Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

A woman’s health is very important especially when she is pregnant. The healthier she is, the healthier will the baby be. Women who exercise regularly and eat well are less likely to have any kind of complications during delivery. It is important for the health of the baby that the woman take proper care of herself.

Some tips to help you maintain a good and healthy pregnancy are mentioned below. Keep on reading to find out.

Have A Proper Relationship With Your Doctor

It is important that you maintain a healthy relationship towards your doctor during your pregnancy. This will provide you with good antenatal care. Having a weak and unsteady relationship with your gynecologist will put you under unnecessary stress and problems. So try to opt for a doctor who you can get along with.

Quit Smoking

If you are an active smoker than it is important that you quit right away. The toxic ingredients present in a cigarette can enter your bloodstream and interferes with the oxygen and nutrient source of the baby. This can lead to a deficiency of oxygen and affect your baby’s health. It can even lead him/her to be stillborn. Keep in mind there is no safe number of cigarettes you can smoke; every puff you take can harm your baby.

Exercise

Pregnant women who exercise tend to decrease their labor hours as compared to women who don’t. Exercising during pregnancy is extremely important. It not only helps in the time of delivery but also helps in controlling pregnancy symptoms such as weight gain, nausea, and stiff muscles.

However, make sure you take to your doctor about exercising and remember to start slowly.

Stay Clean And Hygienic

Pregnant mothers are more prone to attracting germs and bacteria; so stay hygienic and clean. Wear cotton and breathable fabrics to avoid any skin rash, don’t stick to tight clothes for long time, use bacteria detecting towels post exercising.

Interpret The Activities Of Your Baby

You may feel the first flutter of your baby around 16-20 weeks; sometimes it can be later than this. You won’t notice their movement all the time, and there will be times where there will be no movements at all. However, soon you will become of your baby’s movement pattern and the regularity of it.

If you are busy with other things in mind that you may ignore the baby’s movement unconsciously; this is very normal. But if your baby does not react to loud noise or fast movements, then it is important that you contact your doctor. A decrease in the movement may mean that your baby is not getting proper oxygen and nutrients via the placenta.

It is very common for a baby to kick after you have eaten something sweet and sugary so if you think your baby is not active, eat something sweet and check the response.

Have Proper Rest

While your body is creating the placenta and your little one is growing your hormones can be all over the place. The second trimester is a time for renewed energy, and by the third trimester, you can feel really tired. This time period is full of fatigue, so it is important that you get proper rest with best pregnancy pillow.

Eat properly to keep your energy levels full and include a lot of proteins in your diet.

Don’t Eat Too Much

Many women make the mistake of eating for two people during pregnancy. This is wrong. An average pregnant mom requires only 300 extra calories a day- this is equal to a large banana. Excessive weight gain during the time of birth can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, backache along with other problems. It can also lead to you have a C-section since your baby is overweight.

Avoid Saunas, Hot Baths/Tubs

These hot tubs can push up your body temperature. This is very risky for the baby; it can lead to neural tube defect as well as miscarriage. Women who spend time in saunas and hot tubs can harm the health of their baby particularly during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Protein

Pregnant women require more protein than an average woman. If you are vegan and avoid meat, then you must have a good source of protein such as protein powder. However, such products must be used cautiously due to having additives and preservatives.

The protein requirement of pregnant women increases during the second and third trimester. There is no fixed amount of protein that we can advise since it depends on the woman’s body weight. It is advised that you talk to your gynecologist about its intake.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is a much-needed nutrient for any woman who is pregnant. Taking folic acid before and after conception and during the entire pregnancy can reduce the chances of your baby having neural tube defects.

Folic acid can be taken naturally in foods such as pear, grapefruit, almonds, hazelnuts, green vegetables and melon, orange, strawberries, and meat sources.

Drinks Lot Of Water

Pregnant women are advised by physicians to drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily. They are also told to completely cut out caffeine from their diet. The reason behind this is that caffeine is a stimulant and can cause palpitations and agitation.

Coffee, food, and drink containing caffeine can excite your baby as well. It is better if you opt for a cup of herbal tea or decaffeinated coffee. Also, avoid drinking tea during your vitamin intake as this may prevent iron from being absorbed in your body.

Have Proper Intake Of Food

If you have a healthy weight before your pregnancy, then you will not have to increase your calorie intake in the first trimester. Keep in mind that you only need three hundred extra calories a day so plan your diet accordingly.

Know Your Medicines And Have Regular Checkups

Everything that you take will pass your bloodstream and reach your baby. For this reason, it is imperative that you know what medications you are taking and their safety. Many medicines including herbal remedies may not be safe for your newborn so avoid taking them.

Have regular checkups with your physician so that he/she is updated with your case. This will also help in ensuring that you are healthy and that your baby is developing properly. Having screened for fetal abnormalities is also very important during pregnancy.

Do Not Fly After 36 Weeks

If your pregnancy is not complicated, then it is safe for you to fly during the second and first trimester. However, many doctors advise their patients to not fly after 36 weeks. Flying while pregnant can increase the risk of getting thrombosis. It can also increase the chances of varicose veins since you will be sitting down for a long time.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful and amazing time for a soon-to-be mother. There is nothing more precious than holding your baby for the first time and finding out that he or she is safe from all kinds of complications. To enjoy this time fully it is important that you remain healthy and take proper care of yourself and your baby.

Following the above-mentioned tips will ensure that you and your baby are healthy. This will help in having a normal delivery without any complications. So make use of these guidelines and enjoy this beautiful journey and the journey of motherhood.