Pregnancy is an exciting time for soon-to-be parents, but it requires great care and attention. Women undergo many noticeable changes during the course of their pregnancy, and it’s important to ensure that the mom-to-be is doing all she can to maintain her health. From getting the right amount of rest to eating a balanced diet, here are five ways to help ensure a healthy pregnancy. But before we get into that, always consult your doctor when making decisions about yourself and your baby’s health.
Eat a balanced diet and keep logs of what you eat:
During pregnancy, your body needs additional energy and nutrients to support the growing baby. Make sure you’re getting a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy in your diet. Use food logs to track what you eat to ensure you get the essential vitamins and minerals. Although the doctor may recommend nutritional supplements, it’s crucial to get most of your nutrition from food. And the reason is to get the natural nutrients that come from eating whole foods. However, you may possibly be advised for screenings or additional supplements if you have any risk factors. Perhaps a genetic risk could be associated with your pregnancy, so it’s essential to consult a doctor for potential recommendations. You must ensure to have all the recommended screenings and tests done. In case of the baby is at risk, the doctor may suggest extra nutrients for the mother. However, there are instances in which the baby during delivery may require some extra attention for its health. And by any chance the baby receives a birth injury, then it is important to consult a birth injury lawyer for legal advice and representation. We recommend the Birth Injury Justice Center as they provide quality legal services.
You should also get tested for HIV, STDs, blood deficiencies, diabetes, and platelets, as recommended. Besides this, regular ultrasounds are a must. Your doctor will give you a list of all the screenings necessary for a safe pregnancy. Opt for all the recommendations and take action if something goes wrong. Also, don’t hide any results from your OBGYN.
Perform Pregnancy-Friendly Workouts
If someone tells you to stop exercising during pregnancy, do not believe them. In fact, exercise during pregnancy reduces back pain and bloating. Plus, it improves blood circulation leading to less stress and a better mood. You need to engage in at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise every day.
Pregnant women should follow safety guidelines and only engage in pregnancy-friendly exercises. Avoid any workout that involves intense motion, constant change of position, jumping, and bouncing. Focus on your motion, stretching, and balance instead. Walking, yoga, and pilates are popular choices; they help you feel better and develop the strength to carry a baby. Exercise, but stay within your comfort zone. Also, share your workout routine with the doc for valuable insight.
In addition to the physical benefits, exercise also helps you prevent gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. It could even reduce labor time in some cases. Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. It helps you stay energized and maintains the temperature. However, stop immediately and consult your doctor if you feel dizziness or cramps during exercise.
Avoid Cat Litter
Your feline best friend might not like this, but pregnant women can be exposed to dangerous cat infections. Cats that go out can contact rodents and pests carrying the parasite. Plus, feeding cats raw meat may also expose them to toxoplasmosis. Your kitty may be having toxoplasmosis without you knowing.
Toxoplasmosis affects most outdoor cats but goes undetected due to no visible symptoms. It can lead to miscarriage and abortion or cause health problems such as mental disabilities and blindness in unborn babies.
This infection is primarily present in the feces. So, the best practice is to avoid cleaning the cat litter or keeping it within your reach while pregnant.
Do Not Self Medicate
Although not recommended, people engage in frequent self-medication to relieve certain symptoms. Many ways, like home remedies, herbal medication, or anti-inflammatory drugs, engage you in the process. Usually, self-medication causes no harmful side effects, but when you are pregnant, it is an absolute no-go.
It disturbs the development of the fetus and might cause different side-effects like lack of response from your child or developmental delays. Always check with your doctor and discuss the symptoms to confirm drugs are safe for your pregnant body. For instance, you can tell your doctor about frequent headaches, and they will suggest medication to counter them based on your symptoms.
Choose Appropriate Footwear
When pregnant, you must be extra careful choosing footwear. During the first trimester, women often experience morning sickness and nausea. Due to this, certain types of shoes can be uncomfortable and even lead to falls. Falling during pregnancy is dangerous and may cause serious injury to you and your baby.
Besides, weight gain can disrupt the natural center of gravity, throwing you off balance. So, don’t be surprised when you cannot walk as fast or with the same posture anymore. A combination of weight gain and increased pressure on the feet can disturb your walking patterns and even flatten out the feet. Plus, a pregnant body retains fluid that swells the ankles.
Always opt for comfortable shoes with a stable grip that keeps your feet in one place. Some great options are trainers, high-grip slip-ons, flat pumps, boots, and medicated sandals. And if you wear high heels, carry a pair of flats around for comfort and avoid injuries.
Conclusion
Pregnancy takes your body through a series of changes. You must focus on factors such as diet and exercise to stay healthy and avoid complications. Eat your favorite foods but do not restrict yourself or avoid giving in to cravings.
It is also essential to avoid self-medication, cat litter, and other toxins harmful to the fetus. Make sure you are active and able to perform specific exercises while wearing appropriate footwear.
Stay in touch with your OBGYN, discuss the changes thoroughly, and inform them about your plans to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
