Having a baby changes everything. Whether you’ve been trying to conceive for some time, or your pregnancy is unexpected, congratulations are in order! At the same time, you may be asking: “What do I do now?”
Here are some key things to do once your pregnancy is confirmed:
- If you smoke, stop.
- Don’t drink alcohol (as little as one drink per day can increase the odds of low birth weight, and raise the risk of your child having problems with learning, speech, attention span, language and hyperactivity).
- Limit your caffeine intake.
But, what else?
If you’re pregnant, take a prenatal vitamin
Prenatal vitamins help ensure that you get enough folic acid during your first trimester. Folic acid has been proved to reduce your baby’s risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.
Be sure to investigate health insurance
Does your health insurance plan cover prenatal care and delivery costs? What about care for your new baby? Call your health insurance company or talk to your employer’s benefits department. You can also search online for your local department of health and human services office to find answers.
Schedule that prenatal appointment!
Although many healthcare providers won’t see you until you’re at least 8 weeks pregnant, be sure to get on their calendar well before that time. Appointments can fill up fast. To prepare, write down the first day of your last period so your doctor can determine your due date. Talk to relatives (on both sides) about your families’ medical histories. Your provider will want to know about any chronic conditions or genetic abnormalities that run in either of your families.
Pamper your pregnancy with a trusted doctor or midwife
Don’t have a healthcare provider? Talk to friends and relatives, or ask one of your other providers for a recommendation. You can also check out the preferred providers under your health insurance plan or search online. Or if you’re in the neighborhood, there are three highly qualified, caring OB/GYNs offering board-certified obstetric care in Gillette Wyoming.
Excellence in obstetrics and total women’s healthcare is close by
Women’s healthcare is a medical art like no other. It can encompass the joy, anxiousness and excitement of pregnancy, the complexities of gynecological health and the challenges of menopause. For every stage of your life, the experienced, dedicated doctors at Summit OB/GYN are here for you. From advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques to complete well-woman checkups, our entire staff is focused on providing the personalized, attentive care you deserve.