Nutrition and hygiene of a pregnant woman: features and recommendations

During pregnancy, the fetus is under reliable protection of the placenta. It acts as a barrier against viruses and microbes. However, breaking this protection is much easier than it might seem at first glance. In this regard, the hygiene of a pregnant woman is extremely important.

The main ways of getting microbes and bacteria into the body

Hygiene of a pregnant woman is extremely important, because a child must be protected from any viruses, infections and bacteria. The main ways of getting microbes into the body are as follows:

• oral cavity;
• dirty hands;
• dirty clothes;
• External genitalia.

Key rules of personal hygiene

The hygiene of a pregnant woman is a delicate and delicate matter, which includes a huge amount of detail. Nevertheless, before going into details, it is worth remembering and following such key rules:

• You must take a cool or warm shower every day.
• Wash, if possible, should be carried out several times a day.
• It is better not to visit the sauna and sauna.
• You can not take a hot bath for a long time.
• It is better to limit swimming in water, as, in addition to harmful microorganisms, there is a strong excitement that can adversely affect the fetus.
• Nails should be short-cut so that dirt does not accumulate under them, containing pathogenic microbes.
• Hygiene of the oral cavity of pregnant women should be especially careful, because in the period of gestation the teeth are especially affected.
• All hygiene items (toothbrushes, scouring pads, towels) should be individual.

Intimate hygiene

The female organism is arranged so that the fetus is in close proximity to the genital organs. In addition, the child has to go through the birth canal. All this determines the importance of maintaining a normal microflora, which can provide intimate hygiene of a pregnant woman. Briefly, on the points it can be described as follows:

• Daily (several times a day), wash the intimate area with warm water. To do this, you can use special hygiene products or ordinary children's soap.
• Regularly change daily gaskets as they become dirty. It is better to use hygienic items on a natural basis, without flavors.
• Give preference to cotton or linen underwear.
• Visiting the toilet in public places, use wet wipes, designed specifically for intimate hygiene. Ordinary can disrupt the microflora.
• Do not use gray (from recycled materials) or multi-colored scented toilet paper. It should be white.
• Do not forget to remove hair in the intimate area. Of course, shaving is inefficient and inconvenient. Therefore, it is better to turn to modern salon techniques. Pregnant women are well suited for shugaring.
• At the slightest discomfort in the genital area, go for an examination to the gynecologist.

Bathing

The hygiene of a pregnant woman should be based on taking a shower. It is best to do this twice a day (in the morning and in the evening), but in the hot season you can participate in the procedure. In doing so, pay special attention to detergents. It is best to use baby soap. If you are used to shower gels, make sure that they do not have dyes and aggressive ingredients. It is also necessary to avoid harsh odors that can trigger an attack of toxicosis.

Many girls are used to taking a hot bath that perfectly relaxes and tones. Nevertheless, the personal hygiene of a pregnant woman excludes such procedures, because high temperatures adversely affect the mother's well-being and the fetus's condition. If you can not deny yourself such pleasure (and if there is no threat of failure), remember: the water should be warm, and the procedure - short. You can add salt or herbal infusions (from plantain, marigold or chamomile). Pre bath is treated with a disinfectant.

How often do I brush my teeth?

The rules of hygiene of a pregnant woman necessarily affect the oral cavity. Experts in one voice advise to solve all problems with the teeth at the planning stage of conception. This is not surprising, because during pregnancy teeth strongly suffer from a lack of calcium, and therefore caries and tartar only progress.

But the problem is not only in the teeth. The fact is that in the open cavity of the tooth the remains of food rot, and then fall into the digestive system. This can provoke stomach upset, and also negatively affect the health of the baby.

If dentists usually insist on a two-time tooth brushing, pregnant women should do this four times a day. In addition, after each meal, you must carefully rinse your mouth with saline or ordinary boiled water. As for toothpaste, it is better to choose a remedy with a mint flavor. It will not only refresh your breath, but will also calm the attack of toxicosis.

