Tips for Healthy Pregnancy

What do You Crave?

Where do cravings come from? Hormones, right? Maybe, says Elizabeth Somer, author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy. The extreme hormonal changes women go through during pregnancy can have a powerful impact on taste and smell. But the bottom line, says Somer, is that no one really knows for sure. You should pay attention to your pregnancy cravings -- but not necessarily give in to them.. "A healthful diet should be one that meets your nutritional and your emotional needs, as well as your preferences." She recommends that pregnant women humor their cravings rather than fight them by, say, substituting nonfat frozen yogurt for ice cream. For more on cravings, see BabyCenter's article.

A Pregnancy Symptom You Can Forget About

Absentmindedness is one of the many hallmarks of pregnancy, although not, thank goodness, one that requires medical treatment or undue worry. You may forget a few things once in a while because you're a little overwhelmed by the huge life changes you're about to experience. Forgetfulness may be your cue to try simplifying your life. To keep your life in order, try carrying a small notebook. Jot down reminders, keep a detailed daily calendar. Place items you use often, such as keys, in one place and one place only. For more tips, see BabyCenter's article on forgetfulness during pregnancy.

Safe Workouts During Pregnancy

Looking for safe, fun, and effective workouts while you're waiting for baby? Brisk walking -- about a 12- to 15-minute mile -- is great exercise for pregnant women before, during, and after pregnancy. Swimming is also excellent because it uses the body's large muscle groups, is low-impact, builds Cardiacvascular health, and tones your body. Best of all, the water supports your weight. Jogging is fine in moderation if you jogged before you became pregnant. And a moderately paced game of tennis is acceptable, too, if you've always played (the point is to not take up a new sport -- wait till you're postpartum). For more options, see BabyCenter's article on safe sports during pregnancy.

Childbirth, Naturally

The term "natural childbirth" has come to mean going through labor and delivery without medication. A woman can have a natural, or drug-free, childbirth at a birth center, at home, or in a hospital; she can enlist the help of a midwife, a doctor, or a doula. If your heart's set on a natural delivery, you might want to consider the Bradley method, often known as prepared childbirth. To learn more, see BabyCenter's articles on birth and labor.

Is it Safe to Drink Herbal Teas During Pregnancy?

If you enjoy herbal teas, steer clear of unfamiliar ingredients and look on packaging labels for contents that may normally be part of your diet (such as mint or orange extracts); choose them over unfamiliar substances (such as cohosh, pennyroyal, and mugwort, all best avoided during pregnancy). Try chamomile or mint teas, known to help settle a queasy stomach, pregnant or otherwise. Or consider making your own concoction using juices, lemon rinds, cinnamon, cloves, or other well-known ingredients, along with boiled water or decaffeinated tea.

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• Pregnancy, Parenting & Baby Care
• Women's Health