Pregnancy can be an enjoyable, but also frightening experience. You're filled with joy and excitement at the prospect of bringing a new life into this world, but at the same time you can be forgiven for panicking about lifestyle and other health implications for your unborn. In this article we'll examine the best lifestyle you can lead during pregnancy to strike a balance between a healthy baby, a healthy mother and a happy mother.

The important of a happy mother during pregnancy is often underrated. It's so important to ensure that mom is happy throughout her pregnant months to allow her to fully love and appreciate her child when he or she finally arrives. Draconian diet plans which require ditching all of life's pleasures definitely aren't the way to go about it, but at the same time it is important to ensure you don't jeopardize the health of the baby.

A good starting point would be to cut down smoking and drinking alcohol. It is better if you stop altogether, and find other ways to satisfy your cravings. It's perfectly ok, for example to replace a cigarette with a chocolate bar during pregnancy. Of course this isn't the best advice health-wise, but as far as your baby's concerned, anything is better than cigarette smoke. On top of that, alcohol is definitely not recommended either, and it is a good idea to think about other ways to quench your thirst. Fruit juices and water are good alternatives; but again, don't be adverse to the odd fizzy drink here and there if that's what you like. It's a case of cutting out what's really bad for you and the health of your baby, but making sure you're not completely tied and restricted to health food.

Other than that, you should try as far as possible to maintain a healthy balanced diet, and try to remain as active as possible for as long as possible. Obviously you won't be able to head down to the gym after six or seven months, but it's a good idea to keep walking, and keep yourself busy to keep healthy.

Many mothers-to-be freak out when they find they are pregnant and ditch everything for a strict diet of greens. Of course, that's fine, but pregnancy can be hard enough as it is without having to worry about a strict healthy diet plan. As long as you avoid the really bad, like alcohol and cigarettes, you can afford to have a few luxuries in your diet that could not be considered highly nutritious. Organize your diet around you, because a healthy and happy mother always equates to a healthy and happy baby.