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Common Sense Pregnancy
Navigating a Healthy Pregnancy & Birth for Mother and Baby
Common Sense Pregnancy (2015) reveals all you need to know about the surprises that await you during the magical experience of pregnancy and childbirth. There are many things to consider, including what to eat, who to call for help and what kind of childbirth you want to have. So empower yourself with knowledge and get a good idea of what to expect.
- Pregnant women
- Health care providers
- Readers curious about pregnancy and childbirth
Jeanne Faulkner is an expert in women’s health with years of experience as a labor nurse. She is also the mother of four children. Her writing can be found at FitPregnancy.com.
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Common Sense Pregnancy
Navigating a Healthy Pregnancy & Birth for Mother and Baby
- Read in 15 minutes
- Audio & text available
- Contains 9 key ideas
Synopsis
Common Sense Pregnancy (2015) reveals all you need to know about the surprises that await you during the magical experience of pregnancy and childbirth. There are many things to consider, including what to eat, who to call for help and what kind of childbirth you want to have. So empower yourself with knowledge and get a good idea of what to expect.
Key idea 1 of 9
You don’t need to see a doctor as soon as you become pregnant, unless certain problems arise.
Finding out that you’re pregnant can lead to a number of overwhelming thoughts. And your first reaction to learning you’re pregnant might be to get in touch with your doctor. But don’t be surprised or concerned if your doctor sets an appointment for six to eight weeks down the line.
While it’s natural to be concerned, there’s no need to rush yourself to a doctor the minute you become pregnant. The best thing you can do is be patient and make the most of these first few weeks.
Since it’s too early for ultrasounds or screening exams, there isn’t much for a doctor to do at this stage. But there are some simple things you can do to help ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Prenatal vitamins are a good source of folic acid and iron, which are important at this stage. And you can also use this time to select a health-care specialist that you’d like to have by your side throughout your pregnancy. It’s best to choose someone you’re absolutely comfortable with.
There are also important signs you should not ignore – including bleeding or severe nausea – which do require an early doctor’s appointment.
Some pregnant women can suffer from a case of severe nausea called hyperemesis gravidarum, which requires medication and rehydration.
Another symptom to be aware of is vaginal bleeding. This is known as spotting, and 25 percent of pregnant women experience it during the first trimester (that is, within the first 13 weeks).
If the spotting is light, be calm and see what happens. If the spotting persists or becomes stronger, or if you’re not certain whether it’s getting stronger, now is definitely the time to call your doctor, since it could be the sign of a miscarriage. A doctor will let you know what the next step should be.
In the next blink, we’ll take a closer look at how to find a pregnancy specialist who can make the next nine months a little easier.
Key ideas in this title
- You don’t need to see a doctor as soon as you become pregnant, unless certain problems arise.
- Midwives and doulas can offer valuable services, but make sure you choose wisely.
- Since diets were healthier in the past, pregnant women now need to be strict about what they eat.
- Checking on amniotic fluid levels is an important reason for pregnancy checkups.
- Inducing labor is common, but it should only be done in emergencies.
- It’s important to know the difference between pre-labor and actual labor.
- Breathing techniques are essential for managing labor pain, and baths and compresses also help.
- Don’t expect pains and complications to go away after childbirth.
- Final summary
