What Should I Do If I'm Pregnant? - Activities to Increase/Avoid

Pregnancy can bring along a slew of changes to a woman’s body. There are also some changes with activities that are important to be aware of. Some of the most important things to do include getting regular checkups from a doctor, taking prenatal vitamins and getting enough exercise as well as rest during the entire pregnancy. There are many complications that can arise, so it is important to follow the doctors’ orders and also to avoid some of the risky activities that may cause problems during pregnancy. Many women as the question, “What should I do if I’m pregnant?” Below is a list of activities to increase during pregnancy.

• Regular Prenatal Doctor’s Checkups – It is important that women who are pregnant receive regular checkups with the doctor to monitor the pregnancy. This can catch any potential complications before any damage is permanent.
• Increase in Vitamins – All women should take prenatal vitamins while they are pregnant. Folic acid is essential for the healthy development of a baby, and it can also prevent neural tube defects. There are many other beneficial vitamins that are received when taking a prenatal vitamin. Women who wonder, “What should I do if I’m pregnant?” should always take prenatal vitamins.
• Increase Food Intake – It is important to increase food intake with the proper types of nutritious food. Increasing fruits and vegetables along with foods high in iron will benefit both the mother and her baby.
• Stress Management – Many women can accumulate daily stress. Pregnancy can be a difficult journey. It is important to manage this stress by taking part in a stress relieving activity such as yoga or Tai Chi.
• Self-Care – Taking some time to pamper one’s self is important to a woman who is pregnant. Carrying around another human being inside of her own body can take its toll. When a woman asks, “What should I do if I’m pregnant?”, she should practice self-care.
• Water Intake – Increasing water intake will help to ward off the excess bloating and swollenness that can occur with pregnancy. Also it can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and the complications that come along with it.

There are also many activities to avoid during pregnancy. The risk of not avoiding these activities can result in complications that can be harmful to both mother and child. Women who wonder, “What should I do if I’m pregnant?” should also take a look at the list of activities to avoid during pregnancy.

• Changing Cat Litter Box – It is vital that a pregnant woman does not change the litter box of a cat. Cat feces contain a harmful virus known as toxoplasmosis. This can be very threatening to the pregnant woman. Anyone who asks, “What should I do if I’m pregnant?”, should be told to avoid cat litter or cat feces at all times during the entire pregnancy.
• Excessive Stress – Avoiding excessive stress is important. Trying to manage the daily stress that can accumulate in a normal day can be hard enough. Women who are pregnant can try taking a walk to relieve some of this stress.
• Raw Fish and Foods High in Mercury – Any combination of raw fish or fish high in mercury can be harmful to the pregnant woman’s health as well as the baby’s health. High mercury has been linked to many abnormalities in babies.

It is important for women who ask, “What should I do if I’m pregnant?” to understand the do’s and Don’ts of pregnancy. The above list gives a general idea of things to increase and things to avoid when pregnant, but it is most important to seek the advice of a doctor to determine individual needs during pregnancy.

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