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Pregnancy - Health and Nutrition
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Prenatal Visits and Tests
- Testing For Birth Defects
- Health and Nutrition
- Body Changes
- Baby Development
- Emotions and Relationships
- Health Concerns
- Planning for Labor
- When to Call a Doctor
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
The best way to help yourself have a healthy pregnancy is to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest, and avoid things that could hurt your baby.
For more tips on how to have a healthy pregnancy, see the topic Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits.
Eat well
- Try to get proper nutrition. Pay close attention to your folic acid, iron, and calcium intake and the need for slow, gradual weight gain. Women who are obese may have a different weight-gain goal than other women.
- A vegetarian diet requires special attention so that you get enough protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc, in addition to the extra folic acid, iron, and calcium that all expectant mothers need. These nutrients are vital to your fetus's cellular growth, brain and organ development, and weight gain.
- Calcium is an important nutrient, especially during pregnancy. If you can't or don't eat dairy products, you can get calcium in your diet from nonmilk sources such as tofu, broccoli, fortified orange juice or soy milk, greens, and almonds.
For more information on eating well, see:
Healthy Eating: Changing Your Eating Habits- Healthy Eating: Making Healthy Choices When You Shop
- Healthy Eating: Cutting Unhealthy Fats From Your Diet
- Quick Tips: Adding Fruits and Vegetables to Your Diet
Stay active
- Exercise during pregnancy can help your body best handle labor, delivery, and recovery. Moderate activity such as brisk walking or swimming is ideal during pregnancy. Some women enjoy prenatal yoga. For more information, see the topic Yoga. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you are active. This is very important when it’s hot out.
- Do pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises during and after pregnancy. They strengthen your lower pelvic muscles. This may help prevent a long period of pushing during labor.2 They also may help prevent urine control problems (incontinence) after childbirth.
- In addition to moderate exercise, the following stretching and strengthening exercises are well suited to pregnancy:
What to avoid
- Medicines that are not approved by your doctor or midwife
- Alcohol and drugs
- Tobacco smoke
- Sources of food poisoning that may cause listeriosis or toxoplasmosis infection, such as raw meat, poultry, or seafood; unwashed fruits or vegetables; and cat feces or outdoor soil that cats commonly use
- Fish that may contain mercury, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, more than 6 oz (0.2 kg) of white albacore tuna per week, or fish caught in local waters that haven't tested as safe
- Hazardous chemicals, radiation, and certain cosmetic products
- Caffeine (Or limit your intake to 1 cup of coffee or tea each day.)
- Hot tubs and saunas
- Papaya, when at all unripe, because it can cause the muscles of the uterus to contract.3 Contractions of the uterus can lead to a miscarriage.
What's okay when you're pregnant
- Sex causes no problems during an uncomplicated pregnancy, and sexual interest often changes during different phases of a pregnancy. If you are concerned about exposure to a sexually transmitted disease, avoid sex or use a condom.
- Working or going to school, if it isn't too physically demanding, is usually fine during pregnancy. Scale back if you're becoming too worn down as your pregnancy progresses. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you are at risk for preterm labor.
- Travel is usually a safe choice until later pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns. During your third trimester, it's best to stay within a few hours of a hospital, in case of sudden changes that need medical attention.
- Wearing a seat belt
is vital to protect yourself and your baby during pregnancy.
- Massage during pregnancy is safe when it is done by a specially trained massage therapist.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 10, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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