
Pregnancy Yoga: A Beginners Guide
I've always been one of those people who have all good intentions of trying something new, but actually never seem to find the time to get round to it. Sound familiar? I'd been like this for years with Yoga, I couldn't seem to read a newspaper or social media post without someone waxing lyrical about the 'mind and body' benefits that this ancient exercise promotes. So when I … [Read more...]
Tips To Reduce Your Risk Of A Stressful Situation At Birth
A recent study analysed the research on this topic and recommended that women should labor in whatever position they find most comfortable and not be required to lie down for long periods of time. The study found that women who tended to walk or stay upright during early and active labor shaved about an hour off their labor time and were less likely to have a cesarean … [Read more...]
Hepatitis B During Pregnancy
Hepatitis B During Pregnancy Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects about 350 million individuals worldwide. Management of HBV infection during pregnancy is difficult because of peculiar and somewhat controversial aspects. Most healthy adults are able to fight off hepatitis B infection within a few months, without treatment. However, up to one in 10 adults … [Read more...]
Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a tiny parasite [protozoan] that spends part of its lifecycle in animals and the rest in humans. It is a common infection caused by the one-celled organism Toxoplasma gondii. According to a recent research all pregnant women and newborns should be screened for a serious infection called toxoplasmosis. A pregnant woman has about a 40% chance of … [Read more...]
Guidelines To Manage Thyroid During Pregnancy
The guidelines for the management of thyroid disease during pregnancy and after birth has been recently updated from its earlier version. The clinical practice guideline, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, recommend approaches to diagnosing and treating patients with thyroid-related medical issues before, during, and immediately … [Read more...]
Exercise & In Vitro Fertilization
Women who exercise routinely for four or more hours per week may reduce their chances of having a successful pregnancy with in vitro fertilization (IVF), new research suggests. In general, regular exercise does not seem to decrease or increase the chances of having a baby through IVF However, with four or more hours of exercise per week for 1 to 9 years, the odds of a live … [Read more...]
Acupuncture & Moxibustion: For Enhanced Success Of IVF Treatment
In vitro fertilization is codified as IVF. In vitro refers to lab glass containers, usually petri dishes; in vivo is a reference to live whole organisms, from rats to humans. IVF takes an ova or ovum (egg or eggs) from an infertile woman's ovaries, fertilizing it or them into a petri dish (in vitro), then removing the zygote (fertilized egg or eggs) from the lab environment and … [Read more...]
How Safe Is Sex During Pregnancy?
Sex in pregnancy is generally safe, with few complications, states a new primer for physicians to counsel patients wondering about sex in pregnancy, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal, Feb, 2011). The primer is based on current evidence. During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal and mental make-up undergoes a dramatic change. She becomes emotional and … [Read more...]
Food Craving During Pregnancy
Many women have experienced food cravings during the course of their pregnancy. Many of these cravings consist of chocolate, ice cream, meat, cheese and salty snack food. Most doctors believe that cravings can be nutritionally based. It could be a message from your body on what it needs to eat. If you are craving salty foods it could be because your body needs more … [Read more...]
IBS & Pregnancy
According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, about a third of pregnant women suffer from constipation in the last trimester (IFFGD, 2012). In another study reported by Loyola University Medical Center (May 2013) , nearly 3 out of 4 pregnant women experience constipation, diarrhea or other bowel disorders during their … [Read more...]
Cervical Cancer And Pregnancy
Cervical cancer occurring coincident with pregnancy is, fortunately, quite rare, probably less than 1 in 10,000 pregnancies. Pregnancy and cervical cancer can be categorized under two categories for a better understanding. Being pregnant when you are diagnosed Pregnancy after treatment for cervical cancer Being Pregnant When Diagnosed: A small number of cervical cancers … [Read more...]
Zumba During Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise for pregnant women on most days of the week. Exercising during pregnancy calls for certain guidelines to ensure safety for your baby and for yourself. Tone down jumping and leaping in the last three months and do low-impact dancing during the last six to … [Read more...]
Postpartum Exercises for Diastasis Recti
A separation of the rectus abdominus muscles during pregnancy is normal. It allows the belly to expand and make room for the growing baby. This separation, called diastasis recti, not a tear or a hernia. It’s simply a thinning and widening of the connective tissue between the two muscles. After pregnancy, there are exercises that can help bring the muscles back … [Read more...]
Too Much Weight During Pregnancy Vs. Kid’s Obesity
Eating healthily during those all-important nine months can stop your child becoming obese, and avoid mental-health and social issues. Researches have confirmed that an in-utero diet high in fat or sugar can lead to the child growing up obese. “A mother’s diet during pregnancy can alter the DNA of her child and increase the risk of obesity,” reported BBC … [Read more...]
