During Pregnancy

A lot happens during pregnancy and the hormonal and physical changes a woman's body undergoes will require temporary lifestyle changes. These changes will affect her diet, exercise regime, sleep habits and alcohol intake among other things.

What to expect during pregnancy differs between every woman and every pregnancy. Some women don't experience nausea during their first trimester while others can't seem to keep anything down. Some women may have a light period after getting pregnant, while others do not. And some women have their babies two weeks after their due date, while other deliver right on time. The way a pregnancy goes depends on genetic make-up but it also depends on how the woman takes care of herself during pregnancy.

What a woman puts into her body during pregnancy will find its way to the baby. Therefore, a woman will need to abstain from harmful products like alcohol, tobacco and coffee while increasing the amount of folic acid, iron and calcium she consumes. This will promote her own health as well as the development of the child. While it's not uncommon for women to get intense food cravings during the first trimester, it's important to watch any weight gain. The Mayo Clinic website suggests that women only gain an average of 25 pounds. However, if a woman is under or overweight this number may change slightly.

Exercising during pregnancy is really important. The rapid weight gain during the second and third trimester can be tough on the body, and exercising can keep a woman from getting extensive back pain or other muscle aches. Exercise will also help a woman sleep, which can be troublesome and uncomfortable as the pregnancy comes closer to term.