Dr. Jacob Lassiter, Gulfport OBGYN
Pregnancy can be both exciting and overwhelming even if it is not your first time. You can regain control and decrease stress by using this time to focus on your health, which will improve the outcome for you and your baby. Here are a few steps to get you going in the right direction.
Diet
No need to start running twice a day or getting on the latest fad diet. Keep it simple. By far the most common problem I encounter is women only drinking sodas, sweet tea, juices, or milk. Your body needs WATER to become hydrated. During pregnancy, your body relies on water to increase your total blood volume, keeping you and your baby healthy. Your body will treat liquids high in sugar as food and can leave you still feeling thirsty.
Most women only need to eat an extra 300 calories per day during pregnancy, or as I describe, two of your favorite cookies per day. So, put that second helping down and aim to eat smaller meals four to five times per day. Many women find this especially helpful early on when nausea and changes in taste are at their worst. Some foods can be harmful for your baby while pregnant so please avoid soft cheeses (blue or unpasteurized), raw seafood, cold deli meats, undercooked eggs and large fish.
Medical conditions
Before becoming pregnant, mothers should be on a prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid and have their medical problems optimized by their primary care physician or OBGYN. However, half of pregnancies are not planned and many women have health issues they may not be aware of like diabetes or high blood pressure. As OBGYNs, we are used to addressing these issues so don’t worry; obtain care as early as you can. It is helpful to bring any information you have about your medical problems including sexually transmitted diseases or previous pregnancies to your first visit.
Stress and safety
During most pregnancies my patients and I eventually discuss problems with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, or other social issues at home. Pregnancy brings a great deal of change and uncertainty to mothers. Confiding in a spouse, mother, sister, church, or someone in the community can give you support and get you through any challenge pregnancy throws at you.
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of maternal death in America. So, practicing safe driving and ALWAYS wearing your seat belt may be the best preventative measure you do during pregnancy. Place the lap belt below your belly and chest strap between your breast. Unfortunately, domestic violence during pregnancy is a common occurrence and leading cause of death as well. This should be discussed during your pregnancy with your doctor or the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE or thehotline.org).
Problems during pregnancy
Pregnancy brings increases in common annoyances like heartburn, nausea, constipation, bladder leakage, shortness of breath, and back pain, which can make it difficult to identify signs of a more serious medical condition. Symptoms that may require evaluation include vaginal bleeding, worsening chest pain or shortness of breath, fever, changes in vision, or decreased fetal movement.
Pregnancy is also a good time to obtain vaccines, which produces antibodies that can cross the placenta and help protect your baby for the first six months of life. The CDC recommends flu shots at any time during pregnancy. Some other vaccines your physician may discuss are Tdap, pneumonia, and MMR (after delivery).