Tips for Having a Healthy Pregnancy as a Gestational Surrogate
Becoming a gestational surrogate is a selfless and rewarding decision. As you prepare to carry a precious life for your intended parents, prioritizing your own well-being becomes paramount. Nurturing a healthy pregnancy not only ensures your own physical and emotional wellness but also contributes to the optimal development of the baby in your care.
In this blog post, we will explore valuable tips and insights to guide you through the steps of maintaining a healthy and balanced pregnancy while serving as a gestational surrogate. Whether you're a first-time surrogate or have experienced the joy of surrogacy before, these tips will serve as a supportive resource on your path to a fulfilling and healthy surrogacy journey.
Diet
As a gestational surrogate, nourishing your body with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods is a crucial aspect of fostering a healthy pregnancy. Incorporating a variety of foods rich in essential nutrients can contribute to both your well-being and the optimal development of the baby you're carrying. In many cases, surrogacy contracts will have certain provisions about food baked into the agreement itself, but there are some basic tips that are often recommended for surrogates during pregnancy, such as:
- A colorful array of fruits and vegetables to provide a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals
- Lean proteins, such as poultry, fish, and legumes, offer vital building blocks for the baby's growth.
- Whole grains and complex carbohydrates to provide sustained energy
- Dairy products to support calcium needs for strong bone development
- Healthy fats, like avocados and nuts
- Staying well hydrated with water
Prioritizing a balanced and nutrient-packed diet not only supports your own health but also lays the foundation for a thriving and vibrant pregnancy for both you and the intended parents.
Regular Physical Activity
Engaging in regular exercise as a surrogate can be immensely helpful during pregnancy, as it may boost sleep, mood, energy, muscle tone, strength, and endurance, while also reducing weight gain, backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling. Regular exercise may also contribute to shortened labor, as well as lowering the risks of needing a C-section or developing gestational diabetes. Keep in mind that your surrogate contract will have terms about exercise, but some good options for pregnancy, in general, include:
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Walking
- Low-impact aerobics
- Cycling on a stationary bike
- Strength training with low weights.
Aside from your contract, you should also talk to your doctor before starting an exercise regimen to ensure you’re performing safe activities.
Consistent, Sufficient Sleep
A steady routine of regular sleep is vital for gestational surrogates and pregnancy, in general. Sleep has been found to improve immunity, cardiovascular health, mood, memory, and cognitive functioning, while a deficiency may be a risk factor for preterm birth, low birth weight, painful labor, depression, and other issues.
Mastering Self-Care During Surrogacy
Navigating the intricate journey of gestational surrogacy requires careful attention to both physical and emotional well-being. If you're considering applying to become a gestational surrogate, please complete this form. For general surrogacy inquiries or questions, feel free to reach out to Fertility Source Companies today. We are here to support you at every step of your surrogacy journey.
