Pregnancy Tips for New Moms

Pregnancy Tips for New Moms

This could be your first time to become a mother or you have already done it before, however there are some things that people are usually aware of about pregnancy; either from the park talk, fast internet search, or direct advice from the doctor. However, even a very experienced person sometimes needs reminding. Because each pregnancy period is unique in its own way.
For us mothers, pregnancy is an amazing journey and we must do some important things for our baby’s good health and happiness. Here are some nice pregnancy tips that will help keep you in good shape during this period:

Prenatal Visits

Your first move should be to set up prenatal appointments. These visits are very crucial therefore it is essential to have these check-ups done. Your first visit will disclose you how far your pregnancy has gone, when is your due date. Moreover, these visits can identify any slight hitch before they become severe one. Notably, it’s one of the perfect ways to ensure a happy motherhood period for both baby and mother. Therefore, if you think that there might be something growing inside your belly then don’t hesitate just rush and book an appointment now. Most doctors would like to see you at about eight weeks along. Throughout your entire pregnancy, stay informed about your doctor’s advice to ensure you are fully prepared for what lies ahead.

Prenatal Screenings

Screening tests during the first three months of pregnancy can tell if your baby may have certain genetic disorders. Also, while checking your condition doctors do give some tests. For instance, a urine test and blood test is done for Rh factor, hepatitis B, HIV, UTI’s , rubella and group B infection. You may find it too many, but all of them are important in making sure that both you and the unborn child are safe in the next nine months of pregnancy. These tests are very important because they help in ruling out the existence of Down syndrome as well as other chromosomal abnormalities. In case the tests reveal such problems, further diagnosis through an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling may be required. It’s good when this is done early so that it can help a woman decide whether she wants to continue with her pregnancy or not. Moreover, an ultrasound scan that details your child’s growth. Even a glucose tolerance test is there. Not enjoyable –try sipping something sweet and see how your blood sugar reacts. This test helps to detect gestational diabetes early. On each doctor’s visit, you have to give a urine sample, get your BP checked, as well as how much weight you gained since they last checked it. Talking to your doctor, you should be honest about your medical history; this is one of the most important tips. First of all, just inform them everything about yourself even when it doesn’t make any sense. In this way a physician understands your medical history thoroughly and can give you an appropriate treatment or advise on additional screenings such as genetic ones, if necessary.

Eat a Balanced Diet

What should my diet consist of while I am pregnant? Can I eat anything delicious while being pregnant? What should I eat and what should I avoid? This is why many women ask their physicians these questions, as food choices for them might be puzzling.

Considering that you have a baby on the way and need to eat for two people, what you eat is vitally important. In other words,  it is a must for you to include low-mercury fish, colorful veggies, fruits that are rich in vitamins and minerals, lean protein and whole grains in your diet. Good nutrition choices include fruits such as pears, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries; vegetables such as spinach (although remember not too much because it has iron), bell peppers (because of Vitamin C), kale (for folate); whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice; lean proteins like chicken, turkey, beans; and low-fat dairy products. Also, it is advisable for expectant women to take at least six to eight glasses of water daily to prevent fatigue, as well as handle some common health issues such as constipation and headache. In addition, all proteins including meat, eggs, and fish must be cooked well to kill any harmful bacteria. You will require more nutrients than healthy eating alone can provide; such nutrients include calcium, folic acid and iron among others. One example of this is when the body may rapidly become deficient in calcium because infants absorb a lot of calcium from their mother’s body. Thus, incorporate these items into your everyday menu: low fat dairy products which are rich in calcium; leafy greens such as spinach or kale; broccoli as well as tofu or almonds. Cereals will also increase the daily intake of calcium, too. Finally, but most importantly, you should take prenatal vitamins for yourself and your baby. They are important for fetal development during this period.

Weight Gain

‘How much weight can I gain during pregnancy?’ ‘Is it possible to lose weight while pregnant?’ and ‘How can I monitor my weight without becoming obsessed with it?’ are some of the first questions that may cross a mother’s mind when she is expecting her first baby.

How much weight should you gain when pregnant concerns some people. It is important to note that gaining too much or too less of weight during this stage might affect the mother and the baby’s health respectively. Consequently, keeping tabs on calories all the time could make someone feel like tearing into her hair; nonetheless just stay focused and eat healthily.

Eating for two’ does not mean eating more. It means your meals are packed with essential nutrients which supports the growth of an infant. To ensure good health during trimesters two and three, they need 300-500 calories per day. Just substitute a meal with a healthy snack. Also, you should monitor weight while pregnant. What matters is to maintain the weight at this stage. For your entire pregnancy, you need to put on about 25-35 pounds if you have an average starting BMI. Do you think you are underweight? Add between 28 and 40 pounds to it. In case I am putting on weight, my goal would be gaining 15-25 pounds with consistency in well-balanced diets such as fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals and protein-containing dishes.

Oh, those pregnancy cravings! You also need to have a limit on those sweetened and salty snacks since each body is different, while one might work for you, it may not work for someone else.

