Pregnancy is one of the most exciting, surprising, and for some, scary experiences of a woman’s life. Many women are born with innate mothering extincts, however, having a healthy and happy child requires knowledge and research. These tips can demystify what goes on when you are pregnant and makes the process a bit easier to handle.
Sunscreen is important during pregnancy. Don’t go near a tanning bed. The hormones that occur because of your pregnancy will make it easier to get sun damage. Just make sure to check the ingredients of any sunscreens to make sure they are all safe for your fetus.
It can be very fun setting up a nursery for your child and choosing the right furniture and room decorations. Make sure that you do not come in contact with any paint while you are helping with the decorating because that could be dangerous. Also, make sure not to help with wallpaper because the glue that is used is harmful.
Use your friends and family for some down home advice. Pregnancy is one of those things that everyone is happy to give you their two cents about. You have to take it all with a grain of salt, but there will be nuggets in there, that can help you have a much happier pregnancy.
Do not get worried if you haven’t gotten pregnant in the first year of trying. The general consensus among doctors is that it takes a year of actively trying to become pregnant before there is cause for concern. If you have been trying for a year with no success, see your doctor for an evaluation.
It is important to see a doctor once you have a pregnancy test that is positive. It is recommended that for the first trimester, you see your practitioner once a month. Typically, most women are seen between 8 and 10 weeks gestation. At this time, blood work is done and your urine is checked for protein and sugar.
If you are pregnant, have a flu shot for winter. This will help your immune system to function at its highest level. That can be a danger to your baby as well as you.
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.
If you are bothered by leg cramps during the night, do some light stretching before bed. Most pregnant women experience leg cramps. It’s a good idea to stretch before bed to prevent this problem.
Avoid pesticides by eating locally grown organic foods. We don’t know how much effect these pesticides can have on a fetus but it is better to be safe than sorry. If not buying organic, stick with items with heavy peels like oranges as they are likely to be less contaminated.
Eat fish throughout the course of your pregnancy! Studies have shown that the children of women who ate fish while they were pregnant are smarter, communicate better and have better motor skills than other children. It is important to talk to your doctor about which type of fish to eat; you want to avoid those with mercury, including Swordfish, Shark and King Mackerel.
Pregnancy is a natural part of life. By reading the experiences of others and gaining knowledge from these tips, you can be more prepared for the ups and downs of the next nine months. The birth of a child is rewarding and the months leading up to that, will be wrought full of strange, wonderful and unexpected situations.