Pregnancy Tips

  • Eating a healthy diet and keeping active can keep you healthy throughout and give your baby the best possible start in life.
  • Women who eat well and exercise regularly along with regular prenatal care are less likely to have complications during pregnancy.
  • Women who eat well and live healthily during pregnancy are also more likely to successfully give birth to a healthy baby.
  • Have breakfast every day as this will help you to avoid snacking on foods that are high in fat and sugar.
  • Fruit and vegetables as well as minerals and vitamins provide fiber, which helps digestion and prevents constipation. So eat 3 to 5 servings of a variety of colorful raw vegetables and fruits per day.
  • Eat moderate amounts of protein each day. Choose lean meat, remove the skin from poultry and cook them well using only a little fat. Try to eat two portions of fish a week.
  • Eat 2 to 3 portions of dairy foods like cheese, milk or yogurt a day, using low-fat varieties whenever you can.
Food to avoid in pregnancy

There are some foods that you should not eat when you are pregnant because they may make you ill or harm your baby.

  • Avoid partially cooked eggs or undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk, some types of fish - shark, marlin and swordfish. Also limit eating tuna.
  • Avoid mould-ripened soft cheese like Brie, Camembert and others with a similar rind.

Ensure to watch your weight

  • Most women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22 to 28lb) while pregnant
  • Weight gain varies a great deal and depends on your weight before pregnancy
  • Putting on too much weight can affect your health
  • However, you do not need to diet, but only to eat healthily and keep up your normal daily activity or exercise

Be physically active

  • The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain
  • Try to fit mild to moderate exercises such as stomach strengthening, pelvic tilt and floor exercises, and feet exercises into your daily routine.

These exercises will strengthen your muscles so that you can carry extra weight, make your joints stronger, ease backache and generally make you feel well.