New baby new life program healthy blue sc
Desk jobs aren’t thought to cause harm to your baby. If your job is active, you may not be able to work as long. For instance, jobs that involve radiation, lead and other materials-such as copper and mercury-can be harmful to your baby. Your job and work environment play a big role. How late you work in pregnancy varies for each person. Don’t take other vitamins or supplements without your doctor’s approval. You can get folic acid from taking a prenatal vitamin. It’s best to start taking folic acid before you get pregnant. Ask your doctor if you need more than 400 mcg. It can help prevent problems with your baby’s brain and spine. Pregnant women should take at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day.
Some medicines can cause birth defects, especially if taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. This includes prescriptions, pain relievers, and over-the-counter medicines. Don’t drink more than 1 or 2 cups of coffee or other drinks with caffeine each day.Ĭheck with your doctor before taking any medicine. However, if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), avoid aspartame. These include aspartame (brand names: Equal or NutraSweet) and sucralose (brand name: Splenda). Some artificial sweeteners are okay in moderation. This includes soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, Camembert, and blue cheese, or Mexican-style cheeses, such as queso fresco. These may have bacteria that can cause infections. Don’t drink unpasteurized milk or eat unpasteurized milk products. This will give you enough calcium for you and your baby. It’s safe to have 12 ounces of canned light tuna per week. Don’t eat more than 6 ounces of albacore tuna and tuna steaks per week. If you eat tuna, make sure it’s light tuna. These fish have high levels of mercury, which can harm your baby. Don’t eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. Don’t eat more than 2 or 3 servings of fish per week (including canned fish). Raw meat, eggs, and fish. Food that isn’t fully cooked can put you at risk for food poisoning.Be careful of the following foods and drinks during pregnancy: What should I eat?Įating a balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. If you are overweight, you may need to gain less. If you’re underweight when you get pregnant, you may need to gain more. It’s different for everyone, but most women should gain about 25 to 30 pounds. How much weight should I gain during pregnancy? You should always discuss any issues or concerns you have with your doctor.īelow are some other guidelines to follow during your pregnancy. The doctor will listen to your baby’s heartbeat and measure the height of your uterus after the 20th week. At each visit, the doctor will check your weight and blood pressure and test your urine. In your last month of pregnancy, the visits will occur weekly until you deliver your baby. In months 7 and 8, you will have a visit every 2 weeks. An ultrasound to view your baby’s growth and position (An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your baby on a video screen.)Īfter your first visit, you will have a prenatal visit every 4 weeks.A Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer.A pelvic exam to check the size and shape of your uterus (womb).These may vary based on your background and risk for problems. The doctor also may do other tests at your first visit. Blood tests check for blood cell count, blood type, low iron levels (anemia) and infectious diseases (such as syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis). Urine tests check for bacteria, high sugar levels (which can be a sign of diabetes), and high protein levels (which can be a sign for preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure during pregnancy). During this first appointment, urine and blood samples will be taken. He or she also will want to know about your symptoms. Your doctor will start by reviewing your medical history. Schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. You’re more likely to have a healthy birth if you maintain a healthy pregnancy.
You can do this by living a healthy lifestyle and keeping doctor’s appointments while you’re pregnant.
It’s important to take care of your baby, even before he or she is born.