If you’re here to know how to have a healthy baby in the womb, then you’re at the right place.
In case you’re planning ahead for conception, there are certain things you should consider. Pregnancies culminate better when planned. Therefore, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind while trying.
- Try conceiving when you or your partner is ovulating. Ovulation is the period when a female body is fertile. Trying for a baby then increases the chances of conceiving.
- Have a thorough medical check-up to find out if you or your partner has any life-threatening diseases that could endanger the life of your baby. For instance, HIV.
- Talk to your gynaecologist about the ideal age for conception. Some studies show that pregnant women who are 16 years and younger give birth to premature babies. This is the same for women 40 years or older. If you or your partner gets pregnant before 18 months of giving birth, then there are chances of your birthing a premature baby. Premature babies have a lot of risks associated with them. However, with proper care, they make it through.
- When going for a planned pregnancy make sure you are emotionally and financially ready to give birth.
Now that you know these important pointers, let us move on to the actions you should take when you’re pregnant.
How to have a healthy baby in the womb and know that it is okay in your womb
- Always make note of your weight gain during pregnancy. Expecting mothers gain somewhere around 12 to 15 kg when pregnant with a baby. Update your doctor about the weight gain. Your belly will also be growing during your months of pregnancy.
- You should be able to tell signs of a healthy and unhealthy foetus on your own. This can be challenging if it’s your first pregnancy. A lot of pregnancies end up in miscarriages or complications. Therefore, it is necessary that you be careful and educated during your or your partner’s term.
- A healthy foetus starts moving in the belly after five months. A six-month-old foetus should be able to act to sound through a quickening. Quickening is the term the medical field uses for foetal movement. At the age of seven months, a healthy foetus can respond to stimuli. When the foetus reaches eight months it starts kicking. After eight months the foetus restricts its movement due to less space.
- Your doctor will be able to detect a healthy baby by ultrasound and by determining its size.
- The heart of your baby starts beating around five months of pregnancy. Your doctor performs a test called a non-stress test. This test gives your doctor the heartbeat of the baby. Judging the pace of your baby’s heartbeat, your doctor will be able to tell you if your baby is healthy or not. A healthy heart beats 110 to 160 every minute.
- A healthy baby positions its head towards the birth canal.
How to take care of yourself during pregnancy
Now that we’ve covered the signs of a healthy foetus, let us discuss a few care tips during pregnancy.
These tips will help you with your question about how to have a healthy baby in the womb.
- You are going to need emotional support during pregnancy. A happy mother makes for a happy and healthy baby. So make sure you surround yourself with emotional validation.
- Do not forget to take your prenatal vitamins. A healthy body makes for a healthy baby.
- Make sure you exercise and keep yourself hydrated. Running, swimming, cycling, and weight training and healthy for pregnancies. Drink plenty of water.
- Stay away from alcohol during your pregnancy. Indulgence in alcohol can cause foetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol causes low birth weights, more miscarriages, stillbirth and defects in birth.
- Do not smoke during your pregnancy. You should also avoid passive smoking at all costs. If your partner smokes, your partner needs to ditch smoking or you may consider ditching your partner. Mothers who consume smoke are a risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, low birth weights, and a baby who grows up to be a smoker. If you or your partner wishes to quit smoking, check out smoking cessation programs.
- Steer clear of drugs during your pregnancy if you wish to birth a healthy baby. Drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine can be fatal to your unborn baby. Avoid marijuana during your pregnancy as well.
Tips for having a healthy baby
Here are a few tips for birthing a healthy baby.
- Consider writing a birth plan during your pregnancy. Your birth plan may include who you want present during your pregnancy, labour or delivery positions, and clothes you wish to wear during birthing. Additionally, you can also list your music preference if you’d like any music to help you, the types of pain medication you may want and the course of action you wish to take if complications arise.
- Attend childbirth classes that will educate you on pregnancies. All of your doubts regarding your pregnancy will be answered here. Furthermore, you’ll have a chance to learn about infant care and childbirth.
- During exercise, make sure you incorporate Kegels. Kegels help strengthens the pelvic muscles. This makes your delivery easy. Practice squeezing and stopping your urine when you use the bathroom. Hold for three seconds. Practice this ten times a day for good control of pelvic muscles.
- Avoid heavy exercise and harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your baby.
- Always consult your doctor before taking over-the-counter medication during pregnancy. This may cause complications during your childbirth if you don’t.
- This may sound like a weird tip, but you may want to pay attention to your shoe during your pregnancy. The weight of you and your baby will be on your feet during your pregnancy. Therefore, you will want shoes that are comfortable and non-restricting. Some mothers even opt for a larger shoe size.
Final thoughts
This is only a blog and can help you only so far. Always remember that your doctor will be the best person who can answer your question about how to have a healthy baby in the womb. Reach out to a medical professional immediately if you face any sort of complications. Pregnancies require immediate care during times of emergencies that blogs on the internet are unable to provide.