5 Healthy Habits to Adopt During Pregnancy

Regular exercise offers myriad benefits throughout — and after — pregnancy. It can help alleviate discomfort that comes along with pregnancy, reduce your risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension, and improve sleep quality. If that's not incentive enough, exercise has also been linked with faster and easier childbirth. Make sure to talk to your doctor about an exercise regimen while you're pregnant.

In addition to being good basic hygiene, washing your hands regularly and thoroughly (for 15-20 seconds) is critical step in the prevention spreading diseases, both to you and your other toddlers in the house. Pregnant women should take special care to wash up after changing diapers, wiping a child's nose or face, feeding a child, or handling toys.

Ten cups per day is the general suggestion for how much water a pregnant woman should consume, and if you're planning on breastfeeding once the baby arrives, upping your water intake is a smart habit to get into. Water helps the body to absorb essential nutrients, and transports vitamins, minerals and hormones to cells, which ultimately reach the placenta.

Keep up with the schedule of checkups and screenings that your medical professional suggests. Your body (and that of your baby) are constantly changing during pregnancy, and it's important not to miss a visit.

Now's the time to either maintain or adopt a healthy and well-balanced diet — it'll help with your energy levels, and promote baby's growth and development. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most important nutrients to prioritize are: Folate and folic acid (reduces the risk of birth defects), Calcium (strengthens bones), Vitamin D (promotes bone strength), Protein (promotes growth), and Iron (prevents iron deficiency anemia). Talk to your doctor about nutrition, including vitamins to take during and after pregnancy.