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During Pregnancy

Learn the urgent maternal warning signs. ‎
CDC’s Hear Her campaign supports efforts to prevent pregnancy-related deaths by sharing potentially life-saving messages about urgent maternal warning signs.

You can manage stress with relaxation techniques and support from friends and family. Use this time to become educated about labor, delivery, and newborn care, and consult your healthcare provider with any questions.

Following the tips below will help ensure a healthy and positive pregnancy experience.

Chronic Conditions

Manage chronic health conditions to avoid pregnancy complications
If you have ongoing health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma, manage them with your healthcare team during pregnancy. Speak up if you feel overwhelmed or confused. Managing these conditions is crucial to avoid complications like high blood pressure (preeclampsia) , gestational diabetes, preterm labor, miscarriage, infections, and mental health issues. Regular prenatal care helps detect and manage these complications early.

Diabetes

Controlling diabetes can decrease the risk of developing complications for mother and baby during pregnancy. Learn more about type 1 , type 2 and gestational diabetes early to avoid complications.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes:

  • Healthy pregnancy: Women with type 1 diabetes can have a healthy pregnancy with proper management.
  • Monitoring: Regular visits to an endocrinologist and obstetrician are essential.
  • Blood sugar control: Maintain target A1C levels to prevent complications like preeclampsia and birth defects.
  • Insulin needs: Insulin requirements may change during pregnancy, so frequent monitoring is necessary
  • Support: Use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and create a birth plan with your healthcare team.

Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes (high blood sugar levels) can occur during pregnancy, usually between the 24th and 28th weeks.

  • Symptoms: Often there are no symptoms, but symptoms can include increased thirst and frequent urination.
  • Causes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause insulin resistance.
  • Risk factors: You may be at higher risk if you are overweight, with a family history of diabetes, or previous history of gestational diabetes.
  • Management: Gestational diabetes may be managed with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and sometimes medication or insulin.

For more information, visit the CDC website: Diabetes and Pregnancy

High blood pressure (preeclampsia)

High blood pressure during pregnancy, known as gestational hypertension, usually develops after 20 weeks (about 4.5 months) and can pose risks such as preeclampsia, preterm birth and low birth weight.

  • Monitoring: Regular prenatal checkups are essential for tracking blood pressure.
  • Symptoms: Be aware of swelling, headaches, sudden weight gain, and vision changes.
  • Management: Treatment may involve medication and lifestyle adjustments to control blood pressure.
  • For more information, visit the CDC website: High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

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Healthcare

Attend all prenatal appointments to:

  • Monitor: Regular check-ups ensure both mother or birthing individual and baby are healthy, catching any potential issues early.
  • Prevent complications: These visits help prevent problems like anemia, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
  • Track growth: Doctors monitor the baby’s growth and development to ensure everything is on track.
  • Learn: Prenatal visits provide important information about pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.
  • Talk about medications and substance use: Discuss all prescriptions and substance use, including alcohol, tobacco and drugs like marijuana or opioids. Don’t start or stop medications/opioids without consulting your provider. Inform every healthcare provider about your pregnancy before getting any new medications and ask about safer pain relief options.
  • Get support: Frequent visits help build a trusting relationship with your healthcare provider.

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Mental Health

It’s essential to take care of your mental health and have a support system in place. Pregnancy can be emotional and having support can help your well-being. Below are resources to help.

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Nutrition & Exercise

Eat healthy: Eat from all the food groups. Have fruits, veggies, grains, protein, and a little bit of fat. Limit sugar.

  • Pick nutrient-dense foods: Choose foods that give you and your baby lots of nutrients, like leafy greens, lean meat, and milk.
  • Folic acid: Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid during early pregnancy to help prevent serious birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs). Folic acid helps the baby’s brain and spine develop. Incorporate folate-rich foods into your diet, such as leafy greens, beans, or oranges.
  • Drink lots of water: It is important to keep hydrated for you and the baby.
  • Skip the no-no foods: Stay away from raw cheese, cold cuts, certain fish, and raw meat and fish.
  • Take your vitamins: Take prenatal vitamins to make sure you are getting all necessary nutrients.
  • Watch your weight: Try to gain just the right amount of weight as your doctor suggests. The recommended pregnancy weight gain for a woman with a Body Mass Index of 18.5-24.9 before conceiving is between 25 and 35 pounds. For more information, visit CDC’s page on Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Stay active: Do some light exercise, like walking or swimming, to stay healthy.

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Sexual Health

Anyone who is having sex can get sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or birth. This can cause serious health problems for your baby.

If you are pregnant and have syphilis, you can pass it to your baby. This can have devastating results for your newborn. You can prevent congenital syphilis by getting the right antibiotics at the right time. Your healthcare provider can help you, so get prenatal care as soon as you know you’re pregnant. In Illinois, your provider is REQUIRED by law to test you for syphilis at your first prenatal visit and again in your third trimester. At your first healthcare visit, ask your provider about getting tested for syphilis and other STIs.

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Substance Use

Avoid harmful substances like alcohol, street drugs, marijuana, opioids, caffeine and tobacco, as they can negatively affect your health and the health of your baby.

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Before baby’s arrival

Below are things to think about and actions you can take while pregnant to prepare for the baby’s arrival. Visit the resources page for more information.

  • Breastfeeding:
    • Get a breast pump – Check with your insurance company and healthcare provider to see if you can get a free breast pump.
    • Choose a lactation counselor.
    • Discuss challenges with your ob-gyn.
    • Plan for skin-to-skin contact after delivery.
    • Remember that not everyone can breastfeed, so seek support if needed.
    • Join a support group.
  • Car Seat: Install a car seat and ensure it is properly secured .
  • Classes:
    • Attend childbirth classes: These classes provide insights into labor, pain relief options, and delivery methods, helping to ease anxiety.
    • Read up: Explore books and articles that cover pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.
    • Join parenting groups: Engage with other expecting parents to share tips and experiences.
    • Watch educational videos: Online videos can offer practical demonstrations of childbirth techniques and baby care.
  • Doulas and midwives: Doulas provide essential support for moms (or birthing persons) to help them navigate the transition into parental roles. Midwives serve as an alternative to obstetricians during pregnancy and childbirth. They offer physical, emotional, and informational help, which can reduce the need for C-sections, lower pain medication use, lead to better birth outcomes and improve overall satisfaction with the birth experience.
  • Go Bag: Pack a hospital bag with necessities for both you and the baby.
  • Nursery: Set up the nursery with essential items like a crib, changing table, and baby clothes.
  • Supplies: Stock up on baby supplies like diapers, wipes, and formula if needed.
  • Support: Plan for childcare and support during the first few weeks.

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Updated November 13, 2024, 5:04 PM