Most of us believe babies are a boon and almost everyone desires to be parent. However, a lot of pregnancies are unplanned and you need to know that your health, both before and during pregnancy, will determine the health of the baby to be born. So how can you make sure that your baby is born healthy?
- Vital Vitamins -It is medically recommended that all women who are sexually active and those who are pregnant take their Folic acid pills without fail. Folic acid ( a type of vitamin B) can be taken along with Vitamin D3 to prevent the birth of babies with neural tube defects. Vitamins can also help to prevent miscarriage, pre-term births, preeclampsia and autism in babies and help to maintain BP during pregnancy.
- Go Organic – Try to eat food that are healthy, natural and organic. While it may not be practical to completely shift to organic foods, it must be remembered that the pesticides in the food that you consume can affect the neurological and hormonal health of your baby. The least that you can do is to avoid foods that have excessive pesticide content.
- Nay to Obesity –Try to maintain optimum weight, not just for cosmetic reasons. It has been widely observed that heavier women tend to develop prenatal and birth-related complications and the babies born to them are at a higher risk of developing a host of medical conditions such as allergies, asthma, heart conditions, obesity and diabetes. Therefore, if you are planning for a baby, make sure that your food and lifestyle choices are healthy.
- Clean Cosmetics – Most modern women do not step out without applying basic makeup and that includes a foundation, powder, eyeliner and a lipstick. Besides this, most women apply sunscreen, hand and body lotion, foot creams and various other products which they believe are necessary to sustain beauty. All these products contain several toxic chemicals which are absorbed and accumulated for several years by the largest organ of our body, the skin. These toxins have a cumulative effect not only on the user but also on the baby born to them. Always make your cosmetic choices natural and toxin-free.
- Mind that Mercury – Fish is a highly recommended source of protein, but those that contain mercury, like tuna and other sea-foods, must be avoided as mercury directly affects the neuro-endocrine system of the baby.
- De stress– Stress is related to 80% of all health problems. A stressed or depressed mother is likely to contribute to the mental ill-health of her offspring. So make sure that you destress by regularly practising relaxation through meditation , yoga and other calming techniques.
- Gut-Feeling – Women having a healthy gut flora are likely to invest well in their baby’s gut health. This can be done by avoiding antibiotics and eating healthy foods, including probiotics.
- Avoid Smoking and Alcohol – It is better for women who are planning to have babies to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as these habits have a deleterious effect on their health and on their babies too.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801