Pregnant women should not eat for two, because the caloric needs only increases by about 200 kcal more per day. It is true that it is necessary to ensure the intake of certain nutrients, which are essential for proper growth of the fetus.

Want to know what those nutrients are and what foods to find them? Read the advice of Dr. Diana Scatozza , Medical Specialist in Food Science at - dietetic diet therapy in Milan address.

" A proper diet during the nine months should have the objective of making us to increase approximately 11-12 kg until the end of pregnancy," Dr. Scatozza pressed. " To achieve this objective guidelines , both European and American , suggest to increase your daily calorie intake by about 200 Kcal , but only in the second and third quarters , when verifying the weight growth of the baby. In the first quarter, in fact, the fetus consumes fewer calories because you are forming the cells, so it is not necessary that the expectant mother begins to ' eat for two ' , as is often mistakenly do . From the first quarter, however, it is important to a change of quality power type, which must guarantee the right amount of certain important nutrients. "

It happens: many pregnant women in early pregnancy slim. Because of nausea and vomiting, which certainly does not put like eating? In general, however, there is no worry, because in the first weeks caloric requirements remain more or less the same, and begins to increase only starting at 10-12 weeks.

Although in early eat little or lose about not worry: your baby will stay anyway.

Among other things, it is to dispel the myth that pregnant should eat for two. “Actually supplementary energy requirements is not very high," explains Angela Spadafranca , biologist nutritionist in charge of NutriMamma dell'ICANS team of Milan . " An average of 150-180 kcal intake more per day - the equivalent of a pack of crackers or a cup of milk - enough to meet the new requirements . "

That said, those who are already very lean in early pregnancy, and, moreover, continues to lose weight, would do well to consult your gynecologist to make sure you are still taking sufficient amounts of necessary nutrients. The doctor should be heard even if nausea and vomiting are so intense that it becomes debilitating, that is if you get all'iperemesi gravidarum .

Because stretch marks appear

after the spots, stretch marks are another ' beast ' of pregnancy blemishes. Also because, as for chloasma , there are the ' predestined ' , which in this case are those which genetically have less elastic tissue . Yeah, because stretch marks are just an inflammation of the elastic tissue present in the dermis, which then heals with a scar that at first appears as red streaks, then it turns white, leaving a stable and irreversible damage.

When stretch marks appear ?

In moments of greater traction of the elastic tissue , and that is when you will gain weight quickly , when it grows in a short time ( there are also children with stretch marks ! ) And naturally in pregnancy . " While waiting to skin tension are added hormonal changes , which have a direct effect on the formation of stretch marks , as well as lead to an excessive release of substances , such as relaxin , which alter the tone of the skin elastic tissue " noted Angelo Marzano , Medical Director at the dermatology Clinic of the University of Milan . " The fact that he had seen appear stretch marks during puberty constitutes an ' ' important wake-up call , which suggests that pregnant you are most at risk ."

How to prevent stretch marks

In addition to hope that he had been blessed with 'good' genes, you should avoid accumulating more pounds than you need, follow a good diet (even if there are no 'food stretch marks'), to banish a sedentary lifestyle. And then there are the creams. Miracles do not make it, mind you, but keep the skin supple and hydrated skin a little help would definitely gives. There is no need to borrow to buy expensive cosmetics; the important thing is a good stretch mark cream with moisturizing active ingredients, such as vitamin E, and firming, as boswellic acid. Even better, you can apply a moisturizing fluid in the morning, which absorbs quickly and leaves no oily skin, stretch marks and in the evening the specialty, which generally has a thicker consistency. Because the cream to be effective, we must not wait until the damage is done: as soon as you find out you're pregnant, you have to start to hydrate and nourish the skin with patience, that is more resistant when there will be an increase in the volume of certain areas of the body.

Almond oil ? Better not

Instead we dispel the ' myth ' of sweet almond oil : " In addition to being able to give , in susceptible individuals , contact allergic reactions , like any herbal product , the oil clogs the skin pores and can cause inflammation of the mouth of the glands pilo - sebaceous , causing folliculitis " says Marzano .

What to do if your stretch marks come

If the damage is already done , stretch marks can be mitigated with some aesthetic medicine treatments . Certain treatments can be effective if action of striae newly formed, still red - violet color, while it is much more difficult to hide the pearly white - colored stretch marks , which indicate an already damaged tissue . “In any case it is good to know that the results are not 100% sure , and you are likely to also support substantial costs for small benefits ," concluded the dermatologist. Here are the main treatments, which can be executed from the aesthetic doctor or dermatologist.

