8 Natural Ways to Effectively Boost Maternal Immunity

Pregnancy is the time to take extra special care of yourself because your immune system is compromised to accommodate a new life and nurture it, leaving you more susceptible to illnesses and viral infections. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping your immune system in tip-top shape is of the utmost importance for every pregnant woman.

While many prescribed medications are already available to help you maintain a healthy immune system while pregnant, there are also several natural ways to boost maternal immunity. Here’s how you can strengthen your immune system during pregnancy (or any other time in your life).

#Exercise as Much as You Can

As long as your gynecologist or midwife confirms it’s safe, you can practice pregnancy-safe exercises to keep yourself fit and active during pregnancy. Indulging yourself in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day boosts your immunity and prepares your body for childbirth.

Aside from boosting the immunity, a moderate exercise regulates blood flow, flushes out toxins, maintains hormonal balance, builds stamina, and acts as a natural stress reliever.

#Drink Plenty of Fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids is one of the best and proven ways to maintain your energy levels during pregnancy. As a pregnant woman, you should drink at least 2.5 liters of water every day to keep yourself well-hydrated.

When your body is adequately hydrated, it functions at an optimal level and flushes out any harmful toxins from your system to prevent dehydration. Hence, make sure you drink enough fluids to keep your immune system running effectively.

#Get Plenty of Sleep & Rest

Sleep is when your body produces cells and proteins to keep your immune system at its best. Sleep deprivation is one of the most common sleep problems during pregnancy and can impair your immune system, putting you at a higher risk of getting sick.

For better sleep, regulate your sleep pattern by going to bed at the same time every night and waking around the same time every morning. Also, try to catch between 9–10 hours of undisturbed sleep daily to keep your immune system functioning well.

#Take Prenatal Vitamins & Eat a Nutritious Diet

Since whatever you eat has a direct impact on your immune system, be sure to eat a healthy and nutritious diet full of probiotics, vitamins, proteins, minerals, carbs, iron, zinc, and everything that falls under nutrition. Consume green vegetables, citrus fruits, and garlic as they excel at killing bacteria. Soak up sunshine to prevent deficiency of Vitamin D.

As well, don’t forget to take prenatal vitamins on your doctor’s recommendation. They supplement deficient nutrients in your body and contribute to a healthier and more robust immune system. As a caution, avoid junk foods as they can cause inflammation.

#Maintain Personal Hygiene

The easiest way to not compromise your immune system is to ensure you maintain proper personal hygiene. It has been scientifically proven that hands spread over 80% of common infections such as influenza and cold.

So, wash your hands often with soap and water to prevent the transmission of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes to your immune system. For situations when you can’t make it to a sink, use an alcohol-based sanitizer to keep your hands germ-free.

#Keep Up with Your Vaccinations

If you come down with the flu during pregnancy, you’re at a higher risk of severe complications like preterm birth and low birth weight. While you’re pregnant, be sure to get seasonal influenza and swine flu vaccines before the flu season starts to prevent yourself and your baby from contracting the flu.

In the third trimester, get the Tdap vaccine to strengthen the baby’s immune system. Consult your doctor for more details about these vaccinations.

#Laugh & Take Time to Relax

There is an old proverb that “laughter is the best medicine,” which proves true in the case of the immune system. Since laughter has been scientifically proven to boost immunity, make sure you keep a positive attitude and positive environment around you to keep stress at bay.

Finding a friend to giggle with, watching a funny movie, reading a motivational book, and listening to energetic music are a few ways you can try to stay blissful. You can also practice prenatal yoga and meditation to keep yourself calm and relaxed. Make sure you take advantage of maternity yoga wear to stay comfortable while you practice yoga and meditate.

About Me:

I’m Darfashan Parveen — A passionate blogger, having 7+ years of experience and currently associated with WobblyWalk. I love to read and write about Pregnancy, Parenting, and Baby Care to make people aware of parenthood challenges and easy ways to overcome them. Apart from Blogging, I’m a foodie who loves traveling and dancing.