Handy Pregnancy Tips

By , in Pregnancy.

Medicine, particularly in the field of pregnancy and childcare, has made great advances in the last decade or so and has allowed a woman to plan well for a healthy pregnancy. Taking adequate care and precautions even before you get pregnant as well as during pregnancy will give you and your baby the best start possible. With this in mind, we provide you with some handy tips to keep in mind before you get pregnant as well as during pregnancy.

  • ·    When you start planning your pregnancy, the first thing you should do is to meet with your OB/GYN. You want to make sure that you are healthy and that you have no medical concerns that may affect the baby. It also helps if you are neither underweight nor overweight – it is not only easier to get pregnant if you are in the recommended weight range but your pregnancy will also be less risky. Finally, your doctor may prescribe some folic acid supplements even before you get pregnant.
  • ·    Once you are pregnant, it is again very important that you meet with your OB/GYN at the earliest. You will in all likelihood be asked to undergo an ultrasound to see exactly where you are in your pregnancy and if everything seems allright with the baby.
  • ·    Your OB/GYN will then discuss a list of dos and don’ts for you to ensure a healthy pregnancy. He or she may certainly prescribe a multivitamin containing sufficient folic acid to be taken during pregnancy.
  • ·    During your pregnancy, you should not only try hard to eat balanced meals but avoid all kinds of junk food. For example, even if you really crave for some ice cream, go in for some low-fat yogurt. This will not only keep the fat intake down but also provide you with enough calcium.
  • ·    You should certainly quit smoking and avoid consuming alcohol when you are pregnant. In fact, even second-hand smoke is believed to have a harmful effect on the growing baby. Studies have shown that babies born of mothers who did not quit smoking had a greater chance of being born prematurely, having a very low birth weight or of being affected by the sudden death syndrome.
  • ·    If you used to workout before getting pregnant, you can still continue with your exercises. Consult your doctor on what exercises you can or cannot do at every stage of your pregnancy. Working out during pregnancy can actually help relieve some of the more painful physical symptoms that affect women during pregnancy like headaches and backaches. Make sure you do not exercise to the point of exhaustion, when you are pregnant.
  • ·    While you do have to take care of your physical health during pregnancy, you also need to look after your emotional and mental well-being. Find friends, family members, even support groups who understand your concerns and are willing to spend time listening to you and allaying your fears. Heightened anxiety during pregnancy can increase the risk factor at times leading to pre-term deliveries or babies being born with low birth weight.