HealthyLife Articles

Category: Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Want To Have A Baby? Try This

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Many couples don’t conceive as quickly as they’d like to. You can improve your chances of getting pregnant if you follow these measures.

* Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.

* Avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine.

* Avoid extreme overweight or underweight.

* Lie on your back with your hips elevated by a pillow for approximately 30 minutes after intercourse.

* Know when your ovaries release eggs. Time intercourse for your fertile period. Ovulation normally occurs 14 to 16 days after the start of your period. Signs of ovulation include a dull ache in either the lower right or left side of the abdomen; clear, elastic vaginal mucus; and a slightly elevated temperature.

You can buy an ovulation predictor kit at most drugstores. The kit contains sticks which, when dipped in urine, turn blue if you’re ovulating.

Or you can keep track of your fertile days with a special basal thermometer, also available at drugstores. Having intercourse when your temperature drops approximately 0.4ºF increases your chances of conception.

If you fail to conceive after one year of trying, consult your gynecologist or a fertility specialist. A number of factors can prevent conception.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Ectopic Pregnancies

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

An ectopic pregnancy is when an embryo starts to develop outside the uterus. (Ectopic means out of place.) This happens less than 2 percent of the time.

In normal pregnancies, an egg travels from a woman’s ovary to the uterus. It travels down the fallopian tube to get there. Somewhere along the way, the egg gets fertilized by a male sperm. Once inside, the egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. It becomes an embryo and then a fetus. Nine months later, a baby is born.

In ectopic pregnancies, the fertilized egg does not reach the uterus. It starts to grow somewhere else. Most often, that’s in the fallopian tube.

The embryo can’t survive for long outside the uterus. But it can put the mother in danger if it gets too big. It can rupture an organ or cause internal bleeding. Medical steps must be taken right away.

Symptoms

Some women may have no symptoms. They may not even know that they are pregnant. When there are symptoms, they usually come within 8 weeks of conception. Symptoms may include:

* Pain in the lower belly

* Pain on one side of the body

* Vaginal spotting and bleeding

* Pain in the rectum (rear end) or shoulder

* Feeling like throwing up

* Throwing up

* Feeling weak

* Fainting

Diagnosis

Ultrasound can sometimes locate the embryo. Laparoscopy is another option. That’s when a tiny camera with a light is put in the mother’s body. It goes in through a very small incision (cut).

Causes

There are many causes for ectopic pregnancies:

* Damage to the ovary or fallopian tube

* Scarring of the ovary or fallopian tube. Scarring can result from endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or an STD.

Also, the risk for an ectopic pregnancy is higher for women who:

* Have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past

* Have had fallopian tube surgery

* Have had problems getting pregnant

* Have used an IUD for birth control

These women should call their health care provider when they miss a menstrual period.

Treatment

Medicines may be used. But if some time has passed, surgery may be needed. The embryo is removed. Any damage to the mother’s body is repaired. In some rare cases, a fallopian tube or ovary must be removed. But women have another set of these. So the mother may become pregnant again.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

Tips to Lower the Risk of an Ectopic Pregnancy

* Talk to your health care provider about your risks for damage to your fallopian tubes from:

– STDs

– Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

– Endometriosis

* Ask if you need to get tested for these and how often. Find out, too, if your health plan pays for these tests.

* Schedule any tests needed with your health care provider.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

A pregnant woman can have diabetes. If she didn’t have it before the pregnancy, it’s called gestational diabetes. (Gestational refers to pregnancy.) It can begin any time during pregnancy. It usually begins in the last half, though. It goes away after the baby is born. But the woman has a greater risk of getting diabetes later.

Symptoms

* Feeling very tired

* Rapid weight gain

* Feeling very thirsty

* Having to pass urine often

Also, a sign for gestational diabetes is when the baby gets too big during the pregnancy.

All pregnant women should be screened for diabetes. Screening happens through urine and blood tests. Those are part of routine prenatal health care visits.

