Author: Fernandez Hospital

Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

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Carrying a baby in the womb and giving birth is a beautiful feeling that women get to experience. During pregnancy, it is quite natural that the blood pressure of women may fluctuate.

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Blood Pressure

The pressure at which blood is pumped throughout the body is known as blood pressure. Usually, blood pressure is measured in terms of the maximum pressure over the minimum pressure. In an adult, the normal resting blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg (millimetres of Mercury) approximately.

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Pregnancy and Blood Pressure

When a woman conceives, there are changes in her body due to hormonal influence. Due to this, the blood pressure of the pregnant woman fluctuates. During the first and second trimester of pregnancy, blood pressure may be lower than normal.  And in some cases, blood pressure becomes higher than normal. And as time progresses, after delivery, blood pressure may return to normal.

So, it is very necessary that special attention should be given if you are suffering from high or low blood pressure during pregnancy.

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Types of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

  • Gestational Hypertension: When a pregnant woman develops hypertension after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and no other organs are affected, it is referred to as gestational hypertension.
  • Chronic Hypertension: When a woman has blood pressure before being pregnant or before the 20th week of pregnancy, then it is known as chronic hypertension (Pre-existing Hypertension).
  • Preeclampsia: Sometimes, gestational hypertension or chronic hypertension can lead to preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious medical condition during pregnancy which is also known as toxaemia. It occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy which is characterized by high blood pressure along with signs of other organ system damage. Preeclampsia when left untreated may cause severe complications including death of the foetus.

Problems Caused Due to High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure during pregnancy, causes different types of health problems, including :

  • Fetal Growth Restriction: High blood pressure may result in slow growth of the baby, leading to low birth weight.
  • Premature Delivery: In order to prevent further complications due to high blood pressure, premature delivery may be necessitated.
  • Separation of Placenta: Due to preeclampsia, the placenta may get separated from the uterus before the baby is born. And when the placenta prematurely separates from the uterus heavy bleeding may occur which may be seen coming through the vagina. In some cases, separation of the placenta from the uterine wall may be life threatening for both the mother and the baby.
  • Eclampsia : Preeclampsia can lead to mother having seizures (fits / convulsions) that is called Eclampsia. This is life threatening for both the mother and the baby.
  • Multi-Organ Damage: Preeclampsia can affect all the organs of the mother – leading to multi-organ damage. Sometimes, any one organ like the kidney, liver or blood cell may be affected, and this may lead to premature delivery. The mother is also at risk of developing HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low platelets).


What are the Symptoms of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, many times, may occur without any warning symptoms. It may be detected by your doctor during routine check-ups.

The symptoms of severe preeclampsia include:

  • Severe headache that doesn’t go away with simple painkillers
  • Problems with vision, such as blurring or flashing before the eyes
  • Severe pain just below the ribs
  • Heartburn that doesn’t go away with antacids
  • Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, hands or feet
  • Feeling very unwell.

Who is Likely to Get Preeclampsia? How to Prevent High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy:

Preeclampsia can occur in any pregnancy but you are at higher risk if:

  • Your blood pressure was high before you became pregnant
  • Your blood pressure was high in a previous pregnancy
  • You have a medical problem such as kidney problems or diabetes or a condition that affects the immune system, such as lupus.

If any of these apply to you, you should be advised to take low-dose aspirin (75 mg) once a day in pregnancy, to reduce your risk.

The importance of other factors is less clear-cut, but you are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia if more than one of the following applies:

  • This is your first pregnancy
  • You are aged 40 or over
  • Your last pregnancy was more than 10 years ago
  • You are very overweight – a BMI (body mass index) of 35 or more
  • Your mother or sister had preeclampsia during pregnancy
  • You are carrying more than one baby.

If you have more than one of these risk factors, you may also be advised to take low-dose aspirin once a day in pregnancy.

Treatment for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and suffering from high blood pressure, it is very necessary to seek your doctor’s advice.  Normally, a doctor may suggest the following in order to make your blood pressure normal and keep you and your baby safe.

  • Advise admission
  • Medications to lower high blood pressure
  • Offer frequent tests of your blood and urine
  • Monitor the health of the baby

So, it becomes very necessary to have regular check-ups during the gestation period. It will help you to know your health status and that of your baby. And if you are suffering from high blood pressure, your doctor will recommend certain things that you need to do.

