3 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy
Finding out you are pregnant can be an exciting and fearful time. You want to do what's best to have a healthy pregnancy to keep you and your unborn child safe. Basic strategies can make your pregnancy easier and reduce the likelihood of problems.
Maintain A Fitness Routine
It is always best to consult your obstetrician regarding what you can do during different phases of your pregnancy. With many women concerned over their weight gain and physical appearance during and after pregnancy, it can be tempting to start working out. You might see women on social media who are able to lift weights, run, and do all sorts of activities throughout their pregnancy. This is because they were in top physical shape before pregnancy and their doctor agrees they can continue. For the average person who may not have been physically active before pregnancy, commit to walking regularly. Not only can walking reduce weight gain, but it can build leg strength and stamina, which will be especially useful in the latter months of your pregnancy and during delivery.
Add Support
It is common for women to experience low back pain, sciatica, and/or sacroiliac pain, especially during the third trimester. If you had previous pregnancies, these problems will likely start earlier since the supporting ligaments for your uterus are likely to be stretched out. Once you begin noticing pain, try adding a maternity belt. These are designed to fit around your lower back and under your lower abdomen to help lift your belly. It is equally important to wear supportive shoes throughout pregnancy. The shoes you wear can reduce foot and back pain, especially if you must stand and walk frequently. Many women prefer to wear slip-on shoes as their belly grows. Any sneaker or dressier pair of shoes with a hard sole is ideal for support. You can add cushioned inserts to make these shoes more comfortable.
Watch Out For Warning Signs
Pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are common ailments during pregnancy that could be dangerous to both you and your unborn child. With pre-eclampsia, you might notice the onset of swelling in your feet and ankles. Although some amount of swelling is common, chronic, dramatic swelling should be evaluated. Additionally, women with pre-eclampsia may develop headaches and/or nausea because their blood pressure is abnormally high. Gestational diabetes can be a little harder to notice without testing. Women with gestational diabetes often gain weight quickly and so does the baby. Many times this is the underlying culprit when women have abnormally large babies.
Having a healthy pregnancy is a matter of being mindful of your diet and exercise, in addition to attending regular obstetric appointments. Knowing the symptoms of major conditions that can occur during pregnancy will help you seek help in the earlier stages.