What to Do and Not to Do When Expecting a Baby

By Ana Bickerstaff


If you are pregnant, try to go swimming when you can. Not only is it a healthy exercise for all people, but for pregnant woman, it helps prevent those pesky leg aches and keeps you from gaining too much weight. Do not over do it though. If you feel yourself getting fatigued, stop.

Many people get super excited when it comes to decorating the nursery that their baby will be living in. Just remember that you are pregnant and paint fumes are not good to be around. Make sure the room is well ventilated and the windows are open. It is good to have friends or family around to help you and do all the hard labor.

Don't stop using a seat belt in your car while driving or riding as a passenger. The danger to your baby from the seat belt is much less than the danger from you being loose in the car in the event of a crash. Make sure the belt is as low on your hips as possible, preferably underneath your belly.

Be sure to see your doctor before becoming pregnant. Not only does this help establish a healthy start to your prenatal care should you become pregnant, it also allows your doctor to check for any conditions that might require special care, or worse, discover conditions that would make pregnancy dangerous.

If you are pregnant and feeling constant cravings sometimes it may not be the wisest to fulfill them all. Your developing child, just like you, has certain nutritional needs. Gorging yourself on certain cravings only meets those cravings, not the needs of the child, so make sure that you continue to eat right.

When you are pregnant and your stomach finally starts expanding go buy yourself some comfortable maternity clothes. Your going to be pregnant for the next several months, so you might as well be comfortable. This also makes sure that you don't have to keep buying new clothes as you continuously expand.

Keep a record of how much weight you gain. Pregnant women are going to gain weight, but too much can be difficult to lose after the baby is born. On the other hand, not gaining the correct amount of weight can be dangerous for the baby's development. Knowing what your weight is from week to week can help you make sure that you are on track for a healthy pregnancy.

Listen to your body. Some women will find that they need more sleep when they are pregnant, and others will find that some foods no longer agree with them. Don't push your body to do something it clearly does not want to do. Being able to listen to what you need will help your pregnancy go a lot smoother.

Engage in Kegel exercises each day. This activity can improve your pelvic muscles, which affect your bladder, bowels and uterus. Kegels will help with your delivery, and they can be done just about anywhere, including in the car or at work. To do them correctly, you should squeeze like you want to stop yourself from using the bathroom. Hold this position for three seconds and then relax for three. Do this in sets of ten.




About the Author: