If you are pregnant or hoping to conceive shortly, you need to take heed of some pregnancy basics that can help you take care of yourself and your baby. While refraining from smoking, drinking, and giving yourself ample rest are a few basics we are all familiar with, a healthy pregnancy entails much more than that. Along with the no-brainers, given below are a few pregnancy tips that can help you ensure prenatal health:
1. Taking prenatal vitamins and supplements
Vitamins and nutrients are essential for your baby’s health, especially during the first few months when your baby is developing its neural cord. The neural cord subsequently develops into the brain and spinal cord, and hence you should ensure that your baby doesn’t lack any nutrients during this time. Nutrients such as folic acid and calcium are some of the most recommended types, and one can find some of the best varieties of prenatal vitamins in Australia.
2. Exercising and maintaining an active lifestyle
While maintaining an active lifestyle and exercising are important for everyone, they are especially crucial for pregnant women. Exercising helps maintain your health and weight, while also controlling stress levels. It is also proven to help you sleep better and improve your mood, and allows pregnant women to maintain flexibility and strength in their body to prepare for delivery nine months down the line. Activities such as pilates, yoga, and brisk walking are recommended for most pregnant women.
3. Educating yourself about pregnancy
The key to having a healthy pregnancy lies in educating ourselves about pregnancy and childbirth. Irrespective of whether or not it is their first baby, parents should attend childbirth classes to better prepare themselves for their child. Childbirth classes feature details about the actual delivery, days leading up to delivery, infant care, and maternal health. Education yourself also involves speaking to your doctor about any family history of medical conditions and understanding how those would or wouldn’t affect your child.
4. Avoiding certain chores around the house
Certain everyday tasks such as scrubbing floors and lifting heavy objects can be detrimental to your pregnancy and hence should be avoided at all costs. Pregnant women should particularly be careful and avoid exposure to harmful or toxic chemicals, climbing on ladders, cleaning after pets, changing their cat’s litter boxes, and exposure to paint thinners. Pregnant women should also be mindful of the medications they consume during pregnancy and avoid all anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs which increase the chances of a miscarriage. While refraining from smoking, drinking, and giving yourself ample rest are a few basics we are all familiar with, a healthy pregnancy entails much more than that.
5. Read up on Postpartum depression
The more informed you are about your pregnancy and pertaining conditions, the more smart and rational your decisions surrounding your pregnancy are likely to be. Almost 20% of pregnant women suffer from symptoms of depression during their pregnancy which further pushes preterm labor and postpartum depression. If you feel that your mental health is dwindling or that your heart isn’t where it should be, you should speak to your doctor and inform them about your condition. Your doctor is likely to then use a combination of therapy and medication to help you fight symptoms of depression. Exercising helps maintain your health and weight, while also controlling stress levels. It is also proven to help you sleep better and improve your mood, and allows pregnant women to maintain flexibility and strength.
Conclusion
While your pregnancy and its term can be confusing, especially if this is your first child, you can make it through in a healthy manner by following certain tips and tricks such as those given above.
