Pregnancy is supposed to be such a joyous and magical time, but sometimes, it’s hard and can be quite rough on our bodies. Stretch marks, swollen feet, nausea, heartburn and feeling tired, are just a few of the wonderful gifts that come along with pregnancy. This article will give you some tips for coping with the darker side of 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.
Before you get pregnant, it is wise to visit your doctor. You can make sure you are in excellent health, and they will also give you some advice that can help you out. They can tell you when you should be ovulating, and some vitamins that you should be taking.
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.
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.
One of the very basic things that pregnant women should do in order to achieve a healthy pregnancy is to start changing the food habits that they have. It is very important to have a healthy variety of foods in order to properly nourish the baby.
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.
If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, make sure to do your research before you give birth. Many women have their mind set on breastfeeding and then have no idea how to do it when the time comes. You can get advice through breastfeeding classes at local hospitals or buy books that give you techniques.
Keep a journal while you are pregnant. This will be something fun to look over when your child is grown, and it is also a great way to keep track of what is going on. If you are writing everything down, you will be able to notice quickly when any big changes occur.
Nibble on bland foods during the day while you are pregnant. Foods with a bland flavor will most likely be easier for your stomach and sense of smell to tolerate. Greasy or acidic foods are a major no-no if you’re experiencing these symptoms as they will make them significantly worse.
You should familiarize yourself with symptoms of premature labor. Take in as much information as you can about this, so that you can make contact your doctor at the right moment.
As stated in the beginning of this article, even though pregnancy is supposed to be a magical time, it also has its dark side. Coping with all the terrible side effects can be tough. Hopefully, this article has given you some helpful ideas for battling the “bad side” of pregnancy.