Pregnancy can be a little overwhelming, especially when the new mom does not know what to expect. The next few paragraphs will serve as your field guide to pregnancy.
Take prenatal vitamins, even prior to becoming pregnant. During your first trimester, your baby is developing the neural tube cord, which will become the spinal cord and brain. As soon as you conceive, it is important to get the right amount of iron, calcium and folic acid.
Inform any doctor before a medical procedure if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. This includes your dentist as well. There are certain drugs that shouldn’t be given and procedures that shouldn’t be done for a women who is pregnant or on her way to pregnancy.
Slightly increase your calorie intake while pregnant. The phrase “eating for two” isn’t just a cute throwaway line. Expecting mothers need to eat about 500 additional calories a day to adequate provide for the baby’s needs. Make sure that extra calorie intake is composed of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables.
Even before you become pregnant, care for your body just as you would during pregnancy. Stop drinking, quit smoking, adjust your diet, start a fitness program and live a much healthy lifestyle. It could take anywhere from a few months to even a year or so if you’re trying to get pregnant, so you need to practice a more healthy lifestyle as soon as possible.
When planning to become pregnant, see you doctor prior to conception. Once you have seen the doctor and have gotten cleared to conceive, start changing your eating habits to include a healthy variety of foods. Start exercising now! It will help you stay in shape during the pregnancy and lower the risk of miscarriage.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience unusual or troubling symptoms. Your doctor is there to help you; do not be afraid to contact her if you think you might need assistance. If you experience pain, cramping, contractions or shortness of breath, call immediately to ensure that both you and the baby are doing well.
During the throes of morning sickness, eat what you can stomach. Keeping a little bit of food in your tummy often helps to relieve nausea, and your baby will be just fine if you subsist solely on just a few types of foods for a few days. Eating enough calories is essential, so talk to your doctor if you are unable to keep anything down.
It is a good idea to pack your hospital bag when you reach 37 weeks or so. You are more likely to remember the items that you will both want and need while in the hospital if you aren’t tossing things into a bag as you rush out the door.
When you’re pregnant, you may have a lot of swelling. Cutting down on your salt consumption will help to reduce swelling.
Put your birth plan in writing and share it with your doctor before you go into labor. Having your plan in writing helps you focus on the type of delivery you want and helps your doctor understand what you want. Even though unexpected events can result in changes, having your plan documented gives you peace of mind before going into labor.
When trying to get pregnant, remember that it can take up to a year for this to happen so do try not to stress too much if it does not happen straight away. The stress can negatively impact on your attempts even further. However, if you are over 35, and have been trying for more than six months, seek the advice of your doctor.
Pregnancy can be frightening if you’re not knowledgeable about the basics. Learning more about pregnancy is beneficial for you and your unborn baby. Use the advice given to you in this article to help ease your concerns.