Ideally, prenatal care should start before you get pregnant. If you're planning a pregnancy, see your health care provider or a doctor to checkup. They can do regular testing to make sure you're in good health and that you don't have any illnesses or other conditions that could affect your pregnancy.

It's important for women who are planning to become pregnant to take vitamins with folic acid beforehand, because problems with the normal development of the spine and nervous system happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she's pregnant. During pregnancy taking care of mother is especially critical. But staying healthy during pregnancy is more important to keep you and your baby safe and healthy. Try to maintain a well-balanced diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads. "Pregnant women do need additional calcium, so extra milk, or fortified orange juice, broccoli, sardines, or other calcium-rich foods should be added to the diet. Drink plenty of water, fruit juice during pregnancy.

A woman's blood volume increases significantly during pregnancy, and drinking enough water each day can help prevent general problems such as dehydration and constipation. Women who become pregnant are encouraged to take prenatal vitamins that include folic acid. Because neural tube structures form very early in pregnancy, women should start taking a folic acid supplement even before conception to encourage proper development. Taking folic acid frequently throughout the first 3 months of pregnancy will decrease the risk of neural tube defects.

The recommended amount of folic acid is 0.4 to 0.8 milligrams per day is very important. Although the Food and Drug Administration recently required the addition of folic acid to breads and cereals, folic acid supplements are still advised to make sure women get the recommended quantity. Most multivitamins contain folic acid, but not all multivitamins have enough folic acid to meet the nutritional needs of a pregnant woman. Exercise during pregnancy has been shown to be extremely helpful. "Low-impact, moderate intensity exercise activities are best.” Walking and swimming are probably the two best exercises during pregnancy." Yoga is another low-impact option.

Women should limit high-impact aerobics and stay away from sports and activities that pose a risk of falling. Take frequent breaks while exercising, and keep in mind to drink plenty of fluids. If she gets short of breath uncomfortable, slow down or stop doing exercise. If there are any questions about doing a certain sport or activity during your pregnancy, talk to the doctor for specific guidelines. The exercises also help women get well from childbirth. The best way to learn how to contract and release the muscles is to practice stopping and starting the flow of urine. Once you have identified the muscles, you can squeeze and release them while you are sitting in a chair.

Rest as much as you can during pregnancy is good. Your body is working hard to accommodate a new life, so you will experience tired much more quickly. As your stomach swells, it will be harder to find comfortable positions, but you should sleep and rest on your left side as much as possible. "Sleeping on the left side displaces the uterus so it does not compress the blood vessels.” This optimizes blood flow to the placenta and, so, the baby. It also helps prevent swelling in the mother's legs." To make a more comfortable resting position, prop pillows between your legs, behind your back, and underneath your stomach.

Doctors normally recommend that women add about 300 calories to their daily intake to provide nourishment for the developing fetus. Although protein should supply most of these calories, your diet wants to be well balanced, including fresh fruits, grains, and vegetables. Your health care provider will likely prescribe a prenatal vitamin to make sure you get enough iron, and calcium. Over-the-counter pills are usually considered off-limits because of their potential effects on the fetus. Most doctors will recommend that don't take any over-the-counter medications at all, but they might offer a list of those they think are safe to take. Be sure to ask about any questions bout medications, including natural remedies, supplements, and vitamins, with your health care provider.

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