Surprising predictions part 4

 8 Ways to Keep Your Baby Healthy During Pregnancy

Many people worry about their baby getting sick while they’re pregnant, but the truth is that the odds of your baby becoming ill are not any higher than usual during this time. However, it’s still good to have some tricks up your sleeve to help ensure that your baby has the best possible chance of avoiding infection and illness while you’re expecting them. Pay close attention to these eight ways to keep your baby healthy during pregnancy.

1) Use, D koon’t Abuse

During pregnancy, it’s important to do everything you can to keep both you and your baby healthy. Here are 8 ways you can do just that - Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes during the duration of your pregnancy (this includes nicotine patches). 

- Try not to use any chemicals such as paint, paint thinner or bug spray during the duration of your pregnancy. 

- Be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them if they come in contact with pesticides or chemicals. 

- If you need a lot of air conditioning or heating in your home, try to set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature for pregnant women. 

- Use condoms correctly every time you have sex throughout the duration of your pregnancy; this will help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases which may harm yourself or your unborn child. - Ask your doctor about using safe cleaning products around the house. The fumes from some household cleaners can be harmful for a developing fetus. 

- Avoid risky sexual behaviors like anal sex because it is possible to spread infections like HIV from one partner to another through unprotected sexual activity. 

- Continue taking prenatal vitamins every day, even if you are feeling well and don't think you need them anymore. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for maintaining bone health, so make sure that you're getting enough when taking prenatal vitamins. While it's normal to gain weight during pregnancy, obesity rates among mothers-to-be have been steadily rising over the past few decades. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout your entire pregnancy can prevent future chronic health conditions including diabetes and heart disease later on in life. Eating lots of fresh produce while avoiding sugary foods can help you maintain a balanced diet while avoiding too many calories. And finally, take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest each night and exercising regularly. - Get as much sleep as you possibly can each night. Resting helps restore nutrients, rebuild tissue and repair body systems after the demands of pregnancy. 

- Take frequent breaks from work to get up and move around. You should spend about 20 minutes outside in direct sunlight for vitamin D supplementation each day. Women who live in northern latitudes may want to supplement their diet with 400 IU of cholecalciferol per day, whereas those living near the equator can usually get enough sun exposure. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Many people forget to stay hydrated when preparing for pregnancy, but dehydration can lead to problems in mother and infant alike. Lastly, avoid standing for long periods of time. This makes your veins more susceptible to thrombosis - clots that may block blood flow. Limit standing or sitting still to no more than two hours a day.

2) Rest and Relax

Pregnancy is a time when your body is working hard to create a human being. You’re growing a baby, and that takes a lot of energy! So it’s important to get plenty of rest. Take naps when you can, and go to bed early. You might even want to consider hiring a night nanny to help you get some much-needed sleep. And the more relaxed you are, the better for your baby. For example, if you're stressed out or anxious, then your hormones will become dysregulated. That may lead to higher blood pressure which could have negative consequences on your baby's development. Exercise: Exercise has so many benefits for both mom and baby! It's great for cardiovascular health which will reduce the risk of complications during labor. It also promotes emotional well-being and relieves stress which has been shown to decrease symptoms in pregnant women with depression or anxiety disorders. Doing exercises like walking, swimming, and cycling can help you stay fit. But make sure to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program. Avoid Alcohol: There are so many reasons why pregnant women should avoid alcohol consumption. Some studies suggest that alcohol use during pregnancy could cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Alcohol consumption by the mother also increases the chance of miscarriage as well as stillbirths later in pregnancy. Unborn babies cannot process alcohol like adults do and they don't metabolize it very efficiently either; therefore any amount consumed will affect them negatively as well as their unborn sibling(s). Even if there is only one drink consumed per day this increase risks such things as birth defects and developmental problems for babies who survive past birth. In addition, since you'll be breastfeeding soon after giving birth, alcohol can be passed onto your baby through breast milk. Alcohol levels are higher in breast milk than in regular blood because it is processed differently by the liver. All these factors combined make it clear that drinking while pregnant just isn't worth the risk! Don't Smoke: Smoking cigarettes while pregnant leads to an increased risk of various pregnancy related problems including low birth weight and premature delivery. Studies show that smoking cigarettes can also increase the chances of having a miscarriage or stillbirths during late pregnancy. Plus, secondhand smoke exposure to infants causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and respiratory infections. What’s worse, smoking damages lung tissue and reduces the ability to produce healthy breast milk. This makes breastfeeding difficult and less nutritious for your baby. So quitting now will benefit not only you but your child too! Stay Away from Infections: Make sure you wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or clothing sleeves, clean surfaces regularly, keep pets away from newborns, and avoid people who are sick. These all promote a healthy environment for your developing baby. Maintain Your Weight Gain: Remember that everyone gains weight differently during pregnancy - what matters most is how much weight gain is appropriate for each woman depending on her pre-pregnancy BMI, height and other factors like her ethnic background. Your doctor will monitor your weight throughout your pregnancy and recommend a diet that is best for you. Eat Well: Eat foods that are rich in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Many pregnant women find that meat sources like beef, pork, or chicken are easier to digest during pregnancy. You should also eat lots of fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals as well as complex carbohydrates like whole grains or starchy vegetables for the extra calories you need! Get Plenty of Rest

