and vitamin B9) each day. Folic acid plays a huge role in the development of cells and tissue formation, so being deficient can result in spinal chord and neural defects.

4) Abstain from all types o

If you are pregnant or thinking about starting a family, you're probably wondering what you can do to ensure having the healthiest pregnancy possible. As a responsible expectant mom, you want that for your baby, and for yourself.

Here, in a nutshell, are the top ten tips for having a healthy pregnancy.

1) Gain only the proper amount of weight for your body type (and number of babies you are carrying). You are not eating for two! You need only 300 extra calories a day when you're pregnant.

2) Avoid junk foods that are high in fat, salt, sugar, and contain unhealthy additives, because consuming too much can lead to diabetes, other health problems, and to having an overweight baby and more difficult delivery.

3) Make sure you get at least 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid (also called folate and vitamin B9) each day. Folic acid plays a huge role in the development of cells and tissue formation, so being deficient can result in spinal chord and neural defects.

4) Abstain from all types of

and for yourself.

Here, in a nutshell, are the top ten tips for having a healthy pregnancy.

1) Gain only the proper amount of weight for your body type (and number of babies you are carrying). You are not eating for two! You need only 300 extra calories a day when you're pregnant.

2) Avoid junk foods that are high in fat, salt, sugar, and contain unhealthy additives, because consuming too much can lead to diabetes, other health problems, and to having an overweight baby and more difficult delivery.

3) Make sure you get at least 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid (also called folate and vitamin B9) each day. Folic acid plays a huge role in the development of cells and tissue formation, so being deficient can result in spinal chord and neural defects.

4) Abstain from all types o

You are not eating for two! You need only 300 extra calories a day when you're pregnant.

2) Avoid junk foods that are high in fat, salt, sugar, and contain unhealthy additives, because consuming too much can lead to diabetes, other health problems, and to having an overweight baby and more difficult delivery.

3) Make sure you get at least 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid (also called folate and vitamin B9) each day. Folic acid plays a huge role in the development of cells and tissue formation, so being deficient can result in spinal chord and neural defects.

4) Abstain from all types o

much can lead to diabetes, other health problems, and to having an overweight baby and more difficult delivery.

3) Make sure you get at least 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid (also called folate and vitamin B9) each day. Folic acid plays a huge role in the development of cells and tissue formation, so being deficient can result in spinal chord and neural defects.

4) Abstain from all types o

and vitamin B9) each day. Folic acid plays a huge role in the development of cells and tissue formation, so being deficient can result in spinal chord and neural defects.

4) Abstain from all types of alcohol (including an occasional glass of wine), because alcohol passes through your bloodstream into the placenta, and your baby has a drink of equal strength to your own. But because the baby is so much smaller and still developing, the alcohol can cause your baby to be born with mental and physical defects.

5) Give your body the sleep it craves. Hormonal changes in you and the growing baby cause you to need more sleep, especially in the first trimester.

6) Refuse to worry. High levels of stress and anxiety can cause preterm birth or a low birth weight. To combat worry and fear, acquire knowledge about child birth, practice meditation, and ask friends to keep their "horror stories" to themselves.

7) Get in 30 minutes of exercise daily. Walking, swimming, and yoga are good choices. Exercise red