Pregnant women have a lot of emotional and physical challenges that they face, regardless of whether they are new mothers or becoming mothers again. There are many wives tales that are still around, but luckily there is also sound advice to help you deal with the unique situations that pregnancy can bring. The common sense advice in the article below may be just what you need to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Wear sunscreen if you are pregnant, regardless of whether you usually do. Avoid tanning beds. Pregnancy increases sun sensitivity, which can result in increased opportunities for sunburns or sunspots. Only use a natural sunscreen, of course.
Try taking your prenatal vitamins at night. These pills, while essential for the proper growth and development of your baby, can make some mothers feel nauseous. Taking them before you lay down or with food can help your body adjust to their effects. If you need to take them during the day, try chewing gum afterwards.
Avoid using over the counter medicines for digestive issues like heartburn, upset stomach and constipation. The more medicines we keep out of our bodies during pregnancy the better. Ginger tea, acupuncture and peppermint oils have all been shown to help with pregnancy stomach issues.
As the pregnancy progresses, make sure you have a birthing facility tour booked in. If you are comfortable about the place beforehand, labor and delivery should be that much easier for you. Visit more than one place before you make your decision. Your chosen destination must be able to accommodate yourself, your partner and your baby.
If you want to know the sex of your baby, you have to wait until you are about 20 weeks pregnant. This is around the time that the ultrasound technician can get a clear picture as to what gender your baby is. But be aware, ultrasounds are not 100 percent accurate!
If your feet swell up during pregnancy, discuss it with your physician. Swollen feet can signal preeclampsia, dangerously high blood pressure that can occur during pregnancy. This condition needs to be treated to ensure that you have a healthy birth.
Increase your intake of cereals, asparagus, lentils, oranges and orange juice. These foods are all rich in folic acid, which helps the development of the baby’s neural cord and creates red blood cells for your unborn child. It is ideal to begin consuming these foods even before you start trying to conceive.
Take pictures during stages of your pregnancy that you can later share with your child. Kids like seeing their very earliest photos. Take photos every month and write a note each time.
Switch into your maternity clothing as early as possible. Most women want to put it off as long as possible but they don’t realize one important fact. Maternity clothes are extremely comfortable. As your body goes through changes, it becomes more sensitive and your regular clothes will get more and more uncomfortable. Make the switch and give your body a break.
Leg cramps are a common occurrence during pregnancy and can be annoying. To minimize the cramping you should exercise, make sure you get enough calcium each day, and finally you do a few light stretches just before going to bed. That should help you avoid leg cramps while you sleep.
Belching, gas, and heartburn are all side effects of being pregnant. To help deal with these types of issues during your pregnancy, you should stay upright after you eat, stay away from offending foods, and drink a glass of milk with honey; these are all ways to help you minimize some of the gas and heartburn.
Overall, you should enjoy your pregnancy. Put the advice you have learned here to work for you, and your pregnancy will be a wonderful experience.