Staying Healthy During Pregnancy

First of all, C=congratulations on your pregnancy! Having a baby is one of the most challenging but incredible experiences you’ll have in your lifetime, and as a mother-to-be, there is a long to-do list that you’ll need to work through to prepare for the arrival of your newborn. One of the key things any expectant mother needs to do is maintain good health during pregnancy, and while certain things might be out of your control, there are some basics you can do easily to help you stay healthy.

Eat Right

You’re eating for two now, so making sure that you’re not only eating enough but eating the right things is key. There are certain foods that you should avoid during pregnancy, such as unpasteurized milk, blue and soft cheeses. You also need to be wary of consuming cured meats, limit how much salmon and tuna you eat, and of course, avoid alcohol and reduce your caffeine intake significantly. 

Take Prenatal Vitamins

Although a healthy diet will help you to get your daily dose of vitamins, taking supplements like these prenatal vitamins with dha will be essential. This is because your baby will need all of these vitamins and minerals as well to grow and be healthy, so by taking these supplements, you will be getting enough for the two of you to stay strong and in good health.

Exercise

Exercise is another integral part of staying healthy, and this doesn’t change once you’re pregnant. Earlier in your pregnancy, continuing to go on runs or engaging in your usual workout routine should be fine, but as time progresses, you will need to move towards gentler exercises, mainly because you’ll struggle to move around in the same way! Swimming is a great way to get moving but puts less pressure on your joints which makes it ideal for pregnancy, and yoga is recommended as well. You should also remember to do your pelvic floor exercises as this will strengthen your pelvic region, which is better during birth and afterward. If you’re uncertain about exercising or have noticed cramping or pain when you’re working out, speak to your doctor immediately for some advice.

Keep Up with Doctor’s Appointments

You will be in-and-out of your doctor’s office and hospitals for check-ups during your pregnancy, and you must keep up with all of them. They’re there to make sure not only that the baby is healthy but that you are as well. Your blood pressure can go up and down when you’re pregnant and could potentially reach dangerous levels. You might also develop other issues, autoimmune disorders, kidney problems, and other infections. If you’re worried about something in-between your scheduled appointments, don’t hesitate to call your doctor to ask them for help.

Rest

Finally, you will start to feel more fatigued than usual during pregnancy, so you must listen to your body and make sure you’re getting enough rest. You should also try to avoid stressful situations and practice good self-care to help you relax, which doesn’t impact your health or your child’s. Put your feet up and unwind, you get a free pass to do this when you’re pregnant!

These are the simple steps to staying healthy during your pregnancy, and you can always ask your doctor for more advice if you’re concerned about pre-existing health conditions or general tips if you want to.