Congratulations! Finally, you have the great news that you are pregnant. It might be your first pregnancy and there are many myths about pregnancy, here are some top tips to ensure pregnancy health for mother and baby.

Pregnancy can bring so much joy to a family. However, it can also pose innumerable health risks to the woman and to the baby, as well. Pregnancy is many times one of the most awaited events in a woman’s life, especially if the woman has had a hard time trying to conceive. This means that when a woman is pregnant taking some precautions for health maintenance is critical.

Here are 5 tips to ensure pregnancy health for mother and baby

1. Eat well, conceive well.

This one is a myth! It is not true that you have to eat for two when pregnant. Eating more than the amount of food that is enough for one person will only cause excessive weight gain. According to research, a pregnant woman will only need an extra 200 to 300 calories per day. And who knows, you might be already eating those extra calories in your pre-pregnancy lifestyle. Eating healthy food will do the mother and the baby good. Of course, the extra calories should not be coming from junk food.

2. Supplement your wellness.

A pregnant mum should take a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid. It is even better if it started before conception and during early pregnancy. Why folic acid? Because this micro-mineral, which is found mostly in green leafy veggies, when taken 400 mcg daily before and during early pregnancy, can reduce the risk of having babies born with neural tube defects. This is definitely one to remember when it comes to pregnancy health.

3. Away with your vices.

It could have been hard for you to quit on your smoking or frequent alcohol intake. Now is high time for you to rethink your actions. The nicotine from cigarettes and alcohol from the alcoholic beverages you consume can harm your growing baby. Usually, babies from mothers that have been smoking are born with low average birth weight, are prone to being born prematurely and may die from sudden infant death syndrome compared to babies of non-smoking moms. Caffeine is one substance that should be avoided, too. So, say ta-ta to your coffee for your baby’s sake.

4. Medical Precautions

Even before pregnancy, it won’t hurt to get prenatal care. Making sure that you are immune to certain diseases that might affect your pregnancy counts a lot. An example of these diseases that a pregnant woman should be cautious of is rubella or German measles. Knowing your blood type will also help you prepare for any medical condition that you might encounter during pregnancy.

5. Exercise properly for you and your baby.

Exercising is one good way to help keep a pregnant woman fit, as well as her baby. One of the important forms of exercise that can be done during pregnancy includes those that help improve the muscles’ endurance. Stretching can help a lot, too. But all of these activities should be done with precaution and after consulting with your doctor.

It all boils down to the fact that if a woman would like to have a healthy pregnancy, she has to have a healthy lifestyle.