Pregnancy is a time in your life like no other. As your body adjusts to the new life, you will undergo many changes. Using the following tips on proper care while pregnant will ensure that your pregnancy goes as well as possible.
Talk to your doctor before you try to get pregnant. Your doctor can help suggest healthy lifestyle changes to help you have a better pregnancy. Be armed with information from an expert will better help you ensure your pregnancy goes as well as possible.
Slather on the sunscreen. Tanning beds should also be avoided. Since pregnancy results in a woman’s skin being more sensitive, you elevate your chances of getting sunburn. Read the ingredient list on your sunscreen so no harmful chemicals reach your baby.
Make sure you take prenatal vitamins before you become pregnant, this can help your health significantly. During the initial three months of pregnancy, the neural cord starts developing. It will eventually become your baby’s spinal cord and brain. The critical nutrients are calcium, folic acid and iron. These are needed for the baby’s earliest stage of development.
Exercise and being active are important to a healthy pregnancy and an easier birth and recovery. Exercise keeps you in top shape for labor, may reduce your risk of miscarriage and helps you get back in shape after the baby is born.
Learn what the signs of premature labor are. Study this possibility thoroughly, so you can be prepared to call your physician if needed at the proper time.
It is important to stay hydrated if you become ill or get diarrhea when pregnant. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which may require hospitalization and IV fluids.
Consider swimming while pregnant. Swimming is a fabulous exercise during pregnancy because it keeps you fit and helps you feel better as you go further into the pregnancy. Many women find that swimming during this time is extremely soothing and relaxing.
Stay clear of saunas or hot tubs while pregnant. Expectant mothers must avoid these places since they may get overheated, which is dangerous to the child. Some spas may use oils that may cause you to have contractions early. This is especially true when you’re in the first couple of trimesters. Clary sage, juniper and rosemary should be avoided.
Folic Acid
It is important that your prenatal vitamin supplement has the necessary amount of the B vitamin, folic acid. Folic acid helps to build cells and tissues while preventing certain birth defects, like spina bifida.
It is important to learn as much information as you can about your pregnancy and what to expect. A well-rounded childbirth class can really help. Sign up early on to ensure you get a space. You need to also think about taking a class on breastfeeding. Both courses offer invaluable information to help you as you prepare for your baby.
Do not consume any alcohol when you’re pregnant. When you are pregnant and having a drink, the alcohol will make its way through the placenta, and eventually to the fetus. Because of this, women having a baby or trying to have a baby should never drink alcohol. Babies who are exposed to alcohol in the womb can be born with mental or physical birth defects. In addition, women who drink alcohol while pregnant are more likely to have a miscarriage or give birth prematurely.
Before becoming pregnant, take the time to get tested for HIV. If you have not already done so, schedule an HIV test as soon as you found out you are pregnant. If you are HIV positive, your doctor can take measures to block the disease from affecting the fetus. It also gives you the opportunity to start getting specialist treatment for the HIV itself.
Making sure that you are prepared is the best thing you can do to ready yourself for a new addition to the household. Understand what to expect and how best to deal with it for minimal stress. Take in as much as you can!
