Congratulations! Your pregnancy test says you’re positive! Being a soon-to-be-parent can be exciting yet nerve-racking, and there will be a lot of thoughts running through your mind the moment you learn about the news.
However, the most important thing you need to think about is to ensure a healthy pregnancy for the next nine months. Learning about a baby’s gender is also something a lot of couples look forward to.
Clinics and hospitals in London offer ultrasound scan services and see the fetus growing inside of you, from peanut-sized organism to a full-term bundle of joy. On the other hand, some couples skip gender reveals and surprises themselves once their baby comes out.
Ensuring a healthy and safe pregnancy
Pregnancy can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. However, in many instances, pregnancy can feel like the first time all over again. Nonetheless, it is essential to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy for the next nine months by having good prenatal care.
Prenatal care includes adopting a healthy lifestyle during your pregnancy. This also includes regular checkups and visits to your doctor to ensure a healthy and smooth delivery after nine months. It is also essential to monitor your weight, blood, and sugar levels to prevent complications that can compromise your pregnancy.
Speaking of weight, soon-to-be-mommies should not worry about gaining weight because it’s an inevitable part of pregnancy. Weight gain varies from woman to woman, but experts say that healthy weight gain during pregnancy should be around 25 to 30 pounds.
Eating the right food is also vital to a healthy pregnancy. Vitamins and medicine might also be necessary, but make sure to get the go-signal from your doctor. Also, you need to take extra precautions when doing your usual daily tasks.
For example, you might have to lie low on anything that involves exerting physical effort, such as carrying heavy loads or running around. However, light exercises such as walking and doing prenatal yoga are recommended. But if you are prescribed to be on bed rest due to possible threats to your pregnancy, follow the doctor’s order and do not take it for granted.
Dealing with morning sickness
Morning sickness is also a side effect of pregnancy. This includes common symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, and nausea. Contrary to popular belief, morning sickness can happen at any time of the day, even in the evenings. Here are some ways to reduce the effects of morning sickness:
- Never go on a day with an empty stomach. Make sure to have small, frequent meals. Avoid acidic, greasy, or spicy food as much as possible.
- Take a rest as often as you can. If you feel tired more often, consult your doctor immediately as lethargy can be a sign of iron deficiency.
- When cramps occur, which is a common thing during pregnancy, stretch your leg calf and flex your knee upwards.
- Avoid constipation by eating fiber-rich foods. Urinate when you need to go.
- Consult your doctor for other symptoms that do not go away for a month or more.
Pregnancy might not be as easy as it seems. You will have to adjust a lot in terms of your daily diet, movements, and activities, and even managing your mood. However, every pain and discomfort will all be worth it when you see your little bundle of joy for the first time.
