Pregnancy is like a battlefield that you must prepare yourself for. You will go through horrible mood swings, painful swelling, loss of sleep, and be uncomfortable for a long period of time. Use this article to help you learn how to deal with pregnancy as best as you can and when it’s all over, you will be the happiest person in the world!
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.
Don’t feel bad about needing to take care of yourself. You are growing a small person inside of you and you deserve to take a break! Eat more than you usually would, because you will need those extra pounds. Take a break after dinner and let your husband do the dishes. Its those small things that will add up and make you feel much better.
Try exercise classes that are designed for pregnant women. Staying active is very important during pregnancy but it is also important that you exercise safely. Going to a class that is specifically created for pregnancy means that you will gain all the benefits of the exercise without doing any damage to your growing 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.
Plan to tour the hospital or birthing facilities where you are going to give birth. This will give you the chance to have an active choice on where your child is born and also lets you know the ins and outs of the program. Make sure you feel comfortable with where ever you choose.
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.
Taking prenatal vitamins is essential. Your body needs extra nutrition before, during and after your pregnancy. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, start taking these vitamins well before. If you are already pregnant, it’s not too late to start. You will still get the benefits of it. Keep taking them well beyond giving birth. At least until you stop breast feeding.
When you are pregnant, one of the things that you will want to stop as soon as possible is smoking. Smoking can cause birth defects for your baby, so stopping immediately will limit this risk. Join support groups to increase the willpower that you will need to stop this unhealthy habit. You must also insist that people who smoke do not do so in the same room as you.
Don’t start worrying if you aren’t “showing” your pregnancy for a while. Most new moms don’t start showing visible signs of pregnancy until they are in their 6th month. Subsequent pregnancies usually show earlier in the course of the pregnancy as the body has already been there and done that.
You have learned how hard pregnancy can be on your body. You have also read a lot of sound advice on how to deal with being pregnant. While it is not easy and at times, can be unbearable for everyone involved, it is definitely worth all the pain to bring a child into this world.