Being well informed about what happens during pregnancy can make you feel better about the entire process. This article should help you in your quest to learn more about pregnancy.
Do not avoid sex when you are pregnant. Many women are under the assumption that sex can harm their unborn child, but this is not true. In fact, sex can be helpful. Women have high hormone levels when pregnant, and having sex can help relieve some of the stress that these hormones give them.
If your feet swell unexpectedly during your pregnancy, you need to let your physician know right away. It may not be of concern, or the edema can be indicative of high blood pressure, which can be extremely dangerous for you and the baby. If you're suffering from preeclampsia, your doctor needs to take of it as soon as possible to protect your health and that of your child.
Pregnant women want to do everything they can to keep their newborn baby safe. Taking folic acid is very important for a baby's development and should be taken especially during the first trimester. Folic acid ensures proper brain and spinal cord formation. The recommended dose for pregnant women is a thousand micrograms each day.
Caffeinated drinks are not advisable during the important stages of pregnancy and should be avoided as much as possible. Caffeine can interfere with the sleep and rest that pregnant women need to get. If you feel nauseated during the day, consider eating crackers. Your sleep patterns will improve if you eat a better diet.
Write down all of your food choices into a food diary. Tracking your food helps you to ensure you are getting the right nutrition. Taking this list to the doctor will also come in handy for him or her to look over as well.
Once you reach the third trimester, you should prepare a bag for the hospital visit. If you wait too long, you may end up going to the hospital without everything that you need. Keep all of your important documentation handy at all times.
Call your doctor for anything that seems "off". You know your body better than anyone and if something doesn't feel right, then use that intuition and give your practitioner a call. They will decide if it's something they need to check out or not, but don't hesitate to seek help.
Learn new cooking methods for healthier eating while you are pregnant. Broiling, steaming or baking your favorite foods to reduce the fat and calories are a great way to make your food healthier. If you are eating out, ask the waiter how items are prepared and stay away from items that are fried.
If you are working on your nursery, be sure to avoid fumes and smells that may be associated with wallpaper or paint. While the risk of problems to your baby may be small, don't take the chance, just keep the windows open or avoid working with paint and wallpaper at all.
If you're pregnant, you shouldn't sit all day long, or even for a few hours at a time. Ankles and feet begin to swell later in the day for everyone; this is pronounced for those who are pregnant. This is most likely because of the significant increase of fluids in your body during pregnancy. Swelling may also occur when you sit for too long in any one position. To reduce the swelling: lie on your left side when you sleep, soak your feet in cold water, avoid socks with tight bands and do not cross your legs at the ankles when sitting.
Having to urinate frequently is something a lot of women experience during pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, the need to urinate will become more frequent as well. One tip to help with this is, when you urinate lean forward to ensure the bladder is completely empty, this could help to lessen your restroom trips.
Many women find the hormone changes of the first trimester to be exhausting. To improve your energy during pregnancy get plenty of rest at night and incorporate a daytime nap into your schedule. Exercise can also be helpful. Your body is going through many changes, so it is important to take good care of yourself.
Remove any rings that you have. Your fingers will swell if it is hot during your pregnancy and the last thing you want is a ring that won't come off that they have to cut off. It is also important to remove any belly button piercing, so that you don't get any rips or tears.
Know that every pregnancy has its surprises. Try to take it easy and relax as much as possible. If a surprise does come up, try to work it out between you and your doctor to come up with the best plan. Know that worrying about a surprise will not make it any better.
If you are starting to realize that you are getting recurrent heartburn during your pregnancy, take notice about the things that you do that could be a trigger. You can start by checking how much you eat during a meal as well as what time you eat. Something as simple as eating or drinking after a certain time at night could be the trigger.
When you're pregnant, research natural childbirth options. An epidural or other pain medication is not always necessary. Sometimes a hypnosis program or water birth can be just as effective. Using natural methods can help you and your baby to reduce the risks associated with medications. Some say it can also make your birthing experience more pleasurable.
If you are someone who can always be found at the movie theater, get your fix now before you get pregnant. Pregnancy can make it difficult to sit in one spot for an extended period of time, making movie going difficult. Catch new flicks in the theater now, and invest in DVD's to get your movie fix while you are pregnant.
Gathering information is one way to feel at peace during your pregnancy. Use these tips so you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy, and your baby will be happier and healthier too.