Body Care Tips Beauty Info korner

Taking care of your body and nurturing it properly is extremely important. You always need to find a way to keep your body in a great shape, and these body care tips are here to help. Here you can find a list with some of the things you have to do in order to maintain the best possible shape.[caption id="attachment_702" align="aligncenter" width="800"]

Dealing with your dull skin

One of the simplest and better body care tips is to use home remedies. Mixing glycerin and rose water with lemon juice will help make your skin lighter and also brighter. You can also neutralize free radicals. A face mask with milk and honey will help a lot too.

Handling the dark underarms

This is not that hard to eliminate actually. You want to rub a lemon under your arms a little bit before taking a bath. It exfoliates the dead cells and it will be a great bleaching agent. Turmeric works great with it as well.

How to remove wrinkles around the eyes?

Wrinkles near your eyes appear when you are aging. The best thing that you can do is to mix 3 tbsp of honey and milk and then heat the mixture. Leave it for up to 30 minutes to react properly, then you wash it off. You can repeat this procedure 3 times during the week for the best possible results and experience.

Dark spot removal

We encourage you to use a cup of curd to beat an egg, mix everything and add the result on various dark spots. You want to wash it off after half an hour. This is one of the coolest body care tips because it removes dark spots in no time. And the best part is that you never have to worry about problems with this approach.

Blackheads

Blackheads are nasty and they just don’t want to disappear. There are ways to deal with them. Get a lemon wedge, put around 6 drops of honey on that and then rub it on the face. You can leave it there for 10 minutes and then remove it. Honey removes dirt from the pores and it’s a great antibiotic.

Conditioning your hair

You want some raw milk at first. Add it over your hair and use a brush to comb your hair as you do it. Leave it there for 30 minutes or so, and then you can use your shampoo to clean everything up. The reason why this is one of the cooler body care tips is that milk conditions your hair, and it makes it silky and soft. Each one of the body care tips has been fully tested to offer the best value. And the best part is that all these methods are simple and efficient. You do need to check them out for yourself to see how they work. Remember, the value is everything here, and you need to find a great, creative way to tackle all potential challenges that appear. Use these body care tips and they will be amazing!

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Skin and Hair Dryness from Swimming? Protect Yourself Even in the Winter

Skin and hair can present challenges for everyone in the winter, but especially for swimmers. It is important to treat skin and hair conditions so that swimming can be enjoyed without the bother of itching and irritation.

The answers to these basic questions can help your swimmers keep their skin and hair healthy.

Why do swimmers get dry skin and hair?

Swimming is the most challenging sport for the skin and hair. Skin has a protective layer of fats that lubricate the skin and make it semi-waterproof. Sebaceous glands are microscopic exocrine glands in the skin secrete this oily or waxy matter called sebum*. (Sebaceous glands are often found in hair follicles.) These fats or lipids are highly developed in mammals that live in the water, such as beavers, and provide them with constant protection from water’s harmful effects. But since you are not a beaver, prolonged water contact can remove this layer of fats and damage your protective skin barrier. Once damaged, the skin barrier begins to renew itself automatically but – guess what – flaking, itching, stinging and burning may be part of the process.

The first substance produced by the body as part of the repair process is ceramide, an ingredient found in some therapeutic skin moisturizers and noted in their ingredients list. Skin and hair need attention to remain healthy and manageable even during your busiest swimming seasons. Sebaceous glands are microscopic exocrine glands in the skin that secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals.

*A note about sebum: your body has a love-hate relationship with sebum. This substance is critical in protecting skin and hair because it keeps skin and hair soft and prevents water loss that results in damage. But when your glands over-produce sebum, the skin and hair can appear oily and pores can become clogged. Sebum also tends to nourish the P. acnes bacteria that live on the skin. This can lead to acne, whiteheads and blackheads – even on the scalp.

What is the effect of chlorine on the skin and hair?

In addition to water damage, swimmers are also exposed to chlorine and other pool chemicals. These chemicals are vital to preventing skin infections, such as impetigo from bacteria, warts from viruses and athlete’s foot from fungus. However, chlorine can also accelerate the removal of the fats from your skin and hair and wreak havoc on them.

The chlorine in your pool’s water can dry out your skin and make it feel tight and itchy because the chlorine strips your skin of its protective layer of sebum. If you have sensitive skin, you might even get irritation or a rash from the effects of chlorine. If you have a skin condition like eczema, chlorine can aggravate it.

