Advice on having a healthy pregnancy

Hello everyone.  I am sort of new on this sight. My DH and I just found out that we are BFP.  :)  As of today we are 4wks 3days.  I was wondering if anyone can give us tips on things to do, to ensure a healthy pregnancy.  Things to eat, some good books to read, the right exercise to do.  I am a very athletic person.  I teach swimming lessons 3 days a week and play on a volleyball league.  Are these activities okay.  Any advice is going to be welcomed.  

I have 7 nieces under the age so techinically I could ask my sisters and brothers, but we really do not want to tell any family/friends until we make it through the first trimester.

Thanks ahead of time.

... can't wait to be a mom

[greenpixie]

The best thing you can do is talk to your OB/midwife about your specific situation.  Generally speaking, women who have a well established exercise routine are encouraged to continue it unless you are high risk.  I'm sure there are some exceptions to this, so you really do want to let your DR know what you are already doing.  Also, make sure your drinking plenty of H2O and eating lots of veggies and complex carbs.  If you're not taking a prenatal vitamin then you may want to start.  Make sure to avoid soft cheeses, lunchmeats, & any food that's undercooked.  Congrats on your pregnancy!  I hope it's healthy and long!

[DollChina]

Congrats.  I am 7wk5D pregnant.  I am reading "What to expect when you are expenting" and "Pregnancy week by week".  As far as exercising go, my doc recommended it if you are having a healthy pregnancy.  You should consult with your OB when you go to your first prenatal appt.  I still go to Curves 4 times a week.  Swimming is great but I am not sure about Volleyball, you need to make sure your heart rate doesn't exceed 140/minute.  In the mean time, eat healthy, and rest a lot!  Have fun!

[keeping our fingers crossed]

babycenter.com has a lot of good information---week by week and its free!

[cutiemama]

Congrats on the BFP! Like dolly and steph already recommended, I would suggest buying 2 or 3 great PG books that will answer all your questions. What to Expect When You're Expecting is amazing and Babycenter has a great book too. In my opinion, swimming is great but I would ask your doctor about volleyball as it may be too much jumping and running. Good luck for a happy and healthy 9 months.

[AndiJ78]

I LOVE my Mayo clinic guide to pregnancy and the first year, it is a huge hard back book that covers everything! And there are a ton of great websites with info, my new fav is www.babyfit.com it has tons of advice on maintaining a healthy and active pregnancy. I also love www.pregnancy.org. It has a great pregnancy calendar.

Thank goodness for the internet, there is so much info out there with tons of tips and tricks for having a healthy pregnancy.

Andi

[DollChina]

Sorry to butt in but I want to ask you what doppler you got.  I will be 8 weeks this week and want to see if yours will work this early.

[AndiJ78]

I bought the Bistos Hi-Bebe. I got sporatic readings at 8 and 9 weeks, it would give the digital readout indicating it picked it up and give me the BPM, but peanut is pretty quick and liked to move quickly before I could hear a steady beat ; ) Now that I am 10 weeks, it is easier to track it down.

I got mine from healthchecksystems.com they have a variety of dopplers for sale on there. If you are "blessed" with a little pooch in your lower abdomen, you will want a 2 mhz transducer, if you are a skinny minny, you can get away with a 3 mhz. After 8 pg and 2 kids, nothing short of a tummy tuck will rid me of my pooch ; )

Check out www.fetaldopplerfacts.org for more information on dopplers.


Andi

[DollChina]

I am 5'4 and weight 119, not showing yet, will it be easy for me to pick up with your kind?
Thanks!

[AndiJ78]

Yeah, the difference is that the 2 mhz is a more direct "beam" and penetrates deeper, thus making it ideal for those with a little extra down there. But my OB's used the 2 mhz standard with all their patients, so you shouldn't have a problem. The hardest thing is picking up the heartbeat while the uterus is still deep in your pelvis, that is why the docs I have had will wait until 10+ weeks to use the doppler, it gives the uterus enough time to start coming up out of the pelvis. The down fall of the 2 mhz is that since it is a more concentrated beam, you have less margin for error and need to go pretty slow in the beginning so as not to pass right over it. Given your size, you should be able to get along fine with either one.

Andi

[ajaball]

My best friend loved the book Pregnancy for Dummies.  She said it was the least "flowery", whatever that means!  Magazine wise, I love FitPregnancy.  It has lots of exercise and nutrition tips plus other baby related articles.

