It won't be uncommon for you to have trouble losing weight after the baby arrives. Several things can impact how quickly or slowly the weight comes off. You are probably excited about having a new bundle of joy, but also nervous about all the changes you will be going through. In addition, it can be difficult to exercise adequately with a newborn in the house. Losing weight takes time though, and you must put in the effort. You have to change your lifestyle if you want the pounds to come off. The good news is that adjusting your life now will lead to a healthier you and a healthier family too.
Sleep as much as you want while you are pregnant. Sleep is in short supply for the parents of newborns. Also, while pregnant, your baby is eating up much of your available energy. Don't be afraid to sleep in, go to bed early, or nap when you want to. You won't be able to later!
Stop smoking before you get pregnant. Smoking can affect your ability to conceive, so find something that will help you stop. You should talk to your doctor to see what recommendations they have to help you quit. There are many options available such as pills and patches.
Chart your periods if you want to become pregnant. Knowing when you're likely to be ovulating will help you by scheduling the best times to get pregnant. If you have accurately tracked your cycle, you can also use your information to determine more accurately your date of conception and your due date.
Be sure you consult with a doctor before you make any traveling plans. Bring medical paperwork with you, in case anything does happen.
Do not feel required to announce your pregnancy to everyone as soon as you know. All women have their own comfort zone regarding when they want to tell everyone. Some women wait until they have reached the end of the first trimester and the highest risk of miscarriage is over. Listen to your heart and share the news when you are ready to.
Those who are pregnant should be careful in the sun. A pregnant woman's skin is often more sensitive, making sunburn more likely, which can lead to even more serious potential problems such as skin cancer.
Once you become pregnant, someone else should change the cat litter. Avoid the cat litter box due to the danger of contracting toxoplasmosis. If you contract the taxoplasmosis infection, you risk anything from birth defects to miscarriage and even a stillborn child.
Try not drive alone during the later stages of your pregnancy, just in case you were to go into labor. Being alone in your car when you water breaks can mean you will be yourself when you deliver. This could cause your baby to be born improperly and can cause health problems for you.
Learn the signs of labor so that you will know when it is time to call the doctor and start heading to the hospital. We have all heard the stories of women giving birth in the car on the way. The earlier you can respond to labor starting, the more time you give yourself to get to where you need to go.
Being pregnant can be hard on your body. Don't let that get you down. Make sure that you take good care of yourself by doing lots of stretching exercises. If you can work it in, prenatal yoga is a great way to stay limber, keep moving and keep yourself fit.
Slightly increase your calorie intake while pregnant. The phrase "eating for two" isn't just a cute throwaway line. Expecting mothers need to eat about 500 additional calories a day to adequate provide for the baby's needs. Make sure that extra calorie intake is composed of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables.
Write yourself a detailed plan for the birthing time. This should also include what's expected of others when delivering the child. Pack essentials in an overnight bag so that you'll be ready when you go into labor. You'll need your insurance card and any forms your hospital gave you, as well as the birth plan. Be sure to bring a camera if you want to record the delivery.
Before your child arrives, post a reminder to yourself in a prominent location in your home to add your baby to your health insurance plan. You usually have 30 days to do so after your child is born, but it is easy to forget during the haze of new parenthood. If delayed too long, this could leave your child uninsured until annual enrollment season rolls around.
Find out what blood type you and your partner have. If you have incompatible blood types, there is a possibility that you could also be incompatible with your baby's blood type. This can lead to a condition called anemia, which causes complications during the pregnancy and birth of your child.
Stay active while you are pregnant. Unless your doctor puts you on bed rest, of course. Staying active will ensure that you do not gain too much weight during your pregnancy and also keeps your muscles from atrophying. If you stay active during your pregnancy, recovery will be much easier.
Visit your doctor before you become pregnant! A pre-pregnancy exam is a good idea to make sure your body can safely handle it. You might find out there are certain habits you need to change before you can get pregnant.
Make sure to get enough magnesium in your diet when you are pregnant. A lack of magnesium can raise your blood pressure and increase the chance that you may experience a seizure. There are several foods that contain magnesium, including whole grains, green leafy vegetables and nuts. Magnesium can also help with the leg cramps and constipation that many pregnant women experience.
After adjusting your lifestyle somewhat, you should be more successful with losing weight after your pregnancy. While it can take time to get comfortable with being pregnant, and time to get comfortable with not being pregnant again, the simple changes you've already made will help ease you through these transitional periods. With the positive changes you have added, a postpartum weight loss plan will be more effective.