Becoming a mum is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. From the moment that you get pregnant with your little one, you will be solely responsible for the health and care of them. Though there’s no way to make certain that your pregnancy will be a healthy one, there is plenty that you can do to stay healthy yourself. This goes a long way to reducing the likelihood of problems occurring later. Most soon-to-be mums know all the basic advice, but there are some things that nobody tells you. With that in mind, here are ten ways to be healthy during pregnancy.
Speak To A Doctor
Once you know that you’re pregnant, you should book yourself an appointment with your doctor right away. You could also register online with a local maternity service. Organising this care early means that you’ll receive the support you need, as well as healthy pregnancy advice, from the very start. You have the opportunity to ease any worries, by asking the questions that have been on your mind. This also gives you plenty of time to organise the scans and tests you may need.
Rethink The Daily Chores
Many everyday household chores, like cleaning up after your pets and scrubbing the floors, can become incredibly risky once you’re pregnant. Lifting heavy objects and exposure to bacteria and toxic chemicals can all cause a lot of harm, both to you and your baby, so you should ask friends and family to help you with tasks involving these risks. When you speak to your doctor, mention the sorts of chores on your to-do list, and they can give you a list of ones to take off.
Look After Your Teeth
A side effect of pregnancy that many women are unaware of is the increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. This is a result of the hormone changes you face when pregnant. However, pregnancy doesn’t automatically damage your gums or teeth. As long as you practice proper oral care, by brushing and flossing your teeth every morning and night, you can avoid these problems. It’s also important that you stick to your scheduled appointment with the dentist.
Related Post: Five Good Reasons To Get Your Teeth Straightened
Keep Stress At Bay
Everyone feels a little down in the dumps now and then, especially when pregnancy is making you sick and tired. Thankfully, there are plenty of things that you can do to feel better. Just check out OriGym’s guide to lifting your mood. However, you choose to get out of your funk, make sure that you check it’s pregnancy safe first. It’s also vital that you avoid stressful situations as much as you can. This isn’t always possible, unfortunately, but friends and family can help you with it.
Give In To Cravings
No one knows exactly why pregnancy cravings happen, but some experts believe it to be nature’s way of providing expectant mums with the nutrients they may be lacking. Others think it has a lot more to do with comfort than physical health. Whatever the reason, there’s no reason you shouldn’t indulge now and then. As long as you limit your portions and stick to an overall healthy diet, a treat won’t do you any harm. Just make sure that you know which foods to avoid.
Stay Away From Toxins
Certain toxins, like alcohol, tobacco, and even solvents, like nail polish, all have links to birth defects. Smoking, for example, has been linked to preterm birth, as it decreases the oxygen flow to the baby. Because of this, it’s imperative that you stay away from these toxins. If you have any trouble quitting drinking or smoking, you should let your doctor know. They are the best equipped to offer support and advice. They may even refer you to a program that will help you to quit.
Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Everyone should wear sunscreen every time they leave the house, but this is even more important during pregnancy. When you’re pregnant, your skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight, which means that you will be more prone to chloasma and sunburn. For this reason, you should apply an SPF of 30 or higher whenever you go outside. You may also want to wear light layers, a hat, and sunglasses to cover up as much of your skin as you can.
Get Plenty Of Rest
The fatigue most women feel during the first few months of pregnancy is the result of pregnancy hormones circulating the body. The tiredness you feel later is often due to bad night’s sleep, because you can’t get comfortable in bed or need to get up to use the bathroom. Either way, it’s important that you get plenty of rest. This can be made easier by getting into healthy sleep habits. Sleeping on your side can reduce pregnancy risks and make sleep more comfortable.
Find Ways To Exercise
Daily exercise is beneficial for almost all pregnant women. You just need to ask your doctor how much physical activity is right for you. There are many great exercises that you could try, from swimming and walking to yoga and pilates. If you can find exercise classes tailored toward pregnant women, then even better. This activity will boost your mood, make sleep easier, help you to maintain a healthy weight, reduce pregnancy complications, and many more benefits.
Go Shoe Shopping!
No woman needs an excuse to shop, especially a pregnant woman, however, if you’re looking for one, then your own health is a pretty good place to start. As your little one grows, so will your bump, and, more often than not, your feet. This is because your weight gain will put extra pressure on your feet, which can cause them to swell. To make sure that you’re comfortable, you should invest in non-restrictive shoes. You may even need to go up a size or two.
No Comments