[Southernmom]

This is off the subject, but I couldn't post a new question, so I'm doing it here.  Anyways, I mc on Feb 13th and then had 3 days of spotting on March 17th (thought this was af).  I'm not having any breast tenderness or nausea, but lately I've started gaining LOTS weight just in my stomach.  None of my pants fit and I'm going crazy!  The last preg test I took was around March 21st, cause I didn't know if I had really had af or not, and it was a bfn.  So, should I waste my $$ and go get another preg test or not.  Also, I used the opk this month and they seemed to work (one day was noticably darker), so does that plainly mean I'm not preg?  I'm just so frustrated with the weight issue, I'm starting to look preg!!!  Help!!!

[crickettnurse]

Just wanted to say CONGRATS!!!!! Make sure and take Folic Acid!!
YAY!!!
crickettnurse

[AndiJ78]

I must have used the 10% who don't : ) I called around to my old OB's and asked after i bought mine to see. Thanks for the info.

Andi

[DollChina]

Haha, maybe you did.  I really didn't do much research on it, I just want to get one now to try.  The one you got, I might get after the first trimester since the price is reasonable.  I am a little uneasy today since my temp dropped a bit ( I did take it an hour early and I did get up to pee a couple hours before I took the temp).  I hope that was what causing the dropped temp.

[who_is_this]

There is absolutely no need or reason to check your temps any longer.  They will not follow any pattern at this point, nor will the normal fluctuations mean anything now.

You may be able to hear it w/doppler within the next couple weeks depending on your body size.

[DollChina]

I guess I am just so terrified by my last m/c.  My temp has been hanging around at 98.3 and I am not sure since the time change and I had to get up to go pee.  So you are saying BBT temp doesn't predict M/C?
I am 5"4 and 119 lb, do you think I could hear hb soon.

Thanks so much for your input!

[DollChina]

Ok, I rented this one for one month to see if I like it.

BabyBeat Legacy Display
(Model BB200)
Includes heartrate display, audio speaker and 3 MHz probe.
This is the original BabyBeat Display Doppler that the company started with.

3 MHz probe - We use 3 MHz probes, proven to pick up those small fetal heart tones earlier in pregnancy than a 2 MHz. Over 90% of OBs, hospitals, and midwives choose 3 MHz over 2 MHz (just ask your doctor what probe they use).
This unit features broad beam technology and a pre-angled probe allowing for ease in locating the heartbeat with optimal clarity. This fetal heart monitor also uses Static Suppression Doppler (SSD) technology to provide a crystal clear static-free signal and maximum clarity. This unit runs on a 9 volt battery which normally lasts for about 250 one-minute exams.

[greenpixie]

I feel good.  I'm feeling more and more relaxed these days.  I still have a few moments of anxiety, but overall I feel like things are going well.  I think I may stop temping soon too.  It's reassuring, but you're right, when it drops it just stresses you out!

[DollChina]

Taking BBT is addicitive, I have to give my BBT thermometer to DH so I won't be tempted to temp again until on Sat.  My appt is not until May 2 so I will worry for almost a month.  I hope I can hear a hb from the doppler I rented to ease my nerves.  Other that that, I am nauseous once in a while!

[who_is_this]

Not at 8 weeks, they don't.

If it were that simple, doctors wouldn't bother with HCG tests..they'd simply have you take your temp.  Everyone's temp flucuates a bit, pregnant or not.  

Continue if it makes you feel better, but its NOT going to predict a miscarriage now, at 8+ weeks.

[DollChina]

Yes, it did go back up to 98.3.  I am not going to temp anymore but once a week.  Too stressful.  I was in a bad mood yesterday becuase of the dropped temp.  I did get up and pee!  How are you feeling?  I rented a fetal doppler and can't wait to use it!

[greenpixie]

I know you posted about your temps yesterday, but I just wanted to throw something in.  My temp tends to hover around 98.3 too.  A couple of times it went down to 98.1, which made me a bit nervous, but it always goes back up the next a.m.  The important thing is that they don't go down and continue to decline.  And yes, your temps can tell you if you are m/cing.  Sounds like things are going really well for you, though!

[jifnif]

I would stop temping after you get the bfp, my dr told me that it wasnt necessary and will just cause you undue stress.