If You Are Pregnant, Here's Some Advice

Have you found in your pregnancy that you have so many questions, and just can't seem to find the answers? If so, you're not alone. Many women struggle with finding the answers to some of their most basic questions during this special time. In this article we will discuss some of the questions you might have, and offer some helpful tips as well. Read on to learn more.

Being pregnant can be exhausting because you are doing everything for two. One tip is to slow down and take a short nap whenever you can. It will be good for you and your baby, just to forget about everything and take a power nap to try to refresh yourself and take a break.

Understand that a woman of average weight will need to gain between 25 to 35 pounds during their pregnancy. If you are pregnant with twins that number will increase to about 35 to 45 pounds. If you start out overweight, do not try to diet during your pregnancy. Talk with your doctor to develop a healthy eating plan to ensure you and the baby get all of the nutrients you need.

It seems like when you are pregnant you just get used to looking down at swollen feet and ankles. One tip for instant relief is to soak them in cold water, you will be amazed at how quickly this works and how great you will feel. Just soak them for about twenty minutes and you will notice an immediate change.

Engage in Kegel exercises each day. This activity can improve your pelvic muscles, which affect your bladder, bowels and uterus. Kegels will help with your delivery, and they can be done just about anywhere, including in the car or at work. To do them correctly, you should squeeze like you want to stop yourself from using the bathroom. Hold this position for three seconds and then relax for three. Do this in sets of ten.

When you are pregnant, make sure that you add about 300-500 calories to your daily intake. Remember, being pregnant means that you are eating for two and it is important that both you and your unborn baby are fed. Try to eat food that is healthy, such as vegetables and fruits.

When you are going to get any type of testing done, make sure to let the doctor know that you are expecting a child. Many chemicals and processes that you come in contact with while you are pregnant can cause adverse harm to the child or complications with your pregnancy.

Understand your health insurance coverage pertaining to prenatal care and childbirth. Some insurance companies require you to pre-register before checking into the hospital. It is much better to take care of any required paperwork a few weeks before your due date instead of trying to remember your insurance information between contractions.

If you are pregnant, stop changing cat litter. The reason women should not change litter boxes when pregnant is toxoplasmosis. Cats are a host for the toxoplasmosis life cycle, and if the infection is passed to the fetus, the consequences in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage, birth abnormalities and stillbirth.

If you are pregnant, you should quit smoking right away. There are many side effects that come from smoking and it is proven that it can have detrimental effects on an unborn child. You could cause extensive damage to your child or even, have a miscarriage, if you choose to smoke while you are pregnant.

Taking prenatal vitamins is essential. Your body needs extra nutrition before, during and after your pregnancy. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, start taking these vitamins well before. If you are already pregnant, it's not too late to start. You will still get the benefits of it. Keep taking them well beyond giving birth. At least until you stop breast feeding.

As was stated earlier in the article, it can be difficult to wade through all the information you may hear about pregnancy to find out which tips are true. The article you just read offered you a multitude of helpful tips to give you the best information about what you, and your body, are going through.