Most women are made to believe that pregnancy is all about the “glow”, or a certain appeal that only expectant mothers have. While this is true for some, there are those of us for whom pregnancy can be an exhausting and difficult journey (one we’re thankful for, but oh so glad when it is finally over).
As your body adjusts to the new life growing inside your womb, it will usher in an avalanche of physical and hormonal changes that can lead to reduced blood circulation and immunity. While these changes go with the territory, there are a number of steps you can take to give yourself the chance an easy and worry-free pregnancy.
1. Regular Parental checkups
As soon as you find out that you have a bun in the oven, it is best to consult with your ob-gyn or prenatal provider. This is essential in maintaining your overall health and that of your baby. Make sure to strictly follow your ob-gyn’s prenatal care plan and stick to the regular checkups to monitor your little one’s development, and to arrest any potential health issues that may affect your pregnancy.
2. Eat a Balanced Meal
Just because you are eating for two does not mean that you can give in to all of your cravings. You need to carefully watch your weight, blood pressure, and glucose levels, so load up on food sources that are rich in fiber, folate, calcium, protein, and antioxidants. Focus on whole grains over carbohydrates, and stay away from raw or uncooked meat or seafood that may contain certain disease-causing bacteria.
Generally, moms to be are expected to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies and 2-3 servings of protein from cooked lean meat each day.
3. Do not Forget Your Pregnancy Vitamin Supplements
Supplements are not meant to replace your daily meals. They augment the amount of nutrients that you take in daily, and help fill in the nutritional gaps that might exist in your diet.
As the nutritional needs of pregnant women are heightened during these 9 months, you will need an additional 400 mcg of folic acid to ensure the proper development of your baby. Other vitamin supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D, may also be prescribed depending on your needs.
4. Watch What You Eat
The fact is that there are certain foods that are not safe for pregnant women. These include raw meats from poultry and various sea life, unpasteurized dairies, processed meats, and uncooked or soft boiled eggs.
5. Exercise Regularly
Moving and stretching your body through simple cardiovascular and stretching exercises such as yoga, Pilates, and walking can help build your body’s strength and stamina to better adapt to the physical demands of pregnancy. It also helps with shedding that baby weight quickly after delivery.
Just make sure to limit yourself to low impact activities and consult with your healthcare provider before engaging in prenatal workouts.
6. Cut Back on Alcohol and Caffeine
If you are a heavy drinker then you would have to limit or completely bid farewell to your favorite alcoholic or caffeinated drinks to avoid running the risk of miscarriage and fetal defects. Now is the perfect time to make lifestyle changes that will keep you happier and healthier for years after the pregnancy is over.
With these tips, you can look forward to a more relaxed and comfortable journey towards motherhood.
[box_light]You’ll commonly find Brenda writing on various pregnancy topics, such as how to calculate due date from conception and ancient Chinese gender calendars at www.DueDateCalculator.org.[/box_light]
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