The worries of pregnancy: Taking care of baby & getting back your body
You haven't seen your feet for weeks. Your maternity clothes are getting tight. And, oh my... you're going to have a baby in a few months. Instead of sleeping through the night — while you still can — you lie awake worrying about all of the changes that are occurring.
Rather than losing sleep, take steps during your pregnancy to ease your worries.
Weighty issues
Exercise can help
Breastfeeding may also impact weight loss
Enough about weight, you're going to have a baby
Caring for baby
Weighty issues
"One of the number one concerns of our pregnant patients is whether or not they'll get back to their pre-pregnancy weight," states
Wendy Martinez, MD, Virtua obstetrician and gynecologist. "For women who are at a normal weight, we recommend gaining no more than 30 pounds throughout pregnancy."
Weight gain is critical to grow a human life, but it's important to remember to eat healthy and to gain weight at a slow and steady pace. "In general, pregnant women only need to add 200 to 300 calories to their daily diet to gain the recommended amount of weight," advises Dr. Martinez.
Exercise can help
"Regular exercise during pregnancy can lead to a healthier appearance, improved posture, and a feeling of well being, but it also helps tone the muscles needed for labor and delivery," says Debbie Wilson, RN, CCE and Virtua's director of family and health services. "This muscle tone also helps women get back into shape after the baby is born."
"I've exercised for years," says Lora Lang of Cherry Hill. "So when I found out I was pregnant, I joined Virtua's
Fitness Matters for Moms class so I could find out how to continue exercising safely. This class helped ease my backaches and other discomforts, and it also connected me to other women who were going through the same thing."
The safest forms of exercise during pregnancy include walking, swimming, prenatal yoga and low-impact aerobics. But before starting an exercise program, be sure to consult a doctor. Women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, symptoms of preterm labor, vaginal bleeding or other conditions may be advised against it.
Breastfeeding may also impact weight loss
"During pregnancy, the body stores fat that will later be used for milk production," says Dr. Martinez. "Women who choose to breastfeed may find that they can lose some of the weight gained during pregnancy with only minor diet and exercise changes. On average, breastfeeding women can lose up to 20 pounds by their six-week check-up." To help women learn practical breastfeeding information and gain support from peers, Virtua offers
breastfeeding classes and support groups.
Enough about weight, you're going to have a baby
For pregnant women, feeling their little one kick is a great reminder that they will soon be caring for a newborn. And there's plenty to do during pregnancy to prepare for the arrival. "By the beginning of the last trimester, it's important to look for a pediatrician or family physician to care for the infant," advises
Thomas O'Donnell, MD, Virtua Memorial Hospital's chief of pediatrics.
It's helpful to compile a list of candidates from trusted people such as family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Once the choices are narrowed down, set up a telephone or in-office interview to get a feel for the doctor's personality, office staff, location, and environment. "Choosing the right physician helps new parents feel confident that their baby will be well cared for throughout childhood and beyond," states Dr. O'Donnell. Virtua has more than 100 pediatricians on staff and the Virtua duPont Children's Health Program located right in South Jersey for children with more serious health problems.
Well baby care
Once the baby is born, new parents may feel as if they're spending the next two years in the doctor's office for well-baby visits. These visits are important because they allow the doctor to measure the baby's growth and development, and equally important, to administer the child's immunizations. "Immunization is one of the best ways of protecting a child against contagious disease," says Dr. O'Donnell. "Some parents are afraid to immunize their children, but the benefits far outweigh the risks. It's much easier and safer to treat a mild reaction to a vaccine then to treat the disease it was meant to prevent."
Childhood immunization schedules change from year to year as new vaccines are introduced, so it's best to discuss the most recent recommendations with the baby's physician.
Though no amount of advice can ease all the worries of a mother, Virtua offers free health information to help pregnant women prepare for baby's arrival. If you're on the web, sign up for
Parenting Today. You'll receive regular emails chock-full of useful information for every stage of your pregnancy. Or, call
1-888-Virtua-3 for the following:
- Preparing for Baby: a schedule of classes and seminars to help you prepare for birth, breastfeeding, and parenting
- Choosing a physician for your newborn
- What to expect when you bring your baby home