Check-Ups and Tests to Get During Pregnancy

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It is very important for women who are pregnant to have regular check-ups either with a doctor or a midwife. There are certain types of tests and scans which are needed to be done during pregnancy. All these help in keeping track of your baby whether it is developing in a healthy way or not. Moreover, you also get to know about your health.

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For some women, pregnancy turns out to be well with no complications. But that doesn’t mean that you can skip those check-ups and tests. These procedures are not to be missed during pregnancy.

These are some of the prenatal tests and check-ups :

  • Routine Check-ups: During pregnancy, you have to visit your doctor many times for routine check-ups where certain types of urine and blood tests will be done. Your blood pressure will be checked and it will be determined through the blood and urine tests if you are suffering from gestational diabetes. All these tests are done to see if there are any problems which may create complications during pregnancy or during labour and to check the health of the baby, as well.

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  • Ultrasound: Every pregnant woman needs to do an ultrasound between 18 weeks and 21 weeks of pregnancy. This scan is known as Anomaly Scan which lets the doctor know if there is any structural deformity in the foetus. Ultrasound also helps in detecting :
  • If you are carrying a single baby or twins or more
  • The size of the baby
  • The health status of the baby
  • Position of the baby
  • Neural tube defects
  • Amniocentesis: It is a specialised procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is taken from the mother’s womb. Normally, it is done between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy and is performed on those women who have the risk of genetic disorders. It helps in assessing whether your baby has any chances of developing any birth defects or  has already developed some.

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  • Down’s Syndrome Screening: This test helps in assessing whether your baby has the risk of suffering from Down’s Syndrome.
  • CVS or Chorionic Villus Sampling: This is done for those pregnancies where the risk of the baby suffering from serious inherited disorders is higher. It is an alternative test to Amniocentesis and is done by taking a sample of cells from the placenta.

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Exercising for a Healthy Pregnancy

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Introduction:

As one of the most fulfilling phases in a woman’s life, being pregnant doesn’t mean that you have to sit and relax throughout the whole pregnancy period. Yes, during your pregnancy, you may feel more tired than before. You may have backache and swollen ankles. But it is very essential for pregnant women to keep active. Exercising during pregnancy will not only help you to stay in shape but also prepare you for labour and delivery. It allows you to return to your pre-pregnancy shape faster.

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Exercising during pregnancy doesn’t mean that you have to do complicated workouts. Simple exercises daily are enough to keep you fit and active. So, in order to have a healthy pregnancy, you should consult your doctor or an experienced trainer or join classes on pregnancy exercises.

Exercising and Pregnancy:

Exercising 20-30 minutes 3 or 4 days a week can help you maintain a healthy pregnancy. Walking is one the best exercises which provides a moderate aerobic conditioning without much stress. Swimming, pedalling on stationary cycle, light aerobics and yoga are some of the good exercise choices during pregnancy.

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While exercising, it is very essential to stay hydrated. Have plenty of fluids and don’t be overheated. Exercise to the limit you are comfortable and as per your health trainer’s suggestions.

Benefits of exercising during pregnancy: 

  • Relieves backache and other discomforts
  • Increases your stamina and energy level
  • Prevents you from gaining excess weight
  • Helps you to sleep better
  • Gives a boost to your mood
  • Reduces the risk of gestational diabetes
  • Reduces constipation
  • Helps proper blood circulation
  • Gives a healthy glow to your face
  • Controls pregnancy related high blood pressure
  • Reduces the symptoms of postpartum depression


It is better not to exercise during pregnancy if you have the following problems:

  • Cervical problems
  • Heart or lung related disease
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Previous pre-term labour
  • Threatened miscarriage


Do’s while exercising:

  • Wear comfortable and loose fitting clothes along with a supportive bra
  • Wear well-fitting sports shoes
  • Exercise on flat surface to prevent injury
  • Choose healthy food and eat at least an hour before exercise
  • Drink lots of water before, during and after exercising
  • If you are doing floor exercises, get up slowly


Don’ts while exercising:

  • Avoid exercises involving extensive hopping, bouncing, skipping and jumping
  • Avoid exercises which have chances of you falling down
  • Avoid waist twisting movements
  • Avoid exercising in hot and humid conditions
  • Don’t  hold your breath for a long time
  • Don’t do extensive exercises for long periods of time


Conclusion:

So, if you are pregnant, do moderate exercises to stay fit and healthy. Not only you, but your baby also will greatly benefit by the exercises.

