Confused, amazed, unbelievable and exciting! Maybe you would have felt one or all of these mixed emotions at the same time when you saw those two little pink lines, giving you the proof of you entering in your next phase of life. An unexpected one! Whether it was a planned one or an unexpected twist, every new mother felt deeply emotional and scared about how to bring this child into this world and how to raise it.
You have a lot of options to learn and get the answers to all your curiosities. You can confront your experienced friend to solve your queries, or you can go directly to your doctor and these days you can even find lots of thirst-quenching answers on the internet. New mothers always feel the strangeness of knowing they are pregnant. They measure their pregnancy week by week with such devotion, maintaining a tracker of their growth as well as their baby’s.
Another way to provide ease in the life of a new mother is, she can use a pregnancy calculator to get the approximate schedule of her last period date, ultrasound date, and IVF transfer date. She can book the doctor’s appointment accordingly that helps her pregnancy duration running smoothly. Despite knowing the fact of natural variation is the due dates of delivering baby, pregnancy calculator works as a small calendar that can help you to estimate roughly the date the when your baby is due to born.
If you one of the new moms-to-be, to help you with the uneasiness that you might be feeling we are sharing a few useful tips which can be used during pregnancy:
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Eating Habits:
You have to change your eating habits now that you are pregnant, to take care of the development of your baby. It is advisable to start having prenatal vitamins even before pregnancy, in case you are planning a child. Folic Acid, Calcium, and Iron help to build your baby’s neural cord, which becomes its spinal and brain cord. Also include folate-rich food in your diet like asparagus, orange juice, oranges, lentils, etc. Some women have a habit of taking morning coffee. During pregnancy, intake of caffeine is asked to limit because it is harmful to the baby’s growth. Instead of that, you can munch on an apple or banana as these fruits give you the same energy levels. Also, quit smoking and drinking and take rest!
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Exercise Routine:
It is really important for a pregnant woman to keep her body active. Exercising regularly will lift your energy, mood, blood circulation and metabolism rate. It will also help you to keep in check your weight. Although, you must gain but not 3 times as required. Practice Pilates, yoga, swimming and walking regularly after consulting your doctor. Do not overdo any exercise; listen to your body’s requirements. Also, practice kegels. It will help you deliver your baby with relative ease and prevents problems of incontinence.
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Keep Your Chores Under A Check:
It is time to revise your chores at home. No, don’t stop working altogether. You don’t want to become a blabber ball that is lethargic, at the end of the duration of your pregnancy. You just have to stay away from pungent cleaning liquids, say no to heavy lifting, do not climb on the ladder or step stools (although you can climb stairs almost till the end of your pregnancy, you have to be careful), stop standing for longer durations especially near the stove.
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Weight Gain Tracker:
Maintain a weight gain pregnancy tracker. Talk to your doctor about weekly or monthly weight gain and know whether it is healthy or more than necessary. Based on a women’s BMI before getting pregnant than the one with the baby-
Underweight: Gain 28-40 pounds
Normal Weight: Gain 25-30 pounds
Overweight: Gain 15-25 pounds
Obese: Gain 11-20 pounds
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Changing Your Wardrobe:
Do not spend every penny on one set of maternity clothes. Your first trimester will be able to let you use your normal clothes because it is the time when the body of the baby is still not in the position to form, and you do not expand. From second trimester onwards, you’ll need two sets of clothing. One for the earlier baby bump and second for the full sledded baby bump. But do not rush into buying all the maternity clothes at one go. Take your time and go shopping eventually. Similarly, you’ll require new pair of shoes to fit in those swelled feet. Nonetheless, it’s just a new excuse to splurge on shoe shopping once again!
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Keep A Sunscreen Handy:
Your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy. If you are prone to sunburns or blotches in the heat, always apply SPF 30+ while going out in the sun, along with a hat and sun shades. Using a green version of sunscreen, without any chemicals is a better option. The American Pregnancy Association recommends avoiding those tan beds, while there is no study to prove it. But it’s better to play safe during such a crucial time.
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Enjoy!
Enjoy this period. Savor the first kicks. Stay hydrated. Eat healthily. Look glowing. Say yes to the cravings once in a while. No one knows why it happens. Maybe it’s a natural way of giving in for a mother-to-be to feel good about what she eats. Because one day when you will hold your child in your arms, you go back to this time and revisit your every experience as a first mom to your first child.
Conclusion
As per one NCBI report, getting into an early pregnancy opens the women to both affirming and suffering regarding life. Pregnancy won’t go as an easy breeze. It will take its time and toll on your body and mind. You won’t always feel good. On days you will feel morning sickness and body pains. But rising above these crams and pains, you’ll see how beautiful this journey can be. Pamper yourself with manicures, music and good books. Take out time for your girls. Keep a check on what you eat. Avoid uncooked meat or eggs. Avoid herbal teas and any unpasteurized cheese. Eat what you feel like until and unless you are following a certain diet. Do your morning rituals of yoga and exercises. Boost your mood by finding inspiration in small things. See what you are passing on to your next gen. Because a healthy and happy body bores a healthy and happy baby!
