4 Ways To Ensure Your Baby’s Good Health During Pregnancy

While the good news of your pregnancy may excite you, it is also when you should take care of the unborn baby. Staying healthy and visiting the doctor for routine checkups ensures the safety of the mother and fetus. A safe and healthy pregnancy begins with a checkup and prenatal care. 

You must make an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as you discover you are pregnant. Your doctor will review medical history, inquire about the symptoms, and prescribe tests. Blood tests are essential to check sugar levels, blood cell count, and infectious diseases to prevent risk to the unborn baby.

The healthcare provider addresses concerns and questions regarding pregnancy to ensure a smooth journey for the mother and baby. Prenatal care is vital in every phase of the pregnancy, from the first to the third trimester. Healthcare professionals can spot and treat health problems early when mothers visit them for checkups regularly.

Mothers not seeking prenatal care are at significant risk of having birth complications. One of the most common birth complications is birth injuries. During delivery, many newborns suffer from minor injuries that often do not need treatment or heal on their own in a few days. Most often, birth injuries are confused with congenital disabilities.

Congenital disabilities are the abnormalities that form while the baby is inside the womb. In contrast, birth injuries of newborn babies refer to head trauma or oxygen deprivation, amongst others. They often result from premature birth, trauma from impact during delivery, or medical negligence.

Expectant mothers must take specific steps to ensure the baby’s good health during pregnancy. Let’s look at some of the measures pregnant women should take.   

Exercise

Regularly exercising throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy, decrease discomfort like fatigue, backache, and improve your posture. Contrary to popular belief, physical activity reduces the risk of miscarriage and early delivery. Women physically active before pregnancy have no difficulty continuing exercise during pregnancy.

You can maintain an exercise routine after consulting your healthcare provider. You can start with a walk that is considered safe during pregnancy. There are numerous health benefits of exercise for pregnant women. They include weight control, improved mood, and maintaining fitness levels.

Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. It helps your body cope with the baby’s growing weight and makes delivery less risky. Regardless of the type of exercise, it is essential to take breaks and drink lots of fluids. However, always consult your obstetrician or gynecologist since every pregnancy is different.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is vital for pregnancy. It is critical to the baby’s growth and development. Eating from various food groups such as fruit, vegetables, bread, and protein sources for essential nutrients is important. Eating healthy is about focusing on the quality of food rather than the quantity. 

Nausea and vomiting during the first few months of pregnancy make eating a well-balanced diet difficult. Choose food rich in fiber, proteins, and vitamins to prevent anemia or gestational diabetes. A wholesome diet improves labor and keeps your energy up.

For a healthy pregnancy, mothers should understand how much to consume and which foods are beneficial for them and the baby. Calorie intake depends on your weight before and during pregnancy. Moderation and consulting your healthcare provider are vital to finding the proper calorie intake and nutrition.

Sleep

The amount of sleep you get affects your overall health during pregnancy and delivery. One of the first symptoms pregnant women experience is being exhausted. With time, hormonal changes lead to not getting enough sleep. It gets difficult for mothers to get a good night’s sleep as the pregnancy progresses.  

A few hours of good night’s sleep or a nap during the day is essential for a baby’s health. Pregnant women are often unable to find a comfortable sleeping position. It is recommended for mothers to sleep on their left side with bent knees, promoting healthy circulation. It leads to increased blood flow to the heart and fetus. 

Lack of sleep results in high blood pressure, pre-term birth, and other pregnancy-related complications. This reliable dentist in Harrisburg also adds that continued sleep deprivation can cause or worsen existing periodontal diseases. Multi-vitamins and medicine prescribed by your doctor can help overcome sleep problems.

Reduce stress

Stress is a familiar feeling that pregnant women experience due to discomforts and daily life changes. Mood swings are common during pregnancy. However, a prolonged period of mood changes due to stress is harmful. It may cause health problems from high blood pressure to premature birth.

To overcome stress, you should start taking deep breaths to help your mind and body feel relaxed. A calm bedtime routine can help relax your mind before going to sleep. Exercise releases chemicals like endorphins in the body, which relieves stress.

Also check about – 7 Major Risk Factors Of Miscarriage

Final Thoughts

While being pregnant is a joyous time, keeping your baby’s health in mind is necessary. Unfortunately, pregnant women are at significant risk of facing complications due to lack of care. Prenatal care is the first step towards ensuring safe pregnancy. Prenatal care includes visiting healthcare providers regularly, taking multi-vitamins, and avoiding unhealthy foods, amongst other things.

Complications like birth injuries often result from head trauma, premature delivery, or difficult labor. It is necessary to ensure the good health of both mother and the baby to prevent future complications.