It is very important to take right precautions and be extra careful during pregnancy. Although it is one of the most beautiful phases in the life of a woman but safety measures cannot be overlooked. Here are top 10 tips for having a healthy pregnancy. Take a look at them right away. Most women feel uneasy during pregnancy as not only are their bodies going through changes, but also are ignorant of healthy practices that will help them for a smooth pregnancy and delivery. In this article Choosing a Good Doctor Taking Prenatal VitaminsInspecting the Health InsurancePreparing for Prenatal AppointmentConsult Your Doctor Before Taking any MedicationGive up Alcohol and SmokingLessen Caffeine Intake Change Some Basic Household Activities during PregnancyAvoid Under-Cooked, Raw FoodsGo For Prenatal Testing1. Choosing a Good DoctorIt is important to be under the supervision of a doctor who is sensitive and caring towards pregnant women, who is always accessible and someone who has a good experience of delivering babies. To be specific, it is necessary to consult an obstetrician who can help you to sail through your pregnancy safely. Tapping friends and relations for a good caregiver may go a long way in the pregnancy period for regular or unexpected checkups and follow-ups. Or then, asking the healthcare providers to suggest someone, else, scanning through the list of preferred providers in the health plan may also be a good idea.2. Taking Prenatal VitaminsIt is highly important for pregnant women to get sufficient amount of folic acid while conceiving and during the first trimester. Folic acid helps avoid the risk of neural birth defects in the new born including spina bifidia. Your doctor will advise you to take other prenatal vitamins like calcium, iron etc; as well throughout your pregnancy. You must take prenatal vitamins only as per your doctor’s prescription.3. Inspecting the Health InsuranceIt is important to know what the personal health insurance plan covers for the prenatal care and the costs for delivery and care for the new baby. 4. Preparing for Prenatal AppointmentIdeally, most of the women find about their pregnancy through the general signs and symptoms etc; like feeling dizzy, missed period, morning sickness. You must fix an appointment with your doctor immediately when you find out that you are pregnant through these signs or when you home pregnancy test results are positive. It would be a good idea to get an appointment in advance as appointments fill up fast.It is important to know the beginning date of the last periods so that the caregiver may determine the due date. Prepare a list of questions or doubts that may arise. It is important to know about medical histories including chronic problems or genetic abnormalities on both sides of the family, so it may be wise to call up the relatives and ask them personally. 5. Consult Your Doctor Before Taking any MedicationIdeally, apart from vitamin supplements, most of the doctors do not prescribe any medicines for health problems unless it is very critical. Noting down the list of safe medications being taken during pregnancy for temporary or chronic problems, including their dosage and strength would be fruitful when visiting a caregiver. Some drugs including over-the counter ones that do not require a prescription may cause harm during pregnancy. The list should include everything that is being taken including the vitamins, herbs and even supplements.6. Give up Alcohol and SmokingEven just one drink per day may cause low birth weight in the baby and may interfere with the child’s learning ability, speech, language, attention span and even hyperactivity. The exact amount is not known, but even in small consumption, alcohol may create problems in the child’s development. Same is applicable to smoking as it can create hazardous effects on the growth and development of a child. Therefore, Alcohol and smoking is a definite no-no during pregnancy.7. Lessen Caffeine IntakeHigh caffeine consumption may lead to miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. Therefore, you must limit the consumption of caffeinated drinks and foods in order to have a healthy pregnancy.8. Change Some Basic Household Activities during PregnancySome daily activities may prove to be hazardous to the mother or the baby when performed during pregnancy. These may include some of the cleaning products, solvents and pesticides. Also please check whether the drinking water has any significance of lead in it due to old pipes. If so, then find alternative drinking method like stored water or bottled water. Make sure none of the daily job activities bring exposure to chemicals or heavy metals as mercury or lead, radiation or biological agents. Taking off from work or changing jobs may be a good idea in such situations.9. Avoid Under-Cooked, Raw FoodsIt is wise to avoid food that may have bacteria, toxins or parasites in it. So say no to meat that is undercooked, soft cheese that is unpasteurized, and anything non-vegetarian that may be raw, including sushi with raw fish, salads with raw non-vegetarian food items, raw eggs, shellfish and oysters and fish with high content of mercury and even raw sprouts. Instead, keep curd, fruits, dried fruits and nuts, multigrain bread and pasta at home for snacking in-between.10. Go For Prenatal TestingVarious screening tests conducted in the first trimester help verify if the baby is at risk for Down syndrome or other chromosomal problems. The chronic villus sampling (CVS) may be offered which is conducted in the 11th or the 12th week. Also checking for amniocentesis in the second trimester may be very helpful. You doctor may advise you on what types of tests are required to be done after examining your health conditions and you regular scans and reports. So, if you keep smart choices and good habits during pregnancy, including eating right, getting tested regularly, taking the right vitamins as per doctor’s prescription and consulting him or her if you face any kind discomfort or health issue, there is no reason why you should not have a healthy pregnancy and delivery. What kinds of safety measures should be followed for having a healthy pregnancy? Why is it important to be extra careful during pregnancy? What kind of habit can prove harmful for pregnant women? Discuss here.
