Taking care of yourself is very important. Opting for early care is the best start as you will have the proper guidance for this beautiful phase of your life. You will get ample time for planning your tests and scans required in that duration, along with advice.
At the beginning of your pregnancy, get yourself registered for antenatal care sessions. Book an appointment with your doctor or a local maternity service regularly.
A Few Tips to Reckon
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Eat Well
A healthy meal is essential for everybody. Healthily plan your meals to have a smooth journey ahead.
Your healthy diet should include fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, juices, etc. To stay active and healthy, you should avoid starchy foods.
During this time, fiber is an essential ingredient in your healthy diet. Avoid whites and choose wholegrain varieties instead. Along with fiber and wholegrain, increase your protein intake by including eggs, nuts, beans, pulses, fish, etc.
Fish is essential for your baby’s nervous system as it contains omega-3, minerals, protein, and Vitamin D.
Other food items like green leafy vegetables, seeds, soya products, and nuts are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Till the 2nd trimester, you do not need extra calories. In the last trimester, you need the addition of 200 calories to your diet.
Staying hydrated is the key to a healthy body, especially when you are pregnant. It regulates blood pressure levels.
It is advisable to have at least 8 glasses of fluid every day, including fresh fruit juices, skimmed milk, water, fruit or herbal teas, etc.
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Supplement Intake
During your pregnancy, supplements form an essential part of your daily routine. For the first trimester, folic acid plays a significant role, and Vitamin D is essential for the whole pregnancy term and beyond.
The folic acid dose may vary from woman to woman. Taking folic acid during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects in the baby. Usually, the prescribed dosage by doctors is 5mg per day.
Vitamin D is another essential supplement for you and your baby’s health. It helps in the development of the baby’s future bone health.
You can check with your doctor for multivitamins, too, as they are a good source for the body if you are not eating well or have a reduced diet.
Before taking any supplements, it is advisable to consult your doctor. It is always beneficial to take a balanced diet rather than just relying on supplements.
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Food Hygiene
Food hygiene is essential and you should take care of it without a miss. Washing hands should be a ritual before and after every meal. Special care should be taken care of after using the toilet, changing the nappy, or contacting the pet.
If you are consuming raw meat, be careful and wash utensils, boards, and hands thoroughly. Although food hygiene is essential for everybody, it plays a unique and vital role while you are pregnant.
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Regular Exercise
Regular exercising keeps an individual fit and sane. Especially during pregnancy, regular exercising is beneficial for both you and your baby. Following are a few benefits of exercise:
- It helps to manage the posture changes and reduces the strain on your joints.
- Maintains a healthy weight
- Helps in reducing pregnancy complications relating to blood pressure levels etc.
- Works as an energy booster when you are feeling low
You can try the following exercises during your pregnancy, but only after consulting with your doctor or midwife:
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Walking
- Swimming
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Pelvic Floor Exercises
There is a basket of muscles present on the pelvic floor and support your back passage, vagina, and bladder. During your pregnancy, several hormones are produced in your body. Also, these hormones may cause the pelvic floor to slacken a bit.
The excess pressure on the bladder may lead to urine leaks while sneezing or exercising.
Pelvic floor exercises or Kegels are one good way to strengthen your muscles.
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Cut Out on Alcohol
Any alcohol content is not suitable for you since it reaches the baby directly through the placenta and bloodstream.
As there are no specific proven facts about the harmful effects of alcohol during pregnancy, so it is advisable to cut out on your alcohol content.
Consuming alcohol during the first trimester increases the risk of miscarriage. Hence, it is advisable to avoid the consumption of alcohol altogether. Consumption in the third trimester is also harmful as it hampers the baby’s brain development.
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Cut Back on Caffeine
Consumption of increased caffeine content increases the chances of miscarriage. Along with this risk, it also increases the risk of the baby being underweight.
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Say No to Smoking
Smoking during pregnancy can pose serious health problems to the baby, such as:
- Still or premature birth
- Underweight
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or “cot death”.
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Rest
The essential ingredient to a healthy pregnancy and standard delivery is REST. There may be fatigue in the initial stage, or you might feel low on energy.
The answer to every problem is proper rest. Maintain a proper sleep routine to stay healthy. Proper rest is required for both body and mind. Taking stress is not suitable for the baby’s health.
There may be several reasons for stress during your pregnancy, but it is advisable to stay stress-free and happy. For your financial stress, you can borrow instant loans from various lenders.
To deal with mental stress, you can do regular exercise and stay happy. A stress-free pregnancy keeps the baby healthy and happy.
