Sleeping Posture during Pregnancy

1. Sleeping On Side (SOS):

Lying on the side is far better than sleeping on your front or back. But the best sleeping position is on the left side. Sleeping on the right can develop pressure on the liver and your doctor will ask you to avoid that. Left would be the best position as it prevents the growing uterus from exerting pressure on the liver, allowing the fetus to get enough oxygen and nutrients via the placenta. It also improves blood circulation and reduces the energy spent in drawing the optimal blood flow for both mother and baby 

You can alternate your position to the right if you may not like sleeping on the left for a long time. You should feel free to alternate from one side to another, but make sure you do not sleep on the right for a long time.

2. Sleeping On Back:

In the initial stages of pregnancy, you can choose to sleep on the back if you are used to that position. However, as the pregnancy advances, you should avoid lying flat on your back. It is because the growing uterus exerts pressure on your back muscles, spine, major blood vessels, which therefore alter the blood flow in your body and baby

Sleeping on the back will also give you muscle pains, swelling, and hemorrhoids. The position can cause a drop in the blood pressure levels, which may lead to dizziness. For some women, it can cause an elevation in the blood pressure and may lead to snoring and eventually sleep apnea (shallows breaths while sleeping).

Sleeping on your back, in a half-sitting position by taking the support of a few pillows is just fine and help those suffering from heartburn.The first trimester is the right time to get yourself adjusted to sleeping on your left side, which is the ideal position.

Vomiting during Pregnancy and remedies

Morning sickness is not actually restricted only in the morning. In fact, many women experience a feeling of nausea and vomiting throughout the evening and night.

Although this is a normal condition during pregnancy, you may feel disturbed by frequent bouts of vomiting. You may also worry that whatever you eat is coming out, and your baby is not getting the adequate amount of nutrition.

Vomiting a few times a day is normal, but if the number increases alarmingly, or if you vomit anything more than three to four times on a daily basis, you should definitely ask your doctor to take a look.

How Can You Prevent Nausea, Vomiting and Morning Sickness?

1. Do Not Keep Your Stomach Empty After Waking Up:

Eat something in the morning as soon as you wake up. It is not advisable to keep your stomach empty for too long as it could aggravate acidity and induce vomiting.

2. Drinking Fluids:

One of the key precautions that you should take care throughout your pregnancy is to stay hydrated at all times.

• Avoid drinking fluids during, just before, or immediately after your meal.
• Vomiting can certainly pull you down leaving you feeling dehydrated and tired. Hence
• supplementing this water loss is a must, either through water or fluids like juices, lemonade, etc.Drink at least 8 glasses of water.

3. Adequate Rest:

Your nausea can trigger when your body is very tired or overworked.

• you may feel sleepier during the day, especially during the first trimester.
• Take it as a sign from your body that it needs some rest.
• If you are a working mom, it would be a good idea to take a short break from work and get enough rest till your nausea settles down.

4. Keep Rooms Well Ventilated:

Fresh air can do you a lot of good during your pregnancy.

• So make sure that you avoid stuffy rooms.
• Strong smells can be kept at bay if you leave the doors and windows of your room open for some air circulation.
• This can really help you in getting over the vomiting sensation.

5. Avoid Fatty Foods That Are Fried And High In Salt:

Pregnancy makes your digestion very slow and hence it is best to avoid all kinds of fatty foods that contain either too much oil or too much spice or salt.

Foods to be avoided during pregnancy

1. Certain Seafood And Fish:

Fish Containing Mercury: Mercury on consumption during pregnancy can lead to brain damage and developmental delays. Therefore, it is advisable not to take fish that contains high levels of mercury. These types of fish include king mackerel, swordfish, shark and tilefish. Fish like chunk light tuna contain low levels of mercury, and can be taken in moderate amounts.

Smoked Seafood: Refrigerated and smoked seafood with labels such as lox, jerky, novastyle or kippered should not be consumed as they will be contaminated with Listeria bacteria. You will get this fish in the deli section.

