Good news is here! You’re pregnant and on the verge of welcoming a new life into this world. Sure, the journey is a blissful one, but it can also be a little tricky, especially if it’s your first time. Different stages of pregnancy will require specific care and attention for you and your baby. However, it is the first trimester during which you must take some necessary precautions to ensure a smooth pregnancy. Here are five tips to help you at this time:
1. Get regular checkups:
No matter how much research you put into staying healthy during your pregnancy, you can’t go on without the help of a doctor. If you don’t already have a gynecologist you feel comfortable with, start with some research or ask friends and family for referrals. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, good prenatal care is imperative and you must choose the right doctor who can guide you on the essentials – what food to eat, what exercises to do, how to deal with different symptoms, etc. So, it’s best to establish a relationship with your gynecologist as early as you can.
2. Do prenatal tests:
Several studies have shown that women who don’t get good prenatal care are at a higher risk of delivering babies with a lower body weight than mothers who do. Prenatal tests help determine a lot of crucial things, from the due date to certain medical conditions that could affect your baby. With this data, your doctor can better educate you on possible nutritional deficiencies and recommend prenatal vitamins that can get you through the different stages of pregnancy.
3. Deal with morning sickness:
Morning sickness starts around the fifth week of pregnancy and lasts till the twelfth week. While this is actually a good sign (it means the baby is growing well) it can be quite difficult to deal with on a daily basis. You can control it to some degree by eating small meals through the day rather than whole meals at once, so you’re never too full or too hungry. Eat the right pregnancy snacks and avoid rich, spicy, greasy, or fatty foods as they can make you feel nauseated.
4. Enable lifestyle and dietary changes:
You will need to make several lifestyle changes now that you are pregnant. First of all, you will have to give up on all forms of alcohol and tobacco as they are known to cause birth defects. Avoid caffeine as much as you can. If your diet includes deli meats or raw eggs, give them up as well. You will need to watch your health; you can’t afford to fall ill during pregnancy since your immunity directly affects your baby’s.
In this connection, it is important to make your house mosquito-proof as these pests carry several harmful pathogens and spread some dangerous diseases. Consider using Goodknight Fabric Roll-On to keep mosquitoes at bay when you are outdoors. While very effective against mosquitoes, it’s harmless on you.
5. Do Kegel exercises:
This strengthening exercise works on the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support your bladder, bowels, and uterus, all of which are affected during pregnancy. Though it doesn’t sound like much, when done right, this simple exercise can help make delivery easier and help gain control of your vaginal muscles afterwards. The best part about Kegels is that it works muscles inside your body, so you can do them practically anytime and anywhere.
These tips can make a world of difference when it comes to ensuring a comfortable first trimester. So, go ahead and have a wonderful time!
