Pregnancy is the most incredible experience for a woman, but it isn’t easy for everyone. Every woman has a different experience, and things may vary through different phases over the nine months. You may encounter minor issues like nausea, swelling, fatigue, and dehydration. Some unlucky women experience major complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, bleeding, low birth weight, and miscarriage.
While you cannot do much about a high-risk pregnancy, there are ways to minimize problems and ensure fetal well-being in the long run. Awareness and proactive care can do the trick, but you may fall short of the knowledge to cover both fronts. Here are a few gynecologist-recommended tips to breeze through your pregnancy.
Follow The Basics
Everyone knows the basics of staying healthy during pregnancy, but women often overlook the basics. Your gynecologist will surely remind you about the self-care essentials so that you do not fall short of them. Start with a balanced diet, stick with meal times, and steer clear of food culprits that may affect fetal well-being. Good hydration is essential to support your organs while they bear the load of an extra person. Pregnant women must stay active during the entire period unless a complication makes it crucial to stay off their feet. Choose low-impact exercises, follow a meditation routine to keep stress at bay, and get ample sleep and rest.
Take Your Prenatal Vitamins
Although a well-rounded and nutritious diet keeps you healthy, it may not have enough for you and the baby. You must get your daily prenatal vitamins to fulfill your needs for nutrients like folic acid, iron, and calcium.
These nutrients are essential for fetal health, so you cannot miss out on them.
For example, folic acid deficiency elevates the risk of spina bifida in the unborn baby.
Popping a pill daily is all you need to do to minimize the risk and have a healthy baby.
Your doctor will give you a multivitamin, but you must take the onus for adherence.
Avoid Unnecessary Medicines For Safe Pregnancy
While prenatal vitamins are essential for pregnant women, unnecessary medicines can do more harm than good. You must get your gynecologist’s recommendation for any medication because some compositions can harm the fetus. Even painkillers like Tylenol that were regarded safe during pregnancy have studies going against them and linking them with autism risk. In fact, you can research online about Tylenol autism lawyers getting fair compensation for clients dealing with the situation. Experts recommend digging deep into the potential risks of every pill before taking it during pregnancy.
Stay Regular With Prenatal Checkups
Another piece of advice gynecologists have for all pregnant women is to stay regular with prenatal checkups. Women who fail to get regular prenatal care are at a high risk of complications such as low birth weight and preterm birth.
Timely checkups keep your doctor ahead of potential issues such as hypertension, which may worsen into fatal complications such as eclampsia down the road.
But they can manage the condition early and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Ditch Alcohol And Cigarettes During Pregnancy
Alcohol is not safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it should be off your wishlist. In fact, you must steer clear of it while planning conception because it elevates the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in the baby. The condition can cause severe learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and abnormal facial features. Smoking is also dangerous for pregnant women and their babies. The potential risks include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), miscarriage, and premature birth. Besides kicking the butt, you must encourage the partner to do the same because passive smoking is also harmful.
Plan The Right Time
Most pregnancies are planned, and choosing the right time makes sense. It enables you to conceive when you are at your healthiest, so you have better chances of a safe pregnancy and healthy birth.
The right age makes a difference, as having a baby too early or late in life entails risks of premature birth and other complications. A comprehensive preconception checkup gives you a good start.
Your healthcare provider may also suggest some positive lifestyle changes and habits to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Alternatively, they can recommend a treatment option if you have a fertility issue.
Summary
Self-care during pregnancy is a responsibility for all would-be moms. But it need not be as challenging as you imagine. You must follow the basics, trust your instincts, and stick with your gynecologist’s recommendations to cruise through the journey. Follow these tips to breeze through pregnancy.
Our super author here at Famous Parenting and an absolute wealth of knowledge. She has studied many topics including creative writing, psychology and journalism but her real passion lies in raising her 3 children. Between working from home, homeschooling her youngest 2 children and navigating the world of teenagers she is a guru for parents.
