Hygiene During Pregnancy – Why It is Important and Tips to Maintain It
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Priyanka Kalra (Gynecologist/Obstetrician)
View more Gynecologist/Obstetrician
Our Panel of Experts
Maintaining personal hygiene during pregnancy is just as important as having a nutritional diet and proper exercise to keep yourself healthy. Most women believe that staying away from dirty areas and washing their hands is equivalent to being hygienic. While those might be good starting points, that isn’t enough to cover all aspects of personal hygiene during pregnancy. The importance of it cannot be stressed enough, and there are numerous aspects related to your body that you should focus on during this phase.
Why is Hygiene Important in Pregnancy?
Be it during pregnancy or after delivery, every decision that you make which affects your body and your mind affects the well-being of your child. Even the most straightforward choices of keeping yourself clean are connected to the baby’s health as well.
Having poor hygiene can put you at risk of being exposed to numerous bacteria and microbes, all of which can get you infected since your immune system is not as strong as before. Certain infections can reach your baby and affect him as well, at his most vulnerable stage of growth, causing the possibility of long-term defects. Apart from bacteria, if any toxic chemicals or substances find their way inside you, the consequences could be catastrophic when all that could prevent it from happening would be simple basic hygiene.
How to Maintain Hygiene When Pregnant
There are a bunch of areas you ought to focus on when attempting to maintain proper hygiene throughout your pregnancy.
1. Hair & Skin Hygiene
A lot of nutrients are taken from your body to help the child grow, which affect your skin in different ways. Furthermore, the secretion of oil within the glands of the hair gets a kick as well, causing oily hair to be a recurring situation in most pregnant women. Hence, shampooing your hair on a regular basis is essential to rid them of the excess oil and maintain hair texture. Since the skin can react quickly to any extremities, don’t spend extended hours in bathtubs or waters. A shower is a better choice. When choosing soaps and shampoos, treat yourself to the ones made from natural oils and substances since they are safer and gentler on your skin. However, bathing is the easiest and safest way to the maintenance of hygiene.
2. Clothing
When organising your wardrobe for better clothes or purchasing newer ones, keep a few ideas in mind to help you choose better. Opt for clothes that you can wash with detergents that have antibacterial qualities. When choosing clothes, go for ones that are a bit loose and can be worn easily. Choose cotton clothes that can absorb sweat and change them as soon as they get sweaty. When purchasing a maternity bra, go for the one with pads that can absorb milk leaks from your nipples.
3. Personal Hygiene
Taking care of your own body, and specifically, your intimate regions is a necessity at this stage. Bathe daily and pay extra attention to the pubic region to keep it clean and free from any infection. Choose soaps that are plain and natural, near your vagina, so that it doesn’t disturb its natural pH balance. Remember to wash your hands before eating anything and keep a sanitiser handy.
4. Oral Hygiene
Dental hygiene and pregnancy go hand-in-hand since what you eat is what the baby eats as well. Taking care of your teeth and your gums become even more necessary, given the numerous changes within your body. Talk to your doctor about using a gum ointment to soothe the inflammation in them. An elevation in the levels of estrogen can cause them to swell up and be extra sensitive, which can hurt quite a bit. Do remember to brush your teeth two times in a day no matter what. Keeping the buildup of plaque in check is necessary, and flossing can help you with that, too.
5. Breast Care
Breast hygiene during pregnancy is necessary, too. Most women observe colostrum leaks towards the end of the first trimester. This needs to be cleaned regularly, for damp breasts can easily get itchy and unhygienic. Change bra pads regularly after they get wet and use lotions to treat nipple cracks, as suggested by your doctor.
Hygiene is one factor that is important in every stage of life. Its importance increases when you are pregnant, and it works to your benefit in focusing on the specifics of it. Pretty soon, you will be holding your child in your own hands and feeding him off your breasts, so it is best you stay clean and healthy to have him the same way.
