The Basics
It’s important that you take care of yourself and your baby during pregnancy. You can start by:
- Seeing your doctor or midwife regularly
- Getting important prenatal tests
- Eating well and staying active
- Not smoking or drinking
- Preventing infection
It can be hard to keep all of the information about pregnancy straight. Here’s help:
Not pregnant yet? Plan ahead.
See your doctor or midwife regularly.
Plan on visiting your doctor or midwife at least every month for the first 7 months and more often during the last 2 months. A midwife is someone who is trained to help women during childbirth and provide prenatal care.
Become a partner with your doctor or midwife to manage your care. Ask questions and discuss any issues related to your pregnancy. Find out all you can about how to stay healthy.
Don't hesitate to call your doctor or midwife if something is bothering or worrying you. Sometimes physical changes can be signs of a problem.
Get important prenatal tests.
While you are pregnant, your doctor or midwife will recommend routine medical tests as part of prenatal care. These tests give your doctor important information about how you and your baby are doing. Your doctor will check your blood and urine for:
If you are younger than 25 or if you have certain risk factors, your doctor may check for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Some tests will be done more than once. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you have questions about which prenatal tests are right for you.
Enjoy the benefits of prenatal care.
The biggest benefit of a healthy pregnancy is having a healthy baby. Women who get prenatal care have healthier babies and are less likely to deliver prematurely (early).
Doctors and midwives can find health problems sooner when they see mothers regularly. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others.
There are other benefits, too, such as:
- Feeling less worried or tired
- Preventing health problems like diabetes and heart disease
Plan ahead for the first few weeks with your new baby.
Take Action!
There are lots of things you can do today have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Get prenatal care.
If you know you are pregnant or think you might be, call your doctor to schedule a visit.
What about cost?
Women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies.
Programs give medical care, information, advice, and other services important for a healthy pregnancy. To find out about the program in your state:
- Call 1–800–311–BABY (1–800–311–2229).
- For information in Spanish, call 1–800–504–7081.
Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
One of the best ways to protect your health and the health of your baby is to stop smoking and drinking during your pregnancy. Secondhand smoke can also put you and your baby at risk for health problems. Stay away from cigarette smoke.
Be honest with your doctor or midwife about how much you are drinking. There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink while you are pregnant.
Learn more:
Eat healthy and stay active.
Eating well can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Talk to your doctor about your nutritional needs during pregnancy.
- Ask if you should be taking a daily prenatal vitamin.
- Find out how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.
Being physically active may help you have a more comfortable pregnancy and an easier delivery. Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, such as:
- Walking fast
- Dancing
- Swimming
- Hiking
Do aerobic activity for at least 10 minutes at a time.
Learn more about diet and exercise during pregnancy: