6 Essential Pregnancy Tips

Bringing a new life into this world can seem overwhelming and intimidating at first. However, before your little bundle of joy is here, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that the health of yourself and your baby is the best it can be. It’s always a good idea to regularly see a doctor to get expert guidance on what steps to take. There are also several things you can do on your own to further enhance your and your child’s health. We understand there are thousands of articles out there on pregnancy tips, so we carefully selected our favorite key tips to help guide you in this beautiful phase of life.

1. Take a Prenatal Vitamin

Whether you are trying to conceive or already pregnant, it is always a good idea to take prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins provide important nutrients to your body such as folic acid, calcium, and iron. It can get tricky to track all of the necessary nutrients in your food, so a prenatal vitamin is a safer, easier way to ensure your intake goal is met. Most vitamins can be bought over the counter, but you can also get them by prescription from your doctor. Some may cause queasiness – a light snack can aid with that.

2. Educate Yourself

Education is key. You can never stop learning about pregnancy tips – even if this isn’t your first child. There are numerous ways to stay educated such as childbirth classes, books, articles, and even Facebook groups. In addition, you should brush up on your family history. See if there are any medical problems you should be aware of or should report to your doctor. Getting advice from an expert is a great way to ask specific questions knowing you’ll get the right answer, and it’s also beneficial to get advice from someone who has certifications. There are also tests you can take to determine if there is anything you should be aware of.

3. Exercise

Staying active plays such an important role in a pregnancy, when permitted. By boosting your overall health, you can reduce stress, control your weight, release more endorphins, and even sleep better. You don’t have to sacrifice your whole day or overdo it, just try to work in some activity as you can. Your exercise routine can be as simple as taking a 20-minute walk. For more engaging forms of exercise, try taking a pregnancy exercise class or giving Pilates, yoga, or swimming a try. A good ratio of exercise is around 30 minutes nearly every day. Before participating in any exercise, make sure you consult your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.

4. Maintain a Well-Balanced Diet

Your nutrients are the center of the overall health of your body. Your body will start to use more nutrients than usual to maintain your function as you go through pregnancy. However, this means that you need a larger intake of vitamins and minerals. You should aim for five well-balanced meals a day that consist of folate-rich foods such as fortified cereals, lentils, oranges, asparagus, and many others. In addition to intaking more, you should also cut back or cut out certain things. Caffeine being one. Caffeine can have harmful effects on you and your baby, so you want to limit or cut out caffeine from your diet. Some alternatives include natural fruit such as apples or bananas. Talk to your doctor for pregnancy tips and to set up a stable nutrition plan for your pregnancy.

5. Stay Hydrated

In addition to eating well, you should also stay very hydrated. Aim for eight to ten glasses of water a day to reduce constipation, UTIs, swelling, headaches, and much more. If you aren’t crazy about the taste of water, try adding fruits like lemons, raspberries, or strawberries or a fresh veggie like cucumber. The more water you drink, the better your blood will supply oxygen to your baby through the placenta. It will also allow your body to carry waste and carbon dioxide away quicker and more efficiently. Overall hydration can also assist with limiting difficult pregnancy side effects like morning sickness. 

6. Wear Sunscreen

Many women don’t know that being pregnant makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This can lead to sunburn or chloasma. Luckily, this isn’t anything to worry about, it can simply be prevented through the use of sunscreen. We recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wearing a hat and sunglasses. It is also a good idea to double check the sunscreen ingredients or ask your doctor for a recommended brand to be sure there are no harmful chemicals. If you want to be extra careful, you can choose to purchase a chemical-free or natural sunscreen formula, or avoid to much sun while pregnant.

More than anything, be easy on yourself. You’re raising another human inside of you, and you’re doing the best you can. There’s a lot that can be thrown at you once you’re pregnant, but more than anything, your overall mood and mental health are most important. So, indulge in the occasional sweet tooth cravings, take naps, schedule a spa day, and don’t be afraid to ask for expert pregnancy tips. Going to a doctor you can trust is so important, and here at Unity, we strive our best to ensure that you and your baby are well taken care of. If you want to get the expert guidance and care you deserve, book an appointment now to get started on the right path.