8 things every mother-to-be must know to have a healthy baby

culled from:pulse.ng

There are a lot of things you have to do in order to get ready for a healthy baby, they include:

1. Get moving- this may be sound annoying since pregnancy makes women tired, however getting in shape can make pregnancy and delivery easier. So, aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days. Walking, bicycling, and swimming are great ways to get a workout.
2. Eat healthy- You can make things easy by asking your partner to join you. You'll need lots of protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid. So stock up on fruits, nuts, veggies, leafy greens, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Cut back on chips, baked goods, soda, and other junk foods with empty calories.
3. Take folic acid- you should start taking a daily vitamin. For pregnancy planning, you need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, the amount in most multivitamins. This B vitamin comes in many foods, like leafy greens, citrus, and beans, but most women need a pill to get enough. Folic acid helps prevent serious birth defects that can happen before you know you're pregnant.
4. Go for regular checkups- Your doctor is the first person to share your pregnancy news with. Also, get a checkup a few months before you start trying to get pregnant. Ask about tests or vaccines you need, prenatal vitamins, controlling any health conditions you have and medicines you can and can’t take during pregnancy.
5. Reduce your caffeine intake- While trying to get pregnant, you may want to stop at just one cup. Some experts suggest you get no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day while trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy itself. That's about one 12-ounce cup of coffee or four 8-ounce cups of brewed tea. Decaf coffee or warm, spiced milk can be a soothing, healthier option.
6. Stop smoking-  Smoking can make it harder for you to get pregnant, and can up your chances of problems like premature birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage. It also puts your baby at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Ask your partner to quit, too. Secondhand smoke is dangerous. And it may hurt male fertility. 
7. Quit drinking- Alcohol can sometimes make it harder to conceive, and drinking during pregnancy raises the chances for birth defects and learning problems. One drink is probably OK, but since doctors don't know how much alcohol it takes to cause problems, it’s best to avoid it entirely.
8. Set aside some money- Babies need a lot of stuff, you'll need clothes,pampers, food,bottles and medication. Your budget will also include doctor visits. So, make a list of what you'll need, start saving and looking now. To stretch your money, consider gently used baby clothes, and buying in bulk.