Proper prenatal care, good nutrition and exercise can increase the chances of having a comfortable and enjoyable pregnancy, an easier birth and a healthy baby http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/drh.pdf. Your body undergoes many changes during pregnancy so it is very important to take care of yourself at every step of the way. During the first trimester (week 1- week 12), the hormonal changes in your body can trigger several symptoms of pregnancy including nausea, food cravings, fatigue, constipation, uncomfortable and painful breast swelling and frequent urination. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/drh.pdf The first trimester of pregnancy can be quite challenging for most women. To stay healthy, you need to get enough rest, eat a balanced diet and avoid any substances that can harm your baby. Do not ingest any alcoholic beverages and avoid smoking. Secondary smoke can be harmful to the baby so stay away from smoking areas.

If you felt extremely tired and nauseous during the first trimester, you will probably feel a lot better as you enter the second trimester (week 13- week 28) of your pregnancy. During this trimester, your womb will swell below your waist and your abdomen will grow larger. As your body strains to adapt to the rapid changes, you may experience any or all of the following: leg cramps in the morning, heartburn, hemorrhoids and water retention http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/drh.pdf. To keep yourself comfortable and to avoid complications, engage in light exercises approved by your physician or midwife, wear comfortable clothes, increase your fiber intake, drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated, keep your legs warm and elevated, avoid prolonged standing and get enough rest .

As you enter the third trimester (week 29- week 40) of your pregnancy, your uterus becomes very large and breathing may become a bit difficult. You will also experience more ache and pains especially on you back so maintain good posture to protect your back. During the last leg of your pregnancy, stretch marks may develop and your hands, feet and face may swell a little.http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/drh.pdf To stay healthy, pay close attention to your diet and exercise regularly.

It is very important that you get proper prenatal care from the start of your pregnancy. As soon as you learn that you are pregnant, you should examine your healthcare options and find yourself a good healthcare provider. You have the option to go to a midwife, to an obstetrician or stay with your GP and arrange for a “joint care” with the obstetric team of your local hospital. Many women feel comfortable staying under the care of their GP during the first trimester of their pregnancy. If you feel more comfortable going to your GP, you may do so for the first 36 weeks of pregnancy. Once you reach the 36th week, you should make arrangements with your GP to have you transferred to your local hospital’s obstetric team.

On the other hand, if you prefer to go to an obstetrician instead of your GP, ask your GP to refer you to a good obstetrician near you. You may also ask your friends, colleagues and family members for referrals. If you cannot afford to consult an obstetrician privately, do not despair. Some states provide comprehensive prenatal care to pregnant women. If you happen to live in a state where the local hospitals appoint midwives to care for pregnant patients as part of the “domiciliary in and out” scheme, your appointed midwife will look after you for the whole duration of your pregnancy.

To stay healthy, you need to eat right throughout your pregnancy. To meet your increased energy requirements, consume extra 300 calories a day and drink at least 8 glasses of water http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/eating-right-when-pregnant. You should also drink plenty of fruit juices and at least a pint of milk daily. You need to keep yourself well hydrated to stay healthy. To help keep yourself and your baby healthy and strong, increase your daily protein intake by around 30% and your calcium intake by around 50% http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/eating-right-when-pregnant . Oily fish and poultry products are good sources of lean protein. However, check with your physician first before you start on a fish diet. Remember that some types of fish contain high levels of mercury that can be harmful to your baby, so never start a fish diet without consulting your doctor first. When it comes to sources of calcium, milk and dairy products are your best options.

High fiber foods and foods that contain zinc are good for you. Foods like whole grain, fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources of highly soluble fiber. Fruits and vegetables contain myriad substances that will help make your pregnancy a health one. You can maximize their impact by eating them raw, but make sure that you wash them properly.

It is normal for you to feel hungry most of the time while you are pregnant. To satisfy your hunger, have good quality nutritious snacks such as raw vegetable sticks, fresh fruits, plain yogurt, whole meal biscuits, plain popcorn and milk. Remember to eat only in moderation and to try to avoid gaining weight too rapidly.

Your bad habits can affect the growth and development of your baby inside your womb. To stay healthy throughout your pregnancy, break your bad habits. If you smoke, you should quite that habit long before you even get pregnant. Smoking increases the odds of premature births by 30% and it increases the risk of low birth rate. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/TobaccoUsePregnancy/index.htm Moreover, women have higher risks of suffering from placental abruption and premature membrane ruptures especially during the third trimester so throw that cigarette away and stay away from smoking areas. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/TobaccoUsePregnancy/index.htm You cannot risk harming yourself and your baby by smoking.

When pregnant, you should avoid alcohol altogether.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/eating-right-when-pregnant?page=2 Remember that alcohol has the ability to pierce through the placenta so when you drink alcohol, your baby does too. Alcohol can affect your baby’s brain development, so if you want your baby to stay healthy, do not touch alcohol while you are pregnant.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/eating-right-when-pregnant?page=2

Aside from staying away from alcohol and cigarettes, you should also stay away from fast food joints. Too much fats and sugar is generally bad for your health so instead of going to the fast food, go home and prepare your own food. When preparing your food, you should do it in way that preserves as much nutrients as possible. Instead of deep frying your food, try grilling, poaching, steaming and stir frying.