How to take better care of yourself during pregnancy?
Image by Tawny Nina Botha from Pixabay
Giving birth is different for everyone, so there’s no foolproof method to prepare yourself for the process. But there are things you can do that will help you understand what’s about to happen better, take care of your body and your mind, and give you greater confidence and peace of mind leading into birth and parenthood. With that in mind, here are some top tips for taking better care of yourself during pregnancy:
Go to antenatal classes
Antenatal classes, or parenting classes, prepare you for labor, delivery, breastfeeding, and taking care of a newborn. They’re designed to help parents feel more secure and confident about the birthing process. They teach you how to prepare for labor yourself, know when you’re in labor and when you should be going to the hospital and the various stages of labor.
You’ll learn about the birthing positions and your options at your local hospital, as well as the breathing and relaxation techniques that you can use during labor. You’ll also learn about breastfeeding, the behavior of newborns, nappy changes, and much more.
The best thing about antenatal classes is that you’re attending with other parents-to-be who are going through the same things you are — and they’re generally at a similar stage in their pregnancy too.
Learn how to relax
Stress isn’t good for you or the baby, and that includes during pregnancy. Your body is already going through enough changes hormonally and physically.
If you’re also stressed at this time, it can stop you from getting enough sleep and can lead to headaches. Placing a pillow between your legs is advised and comfortable for those pregnant, as is taking the weight off your feet and resting in a reclining chair. It can also impact the baby’s development and has been linked to the premature birth of babies born before 37 weeks and babies who have a lower birth weight — less than 5lb 8 ounces.
There are many causes of stress during pregnancy, including depression and anxiety, life events, worrying about your life, or concerns about the baby. Remember to take time to relax, try some pregnancy yoga or meditation, and cut back on activities and work.
The stress and changes don’t completely disappear after giving birth. After the pregnancy, your body will heal and change. The good news is that many tools, methods, and resources can help moms during this transition. An adjusted diet, a postpartum belly wrap, and the right workout routine are among the things that will help you navigate through this transition. Of course, being a new mom will usher in a different kind of stress. That’s completely normal. However, it’s important to manage your stress and learn to relax!
Eat for two
You’re not just eating to keep yourself alive now, you’re eating for two — and no, that doesn’t mean you should double your portion sizes. It does, however, mean that when you eat, you need to consider what you’re putting in your mouth and assess whether it’s the right thing for you and the baby.
Make sure you eat plenty of fresh food that’s full of nutrition — grains, proteins, vegetables, fruit, and dairy will provide you with iron, calcium, Vitamin D, and folic acid. These are all good for the baby’s development. Fish is also good, as well as nuts and seeds. Try to avoid processed foods and too much sugar.
Don’t quit the exercise
Many people believe that once they fall pregnant, exercise needs to stop. However, this isn’t the case. In fact, exercise is good to keep you in shape during hormonal changes and helps prepare you better physically for labor and delivery.
Exercising during pregnancy can help reduce back pain and constipation, help you sleep better, prevent you from gaining too much excess weight, promote muscle tone and endurance that you’ll need when giving birth, and boost your mood and energy levels. If you have any concerns about exercise while pregnant, talk to your doctor.
Talk to someone
Becoming a parent for the first time (or 4th) is scary, so you must talk to someone about it if you’re feeling overwhelmed, curious, sad, or happy. Looking after your emotional health is essential to a healthy pregnancy, and a happier baby.
Whether you talk to your partner, your mum, or you make an appointment with your GP and chat to them, it’s particularly important if you have any fears or concerns that you deal with these before the baby arrives.
Pregnancy is a time where emotions are running high, and if you don’t learn to deal with these early, it could lead to further mental woes after you give birth. It’s particularly crucial if you’re feeling depressed or anxious that you speak with a counselor or your doctor as soon as possible.
Being worried or concerned during pregnancy is completely natural, but you can make your journey a little easier by following the tips mentioned above.