A normal pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks, where pregnancy is counted from the first day of the last menstruation. Pregnancy is then divided into three trimesters, each lasting about 13 weeks.

In the first trimester, the embryo develops into a fetus. The basic organs and systems of the body begin to form. In the next trimester, fetal growth accelerates until the additional organs strengthen and the baby is ready to be born at the end of the third trimester. For a healthy pregnancy until delivery, many things need to be prepared.

Tips for preparing for a healthy pregnancy

Take prenatal vitamins

Meeting nutritional needs when planning a pregnancy is very important for maternal health and fetal development. Folic acid is one of the prenatal vitamins that need to be consumed, even when planning a pregnancy. Folic acid is very important for preventing neural tube defects in the fetus such as spina bifida so it needs to be consumed every day for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The general recommended dose of folic acid is around 400 mcg per day. Apart from that, there are several other types of additional supplements needed including:

• Iron to prevent anemia and support fetal growth
• Calcium and vitamin D for the growth of fetal bones and teeth
• Vitamin C to help iron absorption and support the immune system
• Vitamin A in the right dose for eye, bone, and immune system development
• Vitamin E to help protect cells from damage
• Vitamin B complex helps various body functions including energy metabolism and blood cell formation
• Zinc for cell growth and fetal brain development
• Iodine is needed for the formation of thyroid hormones which are important for fetal nerve development

Read more: Benefits Of Folate Acid And Dose During Pregnancy

Exercising

Staying active is very important for the general health of pregnant women because it can help reduce stress, improve circulation, and improve mood. Research also shows that exercise has many benefits for supporting a healthy pregnancy, including reducing the risk of preeclampsia.

To choose an exercise that suits your condition, you still need to consult a doctor so that the doctor can help recommend the appropriate type of exercise.

Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke

Apart from stopping smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, you need to avoid exposure to cigarette smoke. Exposure to cigarette smoke, both directly and indirectly, can harm pregnant women and baby development, such as low birth weight, birth defects, and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Be careful in daily tasks

For a healthy pregnancy, you must also be careful when carrying out daily tasks. The risk of exposure to dangerous materials and germs during pregnancy can cause disruption to the pregnancy and fetus.

Avoid climbing stairs or high stools, changing pet litter, cleaning pet waste, using harsh chemicals to clean the house, standing for too long, eating raw meat or vegetables, etc.

Read more: Danger Of Being Thirdhand Smoker During Pregnancy

Don't take medicine carelessly

Some medications or supplements may have risks and side effects that are undesirable and dangerous for pregnancy. For this reason, if you have any health complaints, you should consult a doctor and not take medication carelessly.

Your doctor can help recommend medication that is safe for pregnancy and can treat your complaints.

Wash your hands frequently

Washing your hands can protect you from infection during pregnancy. This simple action can provide effective protection and prevent you from dangerous infections such as B streptococcus, chickenpox, CMV, influenza, Covid-19, etc.

Apart from doing all the above, don't miss appointments with your doctor to monitor the progress of your pregnancy until delivery.

Have other questions about pregnancy? If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or use the consultation features available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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