It is very important to take right precautions and be extra careful during pregnancy. Although it is one of the most beautiful phases in the life of a woman but safety measures cannot be overlooked. Here are top 10 tips for having a healthy pregnancy. Take a look at them right away.
Most women feel uneasy during pregnancy as not only are their bodies going through changes, but also are ignorant of healthy practices that will help them for a smooth pregnancy and delivery.
It is important to be under the supervision of a doctor who is sensitive and caring towards pregnant women, who is always accessible and someone who has a good experience of delivering babies. To be specific, it is necessary to consult an obstetrician who can help you to sail through your pregnancy safely. Tapping friends and relations for a good caregiver may go a long way in the pregnancy period for regular or unexpected checkups and follow-ups. Or then, asking the healthcare providers to suggest someone, else, scanning through the list of preferred providers in the health plan may also be a good idea.
2. Taking Prenatal Vitamins
It is highly important for pregnant women to get sufficient amount of folic acid while conceiving and during the first trimester. Folic acid helps avoid the risk of neural birth defects in the new born including spina bifidia. Your doctor will advise you to take other prenatal vitamins like calcium, iron etc; as well throughout your pregnancy. You must take prenatal vitamins only as per your doctor’s prescription.
3. Inspecting the Health Insurance
It is important to know what the personal health insurance plan covers for the prenatal care and the costs for delivery and care for the new baby.
4. Preparing for Prenatal Appointment
Ideally, most of the women find about their pregnancy through the general signs and symptoms etc; like feeling dizzy, missed period, morning sickness. You must fix an appointment with your doctor immediately when you find out that you are pregnant through these signs or when you home pregnancy test results are positive. It would be a good idea to get an appointment in advance as appointments fill up fast.
It is important to know the beginning date of the last periods so that the caregiver may determine the due date. Prepare a list of questions or doubts that may arise. It is important to know about medical histories including chronic problems or genetic abnormalities on both sides of the family, so it may be wise to call up the relatives and ask them personally.
5. Consult Your Doctor Before Taking any Medication
Ideally, apart from vitamin supplements, most of the doctors do not prescribe any medicines for health problems unless it is very critical. Noting down the list of safe medications being taken during pregnancy for temporary or chronic problems, including their dosage and strength would be fruitful when visiting a caregiver. Some drugs including over-the counter ones that do not require a prescription may cause harm during pregnancy. The list should include everything that is being taken including the vitamins, herbs and even supplements.
6. Give up Alcohol and Smoking
Even just one drink per day may cause low birth weight in the baby and may interfere with the child’s learning ability, speech, language, attention span and even hyperactivity. The exact amount is not known, but even in small consumption, alcohol may create problems in the child’s development. Same is applicable to smoking as it can create hazardous effects on the growth and development of a child. Therefore, Alcohol and smoking is a definite no-no during pregnancy.
7. Lessen Caffeine Intake
High caffeine consumption may lead to miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. Therefore, you must limit the consumption of caffeinated drinks and foods in order to have a healthy pregnancy.
8. Change Some Basic Household Activities during Pregnancy
Some daily activities may prove to be hazardous to the mother or the baby when performed during pregnancy. These may include some of the cleaning products, solvents and pesticides. Also please check whether the drinking water has any significance of lead in it due to old pipes. If so, then find alternative drinking method like stored water or bottled water. Make sure none of the daily job activities bring exposure to chemicals or heavy metals as mercury or lead, radiation or biological agents. Taking off from work or changing jobs may be a good idea in such situations.
9. Avoid Under-Cooked, Raw Foods
It is wise to avoid food that may have bacteria, toxins or parasites in it. So say no to meat that is undercooked, soft cheese that is unpasteurized, and anything non-vegetarian that may be raw, including sushi with raw fish, salads with raw non-vegetarian food items, raw eggs, shellfish and oysters and fish with high content of mercury and even raw sprouts. Instead, keep curd, fruits, dried fruits and nuts, multigrain bread and pasta at home for snacking in-between.
10. Go For Prenatal Testing
Various screening tests conducted in the first trimester help verify if the baby is at risk for Down syndrome or other chromosomal problems. The chronic villus sampling (CVS) may be offered which is conducted in the 11th or the 12th week. Also checking for amniocentesis in the second trimester may be very helpful. You doctor may advise you on what types of tests are required to be done after examining your health conditions and you regular scans and reports.
So, if you keep smart choices and good habits during pregnancy, including eating right, getting tested regularly, taking the right vitamins as per doctor’s prescription and consulting him or her if you face any kind discomfort or health issue, there is no reason why you should not have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
What kinds of safety measures should be followed for having a healthy pregnancy? Why is it important to be extra careful during pregnancy? What kind of habit can prove harmful for pregnant women? Discuss here.
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