3) Protect Against Infections

Pregnant women are more susceptible to developing infections. The best way to protect yourself is by washing your hands regularly, avoiding contact with sick people, and staying up-to-date on your vaccinations. You should also cook meat and eggs thoroughly and avoid unpasteurized dairy products. If you think you might have an infection, see a doctor right away. When giving birth in the hospital, it's important to wash your hands and use antibacterial soap before touching anything that will come into contact with the baby. Once you've given birth, make sure that whoever is caring for the baby washes their hands first before touching him or her. Remember that sharing drinks or eating utensils can transfer germs from one person to another. Make sure everyone uses his or her own cup at meals, even if it's just milk! If someone has been ill, keep him or her away from the baby. Be careful not to let children play with the baby too much; it may be nice to give them time together but babies need some time to rest. Try not to wake a sleeping child unless absolutely necessary and make sure that children who are playing outside stay clean, cool, and covered up. It's very easy for children - as well as adults - to get dehydrated during hot weather so be extra cautious about water intake when temperatures rise. Keep your skin moisturized with lotion, cream, or oil to prevent chapping. Do what you can to limit sun exposure because UV rays are very dangerous for pregnant women. Finally, don't smoke and try not to expose yourself (or the baby) to secondhand smoke either! If any of these dangers appear serious enough that they may threaten the health of your baby then seek medical attention immediately. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids every day. Make sure to maintain good posture when sitting, standing, or walking to help with back pain. 

Sleeping on your side is a great position to help relieve discomfort from pregnancy hormones. At night time try wearing something comfortable like a maternity support belt and socks to provide added support for swollen feet. 

Don't forget about exercising too! Walking is one of the easiest ways to do this - though running isn't advised until after six months postpartum. Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce risk of complications during pregnancy. Don't forget to eat nutritious foods, especially leafy greens, berries, and other colorful vegetables. Omega 3s found in fish such as salmon are essential for brain development. Alcohol consumption should be limited to no more than two servings per week throughout the entire nine months since it affects fetal development negatively. Sleep is crucial to physical and mental health so make sure you're getting enough of it! Make sure your mattress is firm and supportive. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and processed sugar as it can make it difficult to sleep. Caffeine can remain in the body for up to ten hours after drinking a single cup of coffee. Avoid spicy or salty foods before bedtime as it can lead to heartburn or indigestion. A warm bath before bed can be a great way to relax - just be sure not to take a hot bath!

4) Get Checked Out

If you're pregnant, congratulations! You're about to embark on an amazing journey. But along with the excitement of becoming a parent comes the responsibility of keeping your baby healthy. Here are eight ways to do just that. 1) Take prenatal vitamins every day to help prevent birth defects. 2) Stay hydrated by drinking at least two liters of water per day. 3) Protect yourself from food-borne illnesses by washing your hands and cooking meats thoroughly before eating them. 4) Don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes during pregnancy, because they can have harmful effects on both mom and baby's health. 5) Try not to handle wild animals if possible; many carry diseases that can be transmitted through bites or scratches from their teeth or claws, such as rabies and tetanus (even though these are rare). 6) Get enough sleep each night so you'll have enough energy for your job and parenting duties. 7) Consider getting some more time away from work to spend time with your family, since working too much during pregnancy can lead to stress and other health problems for both you and your child. 8) Talk to your doctor regularly, especially in the first trimester when there may be changes in your body or unexpected symptoms like vomiting. 