Take Prenatal Vitamins

You got to have those prenatal vitamins when you’re pregnant! They really pack in essential nutrients that your regular diet might lack

 — think folic acid, iron, and calcium. So, as soon as you discover that you are already pregnant, it is wise to start the habit of taking these pills. Start taking them even if you are not pregnant or planning to. Taking prenatal vitamins became part of my daily routine even before my husband and I officially started trying for a baby. For this reason, I began early because the neural tube, which forms into the brain and spinal cord of a baby starts developing right at the beginning of pregnancy—often times before many women know they have conceived. The numerous kinds of prenatal vitamins can be confusing. You can buy them from any chemist most of the time, but if you are not sure which one it is, then ask your doctor. They may even prescribe a particular type if you have certain dietary restrictions. Always check the directions on the bottle to determine when they are best taken. Most of them will advise taking them in the morning after breakfast, although taking them with dinner might help if morning sickness is an issue for you. If you still felt nauseous afterwards, however, I found that chewing gum or having sweets helped a lot.

Always be on the Move
Keep going! Active pregnancy is a good thing. It helps to control your weight, improves your mood, and relieves some of pregnancy discomforts. Integrate easy exercises into your everyday life like going for walks, swimming, practicing yoga, or pilates programs that are specially for pregnant women. Just ensure that you first get clearance from your doctor, before you can start exercising. For most days of the week, try doing physical activities for at least 30 minutes a day, but in addition if you feel tired take it slow. Avoid intense sports or any activity that could be dangerous. First think about your safety and health before exercising.

Obtain Enough Sleep

Make sure that you’re getting enough sleep now more than ever. You have an amazing body that is creating another human being, so you may need more sleep than usual. Also, try and make sure you have not less than seven to nine hours of sleep each night. A day time nap will do some good, don’t hesitate to take one. In addition, get your bed in order and follow healthy sleeping habits which contribute to a peaceful night.

Stress Management

In pregnancy sometimes the emotions are like a rollercoaster ride, right? One must learn how to handle stress in positive ways. Why not try something like deep breathing, which can be done by relaxation exercises such as meditation or prenatal yoga. Besides, it is essential to know the importance of discussing things with your spouse when you receive too much at once. Always avoid stressful situations and allow yourself free time.

Listen to your body

Your body is wise; listen to it. Each pregnancy is unique; your body will guide you. If something seems off or there is anything different, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Trust yourself and act on what you feel if there is anything that bothers you. Look out for symptoms of typical pregnancy and know when to seek medical assistance. It’s a journey of self-discovery and self-awareness.

Educate Yourself

It is so refreshing to be well-informed as regards everything concerning pregnancy, child birth, and baby care. You can start off by finding a good book, enroll in some classes and do not hesitate to talk with the people who have gone through it before. Prenatal class may also seem like something for first time moms, but they are essential even if you are pregnant again. Believe me there is always something new to learn from. Make sure that your reading materials such as books and articles that have been written by reliable authors. You can even join online forums or any support groups you can get.

Prepare for the Arrival of your Baby

Now you need to prepare for the arrival of your little angel: transform that nursery into a cozy paradise for the baby. Another thing is to choose a good pediatrician; don’t rush but take your time looking for a dependable person. And don’t forget about it – pack your hospital bag now! Fill it with necessary things for both yourself and your baby. In addition, note down any birth plans you may have. Simply indicate your preferences for labor and delivery, then share these with your care team and anyone else involved. It helps ensure everyone understands what you want.

Avoid harmful substances

Of importance is that when pregnant you must exclude all the harmful things dangerous to your baby without any question. This may comprise alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs, plus particular over-the-counter medicines and supplements. They jeopardize the well-being of the child resulting into severe problems, for instance birth defects or probably miscarriages. Whenever you want using any drug, always ask your doctor first and stay away from toxic chemicals and places. Every step counts because their lives are fragile.

Get Creative with Chores

When pregnant, even basic safety adjustments should be made for you and your baby’s benefit. Make a minor tweak to cleaning or doing house chores. You know the tough bathroom cleaners, don’t you? It is advisable to avoid them due to their strong chemicals, as they can be harmful for both you and your little one. Where necessary, use them with gloves, masks on, and open all windows possible. Afterward, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. While pregnant your sense of balance can be affected. This means it is a good idea to avoid climbing on stools or ladders to prevent falls. Assign someone else to take care of anything involving height. Moreover, if you have to stand for a long time, then ensure you take short breaks and stay calm.

Hydration

Speaking of staying hydrated, drinking plenty of water throughout pregnancy is super important. Try to drink 8-10 glasses daily. If you get sick of tasteless water, make it more attractive by adding a lemon slice or a little juice. Don’t forget that during hot days or when doing some workouts, your water requirement may increase even further. Always have a bottle of water nearby to sip a little at a time during the day. A good and enough hydration is essential; it aids digestion process, maintains energy levels, and even can be preventive measure from such typical problems as swelling, constipation, urinary tract infections. If taking in enough amount of water is problematic for you, then try eating fruits and vegetables with high-water-content in them. It’s tasty way to keep yourself hydrated, while you will be nursing your baby during this period.

In summary…

So, there you have it… tips on how to make your pregnancy as smooth as possible for both mother and child. Live one day at a time and don’t hesitate when need help from someone else.