Not knowing exactly what to expect is one of the most daunting aspects of pregnancy. This article provides insight on many issues related to pregnancy.
If you are not feeling well, you do not have to attend all events on your calendar. Your friends and family will understand that you have special needs during this time. You may not have expected to feel as tired and nauseated as you have been, or envisaged how frequently you have to go to the bathroom. Don’t overextend yourself.
Keep track of your menstrual cycles if you want to get pregnant. By learning your cycles, you will be more in tune to knowing the best times to try to conceive. This will help you find a precise due date since you will be able to tell during which period of time you got pregnant.
A pregnant woman should avoid as much additional stress as humanly possible. Stress can cause problems for both the mom and the unborn baby. Some premature births have been linked to extreme stress.
If you are pregnant and your feet are very swollen, make sure to let your doctor know. This might just be a benign issue, but in some cases it could be preeclampsia, a dangerous form of hypertension that affects those who are pregnant. In order to have a healthy, normal birth, you should have this condition treated immediately.
Once you discover you are pregnant it is wise to eliminate caffeine from your life. Caffeine can cause you not to get the rest you need and makes sleep less sound. If you suffer from nausea, try eating crackers during the day. Eating healthy can help you get enough sleep.
If you’re pregnant and you eat a bad food, or contract an illness that makes you have diarrhea, drink a lot of fluids. Everyone can get dehydrated when they have diarrhea. Pregnant women can end up in the hospital if they do not stay hydrated when pregnant.
Do not go in saunas or hot tubs while you are pregnant. Pregnant women should never allow themselves to get overheated, because this can be extremely dangerous for their unborn babies. Some spas even use oils that can cause contractions early, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Specifically avoid clary sage, juniper, or rosemary oil.
Pregnant women are advised to wear sports bras. The added support will fight against aches and pains. You should also buy some larger underwear to use while you’re pregnant; don’t stick to your small panties which can dig into your skin. Wearing tight undergarments can not only be uncomfortable, but can slow the supply of oxygen to your unborn child.
Have pictures and stories prepared to share with your baby once they are older. Kids are fascinated by photos of their mother with them “in their bellies.” Make sure you take many pictures in a series, leaving little notes for your children to see later.
You can keep wearing your regular pants for a while by simply looping an elastic hair tie through the top button hole then over the top button. With elastic maternity bands or long shirts covering pants, nobody will see that they’re technically unbuttoned. This trick can save you money since you won’t have to buy as many maternity clothes.
Make sure you can say no to food. You should keep your calories high but don’t start eating constantly. You have the right to make healthy food choices.
Maternity clothes can be found cheap at consignment stores and thrift shops. There is no reason to pay full price for clothes that you will only wear for a short while. You want to save money and aid the environment via reducing the negative effects associated with shipping and producing new clothes.
Begin gently massaging your stomach starting near the end of the second trimester. To do this, set up a few pillows behind you on a sofa or bed, ensuring that you are sitting comfortably. Use oil, not lotion, and massage your belly using light pressure. To enhance the experience, add some soothing music and do breathing exercises. This helps keep you relaxing, and it is soothing to your baby.
You should not be drinking alcohol when you are pregnant. When a woman who is having a baby drinks alcohol, it goes through the placenta, then to the fetus. Therefore, when pregnant or when trying to get pregnant, it is advisable you refrain from alcohol. Imbibing alcohol while pregnant can cause mental and physical birth defects, along with increasing the risk of miscarriage and premature births.
Don’t sit down for prolonged periods of time. Ankles and feet begin to swell later in the day for everyone; this is pronounced for those who are pregnant. Swelling occurs because lack of circulation occurs to the lower half of the body while sitting. Swelling can increase when sitting for long periods of time at a desk or in a car. There are a few ways to reduce swelling, such as sleeping on your left, soaking your feet in a bowl of cold water and avoiding tight socks.
Quit smoking if you are pregnant. If you smoke now, do everything you can to stop before you get pregnant, or as early in your pregnancy as possible. Quit as soon as possible so as not to hurt your baby. Smoking during your pregnancy can end up resulting in health defects. There is also a higher chance of miscarriage and stillbirths. In addition, you are putting your baby at risk of being born prematurely or with any number of birth defects.
When you are considering having a baby, be sure to consult your doctor first. The doctor will give you the green light so that you know your body is prepared for pregnancy. Potential problems can also be ruled out or treated, such as diabetes, obesity and thyroid problems.
As was stated in the beginning of the article, pregnancy can be overwhelming if you are not educated on the subject. It is of great benefit to your baby and you to learn as much as you can. Face your pregnancy with confidence by using the above information.