Pregnancy and Feeding

If you’re currently pregnant or have just become a mum, there will be many questions that concern you. What things should you take with you to the hospital when you’re due to give birth and what furniture belongs in the baby room? Perhaps you would also like to know how to breastfeed your child properly and how to get rid of those annoying pregnancy pounds. We answer these and many other questions on this page.

What Helps Against Nausea During Pregnancy?

As beautiful as pregnancy is, for many expectant mothers it’s unfortunately accompanied by frequent nausea. It usually goes away on its own after the first trimester. The reason for these symptoms is probably your elevated HCG level. This hormone is produced in the amniotic sac and influences the development of your baby. After the third month of pregnancy, the placenta takes over this task and the HCG level regulates itself again.

If you suffer from morning sickness, you can have a small snack like a rusk or an apple before you wake up to raise your blood sugar levels. Herbal tea can also help counteract nausea. Ginger in the form of tea, capsules or candies can also contribute to this. During the first trimester you should not eat too greasy and acidic food and only reduce the use of spices. Grapefruit, arugula, or other foods that contain bitter substances, as well as vitamin B6 sources like bananas or whole grains, can help you feel better.

Also, allow yourself regular breaks and make sure you relax enough, for example by taking a nap or going for a walk. In order to get rid of food smells that are unpleasant for you more quickly, you should also ventilate the room a lot. If you want to try medication, you should seek advice from your doctor.

Sickness During Pregnancy

What Can Pregnant Women Eat?

There are still some myths surrounding nutrition during pregnancy. Maybe you are also wondering what you can eat and what you should avoid.

During your pregnancy, your energy and nutrient requirements increase by ten percent - so the common "eat for two" is not necessary at all. It’s much more important that you eat a balanced and healthy diet to provide your baby with all the vitamins, minerals and trace elements they need for healthy growth.

To achieve this, you can eat fresh fruit, vegetables and fiber-rich whole grain products every day. In addition, you can integrate dairy products such as cheese, quark or milk and lean fish and meat into your diet. Also make sure you get enough protein, folic acid, vitamin A and iron. Furthermore, iodine, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the healthy development of your baby. ´

Fats and oils as well as sweets and biscuits, on the other hand, should only be eaten sparingly.

You should also reduce your coffee consumption to a maximum of two cups a day and avoid energy drinks. Instead, grab water or unsweetened tea. You should avoid raw foods during your pregnancy as they contain pathogens that can harm your unborn child. These include raw fish and meat that has not been sufficiently heated, as well as cheeses made from raw milk, such as Brie or Camembert.

Vitamin Supply During Pregnancy

What Should I Consider When Breastfeeding?

If you breastfeed your child, your breast milk will provide them with all the important nutrients that are always adapted to their needs. Meanwhile, the cuddle hormone oxytocin is released, which has a positive effect on your mother-child bond. In order to develop a good breastfeeding rhythm, you should initially breastfeed in a calm and relaxed atmosphere in which you can adjust well to each other. Initially, your baby's meals are spaced two to four hours apart. In growth phases, however, this can also be shorter. The length of time your baby needs to feel full is very different. If your child has doubled its birth weight by the age of five months, you can tell that they’re getting enough breast milk.
Make yourself comfortable while breastfeeding and take the time you need. By around six months, your child will begin to develop an interest in solid foods.

From this point on, you can wean off in small steps and occasionally offer them new foods. During this time, you should continue to watch what you eat, as your baby will still get some of this through breast milk.
If eating porridge is already working well, you can also conjure up a festive baby-style menu for your baby on special occasions such as Christmas.

For this you can use some foods that you use for Christmas dinner and puree them for your baby, for example in the form of a potato and carrot puree or a delicious semolina porridge with apple and cinnamon puree.

This way, your baby gets to know new foods step by step and realises that the holidays are something very special for the whole family.

Sleep & Nutrition

What Helps Against Hair Loss During Pregnancy?

During your pregnancy, your body is constantly changing in order to provide your child with the best possible care and to support its growth.

You may notice increased hair loss. One reason for this may be your 60 percent higher iron requirement. You can also recognise this by the fact that you are often tired and have no appetite. Thyroid problems can also promote hair loss. Both can be treated well.

Always plan relaxation into your everyday life so that your hair loss is not aggravated by a high level of stress.
However, it’s also possible that you only notice this problem after the birth of your baby - this then has hormonal reasons. The high concentration of oestrogen, which gives many women beautiful shiny hair during pregnancy, decreases again after the birth. This causes you to lose more hair.

But don't worry, this is just the hair that you would normally have lost within the past nine months anyway.

After a few months, your hormone balance should level out on its own. With a balanced diet, you support your body in finding its balance again and thus getting rid of hair loss more quickly.

You should also use mild shampoos and gentle brushes and avoid hot blow-dryers to avoid stressing your hair unnecessarily.

Hair Loss During Pregnancy

Exercising During Pregnancy

Exercising during pregnancy is good for you and your baby as it counteracts water retention and back problems as well as excessive weight gain.

The rocking movements of your body also promote the development of your child, as they train their sensory organs.But what exercise is recommended during pregnancy? During and especially after pregnancy, you should train your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles regularly. But you can also practice moderate endurance sports such as cycling, swimming or yoga if you enjoy them.
Due to the increased risk of injury, you should refrain from team sports, horseback riding, or rock climbing from the time you know you are pregnant.

Also, be careful not to overexert yourself. During your workout, you should be able to converse easily and your heart rate should not exceed 140 beats per minute. Breathable clothing can help you feel more comfortable during your workout, and staying hydrated helps prevent dehydration. Listen to your body during exercise and give it sufficient rest breaks for at least 24 hours so that it can fully regenerate. If you have symptoms after exercising or are unsure which sports you can do before your child is born, your midwife can give you more detailed information about the risks.

You should also discuss with her when you can start your post-pregnancy course and other fitness exercises.

Exercising During Pregnancy