There are many things during your pregnancy that are out of your control, but there are also many areas where you can take positive action to make your pregnancy better for you and your baby. Follow the advice below in order to help you take control of your pregnancy.

A pregnant woman in her third trimester should sleep on her left side. Sleeping in this position gives the greatest amount of blood to your fetus, and also causes good flow to the kidneys and uterus. You don't want to rest on your back, because this position doesn't allow for proper blood flow.

Ideally, you should be receiving adequate prenatal care throughout your pregnancy, even before you actually become pregnant. Starting prenatal care as soon as possible reduces the risk of a variety of problems with the baby, including prematurity, low birth weight, birth defects, and death.

Take a few minutes to actually write down a birth plan. Don't limit your plan to what you need to do. Include tasks that you expect your friends and family members to perform while you're in labor. Also, make sure that you have certain things ready to go for your hospital stay, including a camera, hospital forms, your insurance documents, your birthing plan, and some baby clothes.

Skin has elasticity, but it can only stretch so far. It is not uncommon for the skin of the stomach to become itchy as it expands. Try to resist taking a hot shower or bath. Hot water may exacerbate the problem because it strips away the skin's natural oils. See to it that you moisturize using something heavy like petroleum jelly or cocoa butter. Dress in looser fitting garments and avoid the temptation to scratch.

You should be taking prenatal vitamins prior to getting pregnant. During your first trimester, your baby is developing the neural tube cord, which will become the spinal cord and brain. To have a healthy baby you must get the right vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron and folic acid, from conception to delivery.

Carve out personal hours for me-time. After giving birth to your child, it will become difficult to spend time on yourself because you'll be too busy tending to the needs of your child. Take the time to see friends, get manicures, or simply work on the hobbies and activities you enjoy. This will keep you happy, and your baby will benefit from having a relaxed mother around.

A pregnancy journal is a wonderful way to commemorate your pregnancy and all of the wonderful things that happen when you are expecting. A terrific, meaningful gift for any child is a journal written by his or her parents during the pregnancy. Keep track of your thoughts, dreams, and feelings as well as the wishes you have for your child. You can give him this gift when he is older.

Before you get pregnant, you and your partner should see a doctor for a physical exam. This lets you schedule tests that are based upon your personal medical history. The appointment will allow your doctor to give you important information, and you will also have the chance to ask questions, too.

During one of your first meetings with your OB/GYN, you will be prescribed a prenatal vitamin. You need to take a prenatal vitamin every day. They will combat any vitamin deficiency in your diet and contribute to your baby's healthy development in the womb.

As you have read from the advice in this article, there is absolutely no reason for you to just sit back and allow pregnancy to happen by itself. It's advised that you begin preparations to keep you and your baby healthy when you are pregnant.