Here is a list of things that you ought to do while you're pregnant:

1. Get the suggested daily amount of folic acid- It's suggested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that those who are attempting to become pregnant take four hundred micrograms of folic acid daily. Women who are already pregnant ought to take 600-800 micrograms daily. Taking folic acid lowers your risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida. The simplest way to take folic acid is through a nutritional supplement or prenatal vitamin.

2. Take a prenatal vitamin- Taking a prenatal vitamin ensures that you are receiving enough of the necessary nutrients required during pregnancy. 2 of the necessary nutrients required during pregnancy are folic acid and iron. Folic acid lowers the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida. The FDA suggests that pregnant women take 600-800 micrograms of folic acid daily. A greater consumption of iron is required due to the increased production of blood. The majority of pregnant women do not take enough iron, which is why it's so important to take prenatal vitamins. 30 milligrams of iron is suggested for pregnant women. Even though you're taking a prenatal vitamin, you will still need to eat a healthy diet. The required amounts of nutrients are not found in prenatal vitamins.

3. Wash hands when you handle raw meat- As you handle raw meat, you will want to clean your hands carefully and often. You do not want to cross-contaminate other foods you are cooking. Uncooked meat might contain salmonella or toxoplasmosis, which are harmful to your baby. Salmonella (food poisoning) causes relentless vomiting and diarrhea and dehydration. Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, blindness and mental retardation. So don't forget to scrub those hands.

4. Wear gloves when gardening- Dirt may contain contaminates that are damaging to your baby. When gardening, you ought to use gloves to prevent those contaminates from affecting the baby. If you have cats around your neighborhood that may use your garden as a litter box, you'll want to be extra careful when gardening. Cat feces sometimes contain toxoplasmosis. Make certain to clean your hands when you're done gardening.

5. Wash fruits & veggies- Wash fruits and vegetables before preparing them. Even fruits or vegetables that have peels. Fruits and vegetables could have harmful bacteria on them, like toxoplasmosis. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you should clean fruits and vegetables in running water. The FDA recommends not using soaps, detergents or bleach to wash them. They say you ought to remove the bruised areas since bacteria thrives in these areas.

6. Exercise- Although exercise during pregnancy is beneficial, don't push yourself to the point of exhaustion. Studies show that those who exercise during pregnancy can reduce back pain, constipation, swelling and fatigue. Remember to ask your doctor before you start a new exercise schedule.

7. Eat - Eating a healthy diet is vital; especially when you're pregnant. Now that you are growing a baby, you need extra nutrients. Calcium and protein are indispensible nutrients that you will need to consume during your pregnancy.

8. Reheat deli meats to steaming- Deli meats are okay to eat as long as you heat them to steaming prior to eating them. By reheating deli meat, you will get rid of any harmful bacteria that could been in your meat.