What You Need When Pregnant

Path To Improved Health

Schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as you find out youre pregnant. Your doctor will start by reviewing your medical history. He or she also will want to know about your symptoms. During this first appointment, urine and blood samples will be taken. Urine tests check for bacteria, high sugar levels , and high protein levels . Blood tests check for blood cell count, blood type, low iron levels and infectious diseases .

The doctor also may do other tests at your first visit. These may vary based on your background and risk for problems. Tests can include:

• A pelvic exam to check the size and shape of your uterus
• A Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer
• An ultrasound to view your babys growth and position

After your first visit, you will have a prenatal visit every 4 weeks. In months 7 and 8, you will have a visit every 2 weeks. In your last month of pregnancy, the visits will occur weekly until you deliver your baby. At each visit, the doctor will check your weight and blood pressure and test your urine. The doctor will listen to your babys heartbeat and measure the height of your uterus after the 20th week. You should always discuss any issues or concerns you have with your doctor.

Below are some other guidelines to follow during your pregnancy.

Schedule Your Prenatal Visit

You should schedule your first prenatal care appointment if you havent already. Many women have their first prenatal visit this week or at week 8. Your first visit will be the longest and most extensive checkup.

During the visit, your doctor or midwife will review your health history, determine your approximate due date, identify pregnancy risks, and give you a physical exam, including a pelvic exam with Pap smear.

Youll have your weight and blood pressure checked, and urine and blood tests will likely be ordered.

Pregnancy Gear: Preconception/first Trimester

Prenatal vitamins. “Folic acid prevents neural tube defects, so you need to start taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid even before you conceive and continue taking it throughout your pregnancy,” says Pamela Bertens, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.The March of Dimes states that women should take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, particularly before pregnancy and during early pregnancy, as part of a healthy diet.

Good book on pregnancy. You really, really need “a good common sense resource about what is normal and what’s not normal — whether a book or a close girlfriend’s phone number,” Bertens tells WebMD.

Moisturizer. “A good moisturizer also helps, as many pregnant women complain of dry, itchy skin,” Bertens says.

Also Check: How Much Calcium Needed During Pregnancy

Not Your Grandmas Compression Socks

Nothing says third trimester like swollen ankles, huh? One of the less glamorous side effects of pregnancy, swelling is an uncomfortable way your body deals with all that extra fluid youre now carrying around, especially during those last few months. Time to rock some compression socks, mama!Although they may not be the cutest fashion accessory youll wear all season, we love these Physix Gear Compression Socks because they actually work. Compression socks help with blood circulation, varicose veins, and leg swelling. Especially if youre going to be on your feet a lot during the last trimester of pregnancy, these socks are a must.

How To Correctly Care For Pregnant Koi

It is important to look for the signs that indicate your female Koi fish are pregnant before they start spawning, as you will need to change a few aspects of their care to ensure the health of the female Koi fish and her eggs.

If you dont want your Koi fish population to grow, then watching for these signs can help you separate your female Koi fish from the males to ensure the eggs dont get fertilized when they are dropped.

Whether you want to grow your Koi population or not, you must care for your female Koi fish correctly until they drop their eggs.

Female Koi fish need to drop their developed eggs when they are ready, as not dropping them can lead to some complications that could affect the fishs health. So, lets go through what conditions the female Koi fish need to remain healthy and drop their eggs.

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How We Chose The Best First Trimester Pregnancy Must

We started by scouting out the most popular first trimester products on the market, including What to Expect readers favorites and what doctors have seen their pregnant patients find success with. Then, we narrowed down our picks to the top-reviewed and best-rated items to select products that are designed to help you get through this period of pregnancy with relative ease.

Check out our first trimester shopping checklist below for all the must-haves you’ll want on hand those first few months.

See registry advice and a custom baby gear checklist

Twin Development At Week 7

Though multiples are often smaller than singletons at birth, their development each week isnt that different until the third trimester. If youre having multiples, your babies are each a little bigger than the top of a pencil eraser this week.

Many women have their first ultrasound between weeks 6 and 8. This is the appointment that will give you a view into your uterus to see your babies. You can also detect their heartbeats through ultrasound as early as week 6.

As your baby continues to grow, youre likely to start experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, if you havent already, as well as some new symptoms.

These include:

• occasional spotting

Recommended Reading: How Do I Know I M Pregnant Early

Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Steady weight gain during pregnancy is normal and important for the health of you and your baby. However, it is also important not to gain too much weight.

Excess weight gain during pregnancy can increase your risk of certain health issues including gestational diabetes and high blood pressure in pregnancy. Excess weight gain can also make it difficult to lose weight after pregnancy.If you are pregnant, a good approach is to eat to satisfy your appetite, and continue to monitor your weight throughout pregnancy. You can talk to your Midwife, GP, Dietitian or Obstetrician about assisting you with monitoring your weight.Depending on your body mass index at the start of your pregnancy, the following weight gain is recommended during pregnancy:

If you are overweight, pregnancy is not the time to start dieting or trying to lose weight. Weight gain within these ranges is important to support the growth and development of your baby.

To maintain an appropriate weight gain during pregnancy, it is important to:

• Choose healthy foods from the 5 food groups.
• Limit discretionary foods and drinks high in saturated fat, added sugars and added salt .
• Remain active during your pregnancy.

A Little Light Readingfrench Style

Since you may not feel like diving headfirst into parenting books quite yet, the bestselling Bringing Up Bébé is the perfect combination of narrative and advice, written in a funny, warm, and engaging voice. We loved this book for opening our eyes to how another culture tackles parenting and how that stacked up against our American ideals. Whether youll agree with the French parenting philosophies isnt the pointits more about having fun taking a peek into what its like to be a mom somewhere else in this great big world.

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Do Visit Your Dentist

Trips to the dentists office were avoided for decades for fear that an oral cleaning might cause bacteria to spread and lead to an infection. Now we know thats just not the case.

In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that expectant mothers have a routine oral health assessment while pregnant, along with regular dental cleanings. Be sure to tell your dentist that youre pregnant.

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• behavior problems
• lagging patterns in terms of growth and development milestones

Even small amounts of alcohol can be a problem. There appears to be no safe level of alcohol intake in pregnancy.

If you need help stopping drinking while youre pregnant, talk with your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you get help, the healthier your baby is likely to be.

Achieve A Healthy Weight For You

Its important to look at your weight and try to reach a healthy weight for you in preparation for pregnancy. Eating a healthy balanced diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes , fish and lean meats can help with weight management, but it will also help ensure that your developing baby is getting the nutrients it needs.Women who are underweight may be at risk of pre-term delivery, whereas women who are overweight or obese may be at risk of pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, fetal abnormalities, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia, tells Dr Sgroi. For more information on how your weight might affect your pregnancy, read our article here, and if youre unsure if your weight may affect your pregnancy speak with a doctor, or dietitian for support and advice.

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The Cleaning Behaviour Of Pregnant Koi

The cleaning behavior of the female Koi fish indicates that they are pregnant and are close to laying their eggs for the male Koi fish to fertilize.

When a female Koi fish has formed eggs inside her body, she will begin swimming around the pond or tank, searching for a safe place to lay her eggs this is the pre-spawning behavior mentioned above.

When the pregnant female Koi finds a suitable location to drop her eggs, she will begin cleaning this area intently.

She will clean the location she has chosen to ensure its clear of any loose debris or organisms that may damage the eggs she drops. This will also ensure that the eggs have a good chance of sticking to the places and rocks in that area, further reducing the chances of the eggs being harmed.

The pregnant female will spend a good amount of time cleaning her chosen egg-dropping location, and she is unlikely to leave this location until she has dropped her eggs.

Bleeding Can Occur During Pregnancy:

Typically the first sign of pregnancy is considered to be missed periods. However, some women bleed in the initial stages of pregnancy, creating confusion if it menstrual bleeding.

This kind of bleeding occurs when the egg travels down the fallopian tube and into the uterus, where it implants into the uterine lining . The best way to recognize it is from its color. It is often in brown or pink color in contrast to the usual red color of the menstrual blood. Though it is not a disturbing factor, it is good to consult a doctor.

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Australian Dietary Guidelines For Pregnancy

recommend these daily servings for pregnant women from the 5 food groups:

*Choose canned foods with no added salt.

No Need For Extra Calcium During Pregnancy

Until 2006, Australian dietary recommendations advised increased calcium intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This advice has since been revised. Although the baby has a high requirement for calcium during the third trimester of pregnancy , the mothers increased capacity to absorb dietary calcium means that there is no need for extra intake.The recommended dietary intake for non-pregnant women remains unchanged during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dairy foods and calcium-fortified soy milk are excellent dietary sources of calcium.

