Things you must know when you are pregnant for the first time

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Nhu Thu Truc - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital

Pregnancy is getting more and more attention from couples. However, not all pregnant women know what to do to have a healthy pregnancy. Every woman should equip herself with the necessary knowledge and skills before becoming a future mother.

Prenatal care is the health care of both mother and baby during pregnancy, including medical care, education and counseling. All pregnant women need regular check-ups to ensure that the fetus is growing well and healthy. In addition, prenatal care will help you know if there is any risk and thereby offer appropriate solutions.

During the first prenatal visit, the doctor will ask the date of the woman's last menstrual period to calculate how many weeks pregnant she is and to estimate when the baby will be born. Pregnant women need a comprehensive physical examination, including a pelvic exam, blood and urine tests, and screening for certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These tests are an indispensable step in the first prenatal visit, through which can see if the fetus and mother are healthy or have any abnormal problems.

By taking prenatal classes, mothers can learn more about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting. Participating in the courses, pregnant women will be instructed in newborn care skills such as breastfeeding, eating, diapering, bathing the baby and how to keep the baby healthy and safe. You can learn from people who have had experience with giving birth and caring for young children, family members, or doctors.

It is important to first eat healthy foods, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest. Things that can harm an unborn baby such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and drugs should be avoided. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications such as vitamins and pain relievers, you should consult your doctor to consider the use of medication.
When women enter the pregnancy stage, this is the time when pregnant women should focus on making the best choices for the health of both mother and baby. You should plan and maintain a healthy, complete diet including green vegetables, fruits, grains, milk or protein-rich foods in each meal to help the fetus develop comprehensively. .

An extremely important vitamin for pregnant women is vitamin B9 called folic acid. Pregnant women need to get an adequate amount of folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine in the fetus. The recommended intake of folic acid for pregnant women is 600 micrograms per day. In addition, iron is also very important. Pregnant women need more iron during pregnancy to make more blood to carry oxygen to the fetus, keeping the baby healthy.
One way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy is to take a multivitamin. However, an excess of a large number of vitamins can harm the unborn baby. At your first prenatal visit, tell your doctor about any other vitamins you're taking, and he'll help decide which vitamins to take.

Exercise can help give pregnant women more energy, relieve some of the discomforts of pregnancy, and make them stronger and more confident on the day of labor. You should exercise regularly for about 30 minutes a day, or break your workout time into 10 minutes for each exercise.

During pregnancy, our body often feels tired, lose strength. It's important to get plenty of rest while you're pregnant. Listen to your body. The mother's body needs 8.5-9.5 hours per night of sleep to help the body stay healthy and relax after a day. In particular, when feeling tired, should immediately rest. In addition, exercise and a healthy diet can effectively boost energy.

Some pregnant women need to take medicine during pregnancy because of health problems. Many women use over-the-counter medications, herbs, vitamins, or minerals. However, it is not possible to be certain they are absolutely safe for the unborn baby. During your first prenatal visit, you should talk to your doctor about any medications you're taking or planning to take to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs can harm the mother and baby. They easily cause serious reproductive problems, causing harm to both you and your unborn baby. The fetus is at high risk of birth defects or even death. If you are using any of these substances, now is the right time to quit them.

Pregnant women are at risk of certain health problems such as high blood pressure or anemia. Some women are at risk of having a premature birth, or other problems such as broken water, stillbirth, difficulty giving birth, giving birth to a baby with a birth defect, which can even affect the mother's life. In particular, these risks are more likely to occur for women under the age of 15 or those who do not receive careful prenatal care.
Many women are also at risk of STIs if they have sex while pregnant. Use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections, help protect yourself as well as the healthy fetus.

Breastfeeding is the best way for babies to develop comprehensively. Breast milk helps babies fight diseases and allergies. Breastfeeding is also cheaper than formula and can help mothers regain their pre-pregnancy weight sooner. Breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of a baby's life to provide the nutrients he needs to grow. If you cannot breastfeed directly, you can pump and store milk in a bottle for your baby to drink when hungry.
For women who are pregnant for the first time, it is inevitable that they will have doubts and worries in taking care of themselves during pregnancy. How regular and scientific antenatal check-ups can be will be the concern of expectant mothers. In order to help mothers feel confident and healthy throughout the pregnancy until the birth of their baby, Vinmec International General Hospital offers a comprehensive maternity care program with full medical examination benefits. , testing,... along with the exchange and sharing with doctors and midwives through prenatal classes. At Vinmec, on the day of labor, pregnant women will not be alone, but always have doctors and a relative who can enter the delivery room so that the mother can feel secure to have a gentle labor.

Article referenced source: Acog.org