Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Pregnancy careIt's always important to take good care of your health, but never more so than when you're pregnant. You're not only caring for your own body, you're also nurturing and growing a new human being. Let's talk about pregnancy care. During the nine or so months of your pregnancy, you'll see a lot of your ob/gyn. In fact, you should visit your doctor once a month during the first seven months of your pregnancy. Then you should see your doctor once every 2 or 3 weeks until your ninth month, and finally every week until you deliver. You might also see your regular doctor, a nurse midwife, or, if you have any complications, a perinatologist who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. That might sound like a lot of visits, but the goal is to keep a close eye on both you and your growing baby. Your doctor will check your baby's heart rate, and measure how quickly you're gaining weight. You'll likely have at least one ultrasound, where you can actually get to see your baby and find out the gender, unless you want it to be a surprise. Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor will monitor you for any health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. At your regular prenatal visits, your doctor can give you advice about what to eat and how much to exercise. You can also ask about all those weird symptoms you've been having, like morning sickness, food cravings, and the constant urge to use the bathroom. There are a few things you need to do while you're pregnant to make sure you and your baby are healthy. First, you have to take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Folic acid is especially important right before you get pregnant, and during the first trimester of your pregnancy because it helps your baby's brain and spinal cord form. Taking folic acid can help prevent birth defects like spina bifida. One thing you need to avoid is alcohol. When you're craving a glass of wine or beer, have some sparkling water, grape juice, or ginger ale instead. Alcohol can be very dangerous for your baby. Also don't take any medicines without talking to your doctor first. That includes over-the-counter medicines like aspirin and cold relievers. Caffeine is okay, but only in moderation. Limit yourself to one cup of coffee, instead of your regular two or three. Don't smoke and stay away from anyone who is smoking. Cigarette smoke deprives your baby of oxygen. It can stunt your child's growth, and lead to birth defects such as a cleft lip or palate. If you're pregnant and you haven't seen a doctor yet, now is the time to call. The sooner you get prenatal care, the more likely that your baby will be born healthy. Let your doctor know if you have a condition like diabetes, seizures, or high blood pressure, or if you've been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection, chemicals, or radiation. Get medical help right away during your pregnancy if you have a fever, painful urination, vaginal bleeding, or severe stomach pain. Call if your water breaks, or you're not feeling your baby moving and it's near the end of your pregnancy.Pregnancy care Review Date: 7/10/2020 Reviewed By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. AnimationsBrowse AllCloseXAllergiesAlzheimer diseaseAnkle ligament injuryArrhythmiasAtherosclerosisAthetosis resulting from basal... Balloon angioplasty - short se... Bladder function - neurologica... BlinkingBlood clottingBlood flowBlood pressureBone fracture repairBrain componentsBreast liftBreathingBunionCancer of the throat or larynx... Cardiac conduction systemCardiomyopathyCardiovascular systemCataractCell divisionCerebral aneurysmCesarean sectionComponents of skinConception - generalConception - pregnancyConception of identical twins... ConcussionCorneal injuryCoronary artery bypass graft (... Coronary artery diseaseCosmetic surgery of the faceCoughingDiabetes - retinal conditions... DigestionDirectional coronary atherecto... Early laborEgg cell productionEgg productionEndocrine glandsEnlarged prostate