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Early Pregnancy Care & Precautions
Early Pregnancy Care & Precautions
The following guidelines may help you to deal with minor problems commonly experienced during pregnancy. However, if your symptoms become severe or if you have concerns about them, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Nausea
Some women experience pregnancy-related nausea in the morning when they first wake up or just in the evening; others may have it off and on all day. For many women, this nausea decreases after the first three months, but unfortunately some continue to suffer from it throughout their pregnancies. If your nausea is worst in the morning, try eating a high protein snack before bed – something like cheese, milk, yogurt, peanut butter on apple slices or celery, soy products, chicken, or turkey. You can also try eating crackers before you get up in the morning and getting up slowly, without any sudden movements. If you experience nausea during the day, try not to let yourself get too hungry. Eat five or six small meals instead of two or three large ones, and don’t go long periods of time without food. Avoid strong-tasting or strong-smelling foods, fried or greasy foods, and anything that seems to trigger your nausea. Sip on cold water or ginger-ale often. Ice chips may be another means of fluid intake. Avoid alcohol and tobacco as well as smoke-filled environments, which may make your nausea worse. If you cannot keep any fluids or food down for more than a day, or become severely dehydrated, call your health care provider.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Mild dehydration may include the following: More thirsty than usual. Urine may be darker than usual.
Moderate dehydration may include the following: May be a lot more thirsty than usual. Mouth and eyes may be drier than usual. Urine may be much darker than usual. May pass little or no urine for 8 hours or more. May feel dizzy when you stand or sit up.
Severe dehydration may include the following: Mouth and eyes may be extremely dry. May pass little or no urine for 12 hours or more. May not feel alert or be able to think clearly. May be too weak or dizzy to stand. May pass out.
Tiredness/Fatigue
Try to get as much sleep as you can, taking naps and going to bed early when possible. Mild exercise in the fresh air can help to restore energy. Caffeine and sugar may give you a sudden burst of energy but make you feel even more tired afterward, so reducing or eliminating these may improve your overall energy level.
Constipation
Many women experience constipation during pregnancy, caused by hormonal changes or by the growing uterus pressing against the intestines. It’s important to eat fresh fruits and raw vegetables as well as whole-grain breads and cereals. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water and getting regular exercise may also help.
Frequent Urination
As your uterus expands and presses against your bladder, it can cause you to feel like you need to urinate often. This is normal, though bothersome, and nothing can or should be done to prevent it. If frequent trips to the bathroom are disturbing your sleep, you might try limiting fluids at night. If you feel any pain or burning when you urinate, contact your healthcare provider.
Breast Tenderness
Your breasts may be feeling tender or your nipples may be very sensitive; these are both a normal part of pregnancy. Wearing a bra with good support may relieve discomfort from movement, and wearing a bra at night may help with nipple sensitivity.
Dizziness
Some pregnant women may experience dizziness when they move or rise quickly. The best way to avoid this is to change positions slowly and often. Eat and drink on a regular schedule and don’t go long periods of time without eating. Also, make sure you get enough fluids.
Emotional Ups & Downs
The changing hormones and disruptions caused by pregnancy may make you feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster. Talking to a caring professional or supportive friend may help; stress and anxiety can often be relieved by talking about them with a good listener. It may also be helpful to avoid caffeine and sugar, and to get enough sleep.
Other important ways to take care of yourself during pregnancy
Get Enough Folate
Folate (folic acid) is a B vitamin that helps prevent some birth defects such as spina bifida. You can get this by eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit and by taking a prenatal vitamin
Avoid Alcohol
Even if you drank some alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, now is a good time to stop. The regular drinking of large amounts of alcohol by pregnant women is associated with some serious problems for babies. We don’t know what a safe level of alcohol during pregnancy might be, so we recommend avoiding alcohol entirely while you’re pregnant.
Don't Smoke
Whatever you take into your body, your baby also gets. Smoking can be harmful for your unborn baby as well as for you. Also, secondhand smoke can be harmful to your baby if you resume smoking after delivery.
Avoid Other Harmful Substances
Even small amounts of drugs like cocaine or heroin can be very harmful to you and your baby, so it is best not to use them. Don’t breathe fumes from paint, spray cans, or insecticides. Even some common substances like caffeine and artificial sweeteners should be avoided if possible during pregnancy. If you take any medication, be sure to check with your healthcare provider about its safety during pregnancy.
Don't Empty a Cat Litter Box
Some cats carry a disease called toxoplasmosis. Exposure to their feces can cause a pregnant woman to get the disease, which can be very harmful to unborn babies. If you have a cat, ask someone else to empty the litter box while you are pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you think you might have been exposed.
Avoid Other Harmful Activities
We also recommend that you avoid getting overheated during your pregnancy, whether from heavy exercise, saunas, or hot tubs. Light exercise or anything that you are already used to doing is usually safe to continue. If you have questions about whether an activity is safe during pregnancy, please ask your healthcare provider.