Having Your Baby

Having a baby involves making important healthcare choices that affect both you and your baby. Understanding the changes that occur throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum, are an important step toward making the birthing experience a truly memorable one.

If you are pregnant, you can take an active role in preparing for the birth of your baby. From prenatal classes that teach proper nutrition, exercise and other behavior modifications, to important prenatal care your doctor provides throughout your pregnancy, you need to understand how the things you do affect the health of your child.

To ensure your child has the healthiest start possible, you need to begin prenatal care as soon as you suspect you might be pregnant. If you need help finding a doctor or obstetrician, please call the Saint Francis HealthLine at (918) 494-LINE (5463).

Some of the most common signs of pregnancy are:

A missed menstrual period
Sore or tender breasts
Nausea and/or vomiting
Frequent urination
Feeling bloated
Fatigue

You may have a combination of these signs, or you may not experience any of them.

Once the pregnancy has been confirmed, you will need to see your doctor on a regular basis – usually once a month for the first few months and more often toward the end of your pregnancy.

During your first prenatal visit, your doctor will establish the baby’s due date. A thorough evaluation of your health, including a pap smear and pelvic and breast exam will also be done. If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, you should discuss them with your doctor. Some topics you may want to discuss include diet recommendations, physical activity during pregnancy and information you can use to ensure a successful delivery and a healthy baby.

During the next few visits to the doctor’s office your vital signs will be monitored, your abdomen will be measured to see how the baby is growing and the baby’s heart rate will be checked. When you get closer to the due date, the doctor may do a vaginal exam. Also, office visits many become more frequent so your doctor is better able to monitor your progress to delivery.

Throughout the pregnancy, there are special tests that your doctor may feel would be beneficial in evaluating your health or the health of your baby.

A glucose tolerance test is used to check for diabetes – usually given in the 24th week of pregnancy.
An ultrasound, which is a sonogram taken to determine the baby’s size and position, helps the doctor determine the due date and also may reveal other kinds of problems the baby might be experiencing.
Amniocentesis, which may be recommended for women 35 and older, is used to identify specific types of genetic problems that could affect the baby’s life.
Alpha fetoprotein tests are blood tests used to determine if the baby has spinal cord problems.

There are some proactive measures you can take to keep you and your baby healthy:

Eating a healthy diet including two or more servings of fruit or juice; three or more servings of vegetables; six to 11 servings of grain or starchy vegetables; two servings of low-fat meat, fish, poultry, beans or nuts; and three or more servings of milk or calcium-rich products including cheese and yogurt.
Supplement your diet with iron, possibly taking vitamins with iron
Drink six-eight glasses of water or other liquids a day
Exercise regularly, as advised by your doctor
Use your seat belt whenever you are in a vehicle
Protect your teeth by brushing and flossing every day
Tell healthcare professionals you are pregnant before having any X-rays taken
Read labels on products to ensure exposure to them does not pose a risk to you or your baby
Make and keep regular appointments with your doctor
Talk openly with your doctor about any concerns you have or if you are experiencing any physical problems

These good habits are important during pregnancy, but it is also important to avoid behaviors that will have a detrimental effect on the baby:

Use artificial sweeteners, such as Nutrasweet or Saccharin, as little as possible because the affects of these products on the fetus are not known
Limit caffeine intake to 200 mg per day (two cups of coffee or four cans of soda with caffeine)
Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to low birth-weights, premature births and also poses other health risks to your child. If you are a smoker when you become pregnant, quitting at anytime during pregnancy lowers the risk of your baby having health problems. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor for recommendations as soon as possible. There are also classes such as Saint Francis Smoke Stoppers, designed to help you quit smoking.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects and other conditions that could affect your child’s health. Because it has not been determined what level of drinking is safe during pregnancy, the best advice is to not drink while pregnant. If you need help to stop drinking, discuss treatment options with your doctor.
Using street drugs such as crack, cocaine, marijuana and PCP will put your child at risk for severe mental and physical problems. It also increases the risk of your child being born prematurely. If you are currently taking illicit drugs and you don’t feel you will be able to stop on your own, consult with your doctor or a mental health professional
Avoid using any medicine, even aspirin or prescription drugs, without first consulting your doctor. Your doctor will determine what medication is safe for you and your baby

Watching Baby Grow
Complications of Pregnancy
Labor & Delivery
Pain Relief Medications & Anesthetics
Cesarean Birth & VBAC