A fetus isn't just a bunch of cells: it's also a living being made up of human DNA. It has organs and its own immune system, even though it doesn't yet need air or food outside its mother's womb to survive. Giving birth is one thing: but what about raising this tiny new person? How will I know what he needs? What will he want? How will I ever protect him against all the dangers out there? Is he going to grow up happy and well adjusted? Will we be able to afford everything we need for him? These are questions that every expectant parent asks themselves. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to give your little one the best start in life. In fact, studies show that mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop postpartum depression than those who don't. And babies who are breastfed exclusively until six months old have lower rates of ear infections and respiratory illness than those who aren't breastfed. So try breastfeeding whenever possible after giving birth: remember how your baby would suckle on your nipple instinctively while still inside the womb? That reflex remains active even after delivery, making breastfeeding easier for both you and your newborn.

5) Take Care of Yourself

Pregnancy is a time when you need to be extra careful about your health. Here are eight ways to help keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy.1) Start taking prenatal vitamins before getting pregnant, if possible. 2) Make sure to avoid or limit alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products during the entire pregnancy. 3) Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, even if you're not crazy about them; this will provide much-needed vitamins for both mommy and her little one. 4) Avoid seafood high in mercury such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tuna (albacore), mahi-mahi (dolphin fish), grouper, etc., because they can increase the risk of birth defects in children. 5) Make sure that any medications prescribed by your doctor don't interfere with how well the developing fetus absorbs nutrients from food. 6) Stay away from microwaves, electric blankets, tanning beds, sun lamps, X-rays, insecticides and herbicides unless absolutely necessary. 7) If you smoke cigarettes now or did in the past, stop now! 8) Wash your hands often with soap and water—especially after using the toilet—and never share food utensils with others. 

As always, remember that everyone’s pregnancy experience is different, but it's important to practice safe habits early on so you'll be ready for whatever happens along the way. For example, it's perfectly normal to gain weight during your first trimester and usually lose some of it afterwards so don't worry too much about what happens at first -- especially since most women have some level of morning sickness anyway. The best thing to do is focus on enjoying every moment as it comes. After all, once those nine months are over you'll have another set of worries entirely...like deciding on a name! So relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Remember that you might feel nauseous throughout, but eventually those feelings should subside; just make sure to eat small meals frequently rather than large ones infrequently. Remember: exercise helps make you feel better, so get out there and walk! It might also be helpful to find a reliable partner who can take care of you when things start going downhill around month seven or eight. You'll want someone who is available 24/7 in case you need someone else to watch the kids while you sleep off morning sickness--trust me, it gets bad sometimes!

6) Eat Right

Eating a healthy diet is one of the best things you can do for your developing baby. Focus on consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, be sure to get enough protein and iron. Avoid unhealthy foods, such as those high in sugar or saturated fat. If you have diabetes, consult with your doctor about what to eat. Stay Hydrated: Drinking water will help keep your body hydrated. If you’re not feeling well, take it easy and drink more fluids than usual. Get Regular Exercise: Maintaining an active lifestyle during pregnancy helps with weight control and prenatal care, so try to exercise at least 20 minutes each day (or every other day). But if you have any complications, contact your doctor before working out. Limit Stress: It’s important to avoid stressful situations when possible because they may lead to health problems for both mother and child. Talk with your partner or family members about how they are coping with the impending birth. Make Sure You Have Help Around The House: 

Be sure that someone else is taking over all chores around the house while you rest as much as possible. Prioritize Sleep: Making time for sleep ensures that mom stays rested and happy throughout her pregnancy, plus her baby benefits from all those zzz's too! Plus, getting a good night's sleep has been shown to reduce maternal stress levels and decrease fatigue. Breastfeed: Research shows that breastfeeding lowers rates of obesity, asthma, type 2 diabetes, eczema, ear infections and gastrointestinal infections in babies. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of SIDS by up to two-thirds. Lastly breastfeeding has been found to provide substantial long-term benefits for both mothers and children including higher IQ scores among children followed into adulthood. In addition breast milk provides all the nutrients needed by your baby without adding unnecessary calories or sugars like formula does. Weighing yourself before and after childbirth can give you some idea of whether you're gaining the right amount of weight. And always be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns. Remember, even though you'll be exhausted, remember this phase won't last forever - once your baby arrives you'll never want to leave home again! 

