Pregnant women have a lot of emotional and physical challenges that they face, regardless of whether they are new mothers or becoming mothers again. However, even experienced mothers can be taught new tricks due to the constant emergence of new pregnancy information. This article will help to make the course of your pregnancy a little smoother.
Do not consume any alcohol when you're pregnant. When a woman who is having a baby drinks alcohol, it goes through the placenta, then to the fetus. This means that anyone that is pregnant or trying to get pregnant should not consume alcohol. Drinking alcohol while pregnant increases the chance of mental and physical birth defects and increases any risk of miscarriage and premature birth.
Pregnant women who struggle with edema--swollen hands and feet--should notify their physician. While this could be part of your pregnancy, it might also be preeclampsia, which is a serious condition that elevates blood pressure. To ensure the health of you and your baby, this condition must be investigated.
Take some "me time" every once in a while. Once you have the baby, your life can get ultra complicated and you may not have time for pampering yourself in any way. Watch some anime, go out to the pub with friends, or just have fun doing whatever you like to do. It will help you feel better, and the baby will too.
A pregnancy journal is a wonderful way to commemorate your pregnancy and all of the wonderful things that happen when you are expecting. A pregnancy journal can later be given as a great gift for the child or grandchild, perhaps with some minor editing. Write down how you feel during your pregnancy, and what you want your child to achieve. Your child will appreciate your thoughtfulness on some distant day.
You should have prenatal care before your pregnancy. The sooner a medical professional is consulted, the better the reduction in chances of infant mortality, among other serious concerns.
While pregnant, always ask for assistance when lifting heavy objects. Lifting heavy things can cause miscarriages or stress on your baby, not to mention that it can cause back strains. Even if you find it an easy lift, be safe, get help.
It is a good idea to start massaging your pregnant belly at the end of your second trimester. Sit comfortably on a sofa or bed with support from a pillow or two at your back. Use oil as opposed to lotion while massaging your belly lightly. Relax as much as you can. Breathe slowly and deeply and listen to your favorite music. This will relax you and help to soothe your baby as well.
In order to prevent a lengthy weight-loss ordeal following the delivery of your child, make sure to avoid over-eating during pregnancy. Eating twice what you did prior to pregnancy is not the norm. The real need for increased consumption is only about two or three hundred calories daily, in the last two trimesters.
You should inform your doctor if you find that your feet are excessively swollen so that he can keep an eye on this potential warning sign or problems. The swelling could be typical or, it may signify preeclampsia, a condition related to high blood pressure during pregnancy. If you do have this, you need to get treated for it so that you can make sure you give birth to a health baby.
Create a bedtime routine in order to improve your sleeping schedule when pregnant. Creating a consistent bedtime routine will ease your body into relaxing in expectation of bedtime and help sleep come faster. A warm shower or a shoulder massage are a couple of things you can do so soothe yourself.
Make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet when you are pregnant. This is an important nutrient for your baby to grow healthy, as well as being good for you. Some excellent food choices which are protein-rich include nuts and seeds, eggs, meat and tofu.
It's important to get appropriate pre-natal care. Don't stop going to the doctor after your baby is born, either; you and your child need proper medical care during all stages of pregnancy to stay healthy. Being pregnant equates to many changes in a woman's life. Always ensure that you receive an acceptable standard of care.
Pregnancy can be a joyous experience but many people find that they have negative effects such as nausea, heartburn, backaches and nighttime leg cramps. There are certain habits you can adopt to help your body go through this. Take a few minutes to read and enjoy this helpful article.
While you are pregnant, you may notice that your ability to smell is intensified, making everyday odors stronger, resulting in more nausea. To reduce the effect of smells that make you queasy, try carrying a hanky moistened with some lavender or lemon oils. When you encounter strong odors in your day-to-day routine, you can use your scented hanky for a whiff of something pleasant to help you through.
Avoid all alcohol when pregnant. The alcohol you ingest also goes through your placenta and into your fetus, causing a myriad of possible health problems. As such, those who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant soon should abstain from alcohol entirely. The alcohol that the fetus absorbs can cause birth defects and will raise your risk of a miscarriage or premature birth.
This not only helps keep you healthy, but keeps your weight at a recommended level. Keep in mind that you need to exercise properly and not exercise in excess. Staying in good shape throughout your pregnancy minimizes the risk of miscarriage and helps reduce complications during labor.
During your pregnancy, you must not neglect your partner. Most likely, he is nervous about the baby's arrival too, and he probably requires reassurance. Spend lots of time doing things together, from long walks to watching movies. Enjoy time together before the baby comes!
Do not consume alcohol at all when pregnant. Like most other items a pregnant woman eats or drinks, the fetus receives some of the alcohol an expectant mother consumes. Therefore, when pregnant or when trying to get pregnant, it is advisable you refrain from alcohol. Drinking alcohol when pregnant can greatly affect the physical and mental condition of a baby. It also increases the risk of miscarriage and premature births.
One test that should be administered to every pregnant woman is an HIV test. If a doctor is aware that a woman has HIV, the doctor can help ensure that the infant does not contract the disease. It will also allow you to seek out medical professionals who are knowledgeable about HIV.
Make sure to watch your diet for foods that can harm your baby when you're pregnant. You should stay way from soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk and raw seafood.
Women in the third trimester of pregnancy should sleep on their left side. Sleeping in this position will provide your fetus with a good blood supply, and enable blood to flow easily to your uterus and kidneys. One of the worst ways to sleep is on your back; it restricts the blood flow to the uterus which can adversely affect your baby.
When you visit your OB/Gyn when pregnant, you will be given a prenatal vitamin. See to it that you take these vitamins every day. These will give you some of the vitamins that you may not be getting from your diet, and will help your baby grow healthy in your womb.
When you become pregnant, it is vital to take the time and put in the effort to educate yourself. There is a great deal of vital information you need to know, and the more knowledgeable you are about your condition, the more prepared and relaxed you'll feel. Familiarizing yourself with each of the stages of pregnancy, along with what you can expect during each one, can reduce any fear or stress you have about your condition.
Eat first, visit the grocery store second. When you are expecting a baby, you will often crave foods that are not good for you. You can indulge every once in a while, but by and large you want your diet to be full of nutritious food that benefits you as well as your baby. When you are not hungry while grocery shopping, you will be much less likely to get items you didn't have listed.
Your pregnancy should be a period of joyful experience. Use the information you read in this article to make those 9 months about you and your baby.