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It is a known fact that Pregnancy and cravings go hand in hand which can make eating a healthy diet a bit of challenge. This is true especially when there are certain food that one cannot eat during pregnancy, as they may be harmful for women to consume during their 9 months of gestation. Here is a list of 9 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy, the reasons why as well as some solutions so you don't miss out on the scrumptious meals and goodies that you may be craving during your pregnancy. 1.Undercooked Meats and Poultry Eating uncooked meat can cause serious complications for pregnant women since bacteria tends to grow in uncooked meats faster than you can say “uncooked meat. To be on the safe side, always use a meat thermometer to make sure meats are cooked properly before serving or eating. A properly cooked Turkey must be at least 165 degrees. Avoid foods made with raw or partially cooked eggs while pregnant. 2. Raw or Partially Cooked Eggs Raw eggs can be contaminated with the harmful bacteria salmonella. Avoid foods made with raw or partially cooked eggs, such as: Eggnog Raw Batter Hollandaise Sauce Caesar salad dressing If you’re baking and are tempted to eat raw batter, try snacking on fruit, nuts or even a glass of milk to keep the raw batter craving at bay. Eating unpasteurized soft cheeses while pregnant can cause complications because of a bacteria called Listeria. 3. Unpasteurized Soft Cheese Unpasteurized soft cheese can be harmful since it may contain Listeria bacteria which can cause complications. You can have other delicious cheeses such as Swiss or Cheddar to satisfy your cheese cravings! Make sure to wash all uncooked veggies to get rid of pesticides. 4. Unwashed Veggies Vegetables that are unwashed may contain: Wax Pesticides Bacteria And the occasional bug, yuck! Make sure those veggies are washed properly so you can get your daily dose of greens. Consuming alcohol while pregnant causes complications and birth defects for you and your baby. 5. Wine Alcohol has been proven to cause complications during pregnancy as well as birth defects. Have some Grape Juice, Ginger Ale or any other of your favorite drink options to stay on the safe side. Homemade cides that are unpasterized have the risk of carrying the bacteria E.Coli. 6. Hot or Cold Cider Homemade ciders are usually made from unpasteurized products which puts them at risk of carrying E. coli which can cause serious food poisoning. Instead try drinking the following: Apple Juice Hot Chocolate Almond milk Too much caffeine while pregnant can affect your baby's growth while pregnant. 7. Excessive Caffeine Too much caffeine can be detrimental to the growth and birth of your baby. If your coffee or soda craving is too intense, go for decaffeinated versions. Too much caffeine can be detrimental to the growth and birth of your baby. If your coffee or soda craving is too intense, go for decaffeinated versions. Avoid any Smoked refrigerated seafood items while pregnant. 8. Refrigerated Smoked Seafood Avoid anything that is labeled ‘nova style’, ‘lox’, ‘kippered,’ ‘smoked’ or ‘jerky. These usually include smoked seafood such as: Salmon Trout Whitefish Tuna Cod These foods tend to carry a Listeria bacteria that can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Stay away from these foods altogether and get your meat fix from meats cooked at the recommended temperature. While pregnant make sure to store left overs properly in fridge to avoid any contamination with raw food and going bad. 9. Improperly Stored Leftovers This is one of those things that usually goes unnoticed, but leftovers which have not been stored properly and at the right temperature are prone to growing harmful bacteria. They can also be cross contaminated with any raw food in your fridge or can simply “go bad. Be sure to properly store and label your leftovers.

