Do you look at other new moms and wonder how they seem so fit at this early pregnancy stage while you are a wreck? The early pregnancy phase is undoubtedly the most difficult one for most women out there. Solving your issues on time and keeping yourself healthy is of utmost importance at this stage. Every pregnancy is different and comes with unique experiences but there are some common symptoms too.
Here are some secrets for a healthy early pregnancy:
- Don’t forget the supplements
How do you make sure that your fetus is getting all the building blocks it requires? You take vitamin supplements to fill the gap. It is always a good idea to keep your diet balanced compared to depending on multivitamins. Make it a point to take folic acid regularly in the first trimester. Vitamin D is something you have to take throughout your pregnancy as well as after birth.
Why are these supplements so important? Folic acid shields the baby against neural tube defects whereas there is no future to bone health without vitamin D. in case you are feeling nausea and aren’t able to eat much, you can always take vitamin D and folic acid in the form of multivitamins. If you are planning to take any other supplements, make sure you talk to your doctor about it.
- Get moving
Exercise can do a lot of things for you during pregnancy. It is definitely the best medicine you can have. It will evaporate exhaustion and stress from your life and help you sleep better in the first three difficult months of pregnancy. Let’s face it. You desperately want that. Apart from that, we all go through some kind of mood swings or the other. Regular exercise helps to lighten up the mood and paves way for normal labor.
It is highly recommended that you exercise outdoors. The fresh air can help you with the morning sickness. People who keep moving about rather than sitting in one place tend to feel less nauseated. You don’t have to be really hard on yourself. You can begin with 5 minutes of exercise and gradually move up to 30 minutes. Make sure you talk to your doctor before your start off with your exercise routine.
- Focus on balanced diet
They are right when they say you are what you eat. Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to eat for two. You don’t have to eat two times of what you already eat. No, you don’t need extra calories and that too for the first six months. You require an extra 200 calories only in the third trimester. Try to have a balanced diet that includes dairy foods, two portions of fish in a week, daily intake of protein, five portions of fruits and vegetables, one third of what you eat should be carbohydrates.
On the other hand, it is important to remain hydrated at all times. Whether you drink fresh fruit juices, smoothies or simply water, maintain liquid intake. A minimum of 8 glasses of water a day is a must to prevent dehydration.
- Maintain oral hygiene
Your gums may feel sensitive and swollen. Why? It is all your pregnancy hormone’s doing. It is more than easy and convenient to delay your dental checkups because of difficulties that pregnancy bestows on the body. Since you have already stepped into your journey of motherhood, flossing and brushing can do you tons of good.
In case you are someone who is going through morning sickness, make sure you don’t brush your teeth right after you vomit. The acid can damage the protective layer of the teeth called enamel. Simply rinse your mouth using warm water and instead of brushing your teeth, brush you tongue. You can brush your teeth after few ten to fifteen minutes.
- Keep yourself a priority
Ever heard of the equation that states healthy baby equals to a healthy mom. It can’t ring any truer. Whether it is your early pregnancy phase or the later phase, it is not just your baby who requires prenatal care. Even YOU need to spare out time for your emotional needs. Pregnancy may bring you joy but it can also be frustrating, painful and stressful. No matter how many books you have read about motherhood, it will still feel like you knew nothing about it.
Prenatal mood issues are for real. It can keep you feeling down for days or even weeks. Keep observing your thought cycles and how you are feeling. If you feel sad, depressed, worried and anxious all the time, you need to talk to your doctor about it. Don’t take it lightly and brush it off. In such circumstances, make sure you don’t isolate yourself. Take support of your friends and loved ones.
- Getting rest tricks
It is the high levels of pregnancy hormones in the first trimester that might make you feel all exhausted. Later on, it is because of the increased weight and not being able to find yourself a comfortable position in bed. If you had a disturbed and fragmented sleep at night, make sure you take a nap in the day or simply go to bed early. If that doesn’t happen for you, simply lie down for a minimum of half an hour.
Back pain is common during pregnancy. If it becomes an obstacle in your path of sleeping, lie down on your left side with your knees bent. Keep a pillow under your pregnancy bump to ease the pressure on your back. You can ask your partner to do some massage to help you relax before sleep or you can do some stretches, deep breathing or yoga to relax yourself.
