A baby will change your life forever. However, there are a full nine months leading up to that point, which can also change things. This article has helpful tips and advice about the changes and questions that you might have when you’re expecting.
Try everything you can to keep your stress low. A fetus can feel when you are under stress, and you want to keep your unborn child as comfortable as you can. Use meditation and deep breathing along with any other tricks that you have to keep calm under high pressure.
Talk to your doctor if you are considering becoming pregnant. This will give you an opportunity to adjust your lifestyle to become the healthiest you can be and ensure a successful pregnancy. Learning all you can to prepare yourself for pregnancy will make the experience safer and healthier.
Listening to your body is almost as important as listening to your doctor. Pushing yourself too hard during pregnancy is asking too much of your body and not being fair to your baby. The boss, husband, in-laws or whoever else may be demanding of your resources need to take a back seat so that you can take care of yourself and your baby.
A good sports bras can be an important item in a pregnant woman’s wardrobe. A sports bra offers additional support for your breasts which will alleviate some of the aches associated with pregnancy. Also, avoid wearing over-tight underwear around your waist. If your underwear presses too tightly against your waist, it is not only uncomfortable for you, but can be dangerous for your baby, as he/she may not be able to get enough oxygen.
Although weight gain is perfectly normal during pregnancy, rapid weight gain is not. If you see that you are gaining weight in a short time period (a few days or a week), you should call your doctor. This could be a sign that there is something wrong.
Allow yourself to indulge in some of your cravings. You want to try and maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy, but it is okay to eat some unhealthy foods in moderation. Make sure to stay away from brie and feta cheese, herbal teas and raw sprouts, which could all negatively affect your baby’s health.
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.
One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to exercise. If you exercise early in your pregnancy and stay in shape as much as you can, you can reduce your risk of a miscarriage. In addition, exercise can work to minimize potential complications with labor.
Get as much sleep as possible. When the baby arrives, it will be difficult for you to get the rest that you need, so it is important to find the time now to relax and de-stress. Extra sleep will also provide you with the energy that you need to stay active and maintain a baseline level of fitness leading up to your delivery.
The best thing an expectant mother can do for her unborn child’s health is to quit smoking. A mom-to-be should talk to her doctor or midwife for help and support. If you cannot quit, cut down! Studies show that women who are pregnant and do not quit, should attempt to limit themselves to five cigarettes a day. Even if you do not quit, continue to follow the other directions given to you by your health care professional, such as taking dietary supplements and eating sensibly.
As was mentioned, your pregnancy may be a special time of many changes in your life. The suggestions in this article were designed to assist you in making a smooth transition into pregnancy.