Pregnancy is a time that brings excitement and anxiety to many. Every year, more than 3.5 million babies are born in the United States. The goal is to carry full-term and deliver a healthy baby.
There are several steps that you should take to deliver a happy and healthy baby. Read on for a comprehensive guide to fostering a healthy pregnancy.
Table of Contents
Avoiding Certain Foods
The best pregnancies all have one thing in common; a healthy diet. Regardless of whether it is a high-risk pregnancy or a tubal reversal patient, a healthy diet is critical.
For starters, there are now several foods and beverages to avoid. You can no longer consume alcohol for the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Raw or rare meats, eggs, and poultry are not advisable. Uncooked or undercooked shellfish or fish should not be consumed.
You are also not supposed to eat soft cheeses, raw sprouts, or unpasteurized beverages. Also, deli meats and hot dogs are not recommended unless they are heated up. Doctors also recommend avoiding caffeine so the days of binge drinking coffee are over.
Healthy Diet
Instead of consuming the above foods, pregnant women should pivot to a healthier diet. You want to prioritize vegetable consumption for the next nine months. Vegetables that are rich in folate, like lentils and asparagus, are high on the recommendation list.
Doctors also advise a calcium-rich diet. This means consuming low-fat dairy products such as cottage cheese and Greek yogurts. Fruits, whole grains, and protein-rich foods are also recommended by the medical community.
Take a Prenatal Vitamin
Regardless of how great your diet is, there are certain vitamins and minerals that you need more of. This is why it is critical to take a prenatal vitamin for a successful pregnancy.
A prenatal vitamin is composed of everything that you and your baby need to increase the odds of a successful pregnancy. For example, prenatal vitamins include folic acid.
Folic acids are proven to reduce the risks of birth defects. They ensure the proper development of the baby’s spinal cord and brain. Doctors recommend taking prenatal vitamins before conception so that development is on track from day one.
Exercise and Weight Management
Just because you are pregnant does not mean that routine exercise needs to cease. Instead, you should continue exercising regularly.
Now, this does not mean pregnant women in the second or third trimester should be lifting extremely heavy weights. However, it is medically advisable to continue cardiovascular exercises.
It is also important to track your weight during pregnancy. Weight gain is normal during pregnancy as you are developing life within your uterus. In a normal pregnancy, females add 25 to 35 pounds.
Tips for Ensuring a Healthy Pregnancy
You are now ready to start your pregnancy journey. Having a successful pregnancy requires instilling good habits before conception.
Smart parents are taking prenatal vitamins and avoiding certain foods. If you enjoyed this article about fostering a healthy pregnancy, check out our blog for more great content. Smart parents are taking prenatal vitamins and avoiding certain foods. If you enjoyed this article about fostering a healthy pregnancy, check out our blog for more great content.
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