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 l recently came across an interesting quote about food. Here, take a look :   “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”   Hmmm… Such an interesting piece right? Yea it is.   Food is undoubtedly a major contributor to our physical well being. The food choices we make go a long way in determining our state of health. It is even more so in the case of a pregnant woman and the baby in her womb.  It is therefore important for pregnant women to pay attention to their food diets.Experts recommend the following key components during pregnancy:   Appropriate weight gain A balanced diet Regular Exercise Appropriate and timely vitamin and mineral Supplementation    To maintain a healthy pregnancy, approximately 300 extra calories are needed each day. These calories should come from  a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Sweets and fats should be kept to the barest minimum in the diet of a pregnant woman.   On fluid intake,it is recommended that a pregnant woman takes between 8 to 12 glasses of water daily. Please do ensure the water is safe for drinking.   It will also interest you to know that a healthy, well balanced diet can also help to reduce some pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and complications.   Here is a more detailed breakdown of foods that are beneficial for health and fetal development during pregnancy:   Vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach etc fruits such as mangoes, bananas, apricots, oranges , red or pink grapefruit. Grains: ready to eat cereals/ cooked cereals Proteins such as: beans and peas, nuts and seeds, lean beef, salmon etc.   Finally, Let’s consider some safe guidelines for safe food handling:   Wash : Rinse all raw produce thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting or cooking.   Clean : Wash your hands, knives, countertops and cutting boards after handling and preparing uncooked foods.   Cook : Cook beef, pork or poultry to a safe internal temperature verified by a food thermometer.   Chill : Promptly refrigerate all perishable food.   Oops! Time to go ..but not to worry, I’ll be back before you know it. Till then, stay healthy.

Hey folks! Knowledge is wealth, as the saying goes, right? Yea. This is why we always like to bring information about the well-being of our expectant mothers and their unborn babies from time to time. Today we take a look at Hypertension in Pregnancy. First, what is hypertension? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines hypertension as a condition where the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. The condition is also known as High Blood Pressure. When the blood pressure is above 140/90, we are already dealing with hypertension; a blood pressure above 180/120 is a severe case of this phenomenon. It might interest you to know that some women have hypertension during pregnancy. This can considerably endanger both the mother and the baby. High blood pressure can cause problems during and after delivery. The good news, however, is that this condition is both preventable and treatable. Let’s take a look at some symptoms of Hypertension in Pregnancy. These include severe headaches, Nausea and vomiting, excess protein in the urine, change in vision, upper abdominal pain etc. Here are some prevention tips for hypertension during pregnancy: Work with your doctor to help you stay within a weight range that is healthy for you. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as both are known to raise blood pressure. What steps should you take as a hypertensive pregnant woman? It’s essential to visit your doctor regularly and religiously follow his prescriptions and treatment options. That would be all on this blog today. Till we come your way next time, stay healthy!

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health concern affecting people of all genders and demographics worldwide. However, today, we will focus on the prevalence of STIs among pregnant women and explore ways to prevent and treat them.   Pregnant women, like anyone else, can contract STIs through unprotected sex, sharing sharp objects, oral sex, and more. To prevent STIs, it’s recommended to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STI test results. Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex can also help prevent STIs.   If pregnant women are already infected with STIs, treatment options vary depending on the type of STI. Antibiotics are generally safe during pregnancy and can effectively treat and cure STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis. However, STIs caused by viruses, such as genital herpes, hepatitis B, or HIV, cannot be cured. Still, antiviral medications and other preventive measures can reduce the risk of passing the infection to the baby. Pregnant women or those considering pregnancy should get tested for STIs and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their babies.   A real-life story highlights the importance of following medical advice and prescriptions when dealing with STIs during pregnancy. In 2022, a pregnant woman with an incompetent cervix, needed a cerclage for support and had contracted an STI. After undergoing surgery and treatment, she contracted another STI because she had intercourse against her doctor’s advice. Tragically, she lost her baby. This story underscores the need for women to follow medical advice and prescriptions carefully to ensure they receive the best possible treatment.   While foundations like ours can do their part, parents also have a crucial role in preventing STIs among young people. By working together and with God’s help, we can save many more lives.