At a young age, we learn it’s important to stay healthy so our bodies are strong enough to fight off illness. No one wants to get sick, and if you’re pregnant, you now have the health of your little one to think about too. During pregnancy your immune system changes so it can protect both your baby and you. This mean your body is working hard and changes in immunity can leave you more susceptible to illness. With flu season around the corner, it’s important now more than ever to take extra precautions to stay healthy. What are ways to protect yourself? See some immune boosting strategies below.
Hand Washing
Washing your hands with soap and water is one of the most basic and effective ways to stay healthy. It’s the first thing we learn about on how to keep germs at a distance. And there shouldn’t be anything quick about it – wash your hands well for at least 20 seconds. A helpful tip for when you don’t have access to soap and water? Carry a small pack of anti-bacterial wipes to disinfect in a pinch.
Healthy Eating
To build and support your immune system, your diet needs to be full of nourishing vitamins and nutrients. A nutritious diet is responsible for the health and function of cells (especially immune cells) inside your body. Get an extra boost from prenatal vitamins and foods with probiotics like yogurt. Check out our blog to see which of the four essential pregnancy nutrients should be a part of your diet.
Sleep
Think of your body like a battery – when it gets weak, it needs recharging. Since it takes energy to fight off illness, a well-rested body helps your immune system work better. While it may be difficult to turn off your favorite T.V. show, you need to get to bed at a reasonable time to give your body enough sleep. If you find your eyelids feel a bit heavy during the day, don’t hesitate to take a nap to recharge.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration plays an important role in the quality of our health. To effectively regulate temperature, lubricate joints, prevent infections, transfer nutrients to cells and maintain organ function, your body needs to be well-hydrated. According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant women should drink 8-12 glasses of water a day. Consider a reusable water bottle your new best friend - carry it with you everywhere so you can refill it and drink it throughout the day.
Exercise
There are so many mental and physical benefits our bodies get from exercising. Boosting your immune system is one of them. Because exercise contributes to a persons overall wellness, exercising regularly means you’re less likely to get sick. See our blog for some pregnancy-approved workouts.
During pregnancy, it’s important to take care of your body so it can take care of you and your baby. The stronger you are, the stronger your immune system will be to fight off sickness.
Disclaimer: PerkinElmer and ViaCord do not endorse or make recommendations with respect to research, medications or treatment. All information is provided for informational purposes only.
Resources:
Cherney, K. (2016, March 29). Infections in Pregnancy. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/infections
Show Me the Science - Why Wash Your Hands? (2020, August 17). https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html
Nutrition and Immunity. (2020, July 23). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/nutrition-and-immunity/
Getting Sick While Pregnant. (2020, August 21). https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/getting-sick-while-pregnant-7292
The importance of hydration. (2018, June 22). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration/
Dehydration During Pregnancy. (2020, August 25). Retrieved September 10, 2020, from https://americanpregnancy.org/health-fitness/dehydration-pregnancy-9901
Publishing, H. (n.d.). How to boost your immune system. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
