Rest and Sleep: The mother may continue her usual activities throughout her pregnancy . However, excessive and strenuous activities should be avoided, especially during the first trimester and the last 4 weeks. Recreational exercise (prenatal exercise classes) are permitted, as long as she feels comfortable.

There is individual variation on the amount of sleep required. However, on an average, the mother is advised to be in bed for about 10hours (8hours at night and 2hours in the noon), especially during the last 6weeks. In late pregnancy, a lateral posture is more comfortable.

Bowel: Constipation is common, leading to backaches and abdominal discomfort. However, regular bowel movement can be facilitated by regulation of diet and the intake of plenty of fluids, vegetables and milk, or prescribing stool softeners at bed time. There may be rectal bleeding, painful fissures or hemorrhoids due to hard stool.

Bathing: The mother should take bath on a daily basis, and take special care to avoid any untoward incidents of imbalance or slipping.

Apparels & Accessories: Women should wear loose but comfortable garments. High heeled shoes and constricting belts are best avoided, especially during the later stages of pregnancy.

Dental Care: Good dental and oral hygiene must be maintained. The dentist should be consulted, if necessary. This will facilitate extraction or filling of the caries tooth if required, comfortably in the 2nd trimester.

Breast Care: Breast engorgement can cause discomfort during the late pregnancy. A well-fitting brassiere ensures relief.

Coitus (Sexual Intercourse): Generally, coitus is not restricted during pregnancy. However, women who face an increased risk of miscarriage or preterm labor should avoid it, if they feel such increased uterine activity.

Travel: Travelling by vehicles that tend to jerk are better avoided, especially during the first trimester and the last 6 weeks. Long journeys are recommended to be limited to the second trimester. Rail route is preferable over bus route. Traveling in a pressurized aircraft is safe up to 36weeks. Seat belts should be worn under the abdomen.

Smoking and alcohol: Owing to the well known fact that smoking is injurious to health, it is advisable to stop smoking, not only during pregnancy but even thereafter. Heavy smokers tend to birth smaller babies, and are more prone to chances of an abortion. Similarly, alcohol consumption needs to be drastically curtailed or avoided completely, so as to prevent fetal Mal-development or its growth restriction.

Drugs: Almost all the drugs prescribed to the mother will pass through the placenta and reach the fetus. The possibility of pregnancy should be considered, while prescribing drugs to any woman of a reproductive age.

Tetanus: Immunization against tetanus not only protects the mother but also the neonates. In unprotected women, 0.5ml of tetanus toxoid is given intra-muscularly twice, at a 6-weeks interval; with the first one given between 16-24 weeks. For women who have been immunized in the past, a booster dose of 0.5ml is given during the last trimester.