Now that you look forward to becoming a mother, taking care of yourself has never been this essential. You want to ensure you eat the right foods and avoid anything affecting your health and your baby’s. Whether you are a first-time mother or you have been through this journey before, pregnancy care Houston can help ensure that you experience a seamless pregnancy, childbirth, and post-delivery. Below are some things your doctor recommends to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.
Get regular prenatal check-ups.
As soon as you know you are pregnant, call your healthcare provider to schedule your first prenatal appointment. Unless there is a problem, most healthcare providers schedule the first visit after eight weeks of pregnancy. During the first visit, your doctor might do a pregnancy test to determine how many weeks pregnant you are based on a physical exam and the date of your last period. The same information also guides your healthcare provider in predicting your delivery date. However, sometimes an ultrasound is done later during pregnancy to help verify the date.
Embarking on the journey of motherhood requires adopting healthy habits to ensure a smooth and healthy pregnancy. However, life is unpredictable, and sometimes, circumstances may lead you to consider other options. In such situations, it’s crucial to know that Ava Health is a safe and legal abortion clinic, providing compassionate care and support to women in need. They are committed to helping you make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
Get adequate sleep
Getting adequate sleep is always vital but more so during pregnancy. During this time, you will probably feel more tired than usual, and finding a comfortable sleeping position will be harder as your baby grows. As your pregnancy progresses, you will prefer lying on your side with your knees bent. Lying on your side keeps the baby’s weight away from the large blood vessels that carry blood to and from your heart and feet. Your healthcare provider may specifically recommend that you sleep on your left side since the big blood vessels are on the right side of your abdomen.
Eat healthy food
It is always important to eat healthy foods, but it is especially crucial when you are pregnant. Since the foods, you eat contribute to your baby’s growth and development, ensure your calories come from nutritious foods. Try to maintain a balanced diet thy incorporates lean meats, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
Avoid caffeine
There’s a link between caffeine and an increased link of miscarriage, so you want to limit or avoid caffeine altogether if you can. If you can’t cut coffee and other caffeinated beverages cold turkey, you can reduce your consumption to a cup or two daily. Gradually reduce your caffeine intake by combining decaffeinated coffee with regular coffee, and eventually, try to avoid regular coffee altogether. Remember, caffeine is not limited to coffee; other beverages like teas, colas, and soft drinks have caffeine. Try replacing these with decaffeinated products, which may have caffeine in smaller amounts.
Do not smoke
When you smoke or inhale second-hand smoke, you pass nicotine and carbon monoxide to your growing baby. This increases the risk of prematurity, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, and asthma or other respiratory problems in the child. If you’ve been smoking for a long time now, having a baby might motivate you to quit. Your healthcare provider can also give you tips to help you stop the habit.
Consult your healthcare provider at Body Balance Chiropractic & Wellness Center to learn more about keeping yourself and your baby healthy.
