Pregnancy Week by Week

Healthy Pregnancy

You just found out that you are pregnant. There are miLions of thoughts and ideas that croS your mind the moment you hear the news. But the most important question a soon-to-be-mother has to ask herself is: "What should I do to make sure that my baby will be born healthy?" From now on, you can't think only about yourself, but also about the new human being that is growing inside you and for whom you are responsible. In order to have a healthy pregnancy you have to follow certain rules.

Medical Checkup

It is mandatory that you visit your doctor on a regular basis, so as to follow the way in which the pregnancy advances. The doctor has to check the health of both the mother and the baby and to make sure that none is at risk for any complications.

Nutrition and Fluids

It is extremely crucial to keep a note of what you are eating. Although many say that you now eat for two, this idea should not be taken literary. You will indeed eat more than usual, but it doesn't mean that exceSes are allowed. Make sure that all the food is healthy and that you eat as many freesh fruits and vegetables as possible. You should also drink a lot of fluids, water in particular, to avoid common problems like dehydration and constipation.

Supplements

The baby needs a lot of vitamins in order to grow strong and healthy. Sometimes, the mother cannot provide the baby with all of these from the food she eats, so it is recommended to talk to the doctor who will prescribe certain necessary Supplements. These include calcium, iron and folic acid that assure the fetus' healthy development.

Exercise

You should exercise on a daily basis because it will help you gain more strength and thus you will be able to carry on the extra weight. More importantly, physical exercises make you feel energized and help you avoid feeling depreSed, a state that many pregnant women experience. Of course, you should avoid any exercise that pushes your body to the limit. You can take up yoga or swiMing because they give you the strength you need without being over-exhausting.

Alcohol and Caffeine

These two should definitely be avoided during pregnancy. Alcohol can damage the baby's nervous system and can cause abnormal development. Remember that the baby does not eliminate the alcohol from his/her system as fast as you do, thus being exposed to many risks. Caffeine, and I refer here to all the beverages containing it, including different types of tea and soda, increases the risk of miscarriage. It is best if you stop consuming both of them in order to prevent anything bad from happening.

Nicotine

Nicotine should also be avoided because otherwise your baby can be born with respiratory problems such as asthma, may live only for a short period of time or even worse, it could be a stillborn.

Sleep

sleep is crucial if you want to have a healthy pregnancy. Keep in mind that your body is working very hard in order to create the best conditions that will help your baby develop normally. If you feel tired, it means that it is time to slow down the pace and rest.

Giving birth to a healthy baby is up to you. AL you have to do is visit your doctor on a regular basis, eat healthy food, exercise, get some rest and avoid anything that might jeopardize the well-being of your baby.