Are you expecting your first or second child? Whether you’re a first-time mum or pregnant with your second, third or fourth child, you need to take care of yourself and your unborn baby. Pregnancy can be delicate, but with proper care you can successfully carry it to term.
In addition to seeing your doctor often or during your appointments, taking enough rest and avoiding alcohol and tobacco, self-care is a critical aspect of pregnancy. Here are 5 ways you can stay healthy during pregnancy.
Top 5 Ways of Staying Healthy During Pregnancy
1. Exercise Daily
The need to exercise and stay active during pregnancy goes without saying. Exercise can help improve your blood circulation, ensure you sleep better, improve your mood, and most importantly, control your body weight. It ensures you’re healthy and of the right weight for easy delivery if you’re planning to go natural. It ensures your unborn child doesn’t become overweight.
An active lifestyle with regular workouts also sets a good example for your unborn child to follow in your footsteps. Swimming, walking, Pilates and yoga are excellent exercises for pregnant women. They’re not intensive, hence safe.
However, your doctor can recommend the best exercises for you based on your health and pregnancy condition. At least 30 minutes of exercise daily can do you good, but don’t overdo it.
2. Take Your Prenatal Vitamin Supplements
Prenatal vitamins are good even when you’re still trying to conceive. The spinal cord and brain of your baby develops from the neural cord in the first month of pregnancy. Therefore, it’s important to ensure you consume enough calcium, folic acid, and iron from the word go.
Get a prescription from your doctor or buy them from OTC drug stores near you. Take them with a light snack or at night in case they make you feel nauseated. Alternatively, suck hard candy or chew gum immediately after taking them.
3. Practice Kegels to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
Your pelvic floor supports your bowels, bladder and uterus. Strengthening your pelvic floor in the correct way doesn’t just ease delivery, but also prevents incontinence problems that could arise later. You can practice the exercise anywhere without anyone knowing. Practice kegels at your desk, in your car, while queuing for grocery, or even in the shower.
Squeeze your pelvic as if you’re stopping urine flow. Hold on for four seconds then release. Repeat 10 times and practice daily for the best results.
4. Alter Your Daily Chores
Some daily chores such as cleaning after pets and scrubbing your bathroom are risky during pregnancy. Lifting heavy things, exposing yourself to toxic chemicals or even getting in contact with bacteria can harm both you and your unborn child.
Avoid lifting heavy things, using harsh chemicals, climbing ladders or step stools, prolonged standing or even changing your cat’s litter (cats carry a parasite that causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis). Wear gloves when cleaning and wash your hands afterwards.
5. Drink Herbal Tea
Most herbal drinks are safe for pregnancies. If you’re into tea, but don’t want caffeine to affect your unborn child, go herbal.
During pregnancy, you also need to track your weight, recharge with fresh fruits, eat foods rich in folates, wear sunscreen, eat lots of fish and fly smart. Educate yourself and come up with a birth plan in preparation for your DDD. Don’t forget to indulge yourself in soothing music and give in to your cravings once in awhile.
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