Exercise daily and have a healthy pregnancy.

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Stork Delivers the First Baby

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Dr.Evita.jpgLast night I stood silently by the side of a young mother who asked me to be present at the birth of her second baby. I re-entered a birthing room after several years. It was a privilege, to be a part of that very special, intimate circle. She chose to have the chants of the Vipassana meditation which added a spiritual dimension and left her calm.

I continue to be in awe of the mystery of birth. I never cease to be amazed by the quiet inner strength and determination of a woman, to birth. The sheer unadulterated joy she displays when she holds her baby only reiterates the power of a mother’s love.

Thank you my young mother, for drawing me back into that special spot last night.

A successful vaginal birth, following a previous Cesarean section, is a reason to celebrate. You have only reinforced my belief in women and their understanding of their own bodies.

Our first birth in Stork Home – a good beginning indeed.

– Dr. Evita Fernandez

Diabetes During Pregnancy

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One of the most common complications during pregnancy is diabetes. The diabetes which occurs during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It happens to pregnant women when their body does not produce the required quantity of hormone called insulin. However, every pregnant woman doesn’t suffer from gestational diabetes.

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Reasons for gestational diabetes:

When a woman gets pregnant, the sugar level in the body automatically goes up. So, the body requires extra insulin during pregnancy. And if the extra insulin is not produced by the pancreas to reduce the level of sugar build-up in your blood, gestational diabetes may develop. Having a high sugar level during pregnancy is not only harmful to you but also to your baby.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes:

Though there are no proper symptoms for gestational diabetes, those who suffer may experience the following. However, some of these occur in normal pregnancy, so it is very difficult to differentiate if you are suffering from gestational diabetes.

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Feeling thirsty
  • Frequent urination
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Feeling constantly hungry
  • Snoring more than usual

Complications of gestational diabetes:

If gestational diabetes is left untreated, the following complications may occur.

  • Health risk to the baby
  • Baby grows much bigger than normal size making delivery complicated
  • Breathing difficulty for the baby
  • Jaundice may occur in the baby
  • Low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia may occur in the baby later

How to prevent gestational diabetes?

In order to prevent gestational diabetes, the following may be helpful for the pregnant women.

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Staying active by doing light work, walking or exercising
  • Maintaining a weight essential for normal pregnancy

 

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Diagnosis:

As part of the regular check-up during pregnancy, doctors do a urine test every time to check the sugar level in your blood. If the level is high then they will do a glucose tolerance test which will confirm if you are suffering from gestational diabetes or not.

 

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Treatment:

The risk associated with diabetes during pregnancy can be treated by controlling the blood sugar level. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, doctors normally recommend the following :

  • Monitoring the level of sugar various times a day
  • Doing urine test frequently
  • Making a healthy food plan as per your doctor’s advice
  • Moving around, especially after taking meals
  • Doing exercises

 

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Diabetes Before Pregnancy

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Introduction:

When a woman gets pregnant, it is very essential that she is healthy and free of disease. This is one of the main factors in giving birth to a healthy baby. And, if you have diabetes before getting pregnant, then special care should be taken to control it. You should consult your doctor before getting pregnant. Otherwise, there is a possibility of the baby being born with health defects.

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Complications of diabetes before pregnancy:

Due to poor control of diabetes, some women even have miscarriages or lose their baby during childbirth. In order to prevent these complications, there is need for proper treatment to control diabetes before you get pregnant.  High glucose levels and Ketones, which are very dangerous, present in the mother pass through the baby’s placenta leading to various type of complications.

High glucose level before pregnancy, if not controlled, may result in the following complications during childbirth :

  • Miscarriage
  • Health risks to the baby
  • Premature delivery
  • Different types of birth defects
  • Low glucose level at the time of birth
  • Prolonged jaundice in the baby
  • Respiratory problems in the baby
  • Difficulty during delivery necessitating caesarean section
  • Infections in the vaginal area and urinary bladder
  • Kidney problems
  • Eye problems

How to prevent and control blood sugar level?

