Pregnancy can make your life take a major turn, and it can seem like all your previous priorities can go right out the window. This period is as vulnerable and disorienting as it is joyous, and you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure that this time passes smoothly and without any hitches.
Taking care of yourself while you’re pregnant doesn’t just keep you healthy – it also protects your child. You’ll have to make some major lifestyle changes to ensure a safe pregnancy. There are a lot of things that may have been okay when you weren’t pregnant, which can be seriously harmful now that you are carrying a child. If you want to learn more, keep reading; these are some tried and true tips.
Be regular for your prenatal checkups
Whether you are a first-time mom or have experienced the miracle of birth before, prenatal care is most important to keep yourself and your baby healthy. You shouldn’t miss any of the prenatal checkup appointments as they keep track of the baby’s growth and development. They also inform about any complications that may occur and help make informed and timely decisions.
Mothers who do not receive prenatal care are likely to give birth to babies with low birth weights. Without monitoring the baby’s health, complications in the pregnancy can go unnoticed, causing miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, or premature birth.
Anemia, UTIs, hypertension, high blood sugar, and preeclampsia are common during pregnancy and are treatable with the right care. But if the mother’s health is not monitored, these issues can be difficult to tackle, resulting In adverse effects on both mother and the child.
Maintain your weight
When we think of pregnancy, it’s easy to neglect its effect on weight. While pregnancy does come with a lot of weight gain, stepping into the category of obesity is a huge no-no. Obesity can harm the mother and the child and lead to complications that could have been prevented otherwise. If you are prone to quick weight gain, losing some weight before conceiving can be a good idea.
Doing so can make tracking pregnancy weight and monitoring your baby’s health much easier. Moreover, it can reduce the risk of preeclampsia and high blood sugar.
If you’re underweight, doctors recommend that you put on a few pounds before getting pregnant. Pregnancy can be exceptionally tough on underweight bodies and can put the fetus at high risk. Once you’re in a healthy weight range recommended by your doctor, you can move ahead with the pregnancy.
Eat clean
When you’re pregnant, you’re not just eating for yourself – you’re eating to nourish your baby too. If you don’t provide your baby with a healthy diet, there can be a lot of issues during development. Most of the food we consume nowadays is devoid of any nutritional value due to its highly processed nature. Fast food, candy, and processed foods just aren’t enough to ensure that your child gets the nutrition they need for development.
Switching up your diet and making a positive change is thus integral if you want to ensure your and your child’s health. The healthier you eat, the lesser you will have to rely on supplements and additional medication to keep your child healthy. Moreover, if your diet is clean, you can gain weight in a healthy, sustainable way to help your child develop properly. You can also consult a nutritionist for a proper diet plan based on your and your child’s needs.
Focus on your mental health
When we think of pregnancy, we usually imagine a joyful period where you’re eagerly awaiting your newborn’s arrival. While that can be true, it’s normal to find it equally, if not more stressful. It can feel like your life has been turned upside down, and adjusting to this shift can be pretty disorienting. As a mother, you may have to put your career and other plans on hold for a while as you recover mentally and physically.
Dealing with all these changes is stressful for you, but they can be equally harmful to your child. High blood pressure can lead to issues such as preterm birth and low birth weight, predisposing your child to several issues. Moreover, elevated stress levels can also disrupt your hormones and cause developmental issues in your baby.
If you’re continuously anxious and experiencing a lot of stress, it’s important to talk about it. If you feel talking to family members or your partner isn’t helping, it is important to seek professional help.
Stay active
If you’re being extra careful during your pregnancy, you might feel like exercise is strictly off the cards. It can be easy to feel that physical exertion may harm you or your baby. However, it is not the case. Mild to moderate exercise can help keep you in excellent shape as your due date approaches and can make delivery much easier and safer for the child.
Several online tutorials designed for pregnant women are super safe and helpful. However, if you feel like you want to be extra careful, you can always head to a professional trainer. There are several different kinds of workouts for pregnant women, such as barre, pilates, yoga, and more.
When you stay active, your body release endorphins which help boost mood immensely. Pregnancy can often feel pretty debilitating, but when you keep up with everyday activities such as working out and small house chores, you can make the experience much more positive.
Conclusion
Whether it’s your first pregnancy or one of many, staying active, eating healthy, staying positive, and maintaining your weight can help you keep yourself and your child healthy. If you’re happy and thriving, your child is likely to develop as they should, and your pregnancy will go by much more smoothly. Making these lifestyle changes can also help you create a healthier, happier family in the long run.
