Blog 6 Top 10 Questions Pregnant Women Have

When a woman is pregnant with their first child there are so many questions that you may have. There are many books that you can go buy and read that can help you answer some of your questions but I always wanted to ask my doctor my specific questions. I would write down my questions that I had in between visits so that I would not forget what I was going to ask by the time my appointment came around. According to WebMd some of the questions pregnant women ask include:

1.What should I do before I get pregnant to ensure a healthy pregnancy for me and the baby?
A: See a doctor for a prepregnancy checkup, eat a healthy diet, stop smoking if you are a current smoker, get any health problems udner control, and get checked for std's

2. What should and shouldn't you eat while pregnant?
A:It is good to get all of your essential vitamins and nutrients while eating for two. Eating plenty of fruits, veggies, grains, lean meats, calcium rich foods, and low-fat milk and yogurt products. Foods that you should stay away from would be any food with a high level of mercury, raw fish, uncooked eggs, caffine and of course alcohol.

3. Are there activities I should do more of or steer clear of while pregnant?
A: DO's- Exercise, Have sex, wash your hands often, clean house, travel by plane, See the dentist. DONT's-Change the kitty litter box, use saunas, paint, use an x-ray machine, ride roller coasters.

4. How can I safely exercise while pregnant?
A: Some good examples would be walking, swimming, stationary cycling or yoga.

5.What can I do to help avoid pregnancy symptoms like nauseas, heartburn, vomiting, leg cramps, and hemorrhoids?
A: Get up slowly in the morning to help prevent nauseas, exercise frequently to help reduce leg cramps, avoid greasy foods to help reduce heartburn, and drink plenty of to fluids to help against hemorrhoids.

6. How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
A:Depending on your weight when you become pregnant is how you determine the amount of weight you should gain when pregnant.  If you are at a normal weight when becoming pregnant 25-35 pounds is about the amount to gain, If you are overweight before pregnancy 15-25 is what you should gain, if you are underweight you should gain 28-40 pounds. The average woman gains approximately 2 to 4 pounds during the first three months and then a pound a week the remainder of the pregnancy

7.When should I call my docotor in between regular prenatal visits
A: unusual or sever cramping, difficult breathing or shortness of breath, lack of movement of the baby after 28 weeks, any bleeding in 2nd or 3rd trimester, fever over a 100, faintin spells or dizziness, blurred vision, swelling of hands fingers and face.

8. How can I make a birth plan for labor and delivery?
A: Talk to your Dr. or midwife about your birthing plan and then ask yourself some questions. who do you want present at the birth, what type of pain relief would you like, what position do you want to be in, do you want an episiotomy, what do you want for the babies care after birth. Just remember that this is a plan and is not mandatory that it is followed.

9. How can I prepare for breastfeeding after cihildbirht?
A:Call the National Womans Health Centers Breastfeeding Hotline for questions about breastfeeding pumping and many other things, Find a lactation consultant near you, find a LeLeche consultant, or visit gotmom.org/

10. What should I know about postpartum depression?
A:many mothers experience the baby blues after delivering and these mild symptoms such as mood swings, crying spells, or irritability go away withing a few days to few weeks but if they seem to linger or become severe it is important to contact your doctor and get help for postpartum depression.

These 10 questions are probably just 10 of the many that you will have but try not to worry about to much.

WebMD. (2009). Frequently asked questions about pregnancy. Retrieved from
 http://www.webmd.com/baby/frequently-asked-questions-about-pregnancy