How to take care of your Pregnancy
Pregnancy is such a wonderful journey. The feeling of having a human being inside you growing every day is so full filling especially when they start kicking and moving all over our bellies. Every woman should get to enjoy this wonderful journey if I were asked.
For a smooth pregnancy, however, you will need to take good care of yourself and your unborn baby. Some of the best ways to take care of yourself include:
Rest as much as possible.
If your schedule allows, take naps in between the day to rest your body. Ensure to have a good night sleep every day so that you can wake up energized.
Start your antenatal clinics
As soon as you find out that you have conceived. This is important because should you have any complications they will be addressed as soon as possible and any warning signs also picked up as soon as possible. You will also get fact-based information from experts on nutrition, pregnancy expectations, delivery, signs of labor and how to take care of your newborn.
Take your supplements religiously.
For the first trimester especially, take your folic as prescribed. They help in the formation of your unborn baby thus avoiding deformities and under-developed organs. Other essential supplements are Calcium and Iron. Calcium is important for the formation of your baby’s bones as well as strengthening your own. These supplements are available over-the-counter.
Eat a well-balanced meal.
All your meals should include proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins. Avoid junk and processed food and stick to organic as much as possible.
Avoid strenuous activities
Activities such as lifting heavy things like a bucket of water to the bathroom. Especially during the first trimester, you risk getting a miscarriage. Take care of your back and body in general
Watch out for danger signs like bloody discharge.
You should constantly monitor the color of your discharge so that you can immediately get medical attention should there be a concern. Other danger signs are swelling of your joints, any leaking fluid, protein in your urine which can only be noticed during your regular clinic visits, dizziness, increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, constant headaches and reduced fetal movement. Call your doctor should you feel something is amiss. Always trust your instincts.
Keep your sugar levels up by eating as often as possible to avoid dizziness.
Ensure that you eat your meals as recommended and snack in between. Stick to healthy snacks only.
Drink a lot of fluids to hydrate your body. You and your baby both need the fluids.
Shop for your baby early before you get tired.
Pregnancy fatigue is real. Make a shopping list of all the baby items you will need. Divide them into categories like baby utensils, baby clothes, shawls, flannels and receiving blankets, mum items and so forth, then pick different dates to go for shopping. This way you will not feel overwhelmed or leave out any item.
Quit alcohol and drug indulgence for the sake of your baby. They can cause deformities to your baby, low birth weight, can cause miscarriage and stillbirth as well as premature birth.
Reduce your caffeine intake to at most 2 mugs a day. Too much caffeine may result in a miscarriage or premature birth.
Observe hygiene. Boil your drinking water, wash your fruits and vegetables before eating, cook your food until well done and properly store your cooked food. Food poisoning can cause you to miscarry and so can severe diarrhea. Wash your hands as often especially when about to eat to avoid ingesting contaminated food.
Exercise regularly. Walk around, swim, do yoghurt, do simple exercises to keep you in shape and boost your mood. Exercising will help you labor and birth easily. Seek advice from your doctor about the exercises that are safe for your pregnancy.
Track your weight gain. If you are eating well, you should be able to gain weight steadily every month. This means that your baby is also growing and your pregnancy is progressing well.
For a comprehensive guide on how to take care of your pregnancy, talk to your doctor. If you have any complications closely monitor your pregnancy for any dangers. Otherwise, pregnancy is such an awesome journey.
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