What Will I Eat While Im Pregnant
It is important to make healthy choices when youre pregnant. What you put in your body directly affects your growing baby. You should eat a balanced diet with plenty of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. This will ensure that your baby is getting the nutrients it needs to grow. You should also take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid. This will help supplement nutrients you may be missing. There are also certain foods you should avoid when youre pregnant. These include raw fish, raw eggs, unpasteurized milk or soft cheeses, and lunch meat.
It is important that you eat the right number of calories. Too few calories could result in low birth weight and have a negative impact on your babys development. Too many calories could result in high birth weight and a more complicated delivery for the baby and you. Talk to your doctor about how many calories you should have each day and how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy.
Dont drink alcohol, or use tobacco or drugs while you are pregnant. Even minor use carries risks for health issues in your baby. These include miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and brain damage. No amount of these substances is safe during pregnancy.
Will I Have The Baby
The first decision you need to make when you find out youre pregnant is whether you are going to have the baby. This can be a difficult decision. There is a lot to think about. You have to make the decision that is right for you. Consider your personal situation and your beliefs. You have several options:
- You can continue the pregnancy and raise the baby.
- You can continue the pregnancy and create an adoption plan to allow someone else to raise the baby.
- You can end the pregnancy.
If youre not sure what to do, talk to someone you trust. This could be your babys father, a family member, a friend, your doctor, or a minister or rabbi. Learn about all of your options. Getting more information can help you make your decision. It can also help you feel more confident about your decision.
Monitoring Your Health And Your Baby’s Health
Your GP will check your overall health and ask you about your medical history. They will want to know about any health issues that could affect you or your baby.
They will probably offer you the first of many routine tests done in pregnancy. Some of these might be covered, or partially covered, by Medicare. It’s a good idea to ask your GP about costs.
Your doctor can also help you make lifestyle changes that are good for your baby. Stopping smoking or drinking alcohol, for example, will help keep you and your baby healthy.
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What Are The Different Types Of Hormones
Endocrine glands are located throughout the body. These glands include the:
- Hypothalamus: controls thirst, hunger, sleep, sex drive, moods, body temperature, and the release of other hormones
- Parathyroid: controls calcium
- Ovaries, in women: controls female sex hormones
- Testes, in men: controls male sex hormones
There are several different types of hormones in the body. When you have a hormonal imbalance, you may have a problem in one of more of these glands. The specific hormone thats imbalanced will determine the signs and symptoms that you experience as a result. Some of the major hormones found in the body include:
- Estrogen: controls sex drive in both men and women, and regulates the menstrual cycle in women
- Progesterone: influences the bodys changes through pregnancy
- Testosterone: controls sex drive in both men and women
- Cortisol: controls stress
- Melatonin: controls the bodys circadian rhythm and sleep cycles
- Serotonin: controls sleep cycles, appetite, and mood
- Growth hormone: controls the reproduction of cells and their subsequent growth
- Leptin: controls appetite, signaling when youre full
- Ghrelin: controls appetite, signaling when youre hungry
- Insulin: responds to sugar in the bloodstream
If your hormones are well-balanced, you will thrive. An imbalance, however, is something you cannot afford to ignore.
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What Is The First Thing To Do When You Find Out You Are Pregnant
What to do once you find out you re pregnant
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What Is The Best Way To Test For Hormone Levels
Conventionally, the sex hormones are almost always tested in blood. But because this does not show true bioavailable hormone levels, salivary or urinary testing is not only more accurate, but also more convenient. For the hormones we test that are often imbalanced, saliva testing for hormonesgives us the best indication of what is available in your body. There are some hormones, however, that are better tested through blood such as thyroid hormones.
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Q: Should I See A Maternal
A:It can be beneficial to consult with a maternal-fetal medicine specialistbefore pregnancy if you have one of the following:
- Pre-existing medical condition. There are many pre-existing medical conditions that may need to be monitored in relation to pregnancy, e.g., diabetes , lupus , renal disease and hypertension . In some instances, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist may alter the type of medication youre taking to maintain your health and prevent any adverse effects to your future pregnancies. If you have diabetes, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist can help you optimize your blood sugar control prior to conception to help reduce the risk of fetal anomalies. If you struggle with obesity , a maternal-fetal medicine specialist can review the benefits of weight loss before pregnancy. According to Henderson, Losing weight in a healthy manner can reduce your risk of developing conditions such as hypertension and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
- Genetic risks. Preconception genetic screening has become more common in recent years as technology has advanced and testing has become more accessible. If you have family members with a certain disease or if you belong to an ethnicity that has a greater risk of developing specific conditions , genetic screening can be used to assess your and your partners risk of being a carrier. Also, common genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or spinal muscular atrophy , can be screened for with a blood test.
