Paving the Path for Smooth Pregnancy: Healthcare Tips for Women

Getting to know that you are pregnant is exciting. The thought of having a new member in your family brings ample happiness. However, preparing for pregnancy is often a challenge, because a woman’s body undergoes several changes that lead to health issues and emotional ups and downs.

Having a smooth pregnancy is not a myth! When you abide by the correct diet and lifestyle guidelines, the expected health changes and challenges are easier and less problematic. It includes everything from cleaning up your diet, maintaining the correct weight, and opting in for the correct exercise.

In this article, we will discuss some of the healthy lifestyle habits that can help women have a hassle-free pregnancy. It doesn’t mean that the body will not undergo the natural changes expected during the three semesters. Instead, it means that, when you follow the guidelines, you tend to cope better with them.

Include Prenatal Vitamins in Your Diet

Women should consider prenatal vitamins the moment they get to know about their pregnancy. Some health experts suggest that women should add it to their lifestyle when they are trying to conceive.

One reason for this is that the baby’s neural tube, which later becomes the spinal cord and brain, starts to develop within the initial month of pregnancy. Hence, it’s necessary to take in vital nutrients such as calcium, folate, and even iron.

You can get prenatal vitamins over the counter. Alternatively, you can even ask your doctor to prescribe the one that they think is best. If you feel a bit uneasy about consuming it, either have it after a light snack or take it at night. You can even chew gum afterward to feel better.

Regular Exercise

Staying active is necessary for your overall health. However, it can help to improve blood circulation, bring down stress, and enhance your mood. It also helps in promoting good sleep. According to various studies, exercise helps in a smooth pregnancy and reduces the chances of preeclampsia.

Women can try to walk for 30 minutes or even opt for an exercise class at a moderate pace. They can try it indoors or in any other shared area to stay away from overheating. Walking, Pilates, swimming, and yoga are the best exercises for pregnant women. However, you must check with a healthcare provider before opting for any.

Ideally, you should exercise for 30 minutes a day and be intuitive towards your body. That way, you know when you are overdoing it and refrain from it.

Eliminate Toxins from Your Life

Due to their connection to congenital disorders, pregnancy complications, and even miscarriage, it is necessary to stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and all kinds of illicit drugs. You should even stay away from solvents like nail polish remover and paint thinners. Quit smoking, as that reduces the oxygen flow to the body and gets connected with preterm birth and various other complications.

When you find it challenging to quit drinking, smoking, or using drugs, you should inform your doctor. Roger Harms, an OB-GYN with Mayo Clinic, suggests that a doctor can provide the correct assistance to ensure you can quit these substances and have a problem-free pregnancy.

Seek Guidance of Nurse-Midwives

Today, nurse-midwives occupy the rank of highly trained registered nurses. Nursing candidates who are aiming for the highest-paid nursing careers often opt for a career in this domain. They can provide skilled services to pregnant women all through the process of childbirth, right from pregnancy counseling to postpartum care.

They have the training to monitor fetal and maternal health during three semesters, identify any complications that arise, and refer patients to a physician as and when there is a need for it.

According to Carson-Newman University, nurse-midwives today opt for the best training courses available online and are trained using evidence-based practice, which helps in informed decision-making concerning patient care. The academic module helps them integrate, research, conduct tests, and offer the best care to women.

Get Your Medications Checked

You have to check with a concerned healthcare provider before you consume any medications, whether they are natural remedies or supplements. It’s rather surprising to learn that even standard OTC drugs such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy.

For instance, a few studies have highlighted the probable link between ibuprofen used during pregnancy and a higher chance of congenital disorders and miscarriage. That aside, the FDA doesn’t suggest using ibuprofen after 5 months of pregnancy, as it can cause problems in the fetus and kidneys.

Instead of worrying about what is unsafe during pregnancy, you should check with a healthcare provider before you add any medicine to your daily routine.

Finally, every woman has a different body composition, which reacts differently to their hormonal changes during pregnancy. But if they maintain a good routine in terms of the food they consume, and the medicine they take, and consult a nurse-midwife, then they can address and resolve the minor challenges that arise with much more ease than others. The guidelines discussed in this article aim to help women tackle their pregnancy better and more smoothly.