Talk with your partner or family members about how they are coping with the impending birth. Make Sure You Have Help Around The House: This way when it comes to looking after your newborn, you’ll have someone helping out and lifting heavy things, leaving you free to spend quality time bonding with your little one and making his/her bedtime routine just so (and maybe get an hour or two extra shut eye). Prioritize Sleep: If there are two people at home doing all these things alone, then priorities will likely change – expect tiredness to set in quickly.

7) Know What’s Safe

During pregnancy, you want to do everything you can to keep your baby safe and healthy. But with all the advice out there, it can be tough to know what’s really safe and what isn’t. Here are eight things you can do to help keep your baby healthy during pregnancy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends taking a daily prenatal vitamin supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid (or 5 milligrams if this is higher) 

to prevent neural tube defects in your baby’s brain or spine. Don't drink alcohol while pregnant because it could cause fetal alcohol syndrome—a series of developmental problems that include intellectual disabilities and abnormal facial features. Don't smoke cigarettes because they could lead to premature birth or low birth weight. Smoking also increases the risk for placental abruption, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the placenta pulls away from the uterus before delivery, which can result in heavy bleeding or death for both mother and baby. Avoid contact with people who have colds, and wash your hands often to avoid infection. Check with your doctor about whether certain medications might be harmful during pregnancy, such as over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen; most don't pose any real risks but some doctors advise against them for safety's sake. And make sure you get enough sleep: Lack of sleep may increase the odds of depression during pregnancy and postpartum depression after giving birth. Experts recommend at least 7 hours of sleep each night. You'll want to eat plenty of foods rich in protein, calcium, iron, and other important nutrients to support yourself and your growing baby. Eating an adequate amount of protein helps maintain strong muscles throughout pregnancy and will also give you more energy so you're able to stay active throughout the day without feeling exhausted. A prenatal vitamin with iron can help prevent anemia by boosting red blood cell production. Getting regular exercise helps relieve stress by releasing endorphins into the body and reducing tension levels--so find ways to stay active throughout your pregnancy such as walking or swimming. Other tips to follow during pregnancy? Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or fish, especially those high in mercury such as swordfish, king mackerel, tuna and tilefish. Pay attention to the news and avoid places where infectious diseases are prevalent. If you've been exposed to someone who has chickenpox or measles-these diseases can harm your developing baby-get vaccinated now! Finally, always wear sunscreen on sunny days and remember not to use tanning beds during pregnancy because they emit ultraviolet radiation that could damage your skin. These 11 ways to keep your baby healthy during pregnancy can help you protect your little one and ensure a healthy pregnancy.

8) Limit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to a number of problems, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and a range of developmental and behavioral issues. So it’s important to limit your alcohol intake during pregnancy. Here are eight ways to do so: 

1. Talk to your doctor about your drinking habits. 

2. If you’re trying to get pregnant, stop drinking alcohol altogether. 

3. Avoid binge drinking, or consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. 

4. Don’t drink any alcohol during the first three months of pregnancy. 

5. Limit yourself to one or two drinks per week during the second and third trimesters. 6. Drink slowly over a long period of time. 

7. Switch to non-alcoholic beverages when you feel like having an alcoholic beverage. 8. Eat before you drink if possible, as food slows down how quickly alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. And don’t forget that most medications aren’t safe for use during pregnancy. Speak with your doctor before taking any medication while pregnant. Medications are not always safe for use during pregnancy and can cause harm to both mom and baby. That being said, there are some exceptions. Some may be safer than others depending on your medical history. To make sure you’re using the safest option available, ask your doctor which ones may be appropriate for you. They will also provide information on what other precautions should be taken while taking certain drugs while pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also consult your physician if you have questions about specific medications or their safety profile based on other medical conditions that could make certain drugs more dangerous. Finally, avoid drugs that have not been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as they haven't been studied enough yet in regards to their effects on human health and development.