So You're Thinking of Getting Pregnant

Congratulations!

Careful planning is a smart first step in a healthy & successful pregnancy. It's best to give yourself 3 months to prepare your body for the extra work of pregnancy. Here are a few ideas to consider. And remember: it's best to consult your healthcare provider as part of you pre-pregnancy planning.

Nutrition: It takes about 80,000 calories to grow a baby. That works out to 300 more calories per day than the usual 2,000 that an average woman needs. Be sure to make every calorie count and eat nutritious foods.

Vitamins: Follow your healthcare provider’s advice; take no more.

Alcohol: Don’t drink! Alcohol goes across the placenta and can restrict the baby’s growth, cause heart defects, facial malformations, and mental retardation.

Smoking: Quit! Smokers are more likely to miscarry or deliver too early. Their babies have higher incidences of ear infections, heart problems, upper respiratory infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If you can’t quit, cut back. Second hand smoke can affect your baby also.

Weight gain: Most women should gain 25 to 35 pounds. Underweight women should gain 28 to 40; overweight women, 15 to 25.

Exercise: Check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.

Seat belts: Wear them. You and your baby are safer when you do. The lap belt should be positioned over your hips, under your abdomen.

Medication: Check with your healthcare provider before taking any. Most medications cross the placenta and can affect your baby.