Causes

Any pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes. But risk factors may be:

* Obesity before pregnancy

* High blood pressure before pregnancy

* Having a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds at birth in the past

* Having a stillbirth in the past

* Having a child with a birth defect in the past

* Being older than 25

* Being pregnant with more than one baby

Treatment

Special problems can be avoided with treatment. Without treatment, the baby can get too big. The mother may not be able to have a vaginal birth. Other problems are preeclampsia and preterm birth. Preterm birth is when the baby is born 3 or more weeks before the due date. There can also be delivery problems. But a woman with gestational diabetes can have a healthy baby. She needs proper medical care, though.

Blood sugar must be controlled. This is done through:

* Special diet from the health care provider

* Exercises from the health care provider

* Insulin shots, in some cases, when diet and exercise are not enough. Insulin is a hormone. Among other things, it keeps blood sugar from getting too high. The provider teaches how to do the shots. The provider teaches the mother how to check her own blood sugar. It is important to do what the provider requests.

* Having prenatal visits more often. The provider checks the mother’s daily blood sugar record. Tests are done to see how the baby is doing.

* Extra care at delivery

{Note: The baby should be checked for low blood sugar a day or so after birth.}

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

If you get diabetes during pregnancy:

* Follow the diet and exercise plan your health care provider or dietitian gives you.

* Drink at least 8 to 10 cups of fluids a day. Drink enough for your thirst. Limit ones with a lot of sugar. Examples: all kinds of sodas, fruit drinks and juices.

* Get plenty of rest when you feel tired.

* If you are told to do so, test your blood sugar levels at home. Your health care provider will tell you how. Keep a daily record of the results.

* After you have your baby, get your blood sugar checked when your doctor tells you to.

{Note: Some pregnant women need to give themselves insulin shots at home. If your provider says you need to, you will be shown how. Be sure to give the insulin correctly. It’s an important way of taking care of yourself and your baby.}

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Getting Ready For Childbirth

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

What to Do First

* Choose where you want to have your baby.

* Choose a health care provider.

How to Get Ready

* Read books on pregnancy and childbirth.

* Take a childbirth class, if you can.

* Get regular prenatal care from your health care provider.

Childbirth Classes Do These Things

* Tell you what happens when you give birth

* Show you and your partner (or other “coach”) what to do during labor and delivery

* Help lessen the fear of giving birth

* Help explain what happens with a Cesarean section (C-section). Knowing what to expect is helpful when a C-section is planned. It is helpful, too, if it is not planned, but needs to be done for the safety of you and your baby.

* Teach you how to work with the natural birthing process. You can do this through:

– Exercises that make the muscles used in childbirth stronger

– Massage

– Focusing the mind

– Relaxing and breathing methods

You can find out about childbirth classes from:

* Your health care provider

* The maternity department of local hospitals

* Local education programs

* Local March of Dimes

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Healthy Pregnancy Checklist

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

You can do a lot of things to improve the chance of having a healthy pregnancy. And you should not do some other things! Knowing what to do and what to avoid will help you and your baby stay well.

* Ask your health care provider before you take any medicines, even ones you can buy without a prescription.

* Go to all your prenatal health care visits.

* Don’t drink alcohol, take drugs, or smoke. When you drink alcohol, smoke, or take drugs, your baby does, too!

* Have a routine for exercise. Follow your health care provider’s advice.

* Eat healthy foods.

* Take your prenatal vitamins (vitamin pills) every day. These also supply the minerals you need.

* Get plenty of rest.

* Wash your hands throughout the day.

* Accept all your emotions. Express your feelings to others.

* Learn to deal with stress. Experts think stress may limit blood supply to the placenta. The placenta is the baby’s only source of oxygen and nutrients.

* Don’t have X-rays unless your prenatal health care provider says it’s okay.

* Avoid harmful chemicals such as paint fumes, insect poisons, and weed killers. Ask your health care provider what else you should avoid.

* When you use cleaning agents, wear rubber gloves. Make sure there is plenty of fresh air.

