Carrying a child is equal parts exciting and daunting. The promise of getting a healthy baby after the excruciatingly long nine months is undoubtedly stirring but nurturing a fetus is equally frightening. An expectant mother has to be cautious while having the baby in her womb to ensure that the fetus develops healthily. This means that a woman has to pay attention to her diet, movements, and every aspect of her health throughout pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
The first three months after a baby is conceived are crucial for the fetus’s health. This is because all of its organs and its systems develop in the early stages of pregnancy. A pregnant woman may not witness any noticeable changes in her body during her first trimester. Therefore, you must take all the necessary precautions to ensure your baby remains safe in your belly and develops right.
Here is a list of the dos and don’ts of the first trimester of pregnancy.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol in the first trimester of pregnancy can interfere with the fetus’s brain development and lead to any number of developmental abnormalities. So, you should stay away from alcohol while carrying the baby.
Certain Medications
Some medicinal supplements can impede fetal development, damage the baby’s organs, cause a miscarriage, or bring on preterm labor. Similarly, recreational drugs can lead to congenital disabilities, miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery. Hence, you must steer clear of all unprescribed medicines or recreational substances. If you have a condition that warrants administering medication, consult your doctor to be sure that the chemical compounds do not harm the baby in any way.
Quit Smoking
Cigarette smoking during pregnancy can obstruct the flow of oxygen to the fetus and expose it to toxic chemicals. Doctors strictly prohibit expectant mothers from smoking while carrying a fetus.
Cut Down on Coffee
Too much intake during pregnancy is not advisable, but it’s not entirely forbidden. You can enjoy your lattes once or twice a day but be sure to stick to that quantity; otherwise, you’ll be risking your child’s health.
Eating Right
When you are pregnant, you’re not just eating for yourself but also for the tiny human growing inside you. If you want your little human to be healthy, you need to follow a nutrient-dense diet that includes all vital nutrients in generous portions. Here’s a list of foods that you must include in your daily meals
- Fresh leafy greens
- Meat for protein (preferably lean)
- Fish
- Sweet potatoes
- Dairy: be sure to have sufficient yogurt to keep your gut healthy
- Eggs
- Legumes
Foods To Avoid
While having plentiful food is essential for a healthy pregnancy and easy delivery, you need to be sure that you’re not consuming any harmful food items. Some examples are unpasteurized dairy, soft cheese, deli meat, raw meat like sushi, or any food that’s been stored for too long or hasn’t been thoroughly cooked. You should also avoid sugar because that can lead to gestational diabetes, which is pretty common among pregnant ladies. Always remember to consult your doctor or a dietician for a more detailed guide on which foods to eat and avoid.
Exercise Well
Many women restrict their movements for fear of hurting their unborn child, but low impact exercises or light walks are absolutely safe to do during pregnancy. In fact, staying active is excellent for a complication-free delivery. You must follow a training routine to stay as healthy as possible during pregnancy. But if you are in a case of high-risk pregnancy and your doctor tells you to be on complete bed rest, you must follow their orders.
Remember to eat well, rest a lot, stay active, and avoid consuming unhealthy foods. You will get through the overwhelming nine months of your life much more comfortably than you expect. We offer assistance to moms at any stage of their child’s development. Find out more about our services here.