Pregnancy is a crucial stage for many women. Pregnancy entails numerous changes in a woman’s body. They are subjected to extremely sensitive conditions and several physical, mental and emotional changes. Not just the child bearers, but even their families and friends go through a joyous time that requires utmost care.
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Maternity Needs: A Guide
Carrying a child is a responsibility that requires a lot of caution and care. Offering mothers the best prenatal and postnatal care is vital to preserving the fertility rate in a country. This not just includes hospital care, but it also includes providing them with comfortable clothing like pregnancy tights and adequately nutritious food.
Currently, Australia has a fertility rate of 1.8 births per year. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are almost 298,000 mothers and 303,054 babies in Australia as of 2019. The Perinatal Statistics Collection also mentions 450,000 registered midwives in Australia, making it the most significant clinical industry.
Pregnancy: The changes
Pregnancy is a period where women undergo several changes. This period is marked as highly sensitive by many experts since the growth of the foetus demands specific conditions that can be provided only if the mother is in a healthy state.
During this time, there are many hormonal changes as well. Estrogen, progesterone and cortisol are released in varying amounts due to the rise and fall of hormonal cycles. There can be several mood-related changes as well. Due to such changes, pregnant women must be enabled with a healthy lifestyle that gives them the best.
Maternity Needs
Pregnancy is a time where experts suggest following a healthy lifestyle. This mainly includes four wings:
- Food: Nutritious food is given utmost priority when one discusses pregnancy needs. While a balanced diet is vital for good health in general, pregnancy diets are structured differently. Professional nutritionists suggest certain types of foods as the mother and child are in constant flux regarding nutrients. A lot of healthy proteins are recommended for good probiotics. Legumes, sweet potatoes and dark leafy greens are also suggested to enhance fibre and protein intake.
- Exercise: Staying physically active is crucial for normal delivery. Since the body expands in size, regular clothes might not be comfortable. For this purpose, there are several clothes designed for maternity wear. Wearing pregnancy tights and maternity bras provide a comfortable fit and enough room for stretching. This activewear comes in easily stretchable clothes that are easy to maintain as well. Experts suggest yoga and daily walking to stay fit. At least 30 minutes of light aerobic activity every day is suggested by experts.
- Supplements: Usually, during pregnancy, the mother’s body provides all the nutrients for the growing child through the placenta. As a result, the mother’s body’s natural reserves of vitamins and minerals need to be replenished. For this, many doctors suggest vitamin supplements and probiotic drinks be taken consistently. Pregnant ladies should take the best probiotics for women to stay healthy and prevent any vaginal infections.
- Social Support: This is arguably the most important wing out of the four. For pregnant women, physically, even simple tasks might become extremely difficult as their body naturally grows to be heavier. Furthermore, emotionally, pregnancy is a daunting period for mothers as not only do they have hormonal fluctuations, there is also a constant worry as the due date arrives. Social support in good company and aid in chores is vital to ensure they stay happy during their term.
Author Bio:
Alison Lurie is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
