Important Notes for Winter Pregnancy
The biggest disadvantage of pregnancy in the winter season; They are more prone to being sick due to cold weather and flu outbreaks than to summer pregnants. Therefore;
Keep the Air of Your Environment Clean:
Air pollution due to natural gas, dusts and tobacco products will significantly affect the health of pregnant women due to the fact that your house is closed in the winter season. Therefore, do not forget to air your house regularly every day. It is necessary for you and your baby to get clean air inside and out of dirty air. Again, it will be useful to take measures to moisten the air dried by the heating in the houses.
Do Not Stay Long In Indoor Areas:
In winter months when flu infections increase, stay away from poorly ventilated indoor areas and crowded environments (such as a shopping mall). Also, never be exposed to indoor or outdoor smoking areas.
Avoid Close Contact:
In winter, infectious diseases such as influenza, colds and upper respiratory infections also increase. Therefore, mothers should stay away from handshaking, hugging and kissing as much as possible. It should not be considered that shaking hands will not cause any harm. Hands should be washed as often and with plenty of water as possible.
Prefer Cotton, Breathable Clothing:
Because of the cold weather, synthetic, airtight and sweating clothes can cause infections such as mushrooms.Mom candidates should prefer coats of cotton and soft wool instead of one-piece thick clothes. You should avoid sweating by preferring air-permeable clothing.
Do Not Forget Suitable Shoe Selection:
The risk of loss and fall in snow and ice should not be forgotten and appropriate shoes should be selected with the floor. It is necessary to choose shoes that support stance, low heels, comfortable and non-slip knurled sole. Cotton and wool socks should be worn to ensure that the feet are warm.
Get Your Flu Shot:
To protect against flu outbreaks in the winter months, you must have your absolute flu vaccine in October-November.
Studies have shown that giving the flu vaccine during pregnancy has no harm to your baby. Unlike; Since pregnancy is a period in which the immune system is low, there is an absolute benefit in your vaccination.
Take Care Of Your Nutrition:
By strengthening the immune system, it will increase the defense against infectious diseases; Do not forget to consume plenty of foods such as tangerine, orange, kiwi, lemon, tomato, avocado (rich in vitamin C). Remember that vitamin and calcium needs increase especially in winter. Since calcium passes from mother to baby during pregnancy, the calcium requirement of the expectant mother is doubled. For this, consume plenty of fish in terms of both calcium and vitamin D during the winter season, which is rich in fish. Fish contain natural vitamin D. The most important seafood that can be consumed during pregnancy is the fish living on the surface such as anchovy, mackerel, horse mackerel, bonito. Avoid deep-water products such as mussels and swordfish, which contain large amounts of heavy metal.
Do Not Forget to Consume Enough Fluid:
Since there will not be a feeling of thirst in the winter season; Do not forget to take 2 liters of fluid per day to keep the body water in balance. It will be appropriate to support fluid intake with milk, freshly squeezed fruit juices and sugar-free compote.
Do not forget to do sports outdoors:
Staying inside the house with the cooling of the air can cause weight gain, depression and circulation problems. For all these reasons, walking for 1 hour outdoors every day; It will be very good for mothers, both physically and psychologically.
Op. Sibel Malkoç, MD
Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist
Dr. Sibel Malkoç attended many domestic and international training seminars and congresses during 25 years of specialised physician service.
Pregnancy follow-up, urinary incontinence surgery and laser treatments, genital aesthetic surgery and laser applications and vaginismus treatment are of special interest.
It serves its patients especially in surgical and laser-assisted Vagina aesthetics.