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Sure, she’s the one
sporting that baby bump.
But as a father-to-be,
you play a key role in
supporting your partner
and helping ensure a
healthy pregnancy.
Here are some of the
ways experts say you
can be more involved:
Go to her prenatal care
visits.
At one of the
earlier appointments, you
may hear your little one’s
heartbeat. Later, you can
even see the baby—and
perhaps learn whether
you’re having a girl or a
boy.
Enroll in childbirth
classes at CMH.
It’s a great way
to learn what will
happen during labor
and delivery and
how you can help
your partner when
the time comes.
Don’t light up.
If
you smoke, you
may never have
a better reason to quit.
Secondhand smoke can
harm your baby even
before he or she is born.
In the meantime, be sure
not to smoke around
your partner.
Help her have a healthy
pregnancy.
There are a
lot of other ways you can
help your partner and the
baby stay healthy. For
example:
»
Eat a healthy diet
together. Also avoid
alcohol and illegal and
recreational drugs so
that it’s easier for her
to do the same.
»
Help her steer clear
of things that may
be especially harmful
to her now, such as
harsh chemicals. If
you have a cat, you
should empty the
litter box.
Help prepare for the
new arrival.
Put your
handyman skills on
display by installing an
appropriate infant safety
seat in your vehicle well
before your precious
cargo’s first ride home.
Sources: American College
of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists; March of
Dimes; U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services
6 STEPS FOR TWO
Your lifestyle—and everyday choices—can have a
major effect on your health and the health of your
growing baby. To take good care of both of you,
follow these six pregnancy must-do’s:
1
Make smart food choices.
That
means you should:
»
»
Eat a variety of healthy foods so your baby is
well-nourished. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, calcium-rich foods and foods low in
saturated fat.
»
»
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
»
»
Stay away from fish that is high in mercury, such
as swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel and shark.
Mercury has been tied to birth defects.
»
»
Also avoid raw fish, undercooked meat, deli
meat and unpasteurized cheeses, such as certain
types of feta, blue cheese and Mexican-style soft
cheeses. Check the label to make sure the cheese
is pasteurized.
2
Get enough folic acid.
Take a multivitamin or
prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic
acid every day. This B vitamin helps protect against
major birth defects in a baby’s brain and spine.
3
Aim for a slow, steady weight gain.
Generally,
you should gain about 2 to 4 pounds total for
the first trimester and 3 to 4 pounds per month for
the second and third trimesters. But ask your doctor
what’s best for you and your baby.
4
Stay fit.
Unless your doctor tells you
otherwise, get at least 2½ hours of moderate-
intensity aerobic activity every week. It’s best to
spread out your workouts. Avoid any exercise in
which you might get hit in the abdomen, such as
basketball or soccer.
5
Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use
recreational drugs.
You put your baby at risk
for things like fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
and sudden infant death syndrome. If you need
help quitting, ask your doctor for help. Stay away
from secondhand smoke too. It’s also harmful for
developing babies.
6
Always speak to your doctor before you
start or stop a medicine.
Many medications,
including over-the-counter ones, can cause problems
during pregnancy. But not taking a medicine you
need can also be risky for you and your baby. Your
doctor can advise what’s right for you on this topic
and all other pregnancy-related concerns.
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Office on Women’s Health
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