Just found out your having a bundle of joy? Congratulations! Your life is about to change forever. It's a life changing experience but you are still capable of continuing your normal life as before you became pregnancy with a few more precautions. Regardless if you have to change certain things or nothing at all, here are the top 10 tips for a healthy pregnancy:
1. Get Moving
Exercising during pregnancy makes labor a lot easier, not including many other benefits. It helps reduce backaches, constipation, bloating and swelling. It also improves your mood, circulation, stress and help your baby stay healthy. Preparing your body to give birth is a full-time job in itself. This is not the time to focus on weight-loss but to focus on staying healthy. 30 minutes a day can make a huge positive impact during your pregnancy and labor. Listen to your body and do what you can tolerate, you don't want to over exercise.
2. Get off the Internet
This should be #1. DO NOT believe every article you read or every YouTube video you watch. Remember every woman is different, every pregnancy is different and everyone's experience is different. 9 times out of 10 the internet will cause you more stress than answer your questions. Don't get carried away researching every little thing during your pregnancy, that could cause you more harm than anything. Your best bet is to buy a notebook and write down all your questions/concerns because your doctor will be the best source of information and answering your questions/concerns.
3. Eat Healthy
Don't take eating for two literal or starve yourself to prevent from gaining weight. Typically you only need to consume an extra 300 calories a day. It's important to realize that what you eat is what your baby is also taking in. Try to eat as much fresh food, fresh fruits and fresh veggies as possible. Your baby depends solely on you to get the nutrients needed!
4. Stay Hydrated
Water is the answer to everything. Seriously. Water works numerous of miracles. It could help alleviate morning sickness, heartburn and indigestion. It's mostly important to keep hydrated in the third trimester to reduce the risk of preterm labor. Hydration is key.
5. Sleep Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace
Well it's no secret that once your bundle of joy arrives, you'll probably suffer from major loss of sleep so... Sleep while you can. Your body is working over time which will cause you to feel more tired than usual. Enough sleep during pregnancy reduces stress to mom and keeps baby healthy. I'm not saying to sleep your days away but don't skip out on naps if you're tired.
6. Quit Smoking
Smoking while pregnant will cause problems all over the place. It effects your baby's development and growth. It increases your chances of a miscarriage, premature baby, underweight baby, still births and the list goes on. There is so much that can go wrong, so why risk it?
7. Layoff The Alcohol
Alcohol goes into your bloodstream which flows to the baby's bloodstream. It can cause lifelong physical, behavioral, motor and intellectual disabilities. Having a glass of wine is very controversial for pregnant women. The universal answer is, there is no safe amount to consume. Whenever you consume, so does your baby.
8. Learn Your Baby's Normal Activities
As soon as you're able to feel your baby's movements, it's important to get to know your baby's normal activities. Your baby's movements is a way of them communicating with you when in your belly. Awareness can help prevent many scary situations.
9. Find Your Perfect Doctor
Finding your perfect doctor is essential during pregnancy. You want to have a strong support system. You can't predict the outcome of your pregnancy, labor and/or delivery but having a doctor respect your wishes on how to approach certain situations will make a smoother process for mom. You want your OB/GYN to make this process most comfortable for you and your wishes.
10. The Sex Talk
No, you will not harm your baby. Your sex drive might completely disappear or it could sky rocketed. Make sure you do what best feels comfortable for you. Your body is creating a whole human inside, your body is changing which can cause a lot of disruptions. Have a talk with your partner about what you feel comfortable with. Be open with your partner every step of the way to make sure you're comfortable and your partner is comfortable. As long as there is no complications, you and your partner are comfortable or has been advised by your doctor to avoid sex, go for it!
