Pregnancy/Prenatal Care

Signs of Pregnancy

The most common first sign of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period, although you may miss a period because of illness, stress, or change in your lifestyle. Other signs that you may be pregnant include sore or tender breasts, nausea and vomiting, frequent urination, and fatigue.

It is important for you to see a doctor or midwife, or go to a clinic as soon as you suspect you might be pregnant. The sooner you know you are pregnant, the sooner you can begin proper prenatal care. You can also buy a do-it-yourself pregnancy testing kit, but it is a good idea to see your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you may be pregnant. Even if a home pregnancy test is negative, you should see your doctor.

Have a Healthy Pregnancy

Prenatal care is the health care you receive before your baby is born. Women who start prenatal care early in their pregnancies tend to have fewer problems and deliver healthier babies. Prenatal care includes advice about your pregnancy and outlines a plan of care developed just for you.

Prenatal Care Visits

During each prenatal visit, your health care team will:

• Weigh you to see how much you are gaining
• Take your blood pressure
• Test you urine for infection, too much sugar or protein
• Monitor your baby's heartbeat
• Check your baby's growth by measuring from your pubic bone to the top of your growing uterus

Tests that may be recommended by your health care provider:

• Blood test to determine blood type; check for anemia; detect infections such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases; and to check immunity to rubella and other childhood diseases.
• A Pap smear to test for cervical cancer
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), usually at 10 to 12 weeks, to test for genetic disorders.
• Amniocentesis, usually done between 15 and 18 weeks, to test the fluid around your baby for genetic disorders like Down syndrome (if a problem is suspected).
• A blood test for gestational (pregnancy-related) diabetes, at 24 to 28 weeks.
• An ultrasound which uses sound waves (not X-rays) to view the baby and check size, growth, organs, position and movement.
• Swab of vaginal and rectal areas to check for group B streptococcus. If you carry this usually symptomless bacterium, your provider will probably treat you with antibiotic during labor to prevent your baby from becoming ill.

Exercise is very important to you and your baby. If you stay active, you will feel better. Walking is particularly good because it strengthens many of the muscles you will use in labor. If you are thinking about trying a new sport or exercise, or have been using a specific exercise routine, talk to your doctor.

Avoid

• Lifting heavy objects and moving furniture while you are pregnant. Stretching will not harm you or you baby, but do not reach for things from a chair or ladder because you might lose your balance and fall.
• Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy is directly associated with low birth weight, premature births, miscarriage, and other complications.
• Drinking alcoholic beverages- In the crucial early period of a baby's development, often before pregnancy is recognized, maternal consumption of alcohol increases the risk of abnormalities. Do not drink alcohol when pregnant.

  Medicines and Drugs- You should take only those medicines prescribed by doctor.

• Caffeine- There are differences of opinion about the dangers of caffeine during pregnancy. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to use as little as possible at this time.
• Remember, whatever you take in affects your baby

Nutrition

Food plays an important part all through life in promoting a healthier you. But when you are pregnant, nutrition has an even greater importance to your health and your baby's health. Eat a variety of healthy foods. Carbohydrates, protein, fat (limited), water (six to eight glasses a day), fiber, vitamins such as Folic Acid and minerals are needed in the diet each day for the growth of the baby, and beginning the moment you become pregnant. Your body must increase blood, fluids, and tissue to develop your uterus and to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding.

Limit fatty foods and sweets like, doughnuts, potato chips, sodas, cookies and candy.

Forbidden foods: Some foods can make you and your baby sick. You should avoid foods that can cause food poisoning or contain harmful chemicals.

• Swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish. Some experts recommend avoiding fish and limiting canned tuna to 12 ounces per week, or 6 ounces if you also eat other kinds of fish.
• Raw fish, especially shellfish (oyster, clams).
• Undercooked meat, poultry, seafood and hot dogs.
• Deli meats such as ham, salami, and bologna occasionally can cause food poisoning, so you should avoid them or reheat them before eating.
• Soft-scrambled eggs and all foods made with raw or lightly cooked eggs.
• Soft cheeses such as brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort and Mexican-style.
• Unpasteurized juices.
• Raw sprouts, especially alfalfa sprouts.
• Herbal supplements and teas.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC Program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

For more information and to find the WIC location closer to you call

1-800-522-5006 or visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic/aboutwic

Signs of an emergency

Know how to reach your doctor or nurse-midwife. Call right away-day or night-if any of these things happen:

• Bleeding from your vagina
• Painful cramps in your belly
• Strong headaches, dizziness, vision problems
• Fever or chills
• Swelling of your hands, feet, or face
• Very rapid weight gain

Preterm labor

What is preterm labor?

You're in preterm labor (also known as premature labor) if you begin to have regular contractions that cause your cervix to start to open or thin out (this is called dilation and effacement) before you've reached 37 weeks of pregnancy. If you deliver your baby before 37 weeks, it's called a preterm birth and your baby is considered premature. It can be very harmful to the unborn baby. Often, labor can be stopped to give the baby more time to grow. Every day a baby spends in the uterus helps him/her be more ready for life outside.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs:

• Bleeding or pink or brown fluid coming from your vagina.
• Loss of the mucus plug or clear water leaking from the vagina.
• Contractions every 15 minutes or less, or cramps like those during menstruation.
• Low back ache that may be steady or come and go.
• Heavy feeling in your pelvis and vaginal area (like the baby is going to fall out).
• Unusual tightness or hardness in your belly area.
• A general feeling that something is wrong.

The birth month- Be prepared

Pregnancy and childbirth are one of nature's most exciting and wonderful gifts. Birth is the welcome end of pregnancy. It is the start of parenthood. Even though it is a natural and normal function for a woman, it also can be an intense and challenging experience. Many women become fearful and anxious, feel helpless and develop a negative attitude toward the birth process. That is why you need to be prepared. Childbirth classes, parenting programs, counseling and support groups are some examples of things you should get involved in before the baby is born to maximize the potential for a positive childbirth experience.

Information & Referrals

Community Cradle can help you with more information on What to do? and Where to go? Please contact us at 518-426-1153 or e-mail us at Information@communitycradle.org.

Return to services