Preparing For Life During Pregnancy http://doulatraininghq.com/

1. By Prashant Kukreja

2. How will you need to change your lifestyle in order to make your
pregnancy go as smoothly as possible?
What things in your life don't need to change, or need to be
modified only slightly?
You have a lot to consider:
 Your job
 The general level of stress in your life
 What medications you take
 Whether you smoke or drink alcohol regularly
 What to do about routine things like going to the dentist or
hairdresser

3. All the issues we mention are subjects for discussion with your
gynecologist. If you consider from the beginning how your daily
habits and health practices interact with your pregnancy, you're
likely to have an easier time getting used to your new state of
being.
The earlier you get started on the right diet, exercise, and overall
health program, the better.

4. After you decide who your gynecologist will be, give the office a call to find out how to
proceed. Some practices want you to come in for a visit with the office nurse to give a
medical history and confirm your good news with either a blood or urine test, whereas
others schedule a first visit with the practitioner. How soon your first visit will be scheduled
depends in part on your past or current history. If you didn't have a preconception
beforehand, and you haven't been on prenatal vitamins or other vitamins containing folic
acid, let the office know.

5. Some things are consistent
from trimester to trimester -
like checking your blood
pressure, urine, and the baby's
heartbeat. If you develop
problems during pregnancy or
if your pregnancy is considered
"high risk", your practitioner
may suggest that you come in
more frequently.

6. Prenatal visits vary a bit
according to each woman's
personal needs and each
practitioner's style. Some
women need particular
laboratory tests or physical
examinations

7.  A nurse checks your weight and blood pressure.
 You give a urine sample (usually an easy job for most pregnant women). Your
gynecologist checks for the presence of protein or glucose, which may be a sign
of preeclampsia or diabetes. urine tests also enable your doctor to look for any
indications of a urinary tract infection.
 Starting sometime after 14 to 16 weeks, a nurse or doctor measures your
fundal height. The gynecologist uses either a tape measure or her hands to
measure your uterus. This gives her a rough idea of how the baby is growing
and whether you have an adequate amount of amniotic fluid.
 A nurse or doctor listens for and counts the baby's heartbeat. Typically, the
heartbeat ranges between 120 and 160 beats per minute. Most offices use an
electronic Doppler device to check the baby's heartbeat. With this method, the
baby's heartbeat sounds sort of like horses galloping inside the womb.