16. You Should Also Know
Your First Visit to Your Healthcare Provider
Your first prenatal visit may be one of
your longest. There’s a lot to do. If you saw your healthcare provider
before you got pregnant, you may have already discussed some of your
concerns.
Understanding Serving Portions
You may believe it will be difficult for
you to eat all the portions you need for the health of your growing
baby. However, many people overeat because they don’t understand what a
“portion” or “serving” really is.
Supersizing in fast-food restaurants and
huge meal portions at other restaurants have skewed our idea of what a
normal portion size really is. For example, a blueberry muffin is now
about 500 calories. Twenty-five years ago, it was about 200 calories.
Look for the following serving sizes when you eat—they’re what a
“normal” portion size is.
• cup of vegetables—the size of a lightbulb
• 1 serving of juice—a champagne flute
• 1 pancake—the size of a CD
• 1 teaspoon of peanut butter—the end of your thumb
• 3 ounces of fish—an eyeglass case
• 3 ounces of meat—a deck of playing cards
• 1 small potato—a 3×5 index card
Read labels for portion sizes; a common
mistake is to read the calorie/nutrient information on a label and not
take into account the number of servings each package contains.
Even a very small package may contain two or more servings, doubling or
tripling the calories if you eat the whole thing.
To learn the correct serving size for each of the food groups, check out the USDA’s website www.cnpp.usda.gov; it lists actual serving portions. For example, a large bagel may be four to five grain servings! If you don’t have access to a computer, ask your healthcare provider for some guidelines or nutrition handouts.
Feel free to ask questions to get an idea
of how your healthcare provider will relate to you and your needs.
During pregnancy, there should be an exchange of ideas. Consider what
your healthcare provider suggests and why. It’s important to share your
feelings and ideas. Your healthcare provider has experience that can be
valuable to you during pregnancy.
At this first visit, you will be asked for
a history of your medical health. This includes general medical
problems and any problems relating to your gynecological and obstetrical
history. You will be asked about your periods and recent birth-control
methods. If you’ve had an abortion or a miscarriage,
or if you’ve been in the hospital for surgery or for some other reason,
it’s important information. If you have old medical records, bring them
with you.
Your healthcare provider needs to know
about medicine you take or medication you are allergic to. Your family’s
medical history may also be important.
Various tests may be done at this first
visit or on a subsequent visit. If you have questions, ask them. If you
think you may have a “high-risk” pregnancy, discuss it with your
healthcare provider.
Tip for Week 6
If you have questions between prenatal
visits, call the office. It’s OK; your healthcare provider wants you to
call to get correct medical information. You’ll probably feel more
comfortable when your questions are answered.
In most cases, you will be asked
to return every 4 weeks for the first 7 months, then every 2 weeks until
the last month, then every week. If problems arise, you may be
scheduled for more frequent visits.
17. Ways to Have a Great Pregnancy
Every woman wants to have a happy,
healthy pregnancy. Start now to help ensure that yours will be the best
it can be! Try the following.
• Prioritize—Examine what you need
to do to help yourself and your growing baby. Do what you need to do,
decide what else you can do and let the rest go.
• Involve others in your
pregnancy—When you include your partner, other family members and
friends in your pregnancy, it helps them understand what you’re going
through so they can be more understanding and supportive.
• Treat others with respect and
love—You may be having a hard time, especially at the beginning of
pregnancy. You may have morning sickness. You may find adjusting to the
role of “mom-to-be” difficult. People will understand if you take the
time to let them know how you feel. Show respect for their concern,
treat them with kindness and love, and they will respond in kind.
• Create
memories—It takes some planning, but it’s definitely worth it. When
you’re pregnant, it seems like it will go on forever. However, speaking
from experience, we can tell you it passes very quickly and is soon a
memory. Take steps to document the many changes occurring in your life
right now. Include your partner. Have him jot down some of his thoughts
and feelings. Take his picture, too! You’ll be able to look back and
share the highs and lows with him, and, in the years ahead, you and your
kids will be glad you did.
• Relax when you can—Easing the
stress in your life is important. Do things that help you relax and
focus on what is important in your lives right now.
• Enjoy this time of preparation—All
too soon your pregnancy will be over, and you’ll be a new mother, with
all the responsibilities of being a mom and a partner! You may also have
other responsibilities in your professional or personal life.
Concentrate on your couple relationship and on the many changes you will
be experiencing in the near future.
• Focus on the positive—You may hear
negative things from friends or family members, such as scary stories
or sad tales. Ignore them. Most pregnancies work out great!
• Don’t be afraid to ask for
help—Your pregnancy is important to others. Friends and family will be
pleased if you ask them to be involved.
• Get information—There are many
sources today, various magazine articles, television
programs, radio interviews and the Internet.
• Smile—You’re part of a very special miracle that is happening to you and your partner!
Dad Tip
Is your partner suffering from
morning sickness? If so, cooking can be a real chore for her. Just
looking at food or smelling it can make her feel sick. To help out,
bring home your dinner, or cook it yourself. Sometimes it’s the only way
you’ll get any food!
18. Exercise for Week 6
Stand with your left side next to the
sofa or a sturdy chair. Hold onto the back with your left hand. Standing
with your feet shoulder-width apart, step back about 3 feet with your
right foot. Bend your leg until your thigh is parallel to the floor.
Keep your knee over your toes. Hold for 3 seconds, then as you return to
standing position, lift your right leg and squeeze your buttocks
muscles for 1 second. Start with 3 repetitions and work up to 6. Repeat
for your other leg. Strengthens hip, thigh and buttocks muscles.
