Few feelings compare to pregnancy . Nine months full of emotional rollercoasters, exciting experiences, and even the odd hiccup lie ahead for parents and expectant mothers. After all, a completely new life is developing inside them. From a cell visible only under a microscope to a fully grown infant.
This time is the ultimate challenge for a woman’s body, demanding everything from it. Discomfort, nausea, stomach pain, hot flashes, and water retention are side effects that many mothers probably have to endure in some form or another.
Nevertheless, women can still live a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and do something good for themselves and their new family member. We explain how.
Nutrition
During pregnancy, expectant mothers are subject to many rules. Raw fish is taboo, as are packaged products, soft and grated cheese, all predatory fish (tuna, etc.), and undercooked meat. Added to this are the well-known prohibitions on alcohol and all foods and beverages containing alcohol.
Pregnant women who go through the list of unsafe foods might get the impression that every dish is harmful. But that’s not true.
For example, experts recommend eating oily fish like mackerel or trout during pregnancy because they contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure you eat a varied diet.
Caution is advised with extreme diets such as veganism. There is a risk of serious harm to yourself and your child. Vegetarians and vegans should definitely seek medical advice.
Be careful when taking medication: Ibuprofen and other non-prescription medications are a staple in every medicine cabinet. Taking medication for everyday ailments is normal for many people in Germany. This is shown by studies from major cities like Berlin, where high doses of medications have been detected in wastewater.
However, many of the “poison cabinet” products are taboo for pregnant women because they affect your biochemistry. In the worst case scenario, serious complications may arise, even leading to the loss of your child. Therefore, be sure to read every package insert and consult your family doctor and gynecologist.
Sports? Yes please!
Even during pregnancy, exercise is a great way to stay fit and active. It also offers a great way to unwind and put thoughts and worries aside for a while.
However, make sure you participate in sports that are enjoyable and safe for you and your child. Avoid contact sports such as martial arts or rugby/football. You should also avoid sports that involve a lot of jumping. Violent blows and jolts could trigger partial detachment of the placenta, which could endanger your child’s life.
Instead, focus on low-impact sports. Swimming is especially recommended . If you plan to visit thermal baths or activity pools, please check in advance whether they are safe for you. Slides are off-limits, and warm mineral baths could also cause adverse reactions if you have a negative reaction to them.
Listen to your body!
The most important rule during pregnancy may sound like a truism. Yet the most important thing is to listen to your body.
Especially in the first few months of your pregnancy, your hormone balance is turned upside down; things you once enjoyed now trigger nausea. And in the later months, you’ll often feel tired and develop cravings that are completely foreign to you.
And you know what? That’s completely normal!
Don’t fight discomfort, but accept it as part of the journey. You will grow, and you will live a different life in the coming months—and probably years. After all, you are now taking responsibility for a new life.
