Welcome to Pregnancy
Congratulations!
Pregnancy is a time of many changes. It is normal to feel excited, anxious, uncertain, or all of these and more. You will also experience a range of physical symptoms. Nausea and exhaustion are common in the early weeks. Other changes happen as your baby grows and your body changes. It is helpful to understand what your body is going through and how to take steps to be as healthy and comfortable as possible at each stage of pregnancy. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Your Due Date
Your due date is calculated either by adding forty weeks to the first day of your last menstrual period( LMP) or by using an early ultrasound to measure baby’ s development. Either way, your due date is simply an educated guess. There is a five-week interval( from 37 to 42 weeks) that is a normal range for pregnancy length. Only about four percent of babies are born on their due dates.
Keys to a Healthy Pregnancy
• Go to regular prenatal health care visits and be involved in your care. You can learn about routine tests and what to expect at your appointments on pages 6 – 8.
• Avoid consuming or exposing yourself and your baby to potentially harmful substances. For details, see page 11.
• Take steps to improve your health in key areas. You can evaluate how you are currently doing on page 12.
• Minimize your stress and use stress coping techniques to manage your stress. Plenty of sleep and rest is also important. For tips and ideas, see page 13.
• Eat a nutritious diet with lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, high quality protein, and water to drink. Learn more about nutrition on pages 14 – 16.
• Stay active. Aim for thirty or more minutes of daily exercise. See pages 18 – 21.
Preview
2 Healthy Pregnancy