#Can you eat butter chicken when pregnant first trimester

[housekeepinginfo]

Is Indian Food Healthy During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a special time. Moms-to-be need to be careful about what they eat. Indian food is known for its great taste and many ingredients. But, is it good for pregnant women? This article will look into the good and bad of eating Indian food when you're pregnant. It aims to help you make choices that are good for you and your baby.

[agirlwithbigdreamsforher]

LATE NIGHT CRAVINGS

THE NANNY: ONE SHOT

LATE NIGHT CRAVINGS

Pairing: Andy Barber x Annie Johnson (OFC)

Summary: Annie and her baby are very hungry.

Warnings: Language.

A/N: none.

Word count: 1728

Disclaimer: I do not give permission for any of my works to be copied, used, translated nor reposted anywhere else but here on this blog. Do not steal what you didn’t work for. Minors and ageless blank blogs don’t interact with me or my works. Reblogs and likes are always welcome. Thank you for reading this work of fiction.

GIFS not mine, you can find the credits in each gif :)

                                     ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Right after the first horrible trimester, where Annie couldn’t hold anything in her stomach. She was now pretty much eating properly. That was until the cravings began. Andy had found her eating the weirdest combinations, pepperoni pizza with Nutella spread on top of it, fried chicken with strawberry jam, Doritos with nacho cheese and jalapeños, this one wasn’t gross, Andy tried it and actually liked it.

Until one day Andy saw her opening a jar of pickles. Her wife was sitting in one of the stools by the counter, taking a very juicy pickle out of the jar.

“What are you doing?”

“Eating, duh!”

“You hate pickles, you say they’re gross.”

“Shhh, your baby wants pickles!” She took a bite and moaned, “Why is this good?”

“They’ve always been good.”

“No, they haven’t.” She bit it again, “Something is missing.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know what, but something is missing.”

One day after work Andy found her making a sandwich. And it was by far the worst combination she had come up with. The sandwich had ham, mayo, peanut butter and pickles, and soon that sandwich was made by Annie at least once a week, and she enjoyed it every time.

It was another Wednesday at the Barber’s household, everything was silent. Andy snores filled the room and Annie was very much awake, her tummy grumbling as minutes passed.

She stood up slowly making sure Andy didn’t woke up and made her way downstairs. She opened the fridge and then the pantry to find nothing appealing for her hunger. She was thinking what she could make when the image of a fresh batch of hot steamy Mcnuggets came to her mind. Her mouth watered when she thought about the flavor of them covered in barbecue sauce. But how could she go to McDonalds without Andy noticing? She knew that if she took the car, the sound of the engine going will wake him up. She shrugged, put on her sneakers by the door, grabbed her keys and made her way to McDonalds by walking.

The streets were empty, the fresh air of the night was hitting her face, and she kept walking until she saw the yellow and red sign. She walked to the door only to find it closed, but she could see people inside, so she knocked on the window and waited for a tall curly blond haired teenager opened the door.

“How can I help you?”

“I was hoping I could get food.”

“I’m sorry ma’am, we only serve food on the drive tru at this hour.”

“Oh! Didn’t know that.”

“No problem, have good night.” And then he closed the door.

Annie stood there for a minute until she walked over the drive tru walking happily.

“Hello?” Annie said through the speaker.

“Good evening, how can we help you?”

“Hi! Yes, I want some nuggets and fries.”

“Ma’am, are you the lady who was at the front door?”

“Nop.”

“I’m seeing you through the camera.”

“Then why you ask?”

“Ma’am you don’t have a car, I told you we only…”

“Serve at the drive tru, I am at the drive tru! Listen, I’m pregnant and I have cravings for nuggets and fries, can you please, pleeeeease just give me my order. I have money, I will pay you. Just…”

“Ma’am!” A female voice talked behind her.

“Fuck!” Annie jumped, “Sorry! You scared me.”

“I’m sorry I scared you. Come with me.”

Annie walked behind her and to the front door.

“Come on in.”

“I thought I couldn’t get in.”

“Well, technically, you can’t. But I can’t leave a pregnant woman outside waiting for food, now can I?”

Annie walked in and sat at one of the tables.

“I’ll bring you your order in a moment.”

Annie waited patiently and a couples of minutes later the girl came back with a tray and her food in it.

“Here you have, 20 nuggets, large fries and a coke.”

“How did you know I wanted 20 nuggets?”

“When my mom was pregnant with my sister, she got this every now and then.”

“Smart woman! What’s your name?” Annie took one of the nuggets and dip in the sauce.

“Eva.” Annie moaned when she bit her nugget, “The other guy is Malcolm. Sorry about him by the way, he is kind of new.”

“Will you get into trouble for letting me in?”

“I hope not, you are just hungry and don’t seem dangerous.”

Andy turned on the bed to find Annie’s spot empty, he thought maybe she was in the bathroom but the light was off.

“Honey?” no response.

He got up and walked downstairs to see if she was in the kitchen, after all it wouldn’t be the first time he had found her eating at this hour. But again, she wasn’t there. Not in the living room nor the office. He took his phone and dial her number, the phone began to ring upstairs.

“Fuck, Annie!”

He then dial Anthony’s number, he knew Anthony had the night shift on this day, who rapidly answer the call.

“Hey, man! What are you calling me at this hour?”

“Annie is not in the house, are you busy?”

“Not really. Slow night, thankfully.”

“Perfect, you try to find her.”

“Andy I’m sure she is not missing. Did you really check the whole house?”

“No”

“Ok, do that and then you call me, ok?” And then he hang off the phone.

A young guy came into Anthony’s office.

“Hey we had a call from a guy at the McDonalds on Main Street, apparently a pregnant homeless woman is in there eating, think you can get a look?”

“Of course!” He was just leaving the station when Andy called him again.

“She is not in the house! Now, can you help me or not?!” Andy’s voice was loud and angry.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find her.” And again he ended the call.

Annie was half way through her nuggets when a knock on the glass door made Annie and Eva turned around.

Eva walked to the door and then Annie saw Anthony walked through the door.

“Annie?”

“Hi!” Annie waved, “Did you come for food too?”

“No, I came because a guy call to say there was a pregnant homeless woman in here.”

The three of them turned to see Malcolm behind the counter.

“What the fuck! Malcolm!” Eva said.

“You let her in and you don’t even know her!”

“She was hungry!”

“Alright! Stop, both of you! Annie, what are you doing here?”

“I was hungry.” She lifted a fry and then put it in her mouth.

“Did you tell Andy you were coming here?” Annie shook her head, “Of course not. Ok, grab your food and I’ll take you home.”

“Can I have a cone before we leave?”

“You,” Anthony pointed to the guy, “give her an ice cream.”

The two of them left the place, not without Annie thanking Eva for letting her get into the place and have her food.

Annie was licking at her ice cream, the rest of the nuggets and fries in a bag, when Anthony spoke.

“Your husband called me twice to tell me you were missing.”

“Ammm, Can I go to your place?”

“Oh no! You get yourself in this mess, he was pretty worried when he called. So you better be prepare.”

When they arrived, they both got out of the car and Anthony rang the bell, a couple of minutes passed before Andy opened the door with a worried/angry look and his hair all over the place.

 “I brought something that belongs to you.” Annie step aside and smiled to Andy.

“Get in, now.” He said through gritted teeth.

Annie walked passed Anthony, “Thank you for the raid.”

“No problem, next time just use an app to buy food this late, ok?”

“God, the app!” Annie said knowing that could’ve been a better option than walked all the way to the place.

“Have a good night.”

“Thanks for bringing her.” He shook Anthony’s hand and closed the door.

Annie walked to the kitchen and sat in one of the stools to enjoy the rest of her meal.

“I really can’t believe you! You went out to have McDonalds on your own!”

“I’m a grown woman I can buy my own food.” She bit the nugget in her hand.

“It’s fucking almost 1! You are pregnant! And I was worried!!!”

“Stop yelling, you’re going to wake Jake up.” She had a sip of her drink, “I was hungry, nothing bad happened, relax.”

“And what if it did? God! Annie you can’t be walking around in the middle of the night just because you are hungry…”

Andy kept rambling as she ate, she knew he was angry the moment he called her by her name and not honey or baby. Andy was passing in front of her still talking about how dangerous and irresponsible it was for her to be out at this hour. Annie sighed and lifted her shirt up showing her very rounded and fuller boobs to Andy, who just stop his ranting.

“That’s not fair!”

“Why not?”

“We can be having an argument and then flash me, is not fair game and you know it!”

“You were having an argument, I was eating peacefully.”

“How did they get prettier?” Andy asked curiously as Annie just shrugged.

“Are you still mad?”

“YES!” Annie jiggled her boobs, “NO! ...YES! ...fuck! you are not playing fair!”

“I’m not playing at all.”

They stayed in silence. Andy’s hands on his narrow hips as Annie took the last bite of her nuggets.

“Are you done?” Annie nodded “Good! Now go to bed and when I get there I want you naked.”

“Thought you were angry.” Annie lifted an eyebrow.

“I am angry! And I’m going to give you a lesson!”

“No, you won’t.” Annie jumped off the stool and yawned.  

“What?”

“I’m tired, I walked all the way to McDonalds. My feet hurt, and I’m sleepy… we are sleepy.” She said rubbing her bump. “So, I’m going to bed, can you throw all that,” She pointed to her trash, “for me?” Andy just stared at her. “Thanks, you are the best.”

Annie walked out of the kitchen and to the stairs.

“God, please just gimme patience.” Andy said looking up. “And you better calm down.” He said now looking down at his pants, “Cuz we both now we are not getting any tonight.”

[marvelsquake]

Pancakes in space

The first thing Daisy noticed as she woke up, was a distinct sweet smell filling up the bunk, which she immediately dismissed and attributed to her still being half-asleep, since there was no way it could be real.

She frowned and slowly opened her eyes, moaning as she already felt a headache coming on behind her eyes. Groggily, she turned around when she felt the mattress dip beside her and guessed, “Daniel?”

His smirk turned into a bright smile, when he proudly presented a plate with four neatly stacked pancakes, syrup slowly dripping off them and a tiny square of butter melting on top. Daisy gasped and sat up a bit awkwardly, due to her ever-expanding midsection, and her jaw went slack. She couldn’t believe what he presented to her. “How?”

“I may have called in a few favors from the rest of the crew, scraped something together from bits I found in the pantry…” He hummed, pleased the surprise was a success, and went in to kiss her, which she gladly reciprocated even though she still blinked in disbelief.

Being pregnant while stationed in space wasn’t easy to put it mildly, and they managed, but when the cravings started, all Daisy wanted were pancakes, nice sweet fluffy pancakes. Sadly, their ration had already been used up, leaving only the tasteless yet nutritious slob they had all gotten familiar with. So she had accepted her defeat and hoped they would soon be able to return to earth to eat an ungodly amount of them.

“Where did you even get eggs?” she wondered, her mouth watering at the mere sight of the pancakes as he handed her the plate, balancing it on her sphere-like belly.

Daniel smirked, “Remember that weird chicken-like species we saw on that planet....”

“Wait what?” Daisy responded, halting her movement, as she was just about to stick her fork in, “these are eggs from space chickens?!”

“No, I am just kidding, just kidding.”

He laughed, enjoying his little joke a little too much. “Only needed to add water, you know, one of those pre-mixed packages.”

Daisy grunted. “How dare you tease me while I am having a serious case of pregnancy brain,” she jokingly complained, and took a bite of the fluffy pancake, moaning at the sweet taste on her tongue. “God, you’re amazing,” she murmured with her mouth full.

Daniel smiled. “Figured you deserved it on your first Mother’s Day,” he said, his dark eyes sparkling with love.

Daisy blinked once again and swallowed. “Wait, what? Today is Mother’s Day?”

Daniel nodded. Not being on earth for a long time had made them forget about earthly dates, seeing as it didn’t much matter with the varying orbits in outer space, so she hadn’t even noticed that it was May 9th already.

She handed Daniel her fork and gestured him to have a bite as well, while she tried to process the fact that this was the first time in her life that this day actually was meaningful to her. Mother’s Day was a day she always tried to avoid thinking about; as a child she never celebrated it, due to not having a mother. Seeing her peers at school drawing on brightly colored papers and sticking macaroni to it, to later hand it over to their mothers that were waiting at the school gates, always made her heart ache with want.

When she did finally found hers, she was already grown up, and her mother turned out to be not the person she dreamed of or hoped she would be. The one that came closest was May, the only mother figure she ever really had, and who she loved like one, but even then, this was more of a silent agreement than really something the both of them would utter.

Now, however, being in her third trimester, soon becoming a mother herself, it was a bit daunting to think she had an actual child to take care of soon, and that she she was going to become a mother and fulfill that role, while she didn’t even know how to be one or really had someone to model after. She just hoped they would be back on Earth by then, and she shuddered, not even wanting to think of the possibility of having to raise a child in space, like Fitz and Simmons had done before them.

She took the plate from her belly and ran her fingers along the curve. Their daughter was awake, making her presence known by somersaulting and kicking out her limbs.

Daniel handed back the fork and looked at her; he could always sense when she was lost in thoughts or struggling, and he tilted his head. “Are you okay?”

Daisy nodded, giving him a smile before reaching for his hand and squeezing it. “Thank you, this was so sweet of you. Even though you’re a bit early…” gesturing at her pregnant physique.

Daniel nodded, “She may not be here yet, but it doesn’t make you less of a mother…”

Daisy stared at the plate with the half eaten pancakes and poked at them with the fork, slowly shaking her head. “Sometimes I think I am just kidding myself, you know…”

Daniel raised his eyebrows in response, while brushing his thumb over the back of her hand.

