Some women consider pregnancy to be wonderful, while others hate it. Everything depends on perspective. If you are having a “bad” pregnancy, you can turn it into a “good” one with just a few simple tips. The tips in this article should help you to enjoy your 9 months of pregnancy!
Start tracking your monthly menstrual cycle. This way you will know when you ovulate. This can help you find when the best time is to try to conceive a baby. This will also help when you become pregnant because you will be better able to determine a due date for your baby.
There are chemicals that could be harmful while you are pregnant, so these should be removed as soon as possible. Cleaning solutions are a huge problem, so try to use natural brands when possible. Keep using natural cleaners when you bring your baby home.
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.
Take a home pregnancy test as soon as you think you might be pregnant. Sometimes women neglect to do this in a timely manner and may find that their pregnancy is complicated because they didn’t get the care they needed soon enough.
Exercising in pregnancy is good for mom and baby. The benefits include decreased risk for gestational diabetes, less complaints of constipation and back pain and a quicker recovery from birth for mom. Stop exercising and see your doctor if you have signs, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fluid leaking, uterine contractions or vaginal bleeding.
Keep a food diary and keep a record of all your food choices. This will help you see if there are any gaps when it comes to the nutrients that your baby is getting. It will also be useful for taking to your doctor’s appointments for review as well.
Look at thrift stores and consignment shops for maternity clothes. This can save you some money on clothes that you will only wear for a short amount of time. You are sure to realize serious savings, both financially and in terms of the environment.
A multivitamin is a workhorse during pregnancy. Make sure and take them every day. Multivitamins provide essential folic acid for the developing baby. They also can reduce the risk of preeclampsia by 45% when taken regularly. Set yourself a reminder in your phone or with notes to take it on a regular basis.
Use a body pillow when sleeping. Many pregnant women have trouble getting comfortable when sleeping, and find it the best to sleep on their side, with the body pillow under the knee and belly at the same time. Rest is very important during the pregnancy, so make sure you get an adequate amount.
You should eat enough while pregnant. Being pregnant requires your body to consume about 300 more calories than normal. If you are also exercising, it will increase your calorie needs even more. Your body knows what it wants, if you are hungry, you need to eat, just make sure to make good food choices.
Talk with your doctor before starting any exercise routine during pregnancy. There may be certain activities that you shouldn’t do or some limitations they would like to put on how much you do. Write a plan of what you wanted to do and go over it with your doctor at your next appointment.
As mentioned before, pregnancy is sometimes hard, and sometimes quite easy. Understanding the changes your body is undergoing can go a long way towards helping you to cherish this wonderful period of your life. Use the guidance in this piece as you progress through pregnancy.