Healthy Pregnancy Tips
You can take steps before and during pregnancy to help ensure you give birth to a healthy baby. Many birth defects are preventable if you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Before You Get Pregnant
Get in your best health with the help of Genesis before you become pregnant. Pre-pregnancy health tips include:
- Consult with your doctor about your desire to become pregnant.
- Consider genetic testing and counseling if you have a family history of genetic conditions or have had a difficult pregnancy in the past.
- Take a daily multivitamin that contains folic acid (400–800 mcg)—starting at least one month before you get pregnant—to help prevent major neurological and spinal birth defects.
- Get up to date on your vaccinations.
- Take steps to prevent infections, and wash your hands regularly.
- Avoid toxic substances and chemicals.
- Get medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, obesity or epilepsy under control.
- Do not smoke or expose yourself to secondhand smoke.
- Avoid cat waste, including changing or cleaning a litterbox.
- Avoid caffeine.
- Avoid rodent waste, including cleaning up after pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs.
- Refrain from alcohol and drug use.
While You're Pregnant
Follow these tips to give your baby his or her healthiest start and decrease your chance of a premature delivery.
- Visit your doctor as soon as you think you're pregnant and continue regular prenatal checkups throughout your pregnancy.
- Check with your doctor before you stop or start any medication.
- Discuss prenatal tests and newborn screenings.
- Ask if anything restricts your ability to exercise.
- Continue to take a multivitamin that contains folic acid daily, or as directed by your doctor, to help prevent birth defects.
- Keep medical conditions, such as diabetes or epilepsy, under control.
- Drink 8–10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.
- Do not smoke or expose yourself to secondhand smoke.
- Avoid caffeine.
- Refrain from alcohol and drug use.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Don't clean or change a cat's litterbox, and avoid cat feces.
- Avoid rodent feces, including cleaning up after pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs.
- Stay active, as it can help you have an easier delivery.
Helpful Pregnancy Resources
Use these resources throughout your pregnancy to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.