Pregnancy Tips

Being physically active during your pregnancy may help your 9 months be more comfortable and can also help make the delivery easier. Make sure you check with your health care provider as well.

Avoid alcohol, raw fish, fish high in mercury and soft cheeses.

Limit your caffeine intake, and remember that chocolate does have caffeine!!

Eat foods rich in folate, iron, calcium and protein or get these nutrients through a prenatal supplement. Check with your health care provider before taking any supplements.

Avoid exposure to toxic substances and chemicals, suck as cleaning solvents, lead and mercury, paint and insecticides.

Drink lots of fluids!! Water is the best, during your pregnancy, to keep up with the increases in your blood volume. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water, milk or fruit juice every day.

As your term progresses, your appetite will increase tremendously if not astronimically! This is normal; however, consult your doctor to find out how much weight you should be gaining and will have gained towards the end of your term. Be in the know about what to expect.

Your body will undergo a tremendous amount of changes during the pregnancy, but there is no way to predict what will occur. You may have morning sickness, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and some women have had their curly hair get straighter. Every pregnancy is different from women to women, and even for each pregnancy for the same women.

Follow all instructions you may be given TO THE LETTER! You want to do everything possible to make sure the baby arrives healthy and happy, and that you're there to welcome the baby into the world.

Use common sense. If you are a smoker and a friend tells you that it is ok to smoke no more than four cigarettes per day during your pregnancy, think twice about this, and realize that it's probably best that you cut the cigarettes out altogether.

If you color your hair regularly, consult with your doctor (and your hair stylist!) to determine which hair colors can be used safely during your pregnancy, or if you should be coloring your hair at all during this time.