2. Raw Or Under cooked Eggs:

 Raw eggs, runny eggs and under cooked eggs are a big no-no. Homemade desserts and sauces such as chocolate mousse, cakes, mayonnaise, etc., containing raw eggs must be avoided as they may be tainted with salmonella bacteria causing vomiting and diarrhea (2).

Solution: The one and only way of having safe eggs is that – Eggs should be cooked until the yolks are firm. Go for a well done omelet. Buy salad dressings that are either egg-less or use pasteurized eggs. These kill the risk and you can enjoy a happy egg-tarian meal!

3. Undercooked Meat & Poultry:

Yes we know meat is vital need for any non vegetarian person. Expecting women, who love to gorge on meat, would need some restrictions during pregnancy. Research has proven that raw or uncooked meat must be avoided as they contain listeria bacteria. Refrigerated meat such as goat, lamb, beef, etc., must be heated up to 73 degree Celsius. Same is for poultry such as chicken, ham, turkey, duck, geese, etc.

Due to toxoplasma gondii parasite present in raw meat & poultry expecting mothers can experience food poisoning. These can cause vomiting, miscarriages and fetal damage.

Solution: If at all you need to consume meat, make sure it’s not uncooked or under-cooked.Wash meat and poultry items well before using, so as to remove the bacteria in them. Always prefer to eat meat or poultry at home rather than outside. Use of food thermometer while cooking is recommended.

4. Unpasteurized Dairy Products:

No doubt everyone has been telling you to have lots of milk pregnancy, and they are not wrong. Milk does provide you with calcium, proteins and minerals. However, if unpasteurized dairy products are ingested, you run the risk of contracting severe food poisoning. Therefore, avoid all sorts of dairy products that are not pasteurized.

Solution: If youlove milk and milk products you can easily enjoy a happy pregnancy time with simple quality checks. Always drink fresh and boiled milk. Dairy products such as ice cream, ghee, paneer (cottage cheese), etc should be bought off labels which use pasteurized milk.

Without pasteurized milk the food is not healthy for expectant mothers. The other, rather unconventional, option is to opt for non-dairy milks like rice milk, soy milk (only fermented and organic), oat milk and almond milk. These are safer, contain the same nutrients and are also custom made for the lactose intolerant.

5. Unpasteurized Soft Cheese:

Cheese…this word for sure is mouth watering. Pregnancy has its own set of diet rules.Unpasteurized soft cheese such as Brie, feta, camembert, queso fresco, etc., must be avoided as they may contain Listeria bacteria, causing listeriosis. Miscarriage, premature birth or birth defects are common results for having these cheeses.

Solution: Simple, eat hard cheeses instead. Cheddar or Swiss cheese are better options. Always use cheese made of pasteurized milk. Check labels for listeria free pasteurized milk cheese

6.Excessive Caffeine-Related Products:

Too much caffeine is never good for you, especially during pregnancy as it acts as a diuretic and is linked to low birth weight. Caffeine is more dangerous as it is often hidden in some product you never suspected. Besides coffee, tea and chocolate, caffeine is a part of energy drinks and some cold and flu medicines. Expectant mommies consuming more caffeine during this phase are at higher risk of stillbirths, fetal deaths or spontaneous abortions.

What to eat during pregnancy

1. Dairy Products

During pregnancy, you need to consume extra protein and calcium to meet the needs of the growing fetus.Dairy products contain two types of high quality protein: casein and whey. Dairy is the best dietary source of calcium, and provides high amounts of phosphorus, various B-vitamins, magnesium and zinc.

Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is particularly beneficial for pregnant women.

It contains more calcium than any other dairy product. Some varieties also contain probiotic bacteria, which support digestive health .People who are lactose intolerant may also be able to tolerate yogurt, especially probiotic yogurt .

2. Legumes

This group of food includes lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas, soybeans and peanuts.Folate is one of the B-vitamins (B9). It is very important for the health of the mother and fetus, especially during the first trimester.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are very rich in beta-carotene, a plant compound that is converted into vitamin A in the body.

Vitamin A is essential for growth, as well as for the differentiation of most cells and tissues. It is very important for healthy fetal development 

4. Salmon

Salmon is very rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Most people, including pregnant women, are not getting nearly enough omega-3 from their diet 

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential during pregnancy, especially the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.

