Do's and Don'ts in Pregnancy

Once you have got the happy news of a little one coming soon in your life, you should start taking some special care so that you can enjoy the journey of pregnancy and get a healthy baby (learn about Dietary Dos and Don'ts for Pregnancy)

These are some pointers you have to follow during pregnancy:

1. Maintain good hygiene during pregnancy. Take bath regularly. Warm shower or sponge bath is considered better than tub bath.

2. Brush your teeth regularly and have a regular dental check up. Caries tooth can be extracted after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

3. Avoid wearing tight clothes and shoes with high heels. Wear loose and light clothes.

4. Take lots of fluid, fresh fruits & vegetables.

5. Take a diet which is light, nutritious, easily digestible & rich in protein, less fat, minerals and vitamins.

6. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. It can cause miscarriage, defect in the development and growth of the baby.

7. Avoid jerky travelling, especially in 1st 12 wks and last 6wks of pregnancy. Prolonged sitting in a car or plane should be avoided. Air travel is not advisable to women who have high blood pressure, less hemoglobin (anemia) and low lying placenta.

8. Avoid taking any unprescribed drugs, exposure to X-Ray & chemicals especially in the 1st 12 weeks of pregnancy.

9. Take adequate rest in the lateral position and relax 1-2 hrs in the afternoon & 8 hrs at night.

10. Start taking folic acid at least 3 months before planning pregnancy & continue it till the 1st 12 weeks of pregnancy.

11. Start taking iron & calcium after 12 wks of pregnancy and continue it throughout pregnancy and 6 months post delivery.

12. Exercise regularly during pregnancy. Walking is the best exercise, but long periods of walking should be avoided. Also avoid heavy weight lifting and prolonged standing. Diving, water sking, gymnastic, netball, hockey, horse riding, cycling, rock-climbing, & scuba diving exercises should be avoided during pregnancy.

13. If you have any of these symptoms - vaginal bleeding, persistent abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, watery discharge from vagina, less or no fetal movement, severe headache, swelling on hands, face & feet, fever, dizziness, blurring of vision, double vision, spots before eyes, painful urination and diarrhea, immediately consult your gynecologist.