Chlorine is actually very drying for your hair. When it becomes wet with chlorinated water, the hair shafts absorb the chlorine. This strips your hair of its natural lubricant (sebum) and cause damage. Since you spend lots of time in chlorinated water, repeated drying can also cause your hair’s protective cuticles to crack (which leads to split ends and frequent breaking of hair strands).

Green hair is a pretty common phenomenon especially if you have light-colored hair and spend lots of time in chlorinated water. The greenish color isn’t caused by the chlorine itself. It’s actually caused by the chlorine’s interaction with copper pipes and other metals. The chlorine causes small amounts of metal to enter the water and tint the hair.

How should swimmers cleanse after swimming?

Swimmers should at the very least rinse the skin and hair immediately after swimming and – if possible – bathe with a gentle cleanser and give your hair a thorough shampooing. Since the water and chlorine in the pool remove sweat and environmental dirt from your skin along with your sebum, your really don’t need to scrub. Your skin will benefit more from rinsing and gentle bathing to remove the chlorine smell from the skin and hair and to prevent excessive chlorine irritation and damage. If a strong chlorine smell is left on the skin after swimming, your pool’s chemical balance may need to be checked. A well-balanced pool should have a minimal chlorine smell.

What can swimmers do to prevent dry skin and hair?

Pre-Treatment

You may think you only need to “treat” after swimming. But – just as important as what you do after your swim, your pre-swim treatment is important to preventing damage to your skin and hair.

Your skin’s pre-treatment: Protect your skin by applying oil or lotion before swimming. Many types of sunscreens contain oils that protect your skin from water, especially waterproof sunscreen formulated for swimming or heavy physical activity.

Your hair’s pre-treatment: Get it wet with clean water first (before you get into the pool for the first time). This impregnates your hair shafts and keeps them from absorbing the chlorine. You can also coat your hair and scalp with conditioner or oil.

Post-Treatment

The importance of cleansing cannot be emphasized enough!

But there is more after cleansing your skin and hair. You must rehydrate. Moisturize with lotion or oil for the skin and conditioner for the hair. If you’re experiencing the green hair effect, simply shampoo your hair with swimmer shampoo. Following regular protective measures with your hair will help prevent the green hair effect from happening.

Constant Treatment

For the skin: The best way to keep your skin and hair healthy is to prevent skin barrier damage in the first place. Consider moisturizing morning and evening with a ceramide-containing cream liberally applied to all body areas – especially the arms and legs where oil production is minimal. Creams provide more moisturizing than lotions but oily complected teens may prefer lotions. Plenty of good OTC (over the counter) options are available for typical moisturizing needs. Prescription remedies should not be necessary unless unusual conditions develop. Choose a moisturizer that strikes the best balance of moisture to oiliness for you. After all, if you don’t like the product, you aren’t going to use it regularly.

For the hair: Protect your hair before swimming by getting it wet with clean water first, which impregnates the hair shafts and keeps them from absorbing chlorine. You can also coat your hair and scalp with conditioner or oil.

Another option: Use a swimming cap. A cap offers some protection from chlorinated water, plus it keeps longer hair out of your way while swimming.

Drink water: You may not think of simply drinking water as a skin and hair care remedy, but it is – and it’s a good one! Do it before heading to the pool and after swimming. Drinking plenty of fresh water helps to purify your skin, replenishes moisture you have lost and flushes out toxins (and a toxin is exactly what chlorine is to your skin and hair.) Your skin will be more likely to feel rough and dry if you’re dehydrated. So the inverse is also true that your skin will stay supple when you are hydrated from the inside out.

What should swimmers do if they develop red, itchy skin?

If your skin becomes red and itchy, it may be a sign of excessively dry skin – a condition known as eczema. Very mild eczema may be treated with over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream applied twice daily. But if your condition doesn’t improve in 2-3 days with this remedy, you may need to see a dermatologist for guidance.

Winterize with a Diligent Regimen

Each of these areas points out important facts about how water and pool chemicals affect you and how you can all protect yourself from dryness and renew skin and hair after being damaged. So how do you actually winterize yourself since winter’s own drying effects can in themselves be damaging?

Be diligent! During winter, it’s even more important to be strict with your skin and hair cleansing and moisturizing regimen. Pay close attention to your skin and hair and take action immediately to help replenishing and healing processes take place. Act quickly if your condition needs something outside of your regimen – even seeing a dermatologist. Ignoring something small can allow a condition to develop that could disrupt your swimming!

