Ten top
tips for a healthy pregnancy
The first 1,000 days (from conception to the age of two) are
the most important in your baby’s life. Here’s how you can prepare for them.
1.
Get healthy before you get pregnant. Make sure
you’re the right weight for height, your blood sugars and blood pressure are
stable and you’re exercising regularly. Ditch bad habits like smoking and
drinking.
2.
Once you’re pregnant, don’t miss clinic/ gynaecologist/midwife
appointments. There will be about 12 over the next 8 months.
3.
First trimester: Expect to feel exhausted with
nausea and emotional outbursts. These
symptoms will settle by your third month, so don’t stress too much about them.
4.
What you should tell your doctor/midwife:
Tell your health-care provider about vaginal bleeding – especially if it comes
with pain and/or a fever. Report headaches, blurring or problems with your eyes,
burning when passing urine and vaginal discharges.
5.
Diet and supplements: You’ll need extra minerals
and vitamins when you’re pregnant. There are special pregnancy supplements for
these. You’ll also burn extra calories and will need extra protein – especially
in the last few months of your pregnancy when your baby’s brain is developing.
You don’t need to eat for two – just make sure that you’re eating healthy!
6.
Avoiding and treating infections: Pregnant women
have a lower resistance to infections and many viruses are small enough to cross
the protective placental barrier. It’s wise to avoid people-busy places during
the first 12 weeks when your baby’s organs are developing. Some antibiotics are
not good to take during pregnancy. It’s best to boost your immune system
with fresh fruit (e.g. oranges, strawberries and guavas).
7.
Look after your breasts. By six months your
breasts may start leaking colostrum – your baby’s first milk. Make sure you’re
wearing a comfortable, well-fitting bra. You don’t need to ‘toughen-up’ the nipple
for breastfeeding. Nipple trauma is avoided when your baby latches onto your
nipple correctly.
8.
Staying active: Join ante-natal exercises or
simply walk or swim every day. Exercise gets your blood circulating and helps
with aches and pains – especially backache.
9.
Working while you wait: Most women work for as
long as possible. Some professions like flying, hair-dressing, nursing and lab
technicians may have to adapt their working circumstances for the safety of
their unborn babies.
10. Be aware of your baby’s
movements:
If
this is your first pregnancy, you will feel your baby move for the first time
at around five months. Second time round, baby’s movements will be felt much
earlier. The first flutters of ‘life’ helps you to bond with your baby. In the
last two months of pregnancy you may notice a pattern in your baby’s movements.
How your baby moves will give you an
idea of your baby’s personality! If you don’t feel your baby move for more than
four hours, do something to wake him/her – like eating or taking a shower. If
your baby still doesn’t move, phone your doctor.
Nine months of pregnancy is more than enough time to get
used to the idea of becoming a parent. Every child, whether planned or not, is
a precious gift. Treasure your pregnancy and use this special time to prepare
for and give your child the best possible start in life.
