When you’re pregnant, keeping up with your health becomes even more important than normal. Many pregnancies progress normally with no maternal or fetal complications. Although, women with preexisting conditions, over the age of 35, or who develop pregnancy related complications must take extra care. Even if you don’t think these apply to you, continue seeing your doctor and eating well to make sure they never do.
Obstetric Care
After you discover you’re pregnant, your first phone call should be to a midwife or obstetrician. Experts recommend pregnant women also see an OB/GYN doctor as soon as possible. Your first visit will likely include a multiple tests and a barrage of questions -- some of these tests will be performed more than once. Ultrasound results can provide due dates, along with baby’s gender, and appropriate development of everything from the heart to the size. Other screenings, like amniocentesis, are generally only performed if there’s family history of genetic or chromosomal disorders or if the mother's age warrants high risk care.
Plan to spend a lot of time at the obstetrician’s office. You’ll visit the doctor every four weeks until weeks 30-32, every other week until week 36, and then every week after that until the baby is born. Certain concerns or risk factors may merit more frequent appointments. At each appointment, the doctor will check your weight gain, blood pressure and pulse, fundal height, and probably let you listen to baby's heartbeat -- urine screenings may be performed as necessary.
Obstetric Goals
Your doctor has several goals, the most important of which is probably to monitor mother and baby to ensure the pregnancy is progressing well. They should also look for problems or concerns that may create risks for you or the baby. Your doctor or health care team can also suggest a diet and nutritional requirements, along with appropriate levels of activity (or restrictions on that activity). Your obstetrician is a safe place to have questions answered questions as well. Bring up any concerns you have regarding symptoms, such as morning sickness, constipation, frequent urination, backache, heartburn, etc., or how to manage them without the use of medications. Closer to your due date, you’ll also have a discussion about delivery options, labor and delivery in special situations (such as breech position or preterm delivery), and what you’d like to see happen during delivery.
Prenatal Vitamins
In addition to good health care, it’s important to take care of yourself, and by extension your baby. Start taking prenatal vitamins preferably before conception, but if that’s not possible then immediately after you find out you’re pregnant. They contain vitamins and minerals that are key to healthy development (i.e. folic acid can prevent neural tube defects, like spina bifida, in the first trimester). Certain risk factors may merit a prescribed vitamin with a higher dose of certain nutrients, so keep that in mind when talking to your obstetrician.
A Healthy, Pregnant Lifestyle
Prenatal vitamins don’t make up for a healthy, balanced diet. Make sure to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and dairy products to maintain both maternal and fetal health. Make sure to also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs regularly, it’s time to give it up. If you’re having trouble, ask for help. Even caffeine should be limited during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about any medications you take, as even prescription medication can be harmful. Avoid herbal and homeopathic preparations until you discuss them with your obstetrician.
