Best Advice For Pregnant Women
“When pregnant, you need to be very careful about what you eat and what you do not, how much nourishment you extract from your diet and how you spend your days”
Carrying a baby that gradually grows inside your womb for nine months, can be taxing on the body. At the same time, a number of factors including one’s eating habits as well as lifestyle habits can also affect the health of the baby. And more than at any other point in your life, during this time, you need to be very careful about what you eat and what you do not, how much nourishment you extract from your diet and how you spend your days. It is important to take care of these eating and lifestyle habits if you are expecting a baby.
Don’t Pile Up Calories
Many women take the famous adage eating for two,’ in pregnancy quite literally. You do not necessarily need to double the quantity of your food; rather you need to double the nutrition. Don’t only eat foods that are rich only in calories, but increase your intake of vitamins and minerals. Eat nutritious food, rather than eating more. Avoid junk food and take to eating a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Consume Sufficient Calcium
Women who do not consume sufficient calcium during pregnancy tend to lose bone mineral density as the growing baby draws out calcium from the mother’s bones for its growth needs. Make sure you eat enough dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt and at the same time, consume a calcium supplement daily to avoid osteoporosis.
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Consume Protein In Abundance
Protein deficiency in a mother results in underweight births. Daily intake of pulses, nuts, meat and eggs is important to ensure normal development and growth of the baby. Include, whole grains, legumes, beans and cereals in your diet.
Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol And Smoking
You certainly do not want your bad lifestyle habits to affect your baby’s health. No matter how addicted you are to these stimulants, they are a strict ‘no’ during pregnancy.
Exercise Daily
Unless a complication has necessitated it, never stick to your bed during pregnancy. Daily exercise helps in keeping the body agile, keeps the muscles strong and enhances stamina. It also helps prevent constipation, gastric problems and back pain. Walking, stretching and prenatal yoga are best exercises for pregnancy.
Don’t Exert Too Much
Be careful not to overstress your body during pregnancy. As you carry another growing individual inside your womb, you are bound to experience fatigue and you need sufficient amount of rest to cope with it.
Avoid Sitting Long Hours
Even if you are in a sedentary job, make sure you stand up from your chair and take a few minutes of walking breaks, every hour. Constant sitting can cause back pain and muscle cramps.
Don’t Forget Folic Acid
Folic acid supplements are advised by doctors to expecting mothers, as it is very crucial to prevent neural tube abnormalities and birth defects. Hence, make sure you take this important supplement.
Attend Prenatal Classes
Prenatal classes prepare women better for motherhood, as it helps you to interact regularly with experts and learn about the upcoming challenges and precautions. A complete prenatal programme aids expectant mothers cope with the pregnancy in the best way and educates about breastfeeding, child rearing and post-natal recovery.