Staying Healthy During Pregnancy
Overview
Discovering that you’re pregnant is an exciting and joyous time, filled with planning and anticipation for your baby’s future. It can also be a time filled with questions and concerns — pregnancy leads to many changes in your body, as well as that of your growing fetus. With all of these changes, it’s important to stay healthy and work with your physician to find what works best for your individual pregnancy.
In this section, our experts provide general guidelines for staying healthy during pregnancy and what you can expect throughout your three trimesters.
The First Trimester
A healthy first trimester is crucial to your baby’s development. You may not be showing much on the outside yet, but on the inside, your baby’s major body organs and systems are forming.
The Second Trimester
The second trimester marks a turning point for you and your baby. You will usually begin to feel better and start showing the pregnancy more. Your baby has developed all of its organs and systems, and will begin growing in length and weight.
The Third Trimester
The third trimester marks the home stretch, as you prepare for the delivery of your baby. Your baby will continue to grow in length and weight.
Common Tests During Pregnancy
Your health care provider may recommend a variety of screenings, imaging techniques and tests throughout the three trimesters of your pregnancy.
Nutrition During Pregnancy
It’s important to learn the best foods for a healthy pregnancy, what foods should be avoided, and the best vitamin and mineral supplements.
Exercise During Pregnancy
Regular exercise, with the approval of your health care provider, can help reduce physical discomforts from pregnancy and help with postpartum recovery.
Medical Conditions and Pregnancy
There are certain medical conditions, whether pre-existing or those that develop during pregnancy, which may cause complications. Your health care provider will be able to help you manage these complications.
Care and Management of Multiple Pregnancy
Pregnancy with twins, triplets or higher-order multiples may necessitate different nutritional requirements and types of delivery.
Labor
Labor is a series of continuous, progressive contractions of the uterus that lead to the delivery of your baby.
Delivery
Your baby may be delivered vaginally or by a cesarean section, depending on your baby’s position and other medical factors determined by your health care provider.
