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IMPORTANT : DRUGS AFFECTING LACTATION

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Drug Effects In Lactation  Most drugs have not been tested in  • nursing women and their effect on infant is unknown. Maternal drug use during lactation should • be cautious. There is some degree of risk with any  • systemic medication ingested by the mother. Drug Effects In Lactation (Cont,d) The dose reaching the infant is proportional  • to the mother’s drug concentration. In many instances, the infant may not  • receive sufficient drug to produce adverse effects. Most OTC and prescription drugs taken only  • when needed, are thought to be safe. Drug Effects In Lactation (Cont,d) Safe Drugs In Lactation (NOT In Pregnancy):  • Antibacterials (Penicillins And Cephalosporins) – Anticoagulants (Heparin Or Warfarin) – Antihypertensives (ACE Inhibitors, Ca – 2+ Blockers) Caffeine (In Moderate Amounts) – Corticosteroids (Prednisolone or Inhaled Products) – Decongestants (Nose Drops or Spray) – Acetaminophen – Cromolyn – Drug Effects In Lact...

PRINICIPLES OF USING DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY

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Drug use during pregnancy and lactation  • requires special consideration because both the mother and the child are affected. Few drugs are considered safe, and drug  • use is generally contraindicated. Many pregnant or lactating women take  • drugs for acute or chronic disorders or habitual use of alcohol and tobacco.  Drugs taken by a pregnant woman reach the fetus primarily by crossing the placenta, the same route taken by oxygen and nutrients, which are needed for the fetus's growth and development. Drugs that a pregnant woman takes during pregnancy can affect the fetus in several ways  Principles of Therapy: Pregnancy   • Give medications only when clearly indicated, weighing benefits to the mother against the risks to the fetus.  • Any drugs used during pregnancy should be given in the lowest effective doses and for the shortest effective time.  • The choice of drug should be based on the stage of pregnancy and drug inform...

FOOD AND WEIGHT GAIN DURING PREGNANCY ...

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Weight Gain DURING PREGNANCY  Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy helps to make sure the pregnancy outcome for both mother and baby is healthy. Women who gain too little weight are at risk of having a small baby (less than 5 1/2 pounds). On the other hand, women who gain too much weight have a greater risk of having an early baby or a large baby. Additionally, gaining too much weight during pregnancy may be associated with health problems such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure (preeclampsia), and varicose veins in the mother. In addition to weight gain associated with the growth of the baby during pregnancy, pregnant women store fat to prepare for breastfeeding. Women below optimal weight need careful monitoring and meal planning advice in preparation for breastfeeding. The chart, “Where Does Weight Gain Go?” highlights the typical distribution of weight during pregnancy. GOALS FOR WEIGHT GAIN          Goals ...

HEALTHY FOODS FOR PREGNANT WOMENS ; PART 2

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OTHER FOOD INGREDIENTS  CAFFEINE  Many pregnant and breastfeeding women are concerned about consuming too much caffeine. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, some soft drinks, chocolate, and some over-the-counter medications. Most research finds that it is safe for both pregnant and breastfeeding women to consume moderate amounts of caffeine. Moderate caffeine intake is considered to be about 300 mg/day. This is typically about the same amount that is found in two to three 8-ounce cups of coffee, depending on the type and strength of the coffee, or six cups of tea. Pregnant and breastfeeding women don’t have to give up their morning cup of coffee, tea, or soft drink. However, if their usual coffee consumption is more than two to three cups per day, it would be wise to cut back until they are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding. With that in mind, women who are planning to conceive may want to limit caffeine consumption to less than 300 mg/day. This includes caffei...

IMPORTANT : HEALTHY FOODS FOR PREGNANT WOMENS .......

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Pregnant women should choose foods and beverages that are “nutrient-dense,” or rich in nutrients. Nutrient-dense foods are packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and have relatively few calories. Choosing a variety of foods from all five food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meat and beans) will help to ensure that a woman gets the nutrition she and her growing baby need. However, there are a few nutrient-dense foods that pregnant women should avoid due to food safety concerns. MyPyramid.gov is an excellent resource for specifics regarding the amount of calories individual moms-to-be and new moms should consume. PROTEIN  Protein is found in many foods. It helps maintain muscle and body tissue, helping the body to produce some hormones and antibodies. Pregnant women should take in 60 grams of protein every day. This is only 10 grams more than non-pregnant women. Lean meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, and legumes (beans) are good sources...

HEALTHY FOODS AND HEALTHY FEEDING HABITS

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A good diet is important for good health. Eating a variety of foods can improve general wellbeing, reduce the risk of conditions including heart disease, stroke, some cancers, diabetes and osteoporosis (thin bones) and help you manage your weight. You need to eat sensibly, choosing a varied diet from a range of foods, not smoking and keeping active are all great ways to boost your health. Different types of food The Eatwell Guide can help you to understand the different types of food that make up a healthy diet. It also shows how much of these foods you should eat to have a well-balanced and healthy diet. It’s a good idea to try to get this balance right throughout the week.  The Eatwell Guide is made up of five food groups – fruit and vegetables; bread, rice, potatoes and other starchy foods; meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein; milk and dairy foods; and oil and spreads. If you choose a variety of foods from the groups you can easily achieve th...

12 TIPS FOR HEALTHY STRONG HAIR

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1. Remember that it can't grow overnight.   Unless your scalp unleashes new strands like a Chia Pet, gaining new length is going to take time. "Hair typically only grows about a quarter of an inch — to a half an inch max — a month," says celebrity hair stylist Mark Townsend, who helped Ashley Olsen grow out her asymmetric bob to past her waist. "And that's only if it is super-healthy and doesn't have a ton of split ends." The bottom line: Practice patience. 2. Ironically, scissors are your friend.   Although getting regular trims to snip splits won't make your hair actually grow faster, it will keep tips looking healthy and prevent splits from working their way up strands, requiring you to chop hair off more often. "If you wait so long that splits are causing your hair to break off high up on the strand, your hair will actually be shorter than if you get consistent trims," Townsend says, who suggests asking your stylist ...