You discover, you are pregnant then…

From choosing the right doctor to finding the right changes in lifestyle. We got some heads up for you.

As you prepare for the arrival of your baby, you will be making a lot of big and small decisions. And one of the most important choices is who you will trust with your care. When you discover you are pregnant, finding the right care quickly becomes a priority for you and your growing baby. Whether you are about to be a first-time mother or you have had kids before, this pregnancy is a whole new world and you need a steady guide.

From your first prenatal appointment to postpartum care, the person you trust with your care will be with you throughout your pregnancy journey. So, you want to work with someone who’s knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate.

To help you decide, let’s start by talking about what an Obstetrician/gynecologist (OB-GYNs) are.Then we can move on to the kind of care you can expect from them during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, and when choosing a doctor may make the most sense.

OB-GYNs are highly trained and experienced in providing pregnancy care and delivering babies. OB-GYNs can handle complex and high-risk pregnancies and births. OB-GYNs, provide personalized pregnancy and delivery care that emphasizes your and your baby’s well-being.

One of the seniors and most trusted OB-GYNs in Navi Mumbai, Dr. Anu Vij suggests, “It’s not only infrastructure or state-of-art that is a must in selecting a hospital or nursing home. Team working in the maternity ward and their approach towards each pregnancy journey counts. One such nursing home in Navi Mumbai is Anurag Nursing Home (ANH). Here, we provide a comprehensive maternity care service beginning with the first antenatal stages of your pregnancy.” Further she mentioned that, “We as a team are committed to provide an ideal home environment with the highest possible quality of care. As a trusted and pioneer healthcare provider, we take an integrated health care approach in all that we do.” ANH is one of the most trusted and sought after nursing homes of Navi Mumbai

Choosing right maternity hospital

You want to make sure that you and your baby are in expert hands. The hospital should have a team of specialists to guide you through your labor and delivery.

Tips to find right maternity hospital:

• Don’t just rely on promotional brochures or website
• Go look at the place
• At hospital, don’t just sit in the lobby
• Go to the units, walk around and see rooms and facilities

A must check:

• Team of doctors: Look for OB/GYNs, anesthesiologists, NICU, etc
• Pregnancy health & wellness classes
• Food options
• Check with your insurance company, whether your shortlisted hospital and selected room are covered or not

Handy tips to make your pregnancy ride more joyful

Every pregnancy is unique, and even if you were pregnant earlier, each pregnancy requires special care and rest. From eating right to keeping stress at bay to following an overall healthy lifestyle, it is important that you give more attention to yourself, and your unborn baby. Follow these tips through your pregnancy months to make sure that you and your baby are safe and healthy.

For healthy pregnancy, do:

• Take a prenatal vitamin
• Exercise regularly
• Educate yourself, read blogs on pregnancy, like you are doing now
• Track your weight gain (normal weight gain is 4 to 5 kgs)
• Get comfortable shoes and clothes
• Wear sunscreen
• Get enough sleep
• Wear a seat belt, wherever it is available
• Take a pregnancy class
• Baby sit a friend’s baby for some real-world experience
• Tour birth facilities
• Practice relaxation techniques daily (yoga, stretching, deep breathing, massage)
• See your dentist
• Stretch before bed to avoid leg cramps

You must avoid:

• Harsh or toxic cleaners
• Heavy lifting
• Air travel, if possible, during early and late in pregnancy
• Changing cat litter (to reduce risk of toxoplasmosis)
• Smoking and passive smoking
• Taking over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies without medical consultation
• Overmedication
• Overdo of exercise

Dos in food, you must eat:

• Folate-rich foods (lentils, asparagus, oranges, fortified cereals)
• Calcium-rich foods (dairy, soy)
• Fish (except those high in mercury)
• Foods with fiber
• Veggies
• Five or six well-balanced meals each day

Don’ts in food, avoid:

• Eating soft cheeses (unpasteurized styles like Brie and feta may contain bacteria that can cause fever, or pregnancy complications)
• Overeating. You only need 300-500 additional calories per day. Keep a food diary

Dos and don’ts in drinking:

• Don’t drink alcohol
• Avoid coffee
• Drink plenty of fluids (six 8-ounce glasses of water per day)
• Avoid high calorie drinks

Get that friendly pillow

During pregnancy, a nursing pillow is more than just a pillow, it's a journey into motherhood that holds your hand (and your bump) every step of the way.

• Invest in a good adaptable pregnancy pillow that can help you with your growing bump. In the early days you might just need some small pillow for the lower back support.
• Get a pregnancy pillow that will help you sleep on your left-hand side. You should always try to sleep on your left side when pregnant to promote easy blood circulation.
• Get a pillow that is firm enough to keep your hips apart, whilst supporting your back and bump.

It’s ok to be anxious

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also carry with it plenty of anxiety. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused at times. With the right support and knowledge, it can help you learn and gain what you need to feel confident on your journey. Your experience will be similar to others in some ways, but always entirely your own. It’s important to choose the place and people who you trust to be there during the exciting moments. And enjoy it! As the saying goes: The days are long, but the years are short.