These are found in high amounts in seafood, and help build the brain and eyes of the fetus 

5. Eggs

Eggs are the ultimate health food, because they contain a little bit of almost every nutrient you need.

A large egg contains 77 calories, as well as high-quality protein and fat. It also contains many vitamins and minerals.

6. Broccoli and Dark, Leafy Greens

Broccoli and dark, green vegetables, such as kale and spinach, contain many of the nutrients that pregnant women need.

Furthermore, broccoli and leafy greens are rich in antioxidants. They also contain plant compounds that benefit the immune system and digestion

7. Lean Meat

Beef, pork and chicken are excellent sources of high-quality protein.

Furthermore, beef and pork are also rich in iron, choline and other B-vitamins — all of which are needed in higher amounts during pregnancy.

Iron is an essential mineral that is used by red blood cells as a part of hemoglobin. It is important for delivering oxygen to all cells in the body.

Pregnant women need more iron, since their blood volume is increasing. This is particularly important during the third trimester 

Low levels of iron during early and mid-pregnancy may cause iron deficiency anemia, which doubles the risk of premature delivery and low birth weight 

It may be hard to cover iron needs with diet alone, especially since many pregnant women develop an aversion to meat 

However, for those who can, eating red meat regularly may help increase the amount of iron acquired from the diet.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

TENDER or SWOLLEN BREASTS

That tingly, sore and/or full feeling in your breasts that screams "look...but don't touch" is another of the first signs of pregnancy. The hormones estrogen and progesterone deserve most of the credit (or the blame) for breast and nipple tenderness. It's pain with a gain, though, since they're preparing your body for the milk-making to come.

DARKENING & BUMPY AREOLAS

Your areolas (the circles around your nipples) may get darker and increase in diameter, thanks to the pregnancy hormones surging through your body. Not only that, but you'll likely start to notice tiny bumps growing in size and number on your areolas. These bumps (called Montgomery's tubercles) were always there, but now they're gearing up to produce more oils that lubricate your nipples and areolas once baby starts suckling.

FATIGUE

Imagine running a daily marathon or climbing a mountain without training while carrying a backpack that weighs a little more every day. That's pregnancy in a nutshell. In other words, it's hard work! During early pregnancy, a huge amount of energy goes into building a placenta, the life-support system for your baby. All that can zap you of your usual get-up-and-go.

BLEEDING OR A MISSED PERIOD

For up to 30 percent of new moms, light spotting or implantation bleeding before you'd expect your period (around six to 12 days after conception) is sometimes a sign that an embryo has implanted itself into the uterine wall. On the flip side, it might be stating the obvious, but if you've missed a period (especially if your periods usually run like clockwork) you're probably suspecting pregnancy.

NAUSEA

That telltale queasy feeling in your stomach known as morning sickness can hit you at any time of day beginning just a few short weeks into your pregnancy. Hormones — mainly increased levels of progesterone, which cause the stomach to empty more slowly — are, again, largely to blame (though estrogen and hCG can also take some credit for your nausea). Nausea can strike a newly pregnant woman soon after conception, but it's more likely to begin around week 6.

FREQUENT URINATION

Two to three weeks after conception you may notice anincreased need to pee. This new gotta-go feeling usually crops up two to three weeks after conception and is due to the pregnancy hormone hCG, which increases blood flow to your kidneys, helping them to more efficiently rid your body (and, eventually, your baby's body) of waste. Your growing uterus is also beginning to put some pressure on your bladder, leaving less storage space for urine and making you head for the toilet more frequently.

BLOATING

Having trouble buttoning your jeans? Early pregnancy bloatingis hard to distinguish from pre-period bloat, but it's something many women feel soon after they conceive. You can't blame that puffy ate-too-much feeling on your baby yet, but you can blame it on the hormone progesterone, which helps slow down digestion, giving the nutrients from foods you eat more time to enter your bloodstream and reach your baby.

