Are you preparing for pregnancy or already planning to nurse? Proper preparation is essential for the health of new moms and their babies before and after pregnancy. There are several things to prepare and plan, including your nutrition, physical, and mental health.
Pre-pregnancy planning or preconception care means taking care of your body and mind during the time frame you can have a baby. It is essential to note that everyone can benefit from this health-centric living lifestyle.
Advice on preconception health
Pre-pregnancy health or preconception health is a mother’s health before having a baby. According to a leading ObGyn in Dallas office representative, being healthy before a baby will significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant and delivering a healthy baby. It also works to prevent complications during pregnancy. Some of the things you will be required to do include:
- Improve on your nutrition, meaning having a well-balanced diet
- Visiting a doctor for a preconception checkup
- Adopting an active lifestyle to keep your weight in check.
Advice during pregnancy
Your health and state of mind are essential during pregnancy as it is before. The following are tips on how to stay healthy during pregnancy:
- Try to learn and understand as much as possible about your body and the beautiful ways it is changing. Being caught off-guard about your body changes isn’t good for your mind during pregnancy. Talk to experienced moms about their experiences and sign-up for childbirth classes.
- What you eat determines who you are, and therefore your baby. Pay attention to advice from the U.S Department of Agriculture on a healthy diet during pregnancy. A healthy diet will prevent complications during and after pregnancy for mother and child.
- Avoid smokes, alcohol, or any substances that might be dangerous for both your health and that of the baby. Do not take over the counter medication without consulting your doctor.
- Even though pregnancy comes with its physical restraints, staying active with the advice of your healthcare provider will go a long way in easing delivery complications.
Advice after pregnancy
After pregnancy comes motherhood, a whole new universe filled with activities that revolve around your newborn, taking care of yourself doesn’t end after pregnancy; your child is still 100% dependent on the mother.
- It’s essential to have enough rest after pregnancy. A typical baby wakes up after every 3 hours; therefore, not getting enough rest could leave you exhausted. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially when it comes to house chores and babysitting.
- Breastfeed your baby when they are hungry. Avoid dictating when your baby needs to nurse, but let them make that decision on their own. Breast Milk has a lot of benefits for babies since it protects them from illnesses. It also lowers the mother’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Mothers can also sign up for an online breastfeeding support center for advice on nursing.
- What you put in your mouth still matters a lot after pregnancy because your newborn relies on you for breastmilk. Nursing mothers need an additional snack to get their daily 300 calories. A piece of fruit or a cup of yogurt could go a long way in increasing target calorie count. Adopt a well-balanced diet; this is essential in preventing health complications with your baby. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes, or any medication, without consulting your doctor.
- Stay active to remain fit. You mustn’t gain too much weight after pregnancy. Consult your physician which regular fitness activities you could sign-up for. This also helps reduce stress caused by the changes in the mother’s body.
