You know that the more information you have about pregnancy, the easier it will be to keep yourself on the right track for the better health of you and your baby. There is no mystery about using common sense and practical ideas to make this happen. Try some of these tips to start off right.
Write a birth plan early in your pregnancy. Keep a list of the things you absolutely want to have happen, like the presence of an older sibling, and things you absolutely don’t want unless it begins to affect the safety of the baby. If you have these things written down ahead of time, you can discuss them with your birth team and make sure they happen.
Have your significant other make healthy changes in their life as well. As you make all these big changes in your eating habits and activities, having someone to lean on will be a big advantage. If you do it together, it will help you both keep on track with these changes.
Take care of your teeth and attend any necessary dental appointments while you are pregnant. Pregnancy can actually cause numerous dental issues, such as gingivitis. Be certain to keep brushing two times a day, floss and use mouthwash. If you have any problems, speak with your dentist.
It is important that a woman takes folic acid during the first three month’s of her pregnancy. Folic acid helps create a strong nervous system for the baby and prevents Neural Tube Defects, including Spinal Bifida and Cleft Palate. For women who do not want to take a folic acid pill, you can find it naturally in green vegetables, rice, and peas.
One of the best things that women can do in order to achieve a healthy pregnancy is to exercise. This will not only help you to stay in shape during pregnancy, but it also lowers the risk of miscarriage. It has been proven that exercise reduces labor complications and length.
Your pregnancy means the decisions are yours. Just because someone in your office or a distant relative doesn’t believe that you should drink coffee or lift something heavier than 20 pounds doesn’t mean they control your pregnancy decisions. Talk to your doctor and make your decisions with them. Ignore unsolicited comments from others.
Pack a suitcase for your trip to the hospital early in your third trimester. If you leave it to the last minute, you may find yourself in hospital with no personal belongings on hand. Be sure to pack your insurance information, your birth plan, and a camera.
Make sure you are always wearing a seat belt when in a car. You also want to make sure you are located as far away from the air bag as you can be. If you are in an accident, the seat belt will possibly save you and your unborn child’s life.
Attend a breastfeeding class during pregnancy to learn the basics of nursing. These classes prepare you for the experience of breastfeeding your baby, and may provide tips for dealing with commonly encountered issues. You can also find out about resources for breastfeeding support in your community, such as local La Leche League chapters and meetings.
Stay active while you are pregnant. Unless your doctor puts you on bed rest, of course. Staying active will ensure that you do not gain too much weight during your pregnancy and also keeps your muscles from atrophying. If you stay active during your pregnancy, recovery will be much easier.
As you can see from the practical ideas and common sense advice in the article above, there is no mystery about what you can do right now to make your pregnancy the very best time for you and your baby. They will keep you on track so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying these exciting nine months.