Fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be part of your daily diet. It is also important to take enough folic acid and iodine - this prevents your child from being born with a neural tube defect such as an open back. You will be adequately supplied if you take capsules from the first day of your pregnancy that are specially adapted to the needs of expectant mothers.
Moderate exercise in the fresh air provides your baby with oxygen and is good for your circulation. Yoga, Pilates and swimming also strengthen your muscles. This is how you get fit for the birth.
Stress and hectic activity have an immediate effect on the baby - it usually complains with painful kicks. Make sure you get enough sleep and rest in your daily routine. This is the only way your child can thrive undisturbed.
If the pregnancy progresses normally, there is nothing to be said against sexual intercourse with your partner. The baby is protected in the uterus and cannot be harmed. If you are unsure, you can ask your doctor for advice.
Use the time to enjoy togetherness with your partner before the baby turns your life upside down. Air travel is okay, especially in the early months of pregnancy. However, long-haul flights can promote thrombosis under certain circumstances. Be sure to ask your doctor for advice beforehand.
As soon as you have a positive pregnancy test in front of you - put away the pack of cigarettes! There is no better reason to give up a habit that is so damaging to your health. Nicotine prevents the baby from receiving oxygen and increases the risk of growth disorders, placental abruption and premature birth. Passive smoking also puts the baby at massive risk.
Now is not the time for a glass of red wine in the evening. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes abnormalities in the baby: these include failure to thrive after birth, nerve damage and delayed growth in infancy.
It's no coincidence that your sense of smell is more acute during pregnancy and that you feel nauseous just thinking about certain foods. This is your body's way of warning you to be careful, because not everything on the supermarket shelf is good for your baby. Raw milk cheeses like mozzarella, salami, or sushi with raw fish can contain listeria - tiny bacteria found primarily in unprocessed animal foods. But even pre-cut salads from a plastic bag can be contaminated. Beginning in the 3rd month of pregnancy, the baby can become infected with Listeria through the placenta. This can damage the brain, lungs and liver and not infrequently leads to stillbirth.
Nowadays, it is standard practice to ask a woman if she is pregnant before an X-ray exam - and that's a good thing. High doses of radiation can damage the fetus and lead to malformations. Still, you may need to have an X-ray in some circumstances. Your doctor will tell you about all the risks if this happens. Important to know: Modern X-ray machines emit far less radiation than in the past. Nevertheless, you should always carefully consider whether the examination is really necessary.
