Although pregnancy is a hectic time where you have little control, there are ways you can take action to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Take a look at the advice below to see what action you can take to be in more control during your pregnancy.
Provided the majority of what you eat is balanced and healthy, it’s okay to give in to those cravings! The cravings may be a signal of your body’s need for specific nutrients found in the foods which are triggering the cravings. While pregnant, you need more nutrition and energy, so do not feel bad about succumbing to your cravings.
Make sure that you take a tour of your birthing hospital near to your due date. If you are completely comfortable and confident with your birth place decision, you’ll feel that much better when it comes time to deliver. It is very important that you look at and inspect these places so you have a greater idea what to expect when the time comes. Make sure that the facilities are what you need for both you and the person staying with you during labor.
Get help with lifting while pregnant. If you choose to life a heavy object yourself, you could miscarry your baby or even strain your back. For these reasons, it’s best to get somebody to help you lift heavy things, even if you feel like you can handle it.
If your feet swell a lot during pregnancy, let your physician know about this. The swelling could be typical or, it may signify preeclampsia, a condition related to high blood pressure during pregnancy. You must seek treatment for this condition or you risk your health and the life of your child.
Do not change your cat’s litter when pregnant. Pregnant women should avoid handling soiled cat litter because of the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. Cats are carriers of toxoplasmosis, and if you become infected, it can be passed to your unborn child, resulting in possible birth defects, miscarriage or stillbirth.
Many expectant mothers experience leg cramps. Make sure you stretch before going to bed, and this will lesson the chance of these occurring. Also, you will want to consume as much water as possible to avoid cramps.
Dehydration can be a big concern during pregnancy if you have excessive nausea, or if you get sick with an illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Pregnant women are especially prone to dehydration caused by diarrhea, and it can even put them in the hospital.
Cat Litter
This may sound odd to you, but if you are pregnant stay away from the cat litter. Toxoplasmosis is a dangerous parasite that causes problems for a fetus in utero. Don’t allow your unborn child’s health to be in jeopardy. So, eliminate cat litter from your home.
Avoid all alcohol when pregnant. If a woman drinks during pregnancy, the alcohol is passed onto the unborn fetus by way of the placenta. This is why it is recommended that women wishing to become pregnant or those that already are pregnant refrain from drinking any type of alcohol. Drinking alcohol while pregnant increases the chance of mental and physical birth defects and increases any risk of miscarriage and premature birth.
As mentioned above, there are many things that you can control during pregnancy. While you await the birth of your baby, you can take positive and measurable steps toward safeguarding and enhancing your health and that of your baby.
