General care and life habits

Daily hygiene is essential. The woman can perfectly easily have a bath, or even go swimming in the sea. If the skin is a bit dry, moisturizing cream can be used. In order to prevent stretch-marks, it is convenient to use specific creams on a daily basis.

Loose-fitting and well-ventilated garments must be worn. High-heeled footwear is not recommended, nor does stockings or tight-fitting sock that produce local compression in the legs.

Dental hygiene is very important. Tooth and gum care must be intensified by means of correct brushing. If it is necessary she should visit the dentist, even during the first months of pregnancy.

A healthy and well-balanced diet is essential for everyone, but especially for a pregnant woman. A wholesome and nutritious diet does not mean “eating for two people”. It consists of eating a variety of food, avoiding fats, fried food, excessive starches, uncooked meat, sausages and other meats stuffed into animal intestines, alcoholic drinks, candies, hot spices and sparkling liquids.

The diet must be rich in vitamins and minerals, which we find in fresh fruits and vegetables. During her pregnancy, the woman has a greater need for iron, proteins and calcium. The proteins are found in meat, eggs and fish, and the calcium in milk and dairy products. Usually it is necessary to take a vitamin, iron and calcium supplement, especially from the second three-month period on, because with the pregnancy the needs increase and what is included in the diet is not always enough.

The woman can keep her work activity except if any complication arises; anyway, violent exercises and raising weight must be avoided.

As far as the physical activity is concerned, she must avoid all intense competitive sports, which are violent and uncomfortable. However, going for walks every day for, say, an hour and a half is recommended, as well as going swimming.

In general, a pregnant woman must increase number of hours when she rests. If it is possible, she should sleep for nine to ten hours a night.

Travelling is not advised against, unless you are travelling to places which have insufficient or non-existent sanitary services. At the end of the gestation period the woman should avoid long journeys. Travelling by plane is not forbidden.

She must not take medicines without medical control, since many of them can be contra-indicated, especially during the first months. Long treatments should be reduced to the minimum. Sometimes it is necessary to take medicines, where the risk of taking them is far less than the risk from the illness which is being treated. Every illness has its chosen treatment during the pregnancy. To sum up, she should not take any medicine without previously consulting the gynaecologist.

Exposure to x rays can be very dangerous, therefore this kind of procedure can only be given if strictly necessary.

With respect to tobacco, alcohol and the use of drugs, it is highly recommended to stop these habits at once. If you are a smoker, this is the right time to quit it for good. If this task ends up being a too difficult one, it is imperative that you reduce drastically the consumption of cigarettes to a minimum. If you are a drug user or abuser, you must inform your doctor straight away most importantly at the time of labour.

Couple’s sexual relations are not a static phenomenon; on the contrary, they change rapidly along the couples lives. Pregnancy is a different stage and it brings with it physical and psychic changes that make sexual relations more difficult to perform. Sexual relations needn’t be stopped; only extra care it’s to be taken in certain situations. Only if requested by your doctor, sexual intercourse must be suppressed obviously it takes a strong reason for this to happen, and example of this would clearly be bleeding or even more concerning, premature labour.

Frequently asked questions

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