Pregnancy Dos & Donts

Get all essential vitamins and minerals every day. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, women need a lot more iron when pregnant. And sometimes it's hard to get enough by eating alone. Ask your doctor if you need to take a daily prenatal vitamin or multivitamin.

Folic Acid
Get 400 micrograms (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily in your diet.According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, getting enough folic acid (or folate) reduces the chances of some birth defects

Eat a healthy diet.
Eat lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains (such as whole-wheat breads or crackers). Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods (such as non-fat or low-fat yogurt, milk, and broccoli) that your baby needs for strong bones and teeth. If you live in areas where fruits and vegetables aren't in season, frozen vegetables are a good option. Avoid taking a lot of fatty foods (such as butter and fatty meats) to eat.

Let you gain a healthy, not excessive amount of weight.
Research shows that women who gain more than the recommended amount during pregnancy have an elevated risk of obesity. Check with your doctor to find out how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.

Make sure you get enough sleep (seven to nine hours every night).
Aches, pains, anxiety and bathroom runs keep many pregnant women awake at night. To get some sleep, try to eat any large meals at least three hours before going to bed, get some easy exercise (like walking) and avoid long naps during the day.

Get a handle on health problems.
Talk to your doctor about how your health problems can affect you and the baby. If you have diabetes, make sure to control your blood sugar levels. If you have high blood pressure, monitor it closely. If you are overweight, talk to the doctor about whether you should lose weight.


Donts

Avoid fish with lots of mercury in your diet.
Get correct information from your dietician on what fish to eat and what fish to avoid when you are pregnant.

Protect yourself from using chemicals.
Products including herbicides, pesticides, paint, stains, and some cleaning solutions may be harmful to your baby. If she must use these things, make sure she wears gloves, a mask, and keeps the room well-ventilated.

Don't clean or change a cat's litter box.
This could put you at risk for an infection called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that cats can carry in their feces. Toxoplasmosis can harm a fetus.

Don't take very hot baths, hot tubs, or saunas.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, high temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or causing the mother-to-be to faint.

Do not use scented feminine hygiene products.
Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays, sanitary napkins, and bubble bath. These products might irritate your vaginal area, and increase the risk of a urinary tract infection or yeast infection.

Discomforts During Pregnancy
Morning sickness.
Tiredness.
Leg cramps.
Constipation.
Hemorrhoids.
Urinating more often.
Varicose veins.
Moodiness.
Heartburn.
Yeast infections.
Stuffy nose.
Skin Changes