When you’re pregnant, there are lots of things you have to bear in mind to support your health. Today we’re taking a look at some of these small steps that can help you feel your best during this difficult (and exciting!) time, and support your health and the health of the baby you’re carrying too!
Staying Hydrated
Hydration is always important, whatever else is going on in your life, but it’s even more important when you’re pregnant. It’s common for people to note that you’re eating for two now, but it’s not just nutrients the growing life inside you needs. It’s also relying on your fluid supplies to grow and keep safe during those nine months in the womb.
You need to think more about hydration when you’re pregnant because you can get dehydrated more quickly, and feel worse faster. While it’s important to drink plenty of water – if you don’t already, this is a good time to start setting reminders to ensure you’re drinking 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day.
It’s not just fluid you need to think about, though, it’s what’s dissolved in that fluid. The salts in your body’s fluid reserves are called electrolytes and they’re just as important to your health and hydration, so you need to replace them too. If you don’t already use rehydration tablets pregnancy is a great time to add them to your medicine cabinet!
Exercise
For many people, their exercise routine is an important aid not just to their physical health, but their mental health too. Fortunately, you don’t have to stop your exercise routine while you’re pregnant. The NHS even advises that women who work out when they’re pregnant may experience fewer problems later in pregnancy and during labour.
You will find you need to lower the intensity of your workout – don’t exhaust yourself running, and try to maintain a pace that allows you to hold a conversation as you work out. If you’re gasping for breath and can’t speak, that’s a sign you’re working too hard.
You should also avoid activities where there are risks of falls or blows – martial arts, horse riding or climbing or come with additional to the foetus that you’ll want to avoid. Scuba diving is also not something to do while you’re pregnant – your foetus is vulnerable to decompression sickness and gas embolisms.
The most important thing to be guided by your own sense of what is right and comfortable – if you have questions you can speak with your doctor or maternity team, but a lot of the time, your instincts will answer the question for you!