Mommy Monday: Pregnancy and your disposal/endocrine systems

Disposal System

Heat dissipation is a way your body disposes waste. It transmits heat to the skin, where it radiates and evaporates with the help of your dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin. While pregnant, this process is exhilarated by all the extra blood, harder working sweat glands, and increased surface area of the skin. Because of this, the danger of overheating is minimized, especially during working out-unless it is very hot or humid.

The fetus doesn’t have the ability to sweat by itself, so overheating is quite harmful. When you are too hot, the fetus is too hot. Overheating in the early stages of pregnancy can cause birth defects; towards the end, it can cause fetal distress. Overheating also causes dehydration, which may then cause you to premature labor.

If you are exercising during the summer months, its best to do it early in the morning, in the evening or in a well air-conditioned area. Modifying the program or shortening the time of the workout is a good option. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. Make sure you are wearing breathable clothes. A good idea is to wear layers so that you have the option to remove them as you warm up.

Endocrine System

The glands that produce and secret hormones, such as the pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals and pancreas, get very involved during pregnancy. A cyst on the ovaries produces the pregnancy hormones for the first two months. After that, a new hormone gland is produced, the placenta. It takes over and becomes the main hormonal gland for the remainder of the pregnancy. It’s job is to deliver all the oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to your baby, as well as dispose of its wastes. Because anything you consume into your body needs to go through the placenta to your baby, it is best to stay away from highly toxic foods, drugs, cigarette smoke, and medication.

It is a good idea to keep up with your exercises as it promotes growth in the placenta. And this growth should help increase blood supply to the fetus.

Next week, we will talk a little more in depth about pregnancy hormones and gestational diabetes.

Until next time Mommys, stay cool and think twice about what you put into your body since you’re not the only one taking it in, your baby is too!

Health respect & happiness,
Beki