glandEpinephrine and exerciseExerciseFeeling painFetal ear developmentFormation of twinsGas exchangeGlaucomaGoutHearingHearing and the cochleaHeart bypass surgeryHeart formationHeartbeatHeartburnHerniated nucleus pulposus (sl... HomeostasisHuman face formationHypertension - overviewImmune responseIntracytoplasmic sperm injecti... Kidney stonesKids - How big is the baby?Kids - How does the baby come ... Kids - Is it a girl or boy?Kids - Umbilical cordKids - Where do babies come fr... LiposuctionLymph nodesLymphatics and the breastMacular degenerationMuscle typesNerve conductionNervous system formationNutrient exchangeOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOvulationParkinson diseasePercutaneous transluminal coro... PeristalsisPhagocytosisPituitary glandPlacenta deliveryPlacenta formationPreeclampsiaPregnancyRed blood cell productionReflex responseRetinaRetinal detachmentRupturing membranesSeeingSexual differentiationShoulder joint dislocationSkeletal formationSkeletal muscleSkeletal system componentsSkin conditionsSmellingSmokingSnoringSperm productionSperm release pathwayStomach ulcerStomach ulcerStrokeStroke - secondary to cardioge... Sun's effect on skinSwallowingSweatingTachycardiaTastingThe role of amniotic fluidTobacco use - effects on arter... Twin-to-twin transfusion syndr... UltrasoundUrinationVaccinesVaginal deliveryVasectomyAllergies1:05Alzheimer disease0:38Ankle ligament injury1:15Arrhythmias0:26Atherosclerosis0:46Athetosis resulting from ba... 0:20Balloon angioplasty - short... 0:53Bladder function - neurolog... 0:26Blinking1:01Blood clotting1:08Blood flow0:43Blood pressure1:43Bone fracture repair0:15Brain components3:43Breast lift0:38Breathing1:50Bunion0:21Cancer of the throat or lar... 0:12Cardiac conduction system1:24Cardiomyopathy0:34Cardiovascular system0:56Cataract0:07Cell division1:42Cerebral aneurysm0:26Cesarean section3:47Components of skin2:02Conception - general1:46Conception - pregnancy3:20Conception of identical twi... 0:33Concussion0:19Corneal injury0:07Coronary artery bypass graf... 1:54Coronary artery disease1:15Cosmetic surgery of the face0:36Coughing1:42Diabetes - retinal conditio... 0:15Digestion2:22Directional coronary athere... 3:06Early labor0:52Egg cell production3:54Egg production4:02Endocrine glands1:51Enlarged prostate gland1:37Epinephrine and exercise0:33Exercise1:33Feeling pain1:02Fetal ear development1:13Formation of twins3:44Gas exchange1:57Glaucoma0:13Gout0:22Hearing1:23Hearing and the cochlea1:37Heart bypass surgery1:00Heart formation4:12Heartbeat2:19Heartburn1:36Herniated nucleus pulposus ... 0:20Homeostasis1:42Human face formation1:57Hypertension - overview0:22Immune response1:41Intracytoplasmic sperm inje... 0:49Kidney stones1:45Kids - How big is the baby?1:15Kids - How does the baby co... 0:42Kids - Is it a girl or boy?1:14Kids - Umbilical cord1:19Kids - Where do babies come... 0:50Liposuction0:16Lymph nodes1:46Lymphatics and the breast3:41Macular degeneration0:21Muscle types2:25Nerve conduction2:36Nervous system formation1:55Nutrient exchange1:16Osteoarthritis1:22Osteoporosis1:38Ovulation0:38Parkinson disease0:24Percutaneous transluminal c... 2:58Peristalsis1:00Phagocytosis0:33Pituitary gland2:59Placenta delivery0:57Placenta formation3:20Preeclampsia0:18Pregnancy1:26Red blood cell production1:18Reflex response1:10Retina0:17Retinal detachment0:10Rupturing membranes0:53Seeing3:22Sexual differentiation2:05Shoulder joint dislocation0:16Skeletal formation2:33Skeletal muscle1:20Skeletal system components3:37Skin conditions1:00Smelling0:34Smoking1:05Snoring1:25Sperm production2:28Sperm release pathway1:53Stomach ulcer0:59Stomach ulcer0:15Stroke0:49Stroke - secondary to cardi... 