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Where Will I Give Birth
Early in your pregnancy, youll want to think about where you want to deliver your baby. A large majority of women deliver their babies in a hospital. This is the safest place to deliver. But you can also deliver at a birthing center or at home. Several factors will influence where you decide to have your baby. These include:
- Where your doctor delivers. Many women choose their provider and then deliver their baby wherever that doctor practices.
- What your insurance covers. Some insurance policies may not cover a birthing center or a home delivery.
- If your pregnancy is high-risk.Women with high-risk pregnancies should deliver at a hospital. This ensures there will be back-up services and medical interventions available if something goes wrong.
- Where you live. Some states are friendlier to birthing center or home births than others. Check your state regulations before you decide where to deliver. You may also be limited based on what hospitals or birthing centers are nearby.
Where you want to give birth may also determine who your doctor will be. For example, if you want to use a birthing center or your home to give birth, youll need to find a doctor willing to deliver there.
What To Do After Confirming Pregnancy
Once you have been tested positive for pregnancy, there are many things you need to do. From stocking up diapers to making the nursery, but before you go ahead with these things, it is essential to follow the following suggestions:
- Doctorâs Appointment
Most women do not prefer to visit a specialist until they are at least eight weeks pregnant, but consulting an appointment after a positive pregnancy test is always a wise idea to start your pregnancy.
You can also join our Cloudnine Community to discuss and get more information about âFirst Timers, Consultation, Nutrition.
âWatch Video on Common Pregnancy Questions:
- Find Out Your Due Date
The process in pregnancy is evaluated from day one of your last period. However, it is difficult to determine the exact date when you are ovulating and conceiving. The day one of your previous menstrual cycles is considered the first day of pregnancy. But if you want to know the exact date, talk to your doctor.
Do you have questions in your mind like âHow Many Weeks Pregnant Am I?â Checkout Cloudnineâs Pregnancy Due Date Calculator now!
- Type of a Care Provider
You can decide if youâre going to continue the treatment by an obstetrician and gynaecology specialist or if you want to get help from a midwife. If you have any complications or risk in pregnancy, you can opt for a maternity care provider. If you are expecting a standard delivery, you can go with a midwife.
- What to Expect
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Skin And Hair Changes
Acne. A sudden increase in acne is one easy way to identify a possible hormonal imbalance. One of the few hormones involved is androgens. Androgens, typically referred to as male hormones, but found in both males and females, regulate your skins sebum production. If your body produces androgens in excess, sebum can build up in your pores and cause a pimple to surface.
Hair loss. The quality and vitality of your hair is also directly related to your hormones. Thyroid abnormalities, for example, may cause dry hair or skin, thinning hair, or brittle nails. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and parathyroid disorder can also cause hair loss.
British Columbia Specific Information
If you have any questions or concerns about pregnancy, labour and baby care speak with your health care provider or contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse anytime of the day or night, any day of the year, or a pharmacist from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
You can also read Babyâs Best Chance , a parents handbook on pregnancy and baby care, or visit the Healthy Families BC website.
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Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
When you find out youre pregnant, its time to start taking those vitamins!
You wanna make sure you and your baby are getting all the vitamins and nutrients you guys need, and prenatal vitamins will help with that!
They normally recommend you start taking them as soon as you find out youre pregnant.
You can get prenatal vitamins in a pill or gummy form. Though I preferred the gummies since I had pretty bad morning sickness.
But whichever type you choose to get be sure that it contains folic acid, vitamin D, iron, and calcium.
Another thing you may want to look for is a prenatal vitamin that has omega 3 fatty acids since not all of them contain it.
This in-depth article about prenatal vitamins gives reviews on their top picks and even information about certain vitamins and minerals that are super important to take while pregnant. Its very informative and something I think is well worth the read!
What You Need To Know If Youre Asking The Question When Should I Go To The Doctor For Pregnancy Tests And Appointments
So you or your partner have taken a home pregnancy test and its come up positive. For many, this is an exciting time, ready to jump into the journey and plan for parenthood. For others, it may leave you feeling uncertain or nervous. Thats okay, too! But for almost everyone, the next question is often, When should I go to the doctor for pregnancy?
Whether you were planning to conceive, or if you are feeling completely surprised, this is an overview to help orient you to the first steps of pregnancy.
