Commonly Asked Questions
Of First Time Expectant Mothers
Pregnancy is a time of growth and wonder, both personally and physically. It is common to question concerns and areas of life that we have not yet lived. When adults are faced with new challenges, answers are sought to questions as we begin to figure out a new piece of our world. Pregnancy presents these unfamiliar situations and women begin searching for answers from friends, co-workers, family members and the Internet in this age of technology. The following are some questions that pregnant women commonly ask along their new life journey:
What can I do to have a healthy pregnancy?
A healthy pregnancy begins before conception. If you are considering having a baby, prepare your body to be the best place for a baby to live and grow.
- Get a tune up — See your doctor before you become pregnant to discuss any medications you are taking, your medical history and potential risks of birth defects. Work with the doctor to get health problems under control before getting pregnant like diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight!
- Take folic acid — This nutrient helps prevent birth defects and conditions that arise very early in pregnancy. You need healthy levels of folic acid right from the start. A prenatal or multivitamin will boost your immune system and offer nutrients that your diet may lack. Every pregnant woman needs at least 0.4 mg of folic acid per day.
- Stop smoking — If you continue to do so, you will have a more difficult time getting pregnant and carrying a baby for nine months. Babies born to mothers who smoke have an increased risk to develop birth defects and are often born with a low birth weight
What foods should I eat or avoid during pregnancy?
While pregnant, you are eating for two but many wonder about just what to eat. Keep taking that prenatal vitamin and add leafy greens, fruits, veggies, and whole grains (like wheat breads and cereals) to your diet. You will need calcium-rich foods like broccoli and low-fat milk and yogurt to help build your baby's bones and teeth. Stick to lean meats like chicken and turkey. You can have tuna once a week if you want to help get your omega-3 fatty acids for brain development. Iron rich foods, calcium, Vitamins A and C and folic acid are needed daily to promote a healthy pregnancy.
The foods to avoid can be summed up as follows:
- Fish with lots of mercury (shark, tilefish, swordfish). These can damage a baby's developing brain. You can eat up to two servings of fish like salmon, catfish, and mahi mahi, along with shellfish like shrimp, crab, and scallops.
- Raw fish (sushi) and uncooked eggs. Grill or broil your fish while you are pregnant. Cook your sauces and dishes that contain eggs.
- Unpasteurized soft cheeses (brie, Camembert, feta, gorgonzola, and Roquefort) and milk. They may contain listeria, a bacteria that can potentially cause miscarriage or lead to a life-threatening infection.
- Cold ready-to-eat or uncooked meats (hot dog, prosciutto and deli meats). These can also contain listeria. Reheat these foods until they are steaming.
- Alcohol. There is no known safe level of exposure to alcohol, which can interfere with healthy development and lead to mental retardation.
- Caffeine. Avoid or limit caffeine as it has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. Switch to decaf and play it safe.
How much weight gain should I expect?
Pregnancy doesn't mean that you can eat all you want and not watch your weight. If you gain too much weight, you're at risk for conditions like gestational diabetes; too little, and your baby may be born at a low birth weight. Ask your doctor what's "just right" for you and this pregnancy as a future one may need a different weight plan. The average weight gain is about 2 to 4 pounds during the first three months of pregnancy, and 1 pound a week for the remainder of the pregnancy, which is about 25 to 35 pounds total.
How can I manage discomforts of pregnancy?
Pregnancy may come with a host of uncomfortable symptoms. Here are some tips for preventing or at least easing some of the discomfort.
- Nausea, vomiting and heartburn. Get up slowly in the morning as movement can make nausea worse. Don't let your stomach completely empty by eating small meals throughout the day. Avoid greasy or fatty foods, garlic, and spicy foods. Avoid bending or lying down right after a meal. Avoid fatty foods that are hard to digest
- Leg cramps. Exercise regularly, get plenty of fluids, and avoid sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time. Stretch your legs before going to bed by straightening your leg heel first and wiggling your toes. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Hemorrhoids. Drink plenty of liquids, eat a high-fiber diet, exercise regularly, and avoid long periods of standing or sitting. To relieve hemorrhoid pain, take periodic sitz baths, apply cold compresses, and ask your doctor which OTC creams are safe to use.
- Backache. Wear low-heeled shoes with good arch support to avoid straining your lower back muscles. Avoid lifting heavy objects or standing for long periods of time. Make sure your mattress is firm, and that chairs you sit in have good back support (a small pillow placed in the small of your back can help). Try a heating pad, warm water bottle, or cold pack.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
You'll be seeing your healthcare provider frequently throughout your pregnancy. Between appointments, if you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately to evaluate your situation:
- Unusual or severe cramping or pain in the abdominal, legs, or chest
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Any bleeding in the second or third trimester
- Fever or flu like symptoms
- Regular pains or tightening in the lower back or abdomen or
- Leaking of fluid or foul smelling vaginal discharge
- Severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting
- Fainting spells or dizziness
- Burning or pain when you go to the bathroom
- Blurred vision or spots in front of your eyes
- Decreased fetal movement
You will have many more pertinent questions that arise almost daily. There are many resources available to help you navigate your way through your pregnancy. Speak with your doctor to find names of books and websites that you both agree are reliable so you can have questions answered at a moments notice. Take advantage of local prenatal education classes that are designed by topics and areas of interest!