When you are pregnant, you can feel like you practically live at your obstetrician’s office. It is extremely important to attend all of your obstetrical appointments during the course of your pregnancy, so the doctors can monitor how you and the baby are doing. This is a great time to address any concerns you might be having. This article will give you tips for being prepared for your doctor visits.
You should always get clearance from your doctor before you make plans to travel, while pregnant. Plan ahead by bringing along medical records, so you are well-prepared if something unforeseen should occur.
Sleep whenever you get a chance to during your pregnancy. Difficulty sleeping is one of the biggest complaints women have while pregnant. As our bodies go through these massive changes, the ease of being able to get a full night’s sleep decreases. Take naps when the opportunity presents itself.
Hire a doula. Your doula would be your birth coach. They support you throughout your pregnancy and childbirth. They make you feel relieved since a professional is in the same room as you, and they can help a lot.
Women in the third trimester of pregnancy should always sleep on their left side. This optimizes blood flow to the kidneys and uterus, and most importantly, your baby. Try not to sleep on your back; this position can adversely affect blood flow.
Shop around for a prenatal exercise class that you enjoy. You can take a yoga class that will teach you how to do exercises that are specialized for pregnant women. This will allow you to keep up your health and remain active, throughout your entire pregnancy. You could also make some new friends when you join a yoga class.
Pregnant women, who are overcome by the desire for unhealthy foods, should not give in to every single craving. You need to keep in mind that your developing baby has a need for healthy nutrition, in exactly the same way you do. If you partake in every craving, you may not take in the proper nutrients that your child needs; therefore, it is very important to eat properly.
When you are in the later stages of pregnancy, especially in your third trimester, try not to travel too much. Some women think that because their due date is a month away, they will not go into labor on the train or plane, only to find themselves delivering their child with no medical assistance.
Listen to soft music and take a hot shower before bed time. Sleep can become more difficult the further along that you get. Avoid sleep aids and other pills by putting your body and your mind into a restful state before you even get into bed. A hot shower and soothing music will do this for you.
One way to help to get rid of the back pain that sometimes occurs in late pregnancy is to practice pelvic tilts. Continuing to exercise in this way will not only help with the pain, it may also move your baby into a good birth position at the same time.
Visit the dentist before you get pregnant. Studies have shown that periodontal disease can lead to inflammation; this inflammation has the potential to affect whether or not you develop preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can have serious consequences for the health of both you and your child, so it is important to do everything you can to improve your teeth prior to conception.
As stated at the beginning of the article, it is extremely important to keep up with your obstetric care during your pregnancy. Although the visits might all seem similar, they are necessary to monitor how the pregnancy is going. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will feel more prepared at your next obstetrical visit.