She once again sighed. “Me, being a mom? I don’t have the slightest idea how to even deal with a kid, much less my own. How am I even supposed to…”

“Hey, hey, hey…” Daniel said, moving the plate of pancakes to the side so he could sit closer, taking both her hands in his. He rested them on her belly and tilted his head at her, “That’s simply not true. Look how amazing you already are with Alya, that kid adores you…”

He looked into her brown eyes, which were shiny with tears threatening to escape. Clearly she was not yet convinced, and he knew this wasn’t really the root of why she was upset, and stared at their joined fingers as he gathered his thoughts and pondered, “I know this is… scary, surely one the scariest thing I’ve ever gone through. I have no idea either how to be a parent. There’s going be a little voice that calls for ‘daddy’, and she’ll mean me! It’s big, but you know, the nice thing is that you’re not alone. We have each other in this. I know we can do this.”

“How can you even be so sure?”

“Because we’re together, and I know there is nothing we can’t handle, that I promise you. On earth or in space.”

Daisy let out a shuttering breath, and squeezed his hands.

“Sometimes… sometimes I just forget I am not alone anymore,” she admitted with a weak smile.

Daniel nodded slowly. When he was flipping the pancakes earlier, he already expected for Daisy’s childhood to come up. He couldn’t resist treating her for her first Mother’s Day, and hoped he could give it a positive spin or a new meaning, for the first time in her life.

“I know.” He knew sometimes just acknowledging her feeling was enough, because he knew, and she knew, that he would do anything in his power to be there for her, and their soon-to-be-born child.

Daisy gave him a nod and let out a deep breath. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he answered, lovingly brushing his hand along the curve of her belly and once again presented her with the plate of pancakes. “Now eat these before Kora finds out and demands her share.”

> Read on ao3

[trillian-anders]

chambers - xiii

pairing: bucky barnes x reader

warnings: violence, angst, slow burn

word count: 3748

description: post-endgame. Steve Rogers has passed away from old age. The one remarkable thing is that no one knew his heart would be in the condition it was. He was able to save one more life. After receiving his heart, strange things start happening. Including something that would change your life forever. (Inspired by the Netflix series of the same name.)

Bucky Barnes was a patient man. He learned his patience through trials that no one should have to face. He could wait, but it seemed like right now he couldn’t get back to the compound fast enough. “Hurry up,” He scolded the dash, pushing the throttle further against the board. 

“That’s as fast as she can go,” Sam rationed, “We’re getting there as fast as we can.” His voice was tense. Bucky could tell he was anxious to get back too. 

Bucky’s heart was racing, palms sweating, throat dry. If Zemo got his hands on you, if he hurt you, Bucky’s metal knuckles groaned in protest with the shift, his fist clenching impossibly tight. 

It was dark and hard to see, but what was easy to see was the smoke billowing out of the few smashed windows on the side of the building. Agents left behind, too early in their training were on the grass outside running an emergency protocol, putting out the fire that raged on the Avengers floor. 

The jet landed hard against the ground, seat belts ripped off and both soldiers were on the ground before the ramp fully extended. “I’ll do a scan inside.” Redwing shot from Sam’s back, flying steadily into the smoke and disappearing from sight. 

Eric. Bucky’s throat constricted as the man ran up to him, panting. 

“Have you seen Y/N?” Eric asked, trying to catch his breath. Bucky had to swallow his emotions, the anger seeping out through his pores. 

“Have you?” He snapped. Eric shook his head, ignoring Bucky’s anger, looking desperately back at the building. He was covered in soot, the sleeve of his shirt singed. He smelled of smoke and the faintest smell of gasoline. 

“It’s clear.” Sam said, the drone speeding back out from the smoke and clicking back into place behind him. 

“We saw the jet take off right before the fire started.” Eric said, hands on his hips. Bucky and Sam exchanged a look. 

“We should go.” Bucky looked back at the building before them, flames now tamed, water spilling down the sides. 

“So you know where she is?” Eric asked hopefully. “I text her, but she hasn’t answered. I just want to make sure she’s okay.” 

“She’s fine.” Sam glanced down at his phone, shooting off a text. “Your clearance level isn’t high enough for you to be granted that information.” Eric’s jaw twitched, throat constricting. 

“We’re sort of dating,” Eric offered, “I mean, I’m just concerned, that doesn’t get me anything?” Bucky looked at him in suspicion, but said nothing. 

“As your Captain I think you should go help your other teammates with the cleanup and let us handle this,” Sam started back up the ramp, “She’ll text you if she wants to text you.” As the ramp closed, the two men exchanged a look. “I don’t like him.”

Bucky breathed a sigh of relief, “Finally.” 

The lake was calm. It could almost be called relaxing if you weren’t so emotionally exhausted. The sleep didn’t seem like it was enough. You’d lost count of the amount of times you’d broken down crying. So here you were, sat on a bench out on the dock, watching two ducks float along the water, a chill in the air. 

Your skin was tight around your eyes from crying, rubbed raw. The birds were awake, sun finally fully over the horizon when you heard the jet touch down behind you in the distance. It wasn’t long before boots hit the hardwood of the dock. The sound is a courtesy. He wouldn’t make any sound if he didn’t want to. 

He slipped into the seat next to you, arm resting on the back of the bench behind you. A comfortable distance. 

“I’d ask you if you are okay, but you’re clearly not.” Bucky faced forward, watching the two ducks peck at the water, drifting around.   

“How bad is it?” Times Square. Most of the team was still there helping with search and rescue. It was easier to lift debris when you had superpowers. 

He couldn’t lie, “It’s bad.” You nod, throat constricting, “We’re going to get him.” He assures you, the blunt metal fingertips brushing against your spine, “This isn’t your fault.” 

“But it is.” You lean from his touch, standing and stepping away from the bench, turning to look at him. “Did you know?” You ask, temper rising. His brows scrunch, looking at you questioningly. “Do you know?” He shakes his head, 

“Know what?” You look at him incredulously. How could he not know? Could you really believe that Steve never told him? His best friend? 

“I need to go see my parents... you should come along.” You begin to make your way back up the dock, the jet sitting idly on the grass next to the log cabin, smoke billowing from the chimney. 

“Y/N, sweetheart, I don’t think that’s such a good idea right now.” Who knows what Zemo had planned, Agents had been placed to watch them recently, to make sure they were being kept safe. 

You turn to him, the dew on the grass wet on your ankles, it’s a slightly foggy morning, his hair was pulled back tightly from his face, there was blood on his uniform still, he smelled of soot. His eyes looked so blue against the dark contrast of the dirt on his face. You felt your bottom lip tremble, eyes watering once more, your hands shaking. 

“I need to see them.”

Peter watched as you entered, fumbling over his words, shifting nervously in the doorway. 

“When I was looking at your scan,” He said, “I didn’t know what I was seeing.” You couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t his job to tell you, it wasn’t Strange’s either. He was shifting foot to foot, hand idly clicking his phone screen on and off again. 

“It’s okay Pete,” You sigh. Sam stood in the kitchen, across from Strange, both eyes flicking to your frame. “I’m gonna go talk to my parents.” Sam leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms and looked at the man now standing behind you in the doorway. Bucky radiated heat against your back. 

“You goin’ with her?” Sam asked. Bucky didn’t speak, but nodded in agreement. “I want to talk to you for a minute.” Eyes pointed at you, Sam gestures with his head for the two of you to leave the room. You peer back at Bucky, confusion clear on his face as you follow his partner into the other room. “Are you sure you want to do this?” He asks you. Hands reaching to gently grasp your arms, comforting. 

Your breath catches, emotions still flowing freely just under your skin, the gentle question bringing tears to your eyes, tears you keep from falling. 

“I have to.” You nod, voice tight, “For myself.” For the man standing in the corner, the ghost. The man looking at you in complete sorrow. You had to do this for Steve.

Sam nods, “Did you tell him?” You wrap your arms around yourself, pulling back. Shaking your head you look back at the wall that separates you from him. From Bucky. “You can’t have him go into this blind, Y/N.” 

“I know,” You know, “I know.” You tug your bottom lip, sore with worry, between your bottom teeth before fully turning from Sam, “I’ll tell him.” 

Those curious blue eyes met you in the doorway, a banana in hand, open and partially eaten in his fist, another one was unopened and offered to you as you joined him. He wouldn’t pry, not if you didn’t want him to. But how do you tell him? How do you tell him that it’s because of you that Steve left him. 

Steve’s heart was in his throat, palms sweating. Babies were supposed to cry right? So why wasn’t the baby crying? He watched the doctor and nurses surround the frail little thing, face blue and still covered in blood. 

“Is she alright?” Peggy cried, hair plastered to her forehead in sweat, face pale. His heart was breaking, his hand gently grasped in hers. She was beginning to hyperventilate. Steve turned to his wife, brushing her hair from her face, gently grasping her cheeks in his palms and pressing a shaky kiss to her forehead. 

“She’ll be okay.” He soothed. He didn’t know though, he didn’t know if his baby would survive.

The pregnancy had been hard on Peggy and full of many difficulties. The pair swore that this was the first and last. In the beginning she was so sick. Morning sickness had hit her full speed. It wasn’t uncommon for her to turn her nose at the sight of anything with a strong smell. Steve had resorted to boiling chicken and potatoes most nights, and then she got a strong aversion to the smell it would create in the house so they switched to eating just buttered pasta for a while. 

She chewed ginger mints and took naps halfway through the day, sometimes she couldn’t get out of bed at all. Her job was difficult and demanding. She began spotting close to her second trimester and was sat behind a desk. Steve felt helpless. What could he do really? 

“Maybe this was a mistake.” He took a sip of the whiskey Howard had poured him, whiskey that would do nothing but burn down his throat and roll in the acid of his stomach, the pair sitting in Howard’s office at SHIELD. “Maybe we shouldn’t have had kids.” 

Howard sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair, “Don’t think of it like that, women have been pregnant since the beginning of time, and Peggy is strong.” A sip, “She’ll be fine, her and the kid, they’ll both be fine.” 

It didn’t seem to be fine. Not when Peggy’s eyes rolled back in her head and her face grew ashen. Not when the medical staff scrambled. Not when Steve was pushed from the room, pushed away from his silent baby and his heavily bleeding wife. 

He thought the serum would transfer. 

It was in his blood, why wouldn’t it? 

But it didn’t. His daughter was frail. She came out barely three pounds, she could fit in the palm of his hand. But she was breathing, she was alive. 

“I don’t know how long she will survive.” The doctor said. But his girl was a fighter. Her breaths rattled, Peggy or Steve kept their baby in a bassinet next to the bed until she outgrew it. Took about a year. 

She was late on everything, walking, talking. Peggy doted on her sweet girl, breastfed longer than advised, hoping that it would do her some good. Grow her bones stronger, help her put on weight. A full fat milk in her bottle every morning, there was constantly food around for their baby. Steve tried to remember child trends from his future. Recommendations from Doctors more advanced. He resentfully thought about how much more help his daughter would get if she could see a Doctor in 2023 versus the quacks they’d been taking her to currently. 

Howard created the braces for her legs that helped her legs straighten so she could start walking, helping her keep her back upright. He found a better Doctor, a SHIELD Doctor, to perform her first surgery, and second, and third. 

It took a scare. A serious one. One where his baby girl almost didn’t make it. Intubated in quarantine for her compromised immune system. The Doctor had told them to say their goodbyes. 

“I can’t do this.” Peggy cried, one hand on her hip the other covering her mouth, Steve sat before her, hands on his knees. “I can’t let her go.” 

His throat was dry, raspy, acidic. “I can save her.” Peggy’s eyes found his, both red and exhausted, 

“What do you mean?” Steve shook his head, opened his mouth and then closed it before sighing heavily, 

“I thought he was exaggerating,” He shrugged, “I thought that maybe it was an irrational decision and if I could have just waited it out she would be okay, but she’s not going to be okay.” He gently pulled his wife to his chest, rocking her side to side, looking through the glass behind her at their daughter, her chest barely rising and falling. “We have to let her go, you have to let me take her back.” 

Howard fashioned more tech, something he could use to bring his baby somewhere where she’d get the help she needed. Here in the future. When he was still on ice. The emergency room. He said he found her on the street. They took care of her. They saved his daughter’s life. They found a family willing to take her. An older couple who couldn’t have children. Steve watched them for a while. 

He watched them take his baby to the park. He watched them take his baby to her first day of school. He watched them take his baby to the hospital, again and again. 

But his girl was a fighter, she survived. 

He hadn’t believed Strange. 

Not when he told him about this. 

“You’ll have to give her up.” He said. Steve didn’t believe him. “Everything is going to happen, exactly how it’s supposed to.” Steve didn’t believe him. 

“You’re going to go back to Peggy and have a baby girl.” Strange had looked out onto the lake that day, hands in his pockets, “And it’s going to be hard, but you’re going to have to give her up so she can survive. And she will. I’m going to tell you exactly where to take her and when.” 

“Why?” Steve asked, “Why wouldn’t I stay?” Bucky. His throat constricted. “Why can’t I stay?” Strange’s eyes turned soft, looking back at the house where Bucky was letting Morgan comb out his hair. 

“Your daughter is very important to ensure a sound future for the planet.” Strange took a step back from him, “In every universe that you don’t go back… you lose everything.”

It was hard, Peggy didn’t want to do it. 

“I can’t let her go.” Holding her baby to her chest, rubbing her back as she slept soundly, the bout of pneumonia the pair didn’t think their baby would survive finally shaking itself from her lungs. They were crying. 

“If we let her go, she’ll survive.” Steve held his wife, their child between them. “If she stays here, she’ll die.” 

