If you are Pregnant, Here’s how to go

Pregnancy is one of the most cherished dreams of a woman and a phase that is filled with moments of happiness, excitement, anxiety as well as nervousness. While nurturing a baby in the womb, a woman is typically bombarded with a battery of instructions related to her and her unborn child’s health. While a pregnant woman’s health is vital to the baby’s growth, it is important to correctly understand the best possible ways to take care of the health.

1. Nutritious Diet:It is a misleading statement that a pregnant woman should eat for two. Instead, what really counts is the intake of a balanced and nutritious diet as advised by the doctor or a dietitian/nutrition expert.Intake of excessive calories may lead to gestational diabetes and birth complications and lack of adequate nutrition may affect the baby’s development. Consume a diet rich in Protein, Calcium, Iron, Folate, Fibre, Vitamin A and Omega fatty acids.
2. Fitness Regime: Depending on your pre pregnancy fitness level, your condition during pregnancy or which trimester you are in, your gynaecologist may recommend some specific pre-natal exercises, activities (walking, dancing,etc.) or even sport (cycling, swimming) for strengthening and general fitness. While such exercises make you fitter to cope with the pressures of pregnancy on your body, they also help elevate your mood and get qualitative sleep. However, it is highly recommended to choose the correct exercise as advised by your doctor.
3. Supplements: During pregnancy, you require a host of vitamins and minerals for the baby to grow well and support your own body’s nutritional requirements.Folic acid (especially during the first trimester), Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D supplements are generally advised by the doctor depending on your reports/condition and stage of pregnancy. However, it is advised not to take these supplements on your own. Consumption of these supplements must strictly conform to the dosage suggested by your healthcare expert.
4. Hydration: Drinking minimum two litres of water is highly recommended for pregnant women. Apart from water, coconut water, fresh lime juice, buttermilk are great for the body. Adequate consumption of water helps in preventing constipation, excessive swelling, hemorrhoids,and urinary tract or bladder infections.
5. Avoid alcohol: Alcohol consumption is neither good for a pregnant woman’s body nor for the baby’s growth. The alcohol consumed becomes a part of the blood stream and can reach the baby through the umbilical cord. It is known to affect the baby’s growth, brain and may cause birth defects.
6. Caffeine: while research shows that moderate amount of caffeine is safe for pregnancy, some studies show that excessive consumption of caffeine from tea, coffee or other drinks can cause miscarriage.
7. Smoking and Substance Abuse: If you are pregnant and smoke or take drugs, it can affect your health adversely and be extremely dangerous for the baby causing stillbirth,  congenital birth defects, low birth weight, behavioralissues, and developmental delays.
8. Travelling: Whether you can travel or not at all, or travel long distances or choosing which mode of travel you should use –it all varies from case to case and depends on the stage of your pregnancy and your own body. Always talk to your doctor before you plan a vacation or outbound and discuss in details all your travel and stay arrangements.