Babies born to mothers having diabetes are at the risk of having diabetes in later stages. The complete organs of a baby are formed within a period of 7 weeks from the date of your last menstrual period. And when you realise that you have conceived, it becomes too late to control diabetes. Since the early weeks play a crucial part in the development of the baby, controlling your blood sugar level is very important. So, it is better to get your glucose level lowered if you are planning a baby.

Proper treatment and regular check-ups reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and after childbirth. When a woman conceives, the level of blood sugar automatically goes up.  Doing exercises, light work, taking meals and medications as prescribed by your doctor will help you balance your blood sugar levels.

Tips for women suffering with diabetes before pregnancy:

  • Plan your pregnancy
  • Control the level of blood sugar before and during pregnancy
  • Follow a proper diet chart recommended by your doctor
  • Exercise
  • Control your weight
  • Do urine and blood tests frequently
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol

Conclusion:

Treating diabetes before getting pregnant will let you and your baby enjoy good health. Make your pregnancy safe and enjoy this beautiful phase of life rather than being tense with complications.

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Whole grains and their benefits during pregnancy

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During pregnancy, it is very essential to have whole grains in your diet. A good source of nutrients, whole grains keep you and your baby fit and strong. So, if you are pregnant, then discover the lovely world of whole grains which will benefit you and your developing baby through various ways.

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Some of the benefits of whole grains:

  • Good source of folic acid: Whole grains are a good source of folic acid, a type of vitamin B. It helps in generating new cells in your body. Deficiency of folic acid causes diseases like anaemia, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia and cognitive deficit in pregnant women. It also leads to premature infants, low birth weight and babies with neural tube defects (NTDs). So, if a pregnant woman consumes the required quantity of whole grains in their diet, it can, to a great extent, prevent major birth defects especially in the baby’s brain and spine. Cereal and fortified bread provides a good amount of folic acid during pregnancy.
  • Contains high fibre: Whole grains contain a good quantity of fibre of two types — soluble and insoluble. Both are beneficial for women during pregnancy. And as fibre digests slowly, it makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time. However, all types of whole grains are not high-fibre. Pregnant women can take bran, brown bread, oats and barley in their diet.
  • Delivers essential minerals: Whole grains are a good source of minerals required for a healthy pregnancy. Iron, magnesium, zinc etc. can be received from whole grains which help in preventing anaemia, build bones and keep your immune system alert.
  • Contains resistant starch: Complex carbs like brown rice and oatmeal are whole grain sources of resistant starch. These types of whole grains are ideal for women during pregnancy as they help fight constipation and combat nausea.

Some good options for grain sources are:

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Whole-Grain-Food

  • Cooked oatmeal, wheat and barley
  • Brown rice
  • Bran
  • Whole wheat bagel
  • Raisin or plain bagel
  • Whole grain muffin
  • Cooked whole wheat pasta and noodles
  • Whole grain pancake or waffle
  • Brown bread

So, eating healthy foods like whole grains, milk, vegetables, fruits etc. during your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself and the baby in your womb healthy.

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Weight Management During Pregnancy

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Being pregnant is one of the best feelings a woman could experience during her married life. And it is natural for women to gain weight during pregnancy. Some are even already overweight when they get pregnant. But in both cases, women should not try to lose weight or use weight loss /restrictive diets during pregnancy. It is an acceptable fact to gain weight within permissible limits during pregnancy.

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In order to remain strong and active, the mom-to-be should focus on healthy and right type of foods in appropriate quantities. Being pregnant does not literally mean eating for two! Only a small increase (+350 Kcal) in food intake is required from the 4th month of pregnancy. So you need not eat a lot or eat whatever you want! It’s the quality of the diet that’s more important than the quantity eaten. Gaining too much weight will lead to complications during delivery.

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The baby in the womb should receive all the vital nutrients for healthy development. So, it is better to follow the diet chart given by your doctor or nutritionists. This will let you and your developing baby get the required nutrients without gaining too much weight.

