Healthy pregnancy tips: Caring for your growing baby

You got the news that you’re pregnant, congratulations! It’s a big moment and there’s so much “new” ahead for your growing family. There are going to be a lot of changes. Suddenly, you’re not just responsible for one life, but two. Health considerations you would never have made before immediately come to the forefront. It can be draining, but it’s so worth it. The biggest problem for many first-time moms is not knowing what IS healthy, and what isn’t. That’s why a healthy pregnancy tips guide can be useful.

There’s so much advice out there for pregnant women that it can make your head spin. To help simplify things, let’s put the basics together into one easy-to-read guide here. Below is the anatomy of a healthy pregnancy – specifically what you need to do to ensure that your baby develops properly.

Healthy pregnancy tips: Avoid obvious health hazards

When you are pregnant, the same health hazards that affect your body can also damage your baby. What’s more, many of these can harm the natural course of development, leading to congenital issues after birth.

It is critical, therefore, that you avoid obvious dangers. Stay away from radioactive materials. Avoid second-hand smoke.

And, if possible, live as far away from polluted cities. If you have a drinking or marijuana habit, then curb it for the sake of the baby.

Supplement your routine with vitamins

Ensuring that you get all the vitamins that your body needs is essential at the best of times. But it is especially critical now, which is why it’s one of the healthy pregnancy tips here.

Babies need essential micronutrients to create tissues that will eventually form their bodies. Failing to provide these can, again, lead to problems after birth.

Failing to get enough folic acid, calcium, or iron, for instance, can lead to brain and spinal cord problems that last for a lifetime. If you’re not sure about your dietary status or what you should eat during pregnancy, get in touch with a women’s health center.

Be active for 20 minutes every day

Mothers-to-be rarely stick with their old exercise routine throughout their pregnancy. That’s understandable and advisable.

But, being active can reap dividends in the future, both for your health and that of your child.

HIIT training is out of the question, obviously! However, low-impact, gentle exercises, like walking, stretching, and yoga, can all make a big difference and help you remain supple. Don’t forget to speak to your doctor before engaging in any type of training for the sake of you and your baby’s best interests.

Learn everything there is to know about having a baby

Pregnancy transforms a woman’s body. One minute, you’re enjoying your youth, bounding around like there’s no tomorrow. And the next, you suddenly have all this excess weight.

Getting educated about pregnancy, therefore, is a great way to stay healthy. You want to be able to identify what is normal and what isn’t, so you’re prepared for the days and weeks ahead.

Do Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises are a unique form of training that helps to strengthen your pelvic area. For most of your life, you barely notice the muscles in this region and then, when it comes to giving birth, they suddenly take on a whole new level of importance.

Improving their stamina and endurance is vital for two reasons. First, having a strong “pelvic floor” (the group of muscles that comprise the floor of the pelvis area) can make labor easier if you decide to have a natural childbirth. Secondly, it reduces the likelihood of incontinence after you have your child.

The great thing about Kegel exercises is that you can do them anywhere. If you’re still working then do them at your desk, for example. Or, you could discreetly do them at the store. Or, how about while watching TV?

Doing these types of fitness is easy. All you do is perform the same exercise you would if you were trying to stop yourself from peeing.

Tense the muscles, count to three, and then relax. Repeat this ten times for a more robust pelvic floor.

Even when you’re not pregnant, incorporating Kegel exercises in your workout routine can have plenty of health benefits. It helps strengthen your pelvic floor so you can prevent certain conditions, such as urinary leakage and pelvic organ prolapse. Kegel exercises also help maintain overall pelvic health as you age.

Healthy pregnancy tips: Reduce exposure to cleaning chemicals

Cleaning products are great for ridding your home of germs, but, unfortunately, they bring a host of risks of their own. Many commercially-available materials contain untested chemicals with unknown effects on health.

There’s a risk that some of these might affect the growth of the unborn child, so avoiding them when you can is essential.

Remember, there are now dozens of cleaning products available on the market that eschew all harmful substances. So, if you’re having a baby, you might want to check them out.

Be wary of your medications and supplements

Medications and some supplements can be harmful to the development of your coming child. Even if a product is “natural,” that’s no reason to trust it. Hemlock is natural, but it is also a poison that can kill you.

If you’re worried about the effects of medications, speak with your doctor. They will be able to tell you which medicines are safe and which aren’t.

Feel free to share other healthy pregnancy tips below!