How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancies can be long and intimidating journies, which is why it is so important to have the right support system and healthcare schedule to help you stay healthy and prevent any unusual problems. Pregnancy is broken into three parts; the first, second, and third trimester. The first trimester is the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy, the second trimester is from week 13 to 28, and the third trimester is from week 29 to birth. Throughout your pregnancy, you should visit a healthcare specialist to check up on your baby and your pregnancy regularly, which is often referred to as parental health care. For a gyno examination in Queens to check up on you and your baby, reach out to Women for Women Obstetrics and Gynecology to discover how we can help you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

Changes in your Body

During pregnancy, your body can and will go through a lot of changes. These changes result from your baby growing as well as from the hormonal changes you experience during pregnancy. It can be anything from an increase in weight or urination to emotional ups and downs and changes in sexual desires. It’s important to know that these changes are normal, and you should be able to talk about them with your partner and/or prenatal health care specialist. It may also help to have a support system of friends and family to talk to and ask for help whenever you need it during this time. Having someone to talk to or be there with you even on your routine checkups or low points in your pregnancy can make all the difference.

Prenatal Health Care

Receiving regular prenatal health care is a very important part of having a healthy pregnancy. When you think you are pregnant you should call your provider and ask for a prenatal health care appointment. Your first appointment will usually be around your 8th week of pregnancy and will consist of a pregnancy test to determine how many weeks pregnant you are and to check-up on the health of you and your new baby. After this, a schedule of regular visits will be developed for the rest of your pregnancy. Typically, this means a visit every 4 weeks until the 28th week, then every 2 weeks until the 36th week, and then every week until birth. In addition to these regular checkups, if there is any problem or if you feel any need to see your prenatal doctor you should call and make an appointment. For Gyno examination in Queens, reach out to Women for Women Obstetrics and Gynecology and see how we can help you stay healthy and address any questions you may have.

Tips for staying healthy

While your parental health care doctor will check with you regularly to make sure your baby stays healthy and no issues arise in your pregnancy, there are a lot of things you can do on your own to make sure you and your baby stay healthy as well. Some things to keep in mind include:

• Nutrition – While you are pregnant, it is important to keep in mind that you are not just eating for yourself anymore. You will need to be consuming more calories than you were before you became pregnant. How much more is dependent on your health and activity and if you are carrying more than one child. In addition to eating more calories, you may have to adjust your diet in order to get specific nutrients for your child. A well-balanced diet would include lean meats, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. In addition to a well-balanced diet like this, you may be advised to take a prenatal vitamin to help you get more essential nutrients that you may not be able to get from your diet alone. 
• Drink more water – During your pregnancy your blood volume will increase by a large amount to help support your growing baby, delivering all of the nutrients and oxygen you are taking in while removing any wastes. To support the new volume of blood, you will have to drink more water to stay hydrated and avoid other issues as well.
• Light exercise – Exercising can always benefit a pregnancy as staying active is important for your overall health. Staying active helps to reduce stress, boost your mood, improve your circulation, and can help you sleep better. However, it is always important to keep it light and check with your doctor before you start any exercise program during your pregnancy. 
• Get sufficient sleep – Getting a good night’s sleep is important for staying healthy during your pregnancy. However, as your baby grows, it may become harder to sleep. Many doctors recommend sleeping on your left side, with your knees bent as the most comfortable position to sleep in while pregnant. Additionally, adding pillows between your legs, under your stomach, and behind your back can help you to get more comfortable. If you are having issues sleeping, you should speak to your doctor about it and see what they can do to you.

Things to avoid during your pregnancy

While there are many things you can do to help your baby grow and keep both of you happy and healthy, there are a few things you should try to avoid during pregnancy. Some of those things include:

• Drugs and alcohol – Alcohol can cause many birth complications and defects so its best to avoid it at all costs. Drugs like cocaine, heroin and other street drugs can be fatal for your baby. Even high volumes of caffeine are linked with an increased risk of miscarriages. 
• Mercury – Certain types of seafood have higher amounts of mercury. You should avoid eating high amounts of mercury as it can cause damage to your baby’s brain. Foods such as Swordfish, Marlin, and King Mackerel are examples of fish with high mercury levels.
• High body temperature – Having a high body temperature might not be good for your baby, especially early on. Avoid overworking yourself too hard, sitting in a sauna, and be extremely careful if you get a fever or infection.

Gyno Examination in Queens

While there are many things you can do to stay healthy and have a healthy pregnancy, it is always best to talk about it with your doctor first. Your doctor should be a part of your pregnancy and can provide support or guidance when you need it. If you think you are pregnant or are looking for assistance during your pregnancy, contact a prenatal healthcare provider and get the help you need. For gyno examination in Queens before or during your pregnancy, contact Women for Women Obstetrics and Gynecology to get the help and support you need today.