It can be difficult to find the right foot to stand on when you have established that you are pregnant. But the very first thing you can do is call the doctor and make an appointment for the first pregnancy visit. Here, your pregnancy will be confirmed, you will get a journal, and you will talk about where you will give birth and have your scans. Read more about all the visits that are scheduled in an average pregnancy here: When should you see a doctor, midwife, and scan during pregnancy? Guid – Gravidtid

Dietary supplements

If you haven't already started taking folic acid, you need to start now. The Danish Health Authority recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Folic acid has a documented effect on reducing damage to the fetal brain and spinal cord. When you reach week 10, you should also start taking a daily iron supplement of 40-50 mg, and you should do this for the rest of the pregnancy. The National Board of Health recommends iron supplements because the body needs more red blood cells to transport oxygen from the mother to the fetus. If you don't take iron supplements, it can therefore mean that the mother gets an iron deficiency and later a low blood percentage .

The Danish Health Authority also recommends that pregnant women take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms throughout pregnancy. This is because vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium and bone formation. 

Finally, the Danish Health Authority recommends that pregnant women either consume 500 ml of milk product per day or take a daily supplement of 500 mg of calcium throughout the pregnancy. Calcium is recommended because it is important for the bones of both the pregnant woman and the unborn child

Alcohol

When you become pregnant, there is suddenly another person besides yourself who depends on you eating and living healthy. This does not mean that there is no wiggle room, but basically, nutrients and oxygen come from you and on to the baby through the placenta and the umbilical cord. The child gets new nourishment from you, and this also means that the child will quickly be affected if, for example, you drink alcohol, smoke, or take drugs. 

Some women will experience drinking very early in their pregnancy, when they did not know they were pregnant. Remember that it has happened to many, and often it has happened before the egg has even set, so don’t worry. In most cases, it will have no effect on the fetus. The most important thing is to refrain from drinking during the rest of the pregnancy. Alcohol passes easily and easily through the placenta, and this also means that the child gets the same alcohol content in the blood as the mother. Therefore, the Danish Health Authority recommends that you do not drink alcohol during pregnancy. 

Diet 

The Danish Health Authority recommends that you follow the official dietary advice during pregnancy, which are:

Eat varied, not too much and be physically active

Eat fruit and lots of vegetables

Eat more fish

Choose whole grains

Choose lean meat and cold cuts

Choose low-fat dairy products

Eat less saturated fat

Eat food with less salt

Eat less sugar

Drink water


Exercise

In general, exercise is also healthy for you when you are pregnant. Exercise helps to minimize discomfort and ailments such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and severe weight gain during pregnancy. It is therefore advantageous for both you and your child to exercise during pregnancy. The Danish Health Authority recommends that you: 

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. If you are not used to exercising, you are encouraged to follow an exercise program where you work up to 30 minutes a day. If you are used to exercising, then you must continue as before without ambitions to improve your form further during pregnancy. 

Avoid contact and combat sports

Avoid diving, skydiving and other sports that could can result in fall injuries 

Avoid overheating and stop immediately if you experience discomfort, pain, bruising or bleeding while exercising.

See our pregnancy tests here: Graviditetstests – Gravidtid

Source: Sundhedsstyrelsen