4 Things to Remember During Pregnancy
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Pregnancy is an exciting time but it doesn’t come without its trying stages. Your body undergoes hard changes that can be both alarming and painful all in one. Keep your baby healthy by keeping your body healthy as you keep these tips in mind during the pregnancy phase:
Varicose Veins
Many women first get varicose veins, or find that they become worse, during their pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, your uterus will grow. As it does, it places pressure on the inferior vena cava – the large vein on the right side of the body– which in turn increases the pressure in the veins in the leg.
While you are pregnant, the amount of blood in your vascular system increases, which only adds to the pressure and possible vein problems. With increasing levels of progesterone, the walls of your blood vessels relax. More blood, combined with increased pressure in relaxed veins, causes varicose veins.
Chiropractic Care
During pregnancy, your body will make changes in order to accommodate the growth of the baby and its proceeding birth. These changes will take a toll on your body. By assessing the alignment of your spine and pelvis, a chiropractor can correct the position of all bones and muscles in order to help the baby move into position for birth.
Nutrition
One critical constituent during pregnancy is proper nutrition for both mother and baby. Make sure you ingest high quality foods that are high in nutrients and necessary vitamins for proper growth and development. Be conscious of the food choices you are making. If you are craving something sweet, try eating a piece of fruit or a vegetable instead of a bag of candy. Produce, especially fruits, are high in natural sugars.
Gestational diabetes and hypertension related to pregnancy are associated with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Whether the weight gain is caused by lack of movement or poor nutrition, all are detrimental to the health of the mother and baby.
Birth Control Options Post-Pregnancy
There are several options for post-partum birth control, the right one depends on your plans for the future pregnancy. Each method has several choices. Your doctor can help you choose the right one.
- Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs)
- Contraceptive Patches or Vaginal Rings
- Depo-Provera Injections
- Intrauterine Systems or Devices
- Barrier Methods
- Emergency Contraceptives
- Sterilization
Pregnancy can be a little overwhelming, but care services like Mindful Medical in Ogden offer vein, gynecological and aesthetic care for your pregnancy needs. Remember that as your baby grows, your body will continue to respond in its own way. Keep the both of you healthy by staying on top of your monthly checkups and routines.