10 Essential Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

For the soon-to-be moms and dads, the anticipation of having a baby can work two ways. Either it can take you over the moon or keep you anxious and worried about the health of the baby and the mom. You can take several steps to make sure that you deliver a healthy baby and have a safe pregnancy. Even before giving birth, you have responsibilities towards your unborn child. So if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you need to take care of your physical and mental health. Here, we’ll tell you how to achieve this.

1. Learn About Birth Procedures

Educating yourself and the co-parent about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is essential. You can do your research across the internet to learn about healthy practices or talk to your doctor.  Ask your doctor about the birthing process and any techniques that can help ease your discomfort. Never hesitate to speak to your doctor about your concerns, your baby’s health, and everything related. It is better to learn about the birth procedures because several issues can arise, and you need to be prepared.

A major concern during delivery is the potential for injury to the baby. It can happen due to mishandling by the medical staff or medical specialists’ failure to give correct information during the pregnancy. In case of medical negligence resulting in birth injuries, you can file a birth injury lawsuit against the doctor, any member of the team, or the hospital itself for malpractice and receive financial support for your child.

2. Follow A Healthy Diet Plan

It is the first and foremost consideration for a healthy pregnancy. You can ask your doctor to provide a healthy dietary plan. You do not have to eat twice as much as some people suggest. However, experts say it is essential to take approximately 1800, 2200, and 2400 calories in the first, second, and third trimester.

Create a balanced diet plan that includes healthy protein, folate, iron, and calcium. Avoid eating junk food and eat more green vegetables and fresh fruits. Also, eating protein-rich foods will help prevent constipation. However, it is not too bad to give in to your pregnancy cravings.

3. Make A Birth Plan

During your pregnancy, decide how you want the birth managed by the medical team and your family. Inform your doctor about the procedure you want to avoid or the family members you want present during the delivery. The plan can include your choice of pain relief techniques, request a massage or epidural, and any tools to help you deal with labor pains.

What position you would prefer during childbirth, and whether the doctor should tell you to push or not. Another significant question is whether you want an injection to induce contractions and whether the doctor should break the water artificially. Most importantly, after delivery, would you like the baby to be put in your arms, and do you prefer to feed the baby yourself.

4. Exercise Daily

Exercise makes you physically more active and helps in controlling your emotions. It helps in blood circulation, eases body aches, and prevents constipation. The chances of natural delivery increase with regular exercise. If you do not exercise regularly, you should consult your doctor first before proceeding with any form of exercise.

A thirty-minute exercise routine is enough for the day, but it would be wiser to listen to your body if it feels tough to exercise for even half an hour. Simple yoga and breathing exercise can also help boost your mood. You can hire an assistant to help you with massage and specific exercises during pregnancy.

5. Stop Consuming Alcohol

Alcohol can seriously affect the pregnancy period. Miscarriage, premature birth, and a serious condition of a baby after birth, known as a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), are all the possible causes of drinking alcohol. Not just alcohol, avoid smoking and also limit your caffeine intake. Take only prescribed drugs as any other medication can have a side effect on your pregnancy.

6. Avoid Exposure To Harmful Chemicals

Many women continue house chores during pregnancy, and there is nothing wrong with it. It is healthy to work while pregnant, except for the work that involves harmful chemicals. Cleaning agents like bleach, degreasers, and abrasives can harm your baby. Avoid chores that involve hard work, heavy lifting, and toxic chemicals.

7. Consume Prenatal Vitamins

It’s a good idea to take prenatal vitamins even before pregnancy. Taking calcium, folate, and iron can be beneficial if you plan a pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are essential for the growth of the baby’s brain and backbone, which starts to develop in the first month of your pregnancy. If you’re not pregnant and are not planning to get pregnant soon, taking prenatal vitamins is essential for your health.

8. Drink Plenty Of Water

Water is a solution to every health problem. Drinking 8-12 cups of water while pregnant can help keep your body hydrated, prevent constipation, reduce swelling, and prevent urinary infections. Water washes out the toxins in your body and makes you feel fresh.

9. Get Enough Rest

Not getting enough sleep can put you at risk during delivery. Sleeping 8-9 hours during pregnancy is not considered excessive, while research says, women who sleep less than six hours experience a longer time in labor. If you’re not a good sleeper, then take short naps during the day.

10. Realize Emergency Situations

When you are pregnant, complications can arise at any time. You never know when you have to visit the doctor in an emergency. Never ignore any sign that can harm your baby or yourself. Go to your doctor immediately if you feel dizzy, experience painful cramps, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or reduced baby movement.

Conclusion

Bringing a beautiful soul into the world is a great joy of life. The happiness and joy come with great responsibility. Two lives become intertwined, and to successfully bring this natural miracle to life, you need to be careful.

Worldwide, an estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely, making it more than 1 in 10 babies. About 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriages, and 6% of babies are born with serious birth defects. The statistics and percentages are small in comparison to the success rates. Having a child is a blessing for a couple. Therefore, you should take extra care to remain physically and mentally healthy