1. Get Early Prenatal Care.
If you are planning to start a family, or have just found out that you are expecting, good prenatal care is essential for you and your baby. These Prenatal Care visits help make sure that you and your baby are healthy. And if there are any health problems, your provider can find them early. Getting treatment right away can cure many problems and prevent others.
2. Eat healthy
Eating healthy foods is especially important for pregnant women. Your baby needs nutrients to grow healthy and strong in the womb.
Good nutrition during pregnancy includes eating a variety of
· Fruits
· Vegetables
· Whole grains
· Lean meats or other protein sources
· Low-fat dairy products
3. Drink plenty of water.
A pregnant woman’s body needs more water than it did before pregnancy. Aim for eight or more cups each day.
4. Avoid certain foods
There are certain foods that you should avoid eating while pregnant. Some of them are
· Raw or rare meats
· Liver, sushi, raw eggs (also in mayonnaise)
· Soft cheeses
· Unpasteurized milk
Raw and unpasteurized animal products can cause food poisoning. Some fish, even when cooked, can be harmful to a growing baby because they’re high in mercury.
5. Take prenatal vitamins.
Ask your doctor which prenatal vitamins are best for you and your baby, particularly how much folic acid and calcium you’ll need. Prenatal vitamins ensure you are giving your baby the important vitamins and nutrients it needs, like folic acid, iron, calcium and DHA. These vitamins play an important role in bone, vision and brain development.
6. Stay active.
Physical activity can help you stay strong, feel and sleep better, and prepare your body for birth. Regular daily exercise increases your chance of having a normal delivery and helps you manage the common discomforts of pregnancy. Exercise can also aid in postpartum recovery. However, if you did not exercise regularly before becoming pregnant, check with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen.
7. Limit your exposure
If you work around chemicals or other substances known to cause birth defects, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your baby. It’s also important to use non-toxic household cleaning solutions throughout your pregnancy to limit your risk of exposure.
8. Reduce stress.
Reducing stress is crucial for improving birth outcomes. Pregnant women should avoid, as much as they can, stressful situations. Recruit your loved ones to help you manage stress in your life.
9. Avoid substances that could hurt your baby
It’s important to take good care of your body during pregnancy. We recommend you avoid alcohol, limit your caffeine intake and steer clear of any non-prescription drugs throughout your pregnancy. Indulging in alcohol can adversely affect your baby’s brain or spinal development, too much caffeine has been linked to a higher instance of miscarriage, and non-prescription drugs can lead to birth defects or behavioral problems.
10. Know when to call the doctor
If you have any of the following symptoms, the Center for Disease Control recommends contacting your doctor:
- · Bleeding or leaking of fluid
- · Contractions that are 20 minutes apart or less
- · Pain of any kind
- · Strong cramps
- · Heart palpitations
- · Dizziness or fainting
- · Decreased activity of the baby
- · Shortness of breath
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