Diet
To maintain a healthy pregnancy, approximately 300 extra calories are needed each day. These calories should come from a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Sugars and fat should be kept to a minimum. A healthy, well-balanced diet can also help to reduce some pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and constipation.
You can take in enough fluids by drinking several glasses of water each day, in addition to the fluids in juices and soups
Avoid all forms of alcohol.
Smoking and alcohol during pregnancy
If you are pregnant, or planning to be, now is the time to stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
By giving up, you are protecting your baby and reducing the risks to their development and future health. It is also one of the best things you can do for your health.
Rest and sleeping
Your regular sleeping position may no longer work during pregnancy. And sleeping on your back isn’t ideal, once you are 5 months and beyond because it puts pressure on the spine and intestines (and possibly your baby).
Try sleeping on your left side. It’s a proven position for lessening heartburn, a common sleep disruptor during pregnancy, and this position gives the most room for your organs and baby to share.
If you happen to wake up on your back or belly in the morning, don’t panic. While it’s not ideal, you’re better off getting a restful night’s sleep than not sleeping at all.
Maternal immunization
All pregnant women should receive a Tdap (tetanus, Diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine during each pregnancy, as early in the 27–36-weeks-of-gestation window as possible.
Influenza vaccination for pregnant women is especially important because pregnant women who contract influenza are at greater risk of maternal morbidity and mortality in addition to fetal morbidity, including congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
Antenatal bowel care
Pregnant women need more water in order to form amniotic fluid, enhance digestion and flush out toxins. A good oral fluid intake will also reduce the risk of constipation. Caffeine, citrus drinks, fizzy drinks and alcohol should be avoided; they can irritate the bladder and may increase urinary frequency.
Lifestyle issues are associated with constipation, particularly the level of fluid intake, dietary fibre, history of laxative usage, sedentary habits and delaying the urge to defecate. Even where laxatives are required, encourage and continue (considering individual patient limitations), adequate dietary fibre (18-30g daily), adequate fluid intake, increasing activity/exercise and immediately responding to the urge to defecate1 (e.g. after meals1 and upon waking
Antenatal care medications
We generally recommend you avoid taking any medications you have not been prescribed during your first trimester. On occasion it may be medically necessary to do so. Fortunately, there are many medications that are safe during pregnancy.
Before taking any medicine when you’re pregnant, including painkillers, check with your pharmacist, midwife or GP that it’s suitable.
When deciding whether to take a medicine during pregnancy, it’s important to find out about the possible effects of that medicine on your baby.
This is the case both for medicines prescribed by a doctor and for medicines you buy from a pharmacy or shop.
Antenatal care personal cleanliness
During pregnancy, women should be especially careful about personal hygiene. Pregnant women sweat more and have more vaginal discharge than non-pregnant women (due to hormonal changes), and they may be more vulnerable to infection by germs in the environment. Keeping the body clean helps prevent infection. Hand washing with soap is the most important hygiene action she can take, especially before preparing food and after going to the toilet. If possible, a pregnant woman should wash her body every day with clean water — especially her genital area.
Dental hygiene is especially important during pregnancy because increased oestrogen levels can cause swelling and increased sensitivity in gum tissues. Whether she cleans her teeth with a dental stick or a toothbrush and toothpaste, the pregnant woman should do so regularly.
Antenatal care mental preparation
Antenatal care professionals often encourage self-care practices that promote emotional balance, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and light exercise like prenatal yoga. These practices not only reduce stress but also boost overall mental well-being. Mothers are also advised on the importance of sleep, nutrition, and taking time for themselves, all of which are critical to managing emotional health during pregnancy.
Antenatal care clothing shoes
Opt for stretchy, breathable fabrics like soft cotton or jersey blends that accommodate your growing belly. Invest in essentials like maternity jeans, leggings, and comfortable tops that provide ample room for your changing body. Don’t forget to accessorize with comfortable shoes and supportive undergarments.
