{"id":57538,"date":"2019-11-13T20:05:45","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T01:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/?p=57538"},"modified":"2020-12-02T00:10:44","modified_gmt":"2020-12-02T05:10:44","slug":"every-first-time-moms-guide-to-a-healthy-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/every-first-time-moms-guide-to-a-healthy-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Every First-Time-Mom\u2019s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Source: Freepik<\/p><\/div>\n

Congratulations, you\u2019re going to be a parent! Pregnancy is an exciting, nerve-wracking journey, full of twists and turns, especially for first-time moms. In the first three months, there are the usual symptoms that no woman is ever prepared for, no matter how informed she is. Then there are the new changes happening to your body, the food aversion, weight gain, inexplicable aches, to name a few.<\/p>\n

There are pains that you will experience such as sciatic nerve pain. But don’t worry as there are tips on how to get rid of sciatic nerve pain<\/a> while pregnant that are effective. There may also be some remedies for the other changes you will experience during pregnancy.<\/p>\n

Along with adjusting to these changes, soon-to-be moms also must fulfill an enormously important responsibility\u2014that is, to ensure a healthy pregnancy. From finding a health-care provider to changing your diet, here are some steps every pregnant woman must take to keep themselves and their unborn babies healthy.<\/p>\n

Confirm Your Pregnancy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many women use a urine pregnancy test to determine if they\u2019ve successfully conceived. These tests are about 99 percent accurate, but sometimes, women may get different results if they did the test too early after they missed their period. In this case, the best course of action is to wait another week before taking another pregnancy test or see a doctor to run a blood test to confirm the pregnancy.<\/p>\n

Rare cases of false positives also happen. False positives can occur due to chemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, medications, or user error. Again, it\u2019s best to see a doctor who can do a more thorough pregnancy screening, like an ultrasound exam (attached with a specialized ultrasound transducer<\/a>) to check the gestational sac and determine if the pregnancy is real.<\/p>\n

Choose Your Health-Care Provider<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Your health-care provider during your pregnancy will play a huge role in your life for the next months. They will be your doctor, guide, supporter, and go-to expert for all pregnancy-related things. For that reason, it\u2019s vital to find a health-care provider<\/a> whom you are compatible with and whose beliefs and philosophies on pregnancy, pain management, and natal care match your own.<\/p>\n

You should be able to talk about any pregnancy concerns (no matter how simple) to your doctor or midwife without getting judged or brushed off. Your health-care provider should respect your wishes and expectations (provided that they don\u2019t put you and the baby in danger) regarding your pregnancy and childbirth<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prenatal vitamins help ensure the healthy development of your unborn baby, so you should start taking them early in your pregnancy. Folic acid, in particular, is crucial to prevent the development of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida<\/a>, in the baby. Pregnant women in their first trimester and women who are trying to conceive should start taking folic-acid supplements right away.<\/p>\n

Schedule Your First Prenatal Visit<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You will be seeing your ob-gyn or midwife several times during your pregnancy, which is one compelling reason you should choose someone you\u2019re compatible and comfortable with. Excluding the time you visited a doctor to confirm your pregnancy, your first actual prenatal appointment won\u2019t happen until you\u2019re eight weeks along.<\/p>\n

If the pregnancy is healthy and normal, you will visit the doctor this frequently:<\/p>\n