Pregnancy & Childbirth

It is important to eat a well-balanced diet and take a prenatal vitamin during your pregnancy. Most foods are safe but there are some foods to avoid.

Foods to Avoid:

• Raw or under-cooked seafood (ex: Sushi, sashimi, raw oysters, scallops, clams, nova style, smoked, lox)
• Raw or under-cooked meat, poultry and eggs
• Unpasteurized Foods
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Avoid too much caffeine (ask your EIHC Women’s Health provider about recommendations about limiting caffeine)
• Alcohol

The recommended amount of weight gain will depend on your weight before you got pregnant. Your EIHC Women’s Health provider will talk to you about the amount of weight you should gain.

It is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet during your pregnancy. On average, a pregnant woman should consume approximately 300 health calories more a day than before she was pregnant.

While some medicines are considered safe during pregnancy, the effects of others on your unborn baby are unknown. Illegal drugs are never okay and you should check with your EIHC Women’s Health provider regarding current prescriptions or with any questions.

As a general rule you should try to avoid or minimize medicine use during your pregnancy. However, certain drugs are considered safe and indicate on the label if they are okay for pregnant women.

*Please note that NO drug can be considered 100% safe for use during pregnancy.

Read more.

It is okay to travel by car or plane until 36 weeks of pregnancy, as long as you are not having any problems. International flights may have more restrictions. Get up/out and walk every 2 hours to promote circulation. Drink plenty of fluids and use the bathroom often. Avoid air travel if you are having problems with your pregnancy or general health.

Try to sleep on your side to allow for maximum blood flow to the baby. You may also find it helpful to put a pillow between your knees and behind your back. As you get further along,  you may need more pillows and to change positions often to be comfortable.

Some exercise is fine, unless your provider has told you not to. Limit exercise to 30 minutes a day and never exercise until you are overheated or exhausted.

Examples include walking, jogging, yoga, swimming, classes, etc. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise. Your pulse should never go above 140 beats per minute when working out.

Avoid:
• Being flat on your back or standing in one place for too long
• Abdominal exercises or ones that make you lose your balance
• Sports or exercise where there is risk of falling/physical contact (i.e. kick boxing, snow skiing, horseback riding, etc.)
• Weight training