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Pregnancy


Classes & Events

Many of you have encountered our wonderful nursing staff at Austin Area OBGYN through phone triage, gynecological visits, infertility care, and prenatal/postnatal care. You may not know that they also provide a variety of classes and events to help you prepare for your new baby.

Click here for more information

  

Diet

  • Don’t skip meals. Eat sensibly—you are not eating for two!
  • Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Recommended daily servings include 6-11 servings of breads and grains, two to four servings of fruit, four or more servings of vegetables, four servings of dairy products, and three servings of protein sources (meat, poultry, fish, eggs or nuts). Use fats and sweets sparingly.
  • We recommend taking a prenatal vitamin to make sure you are consistently getting enough vitamins and minerals every day.
  • Hydration—drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
  • Limit soft drinks, cakes, cookies, etc.
  • Alcohol, cigarettes and recreational drugs are harmful to you and your baby and should be eliminated.
  • Limit fish consumption to 12 ounces per week.
  • Avoid un-pasteurized cheese products.
  • Do not eat raw food of animal origin such as meat, fish, poultry or eggs.
  • An average weight gain between 25-35 pounds is desired.

 

Coping With Nausea

  • Splitting Calories—instead of eating the traditional 3 meals a day try having 5-6 small meals and light snacks. Avoid foods with strong flavors and acidic foods.
  • Keep crackers or toast at the bedside and eat just before rising and throughout the day.
  • Emetrol—It is a non-prescription medication for nausea that is safe in pregnancy when taken as directed.
  • Ginger products—tea, ale, and ginger cookies.
  • Sea Sickness wrist bands
  • Vitamin B6—take 50 mg up to twice a day.
  • Get plenty of rest—8 hours of sleep and several short naps (20-30 min) during the day.
  • Try a different prenatal vitamin. Additionally, taking vitamins at night will most often relieve this side effect.
  • If these things do not help, please call your physician.

 

Activity

  • You may continue any exercise you are currently doing. Do not start new exercise programs while you are pregnant.
  • Walking and swimming are two of the most beneficial exercises.
  • You may have intercourse as long as you feel comfortable, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
  • Prenatal massage is safe in pregnancy.