Dos & Don’ts During Pregnancy !

The stage of pregnancy is one of the most beautiful phases in a woman's life. One needs to ensure that they grow in a nurturing healthy environment as they step into motherhood and before their little bundle of joy arrives.

This beautiful phase comes with many questions in terms of what you can do and what you cannot. Panic not!  We have a list of guidelines for you on the do’s and don’ts for each trimester, but these are no substitute to consulting your own doctor regularly.

    Some of the “Dos” are as follows:

• Do consume more organic and homemade food, since this is rich in minerals and essential vitamins and proteins. Eat a variety of healthy food that is rich in iron, calcium and folate.

• Small frequent meals at regular intervals, along with an adequate liquid intake, are essential during the first trimester. Drink at least eight glasses (1.5 liters) of fluid every day, mostly water. It’s very important to stay hydrated.

• During the pregnancy, most of the women continue to wear their regular clothing which doesn't even fit their growing belly. This is really a big mistake! As soon as you realize your regular clothes start to get tight, you should understand it’s the right time to wear maternity clothes. As maternity wears are designed with a growing bump in mind they make you feel much more comfortable than your normal clothing.

• Staying active during pregnancy is great for you and your baby. It can help you sleep better, reduce anxiety and help you stay healthy through pregnancy. Exercise does not  have to be strenuous to make a difference. Even gentle walks are good.

• When it comes to choosing maternity clothes, what matters the most is your comfort, everything else is secondary. As you need to be as comfortable as possible during the pregnancy, you should buy comfortable and breathable maternity clothing that allows you to move freely and easily. Avoid tight maternity clothes because they will only obstruct your movement and freedom as you gain weight in pregnancy.

    Some of the “Don’ts” are as follows:

• If a woman drinks during pregnancy, it is never too late to stop. The sooner she stops, the better the health benefits are for herself and her baby.

• Pregnant women who eat raw or undercooked meat and eggs are at risk of contracting listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, which can lead to serious and life-threatening illnesses. These illnesses can cause severe birth defects and miscarriage. Cook your meat and eggs thoroughly prior to eating.

• Avoid the sauna and hot tub. There is a risk of overheating dehydration and fainting every time you use a sauna, whirlpool, hot tub or steam room. Your body is unable to lose heat effectively by sweating and your body’s core temperature rises.

• The nicotine alone is a health danger for pregnant women and developing babies, and can damage a developing baby’s brain and lungs. women who smoke during pregnancy are more at risk of miscarriage, and babies born to women who smoked during pregnancy are at increased risk for birth defects.

• Drinking too much caffeine during pregnancy might be associated with a greater risk of miscarriage.

Look, one can’t live by rules & regulations but if one can think of a bigger picture - every sacrifice will be worth it when they’ll see their healthy newborn.