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A head start on health. If you are pregnant, this a great time to begin thinking and
planning for your baby's health. There's so much that a mom-to-be can do to help your
child to be born as healthy and strong as possible. And if you're the dad-to-be, there's a
lot you can do to help the mom help the baby.
Your baby eats through you. Here's a super important message to the mom-to-be:
Whatever you eat, drink, and breathe -- so does your baby! That means that, if you have
three healthy meals today, so does your baby. But if you skip breakfast and grab chips
and a soda for lunch, your baby is just not getting fed. Also, if you don't want your baby
to be drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes, you can't either. Remember, your baby
depends upon you and your body. You can help your child get a healthy start --
by giving yourself the healthy food, drink, fresh air and exercise you both need.
Getting the health care your baby needs. Regular health care during pregnancy, known
as prenatal care, is needed to help your baby to grow well and be healthy. You can get
this from:
If you don't already have a prenatal care provider, you can ask your current health care
provider to help you find one. If you don't have health insurance and can't afford to pay,
click here for info on Medicaid.
At prenatal care visits. If you're a person who doesn't much like going to the doctor,
don't worry. Prenatal health care visits can actually be really nice. You will:
Many couples like going to prenatal health visits together. It can help you feel closer to
each other and the baby. You can also work together to follow any advice the doctor or
nurse gives.
How you'll feel. Even if you take good care of yourself, pregnancy can be a stress on
your body. It's a normal, healthy process, but your body is doing a big job. You could
feel great, but there may also be times when you feel tired or sick to your stomach, or
notice things like blood spotting, or feel pain in parts of your body. However you feel,
be sure to discuss it during your prenatal health care visits. Often these feelings are
normal, but your doctor or nurse may still be able to help you feel better. And
sometimes symptoms can be a sign of a possible health problem. In that case, the
doctor or nurse's help may be important to keep you and your baby as healthy as
possible.
For more information and support. The website of the American Pregnancy Association
has lots of helpful info, plus an online chat forum to talk with other soon-to-be parents.
planning for your baby's health. There's so much that a mom-to-be can do to help your
child to be born as healthy and strong as possible. And if you're the dad-to-be, there's a
lot you can do to help the mom help the baby.
Your baby eats through you. Here's a super important message to the mom-to-be:
Whatever you eat, drink, and breathe -- so does your baby! That means that, if you have
three healthy meals today, so does your baby. But if you skip breakfast and grab chips
and a soda for lunch, your baby is just not getting fed. Also, if you don't want your baby
to be drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes, you can't either. Remember, your baby
depends upon you and your body. You can help your child get a healthy start --
by giving yourself the healthy food, drink, fresh air and exercise you both need.
Getting the health care your baby needs. Regular health care during pregnancy, known
as prenatal care, is needed to help your baby to grow well and be healthy. You can get
this from:
- A doctor specializing in "obstetrics and gynecology" (childbirth and women's
health, known as "OB-GYN" for short); - A nurse-midwife (a nurse trained to care for pregnant women and deliver babies);
OR - A health practice with OB-GYN's, nurse-midwives, or both on staff.
If you don't already have a prenatal care provider, you can ask your current health care
provider to help you find one. If you don't have health insurance and can't afford to pay,
click here for info on Medicaid.
At prenatal care visits. If you're a person who doesn't much like going to the doctor,
don't worry. Prenatal health care visits can actually be really nice. You will:
- Learn about your baby, and see an ultrasound "picture" of the growing baby.
- Get important vitamins needed for your baby's body and brain to grow well.
- Learn about diet, exercise, and other ways to help your child grow well inside you.
- Get help with any health problems that you or the baby may develop.
- Begin planning for a safe and healthy birth.
Many couples like going to prenatal health visits together. It can help you feel closer to
each other and the baby. You can also work together to follow any advice the doctor or
nurse gives.
How you'll feel. Even if you take good care of yourself, pregnancy can be a stress on
your body. It's a normal, healthy process, but your body is doing a big job. You could
feel great, but there may also be times when you feel tired or sick to your stomach, or
notice things like blood spotting, or feel pain in parts of your body. However you feel,
be sure to discuss it during your prenatal health care visits. Often these feelings are
normal, but your doctor or nurse may still be able to help you feel better. And
sometimes symptoms can be a sign of a possible health problem. In that case, the
doctor or nurse's help may be important to keep you and your baby as healthy as
possible.
For more information and support. The website of the American Pregnancy Association
has lots of helpful info, plus an online chat forum to talk with other soon-to-be parents.
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During your pregnancy
Strengthening Young Families