So you've made it past your first trimester of pregnancy and are now entering the ever so blissful, second trimester! From the 13th through the 26th week your fatigue and morning sickness will subside giving you a smoother 3 months. During this time you will want to do some of your planning, decorating, and preparing since your energy levels will be up. Of course, you will also experience a whole other set of changes in your body, just as you did in your first trimester. Here are 7 things you need to know about the second trimester 1. You Will Feel More Energized During your second trimester, be prepared to feel a boost in your energy levels. This is due to the increase in your hormone levels as well as being further along in the pregnancy. Your baby is now past a crucial stage of early development, which allows your body's strength to level out. Enjoy this trimester and take the time to take care of some preparations such as: Maternity clothes shopping Decorating your baby's room Putting together a baby registry Talking with your loved ones about planning your baby shower. 2. The Baby Is Moving and Showing You Their Gender One of the most exciting things about the second trimester is that you can now feel your baby’s movement. Yes, he or she is really in there and they are letting you feel just how much they move around. During this time, it’s also common for many parents to want to find out the gender of their baby during an ultrasound visit. Every couple is different and the reasons for wanting or not wanting to know are many. This decision is totally up to you. 3. People Will Want to Rub Your Belly Now that your beautiful baby bump is noticeable, people will want to rub your belly. As human beings, we are fascinated with the creation of life, and many folks feel drawn to rubbing your belly as an endearing way to connect with or to acknowledge your amazing pregnancy. Although some women are ok with this type of affection, many women feel very uncomfortable with people (especially strangers) rubbing their bellies. This is a choice that is truly personal and you should never feel shy to stop someone from invading your personal space if it makes you uncomfortable. 4. The Beginning of Back Pain Now that you are carrying more weight in your belly, your back will begin to feel a bit of stress. This will cause you to have lower back pain more often. Be sure to never sit or stand for extended periods of time as this can cause the back pain to become stronger. There are trained professionals who offer pregnancy massages, which can offer great relief for back pain, you can also do stretching exercises and get plenty of rest. Always consult with your Doctor before trying any of these options since every woman and every pregnancy is unique. 5. Welcome Appetite, Cravings and Weight Gain Now that your morning sickness has gone away your appetite will return and you will begin to have some interesting pregnancy cravings, which along with your baby’s growth, will contribute to more weight gain during the next few weeks. Enjoy yourself and indulge your cravings, but be sure to always consult with your doctor if you are unsure that what you crave is safe for you and your baby.It helps to eat small meals throughout the day as you will be burning more calories and will sustain your energy levels better by doing so. The weight gain will happen, however, make a conscious attempt to stay continue walking and moving around so that you can have a healthy pregnancy. 6. Heartburn May Linger Unfortunately, heartburn is one of those symptoms that may linger during your second trimester. As your internal organs shift to make room for your expanding uterus, acids may continue to be pushed up through your esophagus and giving you the sour taste of heartburn in your mouth. Thankfully it may no longer be accompanied by nausea and there are things you can do to keep it under control.To prevent and treat heartburn you can: Drink a glass of almond milk Take Tums Avoid eating spicy or greasy foods 7. Your Skin will Change Your skin will change significantly in your second trimester. Now that your baby bump is getting bigger and your skin is stretching, you may begin to notice little stretch marks showing up in different areas of your body. Keep your skin moisturized and drink plenty of fluids to help ease up the advancement of stretch marks. Also keep in mind that after your baby is born, they will fade with time.On the plus side, chances are the skin on your face will look amazing and you will have that beautiful pregnancy glow everyone’s always talking about. This article was brought to you in collaboration with Bellefit, the makers of the best postpartum girdles Founded in 2008 Bellefit® is the most mom-trusted and awarded brand of postpartum girdles & corsets for recovery after c-section or natural childbirth. Bellefit® girdles come in five designs made using proprietary compression fabrics. Their unique design features triple-layered reinforced front and back support panels. As a woman-owned company, Bellefit® is no stranger to the challenges new moms face during and after pregnancy. The company helps women feel supported and confident in their changing bodies. Bellefit Girdles

Third trimester tips, welcome to your third trimester! From weeks 27-40 your pregnancy will be at its peak of its wonder. Yes, it's true that some of the symptoms from your second trimester such as back pain and weight gain will continue and some of the symptoms from your first trimester such as nausea and heartburn may return. On the bright side, you are closer than ever to meeting your baby and starting your new life as a family. Here are 7 third trimester tips you need to know. Pesky Varicose Vains Some women will experience these annoying little veins popping up on their legs. Varicose veins during pregnancy occur when the uterus applies pressure to the large vein (the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs. These harmless little veins do eventually go away and are often not painful. Be sure to elevate your legs when you are sitting or lying down to give your legs some relief from these pesky little veins. Some Shortness of Breath Imagine just how tight everything inside your abdomen is