Once you get that positive pregnancy test result, everything changes and things will never be the same again. As a pregnant woman, you are embarking on a life-changing journey, and it is no longer about what is right for you but also what is safe for your unborn child. Caring for your pregnancy is as important as taking care of the baby once you give birth, and so you should never take it lightly or think that everything will work out automatically.
As you go through the physical and emotional changes, it is important to know what to do to ensure your pregnancy is healthy. But, this should not worry you because if you follow the following tips for a healthy pregnancy, everything will work out well.
1. Have A Healthy Diet
Food is vital for a healthy pregnancy, and so one of the first things that you should do is to come up with a healthy diet and meal plan for the nine months that you will be pregnant. The idea is to eat a balanced diet so that the baby can get all the vital nutrients that are essential for development. Vegetables and fruits should make a significant portion of your diet but also don’t forget to eat a lot of fish as it will help in the child’s brain development. Also, remember to drink plenty of fluids, and most doctors recommend about ten glasses of water per day.
2. Exercises Are Important
Pregnancy should not stop your workouts and so if you were working out before you should continue doing it. Exercises are not only healthy for you, but they will help reduce stress and according to research ladies that workout during pregnancy will have an easier time with labor. However, it is crucial to consult your health care provider for a recommendation on the right exercises because some can be dangerous for the unborn child.
3. Sleep Well And Enough
Sleep is important for your health and also for the development of the child. Research proves that when you are sleeping the unborn baby finds the womb more comfortable than when you are active. You should sleep for eight hours or more at night and also take some short naps during the day. It is also important to know that you should not just sleep but you should ensure that you sleep well. For this, you need a comfortable mattress and more importantly a pregnancy pillow to support your stomach and back.
4. Avoid Smoking And Alcohol
Smoking poses a significant danger not only to your health but also to your baby. Although research is still not very conclusive, some studies link smoking to disabilities and brain damage in infants. Secondary smoking is also not good if you want to have a healthy pregnancy. The effects of alcohol might not be as severe as those from smoking but this does not make it okay for a pregnant woman, and so it is also a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol when pregnant.
5. Dress Comfortably
It is common knowledge that you have to wear comfortable clothes when you are expectant, but some mothers seem to ignore this. It is true maternity clothes might not be very fashionable, but they will keep your baby safe. Any tight clothes that make you feel uncomfortable should remain in the closet till you give birth. The same also applies for shoes, and they should not just be comfortable but also non-restricting. Also, remember to put your legs up as many times as possible during the day to prevent swelling.
6. Avoid Non-Prescribed Medication
The golden rule for pregnancy when it comes to medication is that you should never take any medicine without a prescription from a qualified and professional doctor. Even a minor painkiller is not an exception, and neither are those herbal remedies that have numerous benefits for your pregnancy. If you think you need something, it is vital always to consult your doctor first for prescription and advice.
7. Avoid Stress
Stress and anxiety are common with pregnant women due to the hormonal changes and the fact that they do not know what to expect because not all pregnancies end well. However, it is important to manage your stress if you want to have a healthy pregnancy. You can do this by ensuring that there is sufficient communication with your partner and you can also try meditation and yoga as they are very effective when dealing with stress and anxiety.
Your unborn child deserves the best care possible, and this will only be possible if you have a healthy pregnancy. Whether it is the first time you are pregnant or not it is important to ensure that you learn right guides and information on pregnancy and for this to be so the seven tips above will come in handy.