Finding out you're going to have a baby is exciting, and can also feel overwhelming, with plenty of questions about how to give the baby a healthy start. Taking care of your own health during pregnancy helps the fetus develop into a healthy baby.
What helps
- Regular prenatal visits. At prenatal care visits, a health care provider checks your health and monitors the pregnancy until delivery. Problems can be found early, and prompt treatment can cure many and prevent others.
- Healthy eating and plenty of water. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats or other protein sources, and low-fat dairy.
- Prenatal vitamins. Pregnancy calls for more of certain vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and iron.
- Care with medicines. Check with your provider before starting or stopping any medicine, including over-the-counter medicines and dietary or herbal supplements.
- Staying active. Physical activity can help you stay strong, feel and sleep better, and prepare your body for birth. Ask your provider which activities suit you.
- Avoiding harmful substances, including alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
When to ask
Your body keeps changing as the fetus develops, and it can be hard to tell whether a new symptom is normal or a sign of a problem. Check with your provider about anything that bothers or worries you.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Pregnancy": https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancy.html
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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