Motherhood is the most divine and precious experience of a woman’s life. A child is literally a part of the mother, living within the body of the mother for months. The moment a woman announces that she is carrying a child; all the family and friends start bombarding the mother with advice on what to do, what to eat, how to walk, how to sleep and whole lot of other things.
Pregnancy is an important phase for both the mother and the child. It is this period which transforms a cell into a baby and a woman to a mother. This is the time when it is extremely crucial for the mother to be happy and healthy for the health of the child.
Nourish yourself well
Remember that it is not just your body that needs nourishment. A mother’s diet sets her child up for future health. Your baby will actually pull all that it needs from body. So you have to be very well nourished to nourish that baby and also you should not be left deficient if you do not refill yourself again with the energy. Eating better does not mean eating more. It is not the quantity of food that matters, but the quality of food.
Eating any sort of packaged and junk food is a strict NO! Eating a lot of junk puts the mother and the child at risk for preterm labor, low birth weight, gestational diabetes and a baby with predisposition to be over-weight and a very hard time for the mother to lose her pregnancy weight which could lead to postpartum depression.
All pregnant women need a lot of proteins, minerals like folic acid and iron and more calories for more energy. Include a lot of leafy veggies, whole grain, organic fruits and vegetable in your diet. Hydrate yourself well with water and other healthy beverages. Smoothies are a great a way to get proteins and carbohydrates from fruits and leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and lettuce. You could also incorporate vegan proteins in these shakes and smoothies.
Do some exercise
Many questions come to mind while planning how to exercise during pregnancy. The mother tends to get very conscious about her body and her movement but exercise during pregnancy is very important and it can help certain discomforts of pregnancy and also prepare the body for labor and delivery. In most cases, it is perfectly safe to exercise during pregnancy.
It is okay to do physical activity and exercise as long as you are comfortable and there are no other health conditions in particular. Exercise during pregnancy will help reduce backaches, constipation, bloating and swelling.
Exercise will also tone your muscles and give the required strength and endurance. It improves blood flow and keep you fit during pregnancy and improve your ability to cope with labor. It will also make it easier for you to get back in shape after your baby is born. It would also be a good idea to do some yoga. A word of caution – Always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
Be happy!
It is very important to be happy during pregnancy. Stress and depression during pregnancy is linked with low birth weight in babies and babies who cry more and sleep less after birth. It is important for the mother to be in a happy and comfortable environment and be as calm and relaxed as possible.
A happy and healthy mother produces a happy and healthy baby. It is not just the responsibility of the mother but the whole family to pull together and help the mother and the baby to be as healthy and happy as possible. We wish all the moms to be the very best in this beautiful journey towards motherhood.