Five Essential Tips for Mothers to Be

Discovering that you are pregnant generates a mixture of quite powerful emotions that are to some degree
heightened by the hormonal changes that are taking place in your body. Being an expectant mother can be
thrilling but it is also a little nerve-wracking, especially if it is your first time. Once the initial euphoria has worn off you will need to start thinking seriously about your own health and the well being of the fetus, as the two are inextricably linked.

The way that you live your life, what you eat and what you drink during your pregnancy can affect your baby. If
you smoke you should definitely give it up. Helpful friends and family members will have plenty of ‘good advice’ to offer, and will relate endless stories about their own personal experiences. Beyond the old wives’ tales and personal anecdotes, however, there are some genuinely important things that all pregnant women should think about. Here are five essential pieces of practical advice for mothers to be.

1. Look after your teeth and diet

Many women today think that attending a few antenatal classes and seeing their healthcare provider regularly
is all they need to do to ensure that they stay in good shape for the birth. In fact, there are a number of things
that pregnant women must do to ensure that they are taking the best care of their health. The first thing to
do is arrange a dental check-up. Keeping your teeth and gums in good condition throughout the pregnancy
is very important. Gum infections can spread into the bloodstream and increase the risk of delivering a baby
prematurely. Diet is also extremely important; eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is good for mother as
well as for the baby, as is avoiding alcohol and those foodstuffs that can be a problem during pregnancy. Full
advice on diet can be obtained from your doctor or healthcare provider.

2. Think about your feet

Visiting a podiatrist for a check-up will help ensure that any potential problems with the feet will be
professionally dealt with before they become an issue. The increase in body weight during pregnancy can
exacerbate minor issues such as ingrown toenails or calluses, making walking exceptionally uncomfortable.
Choosing well-fitting supportive shoes is also advisable.

3. Enjoy your style options

Being pregnant no longer means sporting a shapeless smock; maternity wear nowadays can be both stylish
and chic. A wide range of clothing is available for the unique body shape developed during pregnancy,
resulting in contented and fashionable-looking expectant mothers. Choosing clothes that fit a blossoming figure
properly, rather than clothes that aim to disguise it, will pay emotional dividends. Experimenting with colors,
different necklines, and elegant accessories can be fun, and adds to the feel-good factor.

4. Be good to yourself

Enjoy the retail therapy when choosing your new clothes; it can be a real boost during pregnancy to be that little
bit more self-indulgent. Pregnancy is tiring, sensitivity levels are heightened, and hormones sometimes provide
a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Taking the time to visit the hairdresser and the manicurist will boost the spirits,
and if mom is happy, then baby will be happy too.

5. Think of the future

It is natural for pregnant women to be concerned about the birth of their baby, and to want to ensure the health
and welfare of their child for the future. Having a baby preparation plan that includes banking umbilical cord
blood will help to offer peace of mind. Umbilical cord blood provides stem cells that can help with a number of
medical treatments, including the regeneration of the immune system and also blood cells after chemotherapy.
The baby and other family members might benefit in the future from banking cord blood. It is a safe, painless,
and simple procedure immediately after the birth, and the blood is then available if required in the event of a
family medical emergency. This is especially beneficial if there is a history of genetic disease transmission
within the family.