Have a healthy pregnancy: Top 11 concerns

For pregnant women, there are certain things to consider if they want to have a healthy pregnancy. Here are some general tips:

1. Are you at higher risk for pregnancy complications? These risk factors include 1) having a first baby or having a fifth baby onwards, 2) mothers over 35 years of age or under 18 years, and 3) mothers with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. As an explanation, the first pregnancy is usually the most difficult and it takes the longest time to deliver the baby. However, having too many pregnancies is also risky because the uterus wall may have become thin and prone to rupture as a result of being stretched too many times. Moreover, if the mother is too young, her body may not be fully developed yet to handle the pregnancy. If the mother is over 35 years of age, the risk for child abnormalities also increases. Consider these factors before you decide to become pregnant.

2.  See your doctor for check-ups. Visit your doctor regularly as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Since pregnant women have unique health needs, you have to be more careful about your health during pregnancy. For the normal pregnancies, doctors usually see the woman every two months. If you’re in the high-risk category, the pre-natal exams are monthly or even more frequent. During a pregnancy exam, your doctor may check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight gain. Your doctor will also give you the necessary vaccinations during pregnancy.

3.  Space your pregnancies. The ideal time interval between pregnancies is around three years. Being pregnant for two consecutive years is usually not advisable because your body hasn’t had adequate time to recover the nourishment it has lost during the previous pregnancy. You must remember that the baby gets its physical needs (including iron for the blood and calcium for the bones) from the mother. That is why some mothers with several kids develop anemia and osteoporosis sooner.

4.  Ask your doctor about vitamins and supplements. Doctors usually give pregnant women certain vitamins for the body’s nutritional needs. This multivitamin will usually contain folic acid, iron, calcium, and the B vitamins that the mother needs. Around 400 micrograms of folic acid are recommended daily during the early months to decrease the incidence of spinal cord and brain defects in the baby. In fact, women should actually take folic acid even before pregnancy to adequately protect the fetus.

5.  Eat the right foods for you and your baby. Experts estimate that pregnant women need around 300 extra calories each day. These additional calories should come from healthy food choices, such as fruit, vegetables, milk, yogurt, and fortified cereals. Eat foods that are low in fat and high in fiber. Each day, aim to get a well-rounded food intake coming from an ideal platter of one-half plate of vegetables, one-fourth plate of carbohydrates, one-fourth plate of meat and protein foods, plus a fruit on the side. For those who are overweight, if possible, try to lose weight before you start your pregnancy. Once you get pregnant, dieting is not advised. Ask your doctor about the recommended amounts of weight gain per stage of pregnancy.

6. Reduce stress and rest. If you have difficulty becoming pregnant, getting plenty of rest may help you to conceive. You will also need to rest more during pregnancy because your body is undergoing major changes in trying to create a new individual inside you. Take frequent breaks from work and nap if you can. It’s all right to pamper yourself. The ideal position for sleeping is to rest on your left side so as to preserve the circulation to your baby and reduce leg swelling. The so-called left lateral position prevents the baby from pressing on the big blood vessels in the mother’s abdomen.

7. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Keep away from people who smoke. Active and passive smoking can increase the mother’s chance of having a miscarriage, giving birth to an underweight baby, or having a baby with a cleft palate (a congenital break in the upper lip). Drinking alcoholic beverages can also give rise to the fetal-alcohol sy ndrome, which is characterized by growth retardation and abnormalities of the brain, spine, and face. Stay away from all sorts of chemicals like pesticides, paint sprays, and potent cleaning materials. Some experts advise pregnant women to limit or avoid caffeine-containing beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

8. Don’t forget to exercise. Do some form of exercise every day. Walking is a great exercise to keep your circulation flowing. Light swimming, using a stationary bicycle, and practicing yoga are usually safe activities for mothers. Avoid doing stuff like sit-ups, abdominal crunches, and engaging in heavy lifting. To be safe, ask your doctor first before doing these exercises.

9. Handle the common symptoms of pregnancy. Most women are familiar with the symptoms of morning sickness, including an upset stomach. You may also develop a craving for unhealthy foods. To remedy this, try to choose nutritious foods. Eat five to six small meals in a day instead of binging on lunch or dinner.  This will help your digestion.

10.  Be aware of serious pregnancy symptoms. Although some pregnancy complaints are harmless, there are other serious symptoms that warrant urgent medical attention. These include the following: pain in the abdominal area that could be contraction of the uterus, any vaginal bleeding, any leaking of water that could be a ruptured bag, dizziness and fainting, shortness of breath, fast beating of the heart, less activity of the baby, and difficulty in walking. If you experience any of these, it’s best to consult your doctor.

11. Prepare for childbirth and breastfeeding. Despite the risks of pregnancy, motherhood is often a happy and rewarding experience. Be sure you have chosen the doctor and health facility where you will deliver your baby. Ask your doctor and friends, too, about the benefits of breastfeeding. Inquire about genetic testing and newborn screening. Later on, you will have to work closely with your pediatrician for your baby’s vaccine and checkup needs. Yes, there is, indeed, so much work just to bring a new life into this world. Well, once you become parents and your baby starts growing, that’s where the excitement and challenges begin. Good luck!