You're probably wondering what that baby looks like that's growing inside of you. Even if you've seen an ultrasound (or sonogram) image, it's hard to get a sense of what's really going on in there. The following video shows how a baby develops from week to week:
The following link from WomensHealth.gov shows more images and describes how the baby is developing at 4-week intervals. For example, at 12 weeks, a baby is able to make a fist. At 20 weeks, eyelashes and fingernails have formed, and the baby is able to hear. He or she should be able to recognize your voice at birth because it's been playing in the background for many weeks!
When you're pregnant, you should try to eat a variety of healthy foods to give your baby the nutrients he or she needs to grow. Of course, it's fine to give in to those ice cream and french fry cravings now and then!
However, there are some foods and drinks that should be avoided during pregnancy because they can pose health risks to your baby. And others that should only be consumed in moderation.
The following video provides some details on what you should and shouldn't eat while you're pregnant. See below the video for additional information.
What to eat
The following link from WebMD provides information on what foods you should eat to make sure your baby gets the nutrients, like calcium and iron, that he or she needs to be healthy:
Most foods are safe for pregnant women and their babies. But you will
need to use caution or avoid eating certain foods. Follow these
guidelines:
Clean, handle, cook, and chill food properly to prevent foodborne illness, including listeria and toxoplasmosis.
Wash hands with soap after touching soil or raw meat.
Keep raw meats, poultry, and seafood from touching other foods or surfaces.
Cook meat completely.
Wash produce before eating.
Wash cooking utensils with hot, soapy water.
Do not eat:
Refrigerated smoked seafood like whitefish, salmon, and mackerel
Hot dogs or deli meats unless steaming hot
Refrigerated meat spreads
Unpasteurized milk
or juices
Store-made salads, such as chicken, egg, or tuna salad
Unpasteurized soft cheeses, such as unpasteurized feta, Brie, queso blanco, queso fresco, and blue cheeses
Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tile fish (also called golden or white snapper); these fish have high levels of mercury.
More than 6 ounces per week of white (albacore) tuna
Herbs and plants used as medicines without your doctor's okay.
The safety of herbal and plant therapies isn't always known. Some herbs
and plants might be harmful during pregnancy, such as bitter melon
(karela), noni juice, and unripe papaya.
Raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean)
You should now have a better sense of food and drink safety, but what about other potential hazards? Did you know that changing the cat's litter box should be avoided during pregnancy? And what about hair dyes or teeth whitening--are they safe? The following link from KidsHealth.org provides some additional information on staying safe while pregnant.
Please note that all this information is not intended to scare you! If you've already eaten some deli meat or changed the litter box, you and your baby are probably fine! Just be cautious in the future, and ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Sources:
KidsHealth.org. (2009). Pregnancy precautions: FAQs. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/your_pregnancy/pregnancy_precautions.html#
WebMD (2012). Eating right while pregnant. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/eating-right-when-pregnant
WomensHealth.gov. (2010). Pregnancy: Staying healthy and safe. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/staying-healthy-safe.cfm#a
Going to the doctor can be scary, especially if you don't know what to expect. So here is some information and videos to help prepare you.
First Prenatal Visit
During the first prenatal visit, you can expect your doctor to:
Ask about your health history including diseases, operations, or prior pregnancies
Ask about your family's health history
Do a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap test
Take your blood and urine for lab work
Check your blood pressure, height, and weight
Calculate your due date
Answer your questions
At the first visit, you should ask questions and discuss any
issues related to your pregnancy. Find out all you can about how to
stay healthy.
(Source: WomensHealth.gov)
This video from the March of Dimes shows what will happen at your first prenatal appointment:
Later Prenatal Visits
Later prenatal visits will probably be shorter. Your doctor will
check on your health and make sure the baby is growing as expected.
Most prenatal visits will include:
Checking your blood pressure
Measuring your weight gain
Measuring your abdomen to check your baby’s growth (once you begin to show)
Checking the baby's heart rate
While you're pregnant, you also will have some routine tests. Some
tests are suggested for all women, such as blood work to check for
anemia, your blood type, HIV, and other factors. Other tests might be
offered based on your age, personal or family health history, your
ethnic background, or the results of routine tests you have had.
(Source: WomensHealth.gov)
Here's a video on later prenatal visits from the March of Dimes:
If you have any questions about what your doctor is doing or why, just ask! They know this is all new to you, and they want to help.
It's normal to be scared or nervous about seeing the doctor. Taking along your partner, a friend, or a family member can help. You can always ask them to leave they room if the doctor wants to get really personal!
Just remember that you're doing what's best for you and your baby. When you look into your baby's eyes for the first time, it will all be worth it!
Sources:
March of Dimes. (2011). Prenatal care. Retrieved from http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/prenatalcare.html
WomenHealth.gov. (2009). Prenatal care fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/prenatal-care.cfm
