Most women go to the doctor only during illness, when the main thing is to cure them, and personal hygiene issues remain in the background. Therefore, I will try to give some reasonable advice on personal hygiene details.
During pregnancy, a woman, while doing her job, should alternate between it and adequate rest. You can not lift weights, make sudden movements. According to labor legislation, a woman, from the moment she becomes pregnant, is released from hard work and from work at night, and from 4 months - from overtime.
Many doctors believe that today there is no compelling evidence for the need to give up vigorous exercise, which is so often advised for pregnant women. Therefore, a woman can afford those physical exercises that she was accustomed to before pregnancy. However, it is better to give up sports early in pregnancy. Since there are no contraindications to swimming in salt or fresh water at any stage of pregnancy, it is permissible for a woman, for example, to swim in a pool. But, do not dive under the water due to the physical compression of the abdomen that is occurring at this moment, which is especially dangerous in late pregnancy.
While physical activity is essential, getting enough rest is even more important. As pregnancy progresses, the degree of physical activity decreases and, given the tendency to edema in late pregnancy, it would be useful for a woman to lie down periodically for 30-40 minutes 2-3 times a day, if circumstances permit. It is also necessary to strive to ensure that the night's sleep lasts at least 8 hours, especially in the last months of pregnancy. It is more convenient to lie on your side in bed, as this relieves the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the great vessels (aorta, inferior vena cava).
A pregnant woman is recommended to take a daily shower, if there are no conditions, you can limit yourself to rubbing with a wet sponge. It is undesirable to take hot baths, but you should not take a steam bath, this can lead to premature birth, and in the early stages, spontaneous miscarriage.
From the first days of pregnancy, a woman needs to be in the fresh air as much time as possible, to rest in a well-ventilated room. Fresh air has a beneficial effect on the physical and mental state of a woman, the development of the fetus, which is sensitive to a lack of oxygen. However, it is wise for a pregnant woman to avoid walking distances that can tire her out. This is especially true when miscarriages or premature births have been reported in the past. It is not recommended to travel to the resort, especially to another climatic zone, after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Traveling by car has become such an integral part of modern life that there is no reason to limit it to a pregnant woman, although in the second half of pregnancy, a woman who is a motorist is better off getting into a passenger seat. At the same time, despite the inconvenience at all times, you should definitely wear a seat belt, as this greatly reduces the likelihood of hitting the car's dashboard during sudden braking, and in more dangerous situations it will save you from severe damage.
For pregnant women, air travel is not contraindicated, but it can be complicated by two circumstances. First, it is motion sickness, which increases the urge to nausea, which is characteristic of early pregnancy. Secondly, if there is insufficiency of the placenta, then air travel can aggravate the existing fetal hypoxia. For purely practical reasons, you should not undertake air travel in late pregnancy, since childbirth on board is not desirable at all.
If a pregnant woman is going to visit countries where there is a high risk of contracting especially dangerous infections, in particular, smallpox, yellow fever or polio, it is wiser to refuse such a trip. After all, vaccinations against these diseases are contraindicated during pregnancy.
There is undeniable evidence of the dangers of smoking during pregnancy. Numerous studies carried out in various medical centers show that women who smoke are more likely to have premature birth, and if delivery occurs on time, babies are often born with low birth weight. Maternal smoking is a risk factor for the development of the asthmatic wheezing symptom in the first 5 years of a child's life. At the same time, the risk increases depending on the number of cigarettes smoked. (Fortunately, in 85% of children, this symptom disappears by the age of 16). Smoking appears to be an easily avoidable complication of pregnancy.
The type of clothes for a pregnant woman is so dependent on the climate and the season that apart from the most general advice, it is impossible to say anything. Loose, easily washable clothing is preferable. Tight belts and rubber bands compress superficial veins and obstruct blood circulation, which can lead to varicose veins in the legs. From 20 weeks of pregnancy, a woman is advised to wear a bandage (which must be worn while lying on her back!). Shoes should be comfortable, with a wide low heel (remember that the center of gravity of the body during pregnancy shifts forward due to an increase in the abdomen, and high heels make it harder to maintain balance), and high-heeled shoes lead to torso tension and can cause pain in back. During pregnancy, the weakening of the leg ligaments and an increase in body weight cause lengthening and flattening of the foot, therefore, in accordance with its gradually changing shape, the right one should be selected.
