5 Things You Should Do During Pregnancy for Ensuring a Healthy Baby

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Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life. It’s also a time when you should take extra care of yourself to ensure the health of your baby.

According to the CDC, there were over 3.6 million births in the U.S. in 2020. Of course, not all of the babies born were fully healthy. Complications were surely there in some of the births, but they could’ve been avoided. 

If you’re currently pregnant or planning to get pregnant soon, here are some steps you can take now to ensure that your child grows up healthy and strong.

#1 Eat a Well-Balanced Healthy Diet

A recent study published in BMJ suggests that the mothers’ intake of high levels of ultra-processed foods can lead to an increased risk of obesity in their offspring. This obesity hits the kid between ages 7 and 18. What’s interesting is that the kids don’t have to consume any type of processed food to become obese. The mother’s intake alone can lead to this issue in the child.

You should eat heart-healthy foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol, such as fruits and vegetables. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco products, and unpasteurized milk or cheese during pregnancy. They may cause birth defects. Also, avoid raw fish ( sushi) while pregnant because some types of bacteria can be harmful to your baby’s health if eaten by you.

#2 Take Supplements

A balanced diet is important for both mom and baby, so don’t just focus on eating junk food. Make sure you get enough calcium and iron from food sources along with supplements. Keep in mind that your body will need more energy than usual during pregnancy, so eat a variety of foods to stay energized.

Take folic acid supplements since they can help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida or anencephaly. They often result in paralysis or loss of sensory perception. Taking these supplements with some healthy snacks can be helpful because they will fill you up without adding too many calories.

#3 Start an Exercise Routine

Exercising during pregnancy has many benefits. 

A recent study published by the European Respiratory Society suggests that the mom’s physical activity can benefit her child’s lungs. There are also many other benefits of exercising during pregnancy. 

These include a reduced risk of gestational diabetes, better sleep and moods for you and your baby, improved fitness levels and blood pressure, an easier labor process for you, and healthier birth weights for babies born to active moms. 

When planning your workout plan, remember that it’s important to avoid high-impact activities like running and jumping during the first trimester. These can cause uterine contractions or miscarriages. Instead, focus on low-impact activities like swimming and yoga.

It’s also a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise program if you have any medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart problems.

#4 Avoid Certain Medications

Avoid medications that aren’t necessary. If you have a health condition or illness, talk to your doctor about the different treatment options available.

Also, avoid medications that are known to cause birth defects. For example, if you’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy or asthma and need medication for it, talk to your doctor about whether other medications can be used instead. 

You should also avoid medications that may interfere with breastfeeding. Some drugs can pass through breast milk even if they’re taken orally (by mouth), so discuss this with your doctor before taking any new drugs while breastfeeding.

You must also stay away from drugs like Tylenol, which have been found to cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children when the drug is consumed by their pregnant mothers. The Tylenol Autism Lawsuit outlines how prenatal acetaminophen exposure can lead to ASD, which is why doctors often advise against Tylenol use during pregnancy. 

The Tylenol autism lawyers are not only working to get justice and compensation from the victims of this drug but are also, in a way, spreading awareness regarding the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. Thus, keep an eye out for such drugs and avoid them when you’re pregnant.

#5 Develop an emergency plan with your doctor

It’s essential to have a plan in place in the event of an emergency, whether it be a house fire or a car accident. Make sure you know where to go if there is an emergency and ensure you have the right insurance coverage so that all costs can be covered by your healthcare provider.

Emergency plans should also include a list of things you must do if your water breaks earlier than expected. The plans should also incorporate the various routes you can take if your primary route or hospital is inaccessible or unreachable due to any reason.

Pregnancy is a very exciting time in your life, so it’s important to be aware of how you can ensure that everything goes smoothly. It’s not just about the baby. It’s about your health and well-being too.