Tips For a Safe and Healthy Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, then there are a few things that you need to take care of. You must not smoke during pregnancy or be around people who smoke. Also, you should not consume any dangerous substances. Below are some tips that you need to follow for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

1) Take a parental mask

You must take parental vitamins early. Hence, you must start taking them as early as possible. You should consume them as soon as you get to know about your pregnancy. This is because the neural cord of the baby develops in the first month of your pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to get essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, and folic acid.

You can find parental vitamins at most drug stores. Moreover, you can get a prescription from your doctor. In case taking these vitamins makes you feel queasy, then you must take them at night or with a light snack. Having chewing gum after having a parental vitamin can help you later.

2) Exercise

It is important to stay active for a healthy pregnancy. This improves blood circulation, improves your mood, and reduces stress. You can also take an exercise class or walk for at least 20 minutes a day in cool or shaded areas to prevent overheating. Walking. Swimming, Yoga, and Pilates are great for all pregnant ladies. However, you need to consult your doctor first before you initiate any exercise program. Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week.

3) Write a birth plan

Are you planning on getting an epidural? You should note down everything you want that should happen at the time of childbirth. Below are some things that you must consider while writing your birth plan.

• Who do you want should be present
• Procedures that you wish to avoid
• The positions that you prefer for delivery and labor.
• Special clothing to wear
• Whether you want a special focal point or music.
• Pain medications you require.
• How to deal with complications

4) Educate yourself

It is always helpful to attend childbirth classes as this will prepare you better for the delivery. This will not only help you gain more knowledge about childbirth but will also answer some of your basic questions. Also, you can discuss the medical history of your family. Share any issues that you had in the past pregnancies. Also, mention any issues with birth defects.

5) Eliminate toxins

Toxins are directly connected to pregnancy-related problems like birth defects and miscarriage. Therefore, you should avoid illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and even solvents like nail polish remover. If you smoke cigarettes, then it will decrease the flow of oxygen to your baby. Moreover, it leads to problems like premature birth and other complications. if you can't quit smoking and drinking, then you must let your doctor know about this. A doctor may advise you to join a program that can help you leave this habit.

6) Change up chores

There are some chores that you must avoid doing when you are pregnant such as cleaning up the bathroom or grooming your pets. Coming in contact with bacteria or exposure to harmful chemicals can harm the health of your baby. So, below is the list of chores that you must avoid doing for a healthy pregnancy.

• Climbing on ladders and step stools.
• Changing the kitty litter
• Standing for a long duration.
• Using harsh chemicals

7) Check medications

You must consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicines or supplements. Even anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen must be avoided. As per the National Health Service taking these medicines at the time of pregnancy can damage your blood vessels or increase the risk of miscarriage. It is always better to consult your physician before you take any medication.

8) Drink more water

At the time of pregnancy, your blood is supplying oxygen and other important nutrients to the baby. Moreover, it removes waste and carbon dioxide. This increases your blood volume up to 50 percent for performing the extra activity. Therefore, it is important for you to drink more water to support the gain. Drinking water prevents swelling, headaches, fatigue, hemorrhoids, and constipation. You must consume 8-10 glasses of water every day.

9) Eat foods rich in folate

Apart from hydrating yourself, it is important for you to eat 5-6 well-balanced meals that are rich in folates such as orange juice, oranges, wheat germ, lentils, asparagus, and cereals. Folic acid is vital for the development of a baby's neural tube. Moreover, it is crucal for the creation of new red blood cells.

10) Recharge with fruit

It is recommended not to consume caffeine at the time of pregnancy as it can harm the health of your baby. Quitting coffee can be quite challenging if it is a part of your daily morning routine. Therefore, you must cut yourself some fruit in the morning to avoid caffeine. The natural sugar in apples and other fruits can help you stay energetic throughout the day.

11) Stay Clean

Washing your hands frequently can protect you from various diseases like chickenpox, cytomegalovirus, Fifth disease, and streptococcus. All these things can lead to complications in pregnancy and can even cause birth defects. Therefore, it is advisable to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. They are also very helpful at times when you can't reach the sink. They prevent various types of communicable infections.

12) Say yes to cravings

Pregnancy cravings can happen at any point of time. A lot of experts have mentioned that this is nature's way of providing nourishment to the mother-to-be. Especially the nutrients that they are lacking. Some people say that this is an emotional thing driven by your mood or hormones. If you are consuming a healthy diet on a regular basis, then it's fine to give in to your cravings once in a while. However, you must have it in limited portions. You must avoid consuming raw and uncooked meat. Moreover, you should not have other types of unpasteurized cheese, raw sprouts, or herbal teas.