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- As soon as a woman notices the symptoms of pregnancy, she should ask her obstetrician or certified nurse-midwife for a pregnancy test.
- The first medical visit is important. The doctor reviews the couple's medical history for possible congenital disorders.
- The doctor should know about previous pregnancies and deliveries, if she smokes, drinks, take any drugs, or if she ever had any STDs.
- Lab test performed to confirm pregnancy, thorough physical exam (including pelvic exam), and weight and blood pressure taken
- To know date the baby will be born, doctors need to know the date of the first day of last regular menstrual period
- Most medical care costs should be covered by their insurance if the couple is insured
- If not insured, other options should be considered (visit social services office, health department)
- One month after first medical visit, another checkup should be scheduled
- Pregnant women should get the influenza vaccine
- When baby's heartbeat and movements are obvious, tests to determine position, size, development of baby may be done
- ultrasound is best way to view
- a sonogram is a picture taken of the baby during ultrasound
- Second prenatal test is chorionic villi sampling (CVS) where an instrument is inserted in woman's cervix or abdomen to remove a small amount of tissue from amnio-chorionic membrane to show possible problems in the baby's genes and chromosomes (any congenital disorders)
- CVS performed between 10 to13 weeks

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-Tight or restrictive clothes will be uncomfortable for the mothers; by the 4th month they would start to wear maternity clothes
-Maternity clothes are garments made for pregnant women
-It is recommended to wear a well-fitted bra as well
-Growing abdomen should be free from tight waistbands and belts
-Women who continue working during pregnancy can buy professional maternity clothes
-Their feet size may enlarge as well during pregnancy because of fluid retention in her body tissues
-Avoid wearing high heels
-Good posture and balance helps avoid backaches

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- Husband can play supporting role by:
- Encouraging prenatal care, keep all appointments, take any recommended tests
- Eat a well-balanced diet along with expectant mothers and avoiding unhealthy eating habits
- Be physically active with each other
- Discouraging risky habits such as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages
- Help plan daily routines to allow for proper rest time
- Fathers should be included in all prenatal care visits if possible
- Both parents should ask their doctors questions if they have any concerns
- A healthy relationship with obstetrician or nurse-midwife promotes a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby

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-Physical activity is good for pregnant women keeping it strong and reduces stress and other discomforts of pregnancy
-Being active as a pregnant women may decrease chances of gestational diabetes
-Exercise will also help the mother lose weight after pregnancy
-No regular activity before pregnancy, start by slowly adding physical activities to her daily routine
-Expectant mothers must drink plenty of water
-For recommendations for what kind of physical activity to do, ask midwife or doctor
-Should avoid activities involving falling or being hit
-Stop activity if...in pain, cramps in the uterus, blood or fluid coming from the vagina, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

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- Women may become tired much more easily
- Body requires much more energy during first trimester
- Getting enough rest will make pregnant women feel better
- Consider taking short naps during the day
- Women may not feel as tired during second trimester
- Carrying a extra weight in the third trimester can tire expectant mother
- If expectant mothers feel tired, she should rest
- Late in pregnancy, many women need daytime naps in addition to eight or more hours of sleep every night