now that your baby has grown over 5 Lb.! Organs are pushed up and your lungs are being squeezed more than you'd gotten used to. This tremendous change can cause a pregnant woman in the third trimester to have frequent shortness of breath, especially after a meal. To avoid having to deal with this too much, keep your meals small and frequent. Stretching and taking short walks can also help with this uncomfortable issue. Spontaneous Abdominal Pain & Braxton Hicks Abdominal pain can be onset during the third trimester and almost feels like an annoying stretching sensation on your belly. In addition, Braxton Hicks can begin to happen as well, these unavoidable pre-contractions can be quite uncomfortable for women. In fact, many women are unsure if they are in labor since Braxton Hicks can be quite strong at times, thankfully Braxton Hicks are simply one of the many ways in which your body prepares for the real deal. Swelling As you go through your third trimester your body can easily retain water, which causes different parts of your body to swell. Most commonly women experience swelling in their hands and feet, but this can happen throughout their bodies and can be uncomfortable to deal with.To help keep the swelling at bay or to reduce it once it happens: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day Elevate your legs when sitting or lying down. Frequent Urination As we mentioned previously, your insides are shifting to make room for your growing baby and your bladder is now in close quarters. Add to that the fact that your baby is now larger and tends to move into your bladder more often than not causing you to feel the urge to urinate frequently. This is a good time to start wearing your panty liners once again to prevent accidents as you are headed to the restroom. Wearing panty liners will also keep your natural discharges under control. Nausea Returns Some women will move past the first trimester morning sickness to never have to deal with it again, but some others begin to experience nausea in the third trimester all over again. Although this is very normal, now that you have more weight, and are dealing with so much more, nausea can be extremely uncomfortable for a woman in their third trimester. Take precaution by: Carrying a sickness bag with you Avoid eating greasy foods Eat small meals throughout the day You can also arm yourself with things that help your nausea subside such as: Tums Watermelon Almond milk Fun Fetal Movement The best part of the third trimester is just how noticeable the felt movement of your baby can be. You can now literally feel: Every single movement Hiccup Elbow Jab Kick Your little one is almost fully developed and can hear everything that's happening outside the womb. Check back for other things to know about pregnancy as you enjoy these intimate moments with your baby as you both prepare through the final stretch before you finally meet face to face.

Congratulations on your new pregnancy! As you embark on the journey of pre-motherhood for the next 9 months, you will notice a multitude of changes taking place in your daily life. Here are 7 things you need to know about the first trimester to help you have smooth beginnings during your first 12 weeks. 1.You Will Not "Look Pregnant" Yet In your first trimester it's very likely that you will not "look pregnant" yet. What does this even mean? Well, since your baby/fetus is just starting to grow you will not have a prominent baby bump yet which is usually the most telltale sign of pregnancy. You will, however, start to notice your breasts growing and your body changing slowly. Most women don’t reveal their pregnancy to their friends and family until they reach the 12-week mark, so if you decide to keep it a secret, by the time everyone knows, you will be closer to having a noticeable baby bump. 2. Nap Time Please! To say you will feel tired during your first trimester is an understatement. Your body is going through a tremendous transition form sustaining yourself to creating a brand new person from scratch. So you can expect feeling: Tired Sleepy and Low in energy Give in to the urge to take a nap every now and then and allow yourself to recharge your batteries when your body calls for rest. If this means adjusting your bedtime to an earlier time, then go for it. Before you know it, your second trimester will be here and you will start to feel more energetic then. 3. Morning Sickness Is Not Just in the Morning This one's a doozy! Pregnant women often wonder why it's called morning sickness instead of All-day sickness. Although nausea for pregnant women is most common in the morning time, be ready to accept that it can happen at anytime, anywhere. Take some precautions and always have a couple of sickness bags in your purse, car, and desk. You can also try eating some goodies that are known to help nausea subside such as: Watermelon Tums Nausea Lollipops 4. Hello Heartburn Ugh, heartburn is gross and chances are it will find its way into your daily life during your first trimester. In fact, heartburn is one of the most common tell-tale signs of pregnancy. It makes it difficult to: Brush your teeth Eat Sleep Even just relax Not all women get heartburn, but if you happen to be one of the unlucky ones, you can help the throat acid subside by keeping a bottle of Tums smoothies handy. These magic little chewables take care of heartburn quickly, safely and are loaded with calcium supplements to keep you strong. It's a win-win. 5. Some Foods Are a Big No-No Unfortunately, you will learn that there are some foods that are a BIG no-no in your first trimester because they can be harmful to a fetus in its most crucial development stage. Refrain from consuming products made with unpasteurized milk such as soft cheeses & certain juices. If eating raw vegetables and fruit always make sure that they are washed properly. By all means, avoid eating rare temperature meats, Sushi & raw eggs. Keep your fish consumption to a minimum since most fish today are known to contain mercury which when consumed in large amounts, can be harmful to your fetus. Don't worry, the list of the foods you CAN eat is much bigger than this one and as your pregnancy progresses and your fetus grows stronger, you can have all the foods you love in small portions. Having a healthy diet is a sure way to give your baby the best chance at a healthy growth. (Always consult with your Doctor to be sure). 