Keeping Your Baby Healthy During Pregnancy

Doing what you can to help keep your baby safe pre, during and post pregnancy is important. For example, your diet and fitness regimen can have an impact on the development of your baby during pregnancy, and once the baby is born preserving the cord blood at a cord blood bank is a way to help safeguard the future health of your child. Cord blood banking can help in the treatment of a number of immune and metabolic conditions, as well as other diseases. Considering steps, such as these, can help ensure your baby gets off to a health start and stays on a health road. Let’s examine some of the most common steps for a mom-to-be to take:

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Caffeine: Caffeine is not good for a developing baby. Expert studies have indicated that caffeine in high levels can be harmful to the fetus. Some studies suggest that ingesting caffeine can lead to low birth rate and miscarriage. Since coffee is a stimulant and diuretic, physicians do not recommend it during pregnancy.

Alcohol: Drinking during pregnancy in moderation was used to be acceptable but now alcohol in any amount is considered unsafe. Alcohol is known to increase the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which can lead to mental retardation and birth defects.

Seafood with High Mercury: Fish contains mercury that could potentially harm a fetus if too much is consumed. Mercury contamination could harm the nervous system of the developing fetus. Pregnant and nursing mothers should avoid seafood that is high in mercury. 

Foods to Consume During Pregnancy


Folic Acid: Foods that are high in folic acid are recommended during pregnancy to decrease complications with development of the spinal cord and other development issues. Without these foods, conditions like anemia may develop or the inability to absorb nutrients may occur. Leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli or okra are high in folic acid, as are bananas, lemons, or mushrooms.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A will help prevent malformations in fetuses. Carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes or yams are all high in Vitamin A.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is found in food such as strawberries, oranges, lemons and broccoli. According to studies, pregnant women need 70 mg of vitamin C a day. 

Fitness


Fitness is necessary to promote the healthy development of the baby. Expecting mothers should engage in exercise on a regular basis, according to their doctor’s specifications. Every woman’s pregnancy is different and will require a different level of fitness for proper development. 

Women need to remain cognizant of what they ingest in order to aid in the proper development of their baby. Expecting mothers should consult with their physicians to develop a healthy regimen to ensure that fetuses develop into healthy babies. Mothers should also consider eating healthy prior to conception for the best chances of a healthy newborn.

This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22