As you embark on your journey into motherhood, it is natural to feel a mixture of emotions. While you can’t wait to hold your child, there are still many changes you have to go through before you reach that stage. Pregnancy can be stressful. Your physical, mental and emotional health will undergo rapid changes that can be challenging to keep up with.
But, with the right support system, help, and guidance, you can ensure that you can sustain a healthy pregnancy and safely deliver your child. Therefore, from the moment you conceive till you get closer to labor, you need to monitor your health for a smoother pregnancy. Hence, to ensure that you have a safe delivery, here’s what you need to do:
1 Research On Pregnancy and Birth
Reading about your pregnancy and what to expect during birth can help you prepare better for your baby. A growing fetus has many needs, so you must know what they are and act on them accordingly. At the same time, it is equally essential you study up on childbirth and chart up a plan. This may sound exhausting, but you need to be ready for anything, especially when you’re about to have your child.
Many online resources can guide you on what happens as a fetus develops, what can go wrong during labor, and how to recognize if the baby is distressed. These can prevent a significant mishap from occurring. For instance, platforms like have the information you need to understand childbirth injuries and their causes. Even though, as a parent, the thought of your child getting hurt is not something you wish to entertain, it still can happen to any newborn.
According to the CDC, seven out of every thousand babies can experience an injury in the form of a fracture, nerve damage, and open wounds. For this reason, you should look into talking to your OB/GYN, joining a childbirth class, and consulting the right helplines so you can safely deliver your child without jeopardizing your health.
2 Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins provide the essential nutrients that are good for you and your baby. This is the best way to supplement your diet with your everyday meal. Therefore, ensure you’re consuming prenatal medication rich in folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Since most prenatal vitamins are safe to use, you can quickly get them over the counter. But if you feel queasy while using a generic drugstore brand, you can ask your doctor to write you a prescription.
You may even take the pill with a light snack, making swallowing easier; typical examples include saltine crackers, applesauce, and oatmeal. Your healthcare provider will also inform you of your daily recommended amount of prenatal vitamins, determined after looking at your medical history, current fetal condition, and overall health. These guidelines ensure you’re taking enough for your child’s adequate development.
3 Develop A Support System
You may experience many ups and downs during your pregnancy. The shift in your hormones and rapidly changing physique can take a toll on you. Some days you may feel excited and happy, while others may feel far too drained and lethargic. There may be days when you have no energy to cook and clean for yourself, preferring to stay in bed all day. This is natural when it comes to pregnancy, but you must have a support system to help you through all these instances. These can be in the form of your loved ones, such as friends and family, who can check up on you and ensure you aren’t skipping your meals.
This list can also include your doctor and therapist, who can help you shed off a mental load and provide a coping mechanism that can make it easier to keep up with your fluctuating emotions. Every new mother goes through pregnancy differently. Anytime you feel uncomfortable or have unexplainable pain in your body, seek help instead of powering through. You can also lean on friends who have experience being parents and use their guidance to ensure you’re not accidentally neglecting your baby.
4 Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing
Maternity clothing is excellent for a growing belly and supports increased weight without putting pressure on your body. These garments are also pivotal when dealing with excessive sweating and hot flashes while giving you the space to breathe. You also prevent cutting off your blood supply by subjecting yourself to regular old clothes that no longer fit.
You may retain water in your hands and feet during your pregnancy that can cause them to swell up. Hence, buy shoes in at least two sizes and loosely clad your feet. Avoid heels and choose flats and sneakers that you can easily slip on and off.
5 Have An Exercise Regime
Physical activity helps you stay toned, maintain a healthy weight and relieve any form of stress you’re carrying, Thereby making it an excellent tool to facilitate your journey through pregnancy. A consistent routine can help you sleep better, increase your stamina, enhance your flexibility, and stabilize your mood, which is good for the baby. A doctor recommends the ideal exercise regime depending on how far along you are. If you’re not used to physical exertion, try walking at a moderate pace for twenty minutes in a relaxed environment to prevent overheating.
When you can maintain a steady pace, you can increase your walking time and look into activities like Pilates, yoga, swimming, and light cardio. You should seek instructors with experience working with pregnant women instead of independently developing a routine. This ensures you make the most of your week and get the necessary exercise you need for your health.
6 Eat and Drink Well
Prenatal nutrition is essential for a developing fetus. However, eating and drinking can be challenging during pregnancy, especially if you experience morning sickness and nausea. However, you still need to find ways to consume your meals. One way to combat heartburn and a queasy stomach is to take smaller meals every two to three hours. This can make digestion easier for you.
Eat as many food groups as possible and limit yourself to pesticide exposure by going for organic produce. If you’re having a single baby, you need at most 340 calories a day in your first trimester, but you may need to eat slightly more if you have twins. Your doctor will tell you how many calories you need based on your BMI.
You will also need to drink more water as your blood volume increases to support the growing fetus. Water will also help prevent fatigue, headaches, and constipation, which are common in pregnant women. You should aim for at least eight glasses of water per day.
Conclusion
Every mother wants a smooth pregnancy, and you need to adopt an excellent lifestyle to maximize the chances of that happening. Your developing fetus needs you to pay attention to your health and habits so that it can grow according to the prescribed timeline and not endanger your life. Therefore for the sake of your baby’s well-being, start reading up more on pregnancy and delivery complications to leave no stone unturned in your preparation for the baby. It will help if you begin consuming vitamins that can aid in keeping your baby nourished and healthy. At the same time, improve your diet and stay hydrated to prevent developing a deficiency or a health condition.
You may feel isolated during your pregnancy as your hormones constantly fluctuate, making you feel agitated and restless, which is why it’s good to be around people who can help. Likewise, don’t compromise on your baby’s comfort, and wear clothing that can support your changing body. Finally, have an exercise regime for yourself that allows you to build up your strength and make you more attuned to your physical health. As a result, you may feel more in control and find it easier to go through your pregnancy.