Congratulations on Your New Baby!!!
GreatCare OBGYN wants to help to make sure your pregnancy is a safe and successful one. In your prenatal packet we have included this fact sheet complete with answers to questions about medications, exercise and other helpful hints to help you and your baby stay healthy! Please read thoroughly and do not hesitate to call our triage office if you have any questions concerning you and your new little bundle of joy!
Sincerely,
Dr. Sarah Andrews
GreatCare OBGYN and Staff
Triage ( ) –
Eating Right When Pregnant
Good nutrition during pregnancy, and enough of it, is very important as your baby grows and develops. You should consume about 300 more calories per day than you did before you became pregnant.
Although nausea and vomiting during the first few months of pregnancy can make this difficult, try to eat a well balanced diet and take prenatal vitamins. Here are some recommendations to keep you and your baby healthy.
- Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need.
- Recommended daily servings include 6-11 servings of breads and grains, two to four servings of fruit, four or more servings of vegetables, four servings of dairy products, and three servings of protein sources (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or nuts).
- Use fats and sweets sparingly.
- Choose foods high in fiber that are enriched such as whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
- Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet while pregnant.
- Choose at least one good source of folic acid everyday, like dark green leafy vegetables, veal, and legumes (lima beans, black beans, black eyed peas and chickpeas).
- Choose at least one source of vitamin A every other day (carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, spinach, water squash, turnip greens, beet greens, apricots, and cantaloupe).
- Avoid raw meats.
What to Eat When You are Pregnant and Don’t Feel Well
Morning Sickness
- Eat crackers, cereal, or pretzels before getting out of bed.
- Eat small frequent meals throughout the day.
- Avoid fatty, fried, and greasy foods.
Constipation
- Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
- Keep fiber in your diet.
Diarrhea
Eat more foods that contain pectin and gums (two types of dietary fiber) to help absorb excess water (bananas, white rice, oatmeal, and refined wheat bread).
Heartburn
- Eat small frequent meals throughout the day.
- Try drinking milk before eating.
- Limit caffeinated foods and beverages.
Can I Diet during Pregnancy?
NO. Do not diet or try to lose weight during pregnancy—both you and your baby need the proper nutrients in order to be healthy. Keep in mind that you will lose some weight the first week your baby is born.
Can I eat a “low carb” diet when pregnant?
Low carbohydrate diets, such as Atkins and the South Beach Diet, are very popular. There have been no studies of the effects of a low carb diet on pregnancy, so its effects on the fetus, if any, are unknown.
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Can I maintain my vegetarian diet when pregnant?
Just because you are pregnant does not mean you have to diverge from your vegetarian diet. Your baby can receive all the nutrition he or she needs to grow and develop while you follow a vegetarian diet if you make sure you eat a wide variety of healthy foods that provide enough protein and calories for you and your baby.
How can I get enough calcium if I am lactose intolerant?
If you are lactose intolerant, you can still receive the calcium you need. Here are some suggestions:
- Eat non-dairy calcium sources including greens, broccoli, sardines, and tofu.
- Use Lactaid Milk fortified with calcium.
- Also, try taking Tums—they are 90% Calcium.
What about food cravings during pregnancy?
Food cravings during pregnancy are normal. If you develop a sudden urge for a certain food,go ahead and indulge your craving if it provides energy or an essential nutrient. During pregnancy, your taste for certain foods may change. You may suddenly dislike foods you were fond of before you became pregnant. In addition, during pregnancy, some women feel strong urges to eat non-food items such as ice, laundry starch, dirt, clay, chalk, ashes, or paint chips. This is called “pica,” and it may be associated with an iron deficiency such as anemia. DO NOT give in to these non-food cravings. Instead, contact your doctor if you have these non-food cravings.
Beauty Treatments
Artificial nails
Your nails grow faster when you are pregnant, so you may get by without them. They are okay, but avoid fumes, as this may make you nauseous.
Bikini wax
Pregnant women sometimes dofind hair in the most unwanted places, not just the bikini area. Wax is preferable to chemical depilatories.
Hair dye and perms
There are no data supporting harmful effects of hair dye. The smells, however, can cause nausea.
Left Side for Sleeping
Propping everything into a comfy position on your side (preferably left) after the fourth month minimizes pressure on your uterus and intestines and speeds up nutrients to the baby. If you wake up in a different position, such as your back, flop over and start again. Lying on your back puts too much pressure on the vena cava.
Exercise and Hot Tubs
It is probably best not to overheat when pregnant. Avoid steam baths, hot tubs, and saunas. If you never exercise, you should not start when pregnant. If you do exercise, this is not the time to increase your workout. Try to keep your heart rate less then 140.
Cats and Changing the Liter Box
Cats can carry a disease called toxoplasmosis that can harm a fetus. Your vet can test for it, but it’s better to follow simple advice from the CDC. Have Dad change the box frequently because after 1 to 5 days in the litter box the toxoplasmosis becomes infectious. Also, do not feed raw meat to your cat or get a new cat during pregnancy.