subject: What To Eat During Pregnancy: 4 Lifestyle Changes You Should Try [print this page] When it comes to having a healthy three trimesters, we often become so focused on what to eat during pregnancy that we neglect the other improvements you can make to your lifestyle. While having the proper diet for pregnancy is crucial to both you and your baby's wellbeing, it's also important to find a healthy balance in other aspects of your life.
So while you are considering cutting back on caffeine and eating whole, unprocessed foods, you should think about implementing these four lifestyle changes as well.
Exercise
Many women are afraid to exercise during pregnancy because they are afraid of harming the fetus. Others feel too heavy, sluggish, or slow to even attempt exercise. But regular exercise can and should be a vital part of your pregnancy routine. You need to stay in shape for the rigors of labor, and exercise can help you keep your weight gain in check, making it possible to return to your pre-baby weight quickly after you give birth.
You should focus on changing the type of exercise you do. Focus on low or no-impact exercise that's easy on your joints, but still helps you gain flexibility and mobility. You can try yoga, Pilates, swimming, walking, or water aerobics. Avoid high impact exercise that can make you prone to falls, such as tennis, jogging, or horseback riding.
Stress Reduction
Pregnancy can be highly stressful to your body, especially if you are trying to work outside the home throughout any part of your three trimesters. Try to find ways to incorporate stress relief into your daily routine. For some women, exercise is enough of a stress release that they don't need anything else.
For others, journaling is a great release. You should also make time to pamper yourself, indulging in prenatal massage, or manicures and pedicures during this time. Prayer and meditation are also helpful means of stress relief.
You should also seek out the company of your peers, especially your friends who are pregnant or already have children. Often they can provide the kind of reality check you need if you are feeling too stressed out with pregnancy and impending motherhood.
If you don't know any young moms in your area, you might consider joining a Moms' Club. There are branches throughout the US, and they can be a great way to find other moms to start playgroups, outings, and gatherings that can help your baby socializeand help provide you with the support you need.
Adequate Sleep
It can be difficult to get adequate sleep during pregnancy, especially during the last two trimesters, as you belly expands and the baby begins to move. But getting restorative sleep is crucial to your health and wellbeing, as well as your baby's proper development. Many pregnant women find that squeezing in a nap during the day is helpful.
If you are having trouble finding a comfortable position for sleep, you might consider a pregnancy body pillow. This is a long, tube-shaped pillow that curls around you, supporting your belly and back in a comfortable position. This can help you get the physical relaxation you need to get a good night's sleep. You might also consider other natural sleep-inducing aids, such as soft music and dim lights about an hour or so before bedtime.
Nutritional Supplements
While the ideal pregnancy diet would give you everything you need to help your baby grow and develop, the reality is that you will need to supplement your diet for pregnancy. Be sure to get a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, iron, and calcium, all of which are crucial to your baby's health and cognitive and neural development. You may also want to supplement your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids, by taking a high quality fish oil supplement.
by: Isabel De Los Rios
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