MiMar baby blog
Babymoon: What you need to know before traveling pregnant
Lately we've been hearing a lot about the concept of babymoon. However, there are still some doubts that arise around this topic and whether or not it really is advisable (and practical) to travel during pregnancy. Babymoon, or pre-natal trip, is a type of honeymoon and ends up being established as a period in which the couple takes the opportunity to stroll, relax and rest before the arrival of their first child. As such, we considered it pertinent to convey some questions that may arise if you are considering traveling during the pregnancy period. Firstly, it is important to mention that before thinking about taking a trip, you should always consult your doctor, informing him of the destination and obviously the duration of the vacation. It is also worth finding out the conditions and requirements of the airline you are traveling with (in the case of air travel) as some require specific documentation. To better understand the subject, we recommend reading this TAP article. If it is a single and risk-free pregnancy, from the outset, there will be no contraindication until 28 weeks of gestation. After this period of time, you must be accompanied by a declaration, signed by your doctor, proving that you are fit to travel. Let's now move on to the advice that we considered important to convey. CAR TRIPS If you choose to travel by car and especially if it is long, drink lots of water and take several breaks to stretch your legs and walk. Furthermore, contrary to what you might think, it is important to always place the seat belt below your belly and it should not be too loose or too tight. Another very important tip is to wear comfortable and loose clothing, so that you feel more comfortable during the itinerary. Wearing compression stockings can also be another tip that will help you feel more comfortable, lighter and avoid fluid retention, a very common factor during pregnancy. PLANE TRIPS The requirements for traveling by plane end up varying depending on the airline, as we mentioned above. However, most companies in Portugal require that from 28 weeks onwards, a certificate signed by the doctor must be presented stating that the future mother can fly without any problems. We recommend that you consult the TAP website for more information on this topic. Furthermore, basic precautions such as drinking lots of water and choosing a seat close to the aisle will make life easier on the road. Regarding the itinerary, you should opt for calmer and more relaxing destinations, as busier months are ahead with little time to rest. Don't forget that “pregnancy is not an illness” but it is still a special phase that requires some care. Listen to your body and respect what it asks of you and everything will certainly go well! And so on? Is there a Mom who has had a babymoon or is organizing one? If so, leave us your feedback, we want to know where you went and how it went!
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Tricks to sleep better during pregnancy
A good night's sleep is essential to feel happy and energetic throughout the day. However, this task can be difficult during pregnancy. Either you feel heartburn, or you can't find the ideal position. Result: The next day, she is irritable, has no energy and no patience for anything. We are here to make your life easier and as such, we will give you some tips that will help you sleep better and be less tired during pregnancy. Now take note: 1- Create a regular sleep routine Human beings are made up of habits and as such, they need some time to become routine and be done unconsciously. Establish a more or less fixed time to go to bed and another to wake up. Your body will get used to this and it will be much easier to “fall” asleep. 2- Try different relaxation techniques Better than anyone else, you on this side know your own body, as such, you know what are the things that unfailingly make you relax. Be it practicing some exercise, meditation, yoga, or simply taking a warm bath and drinking tea before bed. Create your own nighttime routine. This will signal to your body that this is the time of day to start slowing down. 3-Avoid heavy meals before bed Avoid eating very spicy and “heavy” foods before bed, as these cause heartburn (something common during pregnancy) and discomfort. You don't need to go to bed hungry, but opt for lighter, more easily digestible snacks. 4- Don’t drink too much water before bed It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day and drinking plenty of water is beneficial, not only for you but also for your baby. However, after a certain time of night, avoid drinking liquids, as with the natural dilation of the uterus, the bladder ends up becoming compressed and trips to the bathroom become recurrent. One way to avoid waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom is to control your intake of them and this way you can have a continuous and uninterrupted sleep. 5- Pillows Yes, you read that right, pillows. Finding a position that is comfortable can be difficult and becomes increasingly so as the pregnancy progresses and the belly grows. Therefore, we advise you to use as many pillows as you think necessary, including pregnancy pillows, which are made with these situations in mind and easily adapt to your body. In addition to the pillows, we inform you that the best side to sleep on is the left side, as it will help transport nutrients to the baby. So we have come to the end of our tips for better sleep. Let's hope they work out for you. Don't forget that the most important thing is to try what helps you relax and what works best for you, because as they say, “each case is different”. We'd love to hear your opinion, and of course, if you have any tricks to add to our list, feel free to do so.
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Five common myths during pregnancy
With easy access to the internet and the emergence of blogs and news forums, we are constantly bombarded with information from everywhere. There's nothing wrong with that if we know what to filter. What happens is that there is tremendous difficulty in distinguishing true news from others that have no hint of truth. In this post, we present some myths regarding the gestation period and we will, obviously, clarify them. We warn you right away that some will make you laugh out loud. 1- Pregnant women should eat for two Now, this is one of the myths we hear most and perhaps it is a “motto” that many moms follow because they think it is true. It is completely normal that during the gestation period, future Moms may feel cravings for some specific foods. However, this does not mean that you should give in to everyone. Food, even during pregnancy, must be as healthy and balanced as possible, in order to provide pregnant women and their babies with the necessary nutrients so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. In fact, a pregnant woman's caloric needs only increase by around 300 Kcal per day. Although caloric and nutrient needs increase during pregnancy, this does not mean that mom should "eat for two", but rather better. Remember to always prioritize your health. 2- If you suffer from heartburn, your baby will be born hairy This myth is one of the most absurd we have ever heard and let's hope that when it is said it is just for fun and not to be taken seriously. Heartburn can be triggered by several factors, including hormonal changes that occur due to pregnancy. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is not at all related to the baby's hair. 3- Physical exercise is harmful to pregnancy If you have always led an active life and exercise regularly, this fact should not change because you are pregnant. In fact, it has been proven that performing physical activity during pregnancy can even help with labor. Initially, if it is a normal and risk-free pregnancy, there will be no problem in continuing to exercise, however, the exercises should be lighter and always approved by your doctor. 4- The baby’s sex is related to the size and shape of the mother’s belly Myth says that if the belly is round, it's a girl, if it's pointed, it's a boy. This is another myth that has no edge of truth. If so, it would save us time and money. The only factors that influence the size of the belly are solely the size and position of the baby inside the uterus. 5- The baby does not realize what is happening “outside” It is more than proven that the baby recognizes his mother's voice, his father's voice and whether or not he is in a calm and peaceful environment, ending up recognizing and capturing various information that takes place outside. This is why it is important that the pregnancy period is as relaxed as possible. Therefore, this also ends up being a myth without any basis. So we have come to the end of the 5 myths that are very common to hear during pregnancy. We hope you enjoyed it or at least had fun. And so on? Have you ever heard any of these myths? What was the most "unreasonable" thing you heard?
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#Myth or Truth: Breastfeeding - Breast milk
When the baby is born, many questions arise about breastfeeding: is my milk weak? Do I have too little milk? Is my baby being well fed? We spoke with Nurse Ana Patrícia Dias, who helped us clarify about breast milk and we hope she can also help you and answer any questions you may have.
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