PLANNING YOUR PREGNANCY

Much of what you do today affects your chances of a healthy pregnancy later in life, which is why planning for that pregnancy is so important. Choosing a birth control that is right for your lifestyle can help prevent a pregnancy that you may not be ready for; whether that be physically, emotionally, or financially. It has been shown that spacing pregnancies about two years apart as well as being between the ages of 18 and 34 produce the healthiest pregnancies, for both mom and baby.

The time before pregnancy is known as the preconceptional time period. The following is a list of some things that you can do during this time in order to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.

• Nutrition - Eating the right amount of foods from each food group keeps you healthy which is important for your baby’s health. You will need about 100-300 more calories a day then usual. Folic acid is also important because it prevents defects such as spina bifida. Folic acid can be found in green leafy vegetables and whole grains. It will also be included in the prenatal vitamins your doctor will provide
• Exercise - Exercising during pregnancy is usually ok, especially if you regularly exercise before becoming pregnant, but you should always discuss this with your doctor. Activities such as walking or swimming are great for pregnant women. Regular exercise can help strangthen a woman’s body and prepare it for pregnancy.
• Tobacco - Quitting smoking before becoming pregnant is recommended. Dangerous chemicals in cigarettes can cut off oxygen to the fetus, which can cause increased heart rates, lower birth rates, and can also be born prematurely
• Drugs - Whether prescribed or illegal, many drugs can cause problems during pregnancy. Many babies go through painful withdrawals in the first few days of life. You should talk with your doctor about any medications you are taking before becoming pregnant
• Alcohol - Drinking alcohol of all kinds can cause many problems during pregnancy, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (the leading cause of mental retardation) and even death to your baby

AFTER BECOMING PREGNANT

Most women want to have a child, but they want to have them when they are ready. Women faced with unplanned pregnancy may have difficult decisions to make. Only you can decide which choice is right for you, there is a lot to think about.

• you can choose to have the baby and raise the child
• you can choose to have a baby and place the child for adoption
• you can choose to end the pregnancy

Being a parent is exciting, rewarding and demanding. It requires lots of love and patience and is often complicated and frustrating.

With or without marriage, a partnership can be successful if both people are deeply committed to make it work and understand what each expects from the relationship. A child can bring joy and many other rewards to a relationship; it can also strain the relationship.

Raising a child alone can be exciting and rewarding, but isn’t always easy. It can be a challenge to raise a child.

Good lifestyle choices during a pregnancy

• Get plenty of rest
• get plenty of sleep
• take naps throughout the day
• don’t push yourself when you are feeling tired
• take time to do things that you enjoy
• don’t use saunas, whirlpools or hot tubs
• even though they can feel relaxing, the heat can damage a developing fetus
• enjoy your sexuality
• having sex can help reduce stress and tension
• beware of dangers on the job
• don’t expose yourself to toxic substances
• modify your job while you are pregnant if you need to
• be careful about job stress
• check out medicine that your are taking
• most medicines haven’t been tested for safety during pregnancy; don’t take any that haven’t been prescribed by your doctor. Over the counter medicine may also be harmful.
• cut down on caffeine
• too much caffeine may not be healthy during pregnancy
• don’t smoke or use drugs
• tobacco use may cut off oxygen to the fetus causing low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, life-threatening complication, or infant death.
• may cause birth defects
• don’t drink alcohol
• even a little alcohol may harm a fetus
• avoid infections
• infections may cause birth defects, premature labor, kill the fetus, or be passed on during birth
• be sure to talk to your clinician any time you think you have been exposed or have symptoms. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, growths, blisters, pain, and unusual odors. Most treatments have no risk to the fetus