While you can’t control all aspects of your pregnancy, there are many ways that you can make the growing process easier for you and healthier for your baby. Take a look at the advice below to see what action you can take to be in more control during your pregnancy.
Your doctor will most likely give you prenatal vitamins. Remember to take your prenatal vitamins every day. This type of supplement provides you and your baby with vitamins and nutrients that are needed for healthy development.
Stress is not something that a pregnant woman should be dealing with. Not only does stress bring about a variety of issues to a pregnant woman, but it may also have the baby feeling stressed. Some babies, who experience excessive stress in the womb, wind up being born prematurely.
If you are a cat owner, find a volunteer to take over changing the cat litter. Cat feces can contain a parasite that can be dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn child. Make sure you have someone else do this if you are the one that is pregnant. You can ask your spouse, another family member or even a friendly neighbor.
Although some swelling of the feet and ankles is normal during pregnancy, make sure to discuss this with your OB/GYN. Excessive swelling may also be a symptom of a more serious condition called preeclampsia, which is a major cause of high blood pressure in pregnancy. For a healthy birth, this condition must be prevented or detected as soon as possible.
Be sure you have a flu shot while pregnant. Immune systems are typically weaker during pregnancy, making various diseases more likely. This is dangerous for you and the baby.
Late pregnancy is usually the time when this situation occurs. If you stretch out before bedtime, you can reduce the chance of this happening to you. Also, you will want to consume as much water as possible to avoid cramps.
Your need to support your body, while sleeping, when you are pregnant. You can find various body pillows specifically designed for those who are pregnant at a number of stores. If you do not have one, you can use a regular pillow for support. It may be a good idea to place a pillow underneath your growing stomach as well as under one of your knees.
Keep a food log. Keeping track of what you eat will help to ensure that you are getting the proper nutrition. You can also take it to go over with your doctor.
It is a good idea to get a head start on signing up for child birthing classes. Don’t wait a long time to schedule the dates since babies don’t always wait to arrive at the appointed time.
Stretching before you crawl into bed will help reduce the frequency of leg cramps. Many women experience painful knots at night. Stretching well before going to bed will relax your muscles and avoid that agonizing midnight awakening.
Take plenty of pictures and write down your experience so you can show your baby as they get older. This will make a good memory book for the future of your child. You can take a series of photos with captions that tell a story.
If you want to wear your pants just a little longer, take a hair band and loop it around button hole on your pants. Wear a longer shirt or a maternity band to keep the waistband covered, and nobody will be the wiser. This is a good way to wear your normal clothes longer and keep from purchasing excessive maternity items.
While odd sounding, pregnant women should avoid kitty litter. This is due to toxoplasmosis, a condition caused by parasites which can pose serious health dangers to your fetus. Don’t risk your baby’s health. Stay away from cat litter.
Begin gently massaging your stomach starting near the end of the second trimester. You should place a few pillows behind you, and sit at a comfortable angle on the couch or your bed. Put some oil on your stomach and massage with light pressure. Put on some relaxing or enjoyable music and focus on your breathing. This helps to soothe your baby and to keep you relaxed as well.
Speak with your significant other about how you’ll each take care of your child before it is born. If you do not discuss this, you might find yourself doing all the work. Designating newborn related responsibilities can help to resolve potential issues before they even arise and ensure that you both agree on things.
Attending childbirth classes can be very helpful if this pregnancy is your first. Regardless of the type of birth you have planned, these classes provide important information about what to expect during childbirth. The classes at the hospital you chose often include a maternity area tour which can help you be aware of what to anticipate.
Take your iron pills and keep eating iron rich foods during your pregnancy. You’re sharing a body with another person, so you need about 50 pecent more when pregnant. The iron produces hemoglobin, which in turn transports oxygen through blood vessels. You need more during the second and third trimesters.
Make sure to drink plenty of water while pregnant. You minimize the likelihood of overeating and ensure you and your unborn child remain properly hydrated. Sometimes, people mistake thirst for hunger. Having some water should make the hunger disappear until it is time to eat again.
If you are unsure of whether or not your water has broken, do not hesitate to phone your doctor and ask. Many women have been in your situation and if your water did break, the baby has to be out within a specific amount of time in order to prevent infection.
As you have seen in the article you have just read, there are numerous ways in which your actions can positively impact your pregnancy. You can start off with beneficial steps to maintain your own health and that of the baby too, while awaiting your big day to arrive.