Changing health behaviours
When finding out that you are about to become a parent, there are certain behaviours regarding your health that may need to change in order for both you and the baby to be healthy.
These health behaviours include nutrition, physical activity and spiritual and social connections.
Nutrition
Before finding out that you are about to have a child, there are particular food and nutritious habits that need to be changed in order for the baby to be healthy. Things that you may need to do in order to minimise the risk of putting your child in danger include:
- Maintain a healthy balanced diet of whole foods: the baby's supply of food comes directly from what the mother eats therefore, it is important to ensure that you are eating the correct foods that not only supply you with nutrition and energy, but also your baby. There are many healthy diets and recipes that you can find that will ensure both you and your baby are getting the right amount of nutrition. Here is a list of strategies and information on what foods you should eat in order for your baby to be healthy.
By selecting the right foods to eat and maintaining a healthy/balanced diet, it is most likely that your baby grows and is constantly being nourished by all the healthy food being passed down to it and reduces the risk of it having diseases such as diabetes.
- Drink 2 or more litres of water a day: now that you are pregnant, you are not only looking after your own health, but also after the health of the foetus that is growing inside. Constantly hydrating your body reduces the risk of having headaches, cramps, feeling nauseas and dizzy and is important especially towards the end of your pregnancy as dehydration can cause contractions which may lead to a premature birth of the baby.
Constant hydration allows the baby's brain to correctly develop and lowers the risk of them being born early which may cause implications in further development.
- Exclude alcohol and other drugs, including caffeine and tobacco: these substances are already a threat to any body when consumed especially whilst being pregnant. Drinking alcohol, taking drugs or smoking can have serious effects on your unborn child. For example drinking alcohol during pregnancy reaches the child extremely fast meaning their blood level increases to the exact same level as yours which is extremely unhealthy for a foetus which has not yet developed. The consumption of alcohol can also directly affect the brain development of your child.
Staying away from these substances before, during and after pregnancy will lower the risk of your child obtaining illnesses and having brain damage. This will also increase the chances of your child fully developing inside and being born a healthy baby.
Physical activity
Participating in regular low impact physical activity before and during your pregnancy will make both your pregnancy and labour much easier as well as positively impact your your baby's physical and mental health. In his article, 'Physical Activity During Pregnancy Benefits Babies' Health', Christopher Bergland says that "regular aerobic exercise during pregnancy has the potential to improve the mental and physical health of children into adulthood. The mental and physical benefits of exercise help to create an optimal environment for the mind, body and brain of a foetus. Researchers are now discovering that the long-term benefits of a mother staying healthy and active can last for the lifespan of your child."
Not only does this benefit you, but your child is positively impacted throughout their lifespan. The physical activity required does not have to be intense, rather it is advised that a mother participate in activities such as aerobics, yoga and light power walking in order to stretch the muscles throughout her body.
Social and spiritual connections
During pregnancy, mothers tend to become over stressed and distance themselves from people as they're constantly worried about themselves and their child. However, in order to stay healthy, parents should maintain socialising and constantly practice relaxation. Attending antenatal and prenatal classes offered by hospitals and institutions such as ones at Calmbirth give parents the opportunity to meet others in the same situation as them and learn more about physical and emotional needs not only for the baby but also for themselves. It is also advised to practice relaxation techniques for when you are in labour to reduce the risk of being worked up or tiring the baby.
By attending antenatal and prenatal classes as well as practicing relaxation techniques, you're not only preparing yourself for the arrival of the baby, but you're also ensuring that you meet all the needs of the child when they are born. This will positively impact your child as you will already know how to do things in a certain way that will ensure the optimum wellbeing of your child.
These health behaviours include nutrition, physical activity and spiritual and social connections.
Nutrition
Before finding out that you are about to have a child, there are particular food and nutritious habits that need to be changed in order for the baby to be healthy. Things that you may need to do in order to minimise the risk of putting your child in danger include:
- Maintain a healthy balanced diet of whole foods: the baby's supply of food comes directly from what the mother eats therefore, it is important to ensure that you are eating the correct foods that not only supply you with nutrition and energy, but also your baby. There are many healthy diets and recipes that you can find that will ensure both you and your baby are getting the right amount of nutrition. Here is a list of strategies and information on what foods you should eat in order for your baby to be healthy.
By selecting the right foods to eat and maintaining a healthy/balanced diet, it is most likely that your baby grows and is constantly being nourished by all the healthy food being passed down to it and reduces the risk of it having diseases such as diabetes.
- Drink 2 or more litres of water a day: now that you are pregnant, you are not only looking after your own health, but also after the health of the foetus that is growing inside. Constantly hydrating your body reduces the risk of having headaches, cramps, feeling nauseas and dizzy and is important especially towards the end of your pregnancy as dehydration can cause contractions which may lead to a premature birth of the baby.
Constant hydration allows the baby's brain to correctly develop and lowers the risk of them being born early which may cause implications in further development.
- Exclude alcohol and other drugs, including caffeine and tobacco: these substances are already a threat to any body when consumed especially whilst being pregnant. Drinking alcohol, taking drugs or smoking can have serious effects on your unborn child. For example drinking alcohol during pregnancy reaches the child extremely fast meaning their blood level increases to the exact same level as yours which is extremely unhealthy for a foetus which has not yet developed. The consumption of alcohol can also directly affect the brain development of your child.
Staying away from these substances before, during and after pregnancy will lower the risk of your child obtaining illnesses and having brain damage. This will also increase the chances of your child fully developing inside and being born a healthy baby.
Physical activity
Participating in regular low impact physical activity before and during your pregnancy will make both your pregnancy and labour much easier as well as positively impact your your baby's physical and mental health. In his article, 'Physical Activity During Pregnancy Benefits Babies' Health', Christopher Bergland says that "regular aerobic exercise during pregnancy has the potential to improve the mental and physical health of children into adulthood. The mental and physical benefits of exercise help to create an optimal environment for the mind, body and brain of a foetus. Researchers are now discovering that the long-term benefits of a mother staying healthy and active can last for the lifespan of your child."
Not only does this benefit you, but your child is positively impacted throughout their lifespan. The physical activity required does not have to be intense, rather it is advised that a mother participate in activities such as aerobics, yoga and light power walking in order to stretch the muscles throughout her body.
Social and spiritual connections
During pregnancy, mothers tend to become over stressed and distance themselves from people as they're constantly worried about themselves and their child. However, in order to stay healthy, parents should maintain socialising and constantly practice relaxation. Attending antenatal and prenatal classes offered by hospitals and institutions such as ones at Calmbirth give parents the opportunity to meet others in the same situation as them and learn more about physical and emotional needs not only for the baby but also for themselves. It is also advised to practice relaxation techniques for when you are in labour to reduce the risk of being worked up or tiring the baby.
By attending antenatal and prenatal classes as well as practicing relaxation techniques, you're not only preparing yourself for the arrival of the baby, but you're also ensuring that you meet all the needs of the child when they are born. This will positively impact your child as you will already know how to do things in a certain way that will ensure the optimum wellbeing of your child.