During pregnancy, your body goes through a whirlwind of changes. You gain weight, your hormones are all over the place and, most importantly, there’s a new body growing inside of you.
As pregnancy proceeds, you’ll notice that you start to feel different. Morning sickness begins, followed by a host of other changes, particularly as you enter the third trimester.
In this post, we take a look at some of the strategies that can help you stay healthy during pregnancy. Here’s what you need to do.
Stay Hydrated All Day Long
During pregnancy, your body’s requirements for water are high. You need to provide enough hydration for both you and your baby, and that’s not easy.
Aim for around eight cups of water per day. Drink when you first wake up in the morning and then have plenty of water with every meal. Moderate your salt intake so that you avoid creating dangerous blood pressure changes in your body.
Go To A Prenatal Healthcare Checkup
Don’t avoid the doctor’s office while you’re pregnant. Going through pregnancy is high risk. Many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should always seek out medical care whenever you can. Checkups can help you avoid low birth weights and other complications.
Avoid Specific Foods Known To Interfere With Pregnancy
While pregnant, you shouldn’t eat soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk, rare or raw meats, liver, sushi, or raw egg products, like mayonnaise. These foods all increase your risk of food poisoning which can affect your growing baby.
Many mothers also like to avoid fish because of the mercury content, something that can adversely affect a child’s developing brain. Stick to a plant-based diet with occasional meat as a condiment if you can.
Deal With Aches And Pains
Many pregnant women go to a chiropractor to deal with aches and pains in their bodies during pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to experience more pressure in the lower back, hips, and knees as the shape of the body changes, and weight in the abdomen shifts forwards. Some women also have problems in their upper backs and necks that they need to address.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking while pregnant is a bad idea. Not only does it damage your body, but it also dramatically increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, miscarriage, and other adverse outcomes.
Start Moving More
Moving during pregnancy is essential for keeping the body healthy. Talk to your doctor about the amount of physical activity that’s right for you.
Reduce Your Stress Levels
Stress isn’t just an emotion or a feeling. It’s a real chemical process in the body. For that reason, your child will reflect the stress that you feel.
If you’re pregnant, look for ways to cut the amount of tension in your body. Avoid stressful situations where possible. If you can, cut back on work. Ask loved ones to find ways to reduce stress in your life.
Ultimately, being healthy while pregnant increases the likelihood of a successful outcome dramatically. When you’re fighting fit, your baby is likely to be too.
