A healthy pregnancy is never guaranteed, but the best thing you can do is seek prenatal care early. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that since health status and risk factors can change over time, pre-pregnancy counseling should take place several times during the reproductive years.
The purpose is for the woman to be as educated as possible and increase the chance of a positive outcome. Even chronic medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, and psychiatric illness can be managed so pregnancy goes smoother. Assessment for sexually transmitted infection screening also takes place at the time of counseling.
Communicate
The more your doctor knows about your personal and family health history and lifestyle, the easier time he will have in guiding you. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that all patients should be routinely asked about their use of alcohol, nicotine products, and drugs, including prescription opioids and other medications used for non-medical reasons.
“If you are on prescription medications, you want to make sure it is something that will not harm the baby or else switch to something that you can take during pregnancy,” says Vicki Hardesty, executive director at Birthright. Folic acid supplementation should be discussed as well since it can reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
In addition to your healthcare provider, you want to communicate with friends and family and find out what their pregnancy was like. It is good to have this support and hear about others’ experiences, but you cannot compare, as no two pregnancies are alike. It can be equally beneficial to attend an early pregnancy childbirth class, read books, or watch videos. Information is power.
The last one you want to communicate with is the baby inside of you. Lamaze International says that there is research showing that babies react to the sense of touch as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy, and a little later, the baby can react to light, voice, music, and other sounds.
Make Good Choices
Nutrition makes a difference. “Start to get the right kinds of food so your body is stronger and cut back on fast foods and fried foods,” says Hardesty. The goal should be to have a colorful plate with lots of fruits and vegetables and fish (that is not raw) a few times a week for the baby’s brain growth and development. You want to eat healthy for life and not just for pregnancy. “Drink lots of water and avoid soft drinks and caffeine,” Hardesty says.
If you have an exercise routine, talk about it with your doctor to make sure it is safe to continue during pregnancy. If you were not exercising, consider swimming, walking, or a prenatal dance class. Lamaze International says that regular, moderate exercise makes labor shorter and less painful and decreases the risk for cesarean surgery.
Take Time for Yourself
Maintain open communication with your partner and figure out the best ways to manage stress. You may try deep breathing, yoga, or meditation. Pregnancy is supposed to be a special time in your life, so you want to have faith in yourself, your body, and the journey.
A good attitude can go a long way. Never blame yourself, even if your pregnancy does not go as perfectly as you hope. “Some people cannot get pregnant, and some can; some have miscarriages, and others do not; sometimes it is genetic, sometimes it is lifestyle; sometimes it is lack of prenatal care or nutrition,” says Hardesty.
Be Patient
The March of Dimes says that if your pregnancy is healthy, it is best to stay pregnant for at least 39 weeks and wait for labor to begin on its own. You want your baby to have maximum time to develop, especially because the brain, lungs, liver, and other important organs are still developing in the last weeks of pregnancy. Babies born too early can have health problems at birth and later in life.
Seek Support
It is important to stay calm and address any questions or concerns with your doctor. Let loved ones and close friends know that you are pregnant and tell them how they can help you. “It is important to have somebody in your life who is your support system and can be there for you,” says Hardesty. You want to plan ahead. “Even after the baby is born, you need someone you can call and say you have not slept in three nights and are tired, frustrated, and need help.”
Jamie Lober, author of Pink Power (getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics.