9 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very beautiful phase of your life; most pregnant women are motivated to take good care of their health, so they give a good start to their baby in life. It is an excellent opportunity to start developing good habits for life; start off with following your gynecologist guidelines and the other tips given below.

9 tips for a healthy pregnancy: 

1) Eat a well-balanced diet and drink lots of water; avoid filling yourself with empty calories. Find out by reading books and browsing the net about what constitutes a good diet or take the advice of a nutritionist. It is best to avoid eating out if you have a sensitive stomach; if not you should avoid eating uncooked foods, salads and those foods that get spoilt easily. It is in your interest to avoid substances like cigarettes, alcohol and street drugs that could be dangerous to you and the baby in your womb. Take medicines prescribed by the doctor only and avoid over-the-counter medications.    

2) Remember that pregnancy is not an illness; make the most of it by being active. Continue with your exercise programs you were following with modifications as prescribed by the doctor during pregnancy. Start exercises like walking or swimming for short periods of time and then gradually increase it; these exercises help keep the muscles of the legs strong that aids in easy childbirth.  

3) Your body also needs a lot of rest during pregnancy; take short breaks during the day and sleep preferably on the left side while sleeping in the day and night. This position ensures optimum flow of oxygen to the baby.  

4) Being well informed about pregnancy makes it a beautiful phase; talk to family and friends about the various changes going on in the body, the growing baby, labor and birth. It would also be great to attend pregnancy-related classes, read the relevant books, and watch videos about normal pregnancy and childbirth.

5) Make a habit to listen to soothing music at the same time every day. Continue this habit even after the baby is born; you will be surprised how the baby calms down when you play the music.

6) Pregnancy is a stressful period and reading light and interesting books like funny books and jokes books would help to relax; they  would not only keep you laughing and smiling, but would have the same positive effect on the baby in your womb.

7) Enjoy the special bond developing between you and your baby by talking to your baby; babies react to the sense of touch as early as 10 weeks, with it soon reacting to light, your voice, music and other sounds. 

8) Minimize the stress during pregnancy by practicing stress management techniques like slow and deep breathing exercises, yoga and relaxing the various muscle groups.

9) Pregnancy is the most special time of your life; enjoy the wonderful transition with the help of your husband, family and friends. Also build up a confidence in your body’s ability to grow, nourish and give birth to a healthy baby.

Image Courtesy: Google