Women's Wellness

Mother and Child

Prenatal Care

Prenatal Care is the care an expectant mother receives during her pregnancy.

Good health care during pregnancy increases an expectant mother's chances of having a healthy baby. If you think you might be pregnant, we strongly advise you to schedule your first prenatal office visit with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or OB/GYN BEFORE YOUR 12^th WEEK OF PREGNANCY.

During your visit with your OB/GYN…

• Provide your doctor with information on your family history and current lifestyle.
• Tell your doctor about any prescribed or over-the-counter medications that you are taking, as they may cause harm to your developing baby.
• Talk with your doctor about what kinds of food and exercise are best for you.
• Talk with your doctor to see if you have had all your shots.
• Talk to your doctor about any product if you are unsure if it is safe to use when you are pregnant.
• Ask your doctor about the different kinds of test that are part of routine prenatal care.

During your pregnancy…

• Keep your prenatal appointments to make sure that you and your baby are healthy.
• Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, as they will harm your developing baby.
• If you smoke, join a tobacco cessation program to help you quit. For information on HIP's Quit for Life^TM Program call 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (1-866-784-8454).
• Avoid or limit caffeine.
• Eat a well balanced diet, rich in calcium, iron and "B" vitamins.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Continue to take your multivitamins with folic acid.
• Do not clean a cat's litter box as it contains germs that can cause birth defects.
• Use gloves when working in the garden.
• Do not use things that have strong chemicals in them such as insecticides and paint thinners.
• In the last three months of your pregnancy, be sure to choose a pediatrician (baby doctor) for your baby.