The Best Pregnancy Advice From Healthcare Professionals
Although pregnancy only lasts for nine months, there's a lot to pack in there to ensure that you're properly nurturing a healthy baby boy or girl! If you and your partner are anticipating a new addition to your happy family, then congratulations are most certainly in order.
Becoming a new parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, and raising a child will certainly provide you with plenty of laughter, tears of happiness and proud moments.
However, now that you're pregnant, it's vitally important that you not only look after the health of your unborn baby, but your own as well.
After all, the nutrients you consume will end up providing your baby with nutrition as well; so if you live off of a diet of chips, pizza and fried chicken, it's time to tuck the junk food away and start treating your body - and your unborn baby! - right.
To ensure that you give birth to a healthy and happy baby, I've outlined the best pregnancy advice from healthcare professionals.
This advice is designed to provide you with a healthy and relatively easy pregnancy; however, you should always seek advice from your doctor in addition to the pregnancy tips outlined below: Schedule Regular Prenatal Care.
Now that you know you're pregnant, your doctor will become the person that you see the most, besides your partner! Regular prenatal care is an essential part of a healthy pregnancy; therefore, appointments with your healthcare provider should never be put off or avoided.
If you don't have adequate health insurance, enroll in a governmentally-backed insurance plan, which will offer you proper coverage at a lower monthly premium, with relatively inexpensive copayments.
Additionally, nonprofit programs like Planned Parenthood can provide you with the prenatal care and checkups that you need for free; if you can't afford coverage, make an appointment with your nearest Planned Parenthood provider to be seen by a healthcare professional for free.
Here's the rundown of how often you'll see your healthcare provider once you discover that you're pregnant (taking into account that your pregnancy is relatively low-risk): * Once per month until your 28th week; * Then every two weeks until your 36th week; * Then once per week until you deliver your baby boy or girl.
Your regular prenatal care will include blood and urine tests, cervical examinations and some ultrasounds.
Get Proper Nutrition.
It should come as no surprise that healthcare professionals list getting proper nutrition is one of the most important things that an expectant mother can do for her baby.
Now that you're eating for both yourself and your baby, forgo any and all diets, since you'll need the extra nutrition and calories to give the baby the nutrients it needs for healthy physical and mental development.
Your diet should be abundant in: * Fruits and vegetables; * Lean meats; * Iron-rich foods like eggs, leafy greens and dark poultry; * Whole-grain breads and cereals; * And low-fat dairy products.
You'll certainly need more vitamins and minerals now that you're pregnant; however, your doctor will prescribe you with the right prenatal vitamins to provide both you and your baby with the extra nutrients you need for a happy and healthy pregnancy.
You'll also need to drink a lot more fluids - so if you prefer Diet Coke over water, it's time to revamp your drinks in order to maximize your baby's future health.
Drinking plenty of water (expectant mothers should drink between eight to ten glasses of water per day) will also prevent common pregnancy problems, which include constipation and dehydration.
Proper Fitness.
Many expectant mothers are often wary about continuing a fitness routine during pregnancy.
What fitness level is appropriate for both mother and baby? Are there any workouts that are off-limits? Trade high-impact sports (especially those that carry a risk of falling or abdominal injury) for low-impact activities like yoga and swimming.
You'll find many DVDs and gym classes that cater exclusively to pregnant women, so be sure to get about 30 minutes in each day for your baby's optimum health and development.
Get Plenty Of ZZZs.
Now that you're pregnant, you'll start to feel more tired, since your body is working hard to develop new life - this is why getting enough sleep is absolutely essential to your health.
Many healthcare professionals recommend that pregnant women sleep on their left side, as this will keep the enlarged uterus off of vital organs like your liver.
Of course, it's important to note that pregnant women should avoid any and all alcohol, recreational drugs, nicotine and caffeine during your pregnancy.
Taking this precautionary steps will not only reduce your chances of miscarriage - it will also help to ensure that you have a happy and healthy pregnancy that results in a beautiful new baby boy or girl!
Becoming a new parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, and raising a child will certainly provide you with plenty of laughter, tears of happiness and proud moments.
However, now that you're pregnant, it's vitally important that you not only look after the health of your unborn baby, but your own as well.
After all, the nutrients you consume will end up providing your baby with nutrition as well; so if you live off of a diet of chips, pizza and fried chicken, it's time to tuck the junk food away and start treating your body - and your unborn baby! - right.
To ensure that you give birth to a healthy and happy baby, I've outlined the best pregnancy advice from healthcare professionals.
This advice is designed to provide you with a healthy and relatively easy pregnancy; however, you should always seek advice from your doctor in addition to the pregnancy tips outlined below: Schedule Regular Prenatal Care.
Now that you know you're pregnant, your doctor will become the person that you see the most, besides your partner! Regular prenatal care is an essential part of a healthy pregnancy; therefore, appointments with your healthcare provider should never be put off or avoided.
If you don't have adequate health insurance, enroll in a governmentally-backed insurance plan, which will offer you proper coverage at a lower monthly premium, with relatively inexpensive copayments.
Additionally, nonprofit programs like Planned Parenthood can provide you with the prenatal care and checkups that you need for free; if you can't afford coverage, make an appointment with your nearest Planned Parenthood provider to be seen by a healthcare professional for free.
Here's the rundown of how often you'll see your healthcare provider once you discover that you're pregnant (taking into account that your pregnancy is relatively low-risk): * Once per month until your 28th week; * Then every two weeks until your 36th week; * Then once per week until you deliver your baby boy or girl.
Your regular prenatal care will include blood and urine tests, cervical examinations and some ultrasounds.
Get Proper Nutrition.
It should come as no surprise that healthcare professionals list getting proper nutrition is one of the most important things that an expectant mother can do for her baby.
Now that you're eating for both yourself and your baby, forgo any and all diets, since you'll need the extra nutrition and calories to give the baby the nutrients it needs for healthy physical and mental development.
Your diet should be abundant in: * Fruits and vegetables; * Lean meats; * Iron-rich foods like eggs, leafy greens and dark poultry; * Whole-grain breads and cereals; * And low-fat dairy products.
You'll certainly need more vitamins and minerals now that you're pregnant; however, your doctor will prescribe you with the right prenatal vitamins to provide both you and your baby with the extra nutrients you need for a happy and healthy pregnancy.
You'll also need to drink a lot more fluids - so if you prefer Diet Coke over water, it's time to revamp your drinks in order to maximize your baby's future health.
Drinking plenty of water (expectant mothers should drink between eight to ten glasses of water per day) will also prevent common pregnancy problems, which include constipation and dehydration.
Proper Fitness.
Many expectant mothers are often wary about continuing a fitness routine during pregnancy.
What fitness level is appropriate for both mother and baby? Are there any workouts that are off-limits? Trade high-impact sports (especially those that carry a risk of falling or abdominal injury) for low-impact activities like yoga and swimming.
You'll find many DVDs and gym classes that cater exclusively to pregnant women, so be sure to get about 30 minutes in each day for your baby's optimum health and development.
Get Plenty Of ZZZs.
Now that you're pregnant, you'll start to feel more tired, since your body is working hard to develop new life - this is why getting enough sleep is absolutely essential to your health.
Many healthcare professionals recommend that pregnant women sleep on their left side, as this will keep the enlarged uterus off of vital organs like your liver.
Of course, it's important to note that pregnant women should avoid any and all alcohol, recreational drugs, nicotine and caffeine during your pregnancy.
Taking this precautionary steps will not only reduce your chances of miscarriage - it will also help to ensure that you have a happy and healthy pregnancy that results in a beautiful new baby boy or girl!
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