Pregnancy is the most awaited moment for every woman. Additionally, stepping into motherhood comes with a big responsibility. Every woman should make sure their child grows in a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment.

However, pregnancy brings many questions regarding what one should or should not do. Some women feel nervous while many get confused. So, instead of panicking, visiting an obstetrician is recommended to get the right advice.

The professionals will guide you through all the necessary efforts that are required during and after the pregnancy. In addition, we are also listing some of the essential steps that one should keep into consideration.

Some Do's And Don'ts For Pregnant Women

Do's During Pregnancy

  • Have Prenatal Supplements: The prenatal supplements are very essential during the pregnancy, as the body requires high doses of certain nutrients such as folates, iron, and calcium. All these multivitamins not only help in the fetal growth but also get rid of major birth defects.
  • Take A Enough Sleep: During the initial days, a woman experiences hormonal changes, nervousness, and sometimes anxiety which disturbs sleep. Pregnancy is very demanding, especially around the last trimester when a woman is asked for a lot of rest.

So, keep in mind that whenever you get exhausted, just take a short nap. The most helpful way is to set a proper bedtime as it will make you sleep on time. Moreover, taking 8 to 9 hours of proper rest is very effective.

  • Do Exercises: Every woman should practice some exercises as it will be very helpful to their health. It can fight certain health problems like excessive body weight, muscle pains, and insomnia.

Start your day with a brisk walk. Additionally, discuss with your obstetrician if you require any changes in your daily routine.

  • Eat Well-Balanced Food: Adding well-balanced food to your everyday diet provides the body with many essential nutrients. Include the green veggies, fruits, pulses, and cooked meat, in every meal.

All these food items are enriched with plenty of essential nutrients which are crucial for your and a child’s good health. It will be an additional benefit to ask an obstetrician for a well-planned diet chart.

Don'ts During The Pregnancy

  • Stop Taking Alcohol: Taking alcohol while pregnant is very injurious to the health of an infant. A newborn may suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). In addition, this might lead to low body weight of a baby, learning incapabilities, and behavioral issues.

So, if you’re struggling with your alcohol addiction, see a gynaecologist in Melbourne without any delay. A doctor can recommend some effective medicines. So, every woman should make sure to consult soon before it turns toxic for themselves and for a newborn too.

  • Avoid Smoking: Smoking can raise certain complications like premature delivery, low weight of a baby, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Additionally, newborns can suffer respiratory disorders, asthma attacks, more sickness, etc.
  • Do Not Have Uncooked Meat: Uncooked meat and egg are not healthy food options for pregnant women. These foods contain listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, a type of bacteria which causes foodborne infection. In addition, women might suffer from food poisoning.

Additionally, it can lead to extreme and hazardous impacts on a woman’s health that can lead to severe miscarriages. Therefore, cook the meat and egg properly before you eat it.

  • Do Not Consume Much Caffeine: It is suggested by an obstetrician that if you get tired specifically during the initial weeks of the first trimester, don’t consume much caffeine. Intaking it in large amounts can cause an increase in the pulse rate of an infant.

An obstetrician advises that it is safe to drink one or two cups of coffee in a day. However, more than this is not fine for your health.

Do's After the Childbirth

  • Eat Properly: Your body has gone through several changes during every phase of pregnancy and during labor and childbirth. So, it is time to heal by adding nutritious food to every meal. It will help keep you healthy and energetic.

However, do not neglect eating properly while taking care of the baby. Many OB/GYNs recommend making a diet plan that will ensure you are getting enough essential nutrients. Include the food:

  • Grains: It will be best to include whole-grains, barley, and oatmeal as these are good sources of fiber.
  • Green Vegetables And Fresh Fruits: Eat green veggies like spinach, broccoli, and beans as they are rich in iron and fiber. Have fresh fruits like an apple, avocados, oranges, etc. every day.
  • Dairy: Consider having dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, etc. as they have no or less quantity of fat present in it.
  • Protein: Add lean meats, tofu, eggs, nuts, and milk to your diet as these are good sources of protein.
  • Keep Taking The Multivitamins: Many women after childbirth think that taking the multivitamins again is no more important. But, your body needs more nutrients as you are breastfeeding a child. Consult your obstetrician and discuss adding more doses if required as per your health condition.
  • Take Enough Sleep: It is very significant to get proper sleep when you are in the recovery process after childbirth. As a newborn sleeps and wakes several times, it can disturb your sleep routine. So, it would be a great idea to take a nap just as your child sleeps.

Don't After The Pregnancy

  • Do Not Overlook The Pain: It is normal to feel pain after childbirth as it is due to the shrinking of the uterus back into its original size. These discomforts increase during breastfeeding the child.

If the pain increases regularly with the rise in body temperature above 38°C, do see your obstetrician.

  • Do Not Forget The Contraception Methods: There are the possibilities of conceiving within the 3 weeks of childbirth even if your menstrual cycle has not started. Therefore, the doctors recommend birth control after the delivery.

There are many best birth control methods that one can consider unless you have any medical issues. Such as condoms, contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices (IUD), etc.

Summing Up

Undergoing each stage of pregnancy, labor time, and delivery can be a little challenging phase. So, it is a must that every woman should be responsible to look after their health. From a healthy mother comes a healthy baby.

Therefore, one must take each of the points we mentioned above seriously. If a woman finds any problem during any trimester or after childbirth, immediately consult the doctors. Your specialist will provide you with the best care and treatment according to your health condition.