RAISED TEMPERATURE

If you've been using a special basal body thermometer to track your first morning temperature, you might notice that it rises around 1 degree when you conceive and stays elevated throughout your pregnancy. Though not a foolproof sign (there are other reasons your temp can rise), it could give you advance notice of the big news.

No matter what symptoms have cropped up for you, the only way to know for sure that you're pregnant is to make an appointment with your OB/GYN. Be sure to schedule the visit as early as you can so you can get the best care possible right from the start. And if it does turn out you're expecting a baby, congratulations! You're embarking on the journey of a lifetime.

Know when you are ovulating

1. Check the calendar: Keep a menstrual calendar for a few months so you can get an idea of what's normal for you — or use tools that can help you calculate ovulation. If your periods are irregular, you'll need to be even more alert for other signs of ovulation, so read on.

2. Listen to your body: If you're like 20 percent of women, your body will send you a memo when it's ovulating, in the form of a twinge of pain or a series of cramps in your lower abdominal area (usually localized to one side — the side you're ovulating from). Called mittelschmerz — German for "middle pain" — this monthly reminder of fertility is thought to be the result of the maturation or release of an egg from an ovary. Pay close attention, and you may be more likely to get the message.

3. Chart your temperature: That is, your basal body temperature, or BBT. Taken with a special thermometer (yes, you guessed it, a basal body thermometer), your BBT is the baseline reading you get first thing in the morning, after at least three to five hours of sleep and before you get out of bed, talk, or even sit up. Your BBT changes throughout your cycle as fluctuations in hormone levels occur. During the first half of your cycle, estrogen dominates. During the second half of your cycle (once ovulation has occurred), there is a surge in progesterone. Progesterone increases your body temperature as it gets your uterus ready for a fertilized, implantable egg. Which means that in the first half of the month, your temperature will be lower than it is in the second half of the month, after ovulation.

Confused? Here's the bottom line: Your BBT will reach its lowest point at ovulation and then rise immediately and dramatically (about a half a degree) as soon as ovulation occurs. Keep in mind that charting your BBT for one month will not enable you to predict the day you ovulate but rather give you evidence of ovulation after it has occurred. Charting your BBT over a few months, however, will help you to see a pattern to your cycles, enabling you to predict when ovulation will occur in future months — and when to hop into bed accordingly.

4. Get to know your cervix: Ovulation isn't an entirely hidden process. As your body senses the hormone shifts that indicate an egg is about to be released from the ovary, it begins to ready itself for the incoming hordes of sperm and give the egg its best chance of getting fertilized. One detectable sign of oncoming ovulation is the position of the cervix itself. During the beginning of a cycle, your cervix — that neck-like passage between your vagina and uterus that has to stretch during birth to accommodate your baby's head — is low, hard, and closed. But as ovulation approaches, it pulls back up, softens a bit, and opens just a little, to let the sperm through on their way to their target. Some women can easily feel these changes, while others have a tougher time. Check your cervix daily, using one or two fingers, and keep a chart of your observations. The other cervical sign you can watch for is the appearance, increase in quantity, and change in consistency of cervical mucus (the stuff that gets your underwear all sticky). Its more noble purpose is to carry the sperm to the ovum deep inside you.

After your period ends, you'll have a dry spell, literally; you shouldn't expect much, if any, cervical mucus. As the cycle proceeds, you'll notice an increase in the amount of mucus with an often white or cloudy appearance — and if you try to stretch it between your fingers, it'll break apart. As you get closer to ovulation, this mucus becomes even more copious, but now it's thinner, clearer, and has a slippery consistency similar to an egg white. If you try to stretch it between your fingers, you'll be able to pull it into a string a few inches long before it breaks. (How's that for fun in the bathroom?) This is yet another sign of impending ovulation — as well as a sign that it's time to get out of the bathroom and get busy in the bedroom. Once ovulation occurs, you may either become dry again or develop a thicker discharge. Put together with cervical position and BBT on a single chart, cervical mucus can be an extremely useful (if slightly messy) tool in pinpointing the day on which you are most likely to ovulate — and it does so in plenty of time for you to do something about it.

