Pregnancy

Forty weeks, three trimesters, 10 fingers and 10 toes. Whether your pregnancy seems to fly by or it feels like you’ve been pregnant forever, when you make the most of your pregnancy, you will create some positive memories and move forward into labor, delivery and parenthood with a greater sense of calm and confidence.

A healthy body starts with the right food and activity. Balancing your diet will ensure that your body is getting everything it needs for strong bones, immune system, organs, and mental health. Every woman’s body is unique. A diet that may work for one person may not be right for another.

If you feel ready to become pregnant, you may make an appointment to discuss preconception counseling. Your caregiver will help you maximize your health to prepare to nurture your baby. During this visit, you may talk about lifestyle and nutrition, start prenatal vitamins, have a blood test, and review medical history.

Make sure your food is prepared safely to avoid foodborne illness. This is especially important for pregnant women, who are at higher risk for Listeria and parasites due to a weakened immune system. Luckily, you can take measures to keep yourself and others safe.

While many cesarean sections or C-sections take place following challenges during labor, some surgeries are planned. For instance, if your baby is breech close to your due date, if you have a medical issue that could put you or the baby at risk, if you are expecting multiples, or if you’ve had a previous C-section and your doctor is concerned that labor might result in tearing of the scar, you may have a planned cesarean section. During the procedure, in which your doctor will make an incision in your belly and uterus, you will likely be awake and able to hold your newborn soon after delivery.

Single moms everywhere juggle work, school and personal lives. Whether you chose to be a single mom or single parenthood was the last thing you ever expected, the following tips can help you make the most of running a one-parent household.