Hand washing is the basis of hygiene

Many questions cause hygiene of a pregnant woman. Briefly, the basic rule is: "Wash your hands more often!" It is this part of the body that most often contacts all sorts of microbes and bacteria. Money, animals, surfaces in public places - all this you touch with your hands, and then carelessly take an apple or other food. To protect yourself from infection, wash your hands whenever you want to eat something. In addition, pay attention to such recommendations:

• Always wear antibacterial wet wipes. Wipe your hands every time after dealing with money, surfaces in public places, people or animals. The used cloth is not reusable.
• Instead of the usual soap, get liquid with lanolin or glycerin in the composition (to protect the skin from dryness). In the bottle add 10 drops of tea tree oil, which kills almost 100% of the microbes.

A few more recommendations

Recommendations for hygiene of a pregnant woman are so numerous that it is difficult to systematize them. Future moms should pay attention to these tips:

• Choosing washing, cosmetic and hygienic means, pay attention to the goods marked "hypoallergenic".
• Limit the use of perfumes and deodorants with strong odors. The latter should preferably be replaced with natural alum or mineral origin.
• Carefully monitor the condition of the breast and nipples. If colostrum begins to be allocated, use special sanitary napkins.
• Choose comfortable clothes that will not squeeze the stomach. It is advisable to give preference to natural materials.
• Use non-phosphate powders for washing . Take care that the detergent does not have too much flavor.

The basis of nutrition

The basic points are the hygiene and nutrition of the pregnant woman. Features of the diet are that it must contain such mandatory elements:

• Animal proteins. These are all kinds of meat and fish, as well as milk and eggs.
• Vegetable proteins. The greatest number of them is found in legumes and cereals.
• Cellulose. In huge quantities, it is found in fresh fruits and vegetables, greens, as well as a variety of rice, provided specifically for sushi.
• Calcium as the basis of the skeleton of a child. Contained in dairy products and fish.
• Folic acid. This component is best taken in the form of dietary supplements (1 tablet per day). And to increase the concentration of this substance in the body, you can eat bran bread.
• Iron. Contained in meat, eggs, cereals and dried fruits.
• All kinds of vitamins are contained in the above products. In addition, the attending physician will prescribe a balanced complex designed specifically for pregnant women.
• Water must enter the body in large quantities. It must be purified and enriched with minerals. From soda it is better to refuse.

Food Hygiene

Hygiene and nutrition of a pregnant woman are inseparably related concepts. To maintain your health and protect the baby, you need to follow such rules:

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before eating. They need to be treated with soap from the fingertips to the wrist.
• After washing your hands, wipe them dry with a clean towel or paper napkin, because in a moist environment, pathogenic microbes can multiply.
• Observe the correct diet. The daily amount of products should be distributed into 4-5 basic receptions. Small nutritious snacks should also be present.
• Carefully follow the expiration dates and composition. Try to buy natural farm products. If you do not have such an opportunity, do not hesitate to check meat, fruits and vegetables with a nitrameter.
• Do not store vegetables and fruits unwashed.
• Try to eat only freshly prepared food. From yesterday's dishes it is better to refuse.

Intimacy

Careful attention deserves intimate hygiene, because not all couples can refuse sexual intercourse for the entire period of pregnancy. This question is rather controversial, but physicians agree that in the first 3 months of pregnancy, sexual acts are strictly contraindicated, because it can lead to bleeding and other unpleasant consequences.

You can resume sexual intercourse beginning from the second trimester (if there are no contraindications). In this case, you need to pay special attention to the choice of posture. A woman should feel only comfort and not feel physical tension. It is believed that sex life during pregnancy not only does not harm the fetus, but even goes to his advantage. In addition, it helps to move the fights more easily. But without the permission of the doctor, such decisions should not be taken.

Again to give up sexual life is the last month of pregnancy. If you ignore this prohibition, there is a risk of premature birth. Although some couples prefer to have sex before birth. But you can do this only with the permission of the doctor.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a pleasant and at the same time very responsible condition. Future mothers should pay close attention to hygiene and nutrition, so that the baby grows healthy and strong. The female organism becomes very vulnerable to microbes and infections during the period of gestation. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen it from within with quality nutrition and protect from the outside, observing the rules of personal hygiene.