6. Some Scents Will Gross You Out When you are pregnant and especially in the first trimester, there are some scents that will gross you out pretty badly. It seems like the spike in hormones cause women to have negative reactions to certain smells and although there isn’t a real solution to this issue, you can try to avoid those smells once you identify them. You can also keep a scarf handy that is soaked in a subtle perfume that you really love or even a little jar of coffee beans which can be a natural scent cleanser. 7. You Will Learn Where All the Bathrooms Are Lets close with the most common effect of the first trimester of pregnancy, having to pee ALL THE TIME. Your bladder is slowly being pushed aside as your uterus expands to make room for baby. This gentle squeeze increases the sensitivity to liquid in your bladder thus giving you the urge to urinate more often. Before you know it, you will become a professional Google map of clean public restrooms. To avoid any unnecessary accidents it's recommended that you wear panty liners for those times when the trickle is faster than your leap to the restroom. Bellefit Products

Have you ever been pregnant? If the answer is 'no', then you probably don't really know just how much work a woman's body goes through to make a human from scratch. Yes, it's a beautiful thing to be pregnant, but let's not ignore the fact that this beauty is often: Accompanied by body aches Morning sickness A spike in hormones that can increase emotional sensitivity in women. Before you approach a glowing pregnant woman to admire her with your words, think twice before you blurt out something highly inappropriate that can make her feel bad about herself. Here is a list of the top 10 things you should not say to a pregnant woman: Are you pregnant? Ok, this is THE most important one to remember. No matter how pregnant a woman looks, you should never ask if she's pregnant, because what if she's not? A woman who is pregnant is likely to bring it up on her own, so remember to never be the one that brings it up and spare you AND her the embarrassment. Was it planned? Seriously? Do we even have to go there? Asking a pregnant woman if her pregnancy was planned is a big no-no. Think about it, this is useless information to you, and it is very private and more importantly, it's none of your business. You don't look pregnant! A pregnant woman may not want to hear this. It can make her think there is something wrong with her or her baby and why would you want to do that to her? If a woman says, "I'm 5 months pregnant", then she's 5 months pregnant and there is no need to give your opinion on the size of her baby bump. Are you sure it's not twins? Ugh, this is one of the most common things people say to pregnant women. How do people even gauge what being pregnant with twins looks like? Chances are that if a woman were carrying twins, she would obviously know that kind of information. Women's baby bumps come in all shapes and sizes, some carry larger bumps, some smaller, it all depends on their body frame and the size of the baby. Pregnant women already feel big with all the changes their bodies go through and they don't need someone's comment about their size to make them feel bad about themselves. Are you sure you should eat that? Pregnancy cravings are a mysterious phenomenon, no woman is ever really sure why they crave certain things, but when they do, you better not get in her way. Unless she is unknowingly about to consume some poisonous concoction, then you're better off keeping your culinary commentary to yourself. Are you going to have another one? If you see a woman who is very pregnant and dealing with everything that comes with having a child chances are the LAST thing on her mind is whether or not she's going to have more children. Live in the now and refrain from asking about the size of her family because she probably doesn't want to hear that just yet. You're probably going to need a C-Section Really? Unless you are a trained professional in the field of childbirth, then how would you know? Labor and delivery is a stage in pregnancy that women prepare for with much care and it is not common for most women to want to have a C-section because it's a major surgery and not the ideal way to give birth. So if you imply that she will have a C-section, you are basically telling her that no matter how much she plans, everything can go terribly wrong and her plans just don't matter. Are you sure you want to do that? Being a mom is going to be so hard for you! No, no, no. Don't ever say that. Women have many instincts that have kept civilization growing and thriving for thousands of years. No matter how a woman has chosen to live her life before having children, it is not your place to comment on what type of mom she will be. You can seriously hurt her feelings, prompt her to doubt her abilities causing her stress and feelings of inadequacy during her pregnancy. You look tired. Do you like it when people tell YOU that you look tired? It's basically saying, "You look like crap and everyone can see that." It's just not nice. You're still pregnant?! A woman in her third trimester has been working round the clock making a human. She can't breathe properly Burdened by heartburn Not able to sleep comfortably Her back hurts Her feet are swollen There is nothing she wants more in this world that for her baby to be born. Do you really think she wants to hear other people sarcastically ask her if she's still pregnant? We think not. Always consider that pregnant women are making a human. It's not an easy task and your comments can make the difference between her having a great or a horrible day. Instead of blurting out opinions or questions about her pregnancy, do sweet things to make her feel good about herself like: Hold the door for her Give her some flowers Tell her she looks beautiful Just keep it simple and smile. Trust us, you don't ever want to say something that makes a pregnant woman cry because both you and her will end up feeling terrible about it.

