Pregnancy is a special time for any woman and is an opportunity to bond deeply with your unborn child. With a few simple precautions, you can ensure a safe pregnancy and a joyful baby.
#1 Eat Well, Eat Healthy
Be sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and a small amount of foods rich in fat and salt. Medical experts also recommend whole grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, lentils, leafy greens and dried beans. Though a pregnant woman requires only a small increase in energy intake in the early stages of pregnancy, she does need more folate, iron and iodine. Lentils, spinach and chickpeas are rich in folate, and seafood is rich in iron and iodine.
Stop worrying about gaining weight and avoid crash dieting. Cutting down on your food intake or going on a diet can have serious effects on your health as well as your baby's.
#2 Avoid Cigarettes, Alcohol and Caffeine
The University of Maryland Medical Center strongly advises against alcohol intake, consumption of caffeine, and any kind of smoking while pregnant. Even a small amount of alcohol is dangerous since it enters your bloodstream and passes into the baby's bloodstream. This can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which includes physical and mental defects at birth, growth problems, behavioral issues and delayed development.
Smoking deprives the unborn child of oxygen and can lead to a higher risk of miscarriage. It also affects a baby's birth weight and has been linked to mental and behavioral problems post-birth.
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea and most colas, and increases your heart rate and metabolism. Because caffeine also enters your baby's bloodstream through yours, this can affect the fetus. It's best to give up caffeine altogether, but if you must have some, limit yourself to one cup of coffee or tea a week.
#3 Practice Yoga and Meditate
Research has shown that a few simple yoga practices and some daily meditation can reduce preterm labor, ease pregnancy related complications, and result in a healthier birth weight for babies. Stick to what your body is comfortable with and avoid yogasanas if they stress your system. Chanting some mantras can soothe the nerves and calm you. The Sanskrit chant, Nirvana Shatakam, is a popular choice. If you prefer something simpler, MindBodyGreen talks about the benefits of Aum chanting.
Enjoy Yourself!
Enjoy your pregnancy. It is your special one-on-one time with your baby. If you are regular with your check-ups and get good medical advice, pregnancy can be a wonderfully joyous time in your life.
#1 Eat Well, Eat Healthy
Be sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and a small amount of foods rich in fat and salt. Medical experts also recommend whole grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, lentils, leafy greens and dried beans. Though a pregnant woman requires only a small increase in energy intake in the early stages of pregnancy, she does need more folate, iron and iodine. Lentils, spinach and chickpeas are rich in folate, and seafood is rich in iron and iodine.
Stop worrying about gaining weight and avoid crash dieting. Cutting down on your food intake or going on a diet can have serious effects on your health as well as your baby's.
#2 Avoid Cigarettes, Alcohol and Caffeine
The University of Maryland Medical Center strongly advises against alcohol intake, consumption of caffeine, and any kind of smoking while pregnant. Even a small amount of alcohol is dangerous since it enters your bloodstream and passes into the baby's bloodstream. This can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which includes physical and mental defects at birth, growth problems, behavioral issues and delayed development.
Smoking deprives the unborn child of oxygen and can lead to a higher risk of miscarriage. It also affects a baby's birth weight and has been linked to mental and behavioral problems post-birth.
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea and most colas, and increases your heart rate and metabolism. Because caffeine also enters your baby's bloodstream through yours, this can affect the fetus. It's best to give up caffeine altogether, but if you must have some, limit yourself to one cup of coffee or tea a week.
#3 Practice Yoga and Meditate
Research has shown that a few simple yoga practices and some daily meditation can reduce preterm labor, ease pregnancy related complications, and result in a healthier birth weight for babies. Stick to what your body is comfortable with and avoid yogasanas if they stress your system. Chanting some mantras can soothe the nerves and calm you. The Sanskrit chant, Nirvana Shatakam, is a popular choice. If you prefer something simpler, MindBodyGreen talks about the benefits of Aum chanting.
Enjoy Yourself!
Enjoy your pregnancy. It is your special one-on-one time with your baby. If you are regular with your check-ups and get good medical advice, pregnancy can be a wonderfully joyous time in your life.
