There is absolutely no limit to the number of guidelines that can be recommended for pregnant women. Unfortunately, not every bit of advice is helpful or even accurate. It is therefore important to get guidance from a reliable source – the best source is of course your doctor. In addition, here are some basic pointers that it would be wise to follow on a trimester wise basis. This will make things easier, and is also more appropriate, since the fetus is in completely different stages of growth in each of the trimesters.

Folic acid

The first trimester is when the fetus grows rapidly in terms of the formation of internal organs. This is a time when the highest requirement is that of folic acid, which is usually prescribed by the gynecologist. If it is not, it can also be purchased over the counter. Keep in mind that it is also essential that pre natal vitamins, which are usually prescribed, but are also easily available over the counter, must also be consumed daily for the duration of the entire pregnancy as well as all the time that a new mother is nursing. If this pill is being taken, chances are that there won’t be the need for any other supplement, as it contains all the necessary minerals and vitamins in the correct proportions.

The second trimester is a time when the body of the baby is developing. There is a greater need for protein, which will be useful in helping the baby to gain the much required weight. At this point, daily exercise is extremely important so as to ensure that there is no excessive weight gain. There can be a daily walk in the routine, accompanied by a healthy meal. It is advisable to avoid excessive fat consumption, as this will not help the baby, but will certainly make the mother put on unhealthy weight. Though it is a great thought to have the freedom to eat whatever one wants without constantly counting calories during pregnancy, please do keep in mind that the baby can only have that much birth weight and no more! Finally, there are also some general tips that always need to be kept in mind. For instance, smokers need to quit at once, and alcohol is also to be avoided during pregnancy. This will reduce the chances of fetal birth defects and will also ensure that a healthy baby is born. You should also avoid stress as far as possible, and get plenty of rest. In addition, the obstetrician/gynecologist needs to be visited on a monthly basis so that the progress of the fetus can be monitored.