What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

The world of pregnancy and childcare is intriguing for a pregnant woman or someone who plans on getting pregnant. Not only do you get to experience childbirth, but you also get to know how it feels to carry a life inside you. Besides that, there are several essential things that every pregnant woman should know. Things such as proper nutrition, exercise, body changes, birth, and complications are all part of pregnancy that you shouldn’t ignore.

Having this information will help you navigate through the pregnancy journey without a scare.

Continue reading to learn what every pregnant woman should know during and after pregnancy.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey that lasts about 280 days or simply 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. However, you might deliver early to a premature baby due to unavoidable factors.

These factors include previous preterm deliveries, diabetes, stress, high blood pressure, obesity, blood clotting disorders, and illegal drugs in the body.

One of the best things you can due to avoid some of the causes of preterm deliveries is adequate preparation. Most women have attributed stress to be the primary cause of pregnancy issues.

Besides eating well, and preparing financially, you also need to get the right maternity dresses for your baby bump.

A baby born before its due date or before 37 weeks of pregnancy experiences a lot of health complications that include: breathing problems, development problems, behavioral problems, and high risk of sudden infant death syndrome(S.I.D.S.).

However, there are certain things you can take to reduce the risk of preterm births. These things include: eating healthy, avoiding stress, working out, and attending all clinic visits.

What to Eat When Expecting

Being healthy when expecting is essential not only for you but for your baby. During pregnancy, your body needs more additional nutrients, vitamins, and even minerals to support the growing life. In a study by a team of Royal Veterinary College, London showed that what a pregnant mother eats has a long term health effect on the child.

Make sure each plate you consume includes fruits and vegetables according to studies, at least five portions of fruits and vegetables. Doctors recommend eating fruits instead of drinking their juice because of the higher natural sugars. For extra nutrition, consider carrot juice, or even wheatgrass.

A healthy meal also includes carbohydrates or foods rich in healthy starch and high energy foods. They include rice, bread, pasta, potatoes.

Proteins are also part of a healthy meal plan. Healthy proteins for pregnancy include dried beans, nuts, liver, lean meat, poultry, salmon, cooked oysters, pork, whole grains that are fortified with iron. Some of these foods are also rich in iron, which is good at preventing anemia. Pregnant women should also eat foods packed with calcium for healthy bones for both the mother and the unborn baby. Some of the recommended dairy products include cheese, yogurt, and milk.

According to Dr. Sarah Schenker, a dietician and nutritionist, your body needs about 2000 calories during the first trimester each day and an additional 200 calories towards the end of the pregnancy.

However, the number of calories your body needs will depend on your initial weight (B.M.I.), your height, genetics, and physical activities. Keep in mind, the lower your B.M.I., the more calories you may need to consume.

Take caution not to consume too many fatty foods or sugary substances because of the cravings; otherwise, you may add unhealthy weight, which may cause unwanted complications. According to a 2007 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and gynecology, the more weight a woman gains when pregnant, the more obese the child is going to be.

Stock up your fridge with healthy snacks to avoid snacking on unhealthy foods. Some of the healthy snacks for pregnancy include avocadoes, apples, and the likes. However, healthy meals and snacks are not enough; you also need to take additional vitamins and supplements. Prenatal vitamins contain more nutrients that are important for a healthy pregnancy.  The vitamins help in the proper development of the fetus and also help prevent birth defects. These nutrients and vitamins include folic acid, iron, calcium, copper, zinc, vitamin D, C, E, and A.

The best time to begin taking the vitamins is before getting pregnant. However, if you are not already taking them, you can begin as soon as you find out about the pregnancy.

What Not to Eat

Having looked at what you need to eat when expecting, it best to mention the foods to avoid. Eating these foods will pose a risk to you and your unborn baby.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, consuming certain fish is dangerous to the pregnant mother. These include marlin, shark, Gulf of Mexico tilefish, bigeye tuna, swordfish, and all undercooked fish. However, there are certain fish that are dangerous to the mother, according to the U.S Food and Drug Administration. These fish contain a low amount of mercury that may not pose a risk to the unborn baby. They include sardines, salmon, tilapia, canned light tuna, anchovies, and catfish.

Some foods may contain bacteria and other infectious diseases that may cause harm to the unborn baby. These infections may also lead to loss of excess water in the body, which may be fatal to the mother and the baby.

According to an International Journal of Infectious Diseases reports that poor fetal growth and other abnormalities are attributed to abnormal changes in the mother during pregnancy.

Listeria bacteria, a potentially life-threatening bacteria, is also present in raw or undercooked meats. The Center for Disease Control warns that listeria is dangerous to both pregnant women and newborn babies. Listeria has also been linked to miscarriages. It is best to eat meat cooked in high temperatures of about 165 degrees Celsius to avoid these complications.

Some vegetables and sprouts also contain dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. According to Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Salmonella and E. coli are life-threatening to both the mother and the unborn baby. These types of bacteria can also lead to Urinary tract infections and also cause food poisoning.