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Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Drinking lots of fluids when youre trying not to pee every five minutes can seem difficult and excessive, but you really need to drink fluids regularly. Try adding notifications on your phone to remind you to drink water throughout the day. Very few of us remember to drink enough water most of the time, let alone while youre trying to carry on with your life and grow a person. Its also a good idea to carry a reusable water bottle around with you. It will make remembering to drink water and staying hydrated much easier.

You dont have to stick exclusively to water but it should be your main source of fluid. Herbal teas are also great, especially for reducing nausea. They are also excellent alternatives for caffeinated beverages. Fruit juices are also healthy beverages but should be drunk in moderation. Try to drink fruit that is as fresh as possible and isnt from concentrate or flavored or colored with artificial additives. Its also best to avoid fruit juices with added sugars or sweeteners. They wont have a negative impact on your pregnancy but there are healthier alternatives available.

Folic Acid And Pregnancy

Folate is a B-group vitamin found in a variety of foods. Folic acid helps protect against neural tube defects in the developing foetus. It is important for pregnant women to make sure they are receiving enough of this important vitamin. For women who are planning a pregnancy, and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, a daily folic acid supplement of 500 micrograms is recommended, as well as eating foods that are naturally rich in folate or are fortified with folic acid.

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Overnight Support Where You Need It Most

If it seems like your chest is growing just as fast as your baby bump, its probably time to start thinking about a sleep bra. For some women, going to bed without a bra isnt an issue. But for lots of usand especially as pregnancy progressesa little extra overnight support for the ladies goes a long way.The Kindred Bravely French Terry Sleep Bra is the ideal combination of softness and support. Its not too tight, but its just tight enough. The wide shoulder straps and stretchy elastic band keep the bra securely in place without it being constrictive. And if you plan on breastfeeding, the low cut, v-style design makes this the perfect overnight nursing bra, so youll be able to continue wearing it after you welcome your little one.

Dotake Your Prenatal Vitamins

Not only will these vitamins supply the necessary folate, but they also will help cover your needs for calcium, iron and zinc. Additionally, they provide the appropriate amounts of DHA and EPA , two types of omega-3 fats that help your babys brain develop.

Not a fan of the big pills? Talk to your OB provider about an alternative vitamin regimen.

Read more: The ABCs of vitamins in pregnancy

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How Can I Stay Healthy After My Baby Is Born

After you deliver your baby, your health may be better if you try to return to a healthy weight slowly. Not losing your baby weight may lead to overweight or obesity later in life. Slowly returning to a healthy weight may lower your chances of diabetes, heart disease, and other weight-related problems.

Healthy eating, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and other healthy habits after your baby is born may help you return to a healthy weight and give you energy.

After your baby is born

• Consume foods and beverages to meet your calorie needs.
• Regular physical activity will continue to benefit your overall health. Moderate-intensity physical activity will increase your fitness and can improve your mood.

Also, physical activity does not appear to have bad effects on how much breast milk is produced, what the breast milk contains, or how much the baby grows.

What Should I Eat

Eating a balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. Be careful of the following foods and drinks during pregnancy:

• Raw meat, eggs, and fish. Food that isnt fully cooked can put you at risk for food poisoning. Dont eat more than 2 or 3 servings of fish per week . Dont eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. These fish have high levels of mercury, which can harm your baby. If you eat tuna, make sure its light tuna. Dont eat more than 6 ounces of albacore tuna and tuna steaks per week. Its safe to have 12 ounces of canned light tuna per week.
• Fruits and vegetables. Wash all produce before eating it. Keep cutting boards and dishes clean.
• Dairy. Eat 4 or more servings each day. This will give you enough calcium for you and your baby. Dont drink unpasteurized milk or eat unpasteurized milk products. These may have bacteria that can cause infections. This includes soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, Camembert, and blue cheese, or Mexican-style cheeses, such as queso fresco.
• Sugar substitutes. Some artificial sweeteners are okay in moderation. These include aspartame and sucralose . However, if you have phenylketonuria , avoid aspartame.
• Caffeine. Dont drink more than 1 or 2 cups of coffee or other drinks with caffeine each day.

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