Pregnancy Questions?

[ckritcoad]

We found out a week ago that my wife is pregnant with our first. I just wanted to ask some of the ladies some questions.

First off, our main source of protein is chicken, and everytime I mention it now she about loses her lunch, so we were wondering what some other alternatives there might be. She also eats tunafish, cottage cheese, and the occasional protein bar. She is really concerned about gaining a ton of extra weight, but she can't hold down anthing that we usually eat. The only thing she has been able to eat is soup and crackers.

Also with training, she lifts about 3 times a week and does cardio and yoga 3-4 times a week. She wanted to know if she needs to change anything for safety reasons. I told her more than likely not, but we are new to this so we wanted to make sure. Also, if there is a certain time in the pregnancy that she should start tapering off her workouts. For instance around the 7th or 8th month.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

 

[spatts]

Let her listen to her body. Keep training, and if she notices she's more fatigued that usual, overheating more than usual, getting uncomfortable, etc...those are warning signs that she needs to back off and work around it. I was ok up to month 7. Then I had to stop running and move it to an eliptical, I kept lifting but could no longer squat heavy because of the pressure of bearing down.

She will know what is too much.

Now, I may get a little opinionated on the diet, so forgive me, but she's growing a person. Not only does she have to fuel HERSELF, but all the processes that are going in to making another human. Her blood volume will increase, her metabolism will slow down, her digestion will slow down so that every last nutrient can be absorbed, etc...she MUST eat. This is a crucial time to be fueling herself. If she can't eat what she'd normally eat, find a replacement. Any clean source is good, IMHO. This nauseated stage will probably pass around week 12, and it will be a non-issue, but the first 12 weeks are hard, and no time to be restricting things. She might even find that if she eats a small little something regularly, she won't get nauseated. The first sign of hunger will send your stomach spinning when you're pregnant, and can lead to nausea pretty fast. Find something she can stomach...green beans? Strawberries? Sweet potatoes? Oatmeal? Anything. All the protein choices you suggested are good. If she CAN eat it, she should. IMHO, of course. lol

It's not the time to be worried about weight gain. Look at brickgirls abs. That's a woman who claims to have pigged out while pregnant. I went up to 220 when I was pregnant, from 160ish, which was already a little over weight. I came back to a very lean and muscular 146; looked better than I did before I had my 10 pound monster.

 

[spatts]

Also, pregnancy doesn't make you fat. Sitting on your ass eating bonbons and blaming the weight on the child you were pregnant with last year, who is now walking around, is what makes you fat.

Pregnancy isn't the culprit, just the scapegoat.

 

[Hannibal]

We found out a week ago that my wife is pregnant with our first.

Congratulations...and listen to Spatts.

 

[Nonerz]

My sister is due on the 28th of September. She sits on her ass eating bonbons and has been claiming pregnancy cravings since week 3! She was taking an aqua aerobics class for a couple months but stopped about month 5...think she just got lazy.

That's too bad because she lost so much weight for her wedding (Feb 2002) and now she's gained so much...not all baby either. Oh well, I'll just have to take my baby nephew to the gym when he's of age!

 

[ckritcoad]

Thanks Spatts,
As far as diet is concerned, she is mostly concerned about eating clean like you said. She has never really eat'in much. She was a 3 meal a day person until about 6 months ago when I got her going on a different diet of eating 5 balanced meals each day. Before that, her diet consisted mostly of carbs.
She did say that her protein shakes still sounded good and they were going down, so atleast she is getting protein that way. I'm sure she will start feeling a little better after a while and will be able to get down more real food.
Thanks,

 

[ckritcoad]

Thanks Hannibal

 

[ckritcoad]

"Pregnancy isn't the culprit, just the scapegoat."

That is exactly what she said in so many words.
Thanks again.

 

[BrickGirl]

yeah, I got up to I think 180 from 120 when I got pregnent last time I didn't worry about the weight at all, I just ate like a pig, it was great, felt awesome! I just smothered myself in cocoa butter so I didn't get stretch marks Can't wait to do it again

 

[ALB1219]

congrats on the pregnancy.....i'm with spatts on this one....as long as she stays active she should eat whatever she wants! She deserves it and if her body is telling her to eat she needs to eat...She needs to make sure she takes her prenatal vit. I ate when i could durring my prenancy( i was sick for the first 7months ) but I also was out cutting grass and walking up until 7-8months. Tell her to take it easy the first few months b/c she will probably be really tired...I hope all goes well and that the sickness gets better!!! i know you guys will probably get alot of unwanted advice throughtout all of this but one thing i suggest is going and getting the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting" That book was with me at all times...Good luck and take good care of her!