5. Buy an ovulation predictor kit: Don't want to mess around with mucus? You don't have to these days. Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are able to pinpoint your date of ovulation 12 to 24 hours in advance by looking at levels of luteinizing hormone, or LH, which is the last of the hormones to hit its peak before ovulation actually occurs. All you have to do is pee on a stick and wait for the indicator to tell you whether you're about to ovulate.

Another option is a saliva test, which takes a peek at levels of estrogen in your saliva as ovulation nears. When you're ovulating, a look at your saliva under the test's eyepiece will reveal a microscopic pattern that resembles the leaves of a fern plant or frost on a windowpane. Not all women get a good "fern," but this test, which is reusable, can be cheaper than those sticks you have to pee on. There are also devices that detect the numerous salts (chloride, sodium, potassium) in a woman's sweat, which change during different times of the month. Called the chloride ion surge, this shift happens even before the estrogen and the LH surge, so these tests give a woman a four-day warning of when she may be ovulating, versus the 12-to-24-hour one that the standard pee-on-a-stick OPKs provide.

The key to success in using this latest technology is to make sure to get an accurate baseline of your ion levels (currently, there's a device on the market that needs to be worn on the wrist for at least six continuous hours to get a proper baseline). No OPK can guarantee that you will get pregnant or that you're actually ovulating; they can only indicate when ovulation may be occurring. So no matter which device or method you choose, patience and persistence are key! Just don't forget to put together a candlelit dinner, draw a warm bubble bath, or plan a romantic weekend getaway — whatever it is that puts you and your partner in a baby-making mood.

Pros and Cons of C-section and Natural Birth

Cons of vaginal birth for the mother

During a vaginal delivery, there is a risk that the skin and tissues around the vagina can stretch and tear while the fetus moves through the birth canal. If stretching and tearing is severe, a woman may need stitches or this could cause weakness or injury to pelvic muscles that control her urine and bowel function.

Some studies have found that women who have delivered vaginally are more likely to have problems with bowel or urinary incontinence than women who have had C-sections. They may also be more prone to leak urine when they cough, sneeze or laugh. 

After a vaginal delivery, a woman may also experience lingering pain in the perineum, the area between her vagina and anus.  

Pros and cons of vaginal birth for the baby

One advantage for the baby of a vaginal delivery is that a mother will have more early contact with her baby than a woman who has undergone surgery, and she can initiate breastfeeding sooner.
During a vaginal delivery, muscles involved in the process are more likely to squeeze out fluid found in a newborn's lungs which is a benefit because it makes babies less likely to suffer breathing problems at birth. Babies born vaginally also receive an early dose of good bacteria as they travel through their mother's birth canal, which may boost their immune systems and protect their intestinal tracts. 

If a woman has had a long labor or if the baby is large and delivered vaginally, the baby may get injured during the birth process itself, such as having a bruised scalp or a fractured collarbone.

Pros of C-section for the mother

There are not a lot of advantages to having a C-section if a woman is eligible to have a vaginal delivery, Bryant said. 

However, if a pregnant woman knows that she will need a C-section, a surgical birth can be scheduled in advance, making it more convenient and predictable than a vaginal birth and going through a long labor. 

Cons of C-section for the mother

A woman who has had a C-section typically stays in the hospital longer, two to four days on average, compared with a woman who has a vaginal delivery. Having a C-section also increases a woman's risk for more physical complaints following delivery, such as pain at the site of the incision and longer-lasting soreness.

Because a woman is undergoing surgery, a C-section involves an increased risk of blood loss and a greater risk of infection, Bryant said. The bowel or bladder can be injured during the operation or a blood clot may form, she said.  

A review study found that women who have had a C-section are less likely to begin early breastfeeding than women who had a vaginal birth.

The recovery period after delivering is also longer because a woman may have more pain and discomfort in her abdomen as the skin and nerves surrounding her surgical scar need time to heal, often at least two months.   

Women are three times more likely to die during Caesarean delivery than a vaginal birth, due mostly to blood clots, infections and complications from anesthesia, according to a French study. 

