Antenatal instructions are to help every pregnant or expecting mom, especially first-time moms to make pregnancy and delivery a safe and satisfying experience.
Abiding by your antenatal instructions is very important to help the safety of the mom and the baby, but so many times expectant moms don't abide or follow the instructions given to them at their antenatal.
I recently met a woman in the hospital whose baby died in her womb for 3days and she didn't know, the pain she was going through brought her to the hospital, because she refused to join the antenatal classes, she didn't know her baby was supposed to kick every day at her stage in pregnancy and if the baby doesn't kick every day, she is to run to the hospital immediately.
She was at home for almost 3days until she started bleeding and having stomach pain and when she got to the hospital her baby was dead and her womb was destroyed already.
[Source](https://pixabay.com/vectors/doctor-sonography-ipad-hospital-1807475
WHAT IS ANTENATAL
It is a day given to you by your doctor to come to the hospital as a pregnant mom for classes to inform and educate you on what you need to know about your pregnancy.
SOME THINGS I LEARNT IN ANTENATAL
(1) DIET
We were asked to eat a good meal every day and also include liver, eggs, milk, fish into our meals.
Also, we were told to eat plenty of fresh fruits, green vegetables and also drink plenty of water to keep us healthy and to prevent constipation.
We were also asked to eat peas, groundnut, and beans a lot.
(2) CLOTHING
Wearing loose-fitting clothes are very important(maternity gowns) and also well fitting bras to support our breast was advised.
(3) REST
We were told we needed eight hours of sleep at night and to avoid vigorous exercise or carrying of heavy loads, especially during the first trimester and the last trimester.
(4) DRUGS
Self mediation should be avoided including native medicine, also alcohol consumption, smoking, purgatives, and diuretics should not be taken without the doctor's prescription.
(5) BREAST
Our breast like other parts of the body should be washed with soap and water and in case your nipples are fiat or retractile draw them to a point every day throughout your pregnancy so your baby can suck them after delivery.
SOME DANGER SIGNS IN PREGNANCY
(1) Bleeding per vagina
(2) Having abdominal pain
(3) Draining liquor
(4) Having severe headaches or convulsions
(5) Having features suggestive of labor
(6) Not sure of what to do in any health situation
(7) Running stomach
FINALLY
I almost lost my baby because I was not aware of the danger signs, I had running stomach with pains and could not go to the hospital until in the evening when my mom came home and met me, I was so weak and had not been taught about the danger signs in pregnancy.
I was rushed to the hospital and there I met another lady that experience what I experienced but she went straight into labor at five months and she lost her baby.
NOTE
This is simply to help first-time expectant moms know what to do or except when pregnant because I have seen a lot of pregnant women lose their lives and babies because they either thought it was too early to start antenatal classes or they just didn't take their drugs or abide by the rules.
Thank you for reading