Becoming a mother is the most incredible feeling in this world. It’s a miraculous nine-month journey. It is necessary for pregnant women to stay healthy and exercise caution during this period. From diet to exercise, the soon-to-be mother and her family should be careful about a few things, to avoid any complications and ensure a healthy baby. Read on for a list of common mistakes that pregnant women make, which should be avoided:

Saying No to Exercise

A woman may or may not have been following an exercise regimen before pregnancy. Irrespective of that, it has to be kept in mind that the delivery of a child is a rigorous process. The mother must prepare herself physically to ensure a natural birth for her baby. A gynaecologist is eligible to advise her about any exercise regime that she ought to follow as part of that physical preparation. Mundane household activities cannot be a substitute for exercising. Simple regimes like yoga, walking, and swimming can be a great health booster. Exercises during pregnancy help the woman relieve stress hormones and boost blood circulation as well. Hence, as a necessary precaution, she must begin exercising from the initial days of pregnancy on her own or hit the gym.

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An overdose of nutrient supplements

Prenatal vitamins are indispensable; however, extra-vitamins or excessive herbal supplements can be detrimental to the health of the pregnant woman. Whole-foods are the biggest source of nutrients, and cannot be replaced by these short-term supplements beyond a point. The right amount of nutrients is required to assimilate the major micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. If there are complaints of food aversions or morning sickness, a doctor must be consulted immediately.

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Discontinuing existing medicines

There is a high probability that a pregnant woman is suffering from pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, blood pressure, seizures, etc. In such cases, regular medicines are always prescribed. Pregnancy doesn’t imply that these medicines have to be discontinued. In fact, rather than stopping medication at her discretion, the woman should take a doctor’s advice. At times, the doctor would probably advise you to increase a few medicines or even give you safer doses of the same medicine which would not harm the baby.

Consuming too much junk food

Cravings at the time of pregnancy are heightened exponentially for pregnant women. However, succumbing to those cravings is a strict no-no. The composition of junk food can tinker with the sodium, calcium and iron levels of not just the pregnant woman, but the baby as well. Sweets are recommended for intake after the second trimester, albeit in regulated amounts. In fact, during pregnancy, the intake green, leafy vegetables must be increased, to ensure better health for the mother.

Missing out on antenatal care

The daily schedule of many women is hectic, as they are either employed or busy with household chores. Nevertheless, skipping a visit he antenatal care clinic is a mistake that should be avoided. Any discrepancies in pregnancy scans and blood tests must be scrutinized. Moreover, ante-natal classes can provide lessons in good child-care, which shall be useful post-delivery.

Smoking and drinking alcohol

Intoxication is severely undesirable during the period of pregnancy. Smoking and consuming alcohol are the biggest mistakes committed by pregnant women. The body of a pregnant woman is more vulnerable and susceptible to absorption of cancerous chemicals and other toxins if she lights a cigarette. It can get even worse because smoking increases the chances of premature birth and other complications with the child, such as bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. The health risks far outweigh the brief satisfaction of ‘getting your fix’. So at all costs, smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.

Feeling stressed

An issue that often props for pregnant women is stress and depression . The weight gain which occurs during pregnancy is a contributing factor to those. It is important to remember that weight gain during pregnancy is normal, and is nothing to worry about. It automatically gets reduced after pregnancy, and regular exercise keeps the pregnant woman in shape. Pregnant women also undergo frequent mood swings. It is necessary to stay calm, keep one’s emotions in check, and avoid stress at all costs.

Avoid the aforementioned mistakes to have a safe and comfortable pregnancy, and a successful and hassle-free delivery!