Health Tips for February 26

Health Tip: Counting Baby's Kicks

Since movement in the uterus is a sign of fetal health, pregnant women should monitor the baby's kicking and activity.

The American Pregnancy Association offers these suggestions:

* You can start counting kicks at about 28 weeks, and monitor throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
* Count how long and how often your baby kicks.
* If you notice a decrease in baby's activity, it's important to let your doctor know at once.
* On average, babies will move about 10 times in a two-hour period. Movements may include kicking, rolling, turning and twisting.

Health Tip: Get Enough Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that's found primarily in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, potatoes and other fruits and veggies.

Significant enough vitamin C deficiency can lead to a condition called scurvy.

Here are warning signs that you're not getting enough vitamin C, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Excessively dry hair with ends that split easily.
* Scaly, rough, dry skin.
* Bleeding or inflamed gums.
* Wounds that heal slowly, frequent infections, and bruising easily.
* Frequent nosebleeds.
* Pain and swelling in the joints.
* Anemia.
* Weakened tooth enamel.