Warm-Up Activity Consider how being pregnant would affect your daily routine. Take 7 minutes and 21 seconds to highlight the activities in a typical day that would be impossible or would dramatically change if they were pregnant.

Prenatal Care

If a woman is planning to become pregnant, she needs to be in the best health possible! As soon as a woman notices symptoms of pregnancy, she should visit a doctor. Important to baby and mother to start prenatal care soon! Prenatal care includes: medical care, nutrition, weight gain, and exercise.

Medical Care During Pregnancy Obstetrician =doctor who specializes in providing medical care for pregnant women and delivers babies. Certified nurse midwife =nurse practitioner who has extensive training delivering babies.

The First Visit The doctor will ask about symptoms. A lab test will confirm pregnancy. The woman will be given a thorough physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Discuss any previous pregnancies and deliveries. Tell the doctor if you drink, smoke, or take drugs. Also you should tell your doctor about any STD’s. Make sure you have health insurance coverage with your doctor. Review medical history for possible birth defects. Determine due date =280 days/40 weeks from last menstrual period.

Checkups During Pregnancy During the first 7 months=checkups once a month. During the 8 th month=checkups increase to 2x a month. 9 th month=once a week checkups until baby arrives.

What happens at a checkup? Weight gain, blood pressure, and general health is checked. Baby’s growth is charted at each visit. Ultrasound =uses sound waves to view an image of the fetus. Sonogram =a photography produced from an ultrasound.

Prenatal Tests Chorionic villi sampling (CVS)= commonly done during 10 th week of pregnancy to reveal any problems. A small amount of tissue is removed from the amino chorionic membrane. Amniocentesis =the doctor inserts a hollow needle through the mother’s abdomen and into the uterus. Amniotic fluid is drawn out and examined. This test can detect chromosomal abnormalities or birth defects and is usually done between weeks of pregnancy.

Nutrition During Pregnancy Proper development during the prenatal period depends on the right nutrients. The fetus, or unborn baby, is powerless to control its nutrient needs. Responsibility falls to the mother. In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, a woman requires an extra 300 calories daily. Demand grows for B vitamins and vitamins c, e, and k.

Foods to avoid during Pregnancy Undercooked meat Fish with mercury=tuna Raw eggs Deli meat Soft cheeses Unwashed vegetables

Weight Gain During Pregnancy The average recommended weight gain during pregnancy is pounds. Women gain 2-4 pounds during the first trimester. After the first trimester, weight gain of 1 pound per week is recommended.

Exercise During Pregnancy Exercise can help keep you body in shape and help you have an easier pregnancy and delivery. Walking, swimming, yoga, and other low impact exercise is recommended. Exercises involving balance, like biking or skiing, or contact sports like soccer, can be risky during pregnancy. No intense exercise more than 15 minutes without a cool down.

Factors That Increase Health Risks Prescriptions and over the counter drugs- consult your doctor. Even common medicines may be dangerous. This includes heartburn meds, pain relievers, and laxatives, Aspirin can cause the baby to bleed. Illegal drugs- Drug users are more likely to have miscarriages and premature babies. Infants who do survive withdrawal may have emotional, visual and hearing problems as wells as mental disabilities.

Alcohol- even moderate drinking during pregnancy can affect the fetus. Alcohol use has been linked miscarriage, stillbirth and early infant death. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)- a condition that includes physical and mental disabilities.

Figure 2. Characteristic facial features in children of different ethnicities with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. (A) Child of Northern European descent. (B) Native American child. (C) Black child. (D) Biracial child (white, black).

Smoking- greater risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, & low birth weight. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS)- a seemingly healthy infant dies without warming.

Caffeine- avoid or severely limit caffeine intake. X Rays- exposure to radiation can cause congenital disabilities.

Rest During pregnancy, a woman may become tired more often. Carrying extra weight can tire you easily. Stop and rest frequently. Take naps and get 8 hours of sleep each night.