It is recommended that every woman see the dentist at least twice during pregnancy - at the very beginning, when, if necessary, fillings or remove diseased teeth, and in the last months. If a tooth was removed or any other surgical intervention in the oral cavity was performed, then food can be taken only after 2 hours, and drunk not earlier than after 40 minutes. You should refrain from rinsing (if there were no recommendations from the surgeon) so as not to violate the integrity of the blood clot that forms at the site of the wound. If suddenly after a while she began to bleed, do not be alarmed, roll up a piece of sterile bandage tightly, dip it in a saturated pink solution of potassium permanganate, attach it to the wound and bite it. If the bleeding does not stop for more than 2 hours, then hurry to the clinic. Mild pain and slight swelling near the wound after surgery should not be scary: on the 2-3rd day, the pain will subside, and the swelling will subside. To quickly relieve these unpleasant sensations, periodically apply an ice pack on the outside to the cheek for an hour for 10-15 minutes. The teeth should be cleaned slowly and carefully, using only a soft bristled brush, so as not to injure the wound. If the state of health worsens within 24 hours after tooth extraction (the temperature rises above 37.5 degrees, pulsating pain appears and swelling increases), you should immediately seek help from your doctor.
Caring for the mammary glands during pregnancy will not only help prevent deformation of the nipples, which makes it difficult to feed, but also avoid the formation of cracks and mastitis (breastfeeding). The mammary glands and nipples should be washed daily with boiled water at room temperature with baby soap, wiped with a clean, hard towel. It is good to put a piece of rough canvas in the cups of the bra - from the friction that occurs during this, the skin of the nipples becomes coarser. To "harden" the nipples, ointments, alcohol, cologne and other means should not be used. Flat and inverted nipples are massaged in the last 2 months of pregnancy 2-3 times a day for 3-4 minutes. To do this, with the index and thumb, grab the nipple, previously lubricated with cream, and try to pull it off.
Sexual life during pregnancy should be limited, especially in the first 2-3 months, when spontaneous abortion occurs most often. If there have been repeated miscarriages in the past, then it is better to avoid sexual intercourse during the periods when they occurred. In the last 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, sexual activity is not desirable due to the danger of infection of the birth canal and uterine cavity.
Pregnancy is not only the happiest, but also the most crucial period in a woman's life. It is associated with a lot of positive emotions, dreams and hopes, as well as some concerns and fears. This is not unusual, any changes in life always bring some uncertainty with them, and this can cause some anxiety.
The main thing for you now is to know how to behave, what is possible, what is not, and what needs to be done so that the pregnancy and subsequent childbirth go as smoothly as possible.
So, you found out that you are pregnant, what next?
First, it is necessary to immediately and completely abandon bad habits 1. If you find it difficult to part with any of them, do not hesitate to confess this to your loved ones and your doctor, who will lead the pregnancy. With the advice of a doctor and family support, it will be much easier for you to overcome any addictions that could harm your unborn child.
Secondly, you need to consult about proper nutrition. Many girls fear for their figure and try to secretly put themselves on various diets. It is important to understand that such methods can seriously disrupt the development of the fetus 2, which in this case will not receive all the nutrients it needs. You can save your figure without a strict diet. To do this, it is enough to adhere to the principles of a healthy diet:
- drink enough water;
- give up starchy foods and sweets - the main source of excess adipose tissue and the enemy of the elasticity of your skin, which now, as the fetus grows, experiences significant stress 3;
- eat more cereals, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads, nuts and dried fruits; refuse or try to limit coffee consumption as much as possible;
- avoid foods rich in vitamin A (liver and liver pate), this can lead to fetal malformations 4;
- avoid any fast food, smoked, salty, fatty, fried and spicy.
During pregnancy, it is very important to review your sleep and rest routine. Many pregnant women try to maintain their usual daily routine, often experiencing constant feelings of fatigue and weakness from this 5. This is not correct and can lead to toxicosis and other adverse consequences. Try to alternate loads and rest, be sure to limit hard physical labor, you should never lift more than 3-5 kg - excessive stress can cause an increase in the tone of the uterus, and, as a result, the threat of termination of pregnancy.
But do not go to extremes - a complete rejection of physical activity is no less harmful than excessive exercise. Moderate activity 6 is necessary for better blood circulation throughout the body and its saturation with oxygen - and this is the guarantee that your unborn child will receive the necessary amount of nutrients. The 7 best physical activity option for a pregnant woman is outdoor hiking.
And most importantly, regular visits to your doctor will be the key to a calm and safe course of your pregnancy. Do not neglect medical supervision in such a crucial period in order to identify all possible problems at an early stage and avoid their consequences.
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- 2. Obstetrics and gynecology: Clinical guidelines. Issue 2. // Ed. IN AND. Kulakova, - 2006 .-- 560 s.
- 3. Obstetrics. Physiology of pregnancy: Textbook // E.G. Gumenyuk, O. K. Pogodin, T.A. Vlasov, PetrSU. - Petrozavodsk: IntelTek, 2004 .-- 169 p.
