Your body is going through a lot of changes. Understanding all of those changes and how you can minimize the bad parts and make the great parts even better is crucial to the next nine months of your life. This article will highlight some of the great tips that you can use to make that happen.
Drinking plenty of water is always a healthy choice and is essential during pregnancy. Many women experience dehydration which results in constipation and other difficulties related to it during pregnancy. So, make it your aim to drink forty-eight to sixty-four ounces per day and ward off the bad effects of dehydration.
Try babysitting a friend’s baby to get more comfortable with caring for a newborn. Having some hands on experience will help you feel more comfortable with the impending birth of your new baby. Don’t take off more than you can chew though as you get farther along in your pregnancy.
Take breastfeeding classes and bone up with some books prior to giving birth. Breastfeeding is best for baby but there can be a lot of pitfalls along the way that could sabotage your progress. Taking a class prior to having to actually breastfeed, will help you be calmer and more in control of feeding your new baby.
Write out your birth plan and make sure your doctor and labor coach have a copy. List out what type of medications you are willing to have and in what circumstances you want to move to different laboring methods. Of course, your birth plan is only a plan and if things need to change for the safety of your labor, don’t worry and just go with it.
Use stories and photos so you can share pregnancy with your child later. They will be delighted and amazed to think that they were once in there. Snap a few pics and add notes to them that the kids can see.
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.
Human skin does have room to stretch thanks to elasticity, but there is definitely a limit on far it can go. During pregnancy, a rapidly growing belly may be itchy, which is quite normal. Avoid hot baths, as they will make the itching worse. Hot water strips all of the natural oils out of your skin causing it to itch. Moisturize with a heavy product, like cocoa butter or Vaseline. Wear a loose fitting wardrobe and despite your inclinations, don’t scratch!
Don’t be afraid to say no to anything you don’t want to do. If you are too tired to keep a movie date, it’s okay to skip it. You need to make sure that you are taking care of your body the best that you can, and everyone who is close to you will respect this.
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.
Embrace your pregnancy as a time you will soon miss. Even though your feet are swollen, you are constantly tired and never full, there will come a day when you miss it. Using the tips in this article will highlight the best parts and minimize the worst parts of your pregnancy so that your pregnancy will be a fond memory.