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- Knowledgebase: First Time Parenting 101
- Information for first time parents
- 1. Deliver The Best: Take care of your unborn baby - Top
- Deliver the Best
http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/healthybaby/deliver.htm
Pregnancy is a very special time. What you eat and what you do -- and don't do -- will make a lasting difference in your baby's life. A baby's organs begin to form in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. If you're pregnant or planning to be in the future, it's important to start making healthy choices right now. Seeing your doctor for a pre-pregnancy checkup, taking folic acid every day and adopting a healthy lifestyle will help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Here are some important guidelines to follow.
Prenatal Care Visits
As soon as you think you're pregnant, see your health care provider.
It's important to see your health care provider regularly throughout pregnancy, so be sure to keep all your prenatal care appointments.
The Right Vitamins
All women of childbearing age should take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid as part of a healthy diet that contains foods fortified with folic acid, such as fortified breakfast cereals, and in natural sources of folic acid. Natural sources include orange juice, peanuts, green leafy vegetables, beans, broccoli, asparagus, peas, lentils, and enriched grain products. It's important to be taking folic acid right before conception and in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Since you'll need higher levels of supplementation during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about prenatal vitamins containing iron (for healthy blood) and calcium (for healthy bones).
Eat a Well - Balanced Diet
To get the nutrients you and your unborn baby need, plan your meals around the five basic food groups. Each day you should get:
6-11 servings of grain products
3-5 servings of vegetables
2-4 servings of fruits
3-4 servings of milk and milk products
3-4 servings of meat and protein foods
Limit fatty foods and sweets.
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water, fruit juice or milk each day.
Women of average weight-for-height before pregnancy should gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Your health care provider will tell you what's right for you.
Feeling Fit
Regular physical activity during pregnancy can have special benefits, like lessening discomfort and fatigue, enhancing well-being, and promoting early recovery after delivery.
Yoga, walking, swimming and cycling on a stationary bicycle are the safest exercises for pregnant women.
Always check with your health care provider before beginning any kind of exercise.
What To Avoid
Alcohol, smoking and second hand smoke, illicit drugs. Ask your health care provider about prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking.
Saunas, hot tubs, or steam rooms.
Caffeine, found in tea, coffee, soft drinks and chocolate.
X-rays.
Handling cat litter or eating undercooked meat. They can cause toxoplasmosis, an infection that can harm your baby.
Men Have Babies Too
There's a lot dad's can do to help their babies be born healthy. Like:
Take an active role in the pregnancy and birth. Share your feelings about becoming a parent with your partner, so you can support each other.
Participate in preparing your home for the baby’s arrival.
Encourage your partner to eat well and avoid drinking and smoking. If you smoke, don't do so around your partner since "secondhand" smoke also can be harmful to a fetus.
Attend prenatal care visits and childbirth preparation classes with your partner.
Help out with chores, childcare and other responsibilities.
Make taking walks together a daily routine.
Contact your health care provider if you experience any of the following during your pregnancy:
Bleeding or leaking of fluid from the vagina
Cramps that are strong
A lasting backache or bellyache
Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
A fever above 100 degrees
Puffy face, fingers and feet
Prolonged headache
Blurred vision or spots in front of your eyes
Pain or burning when you urinate
Your baby is moving less than usual
If you're over 30 or are having multiple births, your health care provider will advise you about special tests you might need and special guidelines to follow to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby or babies!
For more information, contact our RESOURCE CENTER
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©2001 March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. All rights reserved
- Updated: July 3, 2001
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- Knowledgebase: First Time Parenting 101
James L Horwitz, MD
David C. Thomas, MD
Barbara Lindberg, PNP