Healthy Pregnancy: How To Take Care Of Yourself In Each Phase?
“You never understand life truly, until it grows inside of you.” – Sandra Chami Kassis.
Pregnancy is one of the most blissful feelings for a woman. However, it is challenging at the same time. In your pregnancy, you need to adapt to all the physical, mental, and emotional changes.
Those 9 months, you need to take care of yourself and nurture a bond with life inside of you. That’s why to help you out, in this article, we’ll explain some habits that’ll help you during the prenatal and postpartum phases.
So, let’s begin!
- Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is very important for you and your baby’s safety and health. It helps in identifying any issues or complications and reduces any risk that you might face during pregnancy.
Ideally, prenatal care begins at least three months before you try to conceive. Here are some healthy habits that you must follow during this phase:
- Quit alcohol and smoking
- Take folic acid supplements (400 to 800 mg) daily.
- Discuss your medical conditions with the doctor. Also, disclose any over-the-counter or prescribed medication, dietary supplements that you might be taking.
- Avoid any type of contact with chemicals or toxic substances at work or home.
Note OB-GYN you select for your pregnancy will play a significant role during this period. So, you must select nothing but the best in your town. Use the right keywords while searching online. For instance, if you live in New York, use terms like obgyn nyc or ob-gyn near me. Also, learn about all the treatments and procedures they provide and learn about their license.
- During Pregnancy
Once you get pregnant, your prime duty is to schedule regular appointments with the obstetrician or gynecologist. The schedule may involve:
- Visit every month in the first six months.
- Every two weeks in the seventh and eighth months.
- Every week in the ninth month.
The visit will generally include,
- Monitoring your blood pressure.
- Taking routine tests such as blood tests for anemia, HIV and for learning about blood type.
- Monitoring the baby’s heart rate and growth.
- Measuring your weight
- Special diet and exercise.
- Checking baby’s position in later visits.
The doctor might also teach you basic skills on how to take care of a newborn, what to do and what not to do, etc.
Depending on your pregnancy condition, you may or may not require frequent visits.
- Postpartum Care
Postpartum care is as critical as care during pregnancy. Generally, the postpartum period lasts for six to eight weeks, right after the delivery. This period tends to get overwhelming for the mother as she goes through countless physical and emotional changes. That’s why it is essential to pay attention to the rest, nutrition, and vaginal care. Here are some tips to help you:
- The best time to rest is when your baby is asleep.
- Ask for help to take care of your baby.
- Avoid high-fat snacks.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat balanced protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables.
Also, schedule a checkup with your doctors after 6 weeks of delivery to proper treatment.
Wrapping it up!
Your health will have a direct impact on your baby’s health. Therefore, you must practice the habit mentioned above, go for regular OB-GYN visits, and follow their instructions.
