Ways to Ensure You Have a Healthy Pregnancy
Being pregnant is an exciting time in your life, but it also places multiple demands on your body. As your biological makeup adapts to support the growing life inside you, it's natural to feel as though you want to change your health habits.
Here are some ways to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy.
Focus on Folate
During the early months of your pregnancy, folate is essential for developing your baby's neural tube. Those first few months are crucial for overall development, so it's wise to add more folate to your diet. One of the simplest ways to do this is by taking a specific supplement. Although there are supplements out there that contain just folic acid, you can also take vitamins that support other aspects of your pregnancy. Speak with your obstetrician about finding the right one for you. Although supplements can usually be purchased without a prescription, you may find that you need something specific to your health needs.
Exercise Every Day
A little exercise every day can go a long way towards maximising your comfort and making birth easier. For example, when you take a small walk each day you can strengthen and support your pelvic floor muscles. Exercises such as walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are also excellent for boosting your mood, reducing backache, and lessening bloat. However, during the first few months of your pregnancy, you may experience energy dips. Some women also have conditions that make exercise uncomfortable. In such instances, ask your obstetrician how you can achieve exercise without too much discomfort.
Manage Medications
If you take medications regularly or if you're used to taking over-the-counter medications without much thought, discuss them with your doctor. In a lot of cases, it's possible to continue with your medications without any issues. However, your obstetrician may need to suggest alternatives so that you can support your ongoing medical needs without impacting your pregnancy. While many over-the-counter medications are safe to take while you're pregnant, some should be avoided during certain stages of your pregnancy. And although herbs sound safe because they're natural, they may not be compatible with your hormones. Discussing your medications at the start of your pregnancy can make the next nine months of your life easier.
Finally, make sure you discuss your birth plan so that you feel confident about what happens as your pregnancy reaches its end. Having a clear plan in mind can make a significant contribution towards ensuring the birth goes smoothly.