Your Health During Pregnancy

Prenatal Care

Taking good care of yourself throughout your pregnancy has a great impact on the health of your baby. This chapter contains some guidelines to follow.

See Your Doctor Regularly

Regular visits to your doctor during your pregnancy are extremely important. Your weight, urine and blood pressure are checked at each visit. Be prepared at each prenatal visit--write down your questions ahead of time so you do not forget to ask anything. Ask your labor partner to attend your prenatal visits with you also since this is an excellent way for your partner to be involved throughout your pregnancy. Your doctor gives you advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle during your pregnancy.

Caring for yourself during pregnancy means practicing healthy habits such as eating nutritiously, exercising; and avoiding all alcoholic beverages, over the counter drugs, street drugs, and cigarette smoke. If you need prescription medication, inform the doctor or dentist that you are pregnant.

Eat Well

• Eating healthy foods is important throughout your pregnancy. The food you eat nourishes your baby.
• Drink plenty of fluids, at least 8-10 cups of fluid daily. Fluids decrease constipation, limit swelling and help prevent bladder infections.

Good nutrition is linked with:

• Healthier babies,
• More energy and less fatigue,
• Better weight gain pattern before delivery and weight loss after delivery,
• Less premature labor,
• Greater tissue elasticity that may help decrease the need for an episiotomy,
• More rapid healing after birth.

Eat a variety of foods according to the recommended amounts each day in each of the food groups of the pyramid.

Not only is a healthy diet important during pregnancy, it is important for you and your family for a lifetime.

Weight Gain

Slow steady weight gain during pregnancy is best. Each woman gains weight differently. In general, the total weight gain for many women is 25-35 pounds. Usually, you can expect to gain about 10 pounds during the first 20 weeks and about 1 pound per week for the rest of your pregnancy. Your doctor will help you to determine what is best for you.

Report any sudden weight gain of 3-5 pounds in one week to your doctor.

Exercise Moderately

Regular exercise helps both your body and mind feel good. It is especially important to tone your muscles and make them stronger. Many women choose walking, swimming or riding a stationary bike as exercise during pregnancy. Prenatal exercise classes are also available to help you prepare for labor and delivery. Avoid exercise like horseback riding, scuba diving and contact sports. Talk with your doctor on what exercise is right for you.