It does not matter how old you are, or how many children you have, pregnancy is an awe inspiring, nerve racking, exciting time in your life. It is also one of the greatest miracles a woman can experience. Following are some handy hints on how to make the nine months as healthy and stress-free as possible.

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.

Start exercising for a healthy you and a healthy baby. Pregnancy is not an excuse to sit on the couch for nine months. Being active during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of miscarriages and can help shorten the length of your labor. Keeping yourself active will go a long way towards having a smooth pregnancy.

For pregnant women, make sure that you stretch your legs, before going to sleep every night. This is because many pregnant women get intense muscle cramps while they are sleeping, which could be easily prevented, if they stretch. Spend about 5 minutes flexing all of your muscles, before even climbing into bed.

Pack your bags early. Don’t wait until you are 37 weeks or later to finally pack your bag for the hospital. Obviously you want your baby to reach full gestation, but you never know when something is going to happen. Having your bag packed will give you peace of mind in case there is an unexpected event.

What are the symptoms of premature labor? It’s important to know this. Do this with the hopes that you will not ever need to use this information. Most importantly though, will be having an idea of what to do should this occur, so that you remain calm. The earlier you respond to preterm labor, the greater the chances are you will be able to stop it or deliver a healthy baby.

Stay clear of saunas or hot tubs while pregnant. Being in so much heat can be harmful to your baby. There are some products that spas use that can cause early contractions, as well, especially in the earlier stages of pregnancy. Scents like juniper, clary sage and rosemary are possible culprits.

A tip quite often given to pregnant women is to avoid heavy lifting. This is a tip that ought to be taken quite seriously. Anything can happen to the baby in the womb, and it is important not to do anything that might put the mother, or the child, in a dangerous situation.

Help reduce morning sickness by munching on slices of cucumber. Keep cucumber slices in water in your fridge and try snacking on them throughout the day. No one is sure why it works, but for a good percentage of women it has a calming effect on their morning sickness symptoms.

Grab some rubber bands if you want to keep wearing your favorite jeans through your pregnancy. A neat trick is to take a heavy rubber band and put it through the buttonhole in your jeans. Attach both ends of the rubber band to the button and voila, extra space. Wear longer shirts over the jeans to hide the rubber band.

Get as much sleep as possible. When the baby arrives, it will be difficult for you to get the rest that you need, so it is important to find the time now to relax and de-stress. Extra sleep will also provide you with the energy that you need to stay active and maintain a baseline level of fitness leading up to your delivery.

You should steer clear of the cat litter if you’re pregnant. Cat litter can contain a disease called toxoplasmosis, which can be harmful to a growing baby. One of the most important things you can do to protect your baby’s health is avoid handling cat litter.

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.

Visit the dentist before you get pregnant. Studies have shown that periodontal disease can lead to inflammation; this inflammation has the potential to affect whether or not you develop preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can have serious consequences for the health of both you and your child, so it is important to do everything you can to improve your teeth prior to conception.

Always ensure that if you have doubts or concerns about any part of your pregnancy, that you contact your doctor as soon as possible. We are confident the the above tips will fit you ease any stress you may have had. So, sit back and enjoy the ride, and the blessing that will arrive at the end.

Important Pregnancy Advice Women Should Know About was originally published on Spring