Congratulations!!! Are you pregnant? Are you ttc(trying to conceive)? Diet and lifestyle during pregnancy. Best nutrition and diet during pregnancy. Nutrition and lifestyle during Pregnancy.
A healthy pregnancy starts even before the conception. When a baby is conceived in a mother’s womb, its growth not only depends on the food we eat. But also the Environmental, Behavioural and lifestyle of the parents come into picture. If you are trying to conceive, there are few important things that have to be followed.
Get a healthy diet. What you eat plays a major role in your conceiving chances. Take folic acid supplement even before you start your pregnancy. Make a healthy change in your lifestyle. The odds of becoming pregnant increases along with good exercise. Follow your daily exercise routine.
Nutrition and lifestyle before pregnancy: Diet and Lifestyle in pregnancy
Decade researchers have found that nutrition before pregnancy and after pregnancy play a huge role in unborn child development. Nutrients and lifestyle, we choose even before getting pregnant, affects not only body growth but also brain development.
There are few precautionary measures that have to be taken care of. Check for any medical complications that you are facing right now. If you are diabetic take necessary actions to keep it in control. Likewise, obese women find it hard to get pregnant. By changing the diet and doing regular workout this problem can be managed. If you are taking medications for depressions and epilepsy then it is better to consult your doctor prior to your pregnancy. And moreover, do not stop any medications on your own.
Even your environmental and behavioural patterns matter. Quit smoking and alcohol if you are trying to conceive and cut your caffeine intake. These factors may either affect your ability to get pregnant or may have negative effects on the child that is about to conceive.
Along with women the paternal father also has to take precautionary factors. If your spouse or partner wants to become a dad, ask him to stop smoking and drinking alcohol heavily. These two reduce their sperm counts. So does the drug intake. Even after consumption these things affect baby growth.
Diet and lifestyle during Pregnancy:
Nutrition during Pregnancy:
The term pregnancy conjoins many kinds of nutrients and minerals. Each and every name I pen down here is really important for both the mother and unborn baby.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, B9, B12.
- Vit D, K, C and E.
- Calcium.
- Iodine.
- Iron.
- Magnesim
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Copper
- Zinc
- Manganese
- Prebiotics and probiotics
All the above mentioned are considered as the standard need for all the
to-be-mothers. Talk to your doctors before and during your pregnancy to know the nutrient amount that you need. Never take any medication on your own or stop any ongoing medicine.
Diet and lifestyle during Pregnancy:
Exercise and physical activities:
There is a misconception that a pregnant woman should not do any exercises apart from walking. This is absolutely wrong. You can do your workouts even in the first trimester. Of course, before starting something during pregnancy time, it is better to get advice from your doctor.
Physical exercises have many aids on pregnant women. It maintains a good blood pressure, Keeps you off from weight gain. It also reduces the insulin resistance. This also reduces the risk of weight related issues of the foetus and of preterm birth. 30 minutes of Aerobic exercises almost most of the day is recommended. Yoga is also a great form of exercises that can be done during pregnancy.
Although extensive workouts during the first and last trimester is not advisable.
Food and Exposures:
Healthy food habits are a must during pregnancy. However not all foods are the same. Some have toxic levels in your body during pregnancy and bring harm to both the mother and the unborn child.
Alcohol and caffeine rank first in this list because of the contaminant effects it does towards an unborn child. Smoking is another story.
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products, Raw or undercooked meats, Raw or undercooked eggs, certain kinds of cheeses are known to be bad for pregnant mothers. Smoked seafoods, sprouted potatoes, drumstick tree leaves, aloe vera, animal liver are all said to be dangerous during pregnancy. These foods bring so much heat to our body and sometimes babies in the womb will not be able to handle it.
Most of our life is surrounded by chemicals and pesticides. Air pollution, garden pesticides, home cleaning products are all toxins only. A small quantity is fine. But when you inhale or gulp a large amount of these toxins, it develops a severe health condition to your baby even before its birth. So, let’s try and avoid certain chemicals during pregnancy.
Most of our household cleaning products are safe. However, it creates a wheezing problem for some babies even at an earlier stage. To avoid those risks, it’s better to avoid those things during pregnancy and we can ask others to help us.
Most of the nail-polish, cosmetics, and hair-straightening products cause skin irritation. Even if it is not proved, it is said it brings birth defects. Why take risks?
Modern day paints are safe but the solvent based paints or the old strip paintwork may contain lead. Lead is another harmful content for humans, let alone during pregnancy.
Mercury is another harmful chemical when exposed heavily it is likely to damage the brain cells, hearing and vision abilities of an unborn child. Some fish have mercury in it, including shark, broadbill, marlin and swordfish. Stay away.
Cultural and traditional food practices:
Every part of the world practices their own cultures and traditions. Especially during pregnancy, most of the women are subjected to stick to these traditions for the good of their babies.
Maternal stress during pregnancy:
It is unavoidable to be less at pregnancy times. Especially if it is the first time. The hormonal levels are at its higher level during this period. But a severe stress can affect the health and mental condition of not only the mother. But also, the infant birth weight and its behaviour. Even at times pre term baby.
Prolonged stress to the mothers-to-be have a high chance of having an irritable and depressed child. Every thought and action of a mother are deposited on to the child through the placenta.
Sleep:
This is something that you have to get properly like food. Sleep and sleep and get as much sleep. While you are asleep, your stress level decreases and you enter into a state of peace and calmness. Your baby is likely to sleep along with you.
It is advisable for pregnant women to sleep on the left side and avoid sleeping on the right side and straight. If you find it difficult to lay down keep a pillow in between your legs. Have a good sleep.
Covid-19 precautions:
This new column that is to be added because of this current epidemic is at its worst. Even though there is not enough research to conclude, pregnant women are easily affected by this. It is not passed to your child while he/she is in your womb but once out the chances multiply. That is the reason the doctors keep the baby off from infected mothers on the initial stage.
There are certain measures that can be taken during pregnancy to avoid covid-19 situation:
- Stay away from sick people
- Wash your hands regularly
- Stay indoors
- If you really had to go out, then wear all precautionary measures and sanitize your hands in frequent intervals.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose often
Even if you find that you are affected, do not panic. Fear brings in all negative effects both to you and your baby, so stay strong. Keep yourself indoor and have lots of fluids and rest. If the problem gets worse then call for help.
Paternal factors:
Father-to-be you cannot leave out everything to your wife and stay off. You also play a major role during development and even before conception. Avoid all the unwanted factors that were previously explained here. And moreover, try and maintain a calm and peaceful environment for both of you. Actually, you are doing this to your child and a peaceful environment makes a happy baby.
Above all pregnancy is a beautiful period not only to the mother but to the whole family. The new one developing inside is anxiously waiting to jump into this world and hold your hands. Trying talking to the foetus, it does wonders. A baby easily recognises its mother’s voice. Similarly, father, brothers, sisters can talk to the foetus. By prolonged taking it would respond to us by making movements. Have a happy and safe pregnancy journey.
Disclaimer: The article related to Diet and lifestyle during Pregnancy is for educational purpose only and should not be took as professional advice.
Read also: 10 exercise to boost your immune system
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