Pregnancy Information

The market is flooded with books, magazines and websites all designed to tell you what to do and what not to do when you are pregnant. All of this information can be very overwhelming and it doesn't really need to be.

When I was pregnant I read What to Expect When You Are Expecting like it was the Bible. This book is packed with useful pregnancy information, but somewhere around my sixth month my husband and I decided that it was no longer a good idea for me to read it.

As a precautionary measure, this book contains best and worst case scenario pregnancy information. Emotions tend to run high during pregnancy and the worst-case scenarios got the best of me. It got to the point where I wanted to check myself into the hospital every time I read that book. That was when we decided to put the book away.

The point here is that sometimes too much information can be a bad thing. It can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated.

Keep your pregnancy simple and organized. There are really only a few common sense things that you have to be aware of to enjoy a healthy, happy pregnancy.

Prenatal Care

The number one most important thing that you can do to ensure good health and get all of the pregnancy information you need is to seek regular prenatal care.

Find a doctor that you are comfortable with. If you go to an office with multiple doctors, try to see each of the doctors for at least one appointment prior to your due date. This way, you can be comfortable in the fact that you will know the doctor who is on call when you go into labor.

Keep a notebook with you at all times to record important pregnancy information. If something occurs, or you think of a question for your doctor, write it down immediately.

Bring the notebook with you to all of your appointments and be sure to write down the answers to your questions. There is usually a lot of information to absorb during prenatal appointments and chances are good that when you get home you will not be able to remember everything you were told.

This notebook will become a good source of pregnancy information that is specific to you, provided by a doctor who knows your individual history.

Avoid Common Risk Factors

It is pretty common knowledge that smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and taking drugs during pregnancy can lead to severe complications and birth defects.

If you smoke, the day you discover you are pregnant is the perfect day to quit. Quitting smoking can be difficult though and you may need some help. Talk to your doctor and check out HelpPregnantSmokersQuit.org for more information. Remember, never quit quitting!

Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the most serious conditions that can result from the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. You might be surprised to learn that studies have shown that even small amounts of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can impact the health of your baby. For more information and to get help, visit AmericanPregnancy.org

Last, but certainly not least, exposure to drugs of any kind, including some over the counter medications can have serious impact on your baby's health.

Always consult with your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications. Visit SafeFetus.com to find more information about a particular drug and the effect it may have on your baby. If you have a problem with a drug addiction, visit the Medical Library for more information and resources for help.

Pregnancy Diet

It is always important to maintain a healthy diet, but this is even more true when you are pregnant.

While you should not try to lose weight or try to prevent yourself from gaining weight during pregnancy, you do not have to "eat for two" and pack on the pounds that will be difficult to lose after your baby arrives. A healthy pregnancy diet is simply a matter of common sense.

• Talk to your doctor about any food-related concerns you may have.

• Keep the basic food groups in mind and try to get in all of your required servings of each group daily.

• Make smart choices. For example, choosing whole grain wheat bread over white bread will provide extra nutrition for you and your growing baby.

• Avoid caffeine. Too many studies have linked caffeine with pregnancy-related problems. Err on the side of caution and avoid it.

• When it comes to sugar, go for the real deal. I am not a fan of sugar substitutes. There have been too many that have been linked to all sorts of illnesses. This can be especially true during pregnancy. If you are going to consume sugar, use the real deal. Just be sure to use it in moderation because a calorie of sugar is absolutely the most empty calorie you could possible consume.

• Research has shown that consuming high fat foods like cheese help develop your baby's brain, but these foods are still high-fat. Consume them in moderation.

• Research on pregnancy information related to food and diet is being updated all the time. Follow your doctor's advice about foods to avoid during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Exercise

Studies show that exercise during pregnancy is a good idea. It helps keep you fit, making it easier to get back into your pre-pregnancy shape after delivery, and can also make your job of childbirth easier by strengthening the muscles you will use to push the baby out.

In most cases, if you already have an exercise routine, your doctor will give you permission to continue with it during pregnancy.

If you were not exercising prior to becoming pregnant ask your doctor what he or she feels would be safe for you to do.

Many gyms or community recreation centers offer classes geared specifically for pregnant women. Water aerobics and yoga are two very popular exercise programs during pregnancy.