“ Having my Baby” Paul Anka said it best (look it up youngsters). What a lovely way of saying how much you love me”.
Get your checkup. Be sure and see your Doctor for the following:
- Physical exam, paps/STd screening, lab assessment, medical history, medications, review your family hx., genetic risk, prior pregnancies and complications, vaccination update.
Check your GUMS.
- There is a direct link between your dental health and the risk of premature deliveries and small babies.
Clean it up! What you eat is what you make. Corny yes but you get it.
- Your diet is important and the food pyramid is still correct (there is no need to re-invent it). Increase your fiber and protein, reduce sugars and caffeine (yes Latte and frapes are coffee, sorry). Remember folate and DHA. At least 0.4 mg of folate per day.
Lose it!
- There is no doubt that there are problems associated with being overweight or obese. There is a direct association between overweight/obesity and diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, large babies, small babies, and surgery complications.
Know your ABCs.
- When it comes to medications during pregnancy it’s best to know your ABCs.
Category A; no risk shown during the first trimester.
Category B; animal studies have shown no adverse risk and there are no good human studies.
Category C; can take if medically needed ( the potential benefits outweigh the risk).
Category D; FORGET IT!
Category X; Heck No!
Be Patient. Sometimes it takes a while.
During Your Pregnancy.
- If the following apply, call the office and Schedule an Appointment to see your doctor:
~ Symptoms last more than 3 days
~ Coughing up yellow-green or bloody mucus
~ Difficulty keeping down fluids for 48hrs or more
~ Have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher
~ Chest pain
~ Spotting or bleeding