Once a woman has had her first C-section, she is more likely to have a C-section in her future deliveries, Bryant said. She may also be at greater risk of future pregnancy complications, such as uterine rupture, which is when the C-section scar in her uterus ruptures, and placenta abnormalities. The risk for placenta problems continues to increase with every C-section a woman has.  

Pros and cons of C-section for the baby

Babies born by Caesarean section may be more likely to have breathing problems at birth and even during childhood, such as asthma. They may also be at greater risk for stillbirth. 

During a C-section, there is a small risk that a baby can get nicked during the surgery, Some studies have also suggested a link between babies delivered by C-section and a greater risk of becoming obese as children and even as adults for reasons that remain unclear. One possibility is that women who are obese or have pregnancy-related diabetes may be more likely to have a C-section.

Normal vs Cesarean Delivery

Babies can enter this world in one of two ways: Pregnant women can have either a vaginal birth or a surgical delivery by Caesarean section, but the ultimate goal is to safely give birth to a healthy baby.  (learn about pros and cons)

In some cases, C-sections are planned because of medical reasons that make a vaginal birth risky. A woman may know in advance that she will need a C-section and schedule it because she is expecting twins or other multiples, or because the mother may have a medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, an infection that complicates pregnancy, such as HIV or herpes, or she may be experiencing problems with the placenta during her pregnancy.

A C-section may also be necessary in certain situations, such as delivering a very large baby in a mother with a small pelvis, or if the baby is not in a heads-down position and efforts to turn the baby before a woman gives birth have been unsuccessful. 

Sometimes the decision by an obstetrician to perform a C-section is unplanned, and it is done for emergency reasons because the health of the mother, the baby, or both of them is in jeopardy. This may occur because of a problem during pregnancy or after a woman has gone into labor, such as if labor is happening too slowly or if the baby is not getting enough oxygen.

Some C-sections are considered elective, meaning they are requested by the mother for non-medical reasons before she goes into labor. A woman may choose to have a C-section if she wants to plan when she delivers or if she previously had a complicated vaginal delivery. 

Although C-sections are generally considered safe and, in some situations life saving, they carry additional risks compared with a vaginal birth. They are a major surgery and involve opening up a pregnant woman's abdomen and removing the baby from her uterus because a vaginal birth is considered too dangerous or difficult.  

C-sections in first-time mothers often lead to repeat C-sections in future pregnancies, a vaginal birth is generally the preferred method of delivery. It's the way two in three babies in the United States are born. 

Regardless of how they decide to give birth, "women should be as informed as possible about their childbirth options, so they can have a voice in the process, advocate for what they want and make the most informed choice," Bryant said. 

Why Prenatal vitamins are so important

Folic Acid, Iron, and Calcium

Folic acid helps prevent neural tube birth defects, which affect the brainand spinal cord.

Neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception, before many women know they are pregnant. Because about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, it's recommended that any woman who could get pregnant take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily, starting before conception and continuing for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

A woman who has already had a baby with a neural tube defect should talk to her health care provider about whether she might need to take a different dose of folic acid. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose (up to 4,000 micrograms) at least one month before and during the first trimester may be beneficial for those women, but check with your doctor first.

Foods containing folic acid include green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, citrus fruits, and many fortified foods. Even so, it's a good idea to take a supplement with the right amount of folic acid as a backup.

Calcium is also important for a pregnant woman. It can help prevent her from losing her own bone density as the baby uses calcium for its own bone growth.

Iodine is critical for a woman’s healthy thyroid function during pregnancy. A deficiency in iodine can cause stunted physical growth, severe mental disability, and deafness. Not enough iodine can lead to miscarriage and stillbirth.

Iron helps blood -- in both the mother and baby -- carry oxygen.

Post Pregnancy Tips

 Seek Help:

The first thing you need to do to feel and look beautiful is take help. Seek your husband, family, or friend’s help so you can make time for ‘you’!

Work Out:

Talk to your doctor about starting a workout routine. Don’t rush into it. Wait for your doctor’s green signal before starting an exercise regimen. A good fitness routine will not just help you lose all that pregnancy weight but will also make you feel better.