To help you maintain your regimen as winter approaches, keep these 8 skin/hair care tips top of mind:

Tip 1: Drink plenty of water while swimming (ensure that your urine is never darker than light yellow).

Tip 2: Showers in fresh water are important. Spend several minutes in the shower before you ever jump in the pool to ensure that your skin and hair is thoroughly washed with fresh water and no chlorine binds to your skin’s surface. If you’re at a daylong event, shower between events so that chlorine doesn’t dry on your skin or hair.

Tip 3: Rub olive, coconut or baby oil through your hair with your hands and apply waterproof sunscreen designed to protect against chlorine sensitivities to your skin.

Tip 3: Cleanse your skin and your hair thoroughly after your pool time. Use moisturizer and conditioner after cleansing to re-hydrate.

Tip 4: Wash swim suits thoroughly as soon as possible after swimming. Not only will they last longer but suits that have dried chlorine in them can irritate your skin.

Tip 5: Purchase shampoos that are designed for swimmers and use them regularly. Be kind to your hair by using lower settings on your blow dryer and a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush.

Tip 6: Pay particular care to any areas of your skin where there is chaffing or rubbing. These places are particularly susceptible to greater irritation by chlorine. Protect these areas with a layer of Vaseline.

Tip 7: Apply moisturizers that re-hydrate the skin, keep it soft and in good condition. (i.e. Aqueous Cream such as Aquaphor or Eucerin, E45 dermatological cream, or Dermol which is sometimes prescribed for skin irritations) If you have lanolin allergies it is – of course – best to avid lanolin-based creams.

Tip 8: Treat very dry eczema patches with 0.5% hydrocortisone available without prescription. This should clear up the patch without risk of atrophy.

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Acne & Acupuncture Natural Skin Treatment

Meridian Health Clinic specializes in changing the course of persistent skin problems, including acne. If you’re tired of using drugstore potions to clear your skin, Chinese medicine acne treatment may be for you. While western medicine seeks to suppress symptoms in order to alleviate the problem, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks to determine the underlying causes and treat the health of the whole person.

In the specific case of acne, TCM generally determines that acne is caused by a accumulation of “Heat and Damp Heat” in the digestive organs and in the blood level. This heat may originate from many sources, including poor diet, stress, excessive working, constitutional factors, and family history. Extreme emotions are another possible cause of acne.

While surface-level “spa treatments” can give a temporary improvement in the appearance of your skin, our treatment methods will produce lasting results because they target the “root cause” of the condition.  The power of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that it creates change from within the body; when the body is working well internally, the skin will be radiant and beautiful externally.

Well-trained, highly-skilled practitioners are the key to success at Meridian Health Clinic.  Eric Schmidt, L.Ac. has worked for years in the field and has completed extensive training in the Dermatology Department of a Chinese Medicine University in China.  He has treated numerous dermatology cases with great success where conventional Western medicine failed to provide a cure or solution.

Our Treatment Plan:
Individualized treatments plan focus on balancing your body system from inside and controlling the symptoms from outside to improve you skin naturally, without unwanted side-effects.
1. Healing from inside: Chinese Herbal Medicine is prescribed to clear the toxins inside your body and get rid of the symptoms manifesting on the skin.  Medicine is generally given in pill or powder form so that it is convenient to take yet very effective. Herbal Medicine addresses the root of the problem.
2. Healing from inside – Part 2: Acupuncture is given 1-2 times each week to further balance the body and return your skin to its natural beauty faster.  This treatment also addresses the root of the problem.
3. Control from outside: The consultation will include a discussion about products which can be used externally to help the healing process.  Many major drugstore products do more harm than good when it comes to treating acne.  Although external treatment addresses the symptom of the problem, it is never-the-less important to use proper external treatments to get a full healing.
4. Diet restriction: To avoid further aggravating your skin condition, you may need to eliminate certain foods which could  generate toxins inside your body.  Some of these foods include alcohol, coffee, spicy food, fried foods, dairy products, nuts, and  seafood (shellfish).
5. Stress management: Lastly, we will work with you to develop a lifestyle plan to reduce your stress level and balance you life.  Generally the plan includes moderate exercise, breathing practices and advice on how to get better sleep and rest.
In most cases, you will see results in 2 weeks. For moderate to severe cases, the treatment may take longer to have significant improvement.

