This article is part of the Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy.
Discovering you’re pregnant brings a lot of emotions ranging from excitement to worry. Whether your pregnancy is planned or unplanned, it is important to know that the best thing you can do is take charge of your health and the health of your baby.
A healthy start to your pregnancy
Before you even see a doctor, there are some things you should start doing to get your pregnancy off to the healthiest start possible:
- Start taking prenatal vitamins - these are available over the counter, without a prescription
- Stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs
- Get medical conditions such as diabetes under control
- Exercise and work towards a healthy weight
- Call your doctor to find out when you should come in for your first prenatal visit and discuss insurance or financial issues with their billing department
The importance of prenatal visits
One of the best things you can do for you and your baby is schedule regular prenatal visits with your doctor. Prenatal visits will teach you what you can - and can't- do to have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Your doctor will have advice on:
- A healthy, safe diet—there are some foods you should avoid while pregnant
- A list of safe medicines—certain medications, including some acne treatments and dietary or herbal supplements, are not safe to take during your pregnancy
- How to control any existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes that can lead to serious complications during pregnancy (if not managed properly)
Prenatal visits are important for your baby too! Ultrasounds aren't just an exciting peek at the baby growing inside of you, they offer the chance to take measurements and make sure your baby is growing as he or she should. Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor will administer tests and examinations that can help identify:
- Treatable health problems that can affect baby's health
- Characteristics of the baby, including sex, size, age, and placement in the uterus
- The chance that a baby has certain birth defects or genetic problems
- Certain types of fetal abnormalities, like heart problems
Choosing a hospital with a Baby-Friendly designation
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is recognized as the gold standard of evidence-based maternity care in the United States. Logansport Memorial Hospital is one of the few hospitals in Indiana with a Baby-Friendly designation, and this prestigious designation makes us one of the best maternity care providers in the country.
