Top 11 questions to start your pregnancy right away

Pregnancy is an ideal time to start taking really good care of you both physically and emotionally. If you follow the few simple guidelines, you will be having best chance of a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy baby. Becoming a mom is an exciting time, but it can also be daunting especially if you are expecting your first child. When you find you are expecting it is an exciting time for you and your loved ones! While your due date may seem a long way off, there are things that you should do immediately that can get your pregnancy and your baby off to a healthy start. At this time your mind will be filled with many questions as to what you should do now onward for yours and baby’s health. Probably you will start looking for accurate information and resources so that you are well informed about pregnancy and make healthy choices right from the beginning. Before starting pregnancy and planning for parenthood, stop your birth control a couple of months before you plan to start trying. The earlier you know you're pregnant, the sooner you can see your doctor to start prenatal care and make sure your eating, drinking, and other habits are as healthy as possible. On getting pregnant following are the questions that are eminent and seek an answer to it. 1. When can be the home pregnancy test to detect pregnancy is taken? A pregnancy test, whether done at home or in the doctor's office, measures the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine. This hormone becomes elevated during pregnancy and can be detected as early as the first day after a missed period if you do the test correctly. However, it is likely to be more accurate if you wait a few days or weeks after a missed period. 2. When should I make an appointment with the doctor? As soon as you find out you're pregnant, get in touch with your GP or a midwife or gynecologist to organise your antenatal care. Organising your care early means you'll get good advice for a healthy pregnancy right from the start. You'll also have plenty of time to organise any ultrasound scans and tests that you may need. If you have any medical concerns, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid disease it is best that you take the appointment as soon as possible. 3. What should I do once I find out I'm pregnant? The most important thing you can do is begin taking prenatal vitamins. In fact, if you are planning to become pregnant it is smart to start taking prenatal vitamins in advance. Prenatal vitamins contain important nutrients (i.e. folic acid and vitamin D) that can help with the early development of your baby. You should also start avoiding alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, stop smoking or other things that may be harmful to your baby. 4. When will my baby bump start to show? There isn't a set time when moms-to-be start sporting an obviously pregnant belly. Every woman is different. Some women keep their pre-pregnancy belly far into the second trimester, while others start showing in the first trimester. Some women notice bloating (not the same as "showing," but a swelling that can make their pants fit tighter) as soon as a week after they get a positive pregnancy test. Generally speaking, first-time moms begin developing a baby bump between 12 and 16 weeks. Veteran moms start showing sooner, since their uterine and abdominal muscles have already been stretched from an earlier pregnancy. Don't worry if your body reacts differently than others. As long as you are eating right and staying active you should be in good shape. 5. When will I start feeling the baby move? Feeling first little flutters of baby kicking is the most exciting moment in the pregnancy. You should feel your baby's first movements, called "quickening," between weeks 16 and 25 of your pregnancy. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel your baby move until closer to 25 weeks. By the second pregnancy, some women start to feel movements as early as 13 weeks. You're more likely to feel baby move when you're in a quiet position, either sitting or lying down. 6. How much weight will I gain during the pregnancy? Weight gain during pregnancy helps your baby grow. Gaining weight at a steady rate within recommended boundaries can also lower your chances of having hemorrhoids, varicose veins, stretch marks, backache, fatigue, indigestion, and shortness of breath during pregnancy. Talk with the health care provider regarding how much weight you should gain. A woman who was average weight before getting pregnant should gain 25 to 35 pounds after becoming pregnant. Underweight women should gain 28 to 40 pounds. And overweight women may need to gain only 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy. In general, you should gain about 2 to 4 pounds during the first three months you're pregnant and 1 pound a week during the rest of your pregnancy. 