Pregnancy is a marvelous aspect of life, letting you experience the joy of creating a new person and bringing them into the world. It also represents a shift in your physical and mental composition. When you use the information below, you put a priority on keeping you and your baby healthy.
Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep each night. You need around 8 hours. Getting the right amount of sleep will help you to feel good, and it will also help your fetus to grow. During pregnancy many people feel very tired, and it is important to give your body what it needs.
Provided the majority of what you eat is balanced and healthy, it's okay to give in to those cravings! Your cravings happen for a specific reason, and your body may need whatever those foods contain. When you start to eat for two people, you use up a lot more of the nutrients and energy that your body has stored, so satisfy your cravings!
See a doctor before you try to conceive. Your doctor will be able to advise you on healthy changes to make in your lifestyle now, to make sure you have the best pregnancy possible. By knowing proper tips on pregnancy preparation, you can ensure you have the best experience.
If you smoke, being pregnant is the greatest reason you will ever have to stop smoking so find a way to do it now! As stressful as being pregnant may be, jeopardizing the health of your baby is a million times more stressful. This is a great opportunity to get medical help to quit and have the strongest motivating factor to keep you smoke-free.
If you are a cat owner, find someone else to clean the litter box. Cat urine and feces contain chemicals which can cause you health problems and potentially cost you your pregnancy. If married, then ask your spouse to change the litter, if single ask a neighbor, friend or family member to pitch in and help until you have the baby.
Learn what premature labor is like so that you can alert your physician if necessary. Ideally, you will never have to use this information. Most importantly though, will be having an idea of what to do should this occur, so that you remain calm. When you can avoid preterm labor, you can save your baby's health.
You will want to have the physical memories of the day you give birth for the rest of your life. Make sure your video camera is charged and ready, along with your digital camera. Remember to have enough media storage to capture as many photos as you could ever need.
While you are pregnant, you should avoid all foods that contain caffeine. Caffeine can trigger insomnia, which can keep you from getting enough sleep. Try munching on crackers throughout the day if you are suffering from nausea. A nutritious and healthy diet is extremely beneficial for getting a good night's sleep.
Avoid pesticides by eating locally grown organic foods. We don't know how much effect these pesticides can have on a fetus but it is better to be safe than sorry. If not buying organic, stick with items with heavy peels like oranges as they are likely to be less contaminated.
Realize that "morning" sickness can happen at any time of the day and check with your doctor if it seems really bad. Most new parents are only affected by morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is usually one of the first signs that a women picks up on to signify that she may be pregnant. If it is keeping you from being able to keep down any food, see your doctor for ideas on how to help.
Before your child arrives, post a reminder to yourself in a prominent location in your home to add your baby to your health insurance plan. You usually have 30 days to do so after your child is born, but it is easy to forget during the haze of new parenthood. If delayed too long, this could leave your child uninsured until annual enrollment season rolls around.
Get plenty of pregnancy before, during and after your pregnancy! Exercise lowers your rick of miscarrying, makes your pregnancy easier, results in fewer complications during labor and can even make your labor shorter. Regardless of whether you are already pregnant or you are trying to get pregnant, exercise makes an easier time of the whole experience.
Find out if your dental insurance covers extra cleanings and checkups during pregnancy, and pay close attention to your oral health in general. You are at a higher risk for gingivitis while pregnant, and many insurers will pay for more frequent visits to the dentist during this time. Brush and floss carefully and thoroughly to keep your teeth healthy.
You can learn a great deal during your pregnancy to prepare for the birth of your child by reading about the birth experiences of others. Reading the stories that others share, and watching videos that they have posted online can give you valuable information about the wonders of birth, as well as the challenges.
Use a body pillow when sleeping. Many pregnant women have trouble getting comfortable when sleeping, and find it the best to sleep on their side, with the body pillow under the knee and belly at the same time. Rest is very important during the pregnancy, so make sure you get an adequate amount.
Put your birth plan in writing and share it with your doctor before you go into labor. Having your plan in writing helps you focus on the type of delivery you want and helps your doctor understand what you want. Even though unexpected events can result in changes, having your plan documented gives you peace of mind before going into labor.
By reading this article, you now know how to make you and your baby healthy and happy during your pregnancy. The information shared here will help make your pregnancy more manageable and and enjoyable, if you follow the advice. Your family deserves awesome healthcare.