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5 Steps to Take Toward a Healthy Pregnancy

The choices and actions you take while pregnant have a direct impact both on you and your baby. Your pregnancy is a time for you to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally, for the sake of your health and the health of your child. Following these steps will give you the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy.

Step 1: Get Regular Prenatal Care

Pre-existing chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can cause health complications for you and for your child. For this reason, it’s important to attend regularly scheduled prenatal appointments with your obstetrician. Seeing your doctor on a regular basis gives you the best chance at having a healthy pregnancy because it can help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

Step 2: Consider Genetic Carrier Screening

If you have a family history of a certain genetic disorder or if you have previously given birth to a child with a genetic condition, and you would like more information about your pregnancy, your doctor may recommend genetic carrier screening. Genetic carrier screening is a blood test performed on one or both partners either before conception or during pregnancy. The results from this test will tell your doctor if you are at risk of passing on a certain genetic condition to your baby. To learn more about carrier screening, talk to your doctor or to a genetic counselor.

Step 3: Adopt a Wholesome Diet

Many women think that it is okay to consume many extra calories during pregnancy because they are “eating for two.” However, the recommendation is that you only really need 300 extra calories per day during pregnancy – and it’s important that these calories come from nutritious foods. What you eat during your pregnancy directly affects your health and the growth and development of your baby.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein as part of a well-balanced diet throughout pregnancy.

Step 4: Stay in Motion

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that pregnant women get at least 2.5 hours of exercise each week, spread throughout the week. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, is sufficient.

Exercising during pregnancy may help:

●  You gain weight in a healthy way

●  Ease back pain

●  Promote a healthy cardiovascular system

●  Reduce the risk of certain health complications, such as preeclampsia

●  Give you more energy

●  Help you lose the baby weight after the baby is born

Talk to your doctor if you have a health condition that limits your ability to exercise.

Step 5: Communicate Regularly With Your Obstetrician

Part of maintaining a healthy pregnancy is communicating with your doctor. You will see your doctor regularly as part of your prenatal care, but you are with your body every day. If you notice something that seems unusual, such as a change in your baby’s movements or bleeding with pain, call your doctor right away. Your doctor will explain to you what warrants an emergency. However, if you feel a phone call to your doctor is necessary, don’t hesitate.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000584.htm

https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/10-essential-steps-healthy-pregnancy

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/diet-during-pregnancy/

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a536361/10-steps-to-a-healthy-pregnancy

http://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/News-Releases/2007/ACOGs-Screening-Guidelines-on-Chromosomal-Abnormalities

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14aB2alqpe1NksgtI3osqkjRugL9CEH7irUrGPOhQq58/edit

http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Exercise-During-Pregnancy#benefits

http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Physical-Activity-and-Exercise-During-Pregnancy-and-the-Postpartum-Period

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/Pages/prenatal-care.aspx

https://www.babycenter.com/0_carrier-screening-for-inherited-genetic-disorders_1453030.bc

http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Preconception-Carrier-Screening

Comments

  1. Mary Ambrosino says

    This article should be required reading for all new mothers to be. Thanks.

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