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When you’re pregnant, it can feel like there are a lot of suggestions on what you should or shouldn’t be doing in order to have a healthy, natural pregnancy. There are rules about what you can and can’t eat, activities you should and shouldn’t do, and some different opinions on what will and won’t hurt the baby. Because making the right decision for your baby can cause a lot of stress, it’s important to understand how to be as healthy as possible without causing too much worry.
The key in focusing on a healthy and natural pregnancy is to listen to your doctor, be mindful about what you put into your body, find a form of exercise that works for you, focus on a positive mindset, and avoid any potentially problematic substances.
Be Diligent About Prenatal Care
The best thing you can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy is to be diligent about prenatal care. Make sure you’re taking prenatal vitamins and going to prenatal checkups. Your baby’s development will be monitored and routine testing will be done by your doctor or midwife to help prevent possible issues.
Prenatal care is often costly, so be sure you have insurance or emergency funding in place if you need it. Having a medical professional there as an advocate for your pregnancy is helpful in order to answer any questions, help you cultivate healthy habits, and to help reduce stress and worry during your pregnancy. Prenatal care is vital for your health, your baby’s health, and for your peace of mind during this time.
Surround Yourself with Positivity
Your mental health and emotional state are just as important as your physical health during your pregnancy. In order to have a healthy and natural pregnancy, focus on surrounding yourself with positivity in order to help avoid any excess stress. This means avoiding any negative or toxic friends or family members and taking time for yourself each day to focus on your mindset.
For example, meditating is a great way to reduce stress and increase positivity, whether you’re pregnant or not, and it only takes a few minutes a day. You can also start a pregnancy journal, a gratitude journal, or a journal where you write to your baby to help with mindfulness and positivity. Do whatever works for you as long as it helps your positive mindset.
Eat and Drink Mindfully
The best way to have a healthy and natural pregnancy is to be mindful about everything that goes into your body. It’s as much about what you eat and drink as it is about what you don’t eat or drink. Not only should you avoid alcohol and excess caffeine, you should also avoid raw fish and deli meats. Some additional foods to avoid include:
- Highly processed foods
- Unpasteurized cheeses
- Fish that is high in mercury
- Undercooked meat
- Raw eggs
While cutting out the bad stuff, you should also focus on finding the right kind of foods to eat that are packed with the nutrients and vitamins you need, such as plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Focus on whole foods and eating a diet full of fresh items that leave you feeling full and happy instead of bloated and lethargic. If you have any questions about your diet, talk to your healthcare provider.
Experiment With Exercise
Exercise is great during pregnancy because it can help with fatigue, mental health, and your overall health and wellness. However, exercise is sometimes hard on the body during pregnancy, which is why it’s helpful to find the type of exercise that works for you. While some pregnant women find that hiking, running, etc. still works for them, others find that high-impact exercise is hard on their bodies.
Every body and pregnancy is different, so it’s okay if you can’t do the exercise you used to do. You can try some at-home stretches and movements, swimming, or even just walking around your neighborhood. Any movement is good movement and will help you maintain your health while pregnant.
Avoid Chemicals and Medications
Many enemies of a healthy and natural pregnancy live within our medicine cabinets and under the sink. It can be easy to forget how many chemicals are in our cleaning products that we use so often, and it’s a good practice to avoid them during pregnancy to eliminate any complications to your growing baby. Ingredients like ammonia, parabens, and chlorine can be harmful. Consider looking into natural cleaning products, or using your cleaning products with gloves and in a well-ventilated area.
In addition to that, it’s important to be aware of the medications you can’t take while you’re pregnant. Aspirin, decongestants, and ibuprofen are just a few of the medications to avoid. Before taking a medication, whether over the counter or not, ask your doctor and read the label before taking it. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your prescription medications as many anxiety medications and antidepressants are unsafe as well. If there are safe alternatives, your doctor may be able to find them.
Having a healthy and natural pregnancy just means surrounding yourself and filling your body with things that are natural. It’s about staying on top of your prenatal care and listening to your doctor. It’s about focusing on your mind as well as your body. It’s about being even more mindful about your diet and fitness, and knowing which items to avoid. The best way to stay healthy during pregnancy is to be mindful about your body and your mind to ensure you’re healthy and happy. The end result will hopefully be a healthy baby and a healthy mom.
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