Pregnancy brings with it a lot of joy. However, it also calls for required care. Dr. Nirmala Jaishankar, a gynecologist and obstetrician with Apollo Hospitals on Greams Road, Chennai, gives MetroMela pointers on the same.

•    Get a complete health checkup to know your general state of health and body constitution.
•    With doctor’s advice, take additional supplements like folic acid, a good four months before you may want to try for a child.
•    Take a balanced diet, with rich proteins, minerals and high fiber. Have plenty of greens, lentils, fruits and vegetables.
•    Always exercise. Take up walking if you are not keen on the gymnasium. Do not overdo it though. Anything in moderation is good.
•    Keep a tab on weight gain once you are expecting. Sudden or drastic weight gain of more than 5 kilos in a month may be a pointer to the development of gestational diabetes. This is why most hospitals record these measurements during every trip you make to see them. Also, India has the dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital of the world, so it says a lot about the traditional Indian diet.
•    Avoid processed foods that are high in salt / sugar content or preservatives.
•    Screen tests for albumin and glucose tolerance tests should be taken. Edema or the swelling of ankles and joints may occur, as there is an excessive amount of fluids in the body during pregnancy. So keep your feet active, as well as put your feet up once in a while.
•    Watch out for pregnancy induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia. Always try to de-stress and do things you like to do. Listening to soothing music also is said to aid fetal growth.
•    Mentally prepare for a caesarean too, in case the need arises.
•    Always remember that a happy mother gives birth to a happy baby, but be prepared for mood swings, due to hormonal activities and changes. Even after delivery, there is the ‘post partum syndrome’ to deal with.

So keep these tips in mind and have a healthy delivery!