If you are interested in learning more about Chinese Medicine and how it works with skin disorders, please read our page on Skin Health and Dermatology.
Get started with a consultation today:

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What It’s Like to Swap Your Face Wash With Honey Beauty Info korner

s beauty editors, we’re pretty game to try most new (or old, but now trendy) beauty activities—especially if they promise amazing results, aren’t invasive, and don’t cost a ton of money. That’s why I jumped at the chance to go all-natural by using honey as a cleanser. I looked at it as an opportunity for me to “reset” my skin (or so I thought), and in a way, detox it from unnecessarily harsh chemicals I was putting on it. After all, if some of these beauty rituals worked for women in centuries past, something has to be good about it, right?

Replacing my facial cleanser with honey was in my eyes the equivalent of switching my shampoo to co-washing or perhaps doing an apple cider vinegar rinse (both of which my hair did not hate at all). After thoroughly reading up on the benefits of putting honey on your face and the best way to honey wash, I picked up a jar of Manuka honey from my local grocery store and stashed it in the medicine cabinet, with this question looming in the back of my head: Is honey good for your face?

The Benefits of Honey

First of all, you might wonder why anyone would wash their faces with honey to begin with. Honey contains superior antibacterial, probiotic, and healing properties and is super nourishing and hydrating. If you have any skin care ailments ranging from eczema to acne, honey can help heal them as well as minor wounds. There are, however, all different kinds of honey, depending on which flowers the bees feed on to create it. This is generally denoted in whatever the honey’s name is (orange blossom honey, sage honey, etc). And yes, it does matter what kind of honey you use for your skin—namely it needs to be raw and unfiltered. Organic and “all natural” don’t necessarily mean the honey hasn’t been processed, removing all the good bits with antioxidants and nutrients. I chose Manuka honey because it has the most anti-bacterial properties (great to test on the weird dry patches that had suddenly sprung up on my face at the time).

MORE: Gigi Hadid’s Makeup Artist Shares His Tips and Tricks for Travel Beauty

How To Cleanse With Honey

Basically you wash you face with honey the same way you would with any cleanser. Get your face wet, take a dollop of honey, and smear it on. Raw honey tends to be thicker (and in Manuka’s case, VERY thick), so it’s really difficult to spread it on dry skin. Once your apply it to wet skin, though, it tends to get much more slick. Your next step is to rinse. Honey actually rinses away with water cleanly. It doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or goopy. After patting my face dry with a towel, my skin felt REALLY soft and plump.

Honey is not the best makeup remover, however. You’ll have to resort to other means for that. At night, I would remove makeup and dirt with by rubbing an oil combo (generally jojoba, argan, and sweet almond oil) all over my face and wiping off with a hot damp washcloth—AKA the oil-cleansing method. The whole point of this skin care switch was to use natural, non-soap means to care for the skin on my face.

The Results

Fast forwards to about three weeks. My skin was the softest it has probably ever been, and the dry patches were no where to be seen or felt. I hadn’t experienced any blemishes while washing with honey, save for the tiny cystic bumps on my chin that liked to hang out below the surface of my skin the week before my period every month.

The only catch? This skin care method doesn’t really do much in terms of exfoliation. I tend to favor chemical over manual exfoliation since it’s gentler on skin and can really get down to the pore. Oil cleansing and honey washing, as nourishing and hydrating as they are, didn’t do me any favors in terms of clearing my skin of dead skin cell debris or everyday pore-clogging dirt and makeup. If you never wear complexion makeup, this may not be an issue for you.

MORE: Issa Rae’s Makeup Artist Has an Easy Trick for Faking Fuller Brows

The pros of washing your face with honey definitely outweigh the cons, especially if you’ve managed to find a certain type of honey that really works with your skin. You get smooth, plump, and soft skin—free of synthetic chemicals. The only glaring cons are perhaps that depending on your honey choice, it can be expensive (Manuka is probably the most expensive kind of honey and mine was about $25 for a 6 oz. jar). Also, it’s not the end-all-be-all of skin care, considering you still need some form of exfoliation if you want your clearest skin yet. Since honey wasn’t made to sweep literally every dirt and oil particle from your skin, you may find the natural residue a bit unnerving, even if it is fairly undetectable.

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Breathing in Yoga Is Just as Important as the Poses

If you only paid attention to mainstream media depictions of yoga classes, it would be easy to believe that yoga is all about contorting into camera-ready aesthetically pleasing shapes. But the physical poses are only one small aspect of a full spectrum spiritual practice.

What Is Yoga? 

The word yoga means “to yoke, to bring together into union.” The yoga practice itself consists of a blending of opposites, a uniting of the body and mind through the combination of effort and surrender. In The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, one of the seminal texts of modern yoga, it is stated that “yoga is restraining the fluctuations of the mind.” Through a blend of persevering practice and non-attachment, yoga practitioners learn to quiet their minds and open their bodies so that they may experience internal transformation and connection.

