Pregnancy Explained A - Z
Are you pregnant? Welcome to the start of an amazing 40-week journey! You will face many ups and downs in the next nine months – from struggling with your pregnancy symptoms to concerns over your lifestyle habits and worries about labor and delivery. Women’s Healthcare Topics is here to guide you every step of the way. Below, we have explained your pregnancy from A to Z.
When you’re having a baby, you have to be more careful about the foods that you eat. Your baby depends on you for his or her nutrition. You should eat a healthy, balanced diet that’s chock full of protein, iron, folic acid, calcium, and other beneficial vitamins. Make sure that you get plenty of vegetables and fruit into your diet, and take a prenatal multivitamin to ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients that your baby needs.
Read more about Diet and Nutrition - Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy »
You probably already know that smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and abusing illegal drugs are bad for your baby. (They’re bad for you, too, regardless of pregnancy). But did you know that there are other lifestyle choices that aren’t healthy for your developing baby either? For example, certain over-the-counter medications should be avoided when you’re having a baby, and you may want to stay away from any habits or behaviors that expose you to noxious fumes. If you’re over 35, your advanced maternal age might also play a role in your pregnancy.
Learn More About Pregnancy Lifestyle - Unplanned Pregnancy »
Mood swings and experiencing crazy emotions are just part of the rollercoaster of pregnancy. When you’re expecting, hormonal changes can wreck havoc on your emotions. You may feel elated one second, and you’re in tears the next. Your husband may provoke you over a little thing, and you burst out with anger at him. Hormonal changes, stress, and exhaustion can all play a role in your emotional changes in pregnancy.
Find Out More About Emotional Health - Pregnancy Brain (Forgetfulness) »
Your body undergoes amazing changes in pregnancy. Your physical changes, i.e. your growing belly, breasts, and even larger-sized butt, can also result in some uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms, such as backaches, round ligament pain, and leg cramps. Internally, hormonal changes can make you more prone to heartburn, gas, bloating, and constipation.
Read more about your Pregnancy Symptoms - Skin Changes »
Every woman wants a perfectly healthy pregnancy, and in most cases, they do have a stress-free pregnancy. However, in some cases, you may develop certain health complications that might put your baby at risk. With today’s advances in medical technology, doctors are more able to detect problems early and save your baby. In unfortunate cases, the pregnancy cannot be saved and you may end up having a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Learn more about Pregnancy Complications - Miscarriage »
To maximize your chance of having a healthy baby, it’s important that you get prenatal care early on. Women who receive late prenatal care, or no pregnancy care at all, are at higher risk for developing complications and delivery too early. Some women choose a midwife, family physician, or obstetrician for their prenatal care. When you’re pregnant, you will also have a number of tests to make sure that your baby is developing healthy and strong.
Pregnancy comes with a lot of unknowns. What’s safe to eat; what’s forbidden? What medications are safe to use; what’s not recommended? What about x-rays; when are they safe and when should you proceed with caution? Learning about the safety of lifestyle choices, medications, fitness, travel, and more will help you have a more relaxed, happier pregnancy.
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