Maternity

Pregnant? Give Your Baby a Healthy Start in Life

Pregnancy is a special time. Keeping yourself healthy is the best way to help your baby be healthy. You will have to pay extra attention to what you eat, do, and don't do to help your baby grow. Here are some important things to keep in mind.

Prenatal care

  • As soon as you think you're pregnant, see your doctor.
  • It's very important to keep seeing your doctor during your entire pregnancy, so keep all of your prenatal care appointments.

Medications

Tell your doctor about any prescription or over the counter medications you are taking, including herbal supplements.

Taking vitamins

You may need extra vitamins during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about prenatal vitamins containing iron (for healthy blood) and calcium (for healthy bones).

Exercising

  • Regular exercise during pregnancy can have many benefits such as making you feel more comfortable, less tired and helping you recover after delivery.
  • Walking, yoga, swimming and cycling on a stationary bicycle are the safest exercises for pregnant women.
  • Always check with your doctor before beginning any kind of exercise.

Stay away from

  • Alcohol, smoking, secondhand smoke, and any drugs.
  • Hot tubs, saunas, or steam rooms.
  • X-rays, dangerous chemicals, and lead.
  • Raw or undercooked meat and cat litter boxes. Both can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis, which can hurt your baby.
  • Excessive caffeine (found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, and chocolate).
  • Talk to your doctor and your employer if you think the type of work you do may affect your baby.

Be sure to call your doctor immediately if you have

  • Bleeding or leaking of fluid from the vagina.
  • Fever or chills.
  • Dizziness that does not go away in a few minutes.
  • Strong cramps or contractions of your uterus.
  • A lasting backache or bellyache.
  • A lot of vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Burning when you urinate.
  • A puffy face, fingers, or feet.
  • A bad headache.
  • Blurred vision or spots in front of your eyes.
  • Spent time around someone with measles, chickenpox, pertussis (whooping cough), or hepatitis B.
  • Noticed that your baby is moving less than usual.

Here are some tips for your partner

Your partner is having a baby, too. Share this fact sheet with them. There are a lot of things they can do to take part in the pregnancy, birth and care of their baby.

As the partner, you can:

  • Take an active role in the pregnancy, labor, and birth.
  • Share your feelings about becoming a parent with your partner so you can support each other.
  • Learn as much as you can about pregnancy and being a parent.
  • Involve yourself in preparing the home for the baby's arrival.
  • Encourage your partner to eat healthy food and to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
  • If you smoke, try to quit! If you must smoke, do it away from your baby's mother since secondhand smoke can also harm your unborn baby.
  • Go with your partner to prenatal checkups.
  • Go to childbirth classes with her so you can help her during birth.
  • Talk to your baby. Unborn babies can hear voices during the last few months of pregnancy.
  • Help out with chores, child care, and other responsibilities.

A healthy diet

Eating well takes some planning and you may have to change some of your habits. When you eat well you help your body stay strong. You also help your baby's body and brain grow and develop properly. Plan your meals around the five basic food groups.

Each day you should get:

  • 6-11 servings of grain products (breads, cereals, rice and pastas)
  • 3-5 servings of vegetables
  • 2-4 servings of fruits
  • 3-4 servings of meat and protein foods (meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts)
  • 3-4 servings of milk and milk products (cheese, yogurt)

Limit fatty foods and sweets.

Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of liquid each day. Water is best, but you can include milk and a little fruit juice.

Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal. But it is not healthy to gain too little or too much weight. Most women gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Ask your doctor how much weight gain is right for you.

Car seat program

Are you pregnant and a Community Health Plan member? If so, you could be eligible to get a free car seat for your new baby. Call 1-800-440-1561 for more information!