Pregnancy 101: Everything You Need To Know

There is much you should know about pregnancy and birthing your baby. Start here and learn some helpful information.

If your diet is less than nutritious, it’s time to make a change for yourself and your little one. If you ate a lot of fast food, you will have to make big adjustments. In your new diet, you’ll want to have lots of vegetables, fruits, and lean protein.

An additional 300 to 500 calories a day are necessary during pregnancy. Keep in mind that your baby is impacted by everything you eat. Lean towards eating foods that are good for you, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

Much like others, women who are pregnant should make every effort to apply sunscreen any time they are going out in the sun for a while. Skin can become sensitive and rough when pregnant, so take care of it accordingly.

Take a trip to the hospital that you plan to have your baby at. Meet all the staff, and take a tour of the entire building. This can help set your mind at ease and provide the answers to many of the questions you may have. Since dads will be more in touch with staff as you give birth, this can really help them.

Get help with lifting while pregnant. Insisting on doing things yourself is not worth the risk of a back strain or injury to yourself or the baby. It is best to err on the side of caution and ask for help with anything that is heavy.

Make sure you know all of the signs of premature labor. Do as much research on this subject, so you can contact your doctor should you experience these symptoms.

In late pregnancy it’s common to experience leg cramps. Be sure you are stretching before sleeping and you can avoid those. Staying properly hydrated and getting enough potassium in your diet will also help.

If you must travel while pregnant, avoid places where proper medical care will not be readily available to you. You need to have access to a doctor throughout the entire pregnancy so as to avoid any complications. Also, never travel without having a phone handy.

Go on the Internet and check out stories from other mothers so you know what the birthing experience entails. Clinical books will tell you the facts, but reading a birth story will give you the experience from mom’s point of view. Choose from many different writings so you feel relaxed and at ease.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is important to a developing baby, so ensure that your prenatal vitamins contain it. Folic acid reduces the chances of certain birth defects and aids in the development of tissue and cells.

Learn to reject food from people who pressure you to eat all the time. You need to take in more calories when you are pregnant, but you don’t need to eat at all times. Saying thanks but no thanks is perfectly acceptable, so don’t hesitate to do it.

Pregnancy is momentous, and you have to know what you can, in order to know the symptoms and to work your way through the stress and pregnancy life. Even though pregnancy is an extremely joyous occasion, it can also be extremely stressful. Therefore, you will want to be armed with excellent advice, such as the advice given here.