Is it harmful to skip meals during pregnancy?

Your developing baby will extract all the nutrients essential for its growth through the placenta & your blood. Therefore, your diet is important for the proper growth of your baby. Baby’s organ which is formed during the first few weeks of pregnancy, require certain vitamins & minerals to develop correctly. However, skipping meals will cause harm to you and your baby. Therefore, you need a continuous intake of nutritious food for proper growth of your baby as well as you. HMOM is one of the tried & tested app for suggesting & maintaining proper diet (trimester-wise) & diet reminders which will help you to eat on time without getting starved & missing your meals.

                                                             • How Much To Eat

Growing a baby takes a lot of nutrition out of you. So, women beginning their pregnancy at a normal weight should eat an average of 300 extra calories per day. Over-weight or under-weight women should speak with their doctor about their nutritional needs. Eating regularly also helps stave off nausea, a common complaint in early pregnancy.

                                                             • What to Eat

A diet containing a variety of vegetables, fruits, dairy foods, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats and oils, such as from nuts and avocados, helps in the proper development of baby's organs and bones. Dark green vegetables and fortified cereals and juices are good sources of folic acid, Vitamin – B are important for reducing the chance of neural tube defects. Calcium is vital for strong bones and teeth while aiding your circulation and nervous system.

                                                              • How to Avoid Meal


Skipping It should be a priority not to skip meals, and this can take a bit of planning. Keep healthy grab-and-go options like dry fruit and nuts on hand to eat. Set an alarm every couple of hours if you need to remind yourself to eat.

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What are the problems faced by women after pregnancy?

Your body has been through quite the ordeal to give birth to your baby, and you will need adequate time to recover. With a normal, vaginal birth you will bleed for a few weeks following birth as well as feel pain in the genital area (especially if you tore during delivery). You may also experience hemorrhoids (due to pushing), and lower back pain for about 3 months following delivery. A cesarean section, on the other hand, will have additional itching and scarring to deal with for at least 4-weeks. Incision pain can last up to 8 weeks. You will also have to refrain from sex and halt any exercise for at least 10 weeks.

1. Breastfeeding is a very unique thing women feel especially for the first time mums.

2. You will start to feel hair loss.

3. Body changes are quite common in pregnancy.

4. Skin discoloration happens with some percentage of women.


5. Belly size increases.

6. Your breast size increases.

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What are some stress management tips for pregnant women?

For a mom-to-be, it is normal to be stressed about the changes happening in their life & body. If they are stressed once in a while, it may not cause any harm to their baby. But if they are stressed day in & day out, it’s better to visit your doctor for help. Extreme stress can increase the chances of premature birth as well as low birth weight. Reducing stress during pregnancy can help you enjoy this period which can be done by following the tips mentioned below:
• Tip 1: Laughter Laughter is a great way to reduce stress during pregnancy as well as normally.
• Tip 2: Visitors Invite your family & friends to visit you during pregnancy. They will help to provide you with support, socializing, chatting and laughter.
• Tip 3: Walking It is the best exercise to be done during pregnancy. Consult with your doctor about taking walks. Try a brisk walk in the morning or before work which will make you feel more energetic & less stressed.
• Tip 4: Pregnancy Diary It is fun & helpful to keep a pregnancy diary which helps to relieve your stress. Also, you can show it to your child when they grow older.
• Tip 5: Drink water during pregnancy, your body remains dehydrated from sickness & loss of appetite. Drinking plenty of water not only makes your body hydrated & healthy but also stress-free as your body is plenty of fluids.
• Tip 6: Naps during pregnancy, your body needs extra energy as the baby is growing inside your body followed by a number of changes. It is advised to take a nap of 30 minutes to an hour during the middle of the day to reduce stress.

• Tip 7: Foot Soaks during pregnancy, your feet may swell or sore due to extra weight. It feels wonderful to soak your feet in warm water for 30 minutes in a comfortable position. It is one of the best tips for stress reduction.

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Is it normal to bleed in your first trimester of pregnancy?

