Preparing for Pregnancy

Preparing for Pregnancy Getting Your Body Baby-Ready Heather Stott of Charlotte, North Carolina, holds a master's degree in public heath, but she cares about her own health, too. So, “when it came time to try to get pregnant, I did take some extra precautions,” she said. She lowered her caffeine intake and limited her alcohol intake to one glass of wine per week. She stuck with her regular workout routine, running or cycling five or six days each week, to maintain a healthy weight. She added fresh vegetables and prenatal vitamins to her diet, along with calcium and fish oil supplements. She safely stopped taking her anxiety medication, Lexapro, and sought natural ways to relieve anxiety, because she found no studies on the drug's effects on pregnant women. "I did not want to chance anything," Stott said. Her diligence paid off. She gave birth to a healthy baby girl in 2011. “One of the biggest concerns that we in OB/GYN worry about is that people start to think about pregnancy only when they’re already pregnant,” said Dr. Robert Atlas, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. “There are things that we wish people did prior to pregnancy that would... Read More You might also like Decorating Ideas Your Wallet Will Love The Importance of Groundhog Day Talking Taxes: Freelancer Requirements The Seat Filler's Survival Guide Add a Splash of Red Spice Up Your Space with the Color of Love If there's a color that connotes power, love, excitement and imagination — a color that can literally stop you in your tracks — that color is red. The color red can be either feminine or masculine, and it works in rooms of any size or purpose. Studies have shown, however, that the presence of red also can increase the heart rate and raise the blood pressure. Because red triggers such strong responses — both positive and negative — you must... Read More You might also like What Moms Can Stop Worrying About The Greatest Guacamole Ever The Secret World of Nail Colors Managing Your Child's Food Allergies

In This Issue Preparing for Pregnancy Add a Splash of Red   Making Your Apartment a Home Winter Shrubs Decorating Inspiration: Hollywood Glamour White Bedroom Ideas   The 411 on Root Vegetables Pulled Pork Tacos with Chorizo Simple Homemade Salsas Grilled Cheese Mistakes to Avoid   How to Save for Retirement in Your Thirties How to Live on 80% of Your Income Say Goodbye to Six Impulse Buys How Much Money Will You Need for Retirement?

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