0:26Sun's effect on skin2:01Swallowing1:08Sweating1:05Tachycardia0:18Tasting0:49The role of amniotic fluid1:45Tobacco use - effects on ar... 0:21Twin-to-twin transfusion sy... 1:11Ultrasound2:55Urination2:43Vaccines1:26Vaginal delivery0:53Vasectomy0:32VideosBrowse AllCloseXDiabetesAbdominal aortic aneurysmAbdominal painACL injuryAcneAdenoid removal Adolescent depressionAfter your child's ear tube su... After your child's inguinal he... After your child's tonsil or a... After your child's umbilical h... Alcoholic liver diseaseAllergic rhinitisAllergiesAllergy testingAllergy to mold - animal dande... Alzheimer diseaseAnemiaAnkylosing spondylitisAnterior shoulder stretchAnti-reflux surgeryAppendectomyAppendicitisArm reachArthritisAsperger syndromeAsthmaAsthma - childrenAtopic dermatitisAtrial fibrillationAttention deficit hyperactivit... Autism spectrum disordersBasal cell carcinomaBefore a child's tonsil or ade... Bipolar disorderBreast cancerBreast engorgementBreast self-examBreastfeedingBronchitisBronchoscopyCardiac catheterizationCarpal tunnel syndromeCataractsCerebral palsyCervical cancerChest painChildhood obesityCholesterol and triglyceride t... Chronic obstructive pulmonary ... Cluster headacheCold treatments for kidsColon cancerColon cancer screeningColorectal polypsCommon coldConcussionCrohn diseaseC-sectionCystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis - nutritional ... DepressionDialysisDiarrheaEar infection - acuteEar infection - chronicEar tube insertionEaracheElectrocardiogramEndometriosisEnlarged adenoidsEnlarged prostateEpilepsyErection problemsEssential hypertensionExternal rotation with bandFibromyalgiaFluFood poisoningFoot painGallstonesGastroesophageal reflux diseas... Gastroesophageal reflux in inf... Getting rid of lice in the hom... GlaucomaHardening of arteriesHbA1cHead injuryHead liceHealthy Guide to Fast FoodHearing lossHeart attackHeart failureHeel painHepatitis AHepatitis BHepatitis CHerniaHerniated diskHip joint replacementHodgkin lymphomaHow do ear tubes come out?How to remove a splinterHow to stop bedwettingHow to treat a nosebleedHow to treat a sunburnHow to use a peak flow meterHow to use a pill cutterHow to use eye dropsHow to use nasal spraysHypertensionHyperthyroidismHypothyroidismHysterectomyInfant formulasInguinal hernia repairInhaler with no spacer - adult... Inhaler with no spacer - child... Inhaler with spacer - adultsInhaler with spacer - childInsomniaInternal rotation with bandIron deficiency anemiaIrritable bowel syndromeIsometricKidney stonesKnee joint replacementLet's talk about pink eyeLung cancerLyme diseaseMelanomaMenopauseMigraineMultiple sclerosisNasal congestionNeck painNewborn jaundiceNICU consultants and support s... Nuclear stress testObstructive sleep apneaOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisPap smearPendulum exercisePeptic ulcerPharyngitisPlantar fasciitisPneumoniaPregnancy carePrepare for your child's ear t... Prepare for your child's herni... Prostate cancerPsoriasisRheumatoid arthritisRotator cuff problemsSciaticaScoliosisSeizuresShinglesShoulder blade retractionShoulder blade retraction with... Shoulder painSinusitisSleep disordersSmoking tips to quitSpinal stenosisStentStoring breast milkStrep throatStretching back of your should... StrokeSystemic lupus erythematosusTension headacheThe difference between a cold ... Tips on buying cold and flu me... Tips on removing ear waxTonsillectomyTonsillitisTracking your blood pressure a... Treating congestion in babies... Treating eyelid bumpsType 1 diabetesType 2 diabetesUlcerative colitisUnderstanding cholesterol resu... Up the back stretchUrinary incontinenceUrinary tract infection - adul... Uterine fibroidsVacation health careVaricose veinsVenous insufficiencyWall push-upWall stretchWartsWhat are hives?What are night terrors?What causes wheezing?What in the world is a neti po... What is tennis elbow?What makes your heart beat?What to do when kids put thing... What to do when kids put thing... What to do when something gets... Diabetes3:25Abdominal aortic aneurysm2:59Abdominal pain2:26ACL injury2:08Acne3:14Adenoid removal 2:02Adolescent depression3:00After your child's ear tube sur... 2:19After your child's inguinal her... 1:19After your child's tonsil or ad... 1:42After your child's umbilical he... 1:47Alcoholic liver disease2:37Allergic rhinitis2:30Allergies2:09Allergy testing2:26Allergy to mold - animal dander... 