So he brought you here. And he saved you. 

There was a heartbeat. 

Then another.

And another. 

“Bucky,” The jet was quiet. “Please.” Your parents didn’t know whose child you were, but they adopted you as soon as they heard you’d been abandoned at CHOP. 

“We didn’t care that you were sick.” Your Mom smoothed the hair from your face, “We loved you as soon as we saw you.” Such a happy baby she remarked, a happy resilient baby. 

The jet was parked in a quiet place, you’d driven into the city and had just gotten back. Bucky wasn’t speaking with you currently. The entire drive back his eyes straight ahead on the road, not even radio to break up the silence. 

His shoulders were tense, nearly pulled up against his ears. He stood in the middle of the jet, unmoving. 

“Bu-”

“Just give me a minute.” His voice was low, forlorn. You sat heavily on the bench, the buckle clinkling against the floor as it fell. His face was turned down, hair covering most of it, his bottom lip trembling slightly. 

You sniffled and his hand reached out for you, slowly grasping your own and pulling you from the bench and into his chest. His arms wrapping around your shoulders to pull you in tightly, your arms wrapping around his waist. His face buried into your shoulder, your eyes looking up at the ceiling. 

You both stood there. 

And you cried. 

Him for the loss of his love, you for the burden of the truth. 

“Does Zemo know?” You breathed out shakily. The pair of you sitting on the bench in the jet, thighs pressed tightly together, his hand wrapped tightly around yours to keep from trembling. 

He shook his head, “If he did we would have known a long time ago.” His eyes were red rimmed, staring blankly at the wall. 

“I don’t know what to do now.” You settled further into his side, your vacant hand wrapping around your joined ones. “What do we even do?” 

There was silence once again, a small debate in his head, 

“Did he love me?” You gaze up at him, the scruff of his jaw, his pink flushed lips bitten and chapped, slightly parted with unsteady breath. 

“Yes.” He looked down at you, so close you could count his eyelashes. The freckles in his eyes. 

“How do you know?” The soft timbre of his voice rumbling against your shoulder. “How do you know for sure?” Anxiousness brews in your chest, heart fluttering with the admission, 

“Because I’ve felt that love every minute of every day since I was given this heart.” His eyes flutter closed, head coming to bump against the wall behind him, before rolling towards you. His fingers coming up to entwine in your hair and pull your face closer to his. 

His lips press against your forehead and rest there for a moment. 

A soft sound as he pulls back, “We should get going.” 

“I thought it was just the serum,” Peter shrugged, “It was changing the chemistry of your body with the serum, so I assumed at first that’s why those genetic markers were there.” The old holotable hadn’t been used for a while, but with a little tinkering the kid got it up and running again. The files stored on one of his thumb drives displayed your DNA. A mess of ACGT that was specifically you. 

Steve’s was pulled up, “This shows paternal DNA.” Margaret Carter’s DNA pulled beside that, “This shows maternal DNA.” You were fresh from a shower and eating a bowl of cereal while sitting cross-legged in a chair in the home office. 

“So you had this figured out weeks ago?” Strange asked, a smirk on his face, “And you just decided not to tell anyone?” Peter shrugged, looking at you apologetically. 

“I’m happy you didn’t tell me,” You offered, “It wasn’t for you to tell.” 

“So this is why the serum is acting the way it is?” Sam asked.

“So there were genetic traces of the serum in her DNA from birth,” He had a previous blood sample from before, before the heart. He looks at you, “You getting the heart, as weird as that is, boosted the serum you already had and it’s almost like… a mutation.” A beat of silence, “That would make sense,” He said standing from his chair, rotating your genetic code on the holotable. “Mutations sometimes come around through specific circumstances of extreme stress or hormonal growth.

When Steve was given the serum he was in a chamber and hit with an incredible amount of energy to fuse the serum with his cells, it gave the body the stress it needed for the serum to completely change his genetic makeup.”

“I’ve been stressed my entire life,” You joke, shaking your head, “But when I got the heart, my body reacted to his genetic code?” Peter nodded.

“When they did your surgery they took the heart from his body in one OR,” Strange interjected, “And brought it immediately to your OR, so the blood that remained in the chambers of the heart, that first heartbeat you experienced, gave you everything you needed.” 

That first heartbeat. 

The one where the doctors remove your heart and put another in its place. That tense, timed, procedure. That sigh of relief as Steve’s heart beat within your chest for the first time. The claps of a job well done. 

You remember waking up. 

Your Dad, the man who helped raise you, sat beside your bed. His glasses low on his nose as he filled out a Sudoku book. Your Mom, the woman who helped raise you, walked in with a coffee, one for each of them. The quiet, thank you. A whispered kiss, before she settled into the small couch, pulling out her knitting. 

A sigh of relief, a first breath leaving your lungs. 

You’d survived another one, and hopefully this one wouldn’t give out on you. Hopefully. 

It seemed surreal now, how far everything had gone. How much farther it needed to go. 

Zemo didn’t know, at least that’s what Bucky was under the impression of. So his obsession with this heart, trying to harvest the traces of serum that flowed through your bloodstream had nothing to do with your lineage. 

“Hey.” Bucky was sitting out on the water, legs hanging off the side of the dock. “I thought you went to bed.” You shrug, sitting down next to him, thigh to thigh. 

“I couldn’t sleep.” Your breath came out in clouds. He nods in response, hands held in his lap, eyes unfocused out on the tree line. 

“I don’t hate you for it.” Bucky said after a while. “I just… I wanted you to know that.” Your fingers fisted in the sleeves of your sweater, you turn to look at him. Eyes red rimmed, the tip of his nose red from the cold. His eyes met yours, glossy. “I don’t blame you for this.” You press your lips together, swallowing harshly before letting out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry honestly.” He continues, “I shouldn’t have been the way I was when you first got the heart. None of this was fair to you.”

“I don’t blame you,” Your fingers find his own, cold, half numb. “I… this has been hard for both of us.” He goes to say something, but decides against it. His fingers intertwined with yours. 

“We might need to stay here for a while.” He said, “The others are going to go back to the compound, rebuild, save face.” His thumb brushed the back of your hand, calloused and rough against your skin. “We’ll stay here, train a little more. Zemo doesn’t know about this place.” He glanced back at what once was Tony’s cabin. “No one really knows about this place.” 

You take a deep breath, looking back out onto the still lake. And it was comfortable. For the first time in a long time you’d felt at peace. Content. And ready to move on. 

.

.

.

taglist //  @nutellakirb​ @witch-of-letters​ @torntaltos​ @emotionallysalty​ @an-lover​ @lbuck121​ @rainbowkisses31​ @artisticrogers1972​ @flightlessbirdiee​ @sanniegirl1214​ @sarcastic-and-cool​  @bookish-shristi​ @saturnki​ @jennmurawski13​ @geeksareunique​ @the-soulofdevil​ @tinmunky​ @gifsbysimplysonia​ @alwaysbenhardysgirl @albinotigerpython​

[kunderdogs]

KNK As Dads

Thank you to the anon who requested it! I know it’s kind of sloppy but I hope you like it! :)

I tried to keep them all the same length but it’s hard to tell lol

Jihun

When you tell him you’re pregnant, he will fall on the floor

SO DRAMATIC

“WE WERE SO CAREFUL? OMG MY MOM WILL BE SO HAPPY!”

Buys five yards of bubble wrap to “baby proof the house”

You have to explain to him that’s not how it goes

He’ll ready every parenting book like ever

“Did you know that babies have nails in the womb?!”

“Please...it’s three in the morning...Go to sleep, Jihun.”

So affectionate

Wants to cuddle with your belly all the time

“Sorry babe, you’re my number two now. She’s my number one love.”

As soon as his daughter is born, he’s bawling

Uncontrollably

The docs have to calm him down because they’re afraid he’ll start hyperventilating.

Will not let her leave his sight for the first few months

Will be soooo dramatic when she learns to walk though

Bouncing off the walls when she takes her first step

“BABE OH MY GOD DID YOU- DID YOU SEEEEEE HER?? SHE TOOK HER FIRST STEP. GET THE C A M E R A!”

Made her a college fund when she was 5 days old

“It’s never too soon to start saving for college.”

Hogs all the baby time

Wants to feed her

Refuses to let anyone except you and him hold her until she’s maybe four months

Calls the other members her “weird Uncles”

Proudly announces to everyone her first words were “Dada” even though you were pretty sure she burped

At nights, he’ll sleep in her nursery

He’ll grow out of that habit around when she enters school

As she gets older, he’s always supportive

Definitely wants her to try singing

Knows she’ll sound like an angel

Wants her to do whatever she wants in life

Wants a lot of kids because he loves to spend time with them

Literally she’s his princess

The type of dad to have tea parties just cause his daughter loved them

“Tea party? Only if I can wear the purple tiara this time.”

Glares at any little boy that shows an interest in her

“EXCUSE ME. Keep your hands to yourself, thankyouverymuch.”

“Dad, I’m twenty and this is my boyfriend.”

“boYFRIEND?! You’re grounded, young lady. No dating until you’re married.”

Seoham

Panic

“What- you’re-?! !!!!”

Faints when you tell him you’re pregnant

Once he comes to, he’ll start crying

Very emotional the entire pregnancy

Even more so than you are

Experiences pregnancy sympathy pains

Has morning sickness right with you

You’re spending the majority of the first trimester taking care of him

He’s always apologizing lmao

As you get bigger, he’s in awe

Cannot believe he’s going to be a dad

Will always look at you like you’re the most beautiful thing in the world

Tearfully tells you he loves you at random times

And then you cry too cause the damn hormones

The member to gush to his fans about your new baby

(on VLIVE) “If it’s a girl, what name should we give it? Tinkerbell always has good ideas and suggestions...Boy name suggestions too!”

Will try to get you to quit your job when you get to 7 months

Is so nervous for the delivery

Coaching and holding your hand the WHOLE TIME

He’ll be your voice to your doctors (we love a king)

Crying as soon as he sees your son’s full head of hair

“You did it, baby, oh wow. He’s so beautiful. You did so well, love. I love you so much.”

Is a mESS

“Mommmm~ He’s healthy T-T come as soon as you can.” Sobs

Glares at anyone who tries to take your son from your arms

Will 100% give the doctors a hard time if his son is crying for “too long”

As he gets older, Seoham is the perfect father.

Loving, caring, and stern when he needs to be

But he’s sooooo soft

Hates to discipline him but knows he needs the correction

The type of dad to watch with love in his eyes as his child is running around the yard.

Threatens the members not to show him any bad words/actions

Reads and sleeps with his son (even tho his long body cannot fit on the red car bed)

Cries at almost every milestone (walking, talking, eating solid food, first hair cut, first day of school)

“He’s just growing up so fast, babe. Soon, he’ll be married and having kids of his own. What am I going to do then?”

“Seoham, this is his third birthday party...Get it together, baby.”

Not going to push his child into anything but encourages him to find hobbies or sports his likes

If your son likes sports, he’s at every. single. event. Practice, games, any of it

Records all the games and when he goes to college, he’ll make a highlight reel

Inseong

When you tell him, you’re pregnant, he won’t believe you

Not to mean you’re a liar

But he just cannot grasp it rn

“Ha ha, very funny, babe. I know you’re on the pill.”

Once you hand him the pregnancy stick, he’s all 

O_O “o-oh shit”

Needs to sit down cause he’s lightheaded

Doesn’t want to show you but he’s scared outta his mind rn

Smiles nervously

As time goes on and you start to show, it’ll finally become real to him

He’ll cry that night when you feel the baby moving and put his hand on your belly

Will hide all his worries and concerns from you and instead will ask the members 

Eventually he’ll speak to you about how nervous he is but he reassures you he wants a baby with you

He’ll feel better after talking to you

Very gentle with you when you’re pregnant and will get you any cravings you need

Schedules regular massages for you so you’re comfortable

Literally has hearts in his eyes when he sees how big you get in the last trimester

Doesn’t care what gender your baby is, just wants it healthy

Soft smiles and kisses when the doctor hands you a chubby baby boy

He’s crying but trying to put on a strong front for you

Wants to be your strength but eventually breaks down when he takes a step back and sees how you look at your son in your arms

“The most beautiful view I’ve ever seen...”

Fully bawling when you ask him if he wants to hold his son

Won’t stop calling the child “my son”

Taking pictures and videos of everything

Soccer dad FOR SURE

Has snacks and juice ON DECK 24/7

Supports their kid no matter what though

Hates to be the one to discipline and will even leave when you’re scolding your son

Screaming at the top of his lungs when he learns anything new

“HE COUNTED TO 10 OH MY GOD HEEJUN DID YOU HEARRRR THAT”

Affectionate :))))

Will pout if his son doesn’t want to give him kisses when he leaves for work

Dongwon

So so so so happy

Smiling so wide when you surprise him with baby converse.

“You’re not joking? You’re really pregnant? We’re having a baby?”

“I’m going to be a dad?”

Literally so excited!!!!

He gets to have a family with the love of his life!!

Immediately tells all his family and friends once he gets the okay from your doctor

Plans a gender reveal party and is wearing a pink shirt because he wants a lil princess to spoil.

Wouldn’t mind a boy, but wants to experience the “daddy/daughter” bond

RUNNING UP AND DOWN YOUR STREET WHEN HE FINDS OUT YOU”RE HAVING TWIN GIRLS (like on maury)

!!!!!! You’re like 0-O “does this say TWINS?!”

Feels like he hit the jackpot

Kisses you all over, hugging you gently and when you pull back, you can see tears in his eyes.

“I love you. Thank you for giving me two babies.”

He’s very sappy the entire pregnancy

“How’s my girls doing? Need anything, mama? Come here, I’ll rub your feet, baby.”

