Being pregnant is one of the most natural states in the world, yet it can also be confusing and frightening for the mother-to-be. Physical and emotional changes can often be overwhelming. There’s a lot of great advice about pregnancy that will help a mother manage better. Here are some tips to get you started.
Start taking pregnancy belly pictures early. Many women like to have early pictures to compare against as the months pass. If you turn out not to want them, you don’t have to keep them, but you can’t decide later that you want to keep photographs that you never had taken.
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.
Do not avoid sex when you are pregnant. Many women are under the assumption that sex can harm their unborn child, but this is not true. In fact, sex can be helpful. Women have high hormone levels when pregnant, and having sex can help relieve some of the stress that these hormones give them.
Your pregnancy means the decisions are yours. Just because someone in your office or a distant relative doesn’t believe that you should drink coffee or lift something heavier than 20 pounds doesn’t mean they control your pregnancy decisions. Talk to your doctor and make your decisions with them. Ignore unsolicited comments from others.
If you are pregnant, try to eat bland foods like crackers throughout the day. Keep bland foods on your stomach will help ease the feeling of nausea. Also, foodstuffs that contain grease or acid can exacerbate the nausea and also cause heartburn.
Decide if you want to use a Douala when giving birth. If you do, start talking to some that are local. Douala’s can help you have a shorter birth, and one that is more satisfying and safe then going the traditional route. Don’t let someone talk you into doing this, it needs to be 100% up to you.
Learn the signs of labor so that you will know when it is time to call the doctor and start heading to the hospital. We have all heard the stories of women giving birth in the car on the way. The earlier you can respond to labor starting, the more time you give yourself to get to where you need to go.
Do not let stretch marks stress you out, as they are completely unavoidable for many women. While applying cocoa butter and other creams may help to lessen the itching and irritation that comes along with rapid stretching of the skin, they cannot do much to prevent the marks themselves.
Eat breakfast every day when you are pregnant and make it a healthy one. If you skip meals you can end up feeling light headed before lunch time. Your baby doesn’t go 12 hours without eating after they are born, don’t make them go that long while they are still in your tummy.
Be prepared for the hospital keep an old towel and a plastic bag in your car just in case your water breaks on the way to the hospital. Pack a robe for pacing the hospital halls, as well as nonskid slipper socks. Fill a small bag with electronics, such as an iPod for music and a still-photo and video camera. You will also need your insurance card, toiletries and a going home outfit for you and the baby. Staying prepared ensures this stressful time is easier, and keeps your emotions on a more even keel.
One of the things to be most aware of is that pregnancy does end. You and your partner will be at a far more crucial stage in your lives: parenthood. Being aware of some great tips on pregnancy can help you get through those brutal nine months.