- 4. Obstetrics: National Guide + CD // Ed. E.K. Ailamazyan and coauthors. - 2009 .-- 1200 p.
- 5. Sidorova E.S. The course and management of pregnancy by trimester // E.S. Sidorov. Publishing house "Medical Information Agency", 2007. - 304 p.
- 6. Gynecology according to Emil Novak // Ed. J. Bereka, I. Adashi, P. Hilaard; Per. from English HE. Gorbacheva and others; Ed. Per. V.M. Nechushkin. - M .: Practice, 2002 .-- 892 p. - (Classics of modern medicine).
- 7. Obstetrics: Textbook + CD. 2nd ed., Rev. and add. // Ed. G.M. Savelyeva. –2007. - 512 pages.
How to behave during pregnancy in order to positively influence the unborn child? Any woman, as soon as she finds out about her pregnancy, begins to protect herself in every possible way, to listen to all the advice of doctors, because I really want to give birth to a really healthy baby. It has already been proven that by what the pregnancy was like, as well as childbirth, it is possible to determine what the child will be like in the future, what his development will be. Therefore, it is so important to approach pregnancy planning responsibly.
First of all, pregnancy should be desired and expected, that is, it is necessary to prepare for it. Many will say: “How can you prepare for it? You just have to go to the bedroom with your soul mate - and that's it. " But just the same, you do not need to immediately run into the bedroom. To begin with, future parents need to go to a medical center to fully check their health and, if any diseases are found, begin to eliminate them, since many drugs simply cannot be taken during pregnancy. In addition, various diseases can cause complications and even provoke a miscarriage.
But most people neglect going to the doctor, as well as taking tests, and subsequently they suffer due to the fact that, it turns out, they are not completely healthy for the birth of a child. The more thorough the examinations are at the planning stage of the baby, the more you can be sure that the pregnancy will proceed normally. Often, men stand aside, believing that only a woman needs to check their health, but this is not the case. Both parents must be fully prepared to conceive.
Also, consider whether you have any particularly addictive habits such as smoking and drinking. In the event that you want your child to be healthy, you need to give up all this at least 3 months before the onset of the pregnancy itself, or even earlier. If you are not ready to limit yourself in something, then, most likely, you are not yet mentally ready for the child, so pregnancy should be postponed. It has been proven that mothers who smoke and drink often give birth to children with various deviations and health problems, so you should not risk it.
The use of vitamins is also important, as a rule, they are prescribed by a doctor. It all depends on what stage you are in. In the planning process, for example, it is recommended to drink vitamin E and also folic acid, but during pregnancy, special complexes are already prescribed. They help to improve the maturation of the fetus, and also reduce the risk of developing pathologies. Do not neglect the advice and recommendations of doctors. After all, someone may be prescribed some research, and someone else: sometimes a doctor needs an analysis for vitamin D or trace elements. In other cases, they simply prescribe a complex of vitamins for pregnant women and that's it.
The general condition of a pregnant woman plays a huge role. It is known that the expectant mother should not be nervous, since this condition is transmitted to the baby. Many women who have already become mothers note that after they were worried about something throughout their pregnancy, they were irritated and nervous, the child was also born extremely restless. The relationship between mother and child is incredibly strong, therefore, when a mother is bad, her child is also bad. This must always be remembered.
It is very important to talk with the baby during all 9 months of waiting, he really hears everything. Most often, it is from the mother's voice that the child calms down and even falls asleep in the womb. Also, a woman needs to be surrounded by all that is beautiful, so that nothing around does not upset and annoy, but vice versa. It is recommended to watch good films, listen to funny, positive music, etc.
Psychologists say that you also can't worry about what gender your child will be. All these experiences are transmitted to the baby, and he may have negative attitudes about the fact that he is not wanted. The gender of the child should not matter to the parents, the birth of a child is happiness in itself, and it does not matter whether he is a boy or a girl.
A pregnant woman's tastes and preferences often change, so it is so important to listen to yourself and understand what exactly brings pleasure during this period. For example, if you feel that you want to take a walk in the park, you have to feel free to pack up and go there, which means that this is what your future baby wants, and later he will certainly thank you for it.
In addition, the more the expectant mother is afraid of childbirth, the more likely it is that it will really be difficult for her to give birth. You can’t tune yourself to the negative. Childbirth is a completely natural process and thousands of women go through it every day. You should understand why you are doing all this. You need to control yourself precisely because of the child, by the way, it is much more painful and more difficult for him during childbirth than for you. This is worth remembering. From a psychological point of view, it can be helpful to see your unborn baby and "get to know" him before delivery. During the prenatal follow-up program, you will need to get an ultrasound scan during pregnancy and more than once. Usually, for a small additional fee (the price of the media), you can get a "photo" of the baby before birth, or even a video.
