4 Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy
Before I got pregnant, I carried a lot of false misconceptions about pregnancy. I mistakenly assumed that, once you conceived, you saw a doctor a few times, stopped drinking alcohol, waited nine months, and then...SURPRISE! you had a beautiful, healthy little baby.
However, being in the midst of my ninth month of pregnancy as we speak (yep- you actually get a full 40 weeks of goodness), I can say with some amount of confidence that it is NOTHING like that. There are all sorts of little variances that can affect your pregnancy, either positively or negatively. However, there are definitely things that you can do in order to help your chances of experiencing a healthy and wonderful ten months:
Step #1: Get regular prenatal care.
As soon as you find out that you are pregnant, it's important to find and make an appointment with an OBGYN or midwife, and then continue to see them regularly throughout your pregnancy. They can help to ensure that you are in good health to sustain a healthy pregnancy and give you all of the information that you need in order to make good choices for you and your baby over the next months.
Step #2: Maintain your healthy lifestyle.
Believe me- it's really, really difficult to stay on track with diet and exercise when you are exhausted, sick, and craving donuts constantly. However, one of the best things that you can do for your unborn child (and for yourself) is to maintain a healthy and well-rounded diet during your pregnancy. Make sure that you are eating lots of protein, whole grains, and fruits and veggies. Talk with your medical caregiver in order to come up with a diet and exercise regimen that is healthy and safe for you and your baby.
Step #3: Take a prenatal vitamin.
During pregnancy, your body needs more of certain vitamins and nutrients, most specifically folate and iron. While you can receive the majority of your recommended intake of them through a healthy diet, it's important to supplement with a good daily prenatal vitamin. They are specifically formulated with all of the things that women need during pregnancy.
Step #4: Consider chiropractic care.
It's no secret that a growing belly, while it's beautiful and miraculous, can cause some serious joint pain for pregnant women. Besides helping you to realign your body during pregnancy, chiropractic care can also help to alleviate nausea and encourage a healthy birthing positiion for your baby. Consider stopping into The Joint for your prenatal chiropractic needs- with affordable prices and convenient walk-in hours, they can help you to maintain a healthy and positive pregnancy!
