When you’re expecting, your body undergoes new nutritional needs, safety concerns, and limitations. It may become overwhelming and confusing, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. But now that you’re taking care of your baby and yourself, ensuring health and wellness have never been more crucial.
To help you out, here are six tips to ensure optimal health and peace of mind for the nine months ahead.
Don’t Ignore Back Pain and Aches
Women often experience backaches or pain during pregnancy, especially during the early months. That’s because, during the gestation period, the ligaments in a woman’s body naturally softens and stretches, preparing their body for labor, putting a strain on the joints of the pelvis and lower back. Although many women ignore this pain, it’s not ideal because it can result in fatigue and extreme discomfort.
Taking painkillers may be tempting, but it can result in complications for your baby, putting him/her in danger. Fortunately, you can treat back pain naturally with the help of a chiropractor. When you visit clinics such as MG Chiropractic, their chiropractors will relieve your back pain by performing spinal manipulation techniques, allowing you to go through the rest of your pregnancy pain-free.
Remember to Eat for Two
Although the morning sickness and vertigo can make you lose your appetite, ensure you’re getting enough calories to maintain a healthy weight for the sake of both you and your baby’s safety. Fill your plate up with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to give your baby the nutrients he/she needs, ensuring optimal and healthy growth.
Get Your Vitamins
Besides eating right, taking vitamins is also crucial, especially folic acid and calcium, contributing to the baby’s health and growth. You can naturally get these vitamins and minerals from consuming food like leafy greens, fruits, whole grains, beans, etc. However, eating food alone won’t be enough to give you the essential nutrients both you and the baby need. That’s why it’s wise to ask your doctor if you can take prenatal vitamins.
Avoid Certain Foods
There are a thousand and one things that women need to avoid during pregnancy, especially food. These foods include uncooked food such as sushi, soft cheese, rare-cooked meats, unpasteurized milk or juice, deli meats, pre-made salads, and raw sprouts. These can cause food poisoning and may harm your baby’s well-being.
Visit Your Doctor Regularly
Regular prenatal visits help your physician monitor your baby and your health, allowing you to prevent complications and address health issues quickly. If your pregnancy is normal or healthy, it’s best to visit your doctor monthly before the first to the second trimester, then weekly during the third until birth.
Always ask about the medications they’re prescribing you with, never change doses, or settle for different medications until you’ve heard from your physician.
When you experience bleeding, fever, vomiting, nausea, or have thoughts of harming yourself and your growing baby or feel like your baby isn’t moving as much after 28 weeks of your pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately.
Get Some Rest
Although the sudden changes in your body can make you feel restless, getting enough rest is crucial in ensuring health and wellness for both of you. That’s why it’s best if you get plenty of sleep, around 7 to 8 hours each night. When sleeping, lie on your left side to improve blood flow and keep your baby safe.
Embrace these simple pregnancy tips to stay healthy and well throughout the nine months, keeping your baby and yourself safe before the big day arrives.