A Guide To Help You Stay Healthy During Pregnancy
Maintaining a healthy pregnancy ensures that you give birth to a healthy child. It involves observing a healthy lifestyle and attending doctor appointments. Also, regular prenatal care accompanied by a healthy diet and regular exercise helps to avoid complications during pregnancy. Your obstetrician will advise you about nutrition, monitor your health, and that of your baby. They also check for conditions that can cause complications during pregnancy and affect the health of your baby.
Prenatal Health Care
During pregnancy, it is imperative to get regular prenatal care from your OBGYN. Otherwise, you risk giving birth to an underweight child. Besides pregnancy tests, the health care provider will check also your blood pressure and weight. They will also monitor the growth and development of your unborn baby. Your doctor will also perform prenatal tests such as cervical, urine, and blood tests during your pregnancy. Prenatal care helps to monitor your health during pregnancy.
Nutrition
A healthy diet is vital during pregnancy. While you may not need to track calorie intake, you should ensure that you get the calories from nutritious foods that will enhance your baby growth and development. A well-balanced diet should include vegetables, whole grains, fruits, lean meat and low-fat dairy products. Besides improving delivery and labour, proper nutrition also balances mood swings. A balanced diet also reduces morning sickness, fatigue and risk of anaemia.
A balanced diet provides essential nutrients, such as iron and calcium. Folic acid from prenatal vitamins prevents your baby from developing spine and brain problems. Your obstetrician can advise you to eat prenatal vitamins to supplement your diet. However, you should never take any supplements or vitamins without your doctor's approval.
Exercise
Exercising is very important during pregnancy. It does not only enhance a healthy lifestyle but also eases discomfort. It can even make delivery easier. Ensure you hydrate well during exercises and avoid contact games. It is usually recommended to spend 150 minutes on moderate-intensity aerobic activities every week while pregnant. Regular exercise enhances sleep, prevents gaining excess weight and to avoid pregnancy-related problems such as swelling and back pain. Ensure you also talk to your doctor before embarking on an exercise routine.
What to Avoid
During pregnancy, eschew bad habits such as drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption causes miscarriage, stillbirth and premature delivery. The baby is also likely to be underweight and risk developing abnormalities in the central nervous system.
To learn other ways to stay healthy while pregnant, contact an obstetrician near you.
