5. How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development
Preparing for Baby’s Birth
You may be feeling a little nervous
about knowing when it’s time to call your healthcare provider or go to
the hospital. Ask about signs to watch for at one
of your prenatal visits. In prenatal classes, you should also learn how
to recognize the signs of labor and when you should call your
healthcare provider or go to the hospital.
Your bag of waters may break before you
go into labor. In most cases, you’ll notice this as a gush of water
followed by a steady leaking.
During the last few weeks of pregnancy, have your suitcase packed and ready to go.
If possible, tour the hospital facilities
with your partner a few weeks before your scheduled due date. Find out
where to go and what to do when you get there.
Talk with your partner about the best
ways to reach him if you think you’re in labor. Cell phones are a good
way to stay in touch. You might have him check with you periodically.
Or he can wear a pager if he is often away from a phone, especially
during the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Plan your route to the hospital. Have
your partner drive it a few times. Plan an alternate route in case of
bad weather or traffic tie-ups.
Ask your healthcare provider what you
should do if you think you’re in labor. Is it best to call the office?
Should you go directly to the hospital? By knowing what to do, and
when, you can relax a little and not worry about the beginning of labor
and delivery.
Dad Tip
At a prenatal visit, ask the
healthcare provider about your part in the delivery. There may be some
things you’d like to do, such as cutting the cord or videotaping your
baby’s birth. It’s easier to talk about these things ahead of time. Not
every new father wants an active role in the delivery. That’s OK, too.
Preregistering at the Hospital
It may be helpful and save you time if
you register at the hospital a few weeks before your due date. You’ll
be able to do this with forms you get at the office or by getting forms
from the hospital. It’s smart to do this early because when you go to
the hospital, you may be in a hurry or concerned with other things.
You should know certain facts that may not be included in your chart, such as:
• your blood type and Rh-factor
• when your last period was and what your due date is
• details of any past pregnancies
• your healthcare provider’s name
• your pediatrician’s name
Your healthcare provider has recorded
various things that have occurred during your pregnancy. A copy of this
record is usually kept in the labor-and-delivery area.
Certified Nurse-Midwives, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
In today’s obstetric-and-gynecology
medical practices, you may find many types of highly qualified people
helping to take care of you. These people—mostly women, but not
all!—are on the forefront in guiding women through pregnancy to
delivery. They may even help deliver their babies!
A certified nurse-midwife (CNM)
is an advance-practice registered nurse (RN). He or she has received
additional training delivering babies and providing prenatal and
postpartum care to women. A CNM works closely with a doctor or team of
doctors to address specifics about a particular pregnancy, and labor
and delivery. Often a CNM delivers babies.
A certified nurse midwife can provide
many types of information to a pregnant woman, such as guidance with
nutrition and exercise, ways to deal with pregnancy discomforts, tips
for managing weight gain, dealing with various pregnancy problems and
discussions of different methods of pain relief for labor and delivery.
A CNM can also address issues of family planning and birth control and
other gynecological care, including breast exams, Pap smears and other
screenings. A CNM can prescribe medications; each state has their own
specific requirements.
A nurse practitioner is also an
advanced-practice registered nurse (RN). He or she has received
additional training providing prenatal and postpartum care to women. A
nurse practitioner may work with a doctor or work independently to
address specifics about a woman’s pregnancy, and labor and delivery.
A nurse
practitioner can provide many types of information to a pregnant woman,
such as guidance with nutrition and exercise, ways to deal with
pregnancy discomforts, tips for managing weight gain, dealing with
various pregnancy problems and discussions of different methods of pain
relief for labor and delivery. He or she can also address issues of
family planning and birth control and other gynecological care,
including breast exams, Pap smears and other screenings. In some cases,
a nurse practitioner may prescribe medications or provide pain relief
during labor and delivery (as a certified registered nurse anesthetist
[CRNA]).
A physician assistant (PA) is a
qualified healthcare professional who may take care of you during
pregnancy. He or she is licensed to practice medicine in association
with a licensed doctor. In a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, many or
most of your prenatal visits may be with a PA, not the doctor. This may
include labor and delivery. Most women find this is a good thing—often
these healthcare providers have more time to spend with you answering
questions and addressing your concerns.
A PA’s focus is to provide many
health-care services traditionally done by a doctor. They care for
people who have conditions (pregnancy is a condition they see women
for), diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel
on preventive health care, perform some procedures, assist in surgery,
write prescriptions and do physical exams. A PA is not a medical assistant, who performs administrative or simple clinical tasks.
We are fortunate to have these
dedicated professionals working in OB/GYN practices and clinics. The
care they provide is crucial to the medical community and makes quality
medical care for women something every woman can look forward to.
6. Your Nutrition
Your body continues to need lots of vitamins and minerals for baby. You’ll need even more of them if you breastfeed! It’s important to realize how necessary
your continued good nutrition is for you and your baby.
Nutrient Requirements during
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
|
Vitamins & Minerals
|
During Pregnancy
|
During Breastfeeding
|
|
A |
800mcg |
1300mcg |
|
B1 (thiamine) |
1.5mg |
1.6mg |
|
B2 (riboflavin) |
1.6mg |
1.8mg |
|
B3 (niacin) |
17mg |
20mg |
|
B6
|
2.2mg |
2.2mg |
|
B12
|
2.2mcg |
2.6mcg |
|
C |
70mg |
95mg |
|
Calcium |
1200mg |
1200mg |
|
D |
10mcg |
10mcg |
|
E |
10mg |
12mg |
|
Folic acid (B9) |
400mcg |
280mcg |
|
Iron |
30mg |
15mg |
|
Magnesium |
320mg |
355mg |
|
Phosphorous |
1200mg |
1200mg |
|
Zinc |
15mg |
19mg |
