A baby will change your life. But those nine months leading up to the baby’s birth is also a time in which many changes take place. This article contains much helpful advice about any changes or questions you might have during pregnancy.Be sure to minimize your intake of fluid before bed so that your sleep will not be disturbed by an over-full bladder. Ensure you drink plenty of water, but limit the amount of fluids you drink after dinnertime. Then you won’t have to get up to go to the bathroom so often.Don’t clean the litter box if you’re pregnant. Soiled kitty litter can contain chemicals that are very harmful to pregnant women. Have your spouse, neighbor, a friend or family member change your cat litter for you.If you do not feel well while you are pregnant, you should not hesitate to decline any invitations to social events. No one will take it personally. Fatigue and nausea often accompany pregnancy. Don’t overdo it if you do not feel like you can handle it.Be sure you have a flu shot given to you when you get pregnant. You immune system isn’t what is used to be, increasing your risk for contracting the flu. This could be dangerous for you and the baby.See your doctor before trying to become pregnant. Your doctor can help you make healthy lifestyle changes, which will make your pregnancy easier. Making sure your body is ready to be pregnant may be the most important step you can take.Leg cramping happens a lot later in late pregnancy. Stretch your legs before bed to try to prevent leg cramps. Staying hydrated and getting enough potassium in your diet will help to keep cramps from happening.When you are pregnant, you should inspect the chemicals in your home, and remove any that could harm your baby. Household items like cleaning solutions can have adverse effects on your pregnancy, so look for natural choices instead. Keeping them out of your home will make for a much safer environment for your baby.You should not consume anything caffeinated beverages when pregnant.Caffeine can be the sleep and cause you to not get enough sleep. Try munching on crackers throughout the day if you feel nauseous. Your sleep patterns are sure to benefit from a better diet.Check out the hospital you are giving birth in. Meet all the staff, and take a tour of the entire building. You can have questions answered and start establishing peace of mind. Dads can be especially helped by this as they may be doing most of the communicating with the hospital staff while you are in labor.Pregnant women should switch to wearing sports bra. This type of bra gives your breasts greater support and offers comfortable support.You should also avoid tight underwear to use while you’re pregnant; don’t stick to your small panties which can dig into your skin.Consider using a doula. Doulas are trained birth coaches. The support and advice that they will give you during labor will be more than worth it! Having your partner by your side is a comfort, but having someone that is trained and knowledgeable is amazing.Your nose might become hypersensitive during pregnancy, which means that certain smells can make you feel very nauseated. If this happens to you often, you can carry a scented handkerchief to counteract the offensive smells. You can grab the handkerchief when you notice odors which smells badly enough to nauseate you.When you are nearing the final stretch of your pregnancy, it’s a good idea to tour the place where you will be giving birth. If you are completely comfortable and confident with your birth place decision, you’ll feel that much better when it comes time to deliver. Check out several different places so you can select the best birthing facility for you. Make sure the facilities will work for you and anyone who may be with you while you’re in labor.Make sure you take time on yourself.Once you give birth, your life will suddenly get even more complicated than it is now, you will be busy caring for your newborn and not focusing on yourself. Take time now to get that manicure, get your nails done, or spend time doing something you enjoy.Make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet when you are pregnant. This nutrient is important for both your health and the healthy growth of the baby developing inside of you. Eggs, seeds, and various types of tofu are all considered to be healthy and high in proteins.Write a plan for the birthing time. This plan needs to include what you want others when delivering the baby. Make certain to pack a bag that can last you overnight, including within it new baby clothes, all of your pre-registration documentation, and the clothes that your new baby will wear.

It is common to have leg cramps during late pregnancy. If you stretch each night before bed you’ll be able to lessen these cramps. A high intake of fluids, particularly water, will also help keep cramps away, but make sure to drink water throughout the day, rather than right before bed, in order to prevent frequent wakings related to a full bladder.This lets you determine if you need to have any tests because of your medical history. You can also decide what to ask about any concerns you may have regarding the pregnancy.When pregnant, support your body, while you sleep. There are special body pillows that are made for pregnancy; you can purchase these in many stores. In case you do not own a pillow like this, a regular pillow can be used for support. Think about actually having a pillow that is under your stomach as well as another pillow for your knee to rest atop.If there is any chance you could be HIV positive, your doctor can make plans and make sure your baby does not get the disease. It will also gives you to seek out medical professionals who are knowledgeable about HIV.Take some “me” time. After you deliver your baby, your life is going to be far more complex than now, and you won’t have as much time to pamper yourself. Watch some anime, go out to the pub with friends, or just have fun doing whatever you like to do. Taking time for yourself helps your physical and mental health, which in turn helps your baby stay healthy and happy.You need to get enough sleep in order to sustain your energy and help the baby develop normally.Before conceiving, a visit to your doctor for a general physical is a great idea for both you and your baby’s father. This will give you a chance to get any tests necessary before you start the process of becoming pregnant. It also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about your potential pregnancy.If you are pregnant for the first time, it is especially important that you attend childbirth classes. Your hospital will usually offer classes that include a tour of the labor and delivery area.Developing a birth plan is helpful in defining your hopes, expectations and feelings with regard to giving birth. You can describe your preferences for music, lighting and anything else that may make you more comfortable and relaxed as you give birth to your new baby. This plan can be very short, or it can be very long. It’s your decision.It is crucial that you monitor your iron intake throughout the entire pregnancy. Iron is important to avoid fatigue for the mother and to make sure your baby develops properly. Your prenatal vitamin should contain an adequate amount of iron, but also work to include foods that are rich in iron within your diet just to be safe.Foods that are high in iron need to be eaten if you’re pregnant. A pregnant woman’s blood volume increases dramatically, so more iron is required. In addition, iron helps with your unborn child’s development and it is good for the placenta.Consult your physician before you make the decision to try to conceive.It is a good idea to have a checkup with your doctor before you try to get pregnant, so that you can make sure that you are able to have a healthy pregnancy. You should make any doctor recommended changes before you can get pregnant.Don’t use douches while pregnant! This can cause birth defects and health problems for your baby. If you’re having trouble with odor, you need to talk to a doctor because you may have an infection in your urinary tract.When you get pregnant, you will want to take extra-special care of your teeth. Your gums may swell and maybe even bleed from brushing and flossing as your hormone levels rise through pregnancy. You should try brushing your teeth with a softer toothbrush, but in a gentler way.During pregnancy, you may have trouble sleeping. During the third trimester, it can get uncomfortable and especially difficult to sleep. Exercise can help reduce the cramps you may get in your legs. Try to drink all your fluids earlier in the day as opposed to the evening so you aren’t waking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.You might have many questions and need to change many things as you get ready to welcome your newborn. The tips and advice you’ve learned here will help you to be informed and confident as you proceed through your pregnancy and welcome your bundle of joy.Many pregnant women get heartburn. Progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, helps cause heartburn. You can help avoid the heartburn by staying away from greasy or fatty, hot and spicy and acidic foods and never eat right before bed. Keep you head elevated while sleeping as an extra precaution. If you continue to experience discomfort, it may be time to seek recommendations from your doctor.