Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?

Exercising when pregnant used to be considered risky and unsafe but pregnancy exercise is now known to be safe and extremely beneficial to pregnant women who are in good health and are having a normal pregnancy without any complications.Fitness levels of women who do not exercise during pregnancy begin to decrease month by month as the pregnancy continues and the pregnant woman becomes heavier and heavier,a good exercise programme which fits into a pregnant womans daily lifestyle can prevent fitness levels dropping and encourages a sense of overall happiness and well-being.

The benefits of pregnancy exercise

• Decreases feelings of fatigue and increases energy levels!!
• Improves sleep and reduces insomnia
• Improves both physical and mental well-being by producing endorphins-the happy hormones!!
• Strengthens muscles and increases endurance
• Helps pregnant women cope with the imbalance of a growing abdomen
• Improve joints
• Reduces backaches
• Reduces constipation
• Reduces the swelling of hands and feet
• Strengthening your body and endurance will enable you to cope with labour better
• Helps women to regain pre-pregnancy shape sooner after the birth of their baby

Choosing the right exercise when pregnant

If you are already a regular participant in exercise or a sport you can probably continue to participate throughout your pregnancy with some alterations which take in account your pregnancy but it is always best to seek advice from your GP.

It is not advised to take up a new sport during your pregnancy but here are some pregnancy exercise ideas that are safe for healthy pregnant women(experiencing normal pregnancies with no complications) new to exercise to participate in

• Walking at a brisk pace, see details of buggyfit classes
• Swimming in shallow water that is neither too hot or too cold,this is a non-weight-bearing exercise which is one of  the easiest ways to stay fit during pregnancy
• Aqua natal programmes designed for pregnant women
• Cycling on a stationary bike at a comfortable speed and tension setting
• A step machine,at a comfortable tension setting
• Yoga designed for pregnancy
• Pilates designed for pregnancy
• Pelvic toning (kegel exercises)
• Relaxation routines

Pregnancy exercise guidelines

• Always warm-up slowly and cool down gradually- muscles and joints are vunerable when cold and are especially vunerable during pregnancy
• Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes,good supportive trainers and a good well fitted bra to protect your breasts whilst exercising
• Levels of the hormone Relaxin increase during pregnancy which relaxes your joints making it easier to hurt yourself.Stretching should therefore be performed to maintain flexibility not to improve it so avoid developmental stretching
• Inform your instructor that you are pregnant so they can inform you of exercises which are unsafe and give you a safe alternative
• Avoid exercising flat on your back after the first three months because it restricts blood flow to your baby
• It is extremely important to drink plenty of water so you do not become dehydrated
• Stop if you feel any pain or muscular pain or are uncomfortable
• Do not get too hot and do not exercise to exhaustion
• Do not use a sauna,steam room or jacuzzi
• Do not perform exercises which pull on the abdomen such as sit-ups and double leg lifts
• Avoid pointing toes as this could lead to cramping in your calves,flex feet instead by pointing feet up towards your face

Healthy Mum – exercise during pregnancy

The home pregnancy test like the urine test done in a lab or doctors surgery diagnoses pregnancy by detecting the presence of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) in urine. Home pregnancy tests tell you if you are pregnant or not pregnant in a couple of minutes.

When using a home pregnancy test you can use an any-time-of-the-day urine sample and you can carry out the pregnancy test as early as the first day that you have missed your period, some tests are so sensitive that you can use them before your period is due, but you must check the instructions of the home pregnancy test you have purchased carefully to see when it recommends the earliest time you should perform your test, different brands vary.

When performed correctly an at home pregnancy test is as accurate as a urine test done in a lab or doctor’s surgery, with a positive result more likely to be correct than a negative one. You can help to avoid a false negative result by waiting and performing your pregnancy test a few days after your missed period rather than on the day itself and be sure you have calculated when your period is due correctly.

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy which has implanted outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. This usually occurs because of damage in the tube which then blocks the passage of the egg down to the uterus. Very rarely the fertilized egg sometimes implants itself in the ovary, the abdominal cavity or the cervix.

