Discovering you’re pregnant is an exciting and life-changing time. While so much of your focus and energy is dedicated to preparing for your baby, the team at Mountain View Hospital wants to make sure expectant moms don’t forget to take care of themselves. Staying healthy during your pregnancy can help reduce the chances of complications and increase your chances of having a smooth delivery.
Every year, the team at Mountain View Hospital’s NICU and Women’s Center helps hundreds of moms welcome their babies into the world. When it comes to pregnancy, they are some of the community’s leading experts. Here are their top five tips to help women stay healthy and fit during pregnancy.
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Prioritize Prenatal Care
“It is important to find a provider who you like and trust to guide you throughout your pregnancy and delivery,” said Heather Nelson, a registered nurse at Mountain View. “Going in for regular checkups allows doctors to monitor you and your baby and ensure there are no complications.”
If doctors do detect any complications, they can make sure you and your baby get the care you need. The team at Mountain View Hospital recently welcomed Dr. Andrew Spencer, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist who focuses exclusively on high-risk or difficult pregnancies. Dr. Spencer works alongside patient’s established OBGYN to develop customized treatment plans and make sure women get the best care possible throughout their pregnancies.
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Move Your Body
The benefits of exercising during pregnancy are extensive. It has been shown to help expectant moms boost their moods, maintain their fitness levels, support healthy weight gain and keep pregnancy aches and pains at bay.
“If you were active before you became pregnant, keep it up,” said registered nurse Lisa Valenzuela. Throughout her career, Valenzuela has delivered thousands of babies. “Continue your normal exercise routine for as long as you feel comfortable. If you are a runner, keep running. If you lift weights, keep lifting weights. As you get closer to delivery, your doctor can advise you if you need to alter your routine.”
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Take Care of your Mental Health
Pregnancy brings about lots of changes, including hormone fluctuations which can impact your mood and mental health. According to the March of Dimes, as many as 1 in 5 expectant moms face mental health struggles during their pregnancy. This can be made worse when women are facing pregnancy complications or put on bed rest.
Camille Stronks works in Mountain View Hospital’s NICU and provides care to infants as young as 22 weeks. She sees the joy new parents experience but also their struggles.
“The baby blues can be a real thing during pregnancy,” said Stronks. “Sometimes journaling or reaching out to friends for support is enough. However, if you are struggling with a loss of control or feeling like your emotions are big to manage on your own, reach out to a counselor for support.”
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Slow Down
It is common for women to feel tired during their first and third trimesters of pregnancy; this is their body's way of telling them to take it easy.
“If you feel tired, let yourself take a nap or give yourself permission to put up your feet and watch some TV or read a book,” said nurse Tammie Rumsey. “Pregnancy can be exhausting and giving yourself small breaks to rest can help combat fatigue.”
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Make Healthy Food Choices
“When you are pregnant, your body requires more of certain nutrients. It is important you get enough protein, calcium and iron to support the development of your baby,” said Laura Reisner, a nurse in Mountain View’s Women’s Center. ”Do your best to try to eat lean proteins and a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables each day and take a prenatal multivitamin to make sure you’re meeting all your nutritional needs.”
While it is essential to eat the right foods, it is equally important to avoid undercooked eggs and meat, raw seafood, unpasteurized dairy, and cold deli meats to avoid ingesting potentially harmful bacteria.
These small steps can make a big difference and help you stay healthy during your pregnancy. For more tips and resources, visit www.MountainViewHospital.org/services/womens-center/.