Did you know May is Pregnancy Awareness month? Katie from Moore From Katie was kind enough to write a guest post with a few simple tips for staying healthy during pregnancy... Enjoy!
Tips for Staying Healthy During
Pregnancy
Not
surprisingly, pregnant women should pay special attention to their bodies and
health during pregnancy in order to provide an optimal environment for the baby
to develop in. By taking advantage of
these tips, a mom-to-be can ensure she’s starting her pregnancy off on the
right, and healthy, foot.
Keep Doctor Appointments
When
a woman realizes she is pregnant, the first thing she needs to do is make an
appointment with her ob-gyn, to check how far along she is and to monitor her
health and the baby’s health. Throughout pregnancy mom’s doctor will be
essential in helping plan for her delivery; there are many choices that should
be discussed and made in advance, such as what type of birthing process she
would like, what pain medicines to use and other optional procedures like umbilical cord
blood banking and circumcision.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Many
women think that it’s okay to eat whatever they want when they are pregnant.
While it’s okay to occasionally indulge in sweets, pregnant women should eat a
mostly nutritious diet. They should consume 300 extra calories a day to give their babies the nutrition they need. A
pregnant woman should eat a diet filled with lean meats, whole grains, fruits,
vegetables and low-fat dairy products. They should stay away from raw foods,
processed meats, certain fish and soft cheeses. A pregnant woman should also
drink plenty of water. Water can help keep a pregnant woman hydrated and
prevent constipation.
Get Plenty of Rest
Pregnant
women feel more tired than usual, so it is important for them to get plenty of
rest. As a woman’s stomach grows bigger, it will be difficult for her to sleep
in certain positions. A pregnant woman should sleep on her side with her knees
bent to ensure comfort. Lying on her side can also prevent hemorrhoids, veins
and swelling.
Exercise Regularly
Even
though it is more difficult to exercise while pregnant, women should make the
effort to work out regularly. They should get at least 150 minutes of moderate
physical activity each week. They could do yoga, go for walks outside and swim.
Exercising during pregnancy can increase energy, improve sleep, prevent extra
weight gain and reduce pain and swelling.
Avoid Alcohol and Nicotine
Women
need to stay away from alcohol and nicotine while they are pregnant. Alcohol
and nicotine can cause birth defects, low birth weight, stillbirth and asthma.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
Even
if a woman eats a very health diet during pregnancy, she can still not consume
enough vital nutrients. That is why she needs to take prenatal vitamins during her pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins every
day can help prevent neural tube defects, reduce the risk of low birth weight
and promote strong bones and teeth.
With
all of the above health tips taken into consideration, as well as any special
recommendations for her a doctor, a woman will be doing her best to stay healthy
throughout, and even after her pregnancy.
This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active
writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood,
prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you
have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by
visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26.
