4
Sidebar reverse.
Y
ou want to give your baby
the best start in life.
You can do this by taking
good care of your body. It can help
your baby be healthy. And it may
help you get pregnant sooner.
Some key steps:
Get enough folic acid.
You need
400 micrograms every day. It can
help prevent
certain birth
defects.
ese foods
are good
sources of folic acid:
Leafy, dark-green vegetables, like
spinach.
Citrus fruits, like oranges.
Beans.
Breads and cer als with added
folic acid.
You may need to take a
supplement to make sure you get
enough folic acid. Your provider
can tell you how much you need.
Stay at a healthy weight.
Talk
with your provider. You may need
to gain or lose weight before you
get pregnant.
Take care of health problems.
If
you have an ongoing health problem,
your provider can help you get it
under control. is includes:
Asthma.
Diabetes.
High blood pressure.
Get immunized.
Make sure you
have had all your shots. ey can help
protect you and
your baby from
serious illness.
Choose the
best foods.
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole
grains and low-fat dairy products.
Exercise every day.
Try to get at
least 30 minutes of moderate activity
on most days of the week. Walking
is a good choice. Exercise can help
you feel more comfortable during
pregnancy.
Don't smoke or drink alcohol.
ey
can make it harder to get pregnant.
And they could hurt your baby.
See your provider before you get
pregnant.
He or she can help you get
o to a good start.
Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Prenatal care
for moms-to-be
Pick out a crib. Stock up on
diapers. There are a lot of
to-dos before your baby is
born.
The most important
one? Take care of your
health.
Regular prenatal care
can help keep you and your
baby healthy. Your provider
can help prevent problems
or find them early.
WHEN TO CALL.
As
soon as you think you're
pregnant, call your
provider. He or she will tell
you how often to come in.
You will most likely visit:
Once a month for weeks
4 to 28.
Twice a month for weeks
28 to 36.
Once a week from week
36 until birth.
Some women may need
to be seen more often.
WHAT TO EXPECT.
Your
provider will:
Weigh you.
Take your blood pressure.
Measure your belly.
Listen to the baby's
heartbeat.
Remember: It's
important to go to every
appointment, even if you
feel fine. Don’t forget to
see your doctor for your
postpartum checkup at 4 to
6 weeks after the birth.
Sources: March of Dimes; Office on Women's Health
pregnancy
Getting ready for pregnancy
family
health
Your provider can help you
have a t pregnancy.
