What Can I Do to Avoid Pregnancy Complications?

There are many different types of complications that could occur during a woman’s pregnancy. Some of these issues can be prevented while others happen without any signs or symptoms. If you are a woman who is pregnant or looking to get pregnant soon, there are some steps you can take to make sure that you have a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Physical Activity

As long as your doctor has approved it, physical activity is very important during pregnancy. You might not be able to keep up with the frequency of your workouts, but you can still stay in shape. It’s important that you listen to your body. Stop what you’re doing if it doesn’t feel comfortable. Also, check with your doctor to figure out what types of exercises to stay away from. Generally speaking, swimming, walking, jogging, dance, cycling, and even kickboxing are safe during pregnancy.  Some women even do Crossfit!

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet can decrease the risk of developing or  mitigate conditions such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. You’ll need to watch what you’re eating, especially your sugar intake. Make sure you’re getting plenty of fruits and veggies each day. Protein is also important. Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and processed foods. Fast food isn’t beneficial either. If you need assistance with your diet, you can speak to a nutritionist who is educated on pregnancies. While it’s normal to gain weight during pregnancy, you want to make sure that you’re gaining the appropriate amount of weight in order to prevent any pregnancy complications from occurring.

Take Advanced Maternal Age into Consideration

A woman who is over the age of 35 is considered to be of advanced maternal age. This age bracket puts you  at a higher risk of pregnancy complications, labor issues, and birth defects. You're probably aware that bearing children when you're younger may be healthier for you as the mother and for your children as well. Of course, having your children when you’re young may be medically preferable, but not everyone has the ability to plan their family at that age. If you're starting your family when you're somewhat older, you're certainly not alone, and if you listen to your obstetrician, you should be just fine. It’s a good idea to have a reputable OBGYN on hand because you'll want to visit regularly for prenatal checkups during your pregnancy. If you would like to find out how you can avoid any kind of complications, you can also visit your doctor before getting pregnant.

It’s important that you take care of yourself. Exercise, get plenty of rest, watch your diet and keep up with your prenatal care. This should help you avoid complications and deliver a healthy baby. But if you’re worried, keep in mind that complications are rare. Everything will be fine.