Expert MDs deliver the inside scoop on pregnancy, including the must-knows and the "wish I'd knowns" from those who've been through the maternity maze.
“What I Wish I’d Known About Pregnancy”: A Doctor Details What Expectant Parents Should Know
Updated Oct. 04, 2024
What I wish I’d known before trying to get pregnant
Preparation
One of the first things that may cross your mind is wondering what it really takes to get ready for pregnancy. “The best way to achieve a healthy pregnancy outcome is to optimize your health before you get pregnant,” shares Dr. Nuthalapaty. He advises getting to a healthy weight, sticking to a regular exercise routine, eating well, and staying on top of all your health screenings.
Dr. Kauvar also adds that it’s important to begin taking a prenatal vitamin at least three months before trying to conceive. Prenatal vitamins are rich in folic acid, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients that help support the early developmental needs of a baby and prepare the mother’s body for pregnancy.
Research the care in your community
Dr. Nuthalapaty highlights an important step often missed when planning for pregnancy: Scope out the obstetric practices and hospitals nearby. Depending on your location, the range of options for prenatal care can vary significantly.
He advises, “Practices differ in who provides the care [doctors vs. midwives], what insurance plans they accept, and also which hospitals they use to perform their deliveries.”
Additionally, some states have introduced a “Maternal Level of Care” designation, which clarifies the types of conditions and patient needs that hospitals are equipped to handle. “If you are healthy and don’t have any complications, you can get great care at most hospitals. But if you have chronic medical conditions or complications, you may need to get care through a hospital that has a higher level of care designation,” he explains.
Trying to navigate this while pregnant can be overwhelming, so he recommends chatting with local moms in your community, checking out practice websites, or making a quick phone call to the office to get a feel for their approach.
Timeframe
“It can take up to 12 months of trying for an otherwise healthy couple under 35 years old to get pregnant,” says Dr. Kauvar. For those over 35, consider checking in with your doctor if you haven’t had success after six months of trying. But remember, there’s no need to stick strictly to these timelines if you have concerns. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor sooner. Most doctors welcome the chance to have a preconception chat to go over any questions you might have right from the start.
Chronic health conditions
If you have a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or epilepsy, it’s essential to inform your doctor when considering pregnancy. “They can work with you to review the best management approach during your pregnancy,” says Dr. Nuthalapaty. In some cases, you might be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for a specialized pre-conception appointment.
What I wish I knew about pregnancy
Dr. Kauvar shares some insights from her patients about the ups and downs of pregnancy. First off, no two pregnancies are alike. What you went through the first time might not be the same for the next. If you faced morning sickness in your first pregnancy, that doesn’t mean it’ll happen again in your next, or vice versa.
Another common misconception is the need to “eat for two.” Dr. Kauvar clarifies this, noting, “Once pregnant, the average pregnancy only requires 300 calories extra each day.”
Other common revelations include experiencing more gas than usual, having trouble sleeping early on, and facing anxiety and depression during or after pregnancy. It’s important to talk about any mental health concerns with your healthcare provider so they can offer the right resources and support.
What is not allowed in early pregnancy?
When you’re expecting, it’s important to know what’s off-limits, especially when it comes to medications, substances, foods, and activities. Both doctors share key insights for each:
Medications
“We’ve learned a lot over the years about what medications are safe during pregnancy and which ones to avoid,” shares Dr. Nuthalapaty. It’s best to steer clear of NSAIDs like Aleve, ibuprofen, and Motrin.
“In some cases, the benefits of taking a medication to prevent or treat a medical condition far outweighs the risks,” he notes, adding that some alternatives may be safer during pregnancy. “It’s best to consult with your doctor and review your list of medications before making any decision about whether they can be continued, changed to something else, or stopped completely,” he further advises.
Substances
Alcohol, recreational drugs including marijuana, and tobacco products should be completely avoided, says Dr. Kauvar. Dr. Nuthalapaty highlights the importance of avoiding marijuana: “Although marijuana has not been associated with birth defects, ongoing use by the mother during pregnancy has been shown to negatively impact the functional development of the baby’s brain and should be avoided.”
Foods
Expectant mothers should avoid high mercury fish, raw fish or meat, cold deli meats, unpasteurized dairy products, and limit caffeine intake to no more than one cup a day.
Activities
When it comes to staying active, some activities pose too high a risk and should be avoided, like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, contact sports, mountain biking, scuba diving, and using hot tubs or saunas. Dr. Nuthalapaty explains, “An active lifestyle is healthy for both mom and the developing baby,” but cautions that significant cardiovascular changes during pregnancy, such as increased blood volume and heart rate, mean it’s better to continue familiar exercises rather than start strenuous new workouts.
What are signs you should stop working while pregnant?
“It was a long-standing tradition for doctors to prescribe bedrest for a number of different conditions in pregnancy,” says Dr. Nuthalapaty. “But now we know that bedrest can lead to significant physical deconditioning of the mother and hasn’t been shown to produce an associated benefit in outcomes.”
There are, however, some circumstances where modified activity is necessary, both doctors agree. These situations include:
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Severe hyperemesis (severe form of nausea and vomiting)
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Severe mental health issues
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Cervical incompetence
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Advanced cervical dilation
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Preterm labor
Also, if your job involves a lot of physical labor or activities that are generally advised against during pregnancy, you might need to ask for some adjustments or even take some time off.
What are warning signs of a possible problem during pregnancy?
“Although there are many normal changes during pregnancy, there are a few that are concerning and should prompt you to speak to your doctor,” Dr. Nuthalapaty advises. Here are a few things to watch for:
Signs of early labor
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Contractions: The uterus is a big muscle that will start practicing contractions early on, known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. These are usually mild and irregular. However, if you start to feel the whole uterus tightening regularly, it might be a cue for preterm labor. It’s a good idea to rest, use the bathroom, and drink some water. If the contractions don’t stop, it’s time to call your doctor.
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Vaginal discharge: It’s normal to notice more discharge during pregnancy, but if you see a watery flow–either a steady trickle or a sudden splash–this could be amniotic fluid leaking, and that’s a signal to reach out to your healthcare provider.
Signs of preeclampsia
This pregnancy-specific condition is marked by several symptoms, but the most noticeable is elevated blood pressure. This high blood pressure might also come with headaches and swelling in the face and hands.
Vaginal bleeding
Any bleeding from the vagina is a sign to check in with your doctor, whether it’s light spotting or something more. A pelvic exam will help figure out the cause and if it’s something to be concerned about.
Remember, pregnancy is a completely normal part of life
It might seem surprising, but often, pregnancy is mistakenly treated as if it were a health issue. Dr. Nuthalapaty often hears this and offers some reassuring words: “Pregnancy is a normal process and hopefully will be an exciting and joyful season in your life. Give yourself room to enjoy every part of it.” It’s a great idea to involve your partner or a friend in this special time. Invite them to come along to your appointments. “Take fun belly pictures, journal about how you are feeling, and cherish every day until you are holding your little one in your arms,” he concludes.
About the Experts
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Originally Published: October 05, 2024
