How to Stay Low Risk in Pregnancy

Staying low risking pregnancy is important to every moms-to-be. One of the most popular questions is how to stay low risk in pregnancy. The following are the most important ways for you to stay low risk in pregnancy. Having a doula who can help you stay on track and learn these things is of greatest importance. Looking for more information on Doulas? Click the "Schedule an Appointment " page and fill it out.

Now, how to stay low risk in pregnancy....

Exercising

Whether you were exercising before pregnancy or not, exercise is important in pregnancy. There are many pregnancy exercises to learn and do to help your body stay low risk, birth easier and recover faster.

Nutrition

Pregnancy nutrition is important for you and baby. We are learning that not only vitamins and minerals are needed for a healthy mama and baby, but mama's gut health is also important. We always want to make sure we first get our vitamins and minerals from food and nature before we take supplements. This can be done better by following a whole foods diet. In pregnancy there is still many times a need for supplements. Starting with herbs is a better alternative when possible. Then turning supplemental vitamins and minerals. The most needed in pregnancy being Vitamin d3, b complex, k complex and iron. Having your vitamin and minerals checked by your provider's lab or an at home test is most helpful, the sooner the better.

Education

Education and information are your best defense to a low risk pregnancy. Knowing what is right for you, making informed choices and understanding informed consent. It is also important to speak with your provider about these things intelligently and respectfully. They work for you first. Taking a Childbirth Education Class is very useful along with hiring an informed Doula.

Choosing your Provider Carefully

When choosing a provider it is important to talk to them about your Birth Wishes, ask them about their first time mom low-risk Cesarean Section Rate, make sure their philosophy of birth matches yours. Also deciding what kind of practice you would like; one with doctors and midwives, midwives only, doctors only, large practice or small. Do you like knowing who will be there on BIRTH-day or are you okay with whoever is on-call.

Choosing your Birth Place Carefully

When choosing your birth place think of where you feel safest. Homebirth has been shown to be as safe or safer than hospital births. This of course is based on you being low-risk, however the midwife model of care defines low-risk - high-risk differently than the medical model of care. Just because a doctor has said you were high-risk does not mean a midwife will also deem you high-risk. Sometimes it is more comfortable to have a homebirth like setting without it being in your home. This is when birth center births are helpful. Again they are like homebirth and do not always deem high-risk the same as a doctor. The most important thing is to understand how the place you choose works, if they will respect your Birth Wishes and that you feel safe.

Hiring a Doula

Studies have shown that women who hire doulas are more satisfied with their birth even when they do not get the birth they had envisioned. Doulas have also shown to decrease the chances of pitocin and cesarean sections as well as other interventions. Doulas also help give your partner a chance to rest, eat and catch up on work or thefamily when needed or in the event of a long labor. From before labor, to at home and until your baby is born, Doulas are there to help guide you and support you in your birth

your way.

Preparing Birth Wishes

It is important to let everyone involved in your birth what your Birth Wishes are. A Doula should help you understand how to make a list of things that are important to you for your birth. In any birth setting the people attending may come and go. It is important you help them all be on the same page and know what matters to you.