Women who have a increased risk of ectopic pregnancy

• Women who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy
• Women who have had abdominal or fallopian tube surgery and scarring is present
• Women who have suffered from a pelvic inflammatory disease caused by a STD
• Women who have been surgically sterilized or unsuccessfully sterilized
• Women who conceive whilst an IUD (contraceptive coil) is in place
• Women suffering from endometriosis

Although ectopic pregnancy is very rare it is important for pregnant women, especially those with an increased risk to be aware of the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and seek urgent medical attention if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected. Women may experience one or all of the following symptoms:

Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy

• Sharp, crampy pain with tenderness usually starting on one side of the abdomen and sometimes radiating throughout the entire abdomen. Pain may increase when coughing, moving or straining of the bowels. Pain becomes very sharp and steady before diffusing throughout the pelvic region when a tubal rupture occurs.
• Light bleeding or brown vaginal spotting which can occur days or weeks before any pain is experienced. Some women do not experience any bleeding until the tube ruptures
• When the tube ruptures heavy vaginal bleeding is experienced
• Some women suffer with shoulder pain
• Some women have a feeling of rectal pressure
• Some women experience weakness or dizziness.When a tube ruptures a weak pulse, clammy skin and fainting are likely
• Some women experience nausea and vomiting but this can be difficult to distinguish from morning sickness

Quick medical attention often results in the fallopian tube being saved and infertility in a woman being avoided so getting to hospital immediately is very important.

Healthy mum - ectopic pregnancy

Online Toy Shops we have found some of the best UK toy shops online for you to buy your little ones toys & Games this christmas

Toys 4 Me Toy shop @Toys 4 Me one of the best online toy shops with a great selection of discount toys for children you must visit this store.

Toys @ Board Games @Farscape games- have a great range of Traditional Board games toys & Gadgets

I Want It Cheaper @ I Want it Cheaper

I Want One Of Those @I Want One of Those

OtherLand Toy Shop @ Other Land have a great selection of toys, remote control cars,bikes & helecopters  for you to veiw and order

Shop For Toys at this great online Toy Shop for toys

Wooden Toys And Puzzle Toy Shops @ Wood & Puzzles.com amazing range of toys and puzzles to buy online this christmas

This Portable & Cheap games projector is a great way to keep the kids entertained in one room with upto 8 hours continuous working time – we advise a short period for the projector lamp to cool down before your next gaming marathon.

How Much is a Replacement Projector lamp or Bulb ?

The Projector bulb life is 1000 h and the best bit replacment bulbs are only £15 – £20

Can you watch movies on this projector ?

YES!! not only does this projector allow you to play games in life size – but you can watch your favorite movies (with the right cables)with This projector on any wall – or you can buy a cheap projector Screen.

Universal Games Projector Get the bigger picture enjoy PS2, X-Box or Gamecube action in giant size with this fantastic projector!

Healthy Mum Cheap Projectors & Cheap Projector lamps & Bulbs

Hot wheels Diecast Cars from  mattel always go down well with boys of all ages – make sure your boys get thier fix of hotwheels action this year from this great selection of action car playsets.

Tyco R/C Vertigo with Free Hot Wheels Racing Set and Firebal

Tyco Vertigo has flashing lights and hinged scissor action chassis allowing flips, spins and rolls.TMH powered for supercharged speed and performance.Includes 1 x TMH battery pack and charger, 1.9v (included).For ages 8 years and over.Free Hot Wheels Formula Pro racing set takes on Team Jordan in this head to head track set.4 x D batteries required (not included). For ages 5 years and over.Free Hot Wheels Fireball racing set to race your Hot Wheels car into the exploding meteor.Includes 2 glow in the dark cars. 4 x D batteries required (not included). For ages 8 years and over.

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Hot Wheels T-Rex Do you have the power to destroy a gigantic T-Rex? He wants to eat and spit out your cars. Can you blast open his jaws and save the day? With 5 additional cars FREE. Requires 4 x D and 3 x AA batteries (not included).

Hot Wheels T-Wrecks Playset Watch out – he’ll eat and spit out your cars. Can you blast open his jaws and rescue your cars? Requires 4 x ‘D’ type batteries (not included). Age 4 years +.

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And we have saved the best until last – The ultimate Boys Gift (have they been good enough)

Healthy Mum – Hot Wheels Cars – Gift ideas for Boys

Stuck for ideas to buy for the kids this year ?

There is no need to be we have the perfect gift idea – the extremely popular Roboaptor, Robopet & the new Robosapien V2 This robot family of toys are once again going to be one of the Biggest Must Have Toys of the year.Based on the ongoing success of these toys they always sell out fast, to avoid disappointment make sure you get one early this year before they all go ..once their gone their gone.

Mini Robo sapien | Robo pet | Robo raptor Pack

Dont forget the mini robots that fit in your pocket – these great mini versions of the robosapinen,Roboraptor & Robopet make an ideal gift set these are also going to be big this year – Dont Miss Out Get one today.

Roboraptor Roboraptor

Robosapien One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Robotics the utterly amazing Robosapien.

Mini Robosapien / Robopet / Roboraptor Pack Mini Robosapien / Robopet / Roboraptor Pack Create your own mini robotic world with the pocket-sized versions of the Robosapien, Robopet and Roboraptor!

Healthy Mum – Robopet Roboraptor Robosapien gift ideas for boys