Pregnancy is filled with emotional ups and downs. Your body and lifestyle are among the first to change. New parents can learn many tips to help them out. There are several of them included here.
Start exercising now. If you have healthy habits now they will continue during pregnancy. Exercise is important while you are pregnant because it keeps you healthy. It reduces the risk of having a miscarriage and also can make your labor easier. You should talk to your doctor before exercising while pregnant.
For pregnant women, make sure that you stretch your legs before going to sleep every night. This is because many pregnant women get intense muscle cramps while they are sleeping, which could be easily prevented, if they stretch. Spend about 5 minutes flexing all of your muscles, before even climbing into bed.
Let yourself be pampered. Especially in the last few months you will probably be very uncomfortable. Check with your local massage parlors and day spas. Many of them will offer pregnancy massages that are designed for your needs. If you are past your due date some of them may actually be able to use pressure points to induce labor.
If you are not sure how to handle a child or a newborn, talk to the mothers that you know. Offer to babysit for them. This way you are getting some experience, and your friend is getting a well deserved break from being a mother. Just keep in mind that no two children are the same!
If you are pregnant and concerned with unsightly stretch marks post-pregnancy, it would be wise to invest in some cocoa butter. It has been shown that regular use of cocoa butter during and after pregnancy reduces and/or eliminates the appearance of unsightly stretch marks. So go get yourself a tub of it today!
Eat healthy during pregnancy. Both the mother-to-be and her unborn fetus need a balanced diet. Because you are carrying a life within your body, you must take in more calories, about 300 more each day. Remember to eat healthy food products like vegetables and fruit and drink lots of water.
Get the film and cameras ready ahead of time and get them packed in the bag. It is one of those things that everyone tends to forget and regret later when things get started in a rush. If you have it ready in your birthing bag you’ll be able to capture those newborn pictures.
Being pregnant can be hard on your body. Don’t let that get you down. Make sure that you take good care of yourself by doing lots of stretching exercises. If you can work it in, prenatal yoga is a great way to stay limber, keep moving and keep yourself fit.
Eat breakfast every day when you are pregnant and make it a healthy one. If you skip meals you can end up feeling light headed before lunch time. Your baby doesn’t go 12 hours without eating after they are born, don’t make them go that long while they are still in your tummy.
In late pregnancy, you should avoid sleeping on your back, if possible. If you find it difficult to stay off your back, try propping a pillow behind you so that you are not able to roll into a completely flat position. There is no need to panic if you do occasionally wake up on your back; generally, you will feel very uncomfortable in that position before causing any harm to yourself or your baby.
If you find it hard to stick to a healthy diet during pregnancy, ask your partner to join you as you change your old eating habits to new healthy ones. It is always easier to make the right choices when you have a helpful partner to support you. Both of you will see the benefit of eating more vegetables, whole grains and fruit.
It is a good idea to pack your hospital bag when you reach 37 weeks or so. You are more likely to remember the items that you will both want and need while in the hospital if you aren’t tossing things into a bag as you rush out the door.
When comparing your pregnancy to those of your friends or even your own previous pregnancies, remember that each one is different. Each pregnancy can vary from the amount of weight you gain to the rate at which your belly grows. Also, the presence or absence of certain symptoms does not necessarily mean that something is wrong.
To remember this special time in your life, consider taking pictures of your belly every week or month. You will be amazed at how much your body changes from week to week, especially in the last trimester. You will enjoy looking at these first baby pictures years from now, when your pregnancy is a distant memory.
Childbirth classes really can help you adjust. These classes can teach you much, no matter the birthing style you are planning for. Your hospital will usually offer something that will be beneficial for you.
Some common foods can be dangerous to the unborn fetus. During your pregnancy, you should avoid anything that contains uncooked eggs like Caesar dressing, unpasteurized cheeses like queso blanco and under-cooked meats. Listeria can be present in precooked meats such as hot dogs and deli meats, so it is important to reheat them before consumption. For more information visit the CDC website or discuss the topic with your doctor.
Talk with your doctor before starting any exercise routine during pregnancy. There may be certain activities that you shouldn’t do or some limitations they would like to put on how much you do. Write a plan of what you wanted to do and go over it with your doctor at your next appointment.
Something to keep in mind when it comes to pregnancy is that it’s not permanent. When pregnancy ends, the real fun of parenthood begins. Knowing how to manage life in these nine months can help in making things go smoothly.