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Foods necessary during pregnancy without adding too much calories:

  • Food enriched with high fibre such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains etc. These vitamin rich and low calorie food fill you up for a longer period of time.
  • Fibre-rich foods make a good snack an d can be taken at regular intervals reducing your cravings for high-calorie food.
  • Having plenty of berries, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes and spinach will add lots of nutritive value without adding calories.
  • You can opt for snacks made from whole grain or legumes/beans – either boiled, roasted or sprouts.
  • Have skimmed milk which will help to reduce your calories as four to five servings of milk is extremely necessary.
  • Skinless chicken breast, fish and egg whites are low calorie non-vegetarian food items.
  • Water is an ultimate diet beverage which helps to keep you hydrated without adding calorie to your daily intake. You can make it enjoyable by adding a slice of lime, fresh basil or a cinnamon stick.

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Avoiding the following will let you stay fit and healthy:

  • Avoid artificial sweeteners in your food or drink and try to have foods with natural sweeteners.
  • As most drinks are high in calories, read the ingredients list before consumption. This way you will avoid high calorie drinks.
  • Try to avoid deep-fried vegetables and gravies as they have high-calorific value.
  • Avoid junk foods, cakes, cookies, chips, ice-creams, soft drinks etc. It is better not to bring home such products during pregnancy.

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Pregnant women can follow these tips to remain active without getting too fat:

  • Make meals at home using low-fat cooking ways
  • Boiled, sautéed, baked and grilled foods are healthier options
  • Do moderate exercises as recommended by your doctor
  • You can do yoga during your pregnancy
  • You can start a simple walking regime
  • Leisurely swimming as per your doctor’s advice

Enjoy this wonderful phase of your life in a healthy manner!

 

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Managing food allergies and intolerances in babies

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Food allergies and intolerances in babies have become quite common and almost 1 in 12 babies suffer from them. So, it is very essential for mothers to take proper care of their babies regarding food. Your baby can have food allergies if you have a family history of food allergy, hay fever, asthma or eczema.

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What is food allergy?

Food allergies in babies occur when their immune system has an adverse reaction to harmless proteins in food and produces antibodies. The immune system responds to the food as toxic. It occurs immediately or after some time of having food.

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Symptoms of food allergy:

  • Redness on skin and dermatitis
  • Nasal congestion
  • Itchy eyes and mouth
  • Vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps
  • Swollen face and eyelids
  • Swollen tongue and lips
  • Frequent crying and distress
  • Persistent cough, difficulty in swallowing, wheezing, shortness of breath and hoarse voice is called anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening food allergy

The most common foods that causes allergy in babies are:

  • Milk
  • Egg
  • Peanut

What is food intolerance?

Food intolerance in babies is caused by some substance present in the food they eat. It is not caused by the immune system responding to the food. Often, food intolerance occurs after two days of having the intolerance prone substance in food.

Symptoms of food intolerance:

  • Skin redness and dermatitis
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

The most common form of food intolerance that occurs in babies are:

  • Milk or lactose intolerance
  • Some react to strawberries
  • Tomato can also cause food intolerance

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Food allergies and intolerances in babies can be controlled in the following ways:

  • Avoid the food: It is very important to avoid the food that causes allergies and intolerance in your baby. So, you should be aware of these foods. Carefully read the food labels and see if words like ‘whey’, ‘casein’ etc. are there. Presence of such words means, having the product can lead to allergies.
  • Have an emergency plan: Parents should speak to their doctor to give them an emergency plan which will help them to recognise allergies and intolerances and if medical attention is needed or no

Diagnosing food allergies or intolerances

If you find that your baby is having a food allergy or intolerance and not getting better, you should always consult your doctor. If the allergies and intolerances are not mild, they will be cured by taking the prescribed medicines. Some tests may need to be done, as well. As mothers breastfeed their babies, they should not eat the foods that causes allergies and intolerances during the pregnancy and breasting period.

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The Goodness of Milk During Pregnancy

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During pregnancy, milk and milk related items provide various types of nutrients to the pregnant woman and her developing baby. According to clinical research, it is found that milk consumption during pregnancy shows better results. Moreover, it benefits newborn babies during the early stages of their lives. So, it is recommended to have at least three glasses of milk daily directly or indirectly.

