Unfortunately, babies don’t come with an owner’s manual, and that extends to pregnancy issues as well. There are a huge number of things that need to be done to both keep the baby safe during pregnancy and prepare for the baby’s eventual birth. Follow these tips to make your pregnancy a snap.

To avoid nighttime heartburn while pregnant, eat your last meal at least two hours before you go to bed. Reclining just after eating will lead to increased acid reflux and heartburn. Also, use extra pillows to elevate your head and upper back above the level of your abdomen to reduce symptoms.

Do not get worried if you haven’t gotten pregnant in the first year of trying. The general consensus among doctors is that it takes a year of actively trying to become pregnant before there is cause for concern. If you have been trying for a year with no success, see your doctor for an evaluation.

Even pregnant women should be cautious and diligent about wearing sunblock during time spent in the harsh sunlight. The skin of a pregnant women is quite sensitive and more susceptible to sunburn and other irritations.

If you recently found out you’ve got a little bundle of love growing in your stomach the first advice anyone ought to offer is to take all the advice of your physician. They did not make it through med school because of good looks! Listening will help make sure your baby is its healthiest and happiest when it arrives.

After you get pregnant, don’t change the cat litter anymore. Toxoplasmosis is a risk for pregnant women that you can contract from contact with cat litter. Cats happen to be the host for the life cycle of toxoplasmosis, and if this infection is somehow passed through the pregnant woman to the baby while in utero, the consequences could lead to miscarriages, birth defects or stillbirth.

Leg cramping happens a lot later in a pregnancy. Be sure that you’re stretching your legs before climbing into bed so that you won’t have to deal with them. Drinking plenty of water and making sure you’re getting enough potassium in your diet can also help you avoid cramps,

Sleeping will become harder for you during your pregnancy. During the third trimester, sleep on your left side, this will provide you with the best blood flow to your fetus, uterus and kidneys. Remember, not to lay on your back.

Learn new cooking methods for healthier eating while you are pregnant. Broiling, steaming or baking your favorite foods to reduce the fat and calories are a great way to make your food healthier. If you are eating out, ask the waiter how items are prepared and stay away from items that are fried.

If you plan on painting your baby’s nursery while you are pregnant, try to choose paints labeled as “no-VOC” or “low-VOC.” This distinction means the paints will release fewer volatile organic compounds — like formaldehyde — into the air, which is better for both your family’s health and for the environment.

Don’t be afraid to say no to anything you don’t want to do. If you are too tired to keep a movie date, it’s okay to skip it. You need to make sure that you are taking care of your body the best that you can, and everyone who is close to you will respect this.

Many women find the hormone changes of the first trimester to be exhausting. To improve your energy during pregnancy get plenty of rest at night and incorporate a daytime nap into your schedule. Exercise can also be helpful. Your body is going through many changes, so it is important to take good care of yourself.

When trying to get pregnant, remember that it can take up to a year for this to happen so do try not to stress too much if it does not happen straight away. The stress can negatively impact on your attempts even further. However, if you are over 35, and have been trying for more than six months, seek the advice of your doctor.

Try to stick with a consistent sleeping and waking schedule to alleviate the fatigue common with pregnancy. Keeping a regular bed time and wake time helps set your internal clock and can improve the quality of your sleep as well. Keep to your routine even on weekends or other days without commitments to improve your overall energy levels.

Pregnancy is a tough time. You need to take care of tons of different responsibilities in a tight time frame. Putting the tips you just read into practice will help you sort out that dizzying array of recommendations and requirements in order and help you take the actions you need to take in order to have a healthy, happy baby.

Your Questions Answered About Pregnancy was originally published on Spring