Pregnancy wellness is the overall well being of a pregnant person including their physical, mental, and emotional health. When it comes to pregnancy wellness there are some important points that should be addressed. While these are not a conclusive list on how to stay healthy during your pregnancy, they are very important keys to keeping you and your baby healthy throughout pregnancy and beyond. Avoiding alcohol, taking prenatal vitamins, exercising, easing your anxiety, and having the right mindset is key when it comes to all aspects of your health and wellness. Below will go into more detail about actionable steps you can take to promote the health of your pregnancy.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoiding alcohol is one of the most widely given pieces of advice when it comes to pregnancy. Drinking alcohol during your pregnancy can have detrimental effects to your baby’s life. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in the first few weeks of pregnancy could lead to the termination of your pregnancy. While it is terrible that alcohol can have this effect, many times people do not know they are pregnant at that stage and may not know that they lost their baby. If you continue to drink during later stages of pregnancy it could result in fetal alcohol syndrome that could result in brain damage and growth problems. There is no amount of alcohol that is recommended during pregnancy. This sacrifice may be harder for some than others, but it is definitely worth it for the benefits.
Prenatal Vitamins
Growing and creating a baby takes many vitamins and minerals to ensure the baby is healthy. So many people suggest taking prenatal vitamins, but what is the big deal? Without enough vitamins for your baby it could have issues such as neural tube defects, insufficiently formed red blood cells and DNA, and even growth restriction. For example, Vitamin B9, folic acid, deficiency in pregnancy can lead to neural tube defects such as spina bifida. While it is important to get vitamins and minerals from your foods that you eat, there is no way of guaranteeing that you get the perfect amount of vitamins from your food. Prenatal vitamins act as an insurance policy to make sure you are getting the minimum amount of vitamins each day to keep you and your baby healthy and safe.
The Best Exercise For Pregnancy
I will let you in on a big secret, there is no best exercise for pregnancy. As long as you are getting enough physical activity in a day you should be good. While there is no best exercise for pregnancy, there are better exercises for pregnancy. Mild to moderate exercises such as prenatal yoga and daily brisk walks are great ways to get your cardiovascular system going without overstressing your joints and body. You should avoid exercises with lifting heavy weights or extreme exercises where you may fall and injure the baby such as hang gliding. Generally if you did the exercise before pregnancy, you should be able to do it during pregnancy. Always work with your healthcare provider to ensure your exercise regime is right for you.
Ease Your Anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental health issue during pregnancy. There are many changes occurring in your life during pregnancy, including your social structure, your roles and responsibilities, and physical body. With all of these changes you may be feeling uneasy and worried about the future. To ease some of your anxiety you can implement mindfulness, meditation, breathing, and planning. Using various coping strategies can help to ease your anxiety when it happens and to prevent it from happening. You can also make plans and talk with those around you to have a better sense of what is coming next.
Advice From Others
Advice from others can sometimes be unwarranted and unwanted, but advice from experienced parents can also be very beneficial to you. Having worries and questions about pregnancy and parenthood can make your mind wander and induce feelings of anxiety. Asking those that you care about and trust can be a great way to feel less isolated and know what to expect for the future. While you may not have a family or friend that you trust, you can always reach out to your health care provider to get your questions answered. Once you get the advice you asked for, use it with how it works for you.
Supporting your pregnancy wellness takes work, but is very achievable. Do not put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect as this can cause anxiety in itself. Taking time to take care of yourself and prioritize your health can only take a few minutes everyday. Taking small action steps such as taking a prenatal vitamin or taking deep breaths can be easy ways to support your wellness. These are some of the most important keys to pregnancy wellness. Overall, take the small moments to enjoy your pregnancy and the whole experience.