That is a far cry from fashion models in complicated handstands, or the many other contemporary expressions of the practice used in advertisements. Luckily, yoga is older and smarter than all of us, and it will probably outlast its current popularity and continue to offer the wisdom that has supported people for thousands of years.

And within that wisdom lays a particularly potent secret – that breath is the key in yoga practice. In the eight limbs of yoga, a philosophical understanding of the structure of yoga practice, the poses are just one part. Called asana in Sanskrit, those poses represent only one fraction of the whole. Some of the other limbs include ethical observances like non-violence (ahimsa) and non-lying (satya), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and breath awareness (pranayama).

Why We Practice Asana 

Asana practice is a means to an end, not the end itself. We move the body in every possible direction with a combination of fluid, static, spiraling, and stretching actions to connect with and open the energy channels. Called nadis, the openness of these energy channels determines the overall health and wellbeing of every cell, organ, and system of the body.

And beyond that, opening the energy channels increases the amount of prana, vital life force energy that flows through our bodies. It is this flow of prana that is the most important part of physical practice, not the poses themselves. And it is deep, intentional breathing that removes energetic blockages, purifies the body, and increases the flow of prana.

If you were paying attention you might have seen that the limb of yoga pranayama contains that root – prana. Prana means life force, energy, and a type of breath. Specifically the type of breathing that increases the life force energy, the prana. Not all breathing increases the presence of life force in the body. Shallow, short, chest-only breath actually triggers stress responses in the body and depletes energy. But deep, full body breathing where the belly rises and falls with the breath does tap into that flow.

Asana and Pranayama – Body and Breath 

So now back to the poses. For most of us in the modern world, just breathing deeply is not enough to open and balance the energy channels. In general we are too stiff and fixed, physically and mentally. We need the physical movement of the asanas to break up stagnation and allow the energy to flow through the entire body. But through all the asana we are served by remembering that the physical movement is intended to support the energy movement.

In physical yoga practice, the most important part is the breath. We can be in positions so acrobatic that Cirque du Soleil would be proud, but if we are not breathing deeply it doesn’t matter. No energy will move, and we might even hurt ourselves. Breathing deeply opens us to our feelings, allowing us to be more sensitive to the sensations in the body. One of the ways to avoid injury in your practice is to always breathe deeply.

Breathing deeply also taps us into the more subtle dimensions of the practice. Yoga offers the potential for internal alchemy, purifying the body and mind so that our true essence shines forth. And the churning repetition of the breath is how we stimulate that transformation. Physically, deep breathing cleanses and regenerates the organs, increases circulation, cultivates hormonal balance, and pacifies the nervous system. And energetically deep breathing renews the body and restores energy flow and balance.

You can move through the motions in yoga, just practicing the physical poses. This can offer a good workout, as long as you do not injure yourself. But yoga is intended to be so much more than a workout. Breathing deeply taps us into the transformative power of the yoga practice. It opens us to the potential that yoga has to rejuvenate our bodies and refine our minds. And it helps us find the way towards unity, bringing the breath, body, mind, and spirit closer together.

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Yoga Moves for Each Trimester of Pregnancy to Stay Fit

Yoga is a great tool for reducing stress and staying fit during pregnancy. It is safe, as long as you choose asanas (poses) that are suitable for pregnancy. Yoga can even make pregnancy, childbirth, and post-labor recovery easier. There are many benefits to practicing prenatal yoga, including tension relief around the cervix and birth canal, relieving the symptoms of morning sickness, easing mood swings, and opening the pelvis for easier delivery.

If you would like to try pregnancy yoga, be sure to choose poses designed for safety in your specific trimester. Here are some tips:

First Trimester

Both the Half and Full Butterfly Poses are safe during this trimester. These positions loosen the hips and knee joints, as well as tension in the inner thighs. In a sitting position on the floor, bend your knee or knees and gently pull your feet toward your lap. The Half Butterfly (one leg) eases delivery and the Full Butterfly (both legs) relieves digestive disorders and relieves strain on the spine.

The Chopping Wood Pose is done in a squatting position with the feet flat on the floor. Raise your arms as high as possible and then make a downward stroke while expelling breath. This asana strengthens pelvic muscles and loosens the pelvic girdle.

Another safe asana for the first trimester is the Cat Stretch Pose. This pose improves flexibility, while also toning the reproductive system. It is safe up until month six of pregnancy.

