Tips to help you have a healthy pregnancy
It's important to prepare for a healthy pregnancy in the months leading up to conception. Whilst there are many things you can do to stand the best chances of this, there are important steps you can take which will definitely help you along your way.
- For the twelve weeks before getting pregnant you should take folic acid supplements to help prevent spina bifida and you should also cut out cigarettes, alcohol and any other unnecessary bad habits. You should also check that all your vaccinations are up to date and avoid contact with anyone who may be infectious with a communicable disease. (See Preparing for Pregnancy)
- Once you suspect you are pregnant you need to ensure you eat a healthy diet, get sufficient exercise and plenty of time to rest. During the first trimester of pregnancy your baby is developing rapidly and you need to listen to your body. If you are tired, try to get some rest. Tiredness can contribute to morning sickness so try to forget about being house proud for a while if you're just not up to it!
- Eat a diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables as this will help prevent constipation which is a common complaint during pregnancy. You should also try to eat plenty of iron rich food, particularly leafy green vegetables and some red meat which will help guard against pregnancy-related anaemia.
- Limit coffee and tea as much as possible as not only can the caffeine dehydrate you and cause restlessness, but there is some evidence to show high caffeine intake can be harmful for your baby.
- You may like to take some pregnancy vitamins but check with your gp beforehand to ensure they are safe and that they won't interact with any other medication you may be taking.
- During your pregnancy you may find you suffer some water retention. Always mention this to your doctor as it can also indicate other problems such as pre-eclampsia, which may need to be looked into. If it is mild, particularly around your ankles in the evenings, try to rest with your feet raised up.
- Many women find they suffer more headaches than normal during pregnancy. This can be caused by hormonal changes or by blood pressure problems so again make sure to let yourt doctor know if this is the case for you.
Although there is no way to guarantee it, by following the advice outlined you can do your best to ensure your pregnancy is a healthy one.