Healthy Pregnancy

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Are you a father-to-be? A father's presence is as important to a child's healthy development as the mother's. Your role as a father can begin now by supporting the baby's mother during the pregnancy. Being involved in the pregnancy also will help you to adjust to the idea of parenthood. Learn more about the importance of fathers.

You're Pregnant: Now What?

Home > Healthy Pregnancy > You're Pregnant: Now What?

• Additional Resources

So — you're pregnant! What's next? What should you eat? What kinds of tests will you and your baby need? What happens if problems come up? Get answers to these questions and more.

• Stages of Pregnancy
• Prenatal Care and Tests
• Twins, Triplets, and Other Multiples
• Staying Healthy and Safe
• Body Changes and Discomforts
• Pregnancy Complications
• Pregnancy Loss
• Know Your Pregnancy Rights

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Frequently Asked Questions - Pregnancy and Medications — This fact sheet provides information on whether or not it is safe to take certain medications while pregnant. Also included in this publication is information on DES and the complications this might cause during pregnancy.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/pregnancy-medicines.cfm

2.   Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy and Traveling While Pregnant — This section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Yellow Book provides information on the factors you should consider before traveling internationally while you are pregnant. In addition, it gives information on how to prepare for travel, specific recommendations, and special items to pack.

   http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=special&obj=pregnant.htm&cssNav=browseoy...

3.   Pregnancy Information Center, CDC — If you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you probably have a lot of questions. This web site will help you learn how to be healthy (before, during, and after pregnancy) and give your baby a healthy start to life.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/default.htm

4.     Safe Motherhood: Promoting Health for Women Before, During and After Pregnancy — This report emphasizes the importance of proper care from conception through delivery, in order to prevent complications when possible. The ideal result is a labor at term without any unnecessary interventions.

   http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/drh.pdf

5. Body Image: Loving Your Body Before, During, and After Your Pregnancy (Copyright © APA) — This publication discusses the importance of being comfortable with your body before pregnancy. It also explains what you can do to continue to love your body through all the major changes of pregnancy and the postpartum period.

   http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/bodyimage.html

6. Ten Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy (Copyright © Lamaze International) — This easy-to-read fact sheet provides 10 simple recommendations to help mothers ensure that they have a healthy pregnancy.

   http://www.lamaze.org/ExpectantParents/PregnancyandBirthResources/MoreTipsandTools/HealthyPregnancy/tabid/2...

Organizations

1.   Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, HHS
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Resource Center
3. American Pregnancy Association
4. La Leche League International
5. March of Dimes Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 5, 2009.