5 Things You Should Do During The Prenatal Period

Yes, your baby matters more than anything else. But so do you.

We understand that the growing baby inside your tummy is possibly the only thing on your mind when you are pregnant. ‘Is everything taken care of for my baby’s arrival?’, ‘Have we prepared enough diapers?’ or ‘Will I know if my baby is not getting enough milk?’ – an endless number of questions popping into your head every minute, and almost all of them will revolve around your baby to some extent.

However, there is one more person that you are missing out on your priority list, which is as significant as your growing baby, and that is yourself. Sure, it is good to prepare for the baby’s birth. Still, you need to remember that you are currently their ‘house’, and after you deliver, you will be the one who takes care of and breastfeed them.

Therefore, when you are pregnant, it is more important than ever to ensure your physical being and emotions are in a good state. We do not mean that you will have to keep yourself tucked under the blanket at all times, but taking care of yourself during pregnancy can be as easy as that. On that note, here are five easy steps to take care of yourself for a healthy pregnancy.

Have Regular Check-ups

As soon as you know you are pregnant, visit a doctor or midwife. Let the professionals monitor your health along with your baby’s.

Your pregnancy may be smooth all the way, or it may require some extra care if your medical history necessitates it. According to your current health and physical condition, the doctor may advise on specific measures and precautions for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Once you have reached 40 weeks of pregnancy, you will be required to go on regular appointments with the doctor to ensure everything is going well and no potential risks.

Take your partner with you and let him be involved throughout your pregnancy. This can help your spouse be a part of this meaningful journey and adapt to his new role.

If you are uncertain of anything related to your pregnancy, consult your gynae and follow the professional advice from the gynae.

Take Supplements

Supplements are necessary for the baby’s healthy development. Supplements are not required for all mothers, but those who do require them will benefit from them in a variety of ways.

If your blood test shows that you lack specific vitamins or minerals, your doctor may prescribe supplements to ensure you are getting enough nutrition. In some circumstances, the mother is at risk of malnutrition, therefore, boosting her with calories and protein can help her pregnancy greatly.

Folic acid, for example, is essential for a pregnant woman because it reduces a variety of health concerns for the infant. Having said that, they are called supplements for a reason. Most pregnant women do not require it, but if your doctor recommends it, listen and follow their advice.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating healthy, balanced and nutritious food is important for moms during pregnancy. To start, it’s best to eat whole food instead of processed food. Choosing the right food to eat can help to provide sufficient nutrients to you and your baby.

Meanwhile, it’s normal for you to have strong or even odd food cravings during pregnancy. Your pregnant cravings may cause you to salivate over foods you normally avoid, but you must still be aware of what you consume. Pregnancy food cravings are often caused by the rapidly changing hormones in your body during pregnancy.

Avoid eating unhealthy or junk food, especially anything that irritates your stomach or creates allergic responses. Your body requires a well-balanced diet to support your baby’s growth and health. Try always to keep healthy pregnancy foods within reach, so you can make better snack choices when the cravings hit. Some healthy pregnancy snacks include apples with crackers, yoghurt with nuts and fruits, and trial mix.

Remember that whatever you eat is what the baby eats. Therefore, vegetables, fruits, and foods high in protein, calcium, and carbs should be consumed in the amounts recommended by your doctor. You should also be concerned about the hygiene of the food you consume.

There are also additional important things to remember about the food you eat during this period. Before consuming fruits and vegetables, always properly wash them. To avoid salmonella illness, make sure your meal is thoroughly cooked. Clean any surfaces for cutting fruits and vegetables, and avoid mixing chopping boards for raw meats and other prepared items to prevent bacteria transfer.

Meanwhile, you should avoid alcohol, drugs and cigarettes during pregnancy. In particular, heavy use of alcohol will affect a fetus’s brain development.

You might have heard of prenatal vitamins like folic acid and choline. These supplements are essential supplements that might be needed during your pregnancy. Getting sufficient nutrients by taking supplements helps to nourish both the mom and the baby.

One thing that you must take note of – remember to consult your gynae before taking any supplements!

Exercise

Regular exercise is always good for health, and that includes during your pregnancy! Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, you should aim to be more active during this period, regardless of how heavy your legs feel.

Light jogging, swimming, and walking are all beneficial to your physical and mental health. Walking is one of the best exercises for pregnant moms. It helps to reduce complications during pregnancy and delivery. Swimming is also good for moms as the water can support your weight and reduce the risk of injury or muscle strain.

Exercise will keep your body in good shape throughout this time and make it easier for you to lose any excess weight after giving delivery.

You might begin by performing pelvic exercises. After giving birth, these activities can help your back passage, uterus, and bladder.

Furthermore, prenatal yoga is also quite popular among expecting moms recently. It helps to reduce a mom’s stress and anxiety. At the same time, practising prenatal yoga regularly can help increase the strength and flexibility needed for childbirth. Just make sure you wear a safe and comfortable pair of shoes during these activities.

Get Enough Rest & Sleep

Moms, you need rest and sleep for your body and mind to process and adapt to all the changes it is going through. Growing a human is hard work, so it is common if you feel more tired than usual.