Understandably, any degree of bleeding can be alarming for women. While it is common in all stages of pregnancy, it doesn't mean it is normal. However, it also doesn't mean doom. The important thing is to inform your provider for appropriate evaluation. Spotting is very light bleeding, similar to what you may have at the very beginning or end of your period. It can vary in color from pink to red to brown (the color of dried blood). It's not always possible to determine the reason behind prenatal spotting or bleeding. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Sex: More blood flows to your cervix during pregnancy, so it's not unusual to notice spotting after intercourse. A cervical polyp (a benign growth on the cervix) can also cause spotting or bleeding after sex.- A Pap smear or internal exam - You may have spotting after you've had a Pap smear or internal exam for the same reasons – greater blood flow to the cervix or a cervical polyp.

- Implantation bleeding: Very early in pregnancy, even before you realize you're pregnant, you may have some spotting for a day or two. This bleeding may be caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the wall of your uterus, but no one knows for sure.
- Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy: Spotting or bleeding, especially if accompanied by abdominal pain or cramping, can be an early sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy (when the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes). An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening, which is one of the reasons it's important to let your practitioner know immediately if you have bleeding or pain in your first trimester.
- Infections: Spotting can also be caused by conditions unrelated to pregnancy. A vaginal infection (such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis) or a sexually transmitted infection (such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes) can cause your cervix to become irritated or inflamed. An inflamed cervix is particularly prone to spotting after sex or a Pap smear.
In case you are spotting - Call your doctor or midwife right away, even if the bleeding seems to have stopped. While it may turn out to be something minor, it could be a sign of a serious problem. What your healthcare practitioner does next will depend on your individual situation.

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What is the cause of diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy?

Diabetes is a condition in which the sugar in your blood is more than what is normal. If you didn’t have diabetes before conceiving and developed it during your pregnancy due to various hormonal changes during your gestation, it is called gestational diabetics or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). If your testing confirms gestational diabetes, our first approach is conservative. Nutritional adjustments and adding a comfortable exercise regimen like daily walking may be all that some women require. Home monitoring of your blood sugar with a glucose monitor is also often provided. If necessary, medication is recommended. The food you consume passes through your digestive system and undergoes many processes and reactions and gets broken down into glucose, which is a type of sugar.

This glucose that enters your blood is converted into energy with the help of a hormone called Insulin. The cells in our body use this energy to function. The normal blood sugar ranges will be- Fasting- 70-100mg/dl 1 hour after meals- less than 140mg/dl When you are pregnant, due to various hormonal changes, the production of insulin by the pancreas is disturbed. For some pregnant ladies insulin produced is not sufficient enough to turn the glucose into energy. The unused glucose builds up resulting in high sugar levels in the blood. A high sugar level in blood is nothing but diabetes. Usually, gestational diabetes doesn’t show any symptoms. But sometimes you may feel thirstier, your trips to pee may increase, your mouth may be dry and you may get infections like thrush more often.

Sometimes blurred vision too. But often such physical changes like more wee and thirst are common when you are pregnant and so it is difficult to find out if you have diabetes just by looking at the symptoms. If you have high blood pressure your chance of getting diabetes during pregnancy is high. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, don’t worry much because the majority of ladies deliver healthy babies and have normal gestation if the diabetes is controlled with dietary changes and medications as per your doctor’s advice. But if not treated properly some problems (doctors will tell you) can occur to your pregnancy/delivery and your baby.

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What are the minimum days to show the symptoms of pregnancy?

One week after your missed period, most home pregnancy tests HPTs will give you accurate answers. Early signs of pregnancy can occur before a positive pregnancy test, which is associated with the secretion of the hormone HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin). Although this hormone detects in large numbers only after a missed menstruation, there are women who feel symptoms of pregnancy even before they miss their period.

Not to make a lot of burdens, here are some facts that need to pay attention to recognize the early symptoms of pregnancy. In the beginning, we should know that women and their pregnancies are different. Some feel the signs within one week after conception, while others come to realize only after the missing period and positive pregnancy test. Some women do not feel any symptoms. In addition to eliminating the possibility that the symptoms associated with something else unrelated to pregnancy. Also, women differently feel pregnancy. Some do not change their daily activities until just before birth, while others change their habits from the start. It is quite normal that pregnancy changes emotional state creates fears and doubts about pregnancy and childbirth as well as anticipation and excitement.


