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I’m Pregnant, Can I Eat Deli Meats?

Deli Meats and Pregnancy I love charcuterie.  And pizza. And sandwiches.  I’m now in my second pregnancy and there never ceases to be comments about what you can and cannot eat while you are pregnant.  I’ve often wondered we need to avoid deli meats during pregnancy? Food poisoning during pregnancy Food poisoning can occur in anyone and at anytime

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What are the Different Types of Insect Repellants and Are They Safe?

Mosquitoes are nuisances.  In Alberta, mosquitoes are everywhere and in some cases can ruin a perfect day outside if they are particularly high in population.   In order to fully enjoy the spring and summer weather while we have it, we may want to prevent itchy mosquito bites by using insect repellent (bug spray).  But not all insect

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Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is the presence of bacteria in the urine without symptoms of a urinary tract infection.  It can occur in 2 to 15% of pregnant women and if left untreated, some can develop a serious kidney infection called acute pyelonephritis.   Screening For Asymptomatic Bacteriuria The current recommendation is to screen for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women during

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Treating Acne During Pregnancy

Many people struggle with acne at some point in their lives.  The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can cause acne to worsen in some women. If they occur, acne flare-ups are often worst during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. There are some acne treatments that women may normally use to control acne that

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Ways to Improve Breast Milk Supply

Breastfeeding was not intuitive for me. I struggled with low milk supply early on and had difficulty getting Madi to latch correctly. Fortunately, with the help of a lactation consultant, after two weeks breastfeeding improved. There are two main reasons why mothers and their infants may have breastfeeding difficulties.  The first reason is inadequate milk production from the mother. The

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What is a Yeast Infection And What Can You Do About it?

Vaginal yeast infections, or vaginal candidiasis, are common in women.  Many healthy females have yeast colonization in their vaginas such as Candida.  However, sometimes these yeasts may overgrow leading to yeast infections.   Risk Factors for Yeast Infections Certain conditions and medications can make women more susceptible to yeast infections including: Recent use of antibiotics Oral contraceptives (especially those

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How to Manage Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy?

“Morning sickness” is common during pregnancy and can actually occur at any time throughout the day. I was very fortunate and did not experience “morning sickness” with either of my pregnancy’s. Nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy occurs in up to 90% of pregnant women, particularly in the first trimester.   In most cases, the nausea is mild and

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What is Thrush and What Can You Do About It?

Thrush, or oropharyngeal candidiasis, is a common infection in babies. It is a fungal infection caused by Candida that affects the mouth and throat. Candida is found on the skin and in the body and usually does not cause any infections.  But sometimes a baby can end up with thrush because they do not have a strong immune system yet.

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Learn More About the 6 Signs of Coffee Withdrawal

When consumed in moderation, caffeine is safe and even has some health benefits. But because caffeine is psychoactive, the brain can develop a tolerance and physiological dependence in some people who consume large amounts.  Current medical evidence supports that caffeine withdrawal symptoms can occur when stopping the use of caffeine after heavy and prolonged use. Cutting back or stopping

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