* Don’t wear high-heeled shoes.

* Don’t pick up, carry, or move heavy objects.

* Stay out of hot tubs and saunas. When you bathe, use warm water only. Never use hot water. Put a rubber mat in the tub or shower to prevent slipping.

* Don’t handle cat feces or cat litter. If you have a cat, have someone else empty the litter box. Cat droppings can carry a disease called toxoplasmosis. (Eating meat that is not cooked enough can cause this, too.) If a pregnant woman gets this disease, the baby can be harmed. It’s okay to pet your cat.

* Don’t have any contact with hamsters, guinea pigs or any rodents. These animals can carry a virus that can cause severe harm to your baby.

* Discuss your work life with your health care provider. Find out if it is healthy for you and your baby.

* Find out if you should limit or stop having sex. Bleeding or pain during sex could be reasons. Ask your health care provider.

* Always wear lap and shoulder seat belts when you ride in a vehicle. Fasten the lap belt as low as you can, below your belly.

* Are you going far from home late in your pregnancy? Have your health care provider refer you to a provider in the area where you are going. Take a copy of your prenatal records with you.

* When you travel:

– By plane or train, get up and walk around every now and then. Get an aisle seat.

– By car, stop at least every 2 hours and do the same.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Planning A Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Healthy moms tend to have healthy babies. Take the steps below before you get pregnant. These steps can help your baby get off to a good start:

* Talk to your health care provider. Let him or her know you are planning to get pregnant. Follow his or her advice.

* Have a complete medical exam. This includes a gynecological exam. (That’s an exam of the female organs.) Some medical problems may cause harm to you and your baby. They are:

– High blood pressure

– Heart diseases

– Diabetes

– Bleeding

– German measles (rubella), and some other viruses such as CMV

– Rh disease (after the first pregnancy). This is not a problem if you get Rhogam. Rhogam keeps Rh disease from harming your next baby.

– Obesity

– STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)

– HIV

* Keep your lifestyle healthy.

* Follow a balanced diet. Eat plenty of: Whole grains; Green leafy and other vegetables; Fruits; Calcium-rich foods (low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese; items that have calcium added to them like some juices and breads)

* Go easy on: High-fat and junk foods; Refined sugars. Don’t load up on Kool-Aid, for example.; Salt

* Before you get pregnant, stop using or have less than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. After you get pregnant, follow your doctor’s advice.

* Begin or keep on with an exercise schedule.

* Don’t drink alcohol or use street drugs.

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke now, stop smoking. Ask your health care provider for help.

* All females who plan to get pregnant or are able to get pregnant should take 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B-vitamin. It may prevent certain birth defects, such as spina bifida. For this effect, you take it before conception and during the early months of pregnancy. Ask your health care provider which vitamin pills you should take to get the folic acid and other vitamins and minerals you need.

* Do you use an IUD or “the pill”? Change your birth control method. Do this 1 to 2 months before you try to get pregnant. Let 1 to 2 normal periods happen. Your cycle needs to return to normal. Use another form of birth control during this time. Condoms or a diaphragm are good choices.

* Use condoms if you think your partner may have sex with others.

* Check that all your immunizations are up-to-date. These protect you from disease. Ask your health care provider about them.

* Also, ask your health care provider before you take any medicines. That’s even for ones you can buy without a prescription.

* Seek prenatal care. Do this as soon as you think you are pregnant.

* Take care of medical problems.

– Do you have a chronic one? That’s a problem that lasts a long time, or comes back often. If so, ask your health care provider how it could affect your pregnancy.

– Do you take any medications? Ask your health care provider if you have to stop taking any medications before you get pregnant. Follow his or her advice. Don’t stop taking a prescription medication on your own.

* Consider genetic tests or genetic counseling. These are a good idea if:

– You or your partner has a family history of genetic health problems. These are problems that are passed down through families. Examples are sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.

– You are 35 or older

– Your partner is 50 or older

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026