But, it can make you feel helpless when you don’t yet have the answers to the many questions swirling around in your head. The following article will help ease your fears and offer good advice on the best ways to take care of yourself and baby during this most amazing yet fearful time.
When you are pregnant, it is important that you continue to exercise. Exercise helps reduce the chances of miscarriage and has been prove to help ease the length and pains of labor and delivery. Also, by exercising when you are pregnant, you will help keep off the weight you may gain.
Make sure to take care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy. Pregnancy is actually known to cause many dental problems, including gingivitis. Always brush your teeth at least twice per day, and don’t forget to floss and use mouthwash. If you have an issue, visit your dentist immediately.
If you are trying to get pregnant, but are not yet, start tracking your menstrual cycles. This will let you know when you are ovulating, and will also be able to tell you what date you conceived on when you find out your are pregnant. This will help you to be more accurate with your due date.
Your legs may cramp during your last trimester. Stretch your legs before bed to avoid them. Getting sufficient hydration is also key to warding off cramps, just as increased potassium will also help.
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.
Try to avoid some of the chemicals that would be harmful to your body such as paint and toxic supplies around the house. These will end up getting into your bloodstream and could affect the overall health of your baby. Be extra cautious when you are pregnant to protect the child you are carrying.
Take some precautions when traveling by plane. The second trimester is often noted as the best time to fly, because you are not experiencing morning sickness as often, and there is less risk of miscarriage. Always speak to your doctor first and make sure to drink a lot of water on the plane to stay hydrated. Get up and walk frequently to help avoid blood clots.
Be sure to find a good prenatal vitamin. In many cases your doctor will prescribe the best one for you but you can also find them over the counter. Be sure that it has at least .4 mg of folic acid in it. You may also want to look for an additional source of iron to take while you are pregnant.
Don’t start worrying if you aren’t “showing” your pregnancy for a while. Most new moms don’t start showing visible signs of pregnancy until they are in their 6th month. Subsequent pregnancies usually show earlier in the course of the pregnancy as the body has already been there and done that.
Manage your stress level while pregnant by writing task lists and keeping your priorities in check. You can even delegate some things to friends and family. Sometimes, you can even take things off the list.
As you can see from the tips above, there is so much to know about all the changes and challenges of pregnancy. By applying the advice you have learned in this article, you can make sure that your pregnancy goes smoothly.