Congratulations on your pregnancy! You are entering a process that is full of ups and downs. There are no doubt a lot of questions. Whether you are a first time mom or an experienced one, each pregnancy is different. This article has a lot of great tips for any level of experience.
Sleep as much as you want while you are pregnant. Sleep is in short supply for the parents of newborns. Also, while pregnant, your baby is eating up much of your available energy. Don’t be afraid to sleep in, go to bed early, or nap when you want to. You won’t be able to later!
Start taking a prenatal vitamin while you are trying to conceive, or as soon as you first find out about that surprise pregnancy. There are special nutrients that are needed by your baby for proper development. The sooner you start taking prenatal vitamins, the better chance your baby has of getting the nutrients he or she needs.
Avoid alcohol when trying to conceive or if you are already pregnant. Alcohol can cause you and your baby to have serious health problems. When trying to conceive, alcohol decreases sperm count and makes getting pregnant more difficult. Even drinks like wine are unhealthy for pregnant women or those trying to conceive.
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.
Exercising in pregnancy is good for mom and baby. The benefits include decreased risk for gestational diabetes, less complaints of constipation and back pain and a quicker recovery from birth for mom. Stop exercising and see your doctor if you have signs, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fluid leaking, uterine contractions or vaginal bleeding.
Keep a food log. Keeping a record of your dietary intake will help to make sure you meet all your nutritional requirements. This can be presented to your doctor as well, to make sure you are on the right course.
It is important for pregnant women to avoid eating certain fish, like shark, swordfish, and tilefish. These fish contain high levels of mercury, which can cause health problems for your baby. There are some seafood that is safe for pregnant women to eat including canned tuna, pollack, salmon, catfish, and shrimp.
Use stories and photos so you can share pregnancy with your child later. Children love looking at pictures of pregnant mommy! Take pictures and jot little notes to share with them later on when they’re ready.
When you are pregnant, you will want to limit the amount of alcohol that you consume. This means that when you are out with your friends, you will need to become more responsible for the sake of your baby. Practice good drinking habits to maximize the success of your pregnancy.
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.
Take some time for yourself, and use the advice here to make yourself more comfortable and more relaxed. Knowing what you can do and what you should avoid during your pregnancy will give you the tools that you need to be stress free. Being stressed is not good for you or your baby, so heed this advice.