Caffeine is also not recommended for pregnant women. According to the 2016 study of Public Health Nutrition, women who consume too much caffeine risk getting a miscarriage. Due to the nature of the fetus, it is unable to break down caffeine hence the potential risk.

Alcohol is also not recommended for pregnant women. Some women have been known to consume small amounts of alcohol, thinking that it is safe. But, there is a recommended amount of alcohol when pregnant. According to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, alcohol has harmful effects on the baby. As alcohol passes through the umbilical cord to the fetus, it can cause mental and development issues.

The best thing to do is to avoid alcohol altogether.

Bed Rest

According to Dr. David Grimes, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, 72000 women are put on bed rest each year.

Bed rest is recommended for women who have a high-risk pregnancy. The bed rest is meant to improve blood flow and air circulation to the unborn baby. According to Dr. Grimes, women on bed rest should always rest on their left side to aid in the blood flow.

Bed rest ranges differently from woman to woman. Whereas some will require periodic resting, others will need full bed rest with close monitoring.

According to Dr. Brigid McCue, obstetrics and gynecology at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth in Massachusetts, bed rest helps prevent pregnancy complications. It eases symptoms of high blood pressure, preeclampsia, placenta Previa and contractions.

Nonetheless, strict bed rest is not always a good thing. One of the dangers is a blood clot.

Blood can clot in the pelvic or even legs; however, when these clots happen in the lungs, it can be life-threatening. According to Dr. Anne Drapkin Lyerly, pregnant women on bed rest risk losing their muscle tone just before going to labor. Therefore, they will become unable to care for their child.

Studies have also shown an increased risk of depression due to a strict bed rest, which may linger on even after childbirth. For this reason, it is best to observe certain practices, but you will need the guidance of your doctor.

Some of these practices include:

• Moving whenever you can. Specific low impact exercises such as walking, stretching your legs are good for preparing you for childbirth. They are not too much to cause any complications but just enough to ensure your body is active.
• Check on what you eat. Certain foods can cause heartburn, which is not suitable for pregnancy. Try to eat small meals throughout the day and also include dried fruits in your diet.
• Keep your body hydrated. Water is good for your body, especially when you are not moving around much. Water also helps prevent constipation.
• Stay Comfortable. Comfort is key if your bed rest is going to last throughout your pregnancy journey. Being comfortable also ensures proper circulation of air and blood to the fetus.

Have enough pillows for extra comfort. Also, when sitting, ensure you slightly sit up to prevent heartburn.

Sex and Pregnancy

One of the things that pregnant women wonder about is whether it’s safe to have sex when pregnant. Will it have an effect on the baby or lead to miscarriage? These are some of the questions that mothers to be and their partners always ask.

Is It Sex Safe When Pregnant?

For a normal pregnancy, sex is a natural and normal part of the journey. Penetration won’t harm your baby because the fetus is protected in the amniotic sac in the uterus. The uterine muscles and the amniotic sac’s job is to protect the baby from any external forces, including contractions from an orgasm.

Doctors advise couples to have sex because it helps in bringing couples together. According to Dr. Terry Hoffman, an Obstetrics and gynecology at Mercy Medical Centre in Baltimore, sex during pregnancy strengthens the bond between couples.

According to the doctor, sex in pregnancy is much relaxing because there is no pressure or stress. You don’t have to worry about pregnancy.

Depending on how risky your pregnancy is, your doctor will advise you on whether to avoid sex or engage in safe sex positions.  Later on in your pregnancy, sex may cause contractions, which may feel like mild craping. These cramps are called Braxton hicks contractions and are nothing to worry about.

Some women lose their sex drive when pregnant, especially towards delivery. This is because they are preoccupied with the coming birth or just the excitement of being a mother. So for the sake of your partner, it is best to keep the lines of communication open.

Benefits of Sex When Pregnant

Besides bringing the couples together, sex in pregnancy has various benefits. They include:

• Easier Labor. According to Jeanne Faulkner, a registered nurse in Portland, Oregon, an orgasm strengthens the pelvic muscles hence the ease in pushing the baby out.
• Fewer Trips to the Bathroom. During pregnancy, your trips to the bathroom increase, also as the baby grows, your bladder is pressed, which may be uncomfortable. The same pelvic muscles that are strengthened during sex helps in urine flow.
• Sex helps in reducing Complications. Sex during pregnancy works by reducing Complications. A Danish study showed that engaging in frequent sex when pregnant helps minimalize the risk of preeclampsia.
• Sex Lowers Blood Pressure. High blood pressure is harmful to you and the baby. According to nurse Jeanne, frequent sex lowers high blood pressure. However, it is best to have a talk with your doctor first.

Final Word

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey for mother’s to be and those around her. Therefore, it is best to have the necessary information to be able to navigate smoothly through the journey. Knowing the foods to eat and what not to, when to have bed rest and sex when pregnant is important for every pregnant mother.