7. Which types of food pregnant women should eat and what should be avoided? You should start making nutritious food choices now so your body will be stocked up with the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. Try to get at least 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables every day, as well as plenty of whole grains and foods that are high in calcium – like milk, calcium-fortified orange juice, and yogurt. Eat a variety of protein sources, such as beans, nuts, seeds, soy products, poultry, and meats. Typically, foods that should be avoided include raw or under cooked fish, fish that could contain high amounts of mercury (i.e. shark, king mackerel, or tile fish). Also, limit consumption of canned tuna to one serving per week. Stay away from raw, under cooked, or refrigerated meat such as deli meat, unless first heated. You should also avoid under cooked eggs or dishes that may contain raw eggs such as cookie dough, and never eat unpasteurized soft cheeses. Drinks that should be avoided include alcohol, unpasteurized milk, and more than 12 oz of coffee per day. Always remember to drink plenty of water throughout your pregnancy. 8. Can I exercise while I am pregnant? Yes, in fact staying active during your pregnancy is important. It is recommended that pregnant women exercise 30 minutes a day. Safe exercises include walking or jogging, aerobics, yoga, swimming, or dancing. Swimming is probably one of the best all around exercises for pregnant women. Women who are active tend to limit some of the unnecessary weight gain and have an easier time getting back to their pre-pregnancy form. Exercise also improves mood and sleep, strengthens important muscles for labor and helps limit some of the normal aches and pains. 9. What is morning sickness? How can it be minimised? Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, also known as morning sickness, is very common in early pregnancy. Whether it's in the morning or all day long, pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be debilitating. It's unpleasant but it doesn’t put your baby at any increased risk, and usually clears up between weeks 12 and 14 of pregnancy. For women who experience nausea in pregnancy, almost nothing can be worse. Some simple remedies include avoiding an empty stomach. Eat small meals throughout the day, from early in the morning until before bed. Focus on eating foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates. Avoid foods and smells that make you queasy. Minimize your amount of stress as this can exacerbate the nausea. Drink plenty of fluids as vomiting can lead to dehydration. Continue to take your prenatal vitamin to compensate for any lost nutrients. If nothing seems to help, consult with your doctor about trying a prescription medication. 10. What is the importance of rest during pregnancy? The fatigue you feel in the first few months is due to high levels of pregnancy hormones circulating in your body. Later on, it's your body's way of telling you to slow down. If you can't sleep at night, try to take a quick nap in the middle of the day to catch up. If that's impossible, at least put your feet up and try to relax for 30 minutes. Usually mother sleeps more in the first trimester of pregnancy. It's normal to feel tired as your body works to protect and nurture the developing baby. The placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus until birth) is just forming, your body is making more blood, and your heart is pumping faster. 11. What are the preparations to be done before baby’s birth with the doctor? The key to making a birth plan is to communicate. Communicate with your OB-GYN about the due date, labor pain, stay in the hospital, cost to be paid and anything that you feel to be discussed. Ask about the pain during labor and if you want epidural during labor pain inform well in advance to the physician. Have proper communication with the doctor from the beginning. Remember that bringing this child into your family should be one of the most special experiences of your life and your healthcare provider will want to work with you to make it beautiful and memorable. Select a maternity home that is fully equipped with latest technology and has the capacity to meet any type of emergencies. If you are pregnant or thinking about starting your family, Rupal hospital for Women will be the best choice. Rupal Hospitals Gynaecology & Obstetrics Section has renowned female Doctors and each one of them is outstanding in their own field of expertise. We at Rupal Hospital are dedicated to providing the highest quality in women's health. The team of doctors is capable of handling every aspect of a woman's life and it has been a long one. It is the result of years of experience, knowledge, understanding and constant updating and effort. The maternity section is available round the clock. We have State of the art labor room along with facilities of electronic fetal heart monitoring during labor. Rupal Hospital has all means for instrumental deliveries and apparatus to deal with emergencies. We have fully equipped operation theater for all obstetrics and gynaecology operations. Rupal Hospital seeks to guide you through your pregnancy and birth, helping you to make choices that are safe and healthy for you and your baby. We understand that it’s important that you feel comfortable, confident and at ease during this journey of pregnancy, and that you have the support and information you need each step of the way.