FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
May 2013
FREE
Volume 23, Number 5
Checklist for Mothers and Fathers-to-be for a Healthy Pregnancy
W
hen a woman finds out she is pregnant, she may be unsure about what steps she should take and changes she should make to have a healthy pregnancy. The first step she should take is contacting a medical professional for healthcare. This medical care is called prenatal care, and it is an essential part of ensuring a safe pregnancy, and a healthy baby. Another important factor to a healthy mom and baby is a healthy diet. Here is a checklist of things a women should do to give her baby a healthy start: 4 The doctor will ask lots of questions Find a doctor This is the most important step women can take for herself and baby. As soon as she finds out she is pregnant, a woman should find a doctor and make an appointment. This appointment will be the first of many prenatal care visits. At this appointment, the doctor will tell a woman how far along she is, and provide her with an expected due-date for her baby. Also at this appointment, the Department of Health and Human Services says a woman may experience the following: 4 Blood pressure test 4 Blood test 4 Check the baby’s heart rate 4 Pelvic exam to check the health of
her reproductive parts
about lifestyle, relationships, and health habits. It’s important that mothers be honest with the doctor.
4 Scheduling of upcoming prenatal
care visits
Go to the scheduled prenatal visits
These appointments are essential to having a healthy pregnancy. According to WomensHealth.gov, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than babies born to mothers who do seek care. These appointments are done to detect and treat risk factors and early complications that may arise during the course of the pregnancy.
The Department of Health and Human Services says a doctor should be seen once each month for weeks four through 28, twice a month for weeks 28 through 36, and weekly for weeks 36 to birth. However, women with high-risk pregnancies need to see their doctors more often. High-risk pregnancies have a greater chance of complications. These can include women at a very young age or older than 35, women who are overweight or underweight, women who have had problems in previous pregnancies, or women who have preexisting health conditions.
Eat Well
What a woman eats will affect her, and the baby inside of her. She should make sure to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium-rich foods like milk or leafy greens, and foods low in saturated fat. These foods will provide essential building blocks like protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid that will help the fetus grow. She should also remember to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Doctors will help determine a specific diet that is best for each patient as well as track a healthy weight in the prenatal exams.
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