| | | | | lessen the risks of problems during pregnancy |
| Now that you’re pregnant, taking care of | | | | include: |
| yourself has never been more important. You will | | | | Immunization |
| be probably getting advice from | | | | If you are planning a pregnancy ensure that you |
| everyone—your doctor, family members, | | | | are vaccinated for certain diseases that can harm |
| friends, co-workers and even complete | | | | the baby. Examples are chicken pox, rubella etc. |
| strangers—about what you should and should | | | | These vaccinations must be taken at least 6 |
| not be doing. But staying healthy during pregnancy | | | | months before you get pregnant. |
| depends on you, so it’s crucial to arm | | | | |
| yourself with information about the many ways | | | | General health care |
| to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. | | | | You should maintain a healthy weight and follow a |
| | | | | balanced nutritious diet. Physical exercises with the |
| Some tips to remain healthy during pregnancy are: | | | | permission of your doctor will help both mother |
| • Get regular check-ups | | | | and the baby during pregnancy. It is important to |
| • Eat a healthy and nutritious diet | | | | avoid smoking, alcohol and other drugs. Inform |
| • Have plenty of fiber and water | | | | your doctor if you are on any medication since |
| • Avoid alcohol and smoking | | | | certain medications can affect the development |
| • Exercise regularly | | | | of the growing baby. Avoid extreme weather and |
| • Take ample rest | | | | other potential environmental hazards. It is |
| • Avoid infections | | | | important to quit smoking not only for woman |
| • Avoid self-medication | | | | herself, but also for her partner as passive |
| • Keep yourself stress free | | | | smoking is also harmful for fetal growth. Other |
| | | | | forms of tobacco consumption must also be |
| Include these foods in your daily diet | | | | avoided. |
| • Fortified breakfast cereals. | | | | |
| • Bread. | | | | Existing and past medical conditions |
| • Green leafy vegetables, such as brussels | | | | If you are planning to get pregnant, it is important |
| sprouts, broccoli, spinach/palak, methi and green | | | | to inform your doctor about past or existing |
| beans. | | | | medical condition that you may be suffering from |
| • Oranges. | | | | such as diabetes, eating disorders, hepatitis A or |
| • Dried beans. | | | | B, hypothyroidism or HIV to prevent future |
| • Peas and lentils. | | | | difficulties. Pregnancy should be planned when |
| | | | | these diseases have been optimally controlled. |
| Precautionary measures that you should take to | | | | |