Takes you on a baby moon to wherever you wanna go just to pamper you before you give birth

Anything you want, he will give you

You could tell him your phone speaker wasn’t working and he’ll go out and get you a whole new phone

Watches you with hearts in his eyes as you sleep

Unfortunately, you can’t give birth naturally due to labor taking too long so the doctors have to preform a c-section.

A mess of nerves and tension as he holds your hand in the operating room

When he hears two cries, he nearly collapses next to you in relief. “You did amazing, love.”

Crying as he watches the doctors put both little girls on your chest

He strokes one of the twins tiny head, lips trembling as she softly cries out

“I never thought my heart could beat outside of my body.”

100% the overprotective dad

Down to play any girly games for them

Brings them to sporting events against their will

N O BOYS E V E R !!!!

NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!

ok maybe if they’re knk fans

MAYBE

Heejun

Terrified at first

Heejun is young (my age lol) so I feel like he wouldn’t particularly want kids until he’s in his late twenties-early thirties

He warms up to the idea of a child quickly because he LOVES kids

ESPECIALLY if it’s his with the love of his life

Not one to keep it a secret

He’ll call everyone in his life and give them the news

lowkey wants a boy because he doesn’t know if he can relate to a girl

But honestly as long as the baby is healthy, he’s over the moon

When he does find out it’s a boy, he’s buying matching clothes for him and his son

Tells everyone “I’m having a son T-T”

Is usually composed during the pregnancy - wide smiles and cheerful expressions

Will get you anything you want, no questions asks

(He’ll complain to the boys that your cravings are weird as hell tho. Who eats cheetos with peanut butter and power-aid? Disgusting)

Won’t ever say anything negative because he wants his child to grow up in a positive environment

Refuses any help in building or assembling any of the baby furniture or toys

“I have to do this. I’m a dad now. Dads build things.”

Only cries when he’s able to hold his son, wrapped up tightly like a burrito in the hospital.

You’d be passed out on the bed with the nurses busy by you, and he’d just sit with your son in his arms, tears flowing freely with a smile on his face.

“Hey little one, I’m your daddy.”

IN LOVEEEEE

YOUR SON CAN DO NO WRONG TO HIM

He’s a precious angel, even when he turns two and terrorizes literally everyone and everything in your house

Wants only the best for your son so he’ll make food and turn into a chef pretty quickly.

Eventually when your son shows how picky he really is, Heejun will give in and give him chicken nuggets

Play fights with him all the time

You still don’t know which one broke the bathroom window and they refuse to tell on the other

Very proud of his son’s accomplishments and will praise him for every little thing he can

Bribes him with popsicles and ice cream to get him potty trained

It worked so you couldn’t say much lol

His kid is his ride or die

Nothing will ever get between him and his son

Wants your son to be better than he is - and will push him to do well in school, all the way up to college

When you have a daughter, him and your son are full on body guard mode

“Hands off the models.” He says to Inseong as the older one plays with your daughter. 

“PRECIOUS CARGO COMING THRU.”

“Ten feet distance at all times, thank you.”

[kelseyuum]

Why pregnancy sucks

It’s so magical! You are creating another life! A miracle!

Whatever.

Pregnancy sucks in many small and gross ways that no one ever tells you about. So if you are thinking of starting a family here’s a quick rundown of why it sucks so far at 10 weeks. Warning: Gross and very personal human body stuff to follow.

 You are tired, ALL THE TIME.  And I mean all the time. Your body is busy making another body so no matter what you are doing you are tired.

Nausea isn’t just in the morning. I figured out I was pregnant within a week of it happening because I was suddenly feeling nauseous all the time. Just mildly at first, but it kept getting worse. Now most days I am pretty much on the verge of throwing up at any give moment. There might be a day or two where it’s not so bad, but they are a rarity. 

Peeing ALL THE TIME. Pregnant gals need extra water and so peeing is at least once an hour and several times during the night. So even though you are exhausted you might be up every two hours to pee.

Boogers and blood. When pregnant you have higher levels of estrogen which increases mucus production which means more snot and congestion. On top of which, I got a bloody nose for the first time in years yesterday, seemingly at random. Then I looked into it and because pregnancy results in a 30% blood volume increase, and then we’ve got all this extra mucus sliding around, bloody noses are common.

Cramps after orgasm. As if your growing baby isn’t ruining enough of your day, it is very common especially in early pregnancy to have period style cramps after orgasm. So on the rare occasion your sex drive can overcome your nausea, those few moments of enjoyment are followed by minutes or for some (so I’ve read) hours of cramps.

Nothing tastes good and food is a pain. Maybe a bit of an overstatement, but eating becomes more of a chore. Foods you loved before now make you sick and suddenly you find yourself being the obnoxious person saying “I can’t eat just plain chicken breast or even look at it, but if it’s breaded and fried it’s fine.” So there’s only a select amount of foods you can stomach and while you are supposed to be eating all healthy for your baby sometimes healthy snacks are the absolute last thing your body wants to eat.

If it DOES taste good, you aren’t “eating for two”. In addition to society’s other lies and omissions about pregnancy, you don’t get to eat whatever you want. First trimester you need no additional calories. Second trimester and on you need only 300 additional calories. That’s 3 Tablespoons of peanut butter gang. wtf.

Kiss your poop schedule goodbye. I’m a woman who appreciates having regular bowels. It has been 10 weeks since I have had any consistency in that department. It’s either one of two things, constipation, or capital D (as the say in Playing House). If I even had one regular poop experience this week I’d probably cry from happiness.

Bloated like a 3 days dead fish on the beach. All that funky bowel action and the fact that your digestion slows to a crawl can leave you bloated up and uncomfortable. The other day I looked 6 months pregnant and it was nothing but gas.

A gaseous existence. All that gas eventually has to go somewhere so you suddenly become a flatulent burp machine.

Don’t take that pill it might kill your fetus . Most of these symptoms you could clear up with a little old fashioned western medicine, but unfortunately your medicine options are limited.

No super hot baths, hot tubs, or saunas. I live in Minnesota, a forsaken frozen wasteland. A sore tired pregnant body would love a good hot bath, but nope! Increasing your body temperature too much can affect the fetus. A nice steamy winter sauna? Out of the question. Going on your honeymoon and want to enjoy the hot tub out under the stars? Forget it. Put your feet in and wear a sweater on top.

Ever drag your nipples across a bunch of stinging nettles? Me either, but I’m fairly certain pregnancy nipples are the same as if you went traipsing through a weed patch. Stinging, burning, kind of itching but too tender to touch, and at completely random times. 

Now this is a personal list and pregnancy is different for everyone. Some poor souls throw up so often they have to be hospitalized. Some lucky few women don’t have nausea at all. Just depends on the person and pregnancy.

Anyway I just wish I had known about some of these things in advance. I don’t know what I would have done with this knowledge, I just feel I would have appreciated my pregnancy symptom free life a little more while I still had it.

[benecare-hospital]

Fruitful Tips To Eat Healthy Food During Pregnancy

Introduction:

A healthy diet is very important to living a healthy lifestyle at any time, but it's much more crucial if you're expecting or planning a pregnancy. According to Best Mother and Child Care Super Speciality Hospital, a healthy pregnancy diet will support the growth and development of your unborn child.

While you don't need to follow a specific diet, it's still crucial to eat a variety of meals every day to ensure that you and your kid are getting the proper amount of nutrients.

The best way to ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need is to consume whole meals, but when you're pregnant, you also need to take a folic acid supplement.

Why Food During Pregnancy is a Crucial Thing to Both Mother and Her Unborn Baby:

Your pregnancy diet nourishes your health and provides your unborn child with the nutrition they need to survive and expand. Pregnant women should generally follow a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients and low in sugar, salt, and saturated fats.

Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but doing so at the expense of your health or the health of your unborn child raises the chance of difficulties. The mother's pre-pregnancy weight affects how much weight she can acquire safely. There is evidence to support adopting Body Mass Index (BMI) as a benchmark for acceptable weight gain during pregnancy.

What is a Balanced Diet?

A broad variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups are included in a healthy, balanced diet. To stay hydrated, it's also a good idea to drink a lot of water.

Cereals and whole grains

Vegetables and beans/legumes

Lean poultry, fish, meats, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds, and legumes/beans

Fruit

Dairy foods, including curd, butter, cheese, and low-fat milk

Most of us go through phases of eating healthy and days when we may consume more "treat" items. Cravings during pregnancy can also make this more difficult to control, especially if they involve meals that are heavy in sugar, salt, or fat.

What About Pregnancy Cravings?

There is no evidence to support the old theory that pregnancy food cravings were an indicator of vitamin inadequacies in a pregnant mother's diet. Additionally, a mother's tastes may alter due to pregnancy, and once-appealing foods may now have a whole different flavor. Food aversions may emerge during pregnancy, partially as a result of hormonal effects.

Determine the Appropriate Calorie Count For You:

You don't necessarily need to eat twice as much when you're pregnant.

Most women don't require any extra calories during the first trimester (the first 12 weeks).

Second trimester (13-26 weeks) – Most women require an additional 340 calories per day during pregnancy.

After 26 weeks, the final trimester, most women require an additional 450 calories per day.

To find out how many calories you need when pregnant, consult your doctor or midwife.

Every Week, Consume 8 to 12 Ounces of Seafood:

Healthy fats found in fish and shellfish are beneficial to both you and your unborn child. However, some fish are heavy in mercury, a substance that might harm the growth of your kid. Eating seafood that is high in beneficial fats but low in mercury is a good choice.

Foods to avoid during pregnancy

Don’t eat certain foods:

These foods might contain bacteria that are harmful to your infant. Prevent from:

Uncooked or undercooked fish or shellfish, such as raw oysters or sushi

Unless they are pasteurized, soft cheeses (such as feta, Brie, and goat cheese)

Poultry, eggs, or meat that is rare or raw

Unpasteurized juices or milk

Hot dogs, smoked seafood, luncheon meats, and deli meats—but only if they've been heated to a sizzling temperature.

Salads that have already been prepared, such as ham, chicken, or seafood salad

Raw sprouts include alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean varieties.

Limit Drinks with Caffeine and Added Sugars:

Decaf is recommended if you drink coffee or tea. Choose unsweetened choices and avoid adding more sugar.

Replace sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, fruit juice, and energy or sports drinks with water or seltzer.

No quantity of alcohol is safe to consume while pregnant.

Important Nutrients:

Thinking of nutrients, while all are crucial now, the greatest foods for pregnancy are those that are rich in vitamins and minerals that support the growth and development of your unborn child, such as:

Folate

Iron

Calcium

Vitamin D

DHA

Iodine

Choline

Best Foods to Eat While Pregnant:

Lean meat 

Lentils 

Yogurt

Wild salmon

Avocado

Edamame

Nuts

Carrots

Red bell peppers

Mangoes

Eggs

Kale

Oats

Bananas

Sweet potatoes

Quinoa

Low-fat milk

Dried fruit

Water

Starchy Foods (carbohydrates) in Pregnancy:

Starchy meals help you feel satisfied without having too many calories and are a vital source of energy, several vitamins, and fiber. Some of the foods on the list are bread, potatoes, morning cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, maize, millet, oats, and cornmeal. If you want chips, pick oven chips that are lower in salt and fat.

They should take up more than a third part of your diet. Choose wholegrain or higher-fiber alternatives like wholewheat pasta, brown rice, or just leaving the skins on potatoes instead of refined starchy (white) foods.

Why Do Women Need More Iron During Pregnancy?

An essential component of hemoglobin, the molecule in the blood that transports oxygen throughout the body, is iron, a mineral. In muscles, iron also transports oxygen, which aids in optimal muscle function. Your resilience to illness and stress is increased by iron.

To make sure that you and your unborn child are getting enough oxygen, it is crucial to take more iron while you are pregnant because the body absorbs iron more effectively during this time. Additionally, iron will aid you in avoiding fatigue, sluggishness, agitation, and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion:

Consult form Dietitians and Nutritionists for Women and Child Health professionals for advice if you are experiencing any issues that prohibit you from eating a balanced diet and gaining weight the right way. The nutrition experts, and registered dietitians, are on hand to assist you in eating healthfully during your pregnancy.

[farzanatrading]

What are the Various Sorts of Healthy Eating during Pregnancy?

A successful pregnancy entails eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough exercise. A healthy woman can get adequate nutrients during pregnancy by following a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods.

Fruits: Any sort of fruit, natural, frozen, dry, or canned, that does not contain added sugars.

Grains include grain bread:  cereals, and pasta, as well as brown rice, full-grain grain maize, and whole wheat tortillas.

Veggies: Include a range of colorful vegetables that are fresh, frozen, or canned with no added salt. Avoid eating raw sprouts.

Protein: sources include meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans & peas, peanut butter, soy products, and nuts. Tilefish, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange rough, and king mackerel should be avoided by pregnant women, while white (albacore) tuna should be limited to four ounces per week. If ingested, deli, luncheon meats, and hot dogs should be reheated to 165°F.

Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and supply critical vitamins and minerals. They are also an excellent natural source of folate (folic acid), which is essential for first-trimester development since it can help lower the incidence of neural tube disorders such as spine Bifida. Fruit and veggies are also beneficial to the immune system, digestion, and can aid in the prevention of low birth weight. It is critical to thoroughly wash them before consuming them.

Buy vegetables at Farzana.ae to make weekly shopping easier. Instead of going to the shop, order everything you need online and pick it up when you're ready. Our online assortment contains everything you'd find in-store, and you can search for exactly what you're looking for using our website's simple navigation. While shopping for Vegetables Online in Abu Dhabi and fruits, save time by crossing items off your list as you add them to your online cart.

