The ultimate list of dos and don’ts for pregnant women in their 40s
Whether it is your first time being pregnant or the third, you need to take care of your body so that it does not affect your baby’s health.
But age has a lot to do with how an expecting woman copes with the bodily changes associated with pregnancy. Being pregnant in your 20s is different than in your 40s. There is a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications in your 40s.
There is tons of information about how to improve fertility in your 40s but not enough about how to take care of yourself when you do get pregnant at this age. From yellow discharge during pregnancy to problems during delivery, there are some things you need to be prepared for when you conceive at this stage in your life.
So, to help you out, we have compiled the ultimate list of dos and don’ts that you need to follow to ease the stress and reduce unwanted complications during your pregnancy.
The dos for pregnant women in their 40s
Here are some of the dos for pregnant women on their 40s.
1) Do massage your body
If you are expecting in your 40s, you need to take special care of your body. You can effectively relieve muscle pains and stress with regular body massages. It will keep your muscles relaxed and help you during labor. So, never miss a chance to get a good massage for better blood circulation.
2) Do eat fresh fruits and vegetables
To ensure that your baby is healthy, you need to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Researchers have found that good consumption of fruits during pregnancy results in heavier newborns. So, a simple change in your diet may reduce the risk of LBW (low birth weight) for your baby.
3) Practice yoga
Doing yoga in the initial stages of pregnancy can help you overcome unwanted stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improve your sleep cycle. Studies have found that regular yoga can also improve the outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.
4) Do keep a check on your blood sugar
Your blood sugar levels may fluctuate significantly during pregnancy because your body’s need for energy changes. And during your 40s, the body is not as effective at managing insulin levels, so you may develop gestational diabetes. So, keep an eye on your blood sugar levels as instructed by your doctor.
5) Do get enough sleep
Having an ample amount of sleep is essential for a pregnant woman. Therefore, you should avoid staying up late. It is not just you but also your baby who stays awake till you fall asleep. I
nsufficient and low-quality sleep can increase the risk of growth problems in the baby and postpartum depression for the mother. Also, a longer or shorter span of sleep can result in gestational diabetes. So, you should always check your sleeping pattern and maintain it for a healthy lifestyle and baby.
The don’ts for pregnant women in their 40s
Here are some of the don’ts for pregnant women on their 40s.
10 Don’t consume too much sugar
Having too much sugar is generally not healthy, but it is especially dangerous if you are expecting in your 40s. Studies have found that sugar consumption can lead to an unwanted increase in gestational weight gain and increase the risk of premature birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
Sugar affects your body, increases the chances of your baby becoming obese, and impacts the baby’s metabolism. So, you should avoid sugar intake at all costs if you are pregnant in your 40s.
2) Don’t expose yourself to unnecessary stress
Being pregnant in your 40s can be a bit overwhelming. And if you are a first-time mother, there is no doubt that you will undergo immense emotional changes. But stress, depression, and anxiety (especially about the pregnancy) can adversely affect the baby’s neurodevelopment.
Moreover, your stress can directly affect the baby’s weight and may also lead to premature birth. So, surround yourself with positivity and maintain a calm environment for a healthy pregnancy.
3) Don’t eat too much junk food
Eating junk food may satisfy your cravings, but when your body goes through changes during pregnancy, it needs healthy nutrients rather than toxins and fats. As a result, junk food consumption will adversely affect your body.
Eating too much junk food while pregnant can also result in high infant birth weight. So, if you don’t want your baby to go through early childhood obesity, this is a reminder for you to eliminate junk food from your diet as soon as possible.
4) Don’t drink or smoke
This is a no-brainer for any pregnant woman. No matter at what age you conceive, alcohol and tobacco are strictly forbidden during pregnancy. Research shows that smoking and drinking during pregnancy can have an adverse impact on the fetus. It can cause premature birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage.
These habits can also impact the mental and physical development of your child later in life. So, if you have been looking for a reason to quit drinking and smoking, now is the time to do it.
5) Don’t use a hot tub or sauna
Even though you may find them relaxing, hot tubs, steam rooms, and spas can be too hot for pregnant women. According to research, spending prolonged periods of time in a hot tub or sauna in your first month of pregnancy may increase your chances of miscarriage. So, it is best to keep your baths short at this stage of pregnancy.
Being pregnant in your 40s is a moment to cherish, but you need to take some extra precautions to protect your health and the health of your baby. But if you keep some points in mind, from balancing your diet to making significant lifestyle changes, you can get ahead of all the problems and bring a new healthy life into this world with lots of love and care.
Author bio
Ramya Karamsetti loves diving deep into the health, relationships & lifestyle topics. She particularly writes about fashion trends and beauty tips. She is a regular contributor to MomJunction.com, The Epoch Times, Marriage, etc. When she is not writing, she loves traveling and going on adventure trips.