 

[ckritcoad]

Thanks ALB1219,
My sister actually is sending us that exact book.
Thanks,

 

[wend]

First off, congrats to Mama and Papa!

And what Spatts et al have said is right...about the weight gain AND the activity. I was riding my bike to the grocery store the night before I had my second.

One word of caution about that book...it's great for the most part, but some of the info is less than accurate. The one thing in there I really didn't agree with (and got confirmation for my pov from a doctor) is the bit about not taking a hot bath. Hot baths are wonderful when you're pregnant! And to actually hurt the baby, it'd have to be so hot that she couldn't stand it.

Good luck!

 

[spatts]

Think about how hot the water is that the baby's floating in.

 

[wend]

Exactly! And in order to elevate the amniotic fluid to an unsafe level (i.e., to raise the mother's core body temperature), the bath water has to be so hot that it would scald the skin.

There are a few other things in that book that weren't quite right...so if you've got any doubts (like about training), ask your doctor.

The general rule is that you can pretty much keep doing anything you're already conditioned for, as long as your body doesn't send signals that it doesn't like it. One thing you might have to change (in addition to eliminating squats) is how you work your abdominals. Past a certain point, laying on your back can cut off blood flow to the uterus, so you can work your abs by getting on all fours and using them to lift that belly! (And pelvic tilts work great, btw, when the baby is resting awkwardly and giving you discomfort in your back.)

And don't forget to do your kegels! I did them religiously for my first, but didn't for my second...and it made a HUGE difference during the delivery.

 

[ALB1219]

yeah i didnt agree with the hot bath thing either....actually a good hot bath was my best friend durring my pregnancy.....

 

[wend]

Amen! They're pretty sweet post-partum, too. And after the water cools, baby can come in!

 

[gingersnap]

Please be aware that tuna is high in lead and can lead to learning disabilities and lowered IQ's. Tuna, swordfish, and shark should not be consumed by pregnant women. Other fish can be eaten but no more than once a week.

 

[Hannibal]

Amen! They're pretty sweet post-partum, too. And after the water cools, baby can come in!

For a father I would think there was equal enjoyment in holding your newborn child in your hands, and carrying him/her into mama for her to hold. When I think of family..that is one of the images that comes to mind, and it always makes me smile.

 

[ALB1219]

my 10 month old loves to take a shower with me. She likes to try and catch the water....so when your baby arrives get him/her used to the water....blow in their faces and drizzle a little on their face....(when you blow in their face it takes their breath for a second) I took mine swimming when she was 6 months and she loved it...didnt cry or make a face.....

 

[Gymgurl]

Congrats and try to follow Spatts advice. Also I know they tell you to limit tuna to one can a week while pregnant. The funny thing is that I craved it and my dr. told me to limit it! As long as she eats when she is hungry and not just because she is pregnant, she will be fine!

Tell her to try some tea to help with the pukeyness. I drank chamomille and lemon and that seemed to help

 

[spatts]

I know they tell you to limit tuna to one can a week while pregnant.

Really? My doc never told me that. Interesting. I eat a LOT of tuna, but it's rarely canned.

 

[Gymgurl]

Mine was canned and I was eating about 2 a day lol.....It was only when I was pregnant because of the mercury (sp?) My daughter will be two this month so it was about 2 yrs ago he told me.

 

[phem]

congrats... as far as the weight issue goes, Spats has it down...

one word of advice i'd give your wife is to relax a little, especially in the first few months... tell her not to beat herself up if she doesn't feel like going to the gym, and to enjoy the time to just daydream about the pregnancy and the baby...

the nine months really does fly by, don't let her waste this precious time worrying about things that in the scheme of life really are insignificant... she has another life inside of her and she should be proud of the weight she'll gain and the changes her body will go through, it really is a miracle... enjoy every second of it...

sorry, i guess my biological clock is ticking again...eeeek...

 

[Hannibal]

it really is a miracle... enjoy every second of it...

Though I can't speak from personal experience....I still completely agree.

 

[phem]

PHEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Tell us everything!!!!!!!

everything!

hehe...

patience my dear, i'm trying to resolve my dual identities...

the short version... i'm alive and my daughter is blowing kisses at me and smacking me in the face at the moment (i think she wants my attention)... i'll start a thread in a bit

 

[spatts]

PHEM!!!!!