Pregnant women have to be very careful of her body. During pregnancy, it is not only yourself you are taking care of. Remember, you are also taking care of the growing baby inside you. Because of this, you need to be very conscious on what you are doing and what you are not doing.

If you have just found out that you are pregnant, here are some things you should keep in mind to keep yourself safe and your baby healthy.

1. Drink at least two liters of water everyday to keep yourself hydrated and help minimize water retention. Sufficient amount of water intake can also help the kidney in coping with the extra strain caused by pregnancy.

2. As with other people, you have to eat well. It is now more than anytime else that you need to maintain a balanced diet. Eat small, frequent meals to help you defeat sickness associated with pregnancy. Avoid foods that are not good for your health, including salty chips, soda, coffee, and alcohol.

3. Get as much sleep as you can especially during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy. During pregnancy, your metabolic rate increases, causing you to feel more tired. It is, therefore, okay to get more sleep than you used to.

4. Go on with your physical activities. You can continue you exercise routine that you are used to. As your pregnancy goes to the later stage, minimize the intensity of your exercise. Also, avoid activities that involve body contact or impact especially on the abdominal area.

5. Go to a doctor and have a regular check-up. When you suspect that you are pregnant or even if you are already sure that you are pregnant, go and visit a doctor. He can tell you what you should do and what you shouldn’t. He will also prescribe vitamins and supplements that you need to take in to ensure your health and your baby’s. Maintain a regular schedule for visits to your doctor to monitor the condition and health of your baby and to be able to act promptly in case something goes wrong.

6. Wear a good-fitting bra. Your breast tissue might expand during pregnancy and will become larger. Your normal everyday bra might suddenly feel tight and uncomfortable. Do not insist on wearing them. Instead, buy new bras to adapt to the expansion of your breast tissue.

7. Take supplements recommended by your doctor. Typically, pregnant women will need to take in higher amounts of folic acid in the first stage of the pregnancy to help prevent birth defects. Other vitamins and minerals you need to get ample amount of include iron, calcium, and vitamin C. Remember that you are sharing the nutrients to your growing baby so make sure that you have enough in your body.

8. Lastly, talk about your feelings. It is not only your physical health that matters; you must maintain your emotional health, too. Talking to the people close to you and to health professionals can help you cope with the sudden ups and downs in your emotions due to the surge of hormones during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be an exciting and challenging time to new mothers. Make sure that you are equipped with the right knowledge in order to get ready for the next chapter of your life.