Your pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in your life, but it is also one of the most important times to take special care of your body. Maintaining good health is crucial for both you and the development of your new baby. However, with all the added stress and extra preparation needed during this special time, keeping up with your health can be a struggle. That’s why we have compiled a few top health tips to help you stay healthy during your entire pregnancy.

Avoid Toxic Environments
You’ll want to stay as far away from toxins in your environment as possible while pregnant because these toxins are absorbed into your lungs and skin, and therefore your bloodstream. Your baby will be exposed to these toxins, so we want to minimize them as much as possible. If you are a smoker, stop smoking and stay away from areas with second-hand smoke. Eliminate your drug and alcohol use. Reduce your use of chemical household cleaners, plastics, and fumes. If you cannot stop your intake of drugs or alcohol, meet with your doctor who can help you make a healthy plan.

Take a Prenatal Vitamin Daily
Taking a pre-natal vitamin is one of the easiest and most important ways to help your baby develop properly and avoid birth defects. You can find these easily at any drug store, grocery store, doctor’s office, or seek out help from a local support group.

Exercise
Staying active is important during your pregnancy. Light to moderate exercise a few times per week will help your body adjust to the major changes it’s going through more gracefully and can help prevent issues like back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel, and other pain-related pregnancy issues. The increased circulation from exercise will also help to encourage healthy development in your growing baby. Walking, yoga, and stretching are great ways to start.

Find Appropriate Shoes
As your body changes and your bump grows, you will need more support for your feet carrying this new load! Seek out more comfortable (and possibly bigger sized) shoes to help support your daily movements as you grow and take on more weight.

Eat More Fruits, Veggies, and Fish
You body needs tons of vitamins and minerals to grow a baby! Unfortunately, the processed and fast foods that we tend to eat don’t offer us many health benefits. Stock up on fruits like apples and berries for mid-day snacks and try to eat more vegetables. Fish is a great choice for dinner as many types are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to help improve baby’s brain health and cognitive skills.