Now that you’re pregnant, taking care of yourself has never been more important. In this post, we’re going to learn how to maintain prime health for your baby.
Let’s dive in!
How to Maintain Prime Health for Your Baby with Prenatal Healthcare
Before we get started, remember this golden rule of thumb, “healthy mamas make healthy babies.” Like any fitness regime, the key to a healthy pregnancy is proper diet and exercise – two things many women ignore or can’t maintain during pregnancy.
Nausea and vomiting might be causing you extreme discomfort, but you’d be happy to know that research considers this a good sign. Sickness during pregnancy results from a spike in hormones, which is crucial to a healthy pregnancy.
In most cases, nausea doesn’t persist after the first trimester. Until then, do your best to increase your fluid intake and eat whatever appeals to you when you’re hungry. And, if you want to avoid or reduce pregnancy-related problems down the line, you need to exercise.
So, let’s break it down!
Exercise
According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, you need a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. Being active before pregnancy is a bonus, and you can keep up with your routine, as long as your doctor says it’s safe.
Exercise during pregnancy has many benefits and can help:
- Reduce pregnancy-related complications and symptoms, like back and joint pain.
- Improve sleep
- Boost your mood
- Increase energy
- Get your body ready for labor
- Decrease recovery time after the birth of your child
- Stop excess weight gain
One of the best ways to maintain prime health for your baby is by low-impact, moderate-intensity exercises such as walking or prenatal pilates.
Pilates is a great exercise tailored specifically for pregnant women, which works on strength and relaxation, particularly to your pelvic floor. But you should limit high-impact sports and activities, like jogging, running, and lifting weights.
Diet
During pregnancy, you’re eating for two or more, which is the worst time to go on a diet. You need around 300 extra calories a day, packed with essential nutrients and vitamins. And eating junk to increase the calorie count won’t cut it.
Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is essential, so make sure your calories come from nutritious food that incorporates the dietary guidelines, including:
- Lean meats
- Vegetables
- Whole-grain bread
- Low-fat dairy products
- Fruits
With a proper diet, you’re more likely to get the nutrients you need, such as calcium, iron, and Folic Acid.
Lastly, another essential part of your diet is your fluid intake, especially water during pregnancy. Drinking enough water every day can prevent many common problems that occur during pregnancy.
Learn More About Prenatal Pilates
If you’re looking for more information on how to maintain prime health email info@jgpilates.com to learn more about my custom prenatal & postpartum custom workout programs
