Pregnancy is a time when you have to be extra careful. It is because your baby’s health depends on you. If you are not healthy, it can affect the baby’s development and lead to congenital disabilities or other problems. This article will discuss some precautions pregnant women should take for a safe and healthy delivery.
Pre-Pregnancy Health Check
As soon as you know you are expecting, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor. It is essential if you have any health conditions or risk factors that could affect your pregnancy.
In addition to getting a thorough physical and bloodwork, it’s also a good idea for your partner to get a checkup so they can be sure everything is in order. According to WHO, four visits are recommended for a healthy pregnancy.
In addition to checking up on both parents’ medical history, doctors will often discuss any medications they’re taking or have taken recently. While some medicines are safe during pregnancy, you should avoid certain ones entirely. A conversation about these things will help ensure that the baby has a healthy start.
Get A Financial Plan
Pregnancy is also the time to think about your financial future. Whether you have been planning for this or not, you must get a financial plan. The first step is to talk to your wealth manager or bank about a budget plan and what steps you can take to ensure that you are ready for the new arrival and all of its expenses.
It is also essential to not spend more than what you earn during pregnancy. It will help avoid any unnecessary stress on yourself, as well as give your child a solid foundation when they grow up. So, start saving. It may feel like too much right now but trust me, once they start school, those savings will come in handy.
Be Careful About OTC Medications
Medications are one of the most common reasons for hospitalization during pregnancy. While it’s true that many over-the-counter medications are safe to take during pregnancy, not all medicines made for adults are safe for pregnant women.
Even if you have been taking the same medication throughout your pregnancy, speaking with your doctor before taking any OTC medication or supplement is essential. Just because something is labeled “natural” or “herbal” doesn’t mean it is automatically healthy and safe for your baby.
For example, the Tylenol Autism Lawsuit is a class action suit that alleges that Tylenol’s active ingredient, acetaminophen, causes autism in children. The parents claim that they had never heard of acetaminophen and its potential side effects before their children were diagnosed with it.
They assert that if they had known about these risks, they would have avoided using Tylenol to treat their children’s colds and fevers. Acetaminophen can be found in many over-the-counter medications, including Tylenol, Motrin, and Advil. In addition to treating pain and fever, this drug can be used for other conditions, such as headaches or muscle aches.
Eat Healthy And Watch Your Weight
Eating healthy is essential during pregnancy. You need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day and lean meats, whole grains, and dairy products. You should also avoid high-fat foods such as fried foods, processed meats like bacon or hot dogs, and high-fat sauces like mayonnaise or creamy dressings.
It would help if you watched what you drink since alcohol can cause congenital disabilities in the fetus. A glass of wine once in a while is fine, but no more than that. As for caffeine, limit yourself to one cup of coffee per day. It is crucial because, according to Science Daily, obesity during pregnancy increases the chances of the child having cardiovascular issues.
Include Physical Activity In Your Routine
You can go ahead and include physical activity in your daily routine. It’s safe to start light-intensity activity during your second trimester and continue with it until you get closer to your due date.
As far as the right balance between rest and exercise goes, try to be active for at least 30 minutes every day, except when you feel exhausted or have special circumstances such as a cold or an injury. If you’re unsure about which exercises are appropriate for pregnant women, consult with your doctor beforehand so they can help guide you through this process.
Avoid Smoking And Drinking
Smoking is one of the significant causes of miscarriage and low birth weight in babies. Even when you’re not pregnant, smoking is bad for your health. It increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.
If you’re a smoker who wants to start a family, it’s crucial that you quit smoking before conceiving. According to a Pubmed study, mothers who smoked as low as 1-5 cigarettes during or before pregnancy are at increased risk of multiple birth congenital anomalies.
If you drink alcohol during pregnancy, it could cause premature birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASDs include physical features like facial features, growth defects, and neurological issues like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Alcohol can also cause miscarriage in pregnant women who consume even one alcoholic beverage per day compared with those who don’t drink at all during pregnancy.
Take A Look At Your Family History
When it comes to autism and pregnancy, your family history is an essential factor. If you have a family history of autism, you may be at higher risk of having a child with the condition.
Talking to your doctor about your family history can help them better understand what challenges you might face during pregnancy and birth and how best to support you during that time. They’ll be able to advise on screening tests for fetal abnormalities that can indicate whether or not there is more risk than usual for autism in your baby.
Keep Track Of Your Pregnancy Symptoms
It is a good idea to keep track of your pregnancy symptoms. Not only will it help you stay on top of any issues that arise, but it will also be helpful when discussing what worked and what didn’t with your ob-gyn.
If possible, try not to take any medication unless directed by your doctor. However, if something could help alleviate some of those symptoms mentioned above, then, by all means, go ahead. Just ensure they’re safe before taking any action without first consulting with an expert medical professional who specializes in women’s health issues.
Conclusion
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy goes a long way toward ensuring a healthy pregnancy and delivery. It’s essential to keep your body well nourished while pregnant and avoid certain foods that could harm your unborn baby or cause problems during labor and delivery. We hope this article has helped show you some of the most important things to consider when planning for an upcoming pregnancy.
