TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING IN PREGNANCY

Tips for Healthy Eating
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Meet the needs of your body and help avoid common
discomforts of pregnancy by following these tips:
Eat breakfast every day. If you feel sick to your
stomach in the morning, choose dry whole-wheat
toast or whole-grain crackers when you first wake
up—even before you get out of bed . Eat the rest of
your breakfast (fruit, oatmeal, cereal, milk, yogurt,
or other foods) later in the morning .
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Eat high-fiber foods. Eating whole-grain cereals,
vegetables, fruits, beans, whole-wheat breads,
and brown rice, along with drinking plenty of water
and getting daily physical activity, can help you
prevent the constipation that many women have
during pregnancy .
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Keep healthy foods on hand. A fruit bowl filled
with apples, bananas, peaches, oranges, and
grapes makes it easy to grab a healthy snack .
Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables
make healthy and quick additions to meals, as do
canned beans .
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If you have heartburn during your pregnancy,
eat small meals more often, eat slowly, avoid
spicy and fatty foods (such as hot peppers or fried
chicken), drink beverages between meals instead
of with meals, and do not lie down right after eating

TOP FIVE CONCEPTION QUESTIONS

Top five conception questions
Healthcare professionals say these are some of the most
common questions women have about pregnancy:
1. Should I stop taking medications?
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications are safe during
pregnancy, but it can get confusing, says Richard Dreiss, M.D., obste-
trician/gynecologist. For example, pregnant women being treated for
thyroid disease or high blood pressure need medications to protect
their and their babies’ health. “All thyroid medications are safe during
pregnancy, but some blood pressure medications aren’t,” Dreiss says.
“If you need medication and can’t stay on your current prescription,
we might be able to find alternatives.” Before you start or stop any
medication, talk to your doctor!
2. Does bleeding mean miscarriage?
Not necessarily. About 30 percent of pregnant women have bleeding
throughout their pregnancy, especially the first trimester. If you have
spotting that goes away within a day, tell your doctor at your next
visit. If bleeding lasts more than a day, contact your doctor within
24 hours.
3. Why do miscarriages occur?
“The first part of pregnancy is an ‘all or nothing’ phenomenon,”
says Gerard Roy, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist. “If the baby’s
development is compromised, you’ll miscarry.” While miscarriage
can be emotionally difficult, it’s the body’s natural way of ending
an abnormal pregnancy.
4. Should I be on bed rest?
Some conditions, including preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced high
blood pressure), may require bed rest. But in most normal pregnan-
cies, it’s good to stay active, and you can usually keep working if
your job isn’t too strenuous. Sometimes, even in a normal pregnancy,
bed rest may be ordered to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.
5. Why am I gaining weight faster than
my pregnant friend?
Don’t try to compare yourself to other pregnant women, and
don’t compare your current pregnancy to past pregnancies.
“Every pregnancy is completely different,” says Adele Clay,
obstetrics/gynecology nurse practitioner

VERY VERY VALUABLE TIPS FOR PREGNANCY

Prenatal Precautions
Vitamins and minerals are important during pregnancy but some need special attention, especially
those that promote cell division and the formation of new life. A varied and balanced approach to
eating is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you and your baby need.
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Folate is important before conception and during the first three months. It is especially
critical for lowering a newborn’s risk for neural tube, or spinal cord, damage.
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Iron needs increase during pregnancy by about 50 percent because iron is essential in
making the component of blood that carries oxygen throughout your body, including to the
placenta for your baby.
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Vitamin C helps your body absorb the needed iron.
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Calcium is needs for two reasons: your baby’s developing bones and preserving your own
bone mass. Without enough calcium, your body will draw calcium from your bones to build
your baby’s bones.
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Vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium you need during pregnancy.
Weight Gain
There is no set amount for all women.
Because every pregnant woman is
unique, your doctor will advise you
about the weight-gain range that’s right
for you. That advice depends on:
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Your weight before pregnancy
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Your height
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Your age
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If you’re expecting multiples.
Excessive weight gain during
pregnancy can lead to a difficult
delivery, back and joint problems,
gestational diabetes and postpartum
weight gain.
Food Safety
When women are pregnant, their risk of developing food borne illness increases and even a mild
case of food poisoning can have serious consequences. Protect yourself and your unborn infant
from food borne illness by practicing good food safety habits.
Do not eat meats, poultry, seafood and eggs that are raw or undercooked. Also, unpasteurized
dairy products like raw milk and some imported cheeses can pose safety threats to pregnant
women.
Pregnant and nursing women can eat fish, but not long-lived fish — such as swordfish, shark, king
mackerel and tilefish — because of the methyl mercury they may contain. Pregnant women should
also pass on raw seafood.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a health problem for
approximately 4% of pregnant women, though its
cause is unknown.
Risk factors include a family history of diabetes,
being obese, a problem pregnancy and being over
age 40. Most pregnant women are routinely tested
for gestational diabetes at about 24 to 28 weeks.
The risk for developing diabetes later in life is
higher among women who have had gestational
diabetes.
But don’t fear: Even if you have gestational
diabetes, you can deliver a healthy baby. It’s
important for you and your doctor to monitor it
carefully.