You must first take care of yourself and your unborn baby before you can take care your new baby. There is a lot of information out there. While most of the advice is simple, some may be new, such as avoiding cat litter. First tip: Visit Pregnancy and Childbirth at UC San Diego Health as soon as you suspect that you are pregnant.
- Use a prenatal vitamin.
- Exercise regularly
- Write a birth plan
- Educate yourself
- Make changes to your chores (avoid toxic cleaners and heavy lifting).
- Track your weight gain (normal weight gain is 25-35 pounds)
- Get comfortable shoes
- Eat folate-rich foods (lentils, asparagus, oranges, fortified cereals)
- Consume calcium-rich foods (dairy and canned fish, soy)
- Eat more fish (except those high in mercury )
- Consume foods high in fiber.
- Avoid soft cheeses (pasteurized versions like Brie or Fe may contain bacteria that could cause miscarriage, fever, or other complications during pregnancy).
- Eat your veggies
- Eating five to six healthy meals a day is a good idea.
- But don’t overeat. A person only needs 300 to 500 calories more per day. Keep a food diary.
- Limit caffeine
- Get plenty of fluids (six 8-ounce glass of water per day).
- Don’t drink alcohol.
- Wear sunscreen
- Avoid air travel when possible during pregnancy.
- Do not change cat litter to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis
- Sometimes, you have to give in to your cravings.
- When to call your doctor
- Avoid secondhand smoke and quit smoking
- Get enough rest
- Wear your seatbelt
- Do not take herbal remedies or over-the-counter medicines without consulting a doctor.
- See your dentist
- Register for a class in pregnancy.
- Babysit for a friend’s child to get real-world experience.
- Tour birth facilities
- Use relaxation techniques every day (yoga, stretching deep breathing, massage, deep breathing)
- Don’t overmedicate
- Exercise, but don’t overdo it.
- Avoid leg cramps by stretching before you go to bed
- Take a photo of yourself before your baby arrives.
