Do you think you are pregnant? What an exciting time! You might be wondering what to do now. Here are six things you can do right away to get your pregnancy off to a healthy start.
1. Confirm the Pregnancy
One of the first things to do is find out if you are actually pregnant. The best way to find out is to take a test. There are a variety of pregnancy tests available over-the-counter at supermarkets, big box stores and pharmacies. These tests are simple to use and don’t cost a lot of money. Another option is to look for a local clinic that does pregnancy testing in Santa Rosa and explore the services they provide.
2. Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin
Even if you haven’t confirmed your pregnancy with a doctor, start taking a prenatal vitamin right away. The brain and spinal cord are the earliest and most important organs to develop in the fetus. A prenatal vitamin has essential folic acid, iron and calcium to help get nutrients to the developing baby as early as possible. There are different types of pregnancy vitamins available, including liquid drops, tablets and gummies. The chewable forms of vitamins are easier on your stomach, so consider taking this type if you are experience nausea or morning sickness.
If your stomach can handle swallowing capsules, try to find good-quality pregnancy vitamins like Ancient Nutrition Prenatal Multi.
3. Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
Every day in your baby’s development is essential, so even just one alcoholic drink can negatively affect growth. If you believe you are pregnant, avoiding alcohol is the best way to keep your baby safe. Smoking is also something that you should avoid because some of the ingredients in cigarettes cause congenital disabilities.
4. Get Plenty of Rest
Growing a baby takes a lot of energy! You may feel more tired than usual early in pregnancy, so it’s essential to give yourself time to rest. Relax in the evenings after work, take naps on the weekends and try to take a break during your workday. Your body works very hard during pregnancy, even if you feel like you aren’t doing much. Reach out to your supervisor if you need to take some extra time off to recharge.
5. Make Healthy Food Choices
Don’t just rely on pregnancy vitamins to give your baby everything he or she needs! Eating many fresh fruits and vegetables early in pregnancy is a great way to get plenty of nutritious food. It’s a good idea to limit the amount of sugar and carbohydrates to help prevent gestational diabetes. This is a condition that can occur later in pregnancy that is dangerous for the mother and baby. Starting your pregnancy with good habits sets you on the right track for good long-term health.
6. Drink Water
As your baby grows, so does the amount of blood in your body. To allow your body to build up this blood supply, drink plenty of water throughout the day. Early on, you may experience morning sickness, which can lead to dehydration. Make sure you are replenishing your fluids to ensure proper blood flow to the baby.
Finding out you are pregnant is a significant time in your life. Follow these steps early in pregnancy to keep you and your baby as healthy as you can.
