Most women give birth to a healthy baby. But at times stillbirth occurs, which is loss of the baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy or during delivery. It is a very distressing and painful experience. Although not all stillbirths can be prevented, fortunately there are ways in which a pregnant woman can increase the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby. Here are 6 simple steps that can be taken throughout pregnancy until labor to reduce the risk of stillbirth.
- Attend all your Prenatal Appointments
Fetal growth and development is monitored through certain tests, examinations and measurements done during your visits to the doctor. Any concerns with the baby can be carefully managed through early detection and treatment, which increases the chances of a healthy baby. So don’t miss any of your appointments throughout pregnancy.
Women with high-risk pregnancies, such as those with diabetes, high blood, history of previous stillbirth, etc. are closely monitored. Frequent prenatal visits, additional testing, ultrasounds and or fetal heart rate monitoring are some ways to track their progress.If problems, such as fetal growth restriction are detected during the last few weeks, an early delivery or an emergency C-section is performed to avoid stillbirth or other complications
2. Sleep on Your Side in the Third Trimester
Recent research has shown the importance of sleeping position on stillbirth. The risk of stillbirth is doubled if a pregnant woman sleeps on her back after 28 weeks. It is most likely related to restricted blood supply and oxygen to the fetus. The weight of your baby and womb can put pressure on other organs of your body, which can reduce blood flow to the placenta. In
fact,doctors consider sleeping on the left side as the best sleeping position during advanced stages of pregnancy as this helps to accelerate blood flow and deliver required nutrients to the placenta and the fetus. So,try and stick to your side while sleeping in the third trimester. In case you wake up on your back, don’t be alarmed, simply turn to your side and fall asleep again.
3. Stop Smoking
Smoking is one of the chief reasons behind stillbirth. It also gives rise to a host of other serious issues like low birth weight, breathing problems and fetal growth restriction. Soit’s best to quit smoking, preferably at the time that you decide to start a family. Passive smoking, that is inhaling smoke from other people’s cigarettes, is equally dangerous for the fetus. So restrict people from smoking when you are around.
4. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle
Healthy eating, which includes having a balanced diet, limiting junk food and adequate folic acid intake will ensure proper growth of your baby. Try to lead an active life through out pregnancy to reduce risks. Maintain an appropriate weight gain, as obesity increases the risk of stillbirth. Stick to exercises of moderate intensity, such as walking and yoga, as per your doctor’s advice.
Avoid alcohol and recreational drug is an absolute must as as they can hinder the growth of your child, increasing the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage.
5. Avoid Food Poisoning
Maintain the best hygiene standards while preparing food and store it safely to eliminate any risk of infection. Avoid foods that can cause food poisoning and infections such as listeria and salmonella. So don’t eat raw or under cooked meat, unpasteurized milk and cheeses, ready-to-eat foods such as deli meats and fast foods.
Contact your Doctor if you experience Reduced Fetal Movement
Starting from 26-28 weeks of pregnancy, you should monitor your baby’s movements. Keep a record of the daily “kick counts”. Be attentive to your baby’s activity level, which includes kicks, flutters, swishes or rolls. You will gradually recognize your baby’s sleeping and waking pattern. Keep track of any triggers behind the increased activity, such as after a meal, eating something sweet or exercise.
Record the time it takes for your baby to move 10 times. You should feel at least ten movements in 2 hours’ time. So if you find a sudden significant decrease in the normal activity pattern, you should see your doctor right away. This could be a warning sign of a potential problem, so don’t delay visiting your doctor.
Conclusion
Therefore, these 6 simple yet effective step scan reduce the risk of stillbirth. They will benefit you and the growing fetus so that you give birth to a healthy baby.
Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan has been associated with the health industry for a long time. In her leisure, she loves writing articles. Through her articles, you can obtain knowledge on various stem cell preservation, cord blood banking, and cord blood stem cell preservation.
