Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful things a woman experiences in her lifetime, but also the most mysterious. A woman is normally pregnant 9 months (40 weeks). In those 9 months, wonderful and not so wonderful things happen, as well as confusing things that are hard to explain. In this article, we will discuss what should happen month-by-month, week-by-week, and one trimester after the next. Hopefully with the following valuable information, you will be quite prepared for what is to come in your pregnancy.
Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep each night. You need around 8 hours. Getting the right amount of sleep will help you to feel good, and it will also help your fetus to grow. During pregnancy many people feel very tired, and it is important to give your body what it needs.
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!
As long as you try to eat three healthy meals a day, there is nothing wrong with indulging every once in a while! There are reasons your body craves certain foods; you may need specific nutrients those foods can supply. You can enjoy having cravings because you know that you need the extra calories for your baby.
Hit up the bookstore or library and get books about pregnancy. Being armed with knowledge will help you deal with all the changes that your body will go through and teach you how to keep yourself healthy. Pregnancy is natural, but the more information you have about the process, the better it will go.
If you have pets such as a cat, have someone else do the litter box changing. Cat urine and feces contain chemicals which can cause you health problems and potentially cost you your pregnancy. If married, then ask your spouse to change the litter, if single ask a neighbor, friend or family member to pitch in and help until you have the baby.
One of the best things that women can do in order to achieve a healthy pregnancy is to exercise. This will not only help you to stay in shape during pregnancy, but it also lowers the risk of miscarriage. It has been proven that exercise reduces labor complications and length.
Try not to wear clothing that is too tight when pregnant. This kind of clothing can actually cause your fetus to not get enough oxygen and make you uncomfortable. There are maternity jeans available for pregnant women. Also, when at home, try to wear sweatpants or pajama bottoms with a loose T-shirt.
A pregnant woman in her third trimester should sleep on her left side. It allows your baby to get the greatest blood supply possible, and also allows optimal blood flow to the uterus and kidneys. Sleeping while on your back is not a good idea because it causes poor circulation.
Keep yourself well hydrated. Your body takes on pounds of extra weight in the form of fluids and blood. You need to give your body what it needs to produce these things. What your body needs is water. Keep a water bottle with you everywhere you go and just refill it during the day.
All in all, pregnancy is an amazing, not so amazing, and mysterious experience. Women need to be prepared for pregnancy and know what to expect from it. Women also need to know how their baby is developing throughout the weeks of their pregnancy. With our month-by-month, week-by-week, and trimester-by-trimester breakdown of all the happenings of pregnancy, you will be enriched with all you need to know about your pregnancy!