It’s only natural that you’re going to gain a little weight during your pregnancy. Though additional weight is inevitable, there are things you can do to make losing those pounds later on a bit easier. The following advice will help you stay healthy while you are pregnant.
Eat a healthy diet. Your body needs healthy nutrients so a steady diet of fast food has to go. Add healthy foods to your diet such as vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins right away.
Try not to gain a lot of weight while you are pregnant. If you gain too much weight, you risk your own health later, and it is going to be hard to lose weight. A woman should gain about 15 to 30 pounds during the whole pregnancy.
You should be adding calories to your diet when pregnant. The baby needs this extra nutrition, and now is certainly not the time to be counting calories. Healthy food, like fruits and vegetables, is always a great idea.
Being relaxed and stress free should be a goal in pregnancy because stress can cause complications. Too much stress may pose a variety of problems, not only to the woman, but also to the baby she is carrying. Stress can even lead to a premature birth, if it is pushed too far or for too long.
Upset Stomach
To combat an upset stomach during the first trimester, try eating lots of small meals. Keeping something in your stomach will help prevent upset stomach issues. Eat fresh and light foods as well. Lean meats, vegetables and fresh fruit do wonders.
Constipation can be a bother while pregnant. Avoid this with high fiber foods, including vegetables, whole grains and wheat, cereals and fruits. Pregnancy hormones often cause constipation in women. You need to take care of the problem so it does not become overly uncomfortable or cause more serious issues.
You might wish to hire a doula. Doulas are individuals trained to coach women through the birthing process. They are able to give you tips and support when you are in labor. They are also a great support for your partner during the delivery.
If you are past your due date and you want your baby to be born, try walking. Walking is not only healthy, but it can also lower you baby into a position where it can more easily be born. See if you can get your partner to join. Don’t engage in other more extreme and dangerous techniques.
Cat Litter
Do not change cat litter if you think you are pregnant. Cat litter shouldn’t be handled because of the risk of toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite known as parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats carry this parasite, and it causes no problems for them or for most people; however, if it is transferred to a developing fetus, it can cause stillbirth, miscarriage or birth defects.
Don’t feel bad declining food from food-pushers. While you will need to take in more calories during your pregnancy, you should not go overboard. Politely decline food if you are no longer hungry.
During pregnancy, avoid drinking alcohol. When a woman who is pregnant drinks, the alcohol will go right through the placenta to where the baby resides. This is why it is recommended that women wishing to become pregnant or those that already are pregnant refrain from drinking any type of alcohol. The alcohol that the fetus absorbs can cause birth defects and will raise your risk of a miscarriage or premature birth.
When you want to have a child, make sure you have a nutritional and healthy diet so you can get all the nutrition and vitamins you and the baby need. Some items, like folate and folic acid, are crucial to your child’s development at the beginning. Try to add prenatal vitamins to your routine for even more nutrition.
To avoid pain while sleeping, do a set of stretches prior to getting in bed. This will help reduce the potential for painful leg cramps that arise from the increased strain on your legs throughout your pregnancy. If you allot time to stretch prior to bedtime, you can ease cramping and ensure you will sleep soundly through the night. Also, this can improve the quality of sleep you get.
It is advisable that you refrain from eating certain foods due to their negative effects on fetuses. Unpasteurized milks, soft cheeses and raw seafoods are all on the no-no list.
It is important to track your menstrual cycle if you want to get pregnant. Once you figure out when your cycles occur, you can start to think of when the best conceiving period is. You’ll also know when you’re pregnant sooner.
Iron is one of the most important nutrients to monitor during your pregnancy. You need to be consuming about 50 percent more iron during this period. The reason iron is important is because it helps the body carry oxygen by producing hemoglobin. You need more during the second and third trimesters.
Folic Acid
Ensure you get folic acid in proper amounts while you are pregnant. A lot of nutrients are needed for a pregnant woman to be healthy, but taking enough folic acid helps keep things like neural tube defects at bay. Try getting 400mg every day prior to becoming pregnant to help your body prepare.
In most cases, a women needs no more than 300 calories above the regular recommended amount per day during the last two trimesters of pregnancy. Gaining extra weight during pregnancy can cause longer labor, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Eat healthy when pregnant to avoid gaining extra weight.
Schedule a visit with your physician before you will be attempting to get pregnant. He can conduct a thorough examination to ensure that you are in good enough physical condition to bear a child. Problems may be treated or ruled out, like obesity, diabetes and thyroid issues.
Although it is impossible to prevent all pregnancy problems, you can help minimize them. While you’re eating much more food, you may still stay active and healthy, which can help you get rid of that extra weight after pregnancy. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be ready to rock child birth and motherhood!