Important Tips For Pregnancy Care Waco

By Anna Wallace


Prenatal care is crucial because the health of your unborn baby basically depends on how you will take care of yourself during pregnancy. There are a number of things you must do during pregnancy. By focusing on proper pregnancy care Waco inhabitants will ensure their health and that of their babies is well taken care of.

One of the things to do when you are expecting an infant is to consult with an obstetrician. This doctor will discuss about your previous medical experiences. He or she will also take your weight and blood pressure during each visit. During your initial visit, the doctor may also perform a pelvic exam to examine the shape and size of your uterus and a Pap smear if your due date for cervical cancer screening has passed.

Your obstetrician will also take blood and urine samples during each visit. The urine test is carried out to check for high levels of sugar in the body, which could be a symptom of diabetes, and high protein levels which could be a symptom of preeclampsia. A urine test also checks for bacteria. On the other hand, a blood test is carried out to check for infectious diseases, blood type, blood cell count and low iron levels.

It is also vital to ask your doctor about the weight you need to gain when pregnant. Many women gain between 25 to 30 pounds when they are expectant. If you are underweight, adding more weight when you become pregnant is essential. If you are overweight, gaining more weight during pregnancy is not necessary.

A balanced diet is important in the growth and development of a fetus. You should be cautious not to eat improperly cooked eggs, meat and fish as they make you vulnerable to infections. Make sure that you also avoid fish that have high levels of mercury such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tile fish as they can cause harm to the baby. It is also important to eat calcium rich foods at least four times daily so that you and your infant will have adequate calcium. Your doctor or dietician will advise you on how to follow a healthy and proper diet plan to ensure that you give birth to a healthy infant.

You should also take 400 or more micrograms of folic acid daily when you are pregnant. Folic acid helps prevent issues with the spinal cord and brain of a baby in addition to other birth defects. Ideally, you should begin taking folic acid supplements prior to becoming expectant.

It is also advisable to consult your doctor before taking any medication when you are pregnant. This will make sure that you and your baby are safe. This includes medications bought without the need to have a prescription. Some of these medicines may cause birth defects, more so if you use them in the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Another aspect of pregnancy care is engaging in regular exercise. It is advisable to perform yoga, walking and deep breathing. Getting thirty minutes of exercise daily will assist you to cope with emotional or physical stress. Exercise can also make labor and delivery much easier. These tips will assist you to go through this crucial stage of life well.




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