Having a baby is wonderful. The pregnancy can be hard at times, but you know that in the end you will have this perfect little baby. This article is full of ideas and advice on dealing with the common issues of pregnancy and how you can be healthier, happier and more prepared.
Start exercising for a healthy you and a healthy baby. Pregnancy is not an excuse to sit on the couch for nine months. Being active during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of miscarriages and can help shorten the length of your labor. Keeping yourself active will go a long way towards having a smooth pregnancy.
Keep every appointment that you have made with your doctor so that you can be on top of problems before they happen. Appointments are scheduled at calculated intervals so the doctor can monitor every stage of fetal development, and how your body is effected by the pregnancy. So keep your appointments to ensure that both you and your little one are in good shape.
Go ahead and give in to your pregnancy cravings. Doctors aren’t quite sure if cravings are a result of emotional changes or of nutritional deficits in your diet, but not getting the foods you crave can be stressful during a time when you don’t need the added stress. Just be careful that your diet is healthy overall.
Try taking your prenatal vitamins at night. These pills, while essential for the proper growth and development of your baby, can make some mothers feel nauseous. Taking them before you lay down or with food can help your body adjust to their effects. If you need to take them during the day, try chewing gum afterwards.
Do not skip your prenatal appointments. Every appointment that you have is a chance for your doctor or midwife to identify any issues while it is early enough to do something about it. Make your appointments your highest priority and do not allow anything to make you skip them.
It is best to avoid dealing with cat litter during pregnancy. The reason behind why women are not suppose to change a cats litter box while pregnant is because of toxoplasmosis. Cats are carriers of toxoplasmosis, and if you become infected, it can be passed to your unborn child, resulting in possible birth defects, miscarriage or stillbirth.
When preparing for sleep while pregnant, set up a bedtime routine. Include activities that will relax you. Some relaxing activities are, drinking warm milk, reading a book or having a warm shower. When you are relaxed, it will be easier for you to fall asleep. Be sure that you have your routine set up so that you allow yourself enough time for sleep.
Write out your birth plan and make sure your doctor and labor coach have a copy. List out what type of medications you are willing to have and in what circumstances you want to move to different laboring methods. Of course, your birth plan is only a plan and if things need to change for the safety of your labor, don’t worry and just go with it.
A tip quite often given to pregnant women is to avoid heavy lifting. This is a tip that ought to be taken quite seriously. Anything can happen to the baby in the womb, and it is important not to do anything that might put the mother, or the child, in a dangerous situation.
Preparedness is the key. If you are prepared for what lies ahead, and have made plans on how you personally will deal with it, then you will have a much easier time of making it through pregnancy happy and relaxed. Take the advice here in this article and make your preparations now.