Be it parents, relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues, a mother-to-be gets pregnancy advice from almost every person she meets. Although, all this advice means well, it can make the mother-to-be anxious. Though some anxiety is natural during this stage, do not be overly cautious or too casual. You should enjoy your pregnancy. The wise say, Healthy pregnancy for a healthy baby.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts for all stages of pregnancy.

Dos:

1. Eat Healthy: A well-balanced diet is a must for mothers-to-be. The diet should include several servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. Consume at least five to six servings every day. These provide the body vitamins, proteins, iron, carbohydrates, fiber and other nutrients and ensure that the baby is growing well. It is also important to drink milk and consume milk products. This ensures that the body gets sufficient calcium. Calcium intake is crucial for women, more so during pregnancy.

2. Drink Lots Of Water And Other Fluids: Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water. Apart from water, drink fresh fruit juices.

3. Ensure Intake Of Folic Acid: Folic acid is important to prevent birth defects, especially neural tube defects in babies. It is ideal to start taking folic acid when you are planning for the baby.

4. Be Active: Go for regular walks. If you had a fitness regimen, seek the advice of a doctor on how you should continue doing exercise. You can consider yoga, swimming or jogging.

5. Minimize Stress: Do not get stressed. Using techniques like deep breathing, relaxation methods whenever you experience stress.

6. Get Adequate Sleep: Rest is important. Get as much sleep as possible and take short breaks. Listen to your body and take adequate rest.

7. Visit The Doctor Regularly: It is important not to miss an appointment. The doctor regularly checks the mother-to-be and will suggest suitable medications.

Don’ts:

1. Keep Away From Smoking, Alcohol And Drugs: These habits can cause birth defects and increase the chances of preterm birth, lower weight at birth, etc. Smoking during pregnancy can get in the way of the development of the newborn’s lungs Consumption of alcohol is also a no-no since it can cause mental retardation and other abnormalities in the newborn. Prescription drugs must be taken after consulting the doctor. Illegal drugs, too, have harmful effects on the development of the fetus.

Take care of these dos and don’ts to have a happy pregnancy.

If you are planning to get pregnant, it is important that you do a pre-pregnancy planning. It is important to plan your pregnancy to ensure a healthy pregnancy period, and a healthy baby. Pre-pregnancy planning helps a woman understand some of the most important health issues relating to pregnancy.

Schedule A Check Up

Pre-pregnancy planning involves scheduling a health check up. It is important to find out if you are fit enough to get pregnant. A pre-pregnancy checkup helps you find out if there is an existing medical condition that can pose a risk to you and the fetus. Cancer, diabetes, AIDS/HIV, kidney disease, depression, asthma, thyroid problems, hepatitis B, heart disease, and high blood pressure, are some of the medical conditions that can lead to a risky pregnancy.

A pre-pregnancy check up will also help you decide whether you need further immunization or not. Tests will be conducted to see if your body has enough antibodies against rubella (German measles) and chicken pox (varicella). If there is lack of antibodies, then you get vaccinated against them. Women should be vaccinated against these diseases at least 30 days prior to conceiving.

Dental Health

Dental health is another important issue that a woman should consider, if she is planning to get pregnant. Oral health is very important, because it can affect the growth of the fetus. Oral infections and gum diseases have shown to increase the risk of premature birth. They may augment the risk of your water breaking early.

Healthier Lifestyle

Pre-pregnancy planning also helps women plan a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their babies. Women are advised to quit smoking and drinking before they conceive. Alcohol, drugs, and smoking can cause serious damage to the fetus. They are also advised to eat a nutritious diet and follow an exercise regime. Leading a stress free lifestyle is also crucial for a healthy pregnancy.

Cord blood banking is another issue that many couples are seriously contemplating. Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are used today to fight cancer and hereditary disease. In the future, they might be used to cure diseases like, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s.

The umbilical cord blood can only be harvested after the delivery and before the placenta is cut. Therefore, it is something must be planned way before the delivery date.

Obstetricians usually advise couples to take the decision by the 28th week of pregnancy. Planning early gives you the time to choose the best facility.

These are just some of the issues that a woman should consider, if she is planning to get pregnant. A consultation with a doctor will help you understand all the health issues relating to pregnancy.