Caring for

While you are growing a baby, it is important to take care of yourself!  You may feel more tired than usual. 

• Get rest, try to at least sleep 7-8 hours per night. Some sources will say you should not sleep on your back.  Actually, IT IS SAFE to sleep on your back during pregnancy. You should only avoid sleeping on your back if it makes you uncomfortable. Sleeping with a slight incline/wedge and keeping your knees bent can help reduce back strain.
   

Can I exercise? 

Of course!  Regular exercise can decrease your chance of diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy.  It can also improve your mood, energy level, and sleep.  We encourage at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.   

 

What type of exercise is safe? 

There are few restrictions on what you can do.  Walking is a good choice – especially if you are new to exercise.  It’s safe to run, take a spin class, do pilates, weight lift, and swim.   Choose a type of exercise that lessens the chance of physical injury to you or your baby such as swimming, stationary biking, low-impact aerobics, yoga or walking.

 

If you have not exercised in the past, start out slowly. Exercise three times a week or more but limit the length or intensity if it exhausts you or makes you short of breath. 

 

Drink plenty of water, warm up first and cool down afterwards, avoid overheating in warm weather. 

 

Avoid anything with risk of falling (horseback riding, contact sports, skiing, or exercise at elevations above 7000 feet).  Scuba diving is not safe in pregnancy.

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Any other special precautions? 

• Wash your hands after you handle raw meat, and fully cook all meat before you eat it.

• Wear gloves when you work in the yard and wash your hands well when you are done.

• Do not touch cat feces or litter boxes.  Avoid cleaning the litter box since cat feces can be a source for toxoplasmosis. 

• Do not smoke. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor

• Avoid chemical fumes, paint fumes, or poisons.

• Avoid lead which can lead to miscarriage and is harmful to babies’ brains.  Lead can be in glazed cooking pottery, imported candies, spices, and natural remedies https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/pregnant.htm

• Do not use illegal drugs, marijuana, or alcohol.

• Do not use saunas or hot tubs, but warm baths are safe.

 

Any skin, hair, or nail products to avoid?

• Avoid topical retinoids (form of vitamin A), hydroquinone (lighten skin), formaldehyde, botox/fillers, microabrasion, skin peels, oral tetracycline.

• It is safe to use for acne: azelaic acid, glycolic acid, topical benzol peroxide and topical salicylic acid.

• Avoid gel manicures and hair dye until the 2nd trimester.

 

Can I travel?

Travel is medically safe up to 34 weeks domestically and 28 weeks internationally, unless advised otherwise by your provider:

 

On a plane, stay hydrated and walk around frequently. Consider wearing below the knee graduated compression stockings (15 to 30 mmHg of pressure at the ankle) to prevent blood clots.  Requesting an aisle seat will make it easier to walk around and stretch your legs.

Be aware of the location nearest the hospital/emergency room at your destination.

Please call and/or seek medical attention during travel with any bleeding, spotting, cramping, uterine contractions, rupture of membranes or decreased fetal movement.

Refer to our medication guide in the event something comes up while traveling.

 

Can I have sex?

Intercourse is safe in pregnancy, unless advised otherwise by your provider.