[advicetomoms-blog]

Nutrition During Pregnancy Week How Should It Be?

Nutrition During Pregnancy Week How Should It Be? Duration: 40 weeks Goal: To bring your baby to the world in the healthiest way possible. Method: Giving the right of every week to feed both your baby and your changing needs. If you are ready, we begin to tell you how to feed during pregnancy week by week. If you want, read how you should feed according to the trimesters before , have a general idea like this.

Week 1 and 2: Folic acid

What is folic acid, why do you need it? It plays an important role in the development of the baby's brain and spinal cord. It prevents spina bfida disease.It ensures the completion of the heart and circulatory system, including the baby's red blood cells.It reduces the risk of premature birth and miscarriage. How much should you take? 400 mcg per day. What foods are there? Green leafy vegetables, oranges, strawberries, nuts, breakfast cereals, cauliflower, beans, nuts and beets.

Week 3: Vitamin C

Why do you need it? It provides the production of collagen needed by our veins, cartilage, tendons and bones. Since our body cannot produce itself, it needs to be reinforced.It provides immunity and protects the body against diseases. Great need for both your baby and you.There are claims that it reduces the possibility of preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning). How much should you take? 85 mg per day. What foods are there? Oranges, broccoli, strawberries, green onions, paprika, guava, papaya, kiwi, sweet potato, pineapple, grapefruit.

Week 4: Calcium

Why do you need it? Calcium is essential for bone and tongue development of your baby.If you don't get enough calcium, your bones will weaken, you may get osteoporosis.It provides immunity and protects the body against diseases. Great need for both your baby and you. How much should you take? 1200 mg daily. What foods are there? Milk, yogurt, cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, salmon, tofu, sardines.

Week 5: Potassium

Why do you need it? It provides fluid balance in its cells along with sodium during pregnancy. Now that he has two lives, his body's fluid level should increase.Prevents preeclampsia.It regulates blood pressure.It strengthens your muscles and allows you to easily get rid of pregnancy cramps. How much should you take? 4700 mg per day. What foods are there? Banana, bran, avocado, dried apricot, orange, peach, pear, dried herb, carrot, lentil, peanut, pea, sweet potato. We also have a video about what you should eat in order for your baby to gain weight and develop healthily during pregnancy:What to Eat for Weight Loss and Development of Baby During Pregnancy?

6. Week: Vitamin B12

Why do you need vitamin B12 during pregnancy? • When you are pregnant, you need more blood cells for both you and your baby. Along with other B vitamins and iron, B12 provides the blood cells you need. How much should you take? 2.2-2.6 mg per day. What foods are there? Salmon, tuna, trout, beef.

Week 7: Iodine

Why do you need yota during pregnancy? • It is the most needed mineral for the development of the brain and nervous system of the baby. • Enables thyroid hormones to function normally during pregnancy. How much should you take? 150-250 mg per day. What foods are there? Yogurt, milk, shrimp, eggs, corn with cream, cheddar cheese.

8. week: Docosahexaenoic acid

Why do you need it? Docosahexaenoic acid is one of the most important omega-3 fatty acids. It provides visual and mental development of the fetus and newborn babies.In the 8th week of her pregnancy, her baby's eye structure gets complicated, and the mini child begins to perceive the light. DHA is very useful for your baby during this period. How much should you take? 200-300 mg per day. What foods are there? Salmon, tuna, omelet, walnut.

Week 9: Vitamin B6

Why do you need it? It is another life-important vitamin for the development of the baby's brain and nervous system.It prevents nausea that you will experience in the first 3 months of pregnancy. How much should you take? 2 mg per day. What foods are there? Sunflower seeds, Pistachio, tuna, poultry, dried prunes, lean beef, banana, avocado, tomato, spinach.

10. Week: Fiber

Why do you need it? Prevents pregnancy sugar. Let us help: How should pregnant women with gestational diabetes (pregnancy sugar) be fed?It reduces the risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia.It prevents constipation, one of the biggest problems of pregnancy. How much should you take? 25-35 gr per day. What foods are there? Lentils, black beans, brown rice, broccoli, peas. In the meantime, we talked about the things you can do to prevent pregnancy sugar in our video:What can you do to prevent pregnancy sugar?

Week 11: Vitamin A

Why do you need it? As it is critical in cell division and growth, it plays an active role in the development of your baby's cell, bone, skin and eyes.It prevents preterm birth. How much should you take? You should definitely take vitamin A during pregnancy under your doctor's supervision; because overdose can have a toxic effect on the baby. It should not be more than 800 mcg a day. What foods are there? Carrot, sweet potato, dark leafy green, pepper.

12. Week: Vitamin D

Why do you need it? It helps to absorb calcium. It is vital for your baby's bone development.Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can cause rickets, muscle diseases, and even seizures in newborn babies. How much should you take? Although it is determined as 400 UI per day, it is useful to consult your doctor. What foods are there? Canned sardines, vitamin D fortified milk, orange juice, egg yolk.

Week 13: Water

Why do you need it? They did not call it vital liquid in vain. It is the main element of nutrition during pregnancy. It provides the hydrate your body needs.All foods, vitamins and minerals that are in the nutrition program during pregnancy are transferred to the baby thanks to water.Reduces headache, fatigue and constipation during pregnancy. How much should you take? Even if it varies from person to person, it is super if you drink 8-10 glasses a day. What foods are there? Water, milk, flavored waters, fresh fruit and vegetable juices without additives / extra sugar.

Week 14: Magnesium

Why do you need it? It strengthens the bones and teeth of your baby.It regulates blood sugar during pregnancy.It reduces the feeling of tiredness. How much should you take? 400 mg if you are under 18, 350 mg per day if you are over 19. What foods are there? Almond, spinach, cashew, peanut, black bean, peanut butter, avocado, yogurt, legumes.

Week 15: Vitamin B1

Why do you need it? The carbohydrates of both you and your baby are converted into energy thanks to vitamin B1.It also plays a critical role in your baby's brain development. How much should you take? 1.4 mg per day. What foods are there? Beef, yeast, legumes, milk, nuts, oats, oranges, rice, seeds, wheat, whole grain cereals. "How much weight should be taken month by month during pregnancy?" If you wonder, watch our video:How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?

16. Week: Zinc

Why do you need it? It provides the formation of the baby's cell and genetic structure.It strengthens the immune system.If you get insufficient zinc during pregnancy, your baby may have a low birth weight. How much should you take? 11-15 mg per day. What foods are there? Lean beef, turkey meat, yogurt, cashew baked beans, almonds, peanuts.

Week 17: Vitamin K

Why do you need it? It is responsible for making a blood clot, fights against problems that will prevent birth.Babies are usually born with insufficient vitamin K, and 6 hours after birth, 0.5-1 mg of vitamin K is injected into one of their thighs. How much should you take? Although it is 90 mcg a day, it is useful to consult your doctor to avoid overdose. What foods are there? Spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, beef liver, eggs, broccoli, avocado, banana.

18. Week: Provitamin A carotenoids

Why do you need it? Vitamin A or carotenoid, which is among the retinol found in animal sources such as milk, meat and fish. Carotenoid means: Biological pigment found in plants, fungi, algae and some bacteria.It acts as an antioxidant. It protects the baby's body against cellular damage. How much should you take? 750 mcg if you are under 18, 770 mcg if you are over 18. What foods are there? Carrot, tomato, apricot, sweet potato, cabbage, broccoli, egg, milk.

Week 19: Vitamin B3

Why do you need it? It provides the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy in your body.It plays a role in the production of hormones in the adrenal glands.It cleans harmful chemicals from your liver. How much should you take? 18 mg per day. But still, you should consult your doctor. What foods are there? Chicken, peanut, mushroom, tuna, green pea, beef.

Week 20: Iron

Why do you need it? The volume of red blood cells increases during pregnancy. This means you need more iron.It provides oxygen to your baby and your body.It cleans harmful chemicals from your liver. How much should you take? 30-50 mg per day. But this rate may vary depending on the level of iron in your body. Consult your doctor. What foods are there? Chicken, beef, whole egg, spinach, cabbage, beans. "So much food, good, how do I control the weight, diet?" if you think:Can pregnant women diet?

Week 21: Phosphorus

Why do you need it? Phosphorus; It plays a role in body and muscle movements, blood clotting, and kidney and nerve functions.It is also effective in cell repair. How much should you take? 1,250 mg if you are under the age of 18, 700 mg if you are over the age of 19. What foods are there? Salmon, milk, yogurt, lentils, almonds, peanuts, eggs, whole wheat bread.

22. Week: Protein

Why do you need it? She is responsible for the organ change in her baby, right from the middle of her pregnancy.You owe your baby's cute face and tiny body to protein. Because protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of cells. How much should you take? 75 grams per day. What foods are there? Red meat, chicken meat, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, nuts, yogurt.

Week 23: Sodium

Why do you need it? It helps to balance the fluid that increases in the body during pregnancy.It keeps the body temperature under control. How much should you take? If you have 2,400 mg / day of hypertension, you should consult your doctor for an appropriate dose. What foods are there? Vegetables, milk, eggs, plain yogurt, poultry, fish, fruit, cereal, unsalted peanuts.

24. Week: Vitamin E

Why do you need it? It helps shape the body of your baby using red blood cells and muscles.Pregnancy prevents poisoning. How much should you take? 15 mg per day. What foods are there? Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, eggs, nuts, cereals.

Week 25: Manganese

Why do you need it? It helps the formation of bones and cartilage of her baby.It plays a role in breaking down carbohydrates, amino acids and cholesterol that your baby needs to grow. This protects the cells of your mini from damage. How much should you take? 2 mg per day. What foods are there? Brown rice, oatmeal, spinach, pineapple, almond, whole wheat bread, peanut, pulses, carrot, broccoli, whole grain cereal, banana, raisins. In order to know the foods that should not be consumed during pregnancy, we have prepared a list for you:The list of things that should not be eaten during pregnancy!

Week 26: Selenium

Why do you need it? It strengthens the immune system. It regulates thyroid functions. For this reason, it protects you against any diseases during pregnancy like armor.It is among the studies that it prevents thyroid irregularities after birth. How much should you take? 60 mcg per day. What foods are there? Tuna, sardine, beef, turkey, chicken, lamb.

Week 27: Vitamin B7

Why do you need it? As the baby grows, its cells divide rapidly. So it needs biotin, that is, vitamin B7.The biotin, called beauty vitamin, plays an active role in the health of your baby's skin, nails, hair and skin, just like everyone else. If you get enough biotin during pregnancy, your baby will be less susceptible to eczema, acne and skin diseases when born.It also prevents pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and skin problems. How much should you take? 30 mcg per day. What foods are there? Cauliflower, salmon, carrot, banana, soybean, yeast, wheat germ, whole grain cereals, whole wheat bread, eggs, dairy products, nuts, chicken, avocado, milk, mushrooms, peas.

Week 28: Omega-3 fatty acids

Why do you need it? It plays a major role in the immune, heart, brain and eye health of your baby.It reduces the risk of postpartum depression, which you may experience in the future, and regulates the mental turmoil seen during pregnancy.It prevents your baby from being born with low weight. How much should you take? 200-300 mg per day. What foods are there? Salmon, trout, eggs, walnuts, flaxseeds, sardines, anchovies, arugula, shrimp, crab, beef, chicken.

Week 29: Vitamin B5

Why do you need it? It regulates the adrenalin level of your baby.It is beneficial for her baby's skin and hair health.Provides antibody production.Since cholesterol plays a role in the synthesis of amino acids and fatty acids, it plays a role in the healthy development of your baby. How much should you take? 6 mg per day. What foods are there? Peas, beans, lean meat, poultry, fish, milk, broccoli, avocado, cereals, sunflower seeds.

Week 30: Choline

Why do you need it? Known as the memory vitamin, choline plays a role in the memory development of your baby.In order for her baby to develop her cognitive skills, she must be on the 30th week's pregnancy nutrition list. How much should you take? 450 mg per day. What foods are there? Eggs, lean beef, salmon, chicken, broccoli, cauliflower. Shall we intervene a little? "Is craving in pregnancy really psychological?" We prepared a video to meet the question very often. We think it will interest you:Is There Really Craving During Pregnancy?

Week 31: Water

In the nutrition program of the last three months of pregnancy, the food that you should not disrupt is water. He explained why he was wonderful, in the diet of the 13th week.

Week 32: Protein

Again, this week, you need to pay particular attention to protein intake. Your baby is growing fast, not protein free. You can find detailed information on the nutrition of the 22nd week.

Week 33: Vitamin B2

Why do you need it? He kicks the baby's belly, almost wants to get out of his belly as soon as possible. Providing the energy it needs is the most important task of vitamin B2.At the same time, it supports the growth of the baby since it is involved in cell division.It benefits both of you in terms of eye and skin health. How much should you take? 1.4 mg per day. What foods are there? Milk, meat, eggs, nuts, dairy products, fish, green leafy vegetables, bread and cereals.

Week 34: Folic acid

Folic acid, which even women who are not yet pregnant but want to become mothers, started to take it, will be your biggest supporter in the 34th week of pregnancy. What are the benefits, what foods are in it, let's put you at the beginning of our article. What should the diet list be during pregnancy? We asked Dietitian Müge Şafak Özyurt.How To Be A Nutrition List During Pregnancy?

Week 35: Molybdenum

Why do you need it? Molybdenum, an element that is needed in small amounts in various tissues of your body, is responsible for removing toxic substances in your body. How much should you take? 50 mcg a day, but you should consult your doctor and determine your dose. For some bodies, this dose may be too high and the body may not be able to tolerate. What foods are there? Lentils, dried peas, broad beans, soybeans, beans, oats, barley.

