Bringing a baby into the world is expected to be in good health. This is a great start in developing a healthy, happy, functional adult for the future to come. This can also help parents and/or caregivers experience a more pleasant experience while raising a child. Having a healthy pregnancy is a great way to start raising your baby. Here are a variety of ways to maintain good prenatal health for a healthy baby.

Establish a healthy pregnancy plan. You can do this on your own and/or with your doctor to help you become aware of the changes and/or improvements you need to make.

Talk to your doctor and/or nutritionist. Find out how much weight you need to gain and/or lose and what foods you need to eat to reach your goal. You should also ask about foods to avoid.

Plan your meals in advance. This is a great way to make sure you eat everything you need for good prenatal health. This will also help you save time and deal less with having to make decisions.

Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. This helps you keep a good mood and full of energy.

Eat healthy every day. Maintain a well-balanced diet by eating from all the food groups. Be sure to give your baby the nutrition needed for good health. Avoid overeating or not eating enough.

Make sure you get enough nutrients and vitamins. This includes protein, fiber, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and all the other nutrients needed for a healthy baby.

Drink plenty of water. This will help prevent you from becoming dehydrated.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco and any kind of drugs. All of these are bad for you and your baby’s health, especially during pregnancy as it has a direct impact on the baby.

Avoid taking over-the-counter medications. Always talk to your doctor first before taking any medication during pregnancy. You can also talk to your doctor about medications to avoid.

Avoid caffeine. This will help you avoid having problems with your blood pressure.

Avoid eating raw foods. These foods may contain bacteria that are harmful to your baby. This is something you can discuss further with your doctor and/or nutritionist.

Exercise during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor first to make sure this is an option for you. This can help reduce discomfort, regulate weight, increase energy, improve mood, sleep, and allow for a shorter and easier labor.

Avoid exercise and/or hazardous physical activities. Talk to your doctor about exercises you can do to help prevent activities that could hurt you and your baby.

Avoid the use of chemicals during pregnancy. This will help protect your health and the health of your baby.

Avoid sleeping all day. Staying active will help you have energy throughout the day.

Avoid stress and depression. If she feels overly depressed or anxious, contact a health professional and they can help you deal with her feelings in a healthy way that won’t harm your baby.

Tamara Monell MS, LMHC, NCC
09-06-08