Before, During, After Health Tips for Pregnant Women
January 17, 2012 by Amanda Clifford
Filed under pregnancy
Don’t feel bad about needing to take care of yourself. You are growing a small person inside of you and you deserve to take a break! Eat more than you usually would, because you will need those extra pounds. Take a break after dinner and let your husband do the dishes. Its those small things that will add up and make you feel much better.
If you think there is a chance that you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test or go to your doctor right away. Sometimes, women wait too long to find out that they are pregnant and this can cause complications in pregnancy and prevent you from getting the proper care that you need.
Eat healthy during pregnancy. Both the mother-to-be and her unborn fetus need a balanced diet. Because you are carrying a life within your body, you must take in more calories, about 300 more each day. Remember to eat healthy food products like vegetables and fruit and drink lots of water.
Engage in Kegel exercises each day. This activity can improve your pelvic muscles, which affect your bladder, bowels and uterus. Kegels will help with your delivery, and they can be done just about anywhere, including in the car or at work. To do them correctly, you should squeeze like you want to stop yourself from using the bathroom. Hold this position for three seconds and then relax for three. Do this in sets of ten.
Provided the majority of what you eat is balanced and healthy, it’s okay to give in to those cravings! Your body is craving something for a reason and you may be in need of what ever it is you have a hankering for. When you are eating for two your body uses up energy and nutrients so much faster than normal so enjoy satisfying those cravings!
Your nutrition now that you are pregnant, is more important than ever. Not only are you needing more energy and strength just to get through the day, but your baby also needs lots of vitamins and minerals to develop properly. Make sure you eat several solid meals each day and work in items from each major food group.
Wear sunscreen while pregnant, even if you didn’t really require it before. Tanning beds should also be avoided. Pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing your chances of both sunburn and sunspots. However, make sure that the sunscreen you use contains only chemicals that are safe for your baby.
Hire a doula. A doula is someone who is trained to be a birth coach. They can provide you with lots of support, ideas and strength during the labor of delivering your baby. They can assist your partner in being the best birth coach they can and also it gives you the comfort of having someone who is very experienced in the room with you.
Many people get super excited when it comes to decorating the nursery that their baby will be living in. Just remember that you are pregnant and paint fumes are not good to be around. Make sure the room is well ventilated and the windows are open. It is good to have friends or family around to help you and do all the hard labor.
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