Tasks to complete while expecting your baby
Supplement with vitamin D and folic acid.
Your baby’s risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida can be greatly reduced by taking folic acid during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, it is recommended that 400 micrograms of folic acid be taken daily as a supplement until the end of the first trimester (week 12 of your pregnancy).
For example, those with diabetes or epilepsy may benefit from taking a higher dose of folic acid than the average person. In order to obtain this, a doctor’s prescription is required. Investigate folic acid further to learn more about its benefits.
Additionally, you should take a vitamin D supplement if you are pregnant , as well as if you are breastfeeding. In doing so, you aid your child’s growth of strong bones, teeth, and muscles.
Healthy eating habits
It’s important to eat healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese, potatoes, beans, and pulses, in order to keep a stable weight and nutrition level during pregnancy. This will give you and your unborn child the best possible start in life.
Consult your midwife or doctor if you feel you are having difficulty maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy. They may be able to provide assistance by referring you to a dietitian.
Perform regular physical activity.
You and the baby will benefit from your maintaining an active lifestyle. Better sleep, less anxiety, and a healthier pregnancy are all possible results.
You can maintain the same level of activity during pregnancy as you did before you became pregnant. Nonetheless, pay attention to your internal cues and slow down if you feel any unease. Start slowly and work up to 30 minutes a day if you weren’t an exercise fanatic before becoming pregnant.
Don’t go crashing into things or play contact sports.
Carrying on with a regular exercise routine is generally recommended and safe to do throughout pregnancy. However, there are some things you absolutely must avoid doing.
Be aware of your baby’s activity levels.
If you can feel your baby wiggle around, everything is going well. The time you feel your baby move is usually between the 18th and 24th week of pregnancy.It’s possible that you won’t feel your baby move until after 20 weeks if this is your first pregnancy.
A soft whirling or fluttering sensation may be experienced. Kicks and jerky movements are normal during pregnancy.
Learn your baby’s typical movement pattern and report any changes to your midwife or maternity unit immediately. Up until the time of delivery, you should feel your baby kicking and moving around.
Third-trimester pregnant women should sleep on their sides.
In the third trimester, sleep sideways instead of your back to protect your unborn child. Both overnight and short naps during the day count. Don’t fret if you find yourself lying on your back after falling asleep there; simply turn over and resume your sleep.
You should take good care of your mental health.
Maintaining a healthy mental state is just as crucial as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy. Mood swings and a lack of motivation are common emotions during pregnancy. However, if these emotions become overwhelming or continue for more than a few weeks, it is essential that you seek assistance.
No matter how you feel, you will be accepted. Around 20% of pregnant women and 10% of women in the year following delivery will experience some form of mental health problem. All members of your pregnancy care team recognize the universality of mental health issues.
Think about getting the vaccines that are available.
Prenatal vaccinations will be made available to you.
Inoculation against whooping cough
The respiratory infection known as whooping cough (pertussis) causes violent bouts of coughing. Very young infants are particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of this disease. The vaccine is recommended for pregnant women to protect their unborn child until the child is old enough to receive their first round of vaccinations.
Vaccination is safest and most effective between the 16th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy. But the vaccine is safe to take from 16 weeks of pregnancy until the time of delivery. However, its efficacy declines after the 38th week of pregnancy.
Vaccines for the flu (between September and February)
No matter where you are in your pregnancy, getting vaccinated against the flu is a good idea. This is because influenza during pregnancy is associated with serious complications, especially in the third and fourth trimesters.
Vaccine against influenza type 19 (Covid-19)
Women should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible during pregnancy. To learn more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, click here.
Be sure to bring your prenatal notes everywhere you go.
You should always have your antenatal notes on you because they contain important information about your health and pregnancy. It’s crucial if you need to visit the maternity ward unexpectedly.
If you are planning to go for an international trip, you should pack accordingly.
Take your maternity notes and make sure your travel insurance covers you in case of any complications during your pregnancy if you’re going to be flying internationally.
Keep an eye out for warning signs.
Some signs and symptoms may indicate that the baby is sick and should be checked up by a midwife or doctor at any time. Among these are:
When in doubt about the health of either you or your unborn child, it’s best to call your midwife to be safe. Regardless of whether or not you can put your finger on it, In pregnancy, it’s crucial that you follow your gut.
During your pregnancy, it’s important to avoid these common mistakes.
Do not make the common mistake of “eating for two.”
In the first and second trimesters, your baby will get the nutrients they need from you as they develop. Your activity level in the third trimester may increase your calorie needs by an additional 200 calories. About half a sandwich can be made with this amount of food.
It’s best not to diet while pregnant.
It’s possible that your baby won’t get the nutrients they need for healthy development if you’re dieting by avoiding certain food groups. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes foods from all of the main food groups, rather than severely limiting your food intake, is the best way to control your weight.
In order to have a healthy pregnancy, it’s important to avoid eating certain things.
Pregnancy-related infections like toxoplasmosis and listeriosis can be caused by eating certain foods. Although uncommon, these infections can have serious consequences for your unborn child.
Cut back on caffeine.
Pregnant women should avoid caffeine consumption to the greatest extent possible because of the association between high levels and pregnancy complications.
Smokers, please make an effort to stop.
For the health of both you and your unborn child, quitting smoking is a must.
Miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth are just some of the major pregnancy complications that are made much more likely by smoking during pregnancy.
It’s never too late to make the effort to quit smoking, despite how challenging it may be. If you want to stop smoking, get help.
You should abstain from alcohol.
Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with negative outcomes for the child. The danger increases with the quantity of alcohol consumed. Avoiding alcohol altogether is recommended during pregnancy because there is no established safe limit for its consumption.
Keep away from drugs that are meant for fun.
Risks to health are increased by using drugs like cocaine, meta-amphetamines, cannabis, and psychoactive substances (so-called “legal highs”).
Talk to your doctor or midwife if you’ve taken any kind of illegal drug. Not only will they not pass judgment, but they will also be able to provide you with the care and support you need during your pregnancy. You and your baby will benefit more from appropriate care if your doctors have as much information as possible.