Usually, you will tend to sleep much more compared to pre-pregnancy in the first and second trimesters. When you reach the third trimester, you might struggle to get a comfortable position to sleep due to weight gain and body aches.

Adequate sleep and relaxation are required during pregnancy. You can get a prenatal massage if you have body aches and difficulties sleeping. You might ask, “Can I get a massage during pregnancy? “Is it safe to get a massage during pregnancy?” The answer is yes, provided you engage with a professional prenatal massage service.

Prenatal massage differs from usual massage in which the therapist will focus on different spots, and the pressure applied will also be different. Prenatal massage is able to reduce water retention and ease body aches due to the weight of your growing baby. Usually, moms are able to sleep better during the night after a prenatal massage!

Prepare For The Arrival of Baby

This might sound early if you are still in the first or second trimester. But trust us, preparation for the arrival of a baby is not easy. Baby clothing, diapers, feeding and nursing accessories, steriliser, swaddle, baby carriers, stroller and more! The list goes on and on.

You can start listing out necessary things and slowly start purchasing. MumChecked provides a wide variety of products for mothers and trusted baby products from zero to three years old.

You can check out the genuine reviews from mums before purchasing. It is even better to do the preparation together with your partner. This can help to comfort the mother that she is not alone when going through the pregnancy. So to all the daddies-to-be reading this – show your support and love!

Get a Prenatal Massage

A prenatal massage carries an array of benefits that will aid in a healthy pregnancy, especially if you get it from a skilled prenatal massage therapist in Singapore. The massage therapist will be able to expertly adjust your body to help both you and the baby feel relaxed.

Of course, they will avoid any sensitive areas not to induce labour or make you feel uncomfortable. They will massage away the nagging aches and pains that your body may be experiencing at the time.

Why Most Traditional Prenatal Practices Are Still Relevant

Proven Results

Old is gold. We’ve heard that line before. There are good reasons why mummies in the 1930-the 40s could juggle between pregnancy and hard labour in the sea or paddy fields. Most of these traditional practices are known to provide proven results.

Our predecessors might need more technological advancements today, but their comprehensive knowledge of the human body and herbs remains an important foundation for many modern practices.

For example, traditional Jamu prenatal massage is one of many Javanese prenatal practices from which many prospective mothers have benefited.

If you are new to this term or tradition, jamu is commonly associated with certain massaging techniques, care products, and treatments or remedies for expecting and new mothers.

During a traditional Javanese postnatal massage session, certain elements are incorporated during the massage.

These tools mainly consist of oils, creams, and ointments that will be applied to parts of your body after the massage. Some of the most commonly used jamu products are tapel, pilis, ginger lotion, and grapeseed oil.

These jamu products are great for you because they keep your body warm and promote your skin’s rejuvenation.

The pilis, generally known as the herbal mixture applied to the forehead, is good for dispelling wind from your body. The same can be said about the tapel (herbal mixture applied on the tummy) too. It’s all quite invigorating, as far as therapies go.

Free From Harsh Chemicals

The upside to traditional prenatal practice is that it often uses natural herbs and ingredients free from harsh chemicals and, thus, more friendly on the skin.

This is great because not only would you be able to prevent or avoid chemically-induced side effects, but you will also be able to maintain good health for both you and your baby.

For example, having a balanced traditional diet and consuming nutritious whole foods in these dishes is one of the great ways to stay nourished and healthy during pregnancy.

However, avoiding medicines and supplements altogether is not exactly encouraged either because some medicines are already formulated to suit your needs and do not contain harsh chemicals or excessive substances that could harm you.

The key here is to consult your doctor if you plan to consume any traditional supplement in combination with your existing medication.

Natural Therapy

In our previous entries, we mentioned how traditional prenatal practices, such as consuming herbs, can benefit you. Today, you can add natural therapy to that list as part of the traditional prenatal practices you are encouraged to have too!

Natural therapies such as the pre natal massage, relaxation techniques, and aromatherapy are known to have a profound impact, and they may just be able to help you get more comfortable during your pregnancy.

Generally, they are chemical-free, safe, and help prepare your body for a smooth delivery. These alternatives are also great for keeping you calm and mentally prepared for your expected delivery date.

Cost-Friendly Alternatives

The traditional practice does have its perks in terms of cost. This is where the traditional prenatal practice is able to stay relevant throughout the years. It provides proven results, promotes your body to work naturally and helps in relaxing it.

The fact that it generally does not cost as much as its modern counterparts give it that much of an edge.

Applying modern medication and professional consultation would lead to a smoother and more enjoyable prenatal and postnatal experience.

Closing words

There you have it, mummies, our little checklist guide of what to do during pregnancy. Remember, pregnancy does not have to be a painful memory you reflect on one day.

You can shape it to be a beautiful and smooth one you always want to reminisce about when it passes.

After all, taking all precautions to the best of your capabilities while you are pregnant is the best gift you can give to yourself and your child…well…that and getting a pre-pregnancy massage.

So, pick up your phone, but do not Google “pregnancy massage near me” because that’s what we do. Instead, use that phone to ring us at +65 6417 9690 or, swing by our home page to discover what massage packages we offer today!