Antenatal care exercise
Antenatal exercises aim at improving the physical and psychological well-being of an expected mother for labor and preventing pregnancy induced pathologies by various physical means. It generally includes low-impact aerobic exercises and stretching exercises.
During the first trimester, pregnancy brings certain changes in the body for example: morning sickness, fatigue or low energy levels, nausea and increased secretion of the relaxin hormone. Exercise helps to overcome these changes and improves the mood and energy level of the mother. Healthy pregnant women should exercise for at least 150 minutes per week or 20-30 min everyday in moderate to vigorous aerobic intensity.
Antenatal care dental care
Although some pregnant women hesitate to receive antenatal oral care, documents have verified that many dental treatments can be performed safely during pregnancy, such as extractions, local anesthetic, root canal treatment, scaling, and root planning.
In emergency cases such as tooth and gingival inflammation, existing infections can affect the baby’s health much more adversely than the adverse effects of dental treatment. Therefore, dental treatment must be provided according to the advice of an obstetrician.
Antenatal care of breast
The breasts start to produce milk from around the 16th week of pregnancy. It’s not unusual for pregnant women to notice small amounts of milk leakage (colostrum) from the nipples. Wearing a breast pad inside the bra can help absorb this leakage.
In the last few weeks of pregnancy, breasts and nipples become larger as the glandular tissue increases in anticipation of lactation and birth of your baby. Your breasts may feel heavy and uncomfortable at times. Wearing a well-fitted and supportive bra may help relieve any discomfort. Wearing a supportive soft-cup type maternity bra overnight may help you sleep more comfortably.
If your breasts are particularly painful, talk to your midwife for advice on soothing strategies. An example would be using cooling gel pads that you can keep ready in the fridge or taking pain medication if necessary.
Antenatal care birth planning
Pregnancy is a critical period in life. When pregnant, both mother and baby face multiple health risks, such as miscarriage to birth defects or congenital abnormalities in the fetus, such as Down syndrome, anencephaly, cleft lip and cleft palate etc or different medical or surgical complications in the mother.. Antenatal care is therefore very necessary to help find any risks in pregnancy, including before pregnancy, during pregnancy, on the delivery date, and after delivery, to ensure every stage of pregnancy is safe and free from complications, allowing the mother and unborn baby to receive timely treatment in case of necessity.
The number of antenatal care appointments varies depending on when the care starts, including the mother’s and the fetus’s health, and the degree of risk of pregnancy complications. Typically, the appointment schedule for antenatal care for pregnant mothers aged 18 to 35 who are in good health is as follows:
- Gestational age less than 28 weeks; appointments every four weeks.
- Gestational age between 28 and 36 weeks; appointments every 2 weeks.
- Gestational age between 36 and 40 weeks; appointments every week.
Antenatal care warning sign
If any of the following signs occur, the woman should be taken immediately to the hospital or health centre.
- vaginal bleeding
- convulsions/fits
- severe headaches with blurred vision
- fever and too weak to get out of bed
- severe abdominal pain
- fast or difficult breathing.
If she has any of these signs she should go to the health centre as soon as possible:
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Feels ill
- Swelling of fingers, face and legs
Antenatal care travelling
With the proper precautions such as travel insurance, most women can travel safely well into their pregnancy.
Wherever you go, find out what healthcare facilities are at your destination in case you need urgent medical attention. It’s a good idea to take your maternity medical records (sometimes called handheld notes) with you so you can give doctors the relevant information if necessary.
Antenatal family planning
Help pregnant women and new mothers decide how they will avoid pregnancy after childbirth. Ideally, family planning counseling should start during antenatal care.
- Waiting until her baby is at least 2 years old before a woman tries to become pregnant again is best for the baby and good for the mother, too.
- A woman who is not fully or nearly fully breastfeeding is able to become pregnant as soon as 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth.
- A woman who is fully or nearly fully breastfeeding is able to become pregnant as soon as 6 months postpartum.
- For maximum protection, a woman should not wait until the return of monthly bleeding to start a contraceptive method. Instead, she should start as soon as guidance allows