Week 36: Iron

You are approaching the end of your pregnancy, about to complete the baby's development. Demir will be your great supporter again this week. By looking at the 20th week, you can see from which foods you can buy iron.

Week 37: Calcium

It is important to have a calcium-based diet in a week. In the 4th week, you will find detailed information about calcium.

Week 38: Omega-6 fatty acids

Why do you need it? Along with omega-3, omega-6 plays a role in the brain development of your baby.He makes his baby's latest contributions to physical growth and development.It supports the baby's healthy completion of skin, hair and bone development.It ensures that your baby and your body metabolism work properly. How much should you take? 13 grams per day. What foods are there? Vegetable oil, walnuts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds.

Week 39: Copper

Why do you need it? There is little time left for birth. Copper runs to help as soon as you experience low energy.It plays a role in completing the development of the baby's heart, blood cells, nervous and skeletal system. How much should you take? 2 mg per day. What foods are there? Sunflower seeds, nuts, cashews, nuts, white mushrooms, lentils, cocoa, whole grains, plums, black pepper.

40th Week: Fiber

In the last week of your pregnancy, fiber foods will again be of great support to you and your baby. You can get information about fiber foods by looking at the 10th week. Read the full article

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5 Principles Of Good Nutrition During Pregnancy By Dr Sujata Rathod

Almost every pregnant woman during the first visit to the doctor always asks about a diet during pregnancy. We will tell you all about nutrition for pregnant women and help you adjust your diet.

As a rule, in a variety of articles on nutrition during pregnancy, you can find tables by week. But to force oneself for the sake of following a multitude (often contradicting each other) of instructions is completely not worth it. Even doctors admit that, despite all their efforts, 80% of pregnant women are gaining excess weight or are faced with the problem of iron, magnesium and calcium deficiency . When planning your diet during pregnancy, try to find a healthy compromise between “necessary” and “want” - practice shows that this is quite possible.

Your diet In the second trimester, the expectant mother, as a rule, wakes up a frantic appetite. What should be the proper nutrition for pregnant women during this period? Avoid fast foods, salads with lots of mayonnaise and be sure to keep food fresh. It makes sense to try to completely abandon the fried: the fact is that such heat treatment increases the calorie content of the dish several times. The same diet is recommended during pregnancy 3 trimesters.

If the doctor or relatives recommend products that you simply cannot stand, don’t in any case force yourself to eat what you don’t like. Proper nutrition for pregnant women is what gives the expectant mother pleasure. Try also to plan a balanced diet that has enough vitamins. And if you have already gained weight, read about how to quickly lose weight after childbirth.

Example menu during pregnancy

The body needs 150 g of protein per day: a piece of low-fat fish, a handful of nuts, 50–70 g of cheese, 150 g of cottage cheese, a little buckwheat, mushrooms, a small piece of veal or chicken - the choice is huge, eat what you really like.

Fats in the diet of a pregnant woman should be 80-100 g per day: a small piece of butter or 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil is enough for you, and everything else can be found in complex products.

Need for carbohydrates increases to 400 g per day, but with obesity or a tendency to it, try to gain the required amount due to starch (it is found, for example, in rye bread). 100 g of bread per day is 70 percent of the required dose. The remaining 30 percent can be "extracted" from fruit.

And do not forget about the liquid! The body of the future mother needs at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Freshly squeezed juices, herbal teas and ordinary drinking water are suitable for you, but packaged drinks and a variety of sweet sodas are not necessary to take into account, they are definitely not needed to feed the mother during pregnancy.

Diet: Turn on micronutrients and drink water Normally, during the third trimester, a woman should add no more than 300-400 g in 7 days. But in fact, many women go on maternity leave with the words "now you can finally relax" and begin to get fat quickly, adding one kilogram per week. One of the main nutritional problems of a pregnant woman during the third trimester is an irresistible craving for sweets. As modern studies have shown, such a strong dependence on sweets is provoked by a lack of magnesium.

Starting from the 30th week of pregnancy, a woman's daily diet should contain 2900 kcal, with particular attention to the correct composition of trace elements in food. In addition to magnesium, iodine, iron and calcium are extremely important in the diet during pregnancy. If you still want sweets, try these healthy desserts .

Another important point is the liquid. Often, having noticed edema, expectant mothers begin to limit themselves in drinking - this is fundamentally wrong. The kidneys of a pregnant woman are arranged in such a way that, with a lack of fluid, they suspend its excretion. In other words, the less you drink, the more swelling can increase. So the basis of the diet for edema during pregnancy is water.

Keep track of weight during pregnancy Normal weight gain during pregnancy is 10-12 kg, which is exactly what you gain with a healthy diet. Of these, 5-6 kg - the weight of the uterus with a placenta, baby and water. Extra pounds are harmful for many reasons. Firstly, due to the growing abdomen, the woman’s posture changes dramatically: the natural curves of the lower back, thoracic region and neck increase. Secondly, being overweight weakens and disturbs labor. And finally, thirdly: the stories about “feeding the baby” in utero are not fiction of evil doctors - excessive nutrition of the fetus during pregnancy really helps to increase its weight!

What is impossible during pregnancy Some doctors recommend pregnant women to arrange fasting days once a week - curd, kefir or apple. In fact, practice shows that such a diet leads to the fact that the next day the pregnant woman “eats up” and even “eats” a useful “unloading”. Try a better diet when planning pregnancy - you can get rid of excess weight in advance by accustoming yourself to proper nutrition.

Remember: sudden jumps in weight are much more harmful to the body than a gradual increase in body weight. Therefore, just try to follow a healthy diet during pregnancy.

Are you looking for a  Gynecologist In Thane West? You can contact Dr. Sujata Rathod - Best Gynecologist & Obstetrician in Thane for quality and affordable women health services

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In item #181 of GISHWHES, we were asked to give advice on how to become pregnant for a tenth time. We did so by writing a 2000 word essay and then tweeting it (piece by piece) for the world to see. Below, you can find all my wise words and helpful tips, just in case you ever find yourself wanting that blessed, tenth child.

People rarely ask me for tips on child rearing, nor do they ask me on what to expect during the long three trimesters of pregnancy, and that is because I have no children of my own. So naturally, I consider myself an expert on reproduction and the delicate biological intricacies that accompany human fertilization and gestation.

Now, when it comes to getting pregnant, there are three main things you need to remember: chocolate is tasty, you’ll likely crave it

prior

to conception, and third and most importantly—inform your significant other (or whomever is assisting you in the creation of your progeny) that you must have chocolate 24/7. And I realize, this may not be news to some—in fact, many of you reading this have probably had multiple children already because,

duh

—

Hershey’s

, and you have also lived strictly by those delicious, chocolatey, unbreakable rules for years. So if that is the case, then you’ve come seeking my advice on the next logical step in parenthood—

the tenfold

. When it comes to the decagonal birth, the most common concern I hear is: “What do I do when chocolate isn’t enough? How do I get to having that ultimate tenth baby, growing inside my belly baby house?” Well, first of all—your

belly baby house

is called a “womb” … you should know that by now; and secondly, you’ve come to the right place, because as a mother of 0—obviously I am only missing the number 1, so I am pretty close to this whole “10” issue, spatially. Therefore, pay close attention to the following biological, genetic as well as completely holistic methods of reaching the pinnacle that is:

the decimvir rug-rat.

The first option is: you need to become a rabbit. It’s rather simple, so don’t think the fact that you were born a human and always have been a human, and have only ever given birth to human children is an issue—it isn’t. Do you like carrots? Yes? Good. No? Well, just imagine the following does not resemble a carrot and you’ll muscle through. Now, you’re halfway there; so, following those previously mentioned three, golden, chocolate rules—wait until the timing is just right, aka, Easter, and when that moveable feast makes its way onto your calendar, that is when you need to make the trek to any Americanized grocery store and fill up your cart with as many carrot-shaped chocolate treats as you can find. Then, you must go to your backyard, or a neighbor’s backyard, or the a-typical grandparents’ backyard and hide yourself amongst the reams of tall grass. Consume the chocolate carrots while your existing nine children all pelt you with egg-shaped plastic containers, because this will not only promote fertility, but it will also act as an offering to Henose, the chicken goddess, who will slowly, but surely begin morphing you into an Easter Rabbit. The only caveat to this is that your tenth child must also become an “Easter Rabbit” when they mature; but I hear it has a great benefits package, so they will probably be better off than they would be in any human-form of employment, so really—it’s a win/win.

For some however, I understand if becoming a different species might not seem ideal. Parent-Teacher conferences for one, might be difficult—considering your last nine children are all human, and you’ll be left pooping pellets on the teacher’s desk. Your kids will find it hilarious, but the teacher might not be as amused, and it may negatively affect your human children’s coming grades. So, if you are determined to stay human yourself, then your next reasonable option for succeeding in welcoming to the world, that denarius little genetic copy of yourself—is to go into a place of religion. I don’t believe it matters which religion, because they all appear to have the same effect—people go in, and the next thing you know, they come out with a gaggle of kids trailing in their wake. There’s something about “God’s House” that promotes hyperactive fertility. Perhaps it’s the refracted light coming in through those stained glass windows—it somehow stimulates the human ovaries into producing an excess of eggs. Or maybe all the religious effigies of powerful males inspire a man’s sperm to be more devout in their work. Or, maybe it’s that all religion is secretly chocolate-based, and the baptisms involve being dunked like a Reeses peanut butter cup into a troth of delectable, satiny-brown, liquid-heaven. Honestly, I cannot be certain, because as I am sure you deduced by my having no children, I have not personally set foot into one of these religious establishments; but I am betting, if you’re human and you happen upon a house of God (or Allah, or Vishnu, or what have you), you’ll find yourself bearing that decemvirate tiny terror in no time.

Now, if that previous option didn’t appeal to you—perhaps refracted light makes you break out in hives, or seeing wooden pews lined up but slightly offset from one another, makes you uncontrollably dizzy like it does me, then you could turn your hopes downward. Go for the anti-religion. With this option, you must be careful however, because you’ll likely be dealing with demons—and you could end up giving birth to a baby goat or the Roman numeral: X.; so please, read the fine print carefully and exercise any satanic-dealings with the utmost caution. That being said though—another, valid option for impregnating yourself with that last, crowning child, is exchanging your soul for it. The powers that be in Hell usually fancy a good, ripe soul as often as they can, which gives you the upper hand (given that you have not used this method previously to obtain a lifetime of wealth or to have the chance to sleep with your high school crush … they were dreamy though, weren’t they?) You only got one soul to give, so make sure it counts. There is a very specific process to soul-selling however, so do not make the usual mistake and go sacrificing chickens in Lucifer’s name. He doesn’t care about chickens, and this will also upset Henose greatly; and then you and your children and your children’s children will all suffer a lifetime of runny eggs as a consequence.

In order to properly bargain your soul, you must find your nearest crossroads—but do make sure the roads are made of dirt, because you’ll need to be burying something at the very center point of the intersection. Attempting to bury something within a city’s crossroads will require a jackhammer and various zoning permits (the fines for illegal digging are astronomical). So, once you find a dirt crossroads, you will need to bury a tin box filled with graveyard soil, a photograph of yourself, a bone from a black cat, and finally—a yarrow. “What’s a yarrow?” you ask … I don’t know. I think he’s a Greek composer. Anyhow, once you bury the box, your demon will appear. Tell them that you want to become pregnant with a tenth child, and they will then imprint the contract invisibly onto your skin. Once imprinted, you’ll need to seal the deal with a kiss (so if your demon is hot—well then, your deal just got sweeter. If not … just pretend they’re that high school crush of yours); but a plain kiss will not do, you must first apply chocolate-flavored Lip Smackers (the kind that comes on a lanyard), or else your baby will actually end up in the demon. Then you’ll have to get into a custody battle for the child, which is never good. If you think custody courts on Earth are bad—you should see the ones in Hell. It’s just lawyers.

As with any agreement though, there will be stipulations to a demon deal—so once you have your baby, you’ll actually only get to raise them for the first decade of their life, because after that, Hell Hounds will find you and eat your face. So, in general, if you decide to make a demon deal, also make sure your eldest offspring is willing to take over the child rearing because you will not be around long enough to do it yourself … but hey, at least you got to ten!

And finally, if none of the aforementioned options appeal to you, then I have one, final suggestion—which may work if you are willing to forgo the whole “pregnancy” aspect of things. Have you ever heard of Solomon? No? Well, he was a great guy—a real thinker, solved a lot of problems for a lot of people. He lived over three thousand years ago, before the fruits of the cocoa tree were discovered and processed to become the baby-making, chocolaty delight that we insist upon today; so, you can imagine how difficult conception could be without that all important aid. Women not only had fewer babies, but some might not be able to have any at all, so they would resort to stealing the babies of others. Infant theft, or Baby-Burgle, as it was sometimes called, was such a common occurrence in Solomon’s time, that he set to the task of finding the ideal solution—and that, he did. Just chop the babies in half! This is a quick and efficient way to get two babies for the price of one. So, my advice to you is—find your most problematic child and just splice him or her in two (preferably with a laser—it’ll cauterize the skin instantly, sealing up both the old child and the new) and then, not only will he/she become another bouncing, bundle of your DNA, they’ll also only be half the problem that they previously were. This is also a great option for those of you who are only halfway to that grand “tenth child” mark. Just birth five kids, split them all down the middle and, vuala! You got ten children--- just like that! A disclaimer with this option however: invest in prosthetics.