3:07Alzheimer disease2:41Anemia2:50Ankylosing spondylitis2:05Anterior shoulder stretch0:45Anti-reflux surgery3:11Appendectomy2:10Appendicitis2:32Arm reach0:36Arthritis3:23Asperger syndrome2:32Asthma2:44Asthma - children2:49Atopic dermatitis2:34Atrial fibrillation2:43Attention deficit hyperactivity... 3:30Autism spectrum disorders3:34Basal cell carcinoma2:14Before a child's tonsil or aden... 3:49Bipolar disorder3:16Breast cancer2:45Breast engorgement2:48Breast self-exam2:55Breastfeeding2:11Bronchitis2:31Bronchoscopy2:10Cardiac catheterization2:38Carpal tunnel syndrome2:40Cataracts2:31Cerebral palsy2:19Cervical cancer3:04Chest pain1:32Childhood obesity2:03Cholesterol and triglyceride te... 1:53Chronic obstructive pulmonary d... 2:34Cluster headache2:11Cold treatments for kids2:05Colon cancer2:29Colon cancer screeningColorectal polyps2:00Common cold1:47Concussion2:13Crohn disease2:37C-section2:14Cystic fibrosis2:52Cystic fibrosis - nutritional c... 1:34Depression3:20Dialysis2:26Diarrhea3:01Ear infection - acute2:29Ear infection - chronic2:22Ear tube insertion1:51Earache2:11Electrocardiogram2:22Endometriosis2:38Enlarged adenoids1:54Enlarged prostate3:09Epilepsy2:46Erection problems3:13Essential hypertension2:40External rotation with band1:03Fibromyalgia2:48Flu3:19Food poisoning1:55Foot pain2:58Gallstones2:55Gastroesophageal reflux disease... 2:31Gastroesophageal reflux in infa... 2:28Getting rid of lice in the home... 0:40Glaucoma2:26Hardening of arteries2:41HbA1c2:54Head injury3:04Head lice2:55Healthy Guide to Fast Food2:27Hearing loss2:30Heart attack2:45Heart failure2:38Heel pain1:51Hepatitis A2:28Hepatitis B2:42Hepatitis C2:19Hernia2:42Herniated disk3:07Hip joint replacement2:12Hodgkin lymphoma2:18How do ear tubes come out?0:50How to remove a splinter1:09How to stop bedwetting3:06How to treat a nosebleed1:06How to treat a sunburn1:37How to use a peak flow meter1:26How to use a pill cutter0:41How to use eye drops1:00How to use nasal sprays0:58Hypertension2:48Hyperthyroidism2:18Hypothyroidism2:24Hysterectomy2:24Infant formulas2:37Inguinal hernia repair2:15Inhaler with no spacer - adults... Inhaler with no spacer - child... Inhaler with spacer - adultsInhaler with spacer - childInsomnia2:20Internal rotation with band1:04Iron deficiency anemia3:02Irritable bowel syndrome3:19Isometric1:15Kidney stones3:04Knee joint replacement2:16Let's talk about pink eye1:22Lung cancer2:59Lyme disease2:24Melanoma3:45Menopause3:14Migraine3:13Multiple sclerosis3:34Nasal congestion2:39Neck pain2:51Newborn jaundice2:16NICU consultants and support st... 3:13Nuclear stress test3:18Obstructive sleep apnea2:42Osteoarthritis3:18Osteoporosis2:47Pap smear3:04Pendulum exercise1:15Peptic ulcer3:13Pharyngitis1:03Plantar fasciitis2:00Pneumonia2:50Pregnancy care3:18Prepare for your child's ear tu... 3:53Prepare for your child's hernia... 3:59Prostate cancer2:50Psoriasis2:24Rheumatoid arthritis3:03Rotator cuff problems3:03Sciatica2:56Scoliosis2:36Seizures2:21Shingles2:21Shoulder blade retraction0:37Shoulder blade retraction with ... 0:51Shoulder pain2:01Sinusitis3:12Sleep disorders2:20Smoking tips to quit2:20Spinal stenosis2:25Stent2:03Storing breast milk2:07Strep throat3:09Stretching back of your shoulde... 0:39Stroke3:19Systemic lupus erythematosus2:40Tension headache2:43The difference between a cold a... 2:10Tips on buying cold and flu med... 1:33Tips on removing ear wax2:18Tonsillectomy2:12Tonsillitis1:35Tracking your blood pressure at... 1:11Treating congestion in babies... 1:46Treating eyelid bumps0:54Type 1 diabetes2:55Type 2 diabetes2:49Ulcerative colitis2:11Understanding cholesterol resul... 2:14Up the back stretch0:44Urinary incontinence2:52Urinary tract infection - adult... 2:32Uterine fibroids3:02Vacation health care2:22Varicose veins2:30Venous insufficiency2:13Wall push-up0:45Wall stretch1:18Warts2:25What are hives?1:35What are night terrors?2:12What causes wheezing?1:57What in the world is a neti pot... 1:02What is tennis elbow?2:03What makes your heart beat?1:30What to do when kids put things... 1:17What to do when kids put things... 0:44What to do when something gets ... 1:28 © 1997- All rights reserved. BACK TOTOP A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.