Second Trimester

The Flapping Fish Pose is performed on the stomach with one leg bent at the knee. This pose relieves constipation, relaxes the legs, and redistributes excess weight. It is also helpful for promoting sleep.

The Squat and Rise Pose is great for strengthening the muscles in the uterus, thighs, and middle back, which is ideal for pregnancy. The pose begins in a standing position and slowly lowers into a deep squat.

The Hand Raising Pose is simple and effective. In a standing position, reach forward and cross your hands. Raise them above your head and look up to your hands. Exhale and slowly lower your arms outward to shoulder level, and then repeat. This asana improves blood circulation and boosts oxygen supply to the brain, helping to relieve that foggy feeling known as “pregnancy brain” many women experience.

Third Trimester

Some poses that were used in the first and second trimesters are still the best options for this final phase of pregnancy. Third trimester women can still do the Half Butterfly and Full Butterfly Poses. Both are great for relieving lower body tension and preparing the body for labor and delivery.

The Sleeping Abdominal Stretch Pose is also ideal for removing stiffness in the spine. Lie on your back, bending your knees and slowly twisting at the waist, dropping the knees to the floor on the side of your body. After several deep breaths, raise the legs together and slowly swing to the other side.

If you are suffering from sore feet or ankles from supporting the additional weight of pregnancy, or you are experiencing poor circulation, the Ankle Crank is a helpful move. Bend your leg at the knee and rest the ankle on the opposite knee. Holding your toes, slowly rotate the foot in small circles at the ankle.

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Questions to Ask Your Doctor when You Get Pregnant

Discovering you are pregnant is one of the most exciting moments of a woman’s life. The time between conception and giving birth is an opportunity to learn about what is best for your baby, both in utero and after he or she is born. Despite all the excitement and optimism, pregnancy can also be a scary time. Your body is changing and you become responsible for the life of another being. Everything you do affects the baby inside of you. This is why women have so many questions when they get pregnant.

Attentive medical care is an important part of pregnancy. When you get pregnant, take time to ask your doctor the following questions and discuss any issues that concern you specifically. Pregnancy is much easier when you have the information needed to put you at ease and help you and your baby achieve optimal health.

What prenatal vitamins do you recommend?

Some doctors consider prenatal vitamins essential for a healthy pregnancy. Others recommend structuring your diet to meet all of your needs, as well as the needs of your developing baby. One of the most common prenatal vitamins recommended is a folic acid supplement.

However, at least one study, conducted in part with the Shoal’s Women Clinic, showed that dietary changes were more effective than taking supplemental vitamins. Speak with your doctor about his or her recommendations before taking any kind of vitamin or supplement while pregnant.

What should I consider an emergency?

Some pregnant women have a tendency to second-guess every sensation in their bodies when pregnant. This is understandable, but worrying about issues that are normal can elevate anxiety levels, increasing your risk for real problems. Your doctor can put your mind at ease concerning the changes your body experiences during pregnancy.

How much weight should I gain?

This varies from woman to woman, but the average recommendation is between 25 to 40 pounds. Your doctor will determine a healthy range for you based on your pre-pregnancy weight.

What is the best way to deal with morning sickness?

Morning sickness is a natural symptom of pregnancy, but it can be unpleasant. Your doctor can recommend tips for coping and if necessary, prescribe medication to ease your nausea and vomiting.

Can I continue to exercise?

This varies from woman to woman. Many women who follow a routine prior to pregnancy can continue to do so once pregnant, but they might need to reduce the intensity. Your doctor will recommend an appropriate fitness plan for you.

Should I refrain from taking any medications?

Anything you consume is consumed by the baby developing it inside of you. Before taking any medication, be sure they do not pose a risk to the health of your baby.

Do you recommend any tests?

Doctors usually recommend standard tests for all pregnant women and there might be additional testing required if you have a high-risk pregnancy.

What is my miscarriage risk and what can I do to reduce it?

It is important to speak with your doctor about the risks associated with your pregnancy and to learn what you can do to reduce this risk. In severe cases, your doctor could order bed rest during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage.

What labor and delivery emergencies should I prepare for?

All pregnant women create a birth plan with their doctors, but sometimes things do not go as planned. Ask your doctor about potential emergencies, but do your best not to worry about something that might not occur.

Are there any additional tips specific to my health?

Every woman is different. It is important you and your doctor discuss your specific needs. If you have any concerns, no matter how small they seem, do not hesitate to address them with your doctor.

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