How To Have A Happy, Healthy Pregnancy

Though pregnancy is natural, it is also scary and perhaps confusing for a pregnant woman. That’s because a pregnant woman’s body will go through significant changes, and she will have to make some serious lifestyle changes aswell. New parents can learn many tips to help them out. There are several of them included here.

pregnant-womanYou should start taking a prenatal vitamin now. Taking a prenatal vitamin is great for your health. Prenatal vitamins can also help you conceive a baby. They are great for many different reasons and your doctor can help you find out which one is the best while trying 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.

Do not avoid sex when you are pregnant. Many women are under the assumption that sex can harm their unborn child, but this is not true. In fact, sex can be helpful. Women have high hormone levels when pregnant, and having sex can help relieve some of the stress that these hormones give them.

Pregnant women who have indoor cats should have someone else change the litter box while they are pregnant. Cat feces can contain a parasite that can be dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn child. Have someone else clean it, like a spouse, neighbor, or friend.

Before you are pregnant, it is a good idea to visit your dentist. Many times during pregnancy, your gums can be very sensitive, and a dental cleaning can be bothersome. You also will not be able to get any x-rays during your pregnancy, so it’s best to get that out of the way before hand.

If your feet become swollen during your pregnancy, be sure to tell your physician. This could be a harmless symptom, or be a sign of a high blood pressure condition also known as preeclampsia. Leaving this condition untreated could cause birthing problems.

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.

Eat plenty of fruit during your pregnancy. Many women get a boost of energy during the day from caffeine products; since these are not recommended during pregnancy, try fruit instead. People who consume bananas and apples, often notice an increase in their energy levels. This comes from the natural sugars that these fruits contain.

You want to make sure you have the infant car seat all ready to go before you give birth. They can be very complicated to set up, and you want to have the time to make sure it is right. There are many police stations you can go to that will check your car seat for you, and many hospitals that won’t allow you to leave without it.

For a healthy baby, it is important to see your doctor on a regular schedule. There are many ways that your doctor can insure that you and your baby stay healthy during the nine months of your pregnancy. Regular visits to your doctor are the best way give you the information you need.

Realize that “morning” sickness can happen at any time of the day and check with your doctor if it seems really bad. Most new parents are only affected by morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is usually one of the first signs that a women picks up on to signify that she may be pregnant. If it is keeping you from being able to keep down any food, see your doctor for ideas on how to help.

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.

Shortness of breath is common as women progress in their pregnancy. The baby grows and compresses the diaphragm, so there is less room to breathe. To help with this do some pelvic tilts and light stretching. Also, sleeping sitting up works well for some women as it relieves some of the pressure and allows them to breathe more freely.

pregnancy tipsYou may find it difficult to sleep during the third trimester. For a more restful slumber try sleeping on your left side with a pillow between your knees. This position alleviates pressure on a the IVC (a large blood vessel in your back,) and increases the blood flow to the fetus.

A healthy diet during pregnancy includes foods that are packed with nutrition to help your baby get off to a great start. Include a variety of foods that provide the fiber, vitamins and minerals that will help your baby develop properly. Get rid of the nutritionally empty junk foods that use up your daily calorie intake with no benefit to your baby.

If you’ve got pregnancy mood swings, try yoga or meditation. Both yoga and meditation are purely natural ways to help you unwind and relax in mind and body. Your partner or spouse may also find stress relief by following these practices.

It is essential to get enough folic acid while you are pregnant. A lot of vitamins and nutrients are important to a healthy baby and pregnancy, but you can reduce the risk for neural tube defects if you consume 600 mgs of folic acid a day. If you’re trying to get pregnant or already are, take 400mg per day.

Just remember, pregnancy eventually ends. For the couple, they will be at another stage in life in nine months, which is parenthood. Knowing how to manage life in these nine months can help in making things go smoothly.

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