Overall Well-being guide for Pregnant Mothers - II Trimester

1. Continue the Healthy Diet Plan of First Trimester:   

While it is usually acceptable to take the curfew off the Non-Veg food intake after 5 months of fetal development, it's still recommended an all Veggie platter complimented with Fruits, OATS/Cereals/Ragi Malt and egg is continued until Second Trimester is completed.  Also focus on Increasing your Calcium and Iron nutritional Intake, through natural food sources.  Your baby is gaining weight gradually and hence it better to avoid Junk, Cheesy or non-nutritional "Empty" carbs, in best interest of your baby. 

2.  Sleep on your Sides: 

India traditionally recommends it's to-be moms to sleep of sides, right from the moment one is aware of being pregnant - a practice to gear up for second and third trimesters . it is vital the mothers, to sleep on side, preferably left most of the time, for it increases blood flow and nutrients to your baby via placenta. 

3. Do not Sleep on your Back: 

While there are moments when your a so tried of sleeping on sides, that you may be tempted to lie sloshed on your back, by no means let these stolen moments slip into for longer duration, specifically during sleep. Lying on your back can be fatal for your baby, for the uterus comes in direct hard contact with harder muscles of spine, Spine bone and intestines. Pregnant mothers who sleep on their back, have a increased risk  of miscarriage or still birth.

4. Switch sides smoothly while sleeping:

Well, too many Pointers on Sleeping Positions, but it's vital, that one takes loads of care here, for it is vital for blood and nutrient supply to placenta and positioning of uterus. While changing Sides during sleeping, from left to right or vice-versa, it is recommended that mothers get up pause and sit for few seconds and then change to other sleeping side position. It's ensures the umbilical cord positioning and reduces the risk of Cord being twirled around the baby's neck or head, inside the womb.  

5. Exercise your way to  health:

Cardio workouts, is the key increased oxygen supply for your baby. Walking 30 - 60 mins each day, is recommended for overall health of you and your baby. Walking and floor (Pelvic) exercises, helps your gear up for labor - pain management.  It's important to exercise or have a active lifestyle from second trimester, for otherwise, there is a increased possibility C-Section or pain from Normal Delivery. Recently, i had a chance to learn about how exercising one hour each day helped a  mother of two, have a Normal Delivery without pain medications,and just 2 hours of labor Pain. Exercises should be custom designed for pregnant mothers  and under consultation of approved physician.  

6. Wear Clothes that a loosely fit:

 Quite a hard thing for style-conscious moms-to-be :-). It's quite important, that you get away with exact fit sizes and wear loosely fit or stylish Maternity Wears. As your baby gradually puts on weight, it's important that clothes around the belly are not tight enough to cause discomfort for your child. Remember, your baby can start to sense touch and sound, from this trimester. There are range of stylish Maternity wear, that are now available for style driven, mothers to be - so there is not much of a cosmetic compromise that is required from being pregnant.  But for those who are not style-conscious and keen on saving money, it's better you slip into loosely fitting clothes of your XL size wardrobe throw-away's of your friends and family.   It's just another 6 months affair and i personally would prefer to wear my extended family's XL sized second hand clothes, than to invest in maternity wear that's going keep re-sizing until a year of Post- Natal Period. 

But, here is thing, have a comfortable bottom wear, that is both comfortable, easing and smooth on your stomach.  Skin friendly leggings or cotton work-out tracks, is a must have from second trimester - for it's loosely stretchable around one's waist, rightly sits "On you stomach" and very very comfortable to wear with just any attire - western or indian. 

Dont's: 

• Avoid Wearing Jeans, for the cloth is too thick for any air to come in contact with skin.
• Opt for Cotton, linen or other ranges of skin friendly materials. 
• Indian Women, please avoid pyjamas, salwars or in-skirt with sharp nada (thread), for it literally chokes on the tender skin on stomach and puts one through embarrassing fear of  bottom falling apart....  Neither do you want to look like charlie chaplin, having your bottom all the way up until torso. It's better to opt for skin friendly cotton leggings or cotton work-out tracks (without Sharp nanda thread or strong cloth belt) to compliment your kamiz or even saree....