Pregnancy is a magical period! During these nine months, you prepare to welcome your child into the world and to provide it with the best care and nurturing you could give. Every parent wants their child to be in the utmost comfort and safety. However, concern for the child you are carrying may leave you a little stressed during pregnancy.
So here are a few tips that can help make your pregnancy healthy, safe, and comfortable:
Diet: Diet is everything! The food you eat not only keeps you healthy and energised but also ensures that your baby receives all the necessary nutrients in-utero. This does not equate to eating more but to eating better and healthier. So you must make sure that your diet is as balanced as possible and is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, all in the right proportions. Also, make sure you consume enough slow-burning carbohydrates in the right form.
Exercise: It is vital to stay as fit as possible during pregnancy. Staying fit in this period has plenty of benefits for you during and after pregnancy. Exercise makes your muscles, bones, and ligaments stronger and keeps you active, thus helping you prepare for labour. Low impact exercises keep your heart healthy, help you fix your posture, and combat back and joint pain that is often experienced during pregnancy. Any physical activity positively impacts your mental health, helping you deal with the mood swings and stress that may occur during pregnancy.
Sleep: Good rest is absolutely important, especially for someone carrying a child. When you are asleep, your body recovers and repairs damage. This is also the period when growth and development take place, so make it a point to get a full night’s sleep and to catch a nap, if required, during the day.
Multivitamins: Sometimes, the vitamins and minerals in your diet are not sufficient. At these times, it is necessary to take prenatal vitamins to supplement the ones you consume through food. Nutrients like calcium, iron, and folic acid are extremely important for the growth of the child you are carrying, so it is advised that you start taking prenatal vitamins and supplements early in your pregnancy, as prescribed by your doctor.
Don’t Smoke or Drink Alcohol: Smoking and drinking alcohol is known to add a tremendous amount of stress to your body during pregnancy, as it causes several issues, including dehydration, loss of sleep, etc. During pregnancy, smoking by the mother is linked with preterm birth, low birth weight, and many other complications. Consumption of alcohol could lead to abnormalities in the in-utero development of your child. It is best to avoid both completely during the entirety of your pregnancy.
Track your weight gain: Tracking your weight gain and making sure it is not too fast or too slow becomes crucial during pregnancy. Hormonal changes and foetal growth spurts can cause an increase in your appetite. During such times, ensure that you eat healthy and do not consume oily, fatty, and sugary snacks, as such food can lead to high blood pressure and gestational diabetes in the later trimesters. Bear in mind that pregnancy causes a slowdown in your metabolism, thus making it easier to pack on the pounds, which can be that much harder to lose post-delivery.
No caffeine: Consuming caffeine during pregnancy poses some serious dangers to your developing foetus. Caffeine, when digested, could get into your baby’s bloodstream and is known to cause side effects such as high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, and adverse effects on the nervous system. You are also likely to experience these side effects, so during your pregnancy, make a switch to healthier snack time beverages in place of coffee.
Stay Clean: The importance of staying hygienic increases during pregnant. As you and your baby are easily susceptible to infections from a variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, you must remember to constantly clean up and follow basic hygiene protocols. Something as basic as washing your hands frequently with soap can prevent infections to an extent. Also, have a bath at least once a day to ensure complete hygiene during pregnancy.
Educate yourself: It is completely normal to feel concerned or worried when you are pregnant. The best way to combat your doubts and fears is to read, ask and understand as much as possible about the various effects, changes, and processes that take place during this period. There is always help around the corner, should you need it! You can turn to your doctor for help or even visit counsellors qualified to give you pregnancy advice.
Avoid overexertion: Even if you are an avid cleaner or a person who believes must carry all the grocery bags back home in one go, pregnancy is a time for you to be much more careful. Chores that involve lifting heavy things or those in which you may touch or inhale harmful chemicals can harm you and your baby, so you must avoid them.
Drink more water: Drinking an ample amount of water daily helps you flush out toxins from your system. It also helps keep your baby healthy, ensures that there is plenty of amniotic fluid, and reduces complications during labor. Pregnant women are often susceptible to dehydration more often than not, so always ensure that you are drinking a sufficient quantity of water every day. If needed, even set a reminder to drink water at regular intervals.
Enjoy the journey of pregnancy while keeping these tips in mind.
