Women who are of child bearing age should begin taking a multivitamin regularly. This ensures that she is getting enough nutrients, especially folic acid. Folic acid can be found in multivitamins as well as in food. This is important because it can decrease the risk of neural tube, which later develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord, defect such as spina bifida. Studies have shown that healthy women who start taking a multivitamin regularly before pregnancy also reduce the risk of preeclampsia, or toxemia. Toxemia is where the mother’s blood pressure shoots up to dangerous levels and could prove lethal to mother and baby.
The food we eat may not contain the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals our bodies need. A multivitamin will add those important nutrients to our diet. Taking a multivitamin before and through the first trimester of pregnancy will provide the mother and baby with proper nutrition and lessen the risk of malnutrition. Taking a multivitamin does not mean that you can eat a diet that is lacking the nutrients your body needs.
Multivitamins are meant to supplement, and not the sole source of these nutrients. Although women need to eat plenty of healthy foods before and during pregnancy, once she is pregnant there are certain foods a woman should stay away from. Women should avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses, unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider, foods containing raw eggs, raw or undercooked meats, fish containing high levels of mercury, and processed meats.
In addition to regularly taking a multivitamin, women should begin a weekly exercise routine. If your doctor says it is safe to do a low-impact exercise during pregnancy, it has been shown to be extremely beneficial. Exercise during pregnancy can prevent excess weight gain; reduce back pain, swelling and other pregnancy related problems; improve sleep; increase energy; and lessen recovery time. If you have an active lifestyle before pregnancy it is okay to continue, but with moderation. Most exercises are safe as long as you don’t overdo it. Safe exercises include swimming, walking, elliptical machines, and other low-impact exercises.
Even though you should drink more fluids while pregnant, women should stay away from caffeine and especially alcohol. Water is the best way to get enough fluids. Drinking more water is important. It helps flush out toxins in the body. It is recommended that women should drink at least one gallon of water a day. Water helps your body prepare for all the changes it is going through and alleviate and discomfort you may have. Studies have shown that if you drink more water, you will retain less water because you are properly hydrated. Drinking enough water helps protect the baby by keeping the amniotic sack wet. Adding to the list of benefits from drinking water is preventing premature birth and lessening morning sickness.
It is important for women to take care of their bodies before, during, and after they become pregnant.
Taking a multivitamin regularly before becoming pregnant will lessen their chances of delivering the baby prematurely. It will also lower the chances of malnutrition. Pregnancy is one of those times when the body needs water. It carries nutrients from you to the baby. Make sure you take the multivitamins, exercise and drink enough water for a happy and healthy baby.
