If you are pregnant, you probably know some basic pregnancy tips about taking care of yourself and the baby, such as: not smoking or being near smoking places, and getting enough rest. Here are more pregnancy tips, from taking vitamins to what to do with cat litter, that can help ensure safety and health.

1- Take Vitamins

Even when you’re still trying to get pregnant, it’s smart to start taking prenatal vitamins. Your baby’s nerve cord develops in the early months of pregnancy, which is where the brain and spinal cord become, so it’s important to get essential nutrients — such as folic acid, calcium, and iron — right from the start.

 Vitamins are available without a prescription in most pharmacies, but we advise you to get them after consulting with your obstetrician and gynecologist. If eating them makes you feel sick, you can take them at night or with a snack.

2- Stay Active

Staying active is important to your overall health and can help you reduce stress, control your weight, improve blood circulation, boost your mood, and sleep better. Walk at least 15-20 minutes each day at a moderate pace, in cool, shaded areas or indoors to prevent overheating.

Yoga, swimming, and walking are also great activities for most pregnant women, but be sure to check with your doctor first before starting any of them.

3- Change Your Daily Tasks

Even daily tasks like cleaning the bathroom or cleaning up after pets can become risky during pregnancy. Lifting heavy objects or coming into contact with bacteria can harm you and your baby. Here are a few things to remove from your daily to-do list:

  • Lifting heavyweights
  • Climbing stairs
  • Cleaning cat litter (to avoid toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a parasite that cats can carry)
  • Use of harsh chemicals
  • Standing for long periods of time, especially near a hot stove

4- Buy New Shoes

Finally, the perfect excuse to buy shoes! This is because your natural weight gain puts extra pressure on your feet. Over time, this extra pressure can cause painful over-extension of the heels or lead to flattening of the feet. Fluid retention may also occur, making your feet swell.

So it is important to wear comfortable shoes when pregnant. Many expectant mothers find that they need a larger shoe size even after giving birth. And be sure to elevate your feet several times a day to prevent fatigue and swelling in your feet, legs, and ankles.

5- Stay Hydrated

During pregnancy, your blood supplies your baby with oxygen and essential nutrients through the placenta and transports toxins and carbon dioxide away – meaning blood volume increases by up to 50 percent to handle all that extra activity. So you need to drink more to support this process. Drinking water can also help prevent constipation, urinary tract infections, fatigue, headaches, swelling, and other discomforts. Aim for 8-10 cups a day, and if you don’t enjoy the taste, try adding lemon juice or a little fruit juice.

Consult a Doctor

Pregnancy is a sensitive stage of any women’s life, the body and its needs keep on changing during the different phases. Make sure you follow up with your doctor and discuss all your worries.

Click here to book an appointment with an Obstetrician-Gynecologist

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