As soon as you suspect you are pregnant, you should visit the doctor or do a pregnancy test. If you are pregnant it is crucial to learn as much as you can about pregnancy and how to take care of yourself and the baby growing inside you. Cigarettes, alcohol and certain drugs can harm the unborn child so you should immediately discontinue their use. Yes, as the baby is now growing inside you, you will experience new feelings. Feeling of loss of appetite and weakness too. You might feel tired. You will feel some changes in your breasts. They will increase in size and sometimes are painful. Please don’t worry if you feel irritable and depressed as these are all due to hormonal changes inside you. But remember if you have severe pain in the abdomen or reddish discharge from vagina please consult your doctor immediately.

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What are some healthy activities to do during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a very unique phase one could even witness in her life. Follow up with the general schedule for an uncomplicated pregnancy: From the beginning of your pregnancy through 28 weeks you will have a monthly appointment. From 28-36 weeks, you will have an appointment every 2 – 3 weeks. From 36 weeks until delivery, you will have a weekly appointment. Before beginning any exercise program, talk with your doctor to make sure you do not have any obstetric or health conditions that would limit your activity.

Ask about any specific exercise or sports that interest you. Your doctor can offer advice about what type of exercise routine is best for you. The extra weight you are carrying will make your body work harder than before you were pregnant. Exercise increases the flow of oxygen and blood to the muscles being worked and away from other parts of your body. Therefore, it is important to not overdo it. Try to exercise moderately so you don’t get tired quickly. If you are able to talk normally while exercising, your heart rate is at an acceptable level. Staying active is great for you and the baby. If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy you can continue your current exercise regimen with a few modifications. Routine dental work is safe during pregnancy and we encourage you to keep up with your normal dental health routine.

Keep track of when you feel nauseated and what causes it. If continued vomiting occurs, do not eat or drink anything until the vomiting has stopped. As you feel better, try some small amounts of clear liquids (broth, Jello, apple, grape or cranberry juice, and / or popsicles.) A certain amount of swelling (called edema) is normal during pregnancy. It occurs most often in the legs. Elevating the legs usually reduces the swelling by the next morning. Swelling can begin during the last few months of pregnancy, and it may occur more often in the summer. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have swelling in your hands or face, because this may be a sign of another problem. A clue that your hands are swollen is that your rings are too tight. Never take medications (water pills) for swelling unless they have been prescribed for you by your OB/GYN. At least half of all pregnant women seem to have problems with constipation. One reason for this may be changes in hormones that slow the movement of food through the digestive tract your uterus may add to the problem. Here are some suggestions that may help:

• Drink plenty of liquids at least 6-8 glasses of water each day, including 1-2 glasses of fruit juice such as prune juice.

• Liquids (such as coffee, tea and cola) which make you go to the bathroom should not be ingested. They will tend to create a negative water balance in your body and thus make your stools harder and more difficult to pass.

• Eat food high in fiber, such as raw fruits and vegetables and bran cereals.

• Exercise daily. Walking is a good form of exercise.

• Senokot, Doxidan, Metamucil, Colace, Milk of Magnesia and other gentle stool softeners are safe to use in pregnancy In the last three months of pregnancy, you may find that you have more leg cramps.

Get plenty of calcium (three glasses of milk or a supplement) and potassium (oranges or bananas). Stretching your legs before going to bed can help relieve cramps. Avoid pointing your toes when stretching or exercising. Your prenatal vitamins should be the only supplement used during pregnancy unless your doctor specifically directs you to use an additional product.


Prenatal vitamins are vital in the wake of the increased demands of pregnancy. Growing a new person isn’t easy on your body, and you will require additional vitamins and minerals in your diet—like folic acid, calcium, and iron—for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Rather than just selecting a prenatal vitamin yourself, talk to your doctor or midwife about if you need a special formulation (i.e., in cases of anemia or nutritional deficiencies), and if a tablet, capsule, or liquid prenatal vitamin will work most efficiently. You can do your part to prevent stretch marks by drinking lots of water to keep skin hydrated, by massaging your skin daily with a moisturizer or oil that’s high in vitamin A and vitamin E (i.e., cocoa butter) to prevent stretch marks, and increase circulation and tissue repair; and by consuming a diet that’s rich in skin-supporting vitamins—E, C, A, and zinc.

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