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Pregnancy is an exciting time. You are on the threshold of a new life and soon you will be called upon to take care of your baby. However, it is important that you remain healthy and well during your pregnancy. In order to do so, you need to follow certain protocols and your doctor’s instructions to the letter. This article is a pregnancy wellness guide for expecting mothers. You need to complete the following practices to ensure a healthy pregnancy…
- Registration: As soon as your pregnancy is confirmed, you should register yourself at a hospital or health facility of your choice. It is important that your health facility be relatively close to where you live, as you may need to contact them in case of an emergency or for the safe delivery of your baby.
- Antenatal check-up: Four Antenatal check-ups are essential for pregnant women. The first should be as soon as the period is missed or within three months of missing the period. The second should be in the 4thto 6th month of pregnancy. The third should be in the 7th to 8th month of pregnancy and the fourth should be in the 9th month of pregnancy. During an antenatal check-up you should get your Haemoglobin, Blood pressure, Urine, Weight, and Abdomen checked at every visit. Also, ensure that you receive two doses of the Tetanus Toxoid (TT) injection. This injection protects both the mother and the baby from Tetanus, which is a life-threatening condition.
- Take Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets: During pregnancy you need to take 100 tablets of iron and folic acid. You need to take one IFA tablet daily. However, if you are anaemic, you need to take two IFA tablets daily, one in the morning and one in the evening. Taking your IFA tablet daily helps prevent anaemia in mothers and ensures delivery of a healthy baby.
- Follow a healthy diet during pregnancy: You need to eat at least one extra meal during pregnancy. You should eat milk and dairy products, such as buttermilk, curd, and paneer, which are rich in proteins, vitamins, and calcium. You should also eat fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, as these provide iron and vitamins. Cereals, whole grains, and pulses are also good sources of protein. You should also consume green, leafy vegetables, as these are a great source of iron and folic acid. About a handful of nuts and two cups of daalprovide the required amount of proteins in vegetarians. If you are a non-vegetarian, you can eat eggs, chicken, fish, and meat, all of which are good sources of vitamins, proteins, and iron. A well-balanced diet helps in the growth of the baby and prevents anaemia.
- Rest during pregnancy: You should take adequate rest during your pregnancy. You should sleep for at least 8 hours at night and an additional 2 hours during the day. You should lie on your left side, as it increases the blood supply to the foetus. Avoid hard work, such as lifting heavy weights. You should not overexert and should delegate the heavy tasks to others. If you take adequate rest, it gives you physical and mental relaxation, which is good for both you and your baby.
- Family support: This is extremely important and family attitude and behaviour should be encouraging and pleasant throughout your pregnancy. The family should also ensure that you consume the right diet and visit your health facility in a timely manner. Also, they should visit the health facility with you once labour starts or if there are any complications during pregnancy. They should also arrange for adequate finance and transport, and also for a blood donor to be kept on standby, if needed.
- Be alert to danger signals during pregnancy: You should be aware of certain danger signals during pregnancy. If these signals are there, you should visit your health facility immediately on an urgent basis. These signals include severe pain in the abdomen; bleeding through the vagina; convulsions; fever, and excessive swelling in the legs. If these complications do arise, seek help immediately to preserve your and your baby’s life.
- Regular physical activity: This can help reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy. It can also ease and prevent pregnancy discomfort, like back pain. While you should not indulge in excessive heavy exercises, you should certainly consult with your obstetrician and gynaecologist as to whether you can do simple exercises.
- Gaining a healthy amount of weight: This is normal and helps the mother deliver the baby easily. It also lowers the chance of the mother and her baby having weight-related problems and obesity later in life. However, gaining too much or too little weight can lead to serious health problems during pregnancy. These can include diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Maintain physical and emotional wellbeing: Expectant mothers should maintain good personal hygiene. You should wash your hands regularly and ensure household cleanliness.
- Do not smoke or inhale second-hand smoke: Smoking during pregnancy can increase the chances of your baby being preterm, with low birth weight. Your baby could also be born with defects of the mouth and lips. Smoking during pregnancy can also increase the possible incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Do not drink alcohol during your pregnancy: If you drink alcohol during pregnancy it could be fatal for your baby. It could result in premature birth; problems with growth and development; brain damage; heart defects, hearing problems, and vision problems; Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs); low birth weight, and miscarriage.
If you are pregnant you should consult with the right obstetrician and gynaecologist at the right hospital. One such hospital is Harsha Hospitals, which treats women and women’s issues with great care, skill, and the best possible outcomes.
With pregnancy being a time where you may need a lot of guidance and someone to simply reassure you as to what you can and cannot do, your obstetrician and gynaecologist at Harsha Hospitals will play just that role. You will be treated as an individual and with dignity, not just as another case.
At Harsha Hospitals, your doctors will work with you before, during, and after your pregnancy to make sure that you get the care and guidance that you need. They will schedule your antenatal visits to ensure that they work with you to be certain that you and your baby are both healthy. So, if you are pregnant and need the best care possible, do consult with the doctors at Harsha Hospitals and come away with a healthy and happy baby!
For more information about how to have a healthy pregnancy and other women’s issues consult Harsha Hospitals at +91 7799565793 or at info@harshahospitals.co.in or go to our website https://harshahospitals.co.in/ for more information.