Healthy Woman:Preparing for a baby bump

Most women take the pre-conception period for granted but it’s important when it comes to having a healthy pregnancy. Healthy habits such as quitting smoking and alcohol consumption and dieting should be embraced in order to deter pregnancy complications. October is a ‘family month’ in Rwanda’s society where healthy family values are emphasized. Emmanuella Mwiza, a bank teller at COGEBANQUE said it is important to live a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. “During my first pregnancy, I practiced whatever I was told by the doctor and experienced mothers. I went through the phase well till the birth of my daughter. When I conceived again, I took everything for granted thinking I have done this before yet it turned out to be different and painful,” Mwiza said. The mother of three said she was negligent during her second pregnancy. She did not pay attention to what she ate or did. “I almost lost my baby boy out of carelessness. He was born tired because I had prolonged labour. When a woman is pregnant, it’s important that they exercise and stay active; walk instead of sleeping all the time,” Mwiza advises. Creating healthy habits that enhance fertility at least three months before conception affects ovulation. The dos and don’ts of supporting fertility and preconception health include; Eating healthy: A woman during pregnancy is the source of nutrition for the fetus. The more easily nutrients are absorbed into your body, the more you will be able to share with your baby. A balanced diet does the trick during pregnancy. Daily exercise: Exercising controls body weight, floods the body with fresh oxygen, reduces stress and enhances your mood. However, exercising should not be over-exerting, one should consider doing gentle walks, dancing and other activities they enjoy since its essential to fertility. Menstrual cycle awareness: This helps women to understand the patterns of ovulation. When preparing to conceive, this information is necessary for a mother and doctor. Sleep: Sleep deprivation is dangerous for conception. At least eight hours daily is a must. Studies show that the lack of sleep creates hormonal imbalances. Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk