Nutrition and hygiene of a pregnant woman: features and recommendations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

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

Main pathways for microbes and bacteria to enter the body

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

• oral cavity;
• dirty hands;
• dirty clothes;
• external genitals.

Key personal hygiene rules

The hygiene of a pregnant woman is a rather subtle and delicate issue, which includes a huge number of details. However, before going into details, it is worth remembering and following these key rules:

• You need to take a cool or warm shower every day.
• Washing, if possible, shouldcarried out several times a day.
• It is better to refuse to visit the bath and sauna.
• Don't take long hot baths.
• It is better to limit swimming in water bodies, since, in addition to harmful microorganisms, there is strong excitement there, which can negatively affect the fetus.
• Nails should be cut short to prevent accumulation of dirt containing pathogens.
• Oral hygiene of pregnant women should be especially careful, because during the period of gestation, the teeth are especially affected.
• All hygiene items (toothbrushes, washcloths, towels) must be individual.

Intimate hygiene

The female body is designed so that the fetus is in close proximity to the genitals. In addition, the child will have to go through the birth canal. All this determines the importance of maintaining normal microflora, which can be provided by the intimate hygiene of a pregnant woman. Briefly, point by point, it can be described as follows:

• Daily (several times a day) wash your intimate area with warm water. To do this, you can use special hygiene products or regular baby soap.
• Regularly change panty liners as they get dirty. It is better to use hygiene items on a natural basis, without fragrances.
• Prefer cotton or linen underwear.
• When going to the toilet in public places, use wet wipes designed specifically for intimate hygiene. Ordinary can breakmicroflora.
• Do not use gray (recycled) or colorful scented toilet paper. It should be white.
• Do not forget to remove hair in the intimate area. Of course, shaving is inefficient and uncomfortable. Therefore, it is better to turn to modern salon techniques. Sugaring is good for pregnant women.
• At the slightest discomfort in the genital area, go for a check-up with a gynecologist.

Bathing

The hygiene of a pregnant woman should be based on taking a shower. It is best to do this twice a day (morning and evening), but in the hot season, procedures can be increased. In this case, you need to 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 contain dyes and aggressive ingredients. It is also worth avoiding harsh aromas that can provoke an attack of toxicosis. Many girls are used to taking a hot bath, which 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 condition of the fetus. If you cannot deny yourself such pleasure (and if there is no threat of failure), remember: the water should be warm, and the procedure should be short. You can add s alt or herbal infusions (from plantain, calendula or chamomile). The bath is pre-treated with a disinfectant.

How often should you brush your teeth?

The hygiene rules of a pregnant woman will certainly affect the oral cavity. Experts unanimously advise solving all problems with teeth at the stage of conception planning. This is not surprising, because during pregnancy, the teeth suffer greatly 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 remnants of food rot, and then enter the digestive system. This can cause indigestion, as well as adversely affect the he alth of the baby. While dentists usually insist on brushing their teeth twice a day, pregnant women should do it four times a day. In addition, after each meal, you should thoroughly rinse your mouth with saline or plain boiled water. As for toothpaste, it is better to choose a product with mint flavor. It will not only freshen your breath, but also soothe an attack of toxicosis.

Hand washing is the basis of hygiene

Many questions are raised by the hygiene of a pregnant woman. Briefly, the basic rule is: "Wash your hands often!" It is this part of the body that most often comes into contact with all kinds of microbes and bacteria. Money, animals, surfaces in public places - all this you touch with your palms, and then carelessly take an apple or other food. To protect yourself from getting infections, wash your hands every time you want to eat something. Also, pay attention to these recommendations:

• Carry antibacterial wet wipes with you at all times. Wipe your handswhenever after contact with money, surfaces in public places, people or animals. The used tissue is not reusable.
• Instead of ordinary soap, get liquid soap with lanolin or glycerin in the composition (to protect the skin from dryness). Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to the bottle, which kills almost 100% of germs.

A few more recommendations

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

• When choosing detergents, cosmetics and hygiene products, pay attention to products marked "hypoallergenic".
• Limit the use of strong perfumes and deodorants. It is better to replace the latter with natural alum or mineral products.
• Carefully monitor the condition of the breasts and nipples. If colostrum begins to flow, use special sanitary napkins.
• Choose comfortable clothes that won't squeeze your belly. It is advisable to give preference to natural materials.
• For washing, use phosphate-free powders. Make sure that the detergent does not have a strong fragrance.

Basic nutrition

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

• Animal proteins. These are any types of meat and fish, as well as milk and eggs.
• Vegetable proteins. Their greatest amount is found in legumes and cereals.
• Fiber. It is found in large quantities 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 the unborn child. Found in dairy products and fish.
• Folic acid. This component is best taken in the form of a dietary supplement (1 tablet per day). And to increase the concentration of this substance in the body, you can eat bran bread.
• Iron. Found in meat, eggs, cereals and dried fruits.
• All kinds of vitamins are contained in the above products. In addition, the attending physician will definitely prescribe a balanced complex designed specifically for pregnant women.
• Water must be ingested in large quantities. It must be purified and enriched with minerals. Avoid soda.

Food hygiene

Hygiene and nutrition of a pregnant woman are inextricably linked concepts. To maintain your he alth and protect your baby, you need to be guided by the following rules:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before eating. They need to be treated with soap from fingertips to wrist.
• After washing your hands, dry them with a clean towel or paper towel, because pathogenic microbes can multiply in a humid environment.
• Eat the right diet. The daily amount of products should be divided into 4-5 maintricks. Small, nutritious snacks should also be included.
• Carefully follow the expiration dates and composition. Try to buy natural farm products. If you don't have that option, feel free to test your meats, fruits, and vegetables with a nitrate.
• Do not store fruits and vegetables unwashed.
• Try to eat only freshly prepared food. It is better to refuse yesterday's dishes.

Intimacy

Intimate hygiene deserves close attention, because not all couples can refuse sexual contact for the entire period of pregnancy. This is a rather controversial issue, but doctors agree that sexual intercourse is strictly contraindicated in the first 3 months of pregnancy, because this can lead to bleeding and other unpleasant consequences.

You can resume sexual contacts starting from the second trimester (if not 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 sexual activity during pregnancy not only does not harm the fetus, but even benefits it. It also helps make contractions easier. But without the doctor's permission, such decisions should not be made. It is worth giving up sexual activity again in the last month of pregnancy. If you ignore this prohibition, there is a risk of premature birth. Although some couples prefer to have sex until the birth of a child. 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 up he althy and strong. The female body during the period of gestation becomes very vulnerable to germs and infections. Therefore, you need to strengthen it from the inside with quality nutrition and protect it from the outside, observing the rules of personal hygiene.