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- Upon pregnancy, women should consider planning meals on MyPlate
- Women should not eat twice as much food, nutrient-dense food should be eaten rather than overeating
- Prenatal vitamins may be recommended for extra folic acid, iron, calcium, etc. to promote health of baby
- Folic acid helps decrease risk of spinal cord defects
- Iron prevents risk of pregnant women  becoming anemic
- Calcium is needed for formation of healthy bones and teeth
- Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the development of the brain and eyes
- Grains are a good sources of B vitamins, fiber, and carbohydrates
- Vegetables (dark yellow, orange, or green) are good sources of vitamins and minerals and should be eaten especially in second and third trimesters
- During pregnancy, the body's demand for B vitamins and vitamins C, E, and K increases
- Green, leafy veggies are good sources of folate which is essential for the formation of the baby's neutral tube (develop into brain and spinal column)
- Spinach and kale are good sources of iron to prevent anemia
- Women should increase the amounts of minerals such as magnesium, iodine, zinc, and selenium
- Fruits are good sources of fiber and carbs
- Oranges are rich in folate and vitamin C
- Apricots are good sources for vitamin A and carbs
- Raisins, dates, and prunes are good sources of carbs, iron, and fiber
- Dairy include milk, yogurt, and cheese
- good source of calcium, phosphorus, protein, and vitamin D
- Dairy helps production of healthy teeth and bones
- Women should be careful with dairy as it is high in fat and calories (may opt for fat-free milk, reduced-fat cheese, low-fat yogurt)
- Protein foods includes meat, poultry, seafood, dry beans and peas, eggs, and nuts
- Protein help build and repair body tissues, vital for building baby's cells, tissues, and organs
- Protein is important for building the baby's blood
- However, pregnant women are most likely consuming more protein than needed, so they should consult with a certified dietician
- Iron and protein can come from cooked legumes (green peas, kidney beans, and lentils)
- Pregnant women should choose lean meats, beans, poultry, and some fish to reduce high fat and calorie content
- Oils are fats that are in liquid form at room temperature
- Comes from plants and fish
- High in calorie and can cause imbalance between amount of calories consumed vs activity levels
- Solid fats are NOT to be included because they are empty calories that provide few to zero nutrients
- Solid fats include butter, beef fat, chicken fat, pork fat, and shortening
- Pregnant women should make sure that the extra calories that she needs are NOT FROM oils and fats
- Pregnant women should drink enough water to help her body get rid of waste products
- They need adequate amounts of water, juices, nonalcoholic, caffeine-free liquids
- Sodium intake should be in moderation, because it can cause ankles, hands, or feet to swell during pregnancy
- Women should consult their dietitian if they should reduce their sodium intake

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-The average weight gain from pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds for a single baby pregnancy.
-The amount of weight a pregnant woman should gain is based on their normal shape and weight
-Should consult a doctor or mid-wife for amount of weight needed to gain
-Weight gain should be slow throughout the trimesters but adequate gain in the first 5-6 months is crucial
-Little weight gain=mother not getting enough nutrients therefore negatively effecting her health and the babies--the baby will be birthed underweight (less than 5 1/2 lbs), and this is also a risk for congenital disorders and neonatal (soon after birth) death
-Too much weight gain=straining the mother's body making it more difficult to deliver or lose weight after delivery
-Weight gain is important for the fetus's health because the weight involves the placenta and amniotic fluid
-The mother's body produces more blood and fluid during pregnancy affecting her weight

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-Pregnant women must protect herself and her baby from harmful substances
-Anything eaten or put into a pregnant women passes through the placenta to the embryo potentially hurting its growth
Medications and OTC Drugs
-Doctors advise mothers on what specific medications they can take while pregant
-Consult doctor about continuing to take prescription medications such as antibiotics
-Even common over the counter drugs can affect the fetus
Illegal Drugs
-Any illegal drugs such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and hallucinogens, are dangerous for the mother and fetus
-Pregnant women who are heavily drugged generally neglect their health therefore increasing the risks for an unhealthy baby--miscarriages or premature babies
-Babies born to drug users may have low birthweights, physical disabilities, brain damage, respiratory problems, or may become addicted to drugs themself
-Babies that become addicted from birth go through withdrawal and may not survive
-Those who survive withdrawal may have hearing and visual problems, mental disabilities, and mental health problems
Alcohol
-Alcohol passes through the placenta fast, so any alcohol beverages (even moderate beverages) can affect the fetus's development
-The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and early infant death
-Women who drink excessively carry the risk of having a baby with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) which is a condition that includes physical and mental disabilities common among the babies of mothers who drink heavily during pregnancy and presents with symptoms of growth deficiency, small head and brain, narrow eyes, a low nasal bridge, and short upturned nose
Smoking
-Women smoking while pregnant puts risks on the baby's health
-More likely to have miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, low birthweight if the mother smokes
-Smoking increases the risk of death of infants due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
-The babies of smokers are more likely to develop respiratory problems and behavioral problems
Caffeine
-caffeine easily passes through the placenta
-If mother experience fast heart rate because of caffeine the baby will too; the baby mimics the mother's reactions to caffeine
-caffeine is dangerous when the baby is developing its organs
-Advised not to intake any caffeine
X-rays
-Radiation is harmful to a pregnant women and can cause congenital disabilities
-If they go to the dentist, they wear lead aprons which protects her during the X-ray from radiation