Remember, during pregnancy you are carrying another life in your hands. With that being said you want to make sure you are as informed as you can possibly be so you can nourish both, you and your child to the best of your ability. Here are some tips in this article to help you during your pregnancy.
Before you get pregnant, you should see your doctor. This way your doctor can recommend safe practices for you to have while trying to conceive. They can recommend foods you should eat and things you should avoid. They can also let you know things that can make it harder to conceive.
For first time mothers, babysit for a family member or friend. It never hurts to learn more about how to care of a baby before yours is brought into the world. In addition of learning how to care for a baby, you will know how to properly hold and feed yours.
Check for STDs when you’re pregnant. STD’s can be detrimental to the health of you and your unborn baby if they are left untreated. A lot of STD tests are done through blood, urine, or by getting a pap smear. If you suffer from one of these conditions, you will have to get a C-section.
Leg cramps can be expected when you are in the stages of late pregnancy. Make sure you stretch before going to bed, and this will lesson the chance of these occurring. A high intake of fluids, particularly water, will also help keep cramps away, but make sure to drink water throughout the day, rather than right before bed, in order to prevent frequent wakings related to a full bladder.
Get your things together for your trip to the hospital when you’re into your third trimester. It is better to be prepared in advance and to have the peace of mind of knowing you are ready. Ensure your camera, birthing plan, insurance cards, and all other essentials are packed.
You can still wear some non-maternity pants as your tummy grows by using a plain hair tie and looping it through a button hole. Pull the zipper up only as much as you can. If you wear a longer top, nobody will be able to tell that your pants are actually unbuttoned. This is a good way to wear your normal clothes longer and keep from purchasing excessive maternity items.
When you are pregnant avoid taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medication without first consulting your pharmacist. Several of the OTC medications can actually be toxic to the baby, if they are passed on through the womb. The fact is many OTC medications – can and will – be passed on through the womb!
Plan out your meals for the day in order to avoid snacking on items that aren’t good for you. Pregnancy is full of cravings and if we aren’t planning out our meals we can end up eating nothing but unhealthy snacks all day. Make sure to keep healthy snacks with you all day like carrot sticks and whole-grain crackers.
Do not hesitate to inform your obstetrician or midwife if you experience depression during pregnancy. There are antidepressants that are considered safe for pregnant and nursing mothers, and in many cases, the benefits of taking them outweigh the risks of letting your depression go untreated. You do not have to suffer, and you are doing a great thing for both your baby and yourself by speaking up and getting help.
Keeping in mind you are dealing with not only your life but another you want to make sure you really digested all that you have learned. Pregnancy tips aren’t something you want to look over, so if you have to come back and reread this article from time to time until you feel like you remembered all the information in it, in the end you only want what’s best for you and your baby, and this article is trying to help you do that.