If you behave correctly throughout your pregnancy, your baby will be born calm. It will be much easier to educate him, as he will better perceive all the information and understand you. The upbringing of a child should begin already from the prenatal period.
The first weeks of pregnancy in a woman's life are an important period during which it is worth figuring out what can and cannot be done, because it is at this time that the formation of the fetus begins.
What happens in the female body in the first days after conception
After a period of time within 1 week cannot yet be called a pregnancy. The fact is that it is at this time that the fertilized egg moves to the place where it will go through all the stages of development from the embryo to the fetus. Only when it successfully attaches to the uterine wall can we say that pregnancy has begun.
This process is called embryo implantation, after which the umbilical cord and placenta are formed. In the first week, the body will try in every possible way to reject the embryo, preventing it from gaining a foothold completely, since it considers it a foreign body. 
How to recognize: the first signs
The first weeks of pregnancy are accompanied by some sensations and symptoms that are typical for pregnant women:
- The main thing for a woman is the absence of menstruation in due time. If your period did not appear on time, then this may mean that the pregnancy has already occurred about 2 weeks ago.
- Bloody issues... When the embryo is introduced into the uterine wall on the 12th day, small brown discharge is possible.
Important! If pregnancy has already been established, and spotting appears during this period, then this can be an alarming sign of a possible miscarriage, therefore, you must immediately go to the hospital.
What to do for an expectant mother in the first weeks of pregnancy
Consider what needs to be done in the first weeks of pregnancy for the expectant mother and what you need to know so as not to harm the fetus.
The very first thing a pregnant woman needs to do is make an appointment with a gynecologist in order for him to register and advise you. It is the gynecologist who will give you advice on what to do, how to behave, write down your nutrition, exercise, etc.
When you are finally convinced that you are pregnant, you do not need to take any drastic measures. If you have a very active rhythm of life, you are involved in professional sports or you have bad habits and unhealthy diet, then, of course, all this should be forgotten before the birth of a child.
For example, if you were engaged in such activities as weightlifting, boxing, then you should stop these activities. But if before pregnancy you just went to and on light fitness or gymnastics, then you should not stop, of course, if there are no contraindications and the threat of termination of pregnancy. Such activities, on the contrary, will benefit the pregnant woman.
It is strictly forbidden to visit the bathhouse, especially in the early stages. In the bath there is an increase in body temperature, an increase in pulse and pressure, which can provoke fetal developmental disorders. Also, pregnant women should not wash in hot water - this can cause bleeding. 
It is also recommended to have sex in the first weeks of pregnancy, if there are no contraindications. During sex, endorphins are produced - hormones of pleasure, which are a good stimulant of the mood and psychological state of a pregnant woman.
During pregnancy, it is necessary to strictly monitor the correct nutrition so that both the mother and the baby feel good, and the mother does not gain extra pounds that exceed the normal weight gain for a pregnant woman, because it will be more difficult to give birth. To do this, you should exclude the intake of coffee in the first weeks; then it will be possible to renew it, but in reasonable doses.
You should give up fried and fatty, smoked, spicy and highly salty. Forget about fast food and unhealthy snacks, and focus on eating enough vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Don't forget about animal protein - be sure to eat meat and fish, which will help you avoid the cramps that often happen in pregnant women.
Also, the doctor will prescribe you who will provide you and your child with everything you need. 
Try to focus on your psychological state during pregnancy. Perhaps this is one of the most important components during the period of gestation. Stress, bad mood and anxiety can have a very bad effect on the baby and on the health of the expectant mother.
Important! Constant stressful situations can cause increased tone, abortion, increased blood pressure.
If you cannot avoid stressful situations, you need to drink a sedative: valerian or motherwort. You can brew yourself a weak tea with mint. You can also purchase an aroma lamp, into which you drip relaxing essential oils such as orange, lavender, chamomile.
What happens to the baby in the first weeks of pregnancy
Consider what happens in the first weeks of pregnancy in a woman's body.
After fertilization of the egg in the section of the uterine tube, after a few hours, the egg begins to divide exponentially. The ovum gradually moves to the uterine cavity through the fallopian tube. By division, a multicellular organism is formed, which is called "morula" at this stage of formation. Morula is embedded in the uterine wall. This is possible thanks to the villi that are present in the embryo on the outer walls. They join the blood vessels of the uterus, and later the placenta is formed there. Other cells in the outer layer are responsible for the formation of the umbilical cord. The inner cells will eventually develop into the organs and tissues of the fetus.