resource

pregnancy prequel

The What to Expect pregnancy and parenting series has been required reading among the mommy set for more than 20 years. Now you can pass the latest book, What to Expect Before You’re Expecting (Workman, $17), on to family or co-workers you know are hoping and planning for a pregnancy so they can learn more about the preconception process. The guide includes practical information on everything from baby-making friendly foods, how to pinpoint ovulation, how to separate conception fact from myth, plus when to seek help and the latest on fertility treatments.

symptoms

breathe easier

Along with morning sickness, one of the most common complaints of pregnant women is a stuffy nose. In fact, rhinitis of pregnancy—congestion that is not related to allergies or a cold—affects about 20 to 30 percent of expectant moms. And while it may not seem like a big deal, it can interfere with your quality of sleep for months. (The culprit appears to be higher amounts of estrogen that can contribute to swelling in the mucous membranes lining the nose). Luckily, this condition seems to respond temporarily to nasal saline (salt water) solutions that are safe to use during pregnancy. If your symptoms continue to make you miserable or are accompanied by sneezing, coughing or a sore throat, you may have a cold or other infection and should speak to your doctor before taking any medications. Try HydraSense Full Stream, $13.

strong bones

shine on

Pregnancy may not be a comfortable experience in the summer heat, but it can produce taller and wider-boned babies. The results of a study by researchers at the University of Bristol in England released in February found children born to mothers with the highest sun exposure were half a centimetre taller on average and had increased bone width compared with children born in the darkest months (November to May). The reason, say researchers, is the sun’s vitamin D-boosting rays—sunlight on the skin generates vitamin D, which works together with calcium to build bones. For most people, sunlight is their main source of vitamin D. Dr. Jon Tobias, professor of rheumatology at Bristol University and a researcher on the project, said: “Wider bones are thought to be stronger and less prone to breaking as a result of osteoporosis in later life, so anything that affects early bone development is significant.” He also suggests pregnant women consider talking to their health care provider about taking vitamin D supplements, particularly if their babies are due in the winter when sunlight levels are low.

diet

vitamin e excess

Women who have just become pregnant may want to watch how much vitamin E they consume. It appears too much of the vitamin early in pregnancy may increase the risk of the baby being born with a heart defect, according to the findings of a Dutch research team published earlier this year. The study of 276 mothers of babies with heart defects and 324 with healthy babies revealed that the likelihood of having a baby with a heart defect was 70 percent higher for women with the highest vitamin E intake from diet alone.

The researchers from the University Medical Centre in Rotterdam also found that a high dietary intake of vitamin E plus the use of a supplement containing the vitamin further increased the risk of congenital heart defects as much as ninefold. The researchers found that high levels of vitamin E “may imbalance the oxidant/antioxidant state” in embryonic tissues during heart development. Vitamin E is found naturally in foods like vegetable oils, nuts and green leafy vegetables as well as fortified cereals.