Dos and Don’ts of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is indeed a special period of time in a parent’s life. The excitement of meeting your baby is rather overwhelming. As much as you care about the nourishment of your little bundle of joy, you can’t deny that this nurturing starts from the womb. Taking care of your body as if it is a temple (at least nine months) will surely reap benefits for you and your little one.

This article can give you a glimpse of dos and don’ts during your pregnancy, however, this should not stop you from consulting top gynecologist in Delhi for personalized insight.

1) DO Sleep

During pregnancy, there are several nights of tossing and turning a pregnant woman may experience. However, the importance of a good 7-9 hours of sleep cannot be ignored. So, take those naps whenever you feel sleepy. Schedule a bedtime and follow it. A consistent and fulfilling sleep results in a better functioning brain and regulated growth hormone levels. It is a determinant of the shape and size of your pregnant belly and eventually the development of the fetus.

2) DO eat wisely

Besides eating what your hormones and your cravings command you to, pregnant women must be considerate of the quantity and quality of their food items. This eating largely depends on your present weight. Being overweight can increase the risk of several pregnancy issues while being underweight can increase the risk of the baby having a low birth weight.

The calories you consume differs per trimester. In the first trimester, you don’t need to gain much weight, consuming 100 calories per day for your fetus is enough. By the second and third trimester, you need to consume 300 to 400 extra calories per day. You can also visit Rosewalk Hospital premium birthing in Delhi and get a customised food chart.

3) DO Exercise

Exercising during your pregnancy has proven to be beneficial for both the mother and the baby. So, you must throw all those excuses in a bin and start working out. Exercising when you are expecting results in minimal complications, lower rates of delivery complications, a speedy post-delivery recovery, and more.

If you had a regular workout routine before you got pregnant, continue with it. You might want to consult a doctor for a few adjustments you should make in your routine, especially during your second and third trimester. If you did not have a workout routine before your pregnancy, you should consult your doctor and curate a routine suitable for you.

4) DO take Prenatal Vitamins

Having a balanced diet loaded with minerals and vitamins is a necessity but it just may not be enough when you are pregnant. Prenatal vitamins or multivitamins are rich in a certain type of nutrients required for both mother and the fetus. Vitamins rich in Omega-3 fats help in the fetus’ brain development while folic acid, calcium, and iron help in overall development. A wise choice would be to consult your doctor for these prenatal vitamins.

5) DO Yoga

There are plenty of yoga routines for expecting mothers. If possible, hiring an instructor is the best choice. A guide can help you avoid certain postures and incorporate the ones suitable for you. As appealing as the name sounds, avoid hot yoga.

6) DON’T consume Alcohol and DON’T smoke

Babies born to women who smoke and/or drink are likely to be underweight at birth and at higher risk of having learning disabilities. Drinking alcohol in the first three months of pregnancy can cause the baby to have growth and central nervous system problems (e.g., low birth weight, behavioral problems) and abnormal facial features.

7) DON’T Eat Raw Meat

The meat that is not cooked properly or is raw, if consumed by a pregnant woman can lead to severe issues as they can carry foodborne illnesses. There is also a probability of food poisoning. These illnesses can, at times, lead to miscarriage.

8) DON’T Consume Unpasteurized Dairy Products

As crucial getting your calcium is, expecting mothers need to be careful of how they get their calcium from milk-based products. Unpasteurized milk means that it has not been boiled to kill a bacteria called Listeria that can make you sick. It can even lead to fatal repercussions, including miscarriages.

9) DON’T sit in Hot Tubs

Soaking your body in the hot tubs raises the body temperature up to 102°C which can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. Hot water can also result in the risk of birth defects.

10) DON’T Consume Excessive Caffeine

Caffeine works as a stimulant; it mildly increase the heart rate, increase blood pressure, and increase the contractility or force of the heart. High intake of caffeine (more than four cups a day) has been associated with miscarriages, delivery complications and more. On the brighter side, moderate consumption of caffeine has no evidence of pregnancy problems. A better idea would be to consume water instead and keep yourself hydrated.