Advice to pregnant women
Pregnancy is a boon to women. But when you are pregnant, you should be a little careful, especially in your eating. If you eat junk and unhealthy food, it will spoil your health as well as the health of the baby. The required calories for you and for the child to grow should be monitored and if your intake is less than the required calories, this will affect the child's growth.
You should also bear in mind that if you take more calories than required, this may lead to blood pressure related diseases. At the same time, if your intake is much less than what is required, fetal development will get affected or the baby born will be underweight.
The place where you get excellent advice on this is your Doctor. Your Doctor is not only qualified for this but she/he will have studied your health conditions. Accordingly, advice and suggestions will be given to you. Every woman is different and the Doctor will take all details about your health conditions into consideration before advice and suggestions are given.
For calculating the intake of calories you require during pregnancy, you have to just add 300 calories to your requirement during your normal times. This is the total intake of calories you require during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters. Doctors opine that during the first trimester, you need not take additional calories other than what you require. Of course, this formula may vary from woman to woman and only your Doctor can give you the best advice. You have to avoid the following strictly during your pregnancy:
1) Alcohol is not advised during pregnancy. The number of alcohol-related defects is on the increase. Miscarriages and still-born children are common in the cases of mothers who consume alcohol in excess. The child may suffer from underweight also.
2) Infections to you and the baby due to pathogens can be avoided by refraining from eating Deli meats, eggs which are not cooked properly and unpasteurised cheese, etc. Infection caused due to these will lead to diarrhea, vomiting and resultant dehydration.
3) You should wash fruits and vegetables properly before you consume them. Consuming them without proper washing may lead to an infection called Toxoplasma which will cause harm to babies.
4) You can do appropriate exercises during pregnancy. Experts advise that a few Kegel exercises will be highly useful. But, it is better to consult your doctor before taking up this exercises routine.
These are very simple precautions which will help you in having a safe delivery and also in having healthy babies. Healthy and strong babies are a bliss to have. You should keep this in mind and follow these simple things to be a responsible mother.
