5 Essentials for a Pregnant Woman
If you’re entering into your first pregnancy, a hearty congratulations to you and yours. From now till D-Day (that is, delivery day), it’s vital that everyone knows how to care for the pregnant lady in their life. From a woman’s diet to how to keep her healthy, here’s a roundup of important tips to take note of as you embark on this exciting journey!
- Her Diet Will Change
It’s said that pregnant ladies need to factor in an additional ~300 calories into their diet. This is not surprising, considering the fact that there is a whole other human being inside them who also needs nutrients to grow, and to have a proper development! Of course, this doesn’t mean pregnant ladies can simply eat anything they wish for. Here are a list of foods pregnant women should prioritise in their diets:
- Dairy. Your growing fetus requires a healthy dose of protein and calcium, both of which can be found in most dairy products.
- Lentils, peas, chickpeas, and beans. These foods contain fibre, protein, iron, and calcium, all of which are needed to prevent neural birth defects and other developmental defects in your baby.
- Sweet potatoes. These will be converted into Vitamin A in your body, perfect if you’re pregnant as pregnant women need to increase their Vit A intake by up to 40%.
- Salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids are important to pregnant women as they help to build the brains and eyes of their fetuses.
- Broccoli and dark leafy greens. These vegetables provide many of the needed nutrients for a pregnant woman, and should be prioritised in one’s diet if they’re carrying a baby to term.
- Keeping Fit Is A Must
Apart from a healthy, supercharged diet, pregnant women should also take the effort to exercise regularly and keep fit and healthy, even during a physically taxing time.
Regular exercise will help to manage common discomfort and pain during pregnancy, and may increase one’s changes of undergoing natural birth smoothly. Exercise is also vital for post-partum recovery.
If you’re someone who’s never exercised regularly before pregnancy, it will not hurt to check with your doctor how to approach starting a new exercise regime without hurting yourself.
- Dental Visits
Pregnant women will have to face an increased risk of gingivitis. This is due to hormonal shifts and imbalances that will occur during pregnancy, where increased estrogen levels may interact with bacteria present in plaque.
This will lead to swollen gums, or even bleeding gums. Scheduling a dental visit during this time may help as a preventative move to avoid dental complications in the future (as well as reducing discomfort!).
5) Wearing Sunscreen
Pregnant women are more susceptible to sunburn and should get into the habit of applying sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or even higher. This is just another way to reduce potential discomfort during a period of high stress and physical strain.
6) Prenatal Care
Going to your doctor for a quick screening could enlighten you on potential medical complications, especially if you have underlying conditions yet to be discovered.
Prenatal care packages are also available for expecting couples that will settle all upcoming expenses related to prenatal care and procedures (including blood tests), so be sure to check with your doctor for that option to make things easier for yourselves down the line.
Remember: the health of a mother is vital to ensuring a smooth delivery of a happy, healthy newborn baby. As you navigate the day-to-day of waiting for that wonderful day, be sure to properly care for the mother-to-be in the meantime with these pointers and tips.
