How to get Pregnant » Pregnancy Support
Pregnancy Support
Pregnancy support is very important to make sure that you and your baby are as healthy as possible. Regular checkups with a healthcare provider are crucial, but the first prenatal visit is the most important. The first prenatal visit should take place between the sixth and eighth week of pregnancy. At this time, the doctor will discuss medical history as well as how you feel. A full examination will be given including weight and blood pressure as these findings will be compared on each visit that follows.
Expectation of a First Visit
The first visit will include a pelvic exam to check the shape of the uterus followed by a Pap smear in search of abnormalities in the opening of the uterus. Aside from that, both urine and blood tests will be taken in all pregnancy support visits. The purpose of a urine test is to find possible bacteria that may be located in the urine and check for high protein levels. It is also used to search for indications of high sugar, which can be a symptom of diabetes. The blood test will consist of searching for iron levels that may be low in case of anemia, blood cell counts, indication of sexually transmitted diseases, and blood type. There may be situations where an ultrasound is also performed to determine the due date of your baby and check the growth and position in the uterus.
Gain Weight Safely during Pregnancy
How much weight each pregnant woman can safely gain is different in each situation; and also a strong pregnancy support issue. Most women should expect to gain 30 pounds and still remain healthy. If a pregnant mother does not add enough weight, a physician may tell her that it is necessary to gain several more pounds. An expecting mother should never deprive themselves of food during pregnancy. In fact, 2 to 3 pounds in the first 12 weeks and one additional pound for every week thereafter is a good guideline to follow.
A physician will fully explain how much weight needs to be gained and also discuss nutrition. A balanced diet is extremely important but caution should be exercised concerning certain foods. Meats, eggs and fish must be fully cooked. Moreover, the consumption of fish should be limited to 2 to 3 servings per week while completely eliminating fish that contain a high level of mercury which is harmful to a baby.
Vitamins are an Important Factor in Pregnancy Support
An expecting mother should take 1 mg of folic acid every day. Folic acid can help avoid future complications with the baby's brain or spinal cord. Actually, it is a good idea to begin taking folic acid before actual conception. A prenatal vitamin supplement will also be needed but do not take vitamins or minerals that are not recommended by a doctor. Pain relievers and other over the counter medications should also be cleared with your healthcare provider as some medicines may be the cause of birth defects and pregnancy complications.