[article] Being pregnant is marvellous and miraculous, no doubt there, but it comes with its own set of challenges, discomforts, aches and million questions. While everyone around you must be bombarding you will a lot of suggestions and tips, and it definitely must be very confusing!
But worry not! We have curated a must-do list for you that you can blindly trust.

1. Prenatal healthcare

As soon as you get pregnant (or are even trying to get pregnant), you should get in touch with an OBGYN who can assist you through various stages of pregnancy and even post-delivery. Having and organising good regular prenatal care will help you know about and avoid any complications beforehand.

2. Focus on eating well

Now that you are eating for two.. This does not mean that you can eat anything that you want! You need to be careful about your everyday nutritional intake. And eating a well-balanced diet is one of the best pregnancy supplements. Hence, eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables,

3. Take food supplements during pregnancy

While eating a well-balanced diet is essential for the growth of the overall body, your body requires additional supplements during pregnancy! That’s why it is important to take a prenatal vitamin! The prenatal vitamins aren’t standard multivitamins, they come loaded with essential vitamins and minerals like folic acid, calcium and iron - all of which are required for the proper growth of the baby.

4. Get some rest

You will start experiencing some fatigue in the first and third trimesters. This is because of the dancing hormones in your body. Listen up to your body and take it easy as much as you can. Give yourself a break and ask your friends and family to help lighten your load. Eventually, it will get difficult to get into the bed and sleep properly due to your baby bump and frequent visit to the loo. Still, try to put your feet up and relax as much as possible.

5. Do not forget to exercise

While resting is important, an exercising routine will help your body develop the strength and endurance that you will need to carry the weight you will gain during pregnancy. It will also help prevent or ease aches and pains, improve circulation in your legs and help you handle the physical stress of labor. It will also make getting back into shape after your baby’s born.

6. Cut out alcohol, caffeine & smoking

Any alcohol that your drink reaches your baby rapidly through the placenta. There is actually no safe amount of alcohol that you can drink while being pregnant. Hence avoid it completely. Similarly, smoking is not only injurious for your health but also has a negative impact on your baby’s health. Too much caffeine also increases the chances of miscarriages and stillbirths.

7. Get vaccinated

Have a word with your OBGYN and talk about getting some vaccines like flu shots or even the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure a safe pregnancy. This will provide you immunity against some serious infections that might affect your baby as well.

Apart from this, you should also be taking care of your mental and emotional health. As your hormones fluctuate rapidly during various stages of pregnancy, you will end up feeling a wide range of emotions and this can be pretty taxing. Talk to your partner or friends or indulge in some recreational activities like yoga. This will make your pregnancy a pleasant experience.

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