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Guidelines for a Healthy Pregnancy

When a woman finds out she is going to become a mother, there is nothing more she wants than a healthy pregnancy that is successfully carried to term. While some pregnancy complications are found in women who are perfectly healthy, there are other issues that arise which have the ability to be completely avoidable. Following these guidelines for a healthy pregnancy will be sure to lessen the chance of any pregnancy complications, and prevent them altogether.

5 Ways to Avoid a Problematic Pregnancy

1. Attend Appointments Regularly

Going to all of the routine OB-GYN visits throughout the entirety of a pregnancy will allow a woman’s physician to monitor and keep track of the baby’s heartbeat, growth and overall health – as well as the overall health of the mother. Similarly, attending all of the appointments of a high-risk pregnancy specialist will increase the likeliness that a medical condition or issue is detected sooner rather than later, thanks to 3D and 4D ultrasounds, as well as non-invasive testing for complications and conditions. Taking these appointments seriously and showing up to every single one could be life-changing and life-saving for your baby.

2. Make Your Health a Priority

Just because you have someone else to worry about now does not mean that you can stop making yourself – primarily, your health – a priority. Extreme fatigue, high levels of stress and a poor diet are all contributing factors of serious pregnancy complications. If you are pregnant, getting the recommended amount of sleep (usually 7 to 8 hours a night), sticking to a healthy diet and exercise regimen and taking the time out of your day to reduce stress levels – whether it’s a brief mediation practice or a brisk walk in the fresh air – is advised to keep yourself and little bundle of joy safe.

3. Quit Smoking and Drinking

Whatever you consume, the baby does also. So when you’re drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco, those harmful substances are going directly to the baby, negatively affecting them, too. Preterm birth is serious complication and direct side effect of smoking and drinking while pregnant, and it is strongly recommended that a woman quits as soon as she is trying to conceive and/or when she finds out that she is pregnant. Even though it can be difficult to quit, remembering the risks that come along with a preterm birth – such as infant death and long-term disabilities in your child – will make the process easier to complete.

4. Avoid Harmful Foods

Food safety is a crucial element of maintaining a healthy pregnancy. In fact, not consuming harmful food that could hurt your baby is actually one of the most preventable measures a pregnant woman can take. Foods that do present a risk to a baby’s health are categorized in a number of ways – especially those that contain certain bacteria, like listeria, salmonella and toxoplasmosis. Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese, cook meat thoroughly before you consume it (no rare or medium rare steak or burgers), skip out on soft-boiled or raw eggs and avoid any undercooked poultry. In addition, be sure to wash and cook vegetables thoroughly as well

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

A pregnant woman’s weight is a make-or-break factor when it comes to pregnancy complication prevention. Over eating, eating too many sugary foods, acquiring diabetes and being overweight in general are all possible triggers of preeclampsia, a condition marked by high blood pressure that can directly affect the baby’s ability to receive blood and oxygen while in the womb – in addition to gestational diabetes. Oppositely, being too thin and not eating enough are damaging factors as well. Avoid preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and other complications by maintaining a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy. Women are encouraged to exercise regularly at their doctor’s discretion, and consume a healthy diet.

Preconceptional Counseling in NJ

Take control of your pregnancy, put the health of you and your baby first. Contact New Jersey Perinatal Associates to receive preconception counseling and to prevent pregnancy-related complications from occurring. We are fully dedicated to providing you quality care!