Good tips for what to do during pregnancy are very important because everything that you do can affect your unborn child. Take responsibility for the well being of your baby with these effective tips for doing things right during pregnancy. It is never too soon to put them to use.

Be sure to stay active while pregnant. Use low-impact exercises – walking and swimming – that keep you moving without putting too much stress on your body. This will help prevent excess pregnancy weight gain, improve the quality of your sleep, and increase circulation to your lower limbs, all of which can be a challenge when pregnant.

As long as you try to eat three healthy meals a day, there is nothing wrong with indulging every once in a while! A craving is usually your body telling you that you need something. With another little person depending on you for nourishment, you burn considerably more calories. Indulge your cravings, at least in moderation!

Make sure to avoid household chores that can be harmful to your unborn baby. Pregnant women should not clean with harsh chemicals, such as bleach, climb ladders, and especially should avoid cleaning a cat’s litter box. Pay attention to your surroundings and get help for any activity you think might be dangerous.

Be more conservative about your sunscreen use than you were when you were not pregnant. Also steer clear of tanning beds. During pregnancy, your skin will become more sensitive, and you could end up with some sunspots or sunburns if you do not protect it. However, if you use sunscreen, be sure that the chemicals in it are safe for the child.

Avoid using over the counter medicines for digestive issues like heartburn, upset stomach and constipation. The more medicines we keep out of our bodies during pregnancy the better. Ginger tea, acupuncture and peppermint oils have all been shown to help with pregnancy stomach issues.

Add 300-500 calories a day to your diet while you are pregnant. Don’t forget you are eating for two so you definitely need to increase your caloric intake. Make sure however that you are adding healthy calories into your diet. Adding 500 calories of junk food isn’t going to do anything to help you and the baby.

If the stresses of life get to you while you are pregnant, indulge in a relaxing prenatal massage. Many therapists are trained to provide massages to pregnant women and know which areas to avoid, as well as, which areas might need the most attention. A massage makes a lovely gift to yourself as your due date draws closer.

Try to rest as much as possible when you find out that you are pregnant. When you sleep, you can restore the minerals and nutrients that your body needs so that you can maximize productivity. When pregnant, you will lose energy quicker so sleep will play a large role in restoring functionality.

Slightly increase your calorie intake while pregnant. The phrase “eating for two” isn’t just a cute throwaway line. Expecting mothers need to eat about 500 additional calories a day to adequate provide for the baby’s needs. Make sure that extra calorie intake is composed of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables.

One thing to avoid, while pregnant, is prolonged periods of sitting. Many expectant mothers will experience swelling of the feet and ankles by day’s end. This is due to the strain on the circulation in your lower body during pregnancy. Swelling may also occur when you sit for too long in any one position. There are many ways to decrease the amount of swelling in your extremities. One option is to wear socks that do not have tight bands, another is to allow your feet to soak in cold water.

Shortness of breath is common as women progress in their pregnancy. The baby grows and compresses the diaphragm, so there is less room to breathe. To help with this do some pelvic tilts and light stretching. Also, sleeping sitting up works well for some women as it relieves some of the pressure and allows them to breathe more freely.

Stay active while you are pregnant. Unless your doctor puts you on bed rest, of course. Staying active will ensure that you do not gain too much weight during your pregnancy and also keeps your muscles from atrophying. If you stay active during your pregnancy, recovery will be much easier.

The advice from this article can really help you decide what you can do to make sure that your baby and you are healthy and happy all during your nine months of waiting. While many things are out of your control, the tips above demonstrate that many things are within your control to make sure your baby is born with the best start.

Oh, Baby! Tips And Advice For The Pregnancy Experience was originally published on Spring