Pregnancy can be the most beautiful experience in one’s life. No feeling ever beats the feeling of nurturing another life inside you. However, there are both positive and negative aspects to it that one encounters. You go through mixed emotions, such as anxiety, depression, nervousness, fear, etc. This is because pregnancy messes with your hormones.
Along with hormonal changes, there are other challenges a woman’s body goes through. A woman goes through respiratory changes, metabolic changes, skin, hair, nail changes, breast changes, cervical changes, and other changes. However, nothing can be more challenging than coping with a first pregnancy without a partner.
In such a case, it is even more critical to take care of your emotional health in addition to your physical health. Things may take a toll on you if you do not get support, which is harmful to your and your kids’ general health. So being strong is your only option. Here are some advice and suggestions to guide you during your pregnancy.
Avoid smoking and drinking
If you are a drinker or smoker, then it is high time to quit. Smoking can affect the baby’s brain, fetal growth and cause abnormal bleeding. Alcohol consumption can even cause miscarriage.
If it is difficult to quit, then it is advised that you get yourself admitted to a rehab center for treating alcoholism and smoking addiction. You should never take even the slightest risk when it comes to your child.
Get good sleep
In this period, when you are experiencing multiple bodily changes, you should not compromise your sleep. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. Not getting proper sleep can lower your stamina and hamper your health, which directly affects the baby. Poor sleeping habits can also impact your labor and delivery, and the risk of blood pressure increases.
Eat/avoid food
Food plays a vital role in pregnancy. Therefore, you must know what food you should eat and what to avoid. This is to ensure that your and your baby’s health stays good. For these nine months, try to control the cravings for food that can be harmful to your child. Your baby’s health depends on what you feed him/her. Provide all the essentials so that you can have a normal delivery with a healthy baby.
Things to avoid during the period
When you get pregnant, your body undergoes extreme changes. It’s not your old body but with a baby growing inside. Hence, to ensure your baby doesn’t suffer, stop doing certain things. Avoid lifting heavy objects, overworking, or running. This is essential to avoid any unwanted slip or fall and thus miscarriage.
Certain medications
There are certain medications that doctors recommend not taking while you are pregnant. These can be harmful to the unborn child. Some medications to avoid are acne pills and cold medicines with specific ingredients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and ACE inhibitors. However, consult your doctor first before making any medicinal changes.
Exercise regularly
Pregnant women must do light exercises like walking, prenatal yoga, or low-impact aerobics classes. It will help keep your mind fresh and optimistic. Such light physical exertion is needed to keep your mood sound and keep yourself active all day. It also helps you get normal and uncomplicated delivery. However, ensure that you don’t end up doing heavy exercises or even light exercises for an extended period as it can negatively impact your body.
Regular check-ups
The first check-up takes place when you are eight to ten weeks pregnant. There will be a general check-up of your breasts, pelvis, and uterus on the first day, followed by blood and urine tests. After the first visit, you should regularly see your doctor every month. Get the tests and ultrasounds done, and with every visit, the doctor will let you know the baby’s development.
Get emotional help
A single mother’s pregnancy phase can be very lonely when you do not have a partner. There are several hormonal changes during the period. It is essential to ask for help whenever you feel down. Talk to people around you, be it the neighbor’s kid or your old friends. You can find other single parents, connect with them, and share your pregnancy stories. If things still seem tough, then seek help online and attend sessions where people discuss maternal well-being.
Pregnancy can be stressful when you are alone in it. Things may seem challenging, but plan out a better future for you and your kids. Take care of yourself, eat well, sleep well, and avoid harming yourself and your child. Keep up your patience for these nine months, and love your new body. Once you deliver that tiny healthy human, all the pain, patience, and struggles will seem worth it. Therefore, hang in there until then and do not ever give up.
