Pregnancy can be a hard time. Your body will have extra demands placed on it as you grow a whole new human being (or two or more) inside of you. You may experience nausea, backaches, and extreme sleepiness to name just a few symptoms of pregnancy. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be all glowing skin and shiny hair. If you are pregnant going into the New Year, then this a perfect opportunity to make some New Years Resolutions that will benefit both you and your baby. I’ve listed some resolutions for you to consider here.
Eat Healthier Foods
There’s nothing wrong with splurging a little during pregnancy and giving in to some of those junk food cravings. But be careful not to make dining on unhealthy foods the norm during pregnancy. I bet you wouldn’t dream of feeding your newborn baby a bag of potato chips or corn curls. But that’s exactly what is happening when you give in to junk food. What you eat is also the nutrition that will get passed along to your baby through the placenta. So take some time to stock your pantry and your refrigerator with wholesome, healthy, and tasty foods this New Year.
Exercise
Keeping physically active is going to boost your energy level, stamina, and strength while you are pregnant. Staying fit will also have a positive effect on your growing baby. Make sure that you get your doctor’s permission first, and then if you are given the go-ahead, keep active. Avoid contact sports and activities where you could fall and injure yourself and your baby. Exercises like walking, swimming, and running are all activities to consider while pregnant. Make sure not to overdo it and stay hydrated. Exercising may also help on cutting down on some of the more unpleasant side effects of pregnancy like morning sickness, fatigue, and constipation.
Organize
When that nesting instinct kicks in, take full advantage of it and get organized. A baby can turn your world and household upside down, especially if you are disorganized when he or she is born. Take time to throw away or give away clothes that you haven’t worn in ages, and household items that you haven’t used in a long time. Donate to the Salvation Army or another charity if you feel bad about throwing away items that still have some use.
Stay Positive
Have you ever just plain told your mind to stop having negative thoughts? You can, you know. It also helps to count your blessings and focus on all the positives in your life. Your mood can affect both you and your baby. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a break. Stop worrying about every detail and trust that things will work out for your good. Engage in healthy activities that make you feel good. Keep up with the activities that you enjoyed before you were pregnant. Something that may help you out is to invest and start writing in a pregnancy journal.
Drink Plenty of Water
Having adequate water in your system will help you regulate your body heat better. It can also help by decreasing the severity of pregnancy side effects like morning sickness. It may all sound simple, but many women including myself can attest to the fact that drinking water can be a challenge when pregnant. I normally love water and lots of it. I have always stayed very hydrated and drank water throughout the day.
But when I became pregnant, it became hard to drink and keep down water. I had to remind myself to drink little sips throughout the day, so I wouldn’t have to drink a whole glass at a time. Do whatever it takes to stay hydrated including eating foods like lettuce that contain high amounts of water.
Rest More
It’s tough work growing a human being. Make sure to give your body the extra rest that it needs. Schedule in that daily nap and make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep. By getting enough rest, you will feel stronger and healthier both emotionally and physically. Resting doesn’t just have to include sleep. It can also mean putting your feet up and reading a book or watching a favorite television show. The point is to give your body the rest that it needs.
Minimize Unhealthy Stress
When you get stressed, your baby will feel your anxiety. A little stress is a regular part of life, but too much stress can send out bursts of cortisol and other stress hormones. There have been studies that indicate that prolonged stress on a pregnant woman may cause low birth weight and premature birth. So take time this New Year to cut out things that are stressing you.
I decided to take off my last trimester from work. I was working long hours beyond a typical school teacher day and getting home late. There was the added stress of frequent late night parent meetings. I choose to pay for a substitute and take that last trimester off. Financially there was a loss, but I don’t regret a thing because I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Try to eliminate or minimize what is stressing you.
Final Thoughts
I’ve listed some resolutions that every pregnant woman should have for this New Year. I’d normally recommend picking one or two, but in this case, I think you should go for all of them. Everything on this list will contribute to a healthier and happier life for you and your baby. Don’t forget to take some time to inhale and then exhale while taking in the beauty of the amazing process going on inside of you, as you grow a human being. Enjoy and make some good memories this pregnancy.
