When you are pregnant, it’s important to treat your body right. Eating nutritious foods and getting a good amount of exercise will ensure you stay healthy and that your baby is born healthy.
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month, and it’s a perfect time to think about what you should be doing to improve wellness for yourself and your unborn child. Here are some helpful tips.
Try to Reach a Healthy Weight Before Pregnancy
Being underweight, overweight, or obese increases the risk of birth defects and pregnancy complications. If you are planning on getting pregnant, talk to a medical professional to find out the best ways to get on track health-wise before you conceive.
Include Folic Acid in Your Diet
There are many supplements that are recommended for pregnant women and folic acid is chief among them. It is essential in the prevention of major birth defects in the baby’s spine and brain. Pregnant women should be taking 400 micrograms (MCG) of folic acid each day which can be consumed in food or taken in supplemental form.
If you take a vitamin as your folic acid source, make sure it contains the recommended daily dose of folic acid (400 MCG). You can also get folic acid in your diet by eating fortified foods like breads, breakfast cereals, corn masa flour and other products that have the vitamin included in its nutritional content.
Talk to a Health Care Provider About the Medications You are Taking
If you have health conditions, it’s important to talk to a health provider about medications before becoming pregnant. You may need to start or stop taking medications to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor will let you know what’s recommended.
Get Up to Date on Vaccines
Women should make sure they are up to date on vaccines before and during pregnancy. These can protect both mother and child from serious diseases.
The flu shot and whooping cough vaccine are especially vital. It is recommended that women get a flu shot before or during each pregnancy. They should also protect themselves against the whooping cough which is common in the last three months of pregnancy.
Avoid Harmful Substances During Pregnancy
To ensure optimal health for themselves and their babies, women should stay away from harmful substances like tobacco, drugs, and alcohol while pregnant.
What Vitamins Are Best?
During pregnancy, it’s likely your doctor will recommend a prenatal vitamin to keep you and your baby healthy. Be sure to ask him or her about NutriDyn Everyday Essentials Pregnancy.
NutriDyn is known for manufacturing high quality, professional grade supplements. Their Everyday Essentials Pregnancy contains a mix of vitamins and minerals that support health preconception and during pregnancy and nursing. It promotes a healthy gut microbiota, supports a balanced mood and it’s non-GMO and gluten free.
If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, getting in good shape health-wise is so important. National Birth Defects Prevention Month is a great time to think about what you can be doing to support the health of yourself and your unborn child. What steps will you be taking to boost wellbeing at this important stage of life?
