When you ask an expecting mother how she would define a healthy pregnancy, the response is generally: an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth that result in a beautiful, healthy child. Although some health problems cannot be prevented, the average mother can greatly improve her odds of having a successful pregnancy and delivery (and that beautiful, healthy child) by following a few health tips that can be adapted into any lifestyle.
Take Your Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins offer the mother and fetus valuable nutrients. The majority of prenatal vitamins contain iron, folic acid and calcium. Folic acid reduces the risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord injury such as spina bifida. The Department of Health recommends that all pregnant women take 400 mcg of this nutrient through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Calcium allows the mother to maintain her current bone density and provides minerals to aid in bone growth to the unborn child. Iron supports the transport of oxygen through both the mother's and baby's blood. If you are unable to take prenatal vitamins due to the side effects, which usually consist of nausea, physicians sometimes recommend you take a chewable child's vitamin. This type of vitamin contains the same dosage that a prenatal has, but it eliminates the nauseous feeling associated with the prenatal.
Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco and Illegal Substances
Everything you eat, drink and breathe is shared with your unborn child. That statement applies to alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances such as marijuana. A child who has been continually exposed to alcohol may be born with a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This condition can consist of mental retardation, birth defects, growth problems and abnormal facial features.
For someone who smokes tobacco, the amount of oxygen is decreased to the fetus. This decrease can cause low birth weight, vaginal bleeding and even stillbirth.
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as many as one in 10 children are born to mothers who have used illegal drugs. The side effects of exposure to illegal drugs while in utero vary depending on the drug used, amount consumed and frequency. A mother's illegal drug use while pregnant can cause birth defects or cause the baby to have withdrawal symptoms after birth. Illegal drug use in the final 12 weeks of pregnancy can also lead to premature birth or the death of the baby.
Remain Stress-Free
Stress can affect your life regardless whether you are pregnant. A high amount of stress in a pregnant woman's life can not only cause physical issues, it can cause emotional and mental issues extending after the child is born. Common side effects of stress include sleep issues, preterm labor, high blood pressure and postpartum depression. Take time out to relax and focus on your needs to greatly decrease your current level of stress. Counseling can also provide a method of relief, as can talking to a friend who has experienced some of the same issues you have.
Attend All Appointments With Your Care Provider
For the majority of your pregnancy, many physicians ask that you keep a monthly prenatal appointment. During these appointments, the physician will assess both the developing child's health as well as your own. Once you reached the third trimester, your visits will increase to every two weeks and then eventually you will have weekly appointments. It is highly important to attend all of these appointments because there are certain time periods that a physician must monitor. For example, the third trimester is normally when preeclampsia develops. Regular visits will allow your physician to monitor for sudden changes that could affect the health of your child and you.
