Pregnancy is a beautiful stage in a woman’s life, but many women can experience difficulty throughout the stages. Nutrition, regular exercise, reduced anxiety, and good sleep are all essential elements to a healthy pregnancy. October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, and it’s the perfect time to go over what you can do to ensure that you and baby are healthy at all times! This blog will go over natural tips for a healthy pregnancy!
Eat Mindfully and Appreciatively
Of course, eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for the health of you and baby! You’ll want to eliminate food with high content of refined sugars and preservatives from your diet. Foods you should especially stay away from raw meats, eggs, and fish. Food that is not fully cooked could put you at risk of food poisoning. Fruits and veggies are a better alternative—however, be sure to wash all produce thoroughly before consuming.
For some women, getting pregnant is synonymous with having a slice of chocolate cake for breakfast and eating sweets at midnight. While having cravings is a normal part of pregnancy, you don’t want to overdo it. “Eating for two” is a misnomer that puts the baby at risk. You want to eat enough to help baby grow, but not excessively to gain a large amount of weight that’ll put you at risk for gestational diabetes. Not too much, but not too little! Remember! A healthy diet means a healthy baby!
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
Nourishment doesn’t just come from the consumption of food. It also comes from drinking plenty of water! Drinking enough water will ward off constipation and expand the amount of oxygen and nutrients in your blood. Pregnant women need more water than the average person in order to build new tissue, form amniotic fluid, produce extra blood, enhance digestion, carry nutrients, and flush out toxins and waste!
Get Moving!
While you want to avoid any heavy activity that can put baby at risk, you also don’t want to remain inactive either! Staying active is important to your general health. It can help reduce stress, boost your mood and improve your sleep! It’s recommended that you do 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. Examples of exercises you can do through your pregnancy include:
- Going for a Walk – Taking nice walks around the block is a great workout that doesn’t strain your joints or muscles. If you’re new to exercise, this is a great activity!
- Swimming & Water Workouts – Water helps support the weight of your growing baby, and swimming will help keep your heart rate up.
- Yoga – Did you know that there are special yoga sessions for pregnant women? Yoga helps improve blood flow and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Meet With a Naturopathic Doctor
Meeting with a naturopathic doctor is a great path to take for all pregnant women. Naturopathic doctors can help lay the groundwork for healthy baby development and your well-being! They create individualized health plans that are fitted to your individual needs. Not all moms are the same, so it’s great to get personal advice! From nutritional guidance to exercise tips to natural remedies, a Naturopathic doctor can help you have a naturally healthy pregnancy! If you work with a naturopathic doctor throughout your pregnancy journey, contact Dr. Brandy McGill to make an appointment!
* The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health provider
