First of all, congratulations!
If you’re pregnant, you may need to make some lifestyle changes.
Here are a few measures to take to give your baby the best chance at good health! As always, follow your doctor’s advice first and foremost.
- Take your prenatal vitamins. This is especially important before and in the beginning stages of pregnancy. However, today is a great day to start, no matter how far along you are! If you’re having trouble keeping them down, your doctor may recommend gummy prenatals.
- Eat healthy, nutritious foods.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Get enough rest and decrease stress if possible. Learn how to manage stress in healthy ways.
- Don’t take any medications unless approved by your OB doctor. Tylenol and Tums are a few that you can take through pregnancy in safe amounts.
- Limit caffeine.
- Say no to drugs and alcohol.
- Quit smoking. Have anyone in your household go outside to smoke. Make sure they wear a sweater or coat while they are smoking that can be kept outside. This will help you avoid secondhand and thirdhand smoke.
- Stay away from chemicals. Use natural cleaning options if possible. If you have to use chemicals, make sure you’re taking protective measures such as using gloves or wearing a mask.
- As a rule, it’s best to avoid getting your hair dyed during the first trimester.
- Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and overheating.
- Avoid contact sports. Exercise is still recommended during pregnancy, but avoid those that may cause abdominal trauma, involve a lot of jumping, bouncing, or twisting; or intense activities. Always consult your doctor first.
- Avoid deli meat, unpasteurized milk and cheese, raw eggs, raw unwashed vegetables, uncooked sprout vegetables, high mercury fish, sushi, and uncooked smoked fish. Don’t eat more than 2 servings of oily fish per week.
- Don’t handle dirty cat litter, due to the risk of Toxoplasmosis. This is a great chance to unload some of your household chores onto another family member!
*This note is only for pregnant women to read. If there is a particular household chore you do not like, please contact us to see if it can be added to the above list.
If you want to learn more about pregnancy, preparing for baby, breastfeeding, labor and delivery, care of newborns, and much more, call us to register for classes. We have many classes available for you and your significant other. Maybe you only want to come in for one or two topics. That works! Call 419-399-2447 or fill out the form to book an appointment.