Nutrition intake and weight
It is desirable for a pregnant woman to eat what she wants to her satisfaction. If she gains weight by 11.5kg to 16kg during her pregnancy, it means she is perfectly OK. Pregnant women showing no specific physical problems, however, are also considered normal even though their gain in weight is bigger or smaller. Taking in folic acid from one month before conception to the 100 day after conception is instrumental to preventing the fetus from neural tube defects. A pregnant woman needs to take in 30mg of iron a day. If she maintains a normal diet, she does not need to take in additional vitamins.
Liquor, tobacco, caffeine
Drinking during pregnancy has already been proven to be extremely harmful for the fetus, thus, it must be refrained. Smoking is all the same. It can cause the fetus to be underweight or bring about an increase in perinatal mortality. Although the correlation between drinking coffee and the bitrh of deformed or underweight babies are not clear yet, there is a consensus that drinking more than 3 cups of coffee a day is not good for a pregnant woman.
A pregnant woman's physical activity does not need to be restricted if she does not feel extremely tired or the activity is not dangerous for her and her fetus. In general, she is recommended to lightly exercise for about 30 minutes a day if she experiences no complications. The complications restricting a pregnant woman's physical activity may include gestational hypertension, multiple pregnancy, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, heart disease, etc.
It is desirable for a pregnant woman to stop working if it imposes a heavy physical burden on her. If it is impossible, she is recommended to take short and regular breaks during working hours. A pregnant woman showing no abnormal symptoms can take care of routine work until her first labor pain is felt.
Women in pregnancy or in her lying-in period do not have to refrain from taking a bath. There is a report, however, that taking a bath in water hotter than 38˚ at the early stage of pregnancy may result in an increased possibility of miscarriage or neural tube defects. Furthermore, as women in the late stage of pregnancy age easily lose balance and tumble over, extra care is needed for them.
Loose and practical clothes are better for a pregnant woman. As the breasts of a woman can expand during her pregnancy and cause discomfort or pain, adjustable bras are recommended. Tight socks are not recommended as they may hinder the flow of the venous blood and exacerbate varix.
Dental care is an important part of pre-delivery care, too. Pregnancy rarely inhibits a woman from going through any type of dental treatment. And, as of now, there is no clear correlation between pregnancy and tooth decay.
A woman in pregnancy may produce irregular excretions. This is thought to stem from the expanding of the uterus or fetus pressing down on her bowel in her swelling abdomen. In addition, solid excrements may cause bleeding while passing through the return. Sometimes, hemorrhoids can take place and the mucous membrane may prolapse. Even those who maintained a regular cyde of excretion before pregnancy should become heedful when pregnant. It is better for them to ingest foods which make solids, e.g. lots of water, Kimchi, dropwort, spinach, etc. Proper physical activity will add to their effect. In case of severe constipation, light diarrhea remedies like fecal softeners or magnesium-including medicine can be used. On the other hand, fat-soluble medicine not easily absorbed, strong diarrhea remedies and rectal injection are not recommended.
If there are threats of miscamiage or pre-term labor pains, sexual intercourse should be avoided. If there are more such threats, however, sexual intercourse is kmown to be OK except for the 4 weeks before the expected date of delivery.
As the majority of the medicine absorbed throughout a pregnant woman's body influences the fetus through her placenta, she should be very careful of medications. If a medicine is proven to do more good than harm, it is okay to take the minimum of it as prescribed by an obstetrician for the minimun duration.
Traveling does not affect a healthy woman's pregnancy. There is a consensus that a woman free from obstetrical or medical complications can get aboard an airplane without any problem until the 36th week of her pregnancy. The real danger lies in the complications or labor pains which can be experienced during traveling as well as situations that cannot be treated timely and properly rather than the traveling itself. While driving, however, to loosen it a bit across the upper part of her femoral region, abdomen and breasts.
Though the amount of the vaginal secretion increases during pregnancy, it is natural in terms of physiology. If it stimulates the inside of the vagina and causes itchiness, obstetrical consultation is recommended.
The majority of pregnant women experience a certain degree of backache. It usually occurs when a pregnant woman feels extreme fatigue, excessively bends over or back or lifts a heavy object. The girdles which support the waist and reduce its tension might be helpful. In case of severe backache, however, orthopedic consultation is needed.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are repeated from the 1st or 2nd to the 4th month of pregnancy. Though they tend to be severer in the morning, they can last all day long. Sometimes, they become extremely severe enough to cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or acid-base imbalance. Fourtunately, however, most pregnant women do not go that far and require no special treatment. A light and frequent eating habit is helpful in alleviating them. If certain foodstuff aggravate the symptoms, just keep away from them.