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Benefits of milk during pregnancy:

As milk is one of the dietary sources of nutrients, intake of milk during pregnancy is very important. The following nutrients which are very essential for the proper growth of the foetus and also for the mother can be derived by consumption of milk.

  • Calcium

Milk is a vital source of calcium for human beings. During pregnancy, if the intake of calcium rich foods like milk is not adequate, then the foetus will not meet the demanding needs of calcium for healthier bones and teeth. So, it is very necessary for the mom-to-be to have the required quantity of calcium in the form of milk to keep her bones and and that of her developing baby strong. Drinking milk regularly will make both their bodies strong and flexible and also help in strengthening nails.

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  • Vitamin D

Milk is one of the few dietary sources of Vitamin D, which helps to prevent low birth weight, neonatal rickets and other associated problems.

  • Protein

An excellent source of protein, milk, if taken adequately, provides the protein needs of pregnant women. A cup of low fat milk daily provides 8.22 gm of proteins. Protein plays an important role during pregnancy as it serves a number of important functions like proper blood supply, build-up of the uterus, remodelling breasts and tissues of the baby. Inadequate consumption of protein can lead to low birth weight babies and other heart related problems during pregnancy.

Which type of milk is good for pregnant women?

According to research, it is found that babies born to mothers who drank sufficient milk during pregnancy are more likely to be tall as teenagers.

  • Low fat milk: It is not necessary to drink whole milk during pregnancy as the presence of unsaturated fats in whole milk is unhealthy for expecting mothers. So, it is better to consume low fat or non-fat milk. You can add skimmed milk to your diet in order to decrease the level of saturated fat.
  • Pasteurised milk: Drinking raw or unpasteurised milk or having anything made from raw milk is not safe for pregnant women. It increases the risk of various diseases for both the mother and the baby as it can carry microbes. So, it is very essential to have pasteurised milk. Generally, during pasteurisation microbes get destroyed when the milk is heated at a high temperature.

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Glycemic index of food you eat during pregnancy

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Introduction:

During pregnancy, food with low glycemic index reduces the risk of various complications such as gestational diabetes. In addition, it helps in reducing the risk of high birth weight of the baby during delivery.

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A woman who is pregnant gains more weight on normal diet as compared to one with low glycemic index. Pregnant women can cut down excess weight to around 20 per cent if they follow a healthy diet with low glycemic index. So, it is very essential to have food with low glycemic index during pregnancy. However, take recommendations from your doctor before going on low glycemic index food.

What is glycemic index of food?

Glycemic index (GI) of food is the number which is associated with carbohydrate containing food indicating its effect on the blood sugar level of a person. Different foods have different glycemic index and a value of 100 is said to be the standard one. It is equivalent to pure glucose. This is a new method of analysing food, giving you the impact of particular food on the blood sugar level of your body.

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Suggestions to help you to take low glycemic index food:

  • Plan your meals and snacks for a couple of weeks using the glycemic index chart.
  • While shopping, carry the chart along with you, it will help you buy food that is low in GI.
  • Eat whole grains as they have more nutrients than refined ones; during pregnancy, it is very essential that you and your baby get proper nutrition.
  • You can include oatmeal, barley, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, high bran cereals and sprouted whole wheat products.
  • Have plenty of vegetables in your meals; some of the healthy options with low GI are broccoli, cauliflower, tomato, peas, carrot, cabbage, mushrooms, corn, eggplant, beans and sweet potatoes. Potatoes and pumpkin are high GI foods.
  • Eat plenty of fruits as they have lots of nutrients which are required for proper development of the baby. Oranges, plums, cherries, coconuts, kiwis, peaches and strawberries are some of the fruits with low GI. Dates and watermelons should be avoided during pregnancy as they are high GI fruits.

 

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  • It is essential to have low-fat dairy products as they provide calcium, responsible for healthy growth of bones, teeth and nails of the baby. Most of the low-fat dairy products are low in GI. Milk, yogurt and cottage cheese are not low but moderate GI foods.
  • You can eat white fish and chicken during pregnancy as these are low GI food. Pork, lamb and beef should be avoided.

Conclusion:

As the glycemic index of food you eat during pregnancy plays a vital role in the development of the baby, you should eat food with low GI. But don’t forget to consult your doctor before going through such diet.

Eat healthy and give birth to a healthy baby.

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