The laser resurfacing . It is the treatment of choice of post acneic scars and is also used for scars stretch marks , even if the results are not as obvious , especially if it acts on the old training stretch marks , also a method is not free from risks that , used bad, it can cause the appearance of lighter or darker patches or even scarring higher all'inestetismo to correct.

Chemical peels . Produce an abrasion on the skin surface, which reactivates cellular metabolism of the areas where there are stretch marks. You may use various acids, that the doctor chooses depending on the type of skin and stretch mark.

Carboxytherapy . It involves injecting subcutaneously medical Carbon dioxide, which improves tissue oxygenation and increases cell turnover.

Enough those colorful dashes of positive pregnancy test in order to feel and imagine already mom with a little baby in her arms. But it still takes nine months and of things to do there are many . Here are 10 to do right away .

1. Choose the gynecologist

It may be the gynecologist always or hospital where you will give birth to a gynecologist or an obstetrician - gynecological surgery, in the hospital or clinic: the important thing is to identify a person or a center that will give us confidence, for they will be our points of reference throughout the nine months. READ ALSO: PREGNANCY, FIRST VISIT FROM GINECOLOGO If the pregnancy, for some reason, could be at risk now choosing a gynecologist and a second-level center.

2. Take folic acid

Take folic acid if you do not already assumed before. “The integration of folic acid is recommended for 3 months (or at least 1 month) before pregnancy and throughout the first quarter and it is important for the prevention of congenital anomalies, particularly those concerning the neural tube such as spina bifida," says Anna Franca Knight, a gynecologist at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. “The standard dose is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) per day , unless there are no specific , such as epilepsy or type I diabetes diseases , which require a dose about 10 times higher " . READ ALSO: Folic Acid, WHY ' AND ' IMPORTANT

3. Check your medications

If you are taking medications for chronic diseases, you must consult immediately with its reference specialist : he will decide whether to continue , modify or discontinue therapy . Just as it is good to seek advice from a gynecologist before taking any medication, even over the counter. " It ' must also suspend the possible application of retinoid-based creams (usually prescribed to treat acne ) : even if it's local therapies , retinoic acid can cause fetal abnormalities ," says gynecologist Knight . READ ALSO: DRUGS IN PREGNANCY.

4. Eliminate smoking and alcohol

It should also immediately change certain lifestyle behaviors, first quit smoking (number of risks, from abortion to premature birth to low birth weight) and eliminate alcohol, which easily crosses the placenta and passes to the fetus: " please note that there is no proven safe dose of alcohol during pregnancy, so as a precaution it is advisable to avoid it altogether," said the gynecologist. READ ALSO: STOP SMOKING IN PREGNANCY.

5. Adopt anti - toxoplasmosis precautions

If you do not know the status of immunity to certain infections such as toxoplasmosis , you need to take immediately the necessary precautions, such as only eating cooked meat , wash raw vegetables and avoid contact with the feces of animals , especially cats . Waiting to do as soon as the toxo - test to know if you have already contracted the disease in the past. READ ALSO: TOXOPLASMOSIS IN PREGNANCY

6. Avoid intense sport

Avoid intense sport or at risk trauma, such as skiing, horseback riding, fitboxe , jogging and all motorsport activities . Agree with the gynecologist activity in line with your medical conditions and compatible with the pregnancy: the sport is very good for all nine months. READ ALSO: SPORT IN PREGNANCY

7. No sauna

No sauna because it increases the body temperature and sweating, resulting in transient hyperthermia and by lowering blood pressure.

8. Drink lots of water

During pregnancy increases physiologically the body water amounts up to 7:00 to 8:00 liters more than usual , so it is normal that a pregnant woman needs a higher fluid intake . In addition, make sure the right amount of water is used to maintain the optimum plasma volume in the blood vessels, preventing blood pressure to drop . READ ALSO: PREGNANCY, WHICH DRINKING WATER

9. Protect your skin from the sun

In summer , in addition to not expose themselves to the sun during the hottest hours , you should always apply a high sun protection , especially on the face , where , for hormonal reasons , may appear dark spots (called chloasma gravidarum ) . READ ALSO: PREGNANCY IN THE SUN WITHOUT PROBLEMS

10. Do not make vaccines without the advice of the gynecologist

Except for the flu vaccine (recommended by experts from the second quarter), the vaccines should be generally avoided during pregnancy. “For this, we must refrain from trips to areas considered at risk, which would require a vaccination against certain diseases," he concludes the gynecologist. READ ALSO: VACCINATIONS IN PREGNANCY.