Do you want to know what the best healthy pregnancy secrets are for new moms? You’ve come to the right place. After 4 births, I realized there were important things I did to make every pregnancy better. Having a healthy pregnancy and baby are always a top priority while pregnant, and even while trying to conceive. You’re probably wondering what you have to do to accomplish that. I know how you feel. With so much information out there, what is the most important thing to do? Well, I’ve got the best healthy pregnancy secrets for you that I know will help you feel great both physically and emotionally. You are already off to a good start by taking the first step and doing the research. Making healthy choices and working toward good health will benefit you and baby, no matter when you start this healthy pregnancy journey. Before making any changes to your diet or exercise, always speak to your doctor first. Here’s to a happy and healthy pregnancy!
What is a Healthy Pregnancy?
A healthy pregnancy can be different for everyone. The best way to know if you have a healthy pregnancy is by keeping your regular prenatal appointments to get updates from your doctor or midwife. Making healthy lifestyle choices is a good way to start off to a healthy pregnancy. Here are 7 secrets to a healthy pregnancy!
Secret 1: Visit Your Health Practitioner Regularly
One of the most important secrets for a healthy pregnancy is to visit your health practitioner. At each visit, your blood pressure, urine, belly, weight, and baby’s heart rate will be checked. These appointments will give you an idea of how you and baby are doing. Scheduling regular appointments also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you have about new symptoms.
Secret 2: Take A Prenatal Vitamin
Another great secret for a healthy pregnancy is to take a prenatal vitamin. Prenatal vitamins have vitamins and minerals that will help support your health and your baby’s development. Eating a well balanced meal can be a challenge at times, so prenatal vitamins help fill that gap. Just remember that prenatals are not a substitute for good nutrition. During pregnancy, we need to have more folic acid and iron for our baby’s healthy development. There are many prenatal vitamins to choose from and your doctor can help you choose the best one for you. The prenatal vitamins I take are the Garden of Life My Kind Organics Prenatals. They are organic, easy on my stomach, and they don’t make me nauseous. They are great if you are on a start to an organic diet change.
Secret 3: Eat Healthy Organic Foods
Eating healthy organic foods is a great way to have a healthy pregnancy. Organic food is not genetically modified(GMO free) and is free from most synthetic fertilizers and use of pesticides. When choosing organic, you are minimizing your baby’s and your exposure to these harmful pesticides. If eating organic is not possible, you can visit the EWG website for a list of fruits and vegetables that have the least and most amount of pesticides. They are the “Clean 15” and “Dirty Dozen.” One priority we should always have, whether or not you choose to eat organic, is to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and a well balanced diet. When I chose to go organic, it was a long process that didn’t happen overnight. I felt this change was best for my family.
Secret 4: Exercise
Exercising during pregnancy has many benefits for you and baby. It is a tip that I hear often for a healthy pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, some benefits of exercise can be the increase of energy, improve posture, reduce backaches, and may improve your ability to cope with labor. Some safe exercises to start with are walking, squatting, prenatal yoga, pelvic tilts, and swimming. It is never too late to start, but it is very important to talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise routine. During my pregnancy, I tried my best to walk daily, or do a prenatal workout video. I felt it was very beneficial for me. Especially during labor. My legs felt strong when it was time to give birth, and I didn’t get tired quickly.
Secret 5: Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water during pregnancy is very important to your pregnancy health. The recommended amount of water to drink varies from person to person, but 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses of water a day is the range. Water helps you stay hydrated, helps prevent UTIs, constipation and headaches. It also helps carry oxygen and nutrients to our cells, tissues, and organs. Water also transports nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to baby. Drink water throughout the day so you won’t drink it all in one time and get full quickly. If you are exercising, make sure you hydrate before, during, and after exercise.
Secret 6: Get Enough Sleep
Has anyone ever told you to get all the sleep you can get before you have your baby? It’s easier said than done, but very possible. During every trimester, you will get different pregnancy symptoms that may keep you up at night, but there will be a part of your pregnancy when you may be able to get a good night’s rest(probably second trimester). Just have the right pillow, go to bed early, make to-do lists for the next day, and avoid electronics before bed. The recommended amount of sleep is at least 6 to 8 hours each night. Getting enough sleep during pregnancy will help with energy, mood, alertness, and overall health. Did I mention mood? With all the aches, pains, and discomforts of pregnancy, we can get moody, but sleep sure helps!
Secret 7: Stay Positive
Worrying, and stress is a feeling we may not be able to avoid during pregnancy. It is normal to worry about the health of our baby, and the list of things we need to get done. A little stress most likely will not affect you and baby, but too much of it can. There are many ways to keep calm during this amazing time. One way is to stay positive. Staying positive during pregnancy will help you deal with the daily stresses we run into and make better decisions. According to March of Dimes, worrying, and high levels of stress may cause high blood pressure. This can later lead to having a premature baby. So take each day as it comes, and ask for help when needed. Get enough sleep, and try to surround yourself with positive birth stories. Sometimes, it is hard to avoid negative birth stories, but it is important to fill your mind with support, encouragement, and peace of mind.
These 7 Secrets to a Healthy Pregnancy are Achievable
A healthy pregnancy is achievable! Every step you take toward good health, if it’s before becoming pregnant, or during pregnancy, will be a step closer to having the pregnancy you really want. It is possible to run into challenges during pregnancy, but keeping your regular prenatal appointments with your doctor will help you get the support you need to face these challenges. Remember to stay positive to make the best decisions for you and your baby. I hope these secrets for a healthy pregnancy are helpful to you! Are there any tips you would like to share with us? We’d love to hear from you!