In conclusion, any choice is bound to be fruitful if executed carefully. Don’t rely on any of those “wannabe” solutions, like storks. As we all know, the average human baby weighs much more now than they did back in the forties, so a stork’s neck is just no longer capable of carrying that kind of load; and if it tries, your little one may end up in the Atlantic, or Henose forbid—in the arms of a family who already has ten children and will just keep yours out of greed. Don’t trust storks, nor black-market fertility statues. Basically, anything with a beak … except for Henose, of course. Also, some may try to tell you that my previously detailed paths to decagonal-bliss are just as untrustworthy, and that there are actually easier ways to achieve a family of ten children. Ways like adoption, surrogacy, in vitro fertilization, and so on and so forth; but are any of those really as interesting? No. They are all fine ways, and I encourage you to seek out as many routes as possible in order to conceive; but please, also keep in mind the story that you wish to tell. Honestly, would you rather say: “I adopted my tenth child” or “I sold my soul to a demon and made an offering to the chicken god, Henose in order to have my tenth child”? One is obviously far more entertaining than the other.

Overall, any option you choose to bring a tenth life into this world will carry a lot of joy, but also a lot of responsibility. So please, just make sure that you are making the right choice for you, your family, and the overall world population; because really, there’s already a lot of us here. In addition: remember the chocolate. It makes your belly happy, and you know how the old saying goes: “A happy belly makes a happy belly baby house.”

[paulaleus]

Evy | 22 Months

Keeping up with family pictures is something that I really love to do. It makes me so happy to have beautiful images of Evy and our life together. However, when you’re pregnant with a baby that is not going to survive and each day it feels like a success just to get out of bed, editing and organizing your monthly family photos just can’t happen. I hated falling behind in business but I REALLY hated falling behind on family stuff like this. I knew that it was just a season… and while I was still taking photos, I wasn’t editing them. I was just doing my best to document the happy moments when I could and I hoped that, one day, I could get caught up again.

Well, over New Years, I worked really hard and now I am completely caught up on our family photos from 2018. Not only did I edit all of our photos, I actually switched to a new gallery system that is absolutely amazing and all of my 2018 personal photos are organized by month. Not only are they organized for me, because of the way that this gallery system works, I was able to send custom gallery links to different members of my family with just their images inside… and it wasn’t any extra work. I’m seriously so relieved and thankful and excited about this new part of my workflow personally and professionally. If you are a photographer and you want to know more about this change, I may blog about it soon!

So, this is a MASSIVE blog post and if you feel like you can’t make it through all of these images and you’re wondering “Why in the world would she blog so many pictures”…. I’m doing this because it makes me happy. I love saving the story of our life online! I was doing posts like this every month when Evy was younger but today, I’m catching up from June to the end of DECEMBER! That’s half a year’s worth of memories to share!!

So what do I want to remember from this season of our life? Well, it was so joyful but also so hard. These images capture the JOY that helped us make it through our months right after losing James. We were so relieved that we had survived, but I know for me, once August hit, I felt the weight of what we lived through. The joy of Evy and Micah was the greatest gift to us. They kept us entertained and laughing! Also, seeing Evy grow and change was a reminder that we can have healthy children and it was ok to hope again.

In August, I found out that I was pregnant again. We were so thankful but we also held the hope of this pregnancy very loosely during the first trimester because we knew that my body has just been through a lot and that there is always a chance of loss. However, as we moved into October and got closer and close to the 12 week mark, we started to allow ourselves to celebrate this new baby without as much reservation. We told the world in October and we have been so thankful to have healthy, normal ultrasounds ever since.

June through December were full of new things. Evy and Micah started talking up a storm! Their personalities really let loose and they started fighting like siblings. Lots of hair pulling and biting and screaming…. but also a lot of hugging, kisses and wanting to see each other all of the time. They both started Gymnastics in September and it’s a blast! They love coloring, play dough, playing with the hose on the front porch, reading books, going on walks to see the horses and playing in the basement!!

I wish I could remember all of the hilarious things that Evy started saying from June to December  but I can at least share the things we’re loving right now! :

Evy has started speaking in sentences: “Where Momma is?” “Momma why do dat?” “I did IT!!!!”

She has started calling Micah “MiCah” and not “MiNah” this month!

She loves talking about my sister’s baby’s name who is about to be born any week now!

She’s OBSESSED with “Baby Roe”… our best friend’s little girl. She wants to hold her, put her paci in, talk to her, etc.

She is really attached to her “Mean Man” book… that’s not what it’s called. It’s just a circus book with a mean circus owner in it and so she calls it “Mean Man”!

She walks around with a tiny miniature bible that was Michael’s when he was little and loves flipping through the pages. No pictures… just text. She loves it!

She’s not a fan of Bokeh Boy because he tries to steal her “num nums” (her snacks)

She calls milk “Mulk”

She has a hilarious name for our baby boy but we’ll have to wait to share that when we share his name!

She thinks the baby is in my chest, not my belly! ha!

Evy has started singing correct melodies to songs and learning more than just the verses. She can sing almost every word to “Do Re Mi”.

She loves Sound of Music and Daniel Tiger… Baby Margaret is her favorite!

She has been getting up at 6:30 or 7am…. sometimes we get lucky and it’s 7:20!

Michael gets up with her every morning and I’m so thankful for that because sometimes, mornings aren’t my favorite in pregnancy.

She LOVES climbing steps!

She loves swinging on things!

She is FAST when she runs but right now she prefers to HOP everywhere.

She currently isn’t in the best eating phase. I’m thankful she at least still eats broccoli, chicken salad and cucumbers! Everything else is pretty basic and toddler-ish: Pasta, grilled cheese, yogurt, nuggets, peanut butter, fruit, etc.

She says all of our family names except she won’t say “GRAND-Daddy”… just “Daddy” and she calls Grammie “Bobbi”… which is her first name. We need to work on the “GR” sound!

She makes the BEST faces!!!! Cracks us up!

She sings LOUDLY!!!!! At home, in public, on airplanes, in restaurants… haha

There is so much more to these past six months but I’ll leave it here because you have about 300 images to scroll through. So embarrassing!! But I just love it!! Enjoy!

Working with Mimi in the flowerbed… Working with Grandaddy on the minivan… This is their reaction listening to Whitney Houston!  Our trip to Florida with Michael’s family! Back to the lake for the Fourth! This is proof that I got up…. I just didn’t stay up. ha! Then we headed to Wisconsin with my family!  Daddy baptized my cousins Paige and Steph in the lake and it was the sweetest day… followed by a double rainbow! My cousin Paige had TWINS! And they are identical!! Just the cutest! Evy loved them!  Oh my….. Micah and Evy with their Mimi blankets! Bahahahaha!  We got a Grover visit at the lake!!! In September, we lost Michael’s beautiful Grandma. She was 90 years old and lived such a spunky, active and joy-filled life. All of the family was together and so we took a picture of all of the boy cousins because they have a picture like this from close to two decades ago…. back when Michael was the tallest! Evy’s face…. this picture gave us all some good laughs in our family group text!  In September we also started construction on the pool! It will be ready in April and we’re so excited! This was a celebration of an amazing year in business but also, it feels like a fun things for our family to enjoy after living through the hardest year of our life.  Play dough on the porch! They call this “Bo-do”!  The Gerald twins came to visit!  That face!  Aunt Sarah’s Christmas gift from us last year was horse lessons! She’s great at it!  Also, Evy had her first close encounter with a cat and it looks like she froze!  In October we announced baby number 3. I got pregnant three months after giving birth to James which is a lot physically but I’m currently 25 weeks and feel great. We’re so thankful for another chance at having a baby boy here on earth! This was Joe’s 30th birthday at the Pumpkin Patch!  Our 8th anniversary! We may have waited 6 years to start a family, but we have sure been through a lot in these last two years when it comes to babies. So thankful for Michael and the way he has loved me through all of the different mountaintops and valleys we have walked through. Evy and Knox got to go to the Safari Park in Lexington, VA!  I promise he had a good time! ha! She hated the birds!  Their first day of Gymnastics! Best investment of the fall! They LOVE Miss Holly and they are doing different tasks every week! It never gets old to them!  I included this one because Evy looks like she needs to pee and it’s cute!  Proud mom moment. This is her face when she says “Ummmmm… no momma”. Her new best girlfriend. She is obsessed with “Baby Roe”.  This is one of my favorite pictures of the year! Halloween!!!!! That image on the left? ha!!! We just wanted one decent picture!  Thanksgiving at our house!  Playing with Sarah’s sticks!  I love these portraits so much!  No idea what’s going on here!  Evy was having a hard day. Not the biggest snow fan! We celebrated Micah’s second birthday! “Christmas” morning on the 24th!  Christmas morning at our house! 

from Photography Tips http://katelynjamesblog.com/evy-17-22-months/

[officialbuddingstar-blog]

A magical time for every woman. She awaits to have in her lifetime, to carry a soul within her, being pregnant. Pregnancy make a woman grow to be kind and loving mother. This is the most precious time for a women’s life so Diet during Pregnancy is also very important to take care of.

By the time you are 8 weeks pregnant, you will probably have missed your periods. For some it’s feeling of nausea (morning sickness). It starts to improve by the time passes during pregnancy.

From week one to 12 . The first trimester is a period of major development of your foetus and you notice physical and emotional changes from within. Some women feel fatigue, nausea, micturition (going to urine frequently).

A healthful diet for pregnancy is one that contains most or all the essential nutrients your body needs.

During initial pregnancy, start taking Folic acid supplements straight away.

You need extra careful about taking medications, unnecessary medication may be harmful to your unborn baby (Always consult doctor before taking any medicines).

Diet During Pregnancy in First Trimester (1- 12 weeks):

So let’s start with the first trimester, you should take small meals as you may feel nausea in early stages. Try it simple or eat whatever you like to eat. Each and every nutrients are important to take and make it a balanced diet.

1. You should take 4 to 6 serves of bread, cereals, rice, pasta (original one) according to your preference.

2. You must take lots of green vegetables and legumes.

3. Half serves of protein (cooked meat, eggs,and nuts).

4. Two serves of Calcium like milk, cheese, yogurt (Two times a day).

5. Lots of fluids like juices, soups, lassi, etc.

6. Omega 3 is also important to assist the development and growth of baby’s nervous system like walnuts, beans, legumes, wheat germ, soybeans, spinach  is high in Omega3.

7. Last but not the least Iron content is crucial at the early stage you should take spinanch,green peas,broccoli,kale,pumpkin seeds, almonds, raisins, soybeans and lentils (orange dal, chick peas, black eyed peas, lobia), kidney beans, etc. Iron supplements should take after consulting your doctor.

Diet During Pregnancy in Second Trimester (13- 28 weeks):

It is the middle three months of pregnancy. You will start to look and feel pregnant. Apart from looking and feeling, you may also have more energy than you did in first trimester. This will come as great relief from sickness, tiredness, and anxiety etc.

Apart from visiting your doctor, tests, and ultrasounds done. Let’s talk about diet of second trimester.

The essential foods to eat during pregnancy that are rich in Calcium, vitamins D, Magnesium, Omega3, iron, protein etc..

1. 4-5 serves of fruits and vegetables a day like broccoli, kale, spinach, cabbage, pomegranate, apples, green peas, almonds etc (good source of iron).

2. 2-3 serves of low fat dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, coconut, okra, broccoli, green beans, almonds, cabbage, celery, pumpkin seeds etc ( good source of Calcium).

3. Starchy whole grains carbohydrates (gives you energy) in meals,like pasta (original one), breads, roti, cereals, potatoes (boiled), and rice (good source of fiber).

4. Omega3 is important at every stage of pregnancy for better development of baby’s brain food items like broccoli, basil, kale, walnuts, spinach, cauliflower, flax seeds etc.

5. Lots of fluids in the form of juices, soups and water intake it will help you  to prevent urine infections, which is common in pregnancy.

6. Protein rich foods like meats, fish, eggs, beans, peanut butter, lentils, tofu etc should be taken twice a day.

7. Healthy snacks and drinks with low sugar,, fat and salt. You can have toast, sandwiches, fruits, veggie sticks( raw ), yogurts, cereals etc..

Diet During Pregnancy in Third Trimester (28- 40 weeks):

You have only few weeks to go, but this part of your pregnancy can be the most challenging, you have to keep track your baby’s movements,  if you feel decrease in movements any time ; immediately consult your doctor.

1. A baby required lot of protein for developing muscles and tissues.

2. Most protein rich foods are also high in iron and zinc content. Iron helps prevent premature deliveries, and zinc helps producing enzymes and insulin. You can have soy, dairy products, chicken, eggs, beans, lentils, peanut butter etc.

3. Lots of fruits intake like apples, kiwi, melons, berries, strawberry, orange, pear and juices and  off course breads, pastas, whole grains, cereals, etc . All are fiber rich fruits will help you feeling full and satisfied and it helps ward off the constipation ( drinks lots of fluids).

4. Calcium is necessary for healthy bones and teeth foods like chickpeas, milk, cheese, tofu, broccoli, sweet corns, almonds etc..

5. Nuts have a good amount of healthy fats, fiber and proteins like pistachios, walnuts, cashews etc ..

Following Food avoid during Pregnancy

1. Avoid eating large meals.

2. Spicy, oily, and fattening foods.

3. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tea, cola, and energy drinks.

4. Junk foods.

So eating well can help you have healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. In the last month, your baby can come out anytime now!! You may be experiencing anxiety, fear etc.. but it’s going to be sweet, relaxing when you have your baby in your side.

Feeling fat lasts nine months… But the joy of becoming a mom lasts forever…

Happy Pregnancy!!!

[neilmillerne]

How Should I Eat Now that I’m Pregnant?