Aside from the obvious pregnancy essentials like prenatal vitamins and maternity books, there are a few items that are absolute must-haves for the mom-to-be. Body Pillow Sleep can be somewhat uncomfortable for pregnant women. There is a big belly in the way to think about, so sleeping on your stomach ceases to be an option as you enter your second trimester. Thankfully, women have found much comfort in the positions that can be achieved with the help of pregnancy body pillows! There are a variety of styles by many reputable companies that you can search to find the perfect fit. Coconut Oil Coconut oil is a must have during pregnancy for it's seemingly infinite uses. During pregnancy (as well as after) coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer, stretch mark reducer and even an eye-makeup remover! It doesn't end there; you can also use it for cooking, making lip balm and get this, frizzy hair tamer! So stock up on a big jar and separate it into small mason jars to keep in your purse, bathroom and kitchen! Tums Heartburn is the worse! We'll never really know if the old wives tale that says heartburn happens because the baby will have a lot of hair, but we do know that no matter the reason, Tums will help ease the horrendous burn. Long gone are the days of chalky heartburn chews. Tums now makes both chewable candies and a smoothie, which are both, way easier to consume and taste delish! Lip Balm Lips tend to dry and chap so easily during pregnancy.So keep a nice supply of your favorite moisturizing lip balms to keep your lips soft and pain-free. Maternity Jeans Lets face it, the rubber band on the button trick will only work for a little while. As your belly grows and your daily life continues, you will soon realize that having a great pair (or two) of maternity jeans is a must! Jeans go with anything and can be dressed up or down making them the most flexible and efficient piece of your wardrobe. Maternity Tank Tops Whether you're pregnant during the hot or cold time of the year, having maternity tank tops will make your life much easier. These tank tops can be worn on their own or layered under a blouse that may otherwise be too short or can no longer be buttoned-up. Get them in all your favorite colors; you'll be glad you did! Maternity Gaucho Pants So wearing sweatpants too much may make you feel a bit down on yourself, so wear maternity Gauchos instead! These super comfy jersey cotton pants look like a skirt but provide all the comfort of pants; they are light and look beautiful with a blouse, tank top or even a t-shirt. Flats & Flip Flops As your pregnancy progresses you will notice that not only are your obvious body parts getting bigger, but also some of the ones you least expected, like your feet! Get yourself a few pairs of ballet flats, which are stretchy and super comfortable. You can also get a pair of comfortable and snazzy flip-flops to make sure you always have comfy shoes to wear. Nursing Bra Nursing bras are some of THE most comfortable type of bra that a woman can wear during pregnancy. They are made with comfort in mind and provide great support without unnecessary pressure. Plus, wearing it during pregnancy gives you the advantage of becoming very familiar with your nursing bra before using it with the baby! Snack Stash When you are pregnant, you don't ever want to be hungry and have nothing at hand to eat. You have to keep in mind that your energy and your blood sugar levels have to remain positive. Get a little stash of snack bars, nuts, fruit & other healthy goodies that you can keep in your purse, car or desk. This way when hunger strikes, you always have something to hold you off until you can get a full meal.