New moms and moms-to-be spend thousands of hours worrying about the health of their new baby. While it’s normal to be nervous about this new chapter in your life, research can help alleviate some of those worries.
If you’re looking for answers to your first-time pregnancy questions, let us help. Keep reading to find the best pregnancy tips for first-time moms.
1. Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle
One of our favorite healthy tips for first-time pregnancy is to start making small changes. If you weren’t living a healthy life before you got pregnant, now is the time to start. You’re not only worrying about yourself anymore so taking care of your body gets your baby’s life off to a good start.
Physical activity is essential for every stage of life, but it’s especially crucial during pregnancy. Exercise can lower stress levels, improve your circulation, boost your mood, and help you sleep better.
Not all exercise routines are ideal for pregnant moms, however. The best pregnancy workouts won’t focus too heavily on abdominal movements or carry a high risk of falling.
Pregnancy is a great time to hone in on your diet, too. Focus on creating a nutrition plan that provides the right nutrients and vitamins you (and the baby) need. Foods like protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and those high in fiber are great.
While many fish are off-limits to pregnant women, salmon is a great (and safe) protein choice. It’s high in vitamin D and rich in essential fatty acids. Eggs and lean meats like chicken and lean beef are other great sources of protein.
Fruit like berries and avocado pack a big nutritional punch. Dark, leafy greens like kale or spinach are chock full of fiber, iron, calcium, folate, and all the vitamins you need for a healthy pregnancy.
2. Practice Kegels
There are a lot of benefits to doing kegel exercises whether you’re pregnant or not. These exercises will strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor. These muscles in particular support organs like your bladder, bowels, and uterus.
When you strengthen these muscles, your delivery and recovery will be easier. Stronger pelvic floor muscles can also help prevent urinary incontinence postpartum.
3. Sleep
Every pregnant woman has heard “enjoy your beauty sleep now” from well-meaning friends and family after announcing their pregnancy. They’re not wrong, though. Sleep is hard to come by the first few months (or years) post-partum.
Set yourself up for post-pregnancy success by getting some shut-eye while you’re pregnant. Aim for at least eight hours a night and never feel guilty about excusing yourself to take a nap.
This goes for after the baby is born, too. Many new moms feel they need to be there for their baby every second, but don’t be afraid to delegate so you can get some rest.
Put Our First Time Pregnancy Tips Into Action
The next nine months will be so smooth with our first-time pregnancy tips. Try to enjoy every step of the process on your road to motherhood. You’ll be holding that sweet baby in your arms in just a few short weeks.
Keep reading our health and fitness blogs for more ways to stay healthy during your pregnancy.
