Pregnancy Facts All Expecting Mothers Should Know

When you become pregnant you get advice from many people. Your relatives, your friends, and sometimes perfect strangers will come up to you to tell you how to do things and what to do. Here are some anchors that can help you discern what is good advice and what would be better left to go by the wayside. Here is what I have learned after four pregnancies, one of them being high risk.

1. You know your body better than anyone else. You know what you feel and your full medical history. Make sure the OB/GYN you are seeing knows too. Hiding information like Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other things could be detrimental to the baby in the uterus or at birth. Don't be afraid to call the doctor any time if you have doubts. This is what doctors are paid for and some things like rapid deceleration of the heart beat, fetal movements per hour after quickening and Preeclampsia can happen very rapidly.

2. Use common sense. People will tell you old wives tales about pregnancy and what makes it a boy or girl. They will tell you what to eat and what music to listen to make your baby smart etcetera etcetera. If you think something someone has suggested is too good to be true look it up. You have the internet at your fingertips as a great resource. One book I recommend is the mother of all Pregnancy books and that is What to Expect When your Expecting by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, and Sandee Hathaway. It answers every conceivable question and then some. They also have a website based on the book where you can track your pregnancy.

3. There are government programs you can utilize if you have a low income. Illinois has a program called WIC (Women, infant, children). It provides supplemental foods that give core nutritional value like milk, cheese, carrots and peanut butter. Check with your local department of human resources in your area. If you qualify for food stamps you will qualify for this program. In other states see what they have available to you as well.

4. If you are in bigger cities some of the shops and malls have parking spaces for pregnant women. Use these especially in the third trimester and movement gets tougher or you have problems with back pain or swelling.

5. Some people will try and pamper you when you are pregnant. You may feel this is a bit patronizing but they mean well. Be gracious and enjoy it while it lasts. They get a good feeling out of helping you and as long as they are not being too obnoxious allow your self to be pampered.

6. Sometimes you don't get enough help when your pregnant. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Not just movement help but supply help and any other support you need. Churches tend to have baby showers for women who are giving birth. This is not only a physical support but a mental and spiritual one as well.

7. Your mental health is important. Don't neglect a nagging depression or feelings you don't normally have that can lead to decreased mental function. If you find yourself not being yourself don't be afraid to mention it to your doctor. The hormone ride you are going on is a rough one and can have regular mood swings. If you have thoughts that scare you or find your self feeling a way you don't want to you need to tell your doctor immediately. They can in turn get you the proper help attention or treatment you need to overcome.

I hope some of these Pregnancy facts will help you have a better pregnancy overall and worry less. Remember you are the final say and you know yourself better than anyone else. http://www.whattoexpect.com/what-to-expect/landing-page.aspx