How to Stay Healthy During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be one of the most joyful times in a woman's life. However, with pregnancy comes an almost endless number of questions. Some of the most common questions relate to adopting healthy habits that will keep the mother and the baby in perfect health. Although most of these issues are ones that women face even before they become pregnant, it can be very difficult to understand how they should be handled after conception.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Eat for two, but don't eat twice as much. With regards to caloric intake, pregnant women only need approximately 300 to 500 additional calories per day. Instead of concentrating on the amount of food eaten, pregnant women should focus on foods high in vitamins and nutrients.

2. Drink more water. We all know that water is important, and that is even more true for pregnant women. The recommended intake of fluids is around 80 ounces per day. This includes your intake of water, but can also include fruit juice and other fluids as well.

3. Limit caffeine intake. Although there is no direct negative links between caffeine and pregnancy, it is still best to limit your caffeine intake. Remember that caffeine is not only found in coffee, but also in tea, chocolate and several other foods.

4. Exercise to improve your health and the health of the baby. Exercising for 30 minutes, five days per week, is not only acceptable but recommended for pregnant women. Not only does it keep the mom physically fit, but it can help labor go smoother. To stay safe, stick to low impact activities such as walking, cycling and swimming.

5. Minimize exposure to chemicals in the environment. This can be done by avoiding pesticides, eating organic food, drinking filtered water, avoiding paint fumes and household cleaners as well as staying away from pet's litter boxes.

6. Practice relaxing. Any woman who has been pregnant will tell you that when she is stressed, pregnancy symptoms are worse. In addition, some studies have shown that babies born to women with high stress jobs tended to be more fussy. Take time every day to simply relax by breathing deeply, reading or listening to calming music.