Tara Graham – Photographer

A first for my blog – today we have a guest blogger! Katie also has her own blog, Moore From Katie, where you can read about her adventures as a stay at home mom, and all that she has learned along the way.

 

Rely on a Doctor’s Advice for a Healthy Pregnancy

Women have been having babies since the beginning of time. However, in the not too distant past, a pregnancy did not always turn out as well as it should since a woman did not always have a doctor or midwife in attendance. Due to modern medicine and the influx of information, complications in pregnancy are rarely encountered in these modern times.

Today, when a woman suspects that she is pregnant, she usually seeks the services and advice of a physician or midwife as soon as possible. After becoming pregnant, this is the first step that a woman should take to assure a healthy pregnancy. Doctors and midwives perform thorough examinations to rule out any problems, such as diabetes, that might cause complications. They also estimate the time of arrival of the baby so that future plans can be formulated around the event.

A doctor or midwife is the best person to ask for advice throughout the pregnancy for things like nutrition, pain medications during delivery and optional procedures after birth like umbilical cord blood banking and immunizations. A mother should do her best to attend every scheduled appointment, whether at the doctor’s office or at home.

One of the first things that a doctor will usually address is whether the mother-to-be smokes, drinks alcohol, or takes illicit drugs. If so, the woman will be instructed to stop all of these bad habits immediately because they can harm the baby as it develops inside the uterus of the woman.

Doctors prescribe medications and vitamins that will promote healthy tissues in both the mother and the unborn child. A healthy, well-rounded diet will help ensure that they baby is getting nourishing food, but taking a prenatal vitamin will help fill in the gaps that a mother has trouble working into her diet.

If a woman experiences morning sickness, she is advised to shun foods that cause nausea and to avoid smells that make her feel sick. The doctor may suggest taking vitamin B6 and B12, which has been shown to help with nausea. If the nausea is intractable and excessive vomiting ensues, the doctor should be notified.

Nutrition is an important factor for a pregnant woman to consider. High fiber foods, vegetables, and fruits should be increased in her diet. At the same time, unnecessary fats should be eliminated. A mother only truly needs to add 300-400 additional healthy calories into her life at the start of her second trimester. That addition of calories is not that much so the “eating for two” mantra does not need to be applied to each meal.

The doctor will advise moderate exercise, such as walking daily, to improve circulation and muscle tone. Exercise has been shown to produce endorphins that contribute to feelings of well-being. Rest and relaxation will also be advised, such as small naps during the day when possible.

If a woman works outside the home and has to manage a household as well, she will be advised to get some help. For a woman who is not pregnant, this can be stressful but can be overwhelming for someone who is expecting a baby.

If a woman follows the instructions of her doctor, the odds are increased that she will experience a healthy pregnancy. If she does not follow the doctor’s advice and is lackadaisical in keeping her appointments, the odds are reduced and she may experience some complications. A smart woman follows her doctor’s advice. Her goal should be to have a healthy pregnancy, enjoy the experience, and deliver a healthy baby.

 

Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26.