Drink Water:

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. This will help you support the liver and also in monitoring and stabilising your hormone

Watch What You Eat And Drink:

You need to eat well after childbirth to not just look beautiful but also to help with breastfeeding. You also need to make sure that you are drinking enough water.This is one of the many ways on how to look beautiful after delivery.

Dress Well:

It is time to say goodbye to maternity clothes and yoga pants. Dressing up doesn’t mean you have to buy a whole new wardrobe. It just means wearing a clean dress that fits well!

Be Happy:

Being happy and keeping away from all the negativity around you is equally important because being happy shows how you feel from the inside and you can live a tension-free life.

Pamper Yourself:

Now that your friends and family are willing to help you out, take out a few hours and head to the salon. Get a trendy haircut, a facial, a pedicure, and a manicure – that should be enough to keep you going for a few months!

Now these were some basic steps you can take to be your ravishing self. But there are some other tips you need to follow to get a ‘new mom’ makeover!

What to pack in hospital bag in pregnancy

• A picture ID (driver's license or other ID), your insurance card, and any hospital paperwork you need
• Your birth plan, if you have one
• Eyeglasses, if you wear them. Even if you usually wear contact lenses, you may not want to deal with them while you're in the hospital.
• A bathrobe, a nightgown or two, slippers, and socks. Hospitals provide gowns and socks for you to use during labor and afterward, but some women prefer to wear their own. Choose a loose, comfortable gown that you don't mind getting dirty. It should be either sleeveless or have short, loose sleeves so your blood pressure can be checked easily. Slippers and a robe may come in handy if you want to walk the halls during labor.
• Whatever will help you relax. Here are some possibilities: your own pillow (use a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital pillows), music and something to play it on, a picture of someone or something you love, anything else you find reassuring. If you're going to be induced, think about bringing something to read or watch because it may be a while before labor is underway....Post Pregnancy Tips

Do's and Don'ts in Pregnancy

1. Do Take a Multivitamin

Having a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals is the best way to provide your body with all of the healthy nutrients it needs to support a growing baby. A healthy diet alone, however, may not be enough for pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of certain nutrients that expectant mothers require at higher doses, such as folic acid, calcium, and iron. These vitamins assist with proper development of the fetus and help to prevent birth defects. Your doctor can help you find a multivitamin or a series of vitamins that are best for you. It will usually include DHA and/or EPA, which are omega-3 fats that are important for your baby’s proper brain development.
Know about what to pack in hospital bag

2. Don’t Smoke

Babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have a lower birth weight and are at a greater risk for learning disabilities than children born to non-smoking mothers. Additionally, children born to women who smoke are more likely to try smoking at an earlier age and become regular smokers earlier, due to physiologic nicotine addiction.

3. Do Get Lots of Sleep

Changing hormone levels, anticipation, and anxiety can make sleep elusive during your nine months of pregnancy. Pregnancy is demanding, especially in the final trimester, and you will need your sleep. Take a quick snooze if you feel tired and schedule naps whenever you can. Set bedtimes and stick to them. Aim for seven to nine hours of shuteye each night. Fatigue is a sign that your body needs more rest, so give yourself all the Zzz’s you can.

4. Don’t Drink Alcohol

Alcohol may greatly impact your baby’s development. Women who drink alcohol while pregnant could deliver a baby with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Symptoms of FAS include low birth weight, learning disabilities, behavior problems, and lagging patterns in terms of growth and development milestones. If you need help to quit drinking while you’re pregnant, talk with your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you get help, the healthier your baby is likely to be. 

5. Do Work Out

Gone are the days of pregnant women avoiding lifting a finger during their pregnancies. We now know that exercise is good for mama and baby! In fact, regular exercise may help you combat many of the issues that arise during pregnancy, including insomnia, muscle pain, excessive weight gain, and mood problems.

If you were a regular exerciser before you became pregnant, keep it up. Talk with your doctor about any adjustments you should make to your routine, especially as you move into your second and third trimesters. If you did not exercise regularly before you found out you were expecting, ask your doctor about incorporating a fitness routine into your day. They can guide you into a program that is safe and comfortable for you and your growing baby.

