Congratulations if you have just learned you’re expecting! There’s a good chance that some anxiety will temper your joy of being pregnant. You could wonder, for instance, if the glass of wine you had at dinner last weekend or the cup of coffee you had yesterday can raise any complications during the pregnancy. Feelings and thoughts like these and many are entirely normal, though. But no matter what you are going through, pregnancy precautionary measures help with easy birth.
What Types Of Pregnancy Precautionary Measures Should You Take?
Nevertheless, besides the obvious – abstaining from alcohol and drugs, there aren’t many prohibitions on what to do and not to do during precautionary measures. So you can live everyday life as before pre-pregnancy time.
So without further ado, read the article below that shares a few precautions that can assist you in maintaining your health and the health of your unborn child while you are pregnant:
1. Routinely Visit A Doctor
There is no denying that every parent truly hopes and expects that the newborn baby will bring their family a wealth of benefits and joy. As a result, parents must begin their journey by receiving appropriate medical care.
However, the fact that medical malpractice in the healthcare industry is nothing new and can, regrettably, occur to any new parent makes it much more crucial. The worst part, though? The worst medical errors, which frequently result in birth injuries, happen during childbirth.
It is relevant to note that brain injury during birth is the most prevalent among many others. So if your child has been a victim of this unfortunate event, surely you must feel different emotions, including anger, depression, frustration, helplessness, etc.
However, the silver lining here is you do have an option on how to best deal with your child’s birth condition for precautionary measures.
You can file a lawsuit against medical providers responsible for medical negligence or find helpful resources and support groups to help you deal best in these trying times. We recommend The Birth Injury Justice Center as a great starting point for understanding your rights and the best course of action you should take.
2. Be Mindful Of What You Eat
When you’re pregnant, in your precautionary measures, you must add several foods and also make a list of which you should stay away from because they could harm you or your unborn child.
It would be best to avoid or consume less of the foods that are more likely to be contaminated with bacteria or include heavy metals when pregnant.
For example, you must avoid raw eggs, smoked seafood, processed meats, unpasteurized milk or cheese, etc.
Instead, include a lot of foods that are rich in iron and calcium. Moreover, you can successfully manage your weight by maintaining healthy eating habits.
3 Say No To Smoking And Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is not safe at any point during pregnancy. Alcohol can impair you through your baby’s brain and organs since it swiftly crosses the placenta and umbilical cord.
In the precautionary measures, you have to add the connections between your bloodstream and your unborn child. Therefore, abstaining from alcohol is the safest choice whether you are trying to get pregnant, pregnant, or breastfeeding a baby.
In addition, if you are a chronic smoker, it can be tough to stop smoking, but now is the time you quit. Smoking raises the chance of various issues, including ectopic pregnancy, preterm labor, low birth weight, low immunity, and premature labor.
Additionally, second-hand smoking increases the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); hence it’s crucial to stop as soon as possible.
4. Minimize Caffeine Intake
Caffeine has the same risks to the mother and fetus as alcohol and cigarette use. Regularly consuming a few cups will raise your heart rate, blood pressure, and frequency of bathroom visits.
In addition, there has been an association between excessive coffee drinking and preterm labor and congenital impairments.
You don’t have to eliminate caffeine from your life completely. Instead, try to limit it by not drinking more than 200 gm. Also, keep in mind that caffeine isn’t just found in coffee.
In the precautionary measures, Caffeine is an ingredient that you can find in green and black tea, energy drinks, cola, and other soft drinks. Therefore, consider switching to decaffeinated products or caffeine-free substitutes, which may still contain caffeine but in considerably lower doses.
5. Be careful With Medications
Being pregnant is a delicate time in any woman’s life. Therefore, taking extra precautions when taking medications is crucial because they may affect the baby in the womb. It’s vital to speak with a healthcare professional before taking any drug.
While pregnant, you should avoid certain meds since they may harm the fetus. These consist of over-the-counter medicines, antidepressants, and prescription drugs.
Additionally, it’s crucial to carefully follow the directions on a medicine’s label and take the precise dosage as directed. A best practice for precautionary measures is to not take the medication above the stated dosage or stop it abruptly without consulting your doctor.
Although herbal products might be a tempting substitute for pharmaceutical drugs, they also pose a risk to newborn and pregnant mothers. And since herbs can interact with prescribed meds, you must let your doctor know about all your herbal treatments.
6. Stay Away From Saunas And Hot Tubs
It could seem ideal to unwind in a hot tub if you’re experiencing aches and pains during pregnancy. But being pregnant, if your body temperature rises for extended periods, there is a danger of birth abnormalities or other pregnancy issues – particularly in the first trimester.
In addition, dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke in the mother may occur later in pregnancy. Therefore, avoiding saunas, Jacuzzis, and other warm recreational facilities is advisable when pregnant.
To help you ease your backaches and joint discomfort, consider trying heat compresses wrapped in a cloth. Furthermore, when getting out of a hot bath or standing up fast, use caution because these precautionary measures actions might cause you to feel lightheaded.
7. Be Cautious Around Your Kitty
Do you own any pets, specifically cats? It is best to exercise caution around them while you are pregnant. It is because your cat might be a carrier of dangerous parasites like Toxoplasma gondii, which is bad for the infant’s development.
In addition, the deadly parasite may cause an infection called Toxoplasmosis. The infection may impact the fetus’s brain, impairing development and causing severe eye and brain damage.
Cats typically catch precautionary measures outside by consuming rodents, birds, or other small creatures. In addition, it is excreted in cat feces (poop); therefore, anyone who comes in contact with a dirty litter box risks contracting it.
Final Thoughts
Of course, upon getting the news that you are pregnant, you will have mixed feelings – excitement and fear. However, the health of your unborn child before conception, throughout pregnancy, and after delivery can be dramatically impacted by how well you take care of your body during pregnancy.
Thus, to increase your chances of having a safe pregnancy, it is essential to take all necessary precautionary measures. For this reason, be mindful of what you eat and drink, avoid coming in contact with cat litter, get a routine checkup, quit smoking, be careful with herbs and medications, and much more to ensure a smooth pregnancy.
