Getting Started on a Healthy Pregnancy

By Christine Goldman, CD, CPD, CBE, LE, Mother of five

Along with a positive pregnancy test come many feelings. A sense of wonderment, perhaps joy, perhaps surprising, but no matter what pregnancy it is for a woman, there is always a sense of the unknown. How will I feel? How will it affect my every day life? Who will I choose for a care provider? How long can I work? What will my labor be like? Will I have a girl or boy? Will he or she have a big head? (This seems to be a VERY common fear)

Since 1994 Doulas of CNY have been working with expectant moms supporting them through all of their questions, concerns and fears. We took women’s fear, analyzed them and to get you off to a good start, we put together a check off list.

Choosing your care provider:

• Certified Nurse Midwife – Specially trained, licensed professionals experienced in providing obstetric and newborn care, CNMs provide comprehensive, family-centered maternity care from the first prenatal visit through labor, delivery, and after the birth of your baby.
• OB/GYN- A medical doctor who is specially trained to provide medical and surgical care to women. OB/GYN’s spend four years after medical school in a residency studying pregnancy, reproduction, and female medical and surgical problems.
• Family Practitioner- a medical doctor who specializes in the health care of all family members. They are prepared to provide normal OB/GYN care, but will refer high-risk pregnancies and other problems to an OB/GYN. All family practitioners are trained to perform Cesarean births in an emergency and also to assist other specialists in doing the procedure. It is of utmost importance to schedule an introductory visit to meet with the care provider you are considering and determine if you feel comfortable with him or her, and their care plan for you.

Nutrition for you and your baby is especially important. Seek information on the best foods to make sure you are getting proper nutrients, vitamins and caloric intake to not only grow a healthy baby but take care of you as well. Prenatal vitamins are recommended. Smoking is discouraged. There are local programs to help you quit if you are currently smoking.

Exercise. With an uneventful pregnancy, you can continue your normal exercise routine, but might have to alter it later on. Seek the advice of your care provider. Health fitness centers usually have a prenatal yoga class, which is not only beneficial for proper stance, but breathing technique as well.

Begin choosing your support team. This begins with a loved one (spouse or partner), may include mother, sister, friend. They are the people that love you and will care for you. Consider hiring a Doula- a person who specializes in helping families through the childbearing year. Doulas do not provide any clinical care, so they do not replace your obstetric health care provider. Generally your relationship with your doula will begin during pregnancy. A doula can help you find the appropriate childbirth class, learn birthing techniques, write a birth plan, and more. Most doulas will provide early labor support at home, coming to your home and helping you while you are in labor before you are ready to go to the hospital or birth center. They will then provide advocacy, inform you of your birthing choices, continuous labor support through delivery, help with breastfeeding and check on your during your postpartum recovery time. Some doulas also provide in-home support to help you transition to motherhood.

Hopefully you will have an uneventful pregnancy and will be able to enjoy the little kicks and rumbling in your tummy, taking it step by step getting the answers that you need from the team you have chosen to assist you in the birth of your baby.

Christine Goldman is a mother of five; co owns Doulas of CNY and is a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth and lactation educator. She invites you to visit their web site at www.doulasofcny.com to find out more about Healthy pregnancy, childbirth classes, doula support and more!