Are you pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant? You should have known some basic tips about taking care of your baby and yourself — no smoking, no drinking, rest always are probably some of the tips you already know. But there are more tips you probably don’t know that can ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy as well as a safe delivery.
5 Important Tips For New Mother
Track Your Weight Gain
You know now that you are eating for two, but you shouldn’t eat that much to add extra pounds that will be hard to lose after birth. At the same time, you should eat well to gain enough weight to reduce the risk of having a low-weight birth — which causes developmental problems in children. Below are the guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy as recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). This is based on the woman’s body mass index(BMI) before becoming pregnant with one baby.
– Underweight: Gain 28-40 pounds
– Normal weight: Gain 25-35 pounds
– Overweight: Gain 15-25 pounds
– Obese: Gain 11-20 pounds
Take a Prenatal Vitamin
The best thing to do even before pregnancy is to start taking prenatal vitamins since the baby’s neural cord develops within the first month of pregnancy — this later grows to become the baby’s brain and spinal cord. So, it is essential to get necessary nutrients like iron, folic acid, and calcium from the very start. You can get these prenatal vitamins over the counter at drug stores or even get them prescribed by your doctor. If you feel queasy after taking them, you should try taking them with a light snack or at night. Sucking on hard candy or chewing gum can help you afterward.
Wear Compression Socks
During pregnancy, wearing of compression stockings prevents blood from amalgamating in the veins and reduces increased heart rate in both mother and child. According to Feetstrap, Compression socks also help to reduce the risk of phlebitis, varicose veins, and thrombosis. With the use of compression therapy, you will also alleviate many common symptoms such as tired and achy legs or swollen feet and ankles.
Educate Yourself
You will feel more prepared when you a child birth class for your delivery — even if it isn’t your first pregnancy. You will be able to learn about childcare and infant care more and also voice out any concern or even ask questions. You will be more acquainted with the staff and their facilities. You will even be opportune to talk to your doctor about family incidences of congenital disabilities and problems with your past pregnancies (if any). You will use this to brush up your family medical history.
Regular Exercise
To have a healthy pregnancy, staying active is a must. This can be done through regular exercise. You will be able to control your weight, boost your mood, improve circulation, and help you sleep better. Exercising your body always will also help you set a good example for your child after birth. Before starting any form of exercise, make sure you check with your doctor first. Always aim for not less than 30 minutes most of the days of the week. Most of the exercises you can do include yoga, swimming, Pilates, and walking — listen to your body and don’t overdo it.
Follow these tips to safe during pregnancy and for a secure birth of your precious child.