Eating a healthy diet while pregnant is one of the best things you can do for your baby and yourself. This can help prevent too much weight gain, along with avoiding gestational diabetes, anemia, premature labor and a low birth weight baby.

When considering a “healthy diet” while pregnant, emphasize a balance between food quantity (in the form of calories and grams of protein per day) along with food quality. Food quality (aka nutrient-dense foods) is just as important as food quantity because the foods you consume not only impact you but will impact your fetus, too.

The exact amount of healthy weight gain during pregnancy varies, but in general, could be 25–35 pounds for a normal weight woman, 10–20 pounds for an overweight woman and 35–45 pounds for an underweight woman. (These are only ballpark ranges; please seek more specific advice from your healthcare provider.)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO EAT IN BALANCE?

The main rule to remember is: Eating for two definitely does not mean eating twice as much food. Overall, pregnant women need about 300 extra nutrient-dense calories per day. Where these calories come from matters. If you consume sweets or junk food, the extra calories don’t provide the nutrients your baby needs. As a result your growing baby will not get the vitamins and minerals it needs from your body.

Ensure every meal is balanced to make sure you are getting adequate nutrients and calories for both yourself and your baby. Eating in balance also helps you stave off food cravings. Aim to have some form of protein, fat and slow-release carbohydrates with every meal and snack. Also aim to have about half of a plate of non-starchy vegetables for two meals per day.

TARGET CALORIE GOALS

For most normal-weight pregnant women, the right amount of calories is:

First trimester: About 1,800 calories per day

Second trimester: About 2,200 calories per day

Third trimester: About 2,400 calories per day

TARGET PROTEIN GOALS

During your entire pregnancy, try to get 75–100 grams of protein per day. Aim for approximately 6 ounces per meal. Good sources of animal protein are chicken, turkey, fish and omega-3 eggs. Plant-based options include beans as well as organic tofu and tempeh.

TARGET FAT GOALS

It’s important not to skimp on your fat intake during pregnancy. Fats (and the fatty acids they contain) are especially important during pregnancy because they support your baby’s brain and eye development — both before and after birth. Fats also help the placenta and other tissues grow, and studies show that some fats may help prevent preterm birth and low birth weight.

In general, you’ll want to aim for at least two tablespoons per meal. Healthy fat sources include: nuts and seeds of any kind, unsweetened coconut, coconut oil/butter, nut or seed butter, olives, olive oil, ghee, cocoa butter and avocados

TARGET CARBOHYDRATE GOALS

Out of the three major macronutrients discussed here, carbohydrates have the biggest impact on your short-term blood glucose levels. When foods containing carbohydrates are consumed, the hormone insulin is released into the bloodstream to help move glucose from the blood into our cells, causing blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels to rise.

High blood glucose levels during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of the mother developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy and Type 2 diabetes in the future. However, carbohydrates should not be feared or avoided. Aim to include a variety of more nutrient-dense carbohydrates into your daily diet including 100% whole grains, 100% whole-grain breads, beans, fresh fruit and starchy vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, beets, winter squash) and non-starchy vegetables (asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, leafy greens, etc).

In general, aim for 150–250 grams of carbohydrates per day — less if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

READ MORE > 10 POSES TO AVOID IF YOU’RE PREGNANT

ADDITIONAL NUTRIENTS TO CONSUME

FOLIC ACID

Folate is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects and serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. The synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods is known as folic acid. Folic acid supplementation has been shown to decrease the risk of premature birth.

Aim to get 400–800 micrograms a day of folate or folic acid before conception and throughout pregnancy. Good sources: Fortified 100% whole-grain cereals are great sources of folic acid. Leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits and dried beans and peas are also high in the nutrient.

CALCIUM

You and your baby need calcium for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems run normally.

Aim to get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.

Good sources: Dairy products are the best absorbed sources of calcium. Nondairy sources include broccoli and kale.

IRON

Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. During pregnancy, you need double the amount of iron that nonpregnant women need. Your body needs this iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby.

If you don’t have enough iron stores or get enough iron during pregnancy, you could develop iron-deficiency anemia. You might become fatigued. Severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy also increases your risk of premature birth, having a low birth weight baby and postpartum depression.

Aim to get 27 milligrams a day.

Good Sources: Lean red meat, poultry and fish, as well as iron-fortified breakfast cereals, beans and vegetables.

*Consider seeing a registered dietitian nutritionist to discuss a more personalized eating plan during your entire pregnancy. Also reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss appropriate supplementation during your pregnancy.

The post How Should I Eat Now that I’m Pregnant? appeared first on Under Armour.

http://ift.tt/2BABDA8

[almajonesnjna]

How Should I Eat Now that I’m Pregnant?

Eating a healthy diet while pregnant is one of the best things you can do for your baby and yourself. This can help prevent too much weight gain, along with avoiding gestational diabetes, anemia, premature labor and a low birth weight baby.

When considering a “healthy diet” while pregnant, emphasize a balance between food quantity (in the form of calories and grams of protein per day) along with food quality. Food quality (aka nutrient-dense foods) is just as important as food quantity because the foods you consume not only impact you but will impact your fetus, too.

The exact amount of healthy weight gain during pregnancy varies, but in general, could be 25–35 pounds for a normal weight woman, 10–20 pounds for an overweight woman and 35–45 pounds for an underweight woman. (These are only ballpark ranges; please seek more specific advice from your healthcare provider.)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO EAT IN BALANCE?

The main rule to remember is: Eating for two definitely does not mean eating twice as much food. Overall, pregnant women need about 300 extra nutrient-dense calories per day. Where these calories come from matters. If you consume sweets or junk food, the extra calories don’t provide the nutrients your baby needs. As a result your growing baby will not get the vitamins and minerals it needs from your body.

Ensure every meal is balanced to make sure you are getting adequate nutrients and calories for both yourself and your baby. Eating in balance also helps you stave off food cravings. Aim to have some form of protein, fat and slow-release carbohydrates with every meal and snack. Also aim to have about half of a plate of non-starchy vegetables for two meals per day.

TARGET CALORIE GOALS

For most normal-weight pregnant women, the right amount of calories is:

First trimester: About 1,800 calories per day

Second trimester: About 2,200 calories per day

Third trimester: About 2,400 calories per day

TARGET PROTEIN GOALS

During your entire pregnancy, try to get 75–100 grams of protein per day. Aim for approximately 6 ounces per meal. Good sources of animal protein are chicken, turkey, fish and omega-3 eggs. Plant-based options include beans as well as organic tofu and tempeh.

TARGET FAT GOALS

It’s important not to skimp on your fat intake during pregnancy. Fats (and the fatty acids they contain) are especially important during pregnancy because they support your baby’s brain and eye development — both before and after birth. Fats also help the placenta and other tissues grow, and studies show that some fats may help prevent preterm birth and low birth weight.

In general, you’ll want to aim for at least two tablespoons per meal. Healthy fat sources include: nuts and seeds of any kind, unsweetened coconut, coconut oil/butter, nut or seed butter, olives, olive oil, ghee, cocoa butter and avocados

TARGET CARBOHYDRATE GOALS

Out of the three major macronutrients discussed here, carbohydrates have the biggest impact on your short-term blood glucose levels. When foods containing carbohydrates are consumed, the hormone insulin is released into the bloodstream to help move glucose from the blood into our cells, causing blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels to rise.

High blood glucose levels during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of the mother developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy and Type 2 diabetes in the future. However, carbohydrates should not be feared or avoided. Aim to include a variety of more nutrient-dense carbohydrates into your daily diet including 100% whole grains, 100% whole-grain breads, beans, fresh fruit and starchy vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, beets, winter squash) and non-starchy vegetables (asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, leafy greens, etc).

In general, aim for 150–250 grams of carbohydrates per day — less if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

READ MORE > 10 POSES TO AVOID IF YOU’RE PREGNANT

ADDITIONAL NUTRIENTS TO CONSUME

FOLIC ACID

Folate is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects and serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. The synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods is known as folic acid. Folic acid supplementation has been shown to decrease the risk of premature birth.

Aim to get 400–800 micrograms a day of folate or folic acid before conception and throughout pregnancy. Good sources: Fortified 100% whole-grain cereals are great sources of folic acid. Leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits and dried beans and peas are also high in the nutrient.

CALCIUM

You and your baby need calcium for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems run normally.

Aim to get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.

Good sources: Dairy products are the best absorbed sources of calcium. Nondairy sources include broccoli and kale.

IRON

Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. During pregnancy, you need double the amount of iron that nonpregnant women need. Your body needs this iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby.

If you don’t have enough iron stores or get enough iron during pregnancy, you could develop iron-deficiency anemia. You might become fatigued. Severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy also increases your risk of premature birth, having a low birth weight baby and postpartum depression.

Aim to get 27 milligrams a day.

Good Sources: Lean red meat, poultry and fish, as well as iron-fortified breakfast cereals, beans and vegetables.

*Consider seeing a registered dietitian nutritionist to discuss a more personalized eating plan during your entire pregnancy. Also reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss appropriate supplementation during your pregnancy.

The post How Should I Eat Now that I’m Pregnant? appeared first on Under Armour.

http://ift.tt/2BABDA8

[ruthellisneda]

How Should I Eat Now that I’m Pregnant?

Eating a healthy diet while pregnant is one of the best things you can do for your baby and yourself. This can help prevent too much weight gain, along with avoiding gestational diabetes, anemia, premature labor and a low birth weight baby.

When considering a “healthy diet” while pregnant, emphasize a balance between food quantity (in the form of calories and grams of protein per day) along with food quality. Food quality (aka nutrient-dense foods) is just as important as food quantity because the foods you consume not only impact you but will impact your fetus, too.

The exact amount of healthy weight gain during pregnancy varies, but in general, could be 25–35 pounds for a normal weight woman, 10–20 pounds for an overweight woman and 35–45 pounds for an underweight woman. (These are only ballpark ranges; please seek more specific advice from your healthcare provider.)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO EAT IN BALANCE?

The main rule to remember is: Eating for two definitely does not mean eating twice as much food. Overall, pregnant women need about 300 extra nutrient-dense calories per day. Where these calories come from matters. If you consume sweets or junk food, the extra calories don’t provide the nutrients your baby needs. As a result your growing baby will not get the vitamins and minerals it needs from your body.

Ensure every meal is balanced to make sure you are getting adequate nutrients and calories for both yourself and your baby. Eating in balance also helps you stave off food cravings. Aim to have some form of protein, fat and slow-release carbohydrates with every meal and snack. Also aim to have about half of a plate of non-starchy vegetables for two meals per day.

TARGET CALORIE GOALS

For most normal-weight pregnant women, the right amount of calories is:

First trimester: About 1,800 calories per day

Second trimester: About 2,200 calories per day

Third trimester: About 2,400 calories per day

TARGET PROTEIN GOALS

During your entire pregnancy, try to get 75–100 grams of protein per day. Aim for approximately 6 ounces per meal. Good sources of animal protein are chicken, turkey, fish and omega-3 eggs. Plant-based options include beans as well as organic tofu and tempeh.

TARGET FAT GOALS

It’s important not to skimp on your fat intake during pregnancy. Fats (and the fatty acids they contain) are especially important during pregnancy because they support your baby’s brain and eye development — both before and after birth. Fats also help the placenta and other tissues grow, and studies show that some fats may help prevent preterm birth and low birth weight.

In general, you’ll want to aim for at least two tablespoons per meal. Healthy fat sources include: nuts and seeds of any kind, unsweetened coconut, coconut oil/butter, nut or seed butter, olives, olive oil, ghee, cocoa butter and avocados

TARGET CARBOHYDRATE GOALS

Out of the three major macronutrients discussed here, carbohydrates have the biggest impact on your short-term blood glucose levels. When foods containing carbohydrates are consumed, the hormone insulin is released into the bloodstream to help move glucose from the blood into our cells, causing blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels to rise.

High blood glucose levels during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of the mother developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy and Type 2 diabetes in the future. However, carbohydrates should not be feared or avoided. Aim to include a variety of more nutrient-dense carbohydrates into your daily diet including 100% whole grains, 100% whole-grain breads, beans, fresh fruit and starchy vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, beets, winter squash) and non-starchy vegetables (asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, leafy greens, etc).

In general, aim for 150–250 grams of carbohydrates per day — less if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

READ MORE > 10 POSES TO AVOID IF YOU’RE PREGNANT

ADDITIONAL NUTRIENTS TO CONSUME

FOLIC ACID

Folate is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects and serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. The synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods is known as folic acid. Folic acid supplementation has been shown to decrease the risk of premature birth.

Aim to get 400–800 micrograms a day of folate or folic acid before conception and throughout pregnancy. Good sources: Fortified 100% whole-grain cereals are great sources of folic acid. Leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits and dried beans and peas are also high in the nutrient.

CALCIUM

You and your baby need calcium for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems run normally.

Aim to get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.

Good sources: Dairy products are the best absorbed sources of calcium. Nondairy sources include broccoli and kale.

IRON

Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. During pregnancy, you need double the amount of iron that nonpregnant women need. Your body needs this iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby.

If you don’t have enough iron stores or get enough iron during pregnancy, you could develop iron-deficiency anemia. You might become fatigued. Severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy also increases your risk of premature birth, having a low birth weight baby and postpartum depression.

Aim to get 27 milligrams a day.

Good Sources: Lean red meat, poultry and fish, as well as iron-fortified breakfast cereals, beans and vegetables.

*Consider seeing a registered dietitian nutritionist to discuss a more personalized eating plan during your entire pregnancy. Also reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss appropriate supplementation during your pregnancy.

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