5 Important Health-Related Facts Women Dealing With an Unexpected Pregnancy Need To Know

The discovery of an unplanned pregnancy is a shocking occurrence that can change your life and brings with it hard choices.

If you have recently found yourself unexpectedly carrying, the first thing you should be aware of is that there are many unplanned pregnancy resources available for you to take advantage of. Speaking of resources, have you considered joining a support group for unplanned pregnancies? In such moments, you need a reliable network of trusted individuals to ensure you don’t feel isolated or overwhelmed. Isolation is not healthy for any pregnancy, whether planned or not. Fortunately, these groups offer a sense of community that builds a lifetime of friendships while you navigate the complexities of an unexpected pregnancy. Check out resourceful sites like https://embracegrace.com/ for more information.

The second is that you have options besides abortion or keeping the baby. Adoption is a viable alternative to both of these. Regardless of what you choose to do, if you plan to carry your infant to full-term, you need to maintain your physical and mental well-being. Here are five important health-related facts you should know to help you do so.

1. Avoid the Use of Controlled Substances

Do not take any drugs not pre-approved by a medical professional while pregnant. Substances like cannabis, meth and cocaine are obviously harmful to both you and your maturing fetus. Using them while carrying may lead to your baby being born with addictions, birth defects and other health issues, even behavioral problems. It may also result in miscarriage. However, even some over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen can pose a threat to your unborn child, so it is best to ask a doctor before taking anything. The medical expert may suggest an alternative like Tylenol, generally considered a safe pain reliever substitute for pregnant women.

2. Take Prenatal Vitamins

These are specially designed to provide you with the vitamins and minerals you need to produce a healthy child. Paired with a balanced, nutritious diet, they make sure your body and that of your developing baby are well-nourished. They might contain folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, iron, iodine and other ingredients. There are specific ones your doctor may prescribe.

3. Get Into Motion

If you have been worrying that you will hurt your baby by lifting things or running, then you can stop now. For the majority of women (not including those suffering health complications), about 30 minutes of medium intensity exercise on multiple or even all days of the week is actually recommended. Swimming, low-impact aerobics and walking are possible exercises you could do. There are, of course, certain forms of exercise that should be avoided, such as contact sports and ones with a lot of risk involved like skiing. How far along you are in your pregnancy does factor in. For example, you should not do exercises involving lying down flat on your back past your first trimester, and if your doctor tells you to take it easy you should listen.

4. Avoid Consuming Certain Foods and Beverages

Besides drugs, other substances should be avoided or limited. You may have heard that drinking alcohol in moderation is perfectly okay and will not impact the baby. This is false: The consumption of any amount of alcohol puts your infant at risk of negative effects on the brain, miscarriage, stillbirth and fetal alcohol syndrome. Caffeine intake should be reduced. You should also avoid unpasteurized foods and drinks, unwashed fruits and vegetables, uncooked meat, processed junk food and raw eggs among others.