Every woman deserves high-quality care and compassionate, non-judgmental support through every stage of pregnancy. Prioritizing both mental and physical well-being is essential for promoting health, for both the mother and the baby.
There are proactive steps you can take to lower the chances of pregnancy complications. Select an experienced, qualified doctor you feel comfortable with, someone who communicates openly and listens to your concerns. Taking these steps can contribute to a healthier, more positive pregnancy experience.
Conduct Research
Talk with friends, family, and your primary care doctor to gather recommendations for an OB-GYN. Once you have some suggestions, conduct your own research to ensure they meet your needs. Check online reviews and testimonials on their websites, and use any available ratings for additional insight. State resources can also be a helpful tool in making your decision.
For instance, expectant mothers can utilize the Department of Health’s online license verification form. This tool provides information about a doctor’s license status, any history of disciplinary actions or public complaints, prior lawsuits, and corresponding payouts. Ask potential doctors if they actively participate in professional organizations, such as attending conferences or contributing to the field.
Meet with potential doctors to ensure you feel comfortable working with them. Open and effective communication is vital for your health and your baby’s. You’ll need to rely on your doctor’s guidance and feel at ease asking questions throughout your pregnancy.
Your comfort with both the physician and their staff is an essential part of building a positive and supportive relationship. It will also help avoid complications like intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which can occur due to high levels of stress and anxiety during pregnancy.
Attend Routine Prenatal Appointments
Routine prenatal check-ups play a vital role in preventing birth injuries and other potential complications. Knowing what to expect during these check-ups at each stage of pregnancy can help you prepare for your visits and confidently ask your doctor the right questions.
First Trimester Check-Ups
It’s important to choose your doctor and schedule your initial visit as soon as you confirm your pregnancy. During this first trimester, your prenatal care typically includes bloodwork, a Pap smear, and tests to detect infections or other potential concerns.
Your doctor will also take time to understand your overall health, family history, and any possible risk factors. Together, you’ll discuss essential aspects of pregnancy. These include maintaining a proper diet, managing common issues like fatigue, heartburn, morning sickness, and varicose veins, and recognizing how often these symptoms should appear. Understanding these changes helps you identify when something might require attention.
Second Trimester Check-Ups
During your second trimester, you’ll have monthly prenatal appointments. Use this time to share any symptoms you’re experiencing, including new back pain or other discomforts. At each visit, your doctor will monitor your weight, blood pressure, and abdominal growth. Be sure to discuss any health concerns you may have, as they could impact your baby. Around the 20-week mark, you’ll undergo an ultrasound along with blood and genetic testing. These help identify any abnormalities or potential genetic health issues.
Third Trimester Check-Ups
During your third trimester, prenatal checkups are typically scheduled every two weeks until your doctor advises switching to weekly visits. At these appointments, your doctor will continue monitoring your blood pressure, weight, and other health metrics.
A test for group B strep infection will also be conducted. Additionally, your doctor will assess your baby’s movements, and you can support this process by tracking their activity between visits.
If you’re concerned about the quality of your prenatal care, discuss this with your OB-GYN. Receiving proper prenatal care is crucial. Infants born to mothers without adequate care are five times more likely to face fatal outcomes and three times more likely to have a low birth weight. Regular checkups allow your doctor to address potential issues promptly, improving health outcomes for both you and your baby.
Follow Provider’s Nutrition, Weight and Exercise Tips
Your recommended weight gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight, body mass index (BMI), and whether you’re expecting one baby or multiples. It’s essential to follow these guidelines, as gaining too little weight can result in underweight babies, while gaining too much can lead to heavier babies, delivery challenges, or the need for a cesarean section.
Discuss your calorie needs with your doctor for each trimester to help reduce the risk of complications. Generally, additional calories aren’t needed during the first trimester. However, in the second trimester, you may require about 340 extra calories per day, and in the third trimester, around 450 extra calories.
Moderate exercise during pregnancy is also important, aim for about 30 minutes daily or 150 minutes weekly. Always consult your doctor before starting or adjusting your exercise routine, stay hydrated, and listen to your body to ensure your well-being.
Healthy Diet and Baby’s Essential Supplements
Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is essential for protecting both you and your baby. Focus on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, while limiting your intake of sugar and solid fats.
Consider keeping a food journal to track what you eat. Share this with your doctor, who can offer specific dietary recommendations as your pregnancy progresses. For instance, they might suggest adding more seafood rich in healthy fats but low in mercury. They’ll also advise you to avoid certain foods like fish, raw meat, or eggs, high-sodium items, and raw sprouts.
Good nutrition during pregnancy also includes taking prenatal vitamins and any supplements your doctor recommends. These vitamins provide essential nutrients such as calcium, iodine, iron, and folic acid. Skipping them could increase the risk of complications like neural tube defects, hypertension, preeclampsia, or poor bone development.
Avoid Certain OTC Medications
Navigating the advice surrounding over-the-counter medications during pregnancy can be challenging, so it’s important to consult your doctor. Ethical concerns about experimenting on pregnant women and fetuses often limit research, making it difficult to reach definitive conclusions. Still, some medications carry well-documented risks.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against using the antihistamine pseudoephedrine during the first trimester of pregnancy due to its link to abdominal wall birth defects.
The FDA recommends avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen after the 20th week of pregnancy. These drugs are associated with complications such as low amniotic fluid levels, kidney issues, and other concerns.
There is also ongoing federal litigation related to the use of Tylenol during pregnancy. Nearly 400 plaintiffs claim their children developed autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder after the mothers took acetaminophen, Tylenol’s active ingredient, while expecting.
Given the abundance of information, and misinformation, about over-the-counter drug use during pregnancy, it’s best to avoid medications with clear warnings and always speak with your doctor before taking anything.
Conclusion
Pregnancy and childbirth can bring immense joy, but they may also come with concerns about possible complications. It’s important to keep up with your prenatal care appointments. Make sure to have open and honest conversations with your doctor about your diet, lifestyle, exercise routine, prenatal supplements, and any other guidance you’re following.