If you live in the Coral Springs, Florida area and think you may be pregnant, you can easily schedule an appointment today at Dr. Lona Sasser Obstetrics & Gynecology. We offer pregnancy confirmation as well as total obstetrical care.
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Will I Have Prenatal Screenings Or Prenatal Diagnosis Tests Done
Prenatal screenings and diagnostic tests are tests your doctor performs while you are pregnant. They are done to check for any health problems with the baby before it is born. Problems could include birth defects, genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, or diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Screenings are usually done early in the pregnancy with blood tests or ultrasound. They detect risks for or signs of a possible health problem. Diagnostic tests can confirm or rule out specific health problems in you or your baby. Most genetic testing is now done through free fetal DNA . For this test, the mothers blood is taken and the small amounts of fetal DNA found in it are amplified. Then, that genetic material is analyzed to test for fetal genetic disorders. If this test reveals a disorder, your doctor may then want to confirm the diagnosis by doing an amniocentesis. For this test, your doctor will collect a sample of your amniotic fluid.
Screenings and diagnostic tests can be helpful to let you know if your baby might have problems when it is born. But sometimes they can cause added worry or concern. In many cases, prenatal screening is a choice. For example, if your doctor suggests your baby be screened for Down syndrome during your pregnancy, that is a choice. Some screening tests can increase your chance of miscarriage or other problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the tests.
Q: Whats The Difference Between A Maternal
A:A maternal-fetal medicine specialist receives atraditional obstetrics and gynecology education but with an additionalthree years of training to learn how to treat medical complications thatare related to pregnancy. In addition, the maternal-fetal medicinespecialist has extensive training in assessment and treatment of fetalproblems. Most perinatalultrasoundis interpreted by maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
You may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist if you have apre-existing medical condition prior to pregnancy, develop a medicalcondition during pregnancy or have problems during delivery. Additionally,you will see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist during pregnancy if yourbaby has an anomaly. In this case, the maternal-fetal medicine specialistwill coordinate your care as well as your babys care during pregnancy andat delivery with the help of a pediatric care team.
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When Do You See A Doctor When Pregnant
The first prenatal appointment usually takes place in the second month, between week 6 and week 8 of pregnancy. Be sure to call as soon as you suspect you re pregnant and have taken a pregnancy test. Some practitioners will be able to fit you in right away, but others may have waits of several weeks .
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What To Ask Prospective Ob/gyns
Use your first visit with your OB/Gyn to confirm your pregnancy and get acquainted with your doctor. It can be helpful to bring a list of your health concerns to get a feel for how your doctor typically handles those issues. Its important that you feel your questions are listened to and answered to your satisfaction, and to determine if you and your doctor share similar views on treatments. Here are important things to consider.
Background and Credentials
Our Find A Doctor tool lets you look up Sutter-affiliated doctors by name or specialty to see a brief biographical sketch, including education, board certification, hospital privileges, special interests and other helpful information. If you have questions, you can also check the status of a doctors license online. In addition, you might want to ask how long the doctor has been in practice in your area and how the doctor stays on top of the latest medical developments.
Office Hours and Urgent Care
During pregnancy, your body is going through a period of rapid change and growth. Even in healthy pregnancies, unusual symptoms may appear suddenly. Ask about standard office hours and if there are extended hours for urgent care appointments.
Emergencies
If you are injured or become acutely ill during your pregnancy, what procedure does the doctor recommend?
When should he or she be informed if you must go to an emergency room?
Getting Questions Answered
Referral to Specialists
Prescriptions
When Your Doctor is Away
Finances
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What Causes Hormonal Imbalance
Your hormones have to work together in balance to help your body thrive. However, hormone ups and downs in women are very common, so if you feel that you have a hormonal imbalance, you are not alone.
Doctors from WebMD say that some of the common causes of an imbalance in hormone production in women are pre-menstrual syndrome, pregnancy, and the menopause. However, other lifestyle factors can cause hormones to fluctuate. Being overweight, not getting enough exercise, or a lack of sleep can all throw your hormones off balance.3
Other reasons for hormone fluctuations are an underactive thyroid that doesnt produce enough thyroxine . Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that hypothyroidism can leave you feeling lethargic, cause changes in your menstrual system, or make it difficult to lose weight.4
Also, diabetes is a common cause of hormonal imbalances and can affect, not just the insulin hormone, but also other blood sugar-related hormones, sex hormones, and growth hormones.5
