Pregnancy is one of the most important times of your life and will give you one of the greatest gifts in the world. To give birth to the healthiest possible baby, it is important to take good care of your body during pregnancy. By now, you probably know that you should avoid smoking and drinking and get plenty of sleep. However, there are even more ways to ensure a healthy baby. Here are seven helpful tips to stay healthy during pregnancy:

Get Moving

When you are dealing with morning sickness and fatigue, exercise is probably not at the top of your mind. However, in addition to helping you avoid excess weight gain, working out regularly can prevent back pain, increase energy and improve sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because exercise may be a little more challenging during pregnancy, it is important to start out slow. For example, you could start with swimming or walking. Try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.

Don't Consume Too Many Calories

You may be eating for more than one person now, but does not mean you should just eat whatever you want. If you consume too many calories during your pregnancy, you may gain too much weight, which isn't healthy for you or your baby. According to Baby Center, you actually do not have to consume any extra calories in your first trimester. You should eat 340 extra calories every day during your second trimester and 450 extra calories a day during your third trimester.

Avoid Eating Undercooked Foods

When you are pregnant, it is especially important to stay away from undercooked foods. If you eat rare steak or consume eggs that are a little raw, for example, you could get an infection and harm your baby.

Limit Caffeine

It is best to have as little caffeine as possible while you are pregnant. According to March of Dimes, you may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine, such as indigestion and increased blood pressure, during pregnancy because it takes longer to leave your body. To be safe, you should not have more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day.

Do Pelvic Floor Exercises

It is common for your pelvic floor muscles to weaken during pregnancy, which can make you leak out urine during the day. To avoid this embarrassing problem, try strengthening your pelvic floor muscles with daily kegel exercises. As you are sitting in a chair, tighten your pelvic floor muscles and hold the position for five seconds. Then, let go for five seconds. Repeat this exercise a few more times.

Stay Out of Saunas

You may think that relaxing in a sauna will relieve some of your pregnancy aches, but it actually isn't so safe. When you are pregnant, you are more likely to experience dizziness and dehydration. If you are sitting in a very hot room, these symptoms will be more severe. That is why it's best to keep out of saunas until your doctor says it's alright.

Don't Neglect Your Oral Hygiene

Now is not the time to skimp on your oral hygiene routine. All those pregnancy hormones can put you at risk of gum disease, so it is especially important to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth every day. You should also visit your dentist at least once during your pregnancy to make sure everything is fine with your teeth and gums.

Following these helpful tips can help you have a healthy pregnancy. However, if you experience extreme pain or discomfort at any time, you should see your doctor right away. You can also visit a pregnancy counseling clinic like All Women's Clinic to get more assistance during your pregnancy.