Health Issues to Prioritise When You're Pregnant
Pregnancy is a normal event, but your body does undergo a lot of changes. Because of those changes, you'll need to prioritise specific health issues. Here are some to focus on.
Hydration
Your blood volume increases significantly during your pregnancy. It does this to accommodate your baby's needs and your womb's adaptations as your pregnancy progresses. An easy way to support your blood volume doubling is by prioritising hydration. Of course, this can feel difficult when you're pregnant, as you spend a lot of time peeing from day one. Keep an eye on the colour of your urine. If it looks dark, you need to drink more water.
Dental Care
The hormones you produce while pregnant make your gums swell. As such, you're more likely to experience swelling. That swelling can lead to bleeding, which makes infections more common. Additionally, your baby's development can take some of the calcium from your teeth. Making regular visits to your dentist ensures your oral care remains strong throughout your pregnancy. Alongside reducing your risk of illness while pregnant, it can protect your teeth for years to come.
Stress Levels
Experiencing too much stress while you're pregnant increases your risk of premature birth. Of course, some forms of stress are difficult to avoid. With others, you can mitigate using certain measures. If you're experiencing work-related stress, ask your manager for support. Or, if your stress relates to the pregnancy itself, discuss your concerns with your obstetrician. It can sometimes help to use counselling while pregnant, especially if you are experiencing a traumatic event such as losing a loved one.
Weight Management
Weight gain is normal during pregnancy. With more blood volume, amniotic fluid and a higher calorie intake, weight gain is to be expected. However, too much weight gain places you at risk of conditions such as gestational diabetes. To avoid this, focus on a healthy diet and avoid giving in to junk food cravings. Occasional junk food is fine, but prioritising nutrients means you'll experience less tiredness and gain less weight. If you're already aware that you struggle with your weight or you're concerned during your pregnancy, speak to your obstetrician. They can offer nutritional advice or refer you to another professional.
Medication Modifications
You may be used to taking certain medications while not pregnant, either on an ad-hoc or continuous basis. At your first obstetric appointment, you can talk about them with your obstetrician. They'll review which ones are suitable. If necessary, they'll advise you to make changes or support you in temporarily stopping your medications. Whatever suggestions they make, they'll keep both your health and your baby's health in mind.
Contact an obstetrician to learn more.
