Now that you're pregnant, it's more important than ever to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. From check-ups at the clinic to planning your baby’s birth, the right antenatal care (ANC) will help you to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Here’s what you need to know.

What kind of antenatal care do I need?
Antenatal care (ANC) is the healthcare and support you have while you’re pregnant. It will help to make sure you and your baby are well throughout your pregnancy.

Getting ANC is the most important step you can take to having a healthy pregnancy. So as soon as you know you’re pregnant, start your ANC by contacting our friendly and supportive MSI providers.

Your care will include regular check-ups, although these change as your pregnancy progresses. At the start you may have blood tests to check for any health issues that could affect your pregnancy or your baby. Later on, you’ll have your blood pressure measured every visit and you may be asked to do urine tests to check for signs of a pregnancy condition called pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia can cause serious problems for you and your baby if it isn’t monitored and treated.

About halfway through your pregnancy you’ll be offered a scan to see how your baby is developing. Although the scan is done for medical reasons, it’s very exciting to see your baby for the first time.

At your antenatal appointments you can ask your provider any questions you have. Write them down so you don’t forget. You can also speak with someone in confidence if you need extra support. Use this opportunity to get help if you’re experiencing domestic violence or emotional abuse.

Which foods should I eat for a healthy pregnancy?

The more varied your diet is, the more likely you are to get the nutrients you and your growing baby need.

Try to eat some of these foods every day:

Fruit and vegetables.
Protein-rich foods (beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat – but not liver - poultry and nuts)
Starchy foods (potatoes, yams, bread and grains – wholegrains are healthier)
Dairy foods (pasteurised milk, cheese and yogurt)
Should I take a vitamin supplement?
When you’re pregnant, there are some nutrients that are hard to get from food alone. So all pregnant women should take a folic acid tablet a day especially for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid is a vitamin that prevents a problem with your baby’s spine. You may also need extra vitamin D and iron to help your baby grow. Your MSI provider can give you more information about supplements.

What’s not safe to eat in pregnancy?

Some foods aren’t safe while you’re pregnant. They include:

unpasteurised milks and cheeses
raw or undercooked meat
certain types of fish including shark, marlin and swordfish
It’s not just what you’re eating but also how you store and prepare food that is important.

During pregnancy your immune system doesn't work as well as usual, so you need to be extra careful about food hygiene. These tips will help you stay safe:

Wash your hands before cooking and eating and keep your kitchen clean
Use safe water
Store raw food away from cooked food
Cook food thoroughly, particularly poultry and meats
Don’t leave cooked or fresh food out of the fridge for more than two hours
Wash fruit and veg thoroughly, especially if you’re eating them raw

Is it safe to exercise in pregnancy?

READ MORE ON Marie Stopes Nigeria website VIA LINK BELOW:
[https://www.mariestopes.org.ng/help-advice/how-can-i-have-a-healthy-pregnancy/]

naomidediva:
Now that you're pregnant, it's more important than ever to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. From check-ups at the clinic to planning your baby’s birth, the right antenatal care (ANC) will help you to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Here’s what you need to know.

What kind of antenatal care do I need?
Antenatal care (ANC) is the healthcare and support you have while you’re pregnant. It will help to make sure you and your baby are well throughout your pregnancy.

Getting ANC is the most important step you can take to having a healthy pregnancy. So as soon as you know you’re pregnant, start your ANC by contacting our friendly and supportive MSI providers.

Your care will include regular check-ups, although these change as your pregnancy progresses. At the start you may have blood tests to check for any health issues that could affect your pregnancy or your baby. Later on, you’ll have your blood pressure measured every visit and you may be asked to do urine tests to check for signs of a pregnancy condition called pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia can cause serious problems for you and your baby if it isn’t monitored and treated.

About halfway through your pregnancy you’ll be offered a scan to see how your baby is developing. Although the scan is done for medical reasons, it’s very exciting to see your baby for the first time.

At your antenatal appointments you can ask your provider any questions you have. Write them down so you don’t forget. You can also speak with someone in confidence if you need extra support. Use this opportunity to get help if you’re experiencing domestic violence or emotional abuse.

Which foods should I eat for a healthy pregnancy?

The more varied your diet is, the more likely you are to get the nutrients you and your growing baby need.

Try to eat some of these foods every day:

Fruit and vegetables.
Protein-rich foods (beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat – but not liver - poultry and nuts)
Starchy foods (potatoes, yams, bread and grains – wholegrains are healthier)
Dairy foods (pasteurised milk, cheese and yogurt)
Should I take a vitamin supplement?
When you’re pregnant, there are some nutrients that are hard to get from food alone. So all pregnant women should take a folic acid tablet a day especially for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid is a vitamin that prevents a problem with your baby’s spine. You may also need extra vitamin D and iron to help your baby grow. Your MSI provider can give you more information about supplements.

What’s not safe to eat in pregnancy?

Some foods aren’t safe while you’re pregnant. They include:

unpasteurised milks and cheeses
raw or undercooked meat
certain types of fish including shark, marlin and swordfish
It’s not just what you’re eating but also how you store and prepare food that is important.

During pregnancy your immune system doesn't work as well as usual, so you need to be extra careful about food hygiene. These tips will help you stay safe:

Wash your hands before cooking and eating and keep your kitchen clean
Use safe water
Store raw food away from cooked food
Cook food thoroughly, particularly poultry and meats
Don’t leave cooked or fresh food out of the fridge for more than two hours
Wash fruit and veg thoroughly, especially if you’re eating them raw

Is it safe to exercise in pregnancy?

READ MORE ON Marie Stopes Nigeria website VIA LINK BELOW:
[https://www.mariestopes.org.ng/help-advice/how-can-i-have-a-healthy-pregnancy/]

Thanks for sharing

Am grateful

A lot of couples and friends ask me what will our baby look like? You can not predict the appearance of your baby. Instead there is a website that can help you at least to see the baby face. https://www.venostech.com/best-baby-face-generator-apps-site/ is the website I found recently, and I was amazed about it. They use your data face and make a sketch of your baby in just a few moments. I recommend you to use this website, because you will get impressed. There is also a lot of information that can help you in the future, like some easy ways to help the baby.