Moms-to-Be Put Your Baby in Good Hands Now

Whether you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, having a healthy baby is your top concern. By getting regular checkups and following your doctor’s advice, you’ll give that tiny life the best possible start.

Plan Early for Success

“Even if you’re just thinking about having a baby, talk with your doctor about preparing your body first,” says OB/GYN Natalie Blagowidow, M.D., director of prenatal diagnostics at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Maryland. Pregnancy puts new stresses on your body. The healthier you are, the easier your pregnancy will be.

Follow a healthy lifestyle.

 Start before you conceive. Taking a multivitamin with folic acid, eating right, and getting exercise and plenty of rest will help you enter pregnancy fit and strong. You’ll also need to update your vaccines, especially for rubella (German measles). If you get rubella while pregnant, your unborn child can suffer serious birth defects.

See your doctor before you get pregnant.

 This is especially important if you are seriously overweight or have diabetes, thyroid disease, high blood pressure or another chronic condition, adds Dr. Blagowidow. If you are in this group, talk with your doctor about your medical history, current health and medicines. If your condition is not well-controlled, take charge now. Also, your doctor may want to change your medicine to something that’s safer for pregnant women.

You’re Pregnant … Now What?

Sometimes pregnancy is unexpected. As soon as you find out, call your doctor, even if you feel fine, says March of Dimes Deputy Medical Director Diane Ashton, M.D., M.P.H. Your doctor needs to check you, advise you about how to have a healthy pregnancy and test you for conditions that could harm your unborn child.

All moms-to-be need a series of prenatal (before-birth) checkups until their child is born. At prenatal visits, your doctor will check for any problems and track your baby’s growth. Start early and be consistent with prenatal care, says Dr. Ashton. At first, you’ll see your doctor once a month. In the middle of pregnancy, you’ll visit twice a month. In your ninth month, you’ll be checked every week. Problems can arise anytime, so every appointment matters. If a problem does come up, the earlier you can treat it, the better.

What Happens in the Doctor’s Office

At your first prenatal visit, you’ll get a complete checkup, including a pelvic exam. Your doctor will also:

• Do a Pap test to check for disease
• Test your urine for infection
• Test your blood for anemia (low iron) or other conditions
• Calculate your baby’s due date
• Talk with you about HIV testing

At every prenatal visit, you’ll be weighed and your blood pressure will be checked. As your baby grows, your doctor will measure your belly, check your baby’s position and listen for his or her heartbeat. Your prenatal visits are also the perfect time to ask questions and share any worries.

Self-Care Steps

How you care for yourself during pregnancy has a big impact on your health, energy and stress level. Everything that affects your body affects your baby. Your doctor will ask you to follow these steps:

• Take folic acid.

   Get 400 micrograms of this B vitamin every day, especially in your first few months of pregnancy. This will help prevent birth defects.

• Avoid harmful substances.

   If you smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs, you must stop — for your baby’s sake. Your child can suffer serious and permanent harm. If you need help quitting, talk with your doctor.

• Eat healthy.

   Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, grains, lean protein, and calcium-rich foods. Avoid saturated and trans fats. Eat only well-cooked meat, eggs and fish. Don’t skip meals, and drink plenty of water.

• Exercise.

   If your doctor approves, try to get 30 minutes of exercise every day. Walking and swimming are ideal.

• Manage stress.

   Too much stress can be bad for your baby. Get rest when you need it and avoid situations that make you tense.

• Be careful with medicine.

    Before taking any medication — even over-the-counter supplements and herbal products — ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it’s safe.

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