How to Safely Exercise in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

6. Don’t Eat Raw Meat

Raw and undercooked meat and eggs carry the risk of food-borne illness, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. Food poisoning is also a possibility. These conditions can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses that could lead to severe birth defects and even miscarriage. Make sure all eggs and meat that you eat while pregnant are well-cooked.

7. Do Eat Seafood

Seafood is loaded with vitamins and minerals, such as heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and iron, which are important for both mom and baby. Unfortunately, undercooked or raw seafood can also cause some problems. Seafood may carry harmful bacteria and viruses, which are eliminated when thoroughly cooked. Also, pregnant women should avoid raw fish and fish that may contain high levels of mercury, such as shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel. Eat a variety of seafood so you don’t have a concentration of minerals from one type of fish, and eat no more than 12 ounces of fish per week. 

8. Don’t Eat Deli Meat

Deli meats, including hot dogs, sausages, smoked salmon, and other cured meats, can cause food-borne illness, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmoisis. Thoroughly cooking these processed proteins well reduces your risk. It’s also important to eat pasteurized (not raw) milk and cheese, and always wash produce to help eliminate harmful bacteria.

9. Do Have Sex

Sex during pregnancy is fine, as long as you don’t have a complicating factor such asplacenta previa or another type of high-risk pregnancy. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about the safety of intercourse during your pregnancy.

10. Don’t Eat Unpasteurized Milk Products

Calcium is very important for growing babies, but moms have to be careful how they get their calcium from dairy. Raw milk is not recommended for expecting mothers. Raw milk is unpasteurized. That means it has not been heated to kill bacteria that could make you ill. Specifically, raw milk may contain Listeria. This bacterial illness can lead to illness, miscarriage, or even life-threatening consequences.

11. Do Practice Yoga

You should avoid Bikram or hot yoga, but other yoga modalities are fine when you’re expecting. Seek out prenatal or gentle yoga classes that are designed for mothers-to-be. Instructors in these classes will know which poses are best and which you should avoid. If you were not doing yoga before you became pregnant, talk with your doctor before signing up for a class. While it’s possible you can start, it’s best to go over the risks and concerns with your doctor.

12. Don’t Sit in a Hot Tub or Sauna

Though relaxing, the high-heat environment of hot tubs, jacuzzis, and saunas may be too dangerous for expecting mothers. In fact, research suggests that using one of these during your first trimester may double your risk of miscarriage.

13. Do Get a Flu Shot

Pregnant women can and should get a flu vaccine as long as you don’t have a contraindication as noted by the manufacturer. If you were to contract influenza during your pregnancy, the risk of severe side effects is greater than in women of the same age who are not pregnant. The vaccine will protect you as well as your developing fetus. 

14. Don’t Drink a Lot of Caffeine

Caffeine can travel through the placenta and increase your baby’s heart rate. Currentresearch suggests that women can safely consume a cup or two of coffee each day, but forego downing a triple shot latte while you’ve got a bun in the oven.

15. Do Gain Weight Smartly

The “eat for two” advice to expecting mothers isn’t a license to eat whatever you’d like. Instead, women need to be strategic about what they eat and how much. Gaining a lot of weight during pregnancy may do more harm to your baby than good. During your first trimester, you only need about 100 extra calories a day to support your growing fetus. By your third trimester, that additional calorie number is closer to 300 per day.

16. Don’t Clean the Cat’s Litter Box

Pet your furry friend all you like, though wash your hands afterwards — but don’t clean a cat’s litter box. Feline waste is filled with millions of parasites. One in particular, Toxoplasma gondii, is particularly dangerous to expecting mothers. If you are infected, you may never know it until you begin having complications with your pregnancy. A miscarriage or stillbirth is possible. Babies who are infected with this parasite may face serious health problems, including seizures and mental disabilities.

17. Do Visit Your Dentist

Trips to the dentist’s office were avoided for decades for fear that an oral cleaning might cause bacteria to spread and lead to an infection. Now we know that’s just not the case. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that expectant mothers have a routine oral health assessment while pregnant, along with regular dental cleanings.