Our final topic for Pregnancy Awareness Months deals with what pregnant women need which is a topic that I am very passionate about. Meeting the genuine needs of pregnant women which in turn meets the needs of their babies.
Five Things that Pregnant Women Need:
Number One: Proper Nutrition
You would think that this one is a no brainer, but it seems many people don’t understand what proper nutrition is and why it’s so important during pregnancy. A balance of nutrient dense foods plus a good prenatal are essential for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Pregnancy is not a free pass to eat whatever you want whenever you want. Pregnant woman NEED healthy chemical free whole foods and a good vitamin supplement.
Number Two: Good Hydration
One word: Water! Pregnant women need to drink plenty of clean water. Good hydration keeps all sorts of complications at bay including constipation and insufficient amniotic fluid. Sodas, sports drinks and fruit juices are no substitute for good clean water. Save yourself from these high sugar, high sodium beverages and reach for the water.
Number Three: Exercise
It’s quite shocking how many expectant mothers don’t exercise … ever. Certainly there are those that have complication that arise the necessarily eliminate the ability to exercise. Nevertheless, exercise is very important to a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. Exercise balances hormones, ensures that oxygen is getting to all parts of the body, builds muscle, helps with food digestion and metabolization, and helps the baby develop well.
Number Four: Relief from Aches and Pains
After morning sickness, aches and pains poise the greatest difficulty during pregnancy. Thankfully, numbers one through three can really help prevent and ease aches and pains. Specifically, exercises that focus on core strength and stretching can bring relief from pregnancy aches and pains. Finding a chiropractor that has experience working with pregnant women, can also provide much needed relief from strains on the pregnant body.
Number Five: TLC + A Community of Support
Growing a baby is hard work. It demands ongoing education, numerous sacrifices, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The last thing a pregnant women needs is misguided information from family, friends, and coworkers. Pregnant women need to surround themselves with those who support their decisions to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and birth naturally or not. They do not need people questioning their hard work or imposing their own opinions about the well researched decisions the pregnant women are making concerning her pregnancy and her unborn baby.