You are pregnant…..now what?!? With all the research the internet offers, figuring out what to do and what not to do during your first trimester can be a daunting task. Based on my experience as a birth professional and chiropractor, I’ve attempted to simplify this task for expecting mommies so you can have the healthiest pregnancy possible during your 1st trimester. In this article I discuss what to do during your 1st trimester of pregnancy by providing 4 actions steps.
1) Focus your attention on your baby from day one
My friends and patients have told me that they don’t allow themselves to really “feel pregnant” until the first kick, 36 weeks, or until the baby is born. As a result, many women do not start caring for themselves until this reality sets in. Unlike an exam, we can’t cram good health for our baby into the last few weeks. The first trimester is crucial for growth and development, and the baby needs your attention and focus from day one.
2) Define HEALTH
The World Health Organization defines health as “optimal physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This means your health is based on how your body is functioning (rather than how you feel). To achieve optimal health during pregnancy, you need to focus on:
- quality nutrition, sleep, and exercise
- having a well functioning nervous system
- reducing toxins
- minimizing stress
- maintaining positive thoughts
In our office, we acknowledge that all of these factors influence health so we educate our patients on the best ways to live a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy.
3) Decide what type of birth you want to have
I tell my patients from to start thinking about what type of birth they would like to have from day one. Do you want to have a home birth, give birth at a birthing center, or have a hospital birth? Do you want the birth be more of a medical process? Or do you desire to take a more natural approach? Educate yourself on the pro’s and con’s of each birth and pick one that honors the needs of you and your partner.
4) Get checked by a chiropractor
Chiropractic care ensures that the master control system of your body, the nervous system, is working properly so that you can be as healthy as possible during your pregnancy. By maintaining a well functioning nervous system, an expecting mom can better tackle some of the hurdles that the first trimester offers such as nausea, fatigue, frequent urination, heartburn and constipation. Also, chiropractic adjustments ensure that your pelvis maintains proper alignment to allow your baby the adequate room to grow and move.
Your Turn
If you have any questions about your first trimester of pregnancy, or would like to see how your body is functioning, feel free to call Corrective Chiropractic at 404-355-5499 or leave a comment below.
