Ways to make pregnancy fun
Jennifer’s life took a new turn. As the days rolled by, the overly excited Jennifer was becoming angry at everyone and everything. Similarly, her eating habits changed. Earlier, Jennifer could not stand the sight of bitter leaf soup, but as a result of her pregnancy, she craved for it continually. This made her husband to […]
Jennifer’s life took a new turn. As the days rolled by, the overly excited Jennifer was becoming angry at everyone and everything. Similarly, her eating habits changed. Earlier, Jennifer could not stand the sight of bitter leaf soup, but as a result of her pregnancy, she craved for it continually. This made her husband to stop by any nearby restaurant to buy it for her.
Pregnancy is the biggest natural body change. The female body is designed for pregnancy, but even so, having another little person grow inside can cause some discomforts. Hence, health experts say it is a time to look after your health. You have to look after yourself to be able to look after your baby; this does not just relate to pregnancy, but also after the baby is born. Thus, antenatal and post-natal visits to hospital are a necessity.
Dr. Chito Nwana, Consultant Obstetrician and Gyneacologist at the Tabitha Women’s Health Center Maitama, Abuja puts it succinctly: “pregnancy is a normal situation.” However, she says when health experts see a high risk pregnancy; they give more attention to such people. “When we see high risk pregnancy like people who have high blood pressure, diabetes or people with multiple gestation like twins, women who have congenital problems, people who have problems that will make their pregnancy a little complicated, we pull them much more closely, monitor their situation much more closely, the get closer attention in pre-natal care,” Dr. Nwana says.
One way to make pregnancy a fun and interesting is by not stressing your body. Hence, health experts advise pregnant women to avoid working continually as this leads to miscarriage.
Feeling stressed is common during pregnancy, but too much of it can cause discomfort. Stress can make you have trouble sleeping, have headaches, lose your appetite or overeat. Health experts say high levels of stress that continue for a long time may cause health problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease. When there is pregnancy, this type of stress can increase the chances of having a premature baby (born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) or a low-birth weight baby (weighing less than 5½ pounds). Babies born too soon or too small are at increased risk of health problems.
Also, pregnant women should always relax. This means making time specifically for relaxation and not doing so only at spare moments. Take time to do whatever makes you feel good. Read a book, watch a movie, have a massage, go to the salon and make a new a hair style.
Another thing to make pregnancy fun, is eating balanced diet to enable the mother and the child to be healthy. Hajiya Jummai Hassan, a dietitian at the Wuse General Hospital says “when a woman is pregnant, she needs to eat all the five basic food nutrients per day. She needs a lot of zinc, vitamin E, A and C. The five sources of food include carbohydrate, protein, fruits and vitamin, water, mineral and fat is needed for up keep and the growing of the foetus. If the mother is not eating well, she may be forced to reduce her cravings and go for healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables,” she says.
Pregnancy can be fun when the carriers learn as much about pregnancy they you can. Read, talk to friends, attend ante-natal classes, and talk to doctor or midwife to learn as much as possible not only about the biology of pregnancy, but its emotional implications as well. In this way if one begins to experience new and disturbing emotions, they should not be surprised by them.
Keep lines of communication open with love ones, especially husbands. Your spouse, parents, and friends will know exactly what you are experiencing and can anticipate what your wants and needs will be. Let them know. Tell them how you are feeling and how they can help. At the same time you must also be sensitive to the concerns and anxieties your spouse might have, especially if this is your first pregnancy like Jennifer’s.
Buying all those new baby clothes, bedding, toys, and extras is exciting and fun. You and your partner can make a many fun filled days of this throughout your pregnancy. Lunch or dinner dates can bond both of you to this new addition to the family.
However, you must see your obstetrician or midwife when you notice any of these symptoms. Fluid from your vagina, swellings of the hands and face, severe headaches, blurry vision, regular contraction prior to 37 weeks and no fetal movement.