The Dos and Don'ts

✅ Things to DO:

• Come early in your pregnancy and regularly to get antenatal care at your local health center or outreach clinic
• Exercise and get as much rest as your body needs
• Eat more frequent smaller meals and snacks of a variety of locally available healthy foods each day (fruits, vegetables, cheese, milk, meat, etc.)
• Drink a lot of water and healthy fluids, including milk and fruit juices
• Plan to gain 8-12 kgs during your healthy pregnancy
• Know the danger signs for mothers and newborns
• Visit a health center if you or your baby have any of the danger signs, or if you or your baby have a health problem
• Visit the health center when your labour pains start or when you have watery vaginal discharge
• Only take medicines which were prescribed by a health care worker during your pregnancy

❌ Things not to DO:

• Do not plan for a home delivery as the risks to you and your baby are much higher
• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or eat doma during your pregnancy
• Do not take iron and calcium tablets together, or drink tea with meals, as both decrease the absorption of iron
• Do not engage in activities that may cause injury or falls