Your pregnancy is a life-changing experience for yourself and your partner. The importance of this care provided to you during your pregnancy is huge. It is as much important for your child as it is for yourself. It is the best thing that you can do for yourself. This is essential to decrease the risks during pregnancy and increase the chance of a safe and healthy delivery. A gynecologist in Karachi emphasised the importance of care during pregnancy and some pointers to have a smooth journey.
Primary Goals And Importance Of Pre-Natal Care
Pre-natal care basically begins at least three months before you conceive. You must adopt healthy habits to follow during this period. This involves quitting smoking and drinking alcohol if you do. Avoiding toxic substances and taking the correct supplementation is necessary as well.
During pregnancy, monitoring fetal development and ensuring adequate maternal health are the two primary goals of prenatal care. One of the most important components of prenatal care involves the healthcare provider offering the correct guidance to the to-be-mother. Emotional and psychological support is just as important.
Prenatal care emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle including nutrition and exercise. This care ensures better pregnancy outcomes and reduces complications.
Let’s see how can one take better care of themselves and their unborn baby for a healthy and smooth pregnancy:
Visit Your Doctor Regularly
Once you know you are pregnant, it is important that you go for a check-up with your doctor. Schedule a visit so they can do a thorough analysis of your condition as well as your child’s. If there are any health problems, they can be addressed accordingly. Strict adherence to follow-up appointments should be done as well for regular monitoring. Usually, a doctor may schedule a visit once every month for the first six months of the pregnancy. Visits are mostly bi-monthly in the next two months; and every week during the ninth month of pregnancy. The schedule and frequency may change depending on your health and any complications that may have presented themselves.
Get Your Medical Condition Under Control
It is better to inform your doctor about any medical condition that you may have or develop recently. Asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and depression are the most important examples of medical conditions that must be closely monitored and controlled for optimal health of the mother and baby.
Your doctor will guide you through the pregnancy and can help you feel more at ease with the changes going on in your body. You will receive accurate nutritional information as well as appropriate testing for you and the baby.
Do Not Self-Prescribe
It is crucial to know that not all medications are safe for you to take during pregnancy as they may harm your unborn child. Therefore, do not self-medicate at any cost. Talk to your doctor in case of any condition that may require medication. Only take the ones that the doctor prescribes themselves or approves. The rest, you should avoid religiously.
Keep Your Diet Game Strong
However, it is not a fact that you need to double everything that you eat for proper nutrition for your baby. But a healthy diet is important nevertheless. With the correct nutrition, your baby will grow and develop.
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables as a good source of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber is important. Fiber will help prevent you from being constipated which is common in pregnancy. Remember, your baby’s development depends on what you consume before birth. So even if you do not like to eat fruits and vegetables, it is crucial that you do. Remember to consult a doctor in case of diabetes before taking too sweet fruits.
You can take starchy carbohydrates to keep you full and energized throughout the day. Adequate protein intake is just as important during pregnancy. Your doctor will guide you in complete detail regarding the foods that you should eat well and those that you should avoid.
Take Your Supplements
While a healthy diet is important, taking the vitamins and minerals prescribed by your doctor is better to avoid any risks during the baby’s development. For this, most women are prescribed a folic acid supplement to prevent any neural tube defects. Other supplements provided by your doctor must be taken as per the given schedule in the correct doses. Iron, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C are just some examples that women are prescribed for optimal health during pregnancy.
Getting The Right Amount Of Rest And Exercise
Know that your body is creating another human being inside of it. Listen to your body when you feel you need to sleep or take a rest. Do not overdo it. You must take optimal rest during this time to build up your strength. Just as physical rest is important, mental rest is necessary as well. Do not stress as stress can alter hormone levels and cause anxiety.
You can adapt to your changing shape and weight gain by being active and exercising as approved by your doctor. Exercise is not dangerous for the baby but you need to understand that you should not exhaust yourself beyond normal limits. Be sure to add some pelvic floor exercises that a gynecologist can recommend to you at Metropolis Hospital to your routine as it strengthens your core and will help in the process of delivery in the future.
Final Thoughts
You must look after yourself well during pregnancy. You may face various challenges and complications, but be sure to know that it is just part of something beautiful that will lead you to your miracle.
