Top 5 Steps To A Healthy Pregnancy

Summary: There are some simple to follow steps that may lead to healthy pregnancy and a much healthier you. Follow these steps and have a great time during pregnancy.

Now as you know that you are pregnant, it is crucial than ever before to take great care of yourself emotionally as well as physically. You can also boost up your chances of having problem free or risk free pregnancy by following some useful and simple steps. These steps to a healthy pregnancy will be very helpful for you and your baby both.

Step 1

Watch what you eat

Now that you have a baby inside you, you may be happy to know that you just need 300 extra calories every day. Ensure that you eat lots of protein. You also need 70 grams protein now as compared with 45 grams before you were pregnant. Although the calcium needs remain somewhat same, it is good if you meet it properly.

You also need to stay away from uncooked or undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized dairy items and juices, cold meats and raw seafood in order to avoid eating bacteria. More so, avoid eating certain kind of fish which may contain more mercury or some contaminants.

Step 2 Exercise regularly

A nice exercise regime can give you the much needed endurance and strength that you need during pregnancy. This will help you to ease or prevent pains and aches, help you tackle physical stress and improve sluggish movement in legs. Exercise on a regular basis will also help you get back to shape after the delivery.

Even more, exercising properly and regularly will reduce your stress. Research and studies also suggest that being active boosts your overall serotonin level i.e. a brain chemical that is linked with your mood.

Step 3 Say no to alcohol and smoke Never drink or smoke when you are pregnant. Alcohol that you take reaches the baby through the bloodstream, crossing your placenta and the baby may end up having high level of blood alcohol.

Drinking and smoking further increases the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. So it is important that you avoid taking alcohol.

Step 4

Cut back on caffeine

Cola, coffee, energy drinks and tea are the mild stimulants. There are issues when too much caffeine is taken and it increases the threat of facing miscarriage. It is also believed that high level of caffeine may lead to your baby having low birth weight. It is recommended that less than 200 mg caffeine per day will not hurt the baby.

Step 5 Get some rest

Fatigue and tiredness that you feel in first few months of pregnancy is basically because of pregnancy hormones that circulate in the body. In case you face the problem of lack of sleep at night, take a nap in the afternoon. If that is also not possible due to work schedule or office timings then put your feet up and relax for half an hour or so.

If you suffer from backache, try to lie down on your left side with knees bent. Placing wedge shaped pillow under the bump may also help to ease out the strain and stress felt on your back. Last but not least, exercise may even give you relief from your backache. It may also help with sleep issues and much more.

So, adopt these simple yet useful steps and say hello to healthy pregnancy.

Resource box: Tampa Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including abortions, physical examinations, family planning and counseling. Abortion Clinic.

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women. http://www.womenscenter.com/