Tag: constipation in pregnancy

In pregnancy do I need a multivitamin and when do I need the extra calories?

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At 7 weeks pregnant I pay my doctor a visit so that I can get referrals for a local hospital and 12 week scan. I also have a couple of important questions that need answering. She double checks my initial blood work, tells me they’re great and begins to write out my referrals. I take this opportunity to ask her;

Do I need to take a pregnancy multivitamin?  

I mention that I’m currently only taking an i-folate (the “i” stands for iodine) supplement (my doctor actually recommended that I start taking this whilst trying to conceive) and asked whether, like most pregnant mums-to-be I know, I should also be taking a pregnancy multivitamin. I have generally always made an effort to eat healthy and keep my diet balanced, by eating plenty of fresh whole foods and try cooking everything myself from scratch. As the doctor is aware of my healthy eating and lifestyle, she says there is no need for someone like me to take a pregnancy multivitamin at this stage. That for now the i-folate supplement will suffice and we can revisit the need for other supplements should I need them further along in the pregnancy. shutterstock_412146679

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Early pregnancy symptoms. Let the fun begin.

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pregnancy-week-5-amniotic-sac_square
Embryo (more like alien) at 5 weeks.

In the last couple of weeks I have been suffering from the usual early pregnancy suspects. Most days are filled with tender breasts and when i say “tender”, I mean like, touch them and I’ll KILL you (sorry Hubby). Cramps similar to those of my period. Crying at, well, anything really. I mean (don’t ask me why) the movie Lara Croft: Tomb raider set me off in tears the other day! And not just because it’s really bad. I also have some serious pregnancy bloating going on. I seem to go from my current 5 weeks to (what feels like) 20 after every time I eat a meal. I mean is that even normal?

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