Mama Miah!

I've chanced upon a page in Facebook where it shares a lot of healthy tips for its followers and I just happened to be one of them. It's my first time to have learned about these "infused water" there, where you would add fresh fruits, herbs or vegetables in the water. There are lots of examples on the list like these combinations:

• Green tea, mint and lime - fat burning, digestion, headaches, congestion and breath freshener.
• Strawberry and kiwi - cardiovascular health, immune system protection, blood sugar regulation,  and digestion.
• Cucumber, lime and lemon - water weight management, bloating, appetite control, hydration,  and digestion.

I wanted to try the Citrus Water which is the Lemon, Lime and Orange combination (should be at room temperature). It aids in digestion, lots of  vitamin C, for skin care, immune defense and heartburn. This flavor infused water can also help us clean the toxins in our bodies, which is also the main reason why I tried this one.

What do you need to make a Lemon, Lime and Orange Infused Water? Just simple, you will only need: 1 Large Orange, 1 Large Lime, 1 Large Lemon (our lemons here are not that big, so I used around 10 small lemons, hehehe), I sliced them all and add them in 2 liters of water and serve after 30 minutes. :)

Note: Do not keep longer than 48 hours. You can put more water using the same fruit, but discard after 48 hours.

Sources:
I like to join daily health tips for keeping us fit & healthy
HealthyYouNow

It is important for all pregnant to take prenatal vitamins, to ensure their overall health and their unborn baby/babies. If you are having regular Prenatal Checkups, your OB/GYN will prescribe the essential vitamins, you will be needing during your pregnancy.
In my personal experience, during the first trimester of my pregnancy, my OB/GYN prescribed Folicard (Anti-Anemia) 5 mg to me. It has Folic Acid which helps to support the placenta and it also reduces the risk of having serious birth defects called the 'neural tube' (defects of the brain and spinal cord). There are fruits and vegetables that you can eat that have folic acids like nuts, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, pasta, fortified cereals, oranges, and strawberries. 

During the 2nd trimester of my pregnancy, my OB/GYN prescribed Calciumade and Macrobee with Iron to me. Calcium helps you to have strong bones and teeth, helps prevent blood clots, helps muscles and nerves function. It can also prevent a new mother from losing her own bone density, as the fetus uses the mineral for bone growth. Other sources of Calcium are milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese, bread, cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and calcium-fortified foods like soy milk. Iron prevents anemia and helps the mother and baby's blood carry oxygen. Other sources of Iron are pork, beef, spinach, dried beans, and oatmeal or grains fortified with iron. 

In the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy, I continue to take Macrobee with Iron then my OB/GYN changed my calcium vitamins into Caltrate Plus. I also drink Anmum but when I was in my 3rd trimester my OB/GYN let me stop drinking milk because my baby was getting bigger already. 

With the right vitamins and supplements added to a healthy diet and lifestyle, you and your baby will be in good health. 

 How about you, what are the vitamins you took during your pregnancy?

Having a regular exercise is very important to all the expectant mothers out there. Even a simple walking for 30 minutes is already good for you. Here's a helpful video I have found on YouTube: How to Exercise when Pregnant.

Good posture must be maintained all throughout pregnancy. The temptation to slouch is strong, especially during the last trimester, when baby’s weigh pulls the abdomen forward. Compensating by leaning backward puts undue stress on her back. High heels make things worse. However, a proper posture is not enough. A pregnant woman needs exercise more than ever to keep fit, prevent the development of varicose veins by improving circulation, and make labor a little easier. Here are some Helpful Exercise During Pregnancy:

From a standing position, sit down until your knees are fully bent and you are balanced on the balls of your feet. Do about 10 repetitions at a time. (For support, you can hold on to a chair and place a 4-cm-thick piece of wood or a rolled-up rug under your heels.)

1. Sit down and draw imaginary circles with your big toe by turning the ankles clockwise, then counter-clockwise. Do about 10 repetitions in each direction. Do the same with the other foot.

2. Alternately point your toes up then forward (forming a straight line from knee to toe). Do about 10 repetitions for each toe.

Get down on your hands and knees, and keep your back flat. Then simultaneously draw in your abdomen, tighten your buttocks, tilt your hips forward, and exhale. Do about 10 repetitions.

Source: Philippines Health Guide 2000.

TRIVIA:

Did You Know?

Studies have shown that women who work out while pregnant gain less weight, lose postpartum pounds more quickly, have faster deliveries, and are less likely to need a c-section.

Hello, soon to be Mom! Are you about to give birth in a month or less? Have you packed the things that you and your baby needs after giving birth? If not, here are some important things that you might consider to pack beforehand:

Ultrasound is an important thing to do for every pregnant women, it's not just for checking a baby's gender but it is also used to check the baby's condition and development.

I had my first Ultrasound when I was on my 11 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. I felt nervous and at the same time excited. I think it was in my 3rd Ultrasound test where we knew that there's a high percentage that our baby is a girl. I think she was shy because she's hiding her gender between her legs.

It was confirmed in my 4th Ultrasound that our baby is a girl. It wasn't that surprising because we had been told in our last ultrasound result that it's probably a girl. I really can't explain how I feel, I got mixed emotions during those times. I feel like crying watching her on the monitor and I almost cried when she looked at my direction and I saw her yawn, it's like she's telling me: "Mommy, I'm sleepy". Awww.... I feel so happy and knowing that she is in good condition made me even more happy. :)

I rarely had photos of me showing my tummy when I was pregnant and this shot is what I love most. I'm on my 7th month here by the way when I attended a Christmas party last December 2011... :)

I was browsing some photos on Pinterest and saw some really cool photos on Maternity Photography. I wish I have thought about this and have a photo-shoot of me and my tummy while I was still pregnant. Regrets... well, at least I got a few shots to keep and reminisce... :)

Anyways, here's are some of the maternity photography shots that I liked most...

Hi there! I want you to meet our little angel, Miel... 

A friend told me that names ending in "el" (like Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, etc.) are your angels sent by God in human form .Then, I thought of my newborn baby and smiled because she is indeed our little angel, who gives us happiness, hope, strength and love. Our life has never been this happier and colorful if she wasn't around and this blog will be our online journal to share to everyone our life's blessing, Athena Miel... :)