If you are expecting a baby, adopting a healthy lifestyle should be your top priority. However, you will not be able to do this without useful information. This article contains a multitude of helpful hints to keep you and your baby happy, healthy, and strong throughout your pregnancy.
Use a cold-water bath for swollen feet. One highly common symptom of pregnancy is swollen feet and ankles, especially in the heat. A cold water bath can reduce the blood flow to your feet, which in turn will reduce the inflammation. It also cools you down and gives you an excuse to be off your feet for a few minutes.
To avoid nighttime heartburn while pregnant, eat your last meal at least two hours before you go to bed. Reclining just after eating will lead to increased acid reflux and heartburn. Also, use extra pillows to elevate your head and upper back above the level of your abdomen to reduce symptoms.
When riding in a car that has air bags, have the seat pushed back as far as possible from the dashboard. The closer you are to the dash, the closer you are to the airbags. Airbags can be dangerous to an unborn baby, though turning them off is more dangerous to you, so simply sit further away to balance these risks.
Take care of your teeth, and be sure to schedule a dental exam while you are pregnant. Pregnancy can cause or aggravate many types of dental issues, such as gingivitis. Be certain to keep brushing two times a day, floss and use mouthwash. If there are any issues, make sure to get in touch with your dentist.
Add 300-500 calories a day to your diet while you are pregnant. Don’t forget you are eating for two so you definitely need to increase your caloric intake. Make sure however that you are adding healthy calories into your diet. Adding 500 calories of junk food isn’t going to do anything to help you and the baby.
As soon as you feel contractions, call your doctor or go to your hospital right away, even if you have had false labor pains before. You do not want to be in labor at home and give birth without having the proper medical care for you and your newborn child.
If the birth of your child is overdue, start walking. Walking is not only healthy, but it can also lower you baby into a position where it can more easily be born. Have your partner accompany you. Don’t use techniques that are dangerous, like contact exercising.
Sleeping will become harder for you during your pregnancy. During the third trimester, sleep on your left side, this will provide you with the best blood flow to your fetus, uterus and kidneys. Remember, not to lay on your back.
Being pregnant can be hard on your body. Don’t let that get you down. Make sure that you take good care of yourself by doing lots of stretching exercises. If you can work it in, prenatal yoga is a great way to stay limber, keep moving and keep yourself fit.
Allow yourself to indulge in some of your cravings. You want to try and maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy, but it is okay to eat some unhealthy foods in moderation. Make sure to stay away from brie and feta cheese, herbal teas and raw sprouts, which could all negatively affect your baby’s health.
The knowledge you’ve gained from reading this article will help to ensure that you have a happy and healthy pregnancy. There is a great deal of conflicting advice regarding pregnancy; however, with wise discretion, you can choose the advice that best suits you and your situation and will contribute positively to your prenatal health.