Pregnancy

What are the early signs of pregnancy?

A missed period is a standard sign of pregnancy. However, as your hormones and body change to accommodate your baby, you might also have symptoms, including:

• Breasts are more sensitive or swollen
• Nausea or morning sickness
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Cramping
• Food cravings or aversions
• Mood changes
• Headaches
• Lightheadedness or dizziness

If you think you might be pregnant, you can take an at-home pregnancy test or schedule an appointment with the team at Lucina Women's Health and Midwifery. 

When should I talk to a doctor about pregnancy?

You should speak to the team at Lucina Women's Health and Midwifery if you think you’re pregnant. However, you can also talk to your doctor if you are planning on getting pregnant and want to optimize your health and chances of conception. Pregnancy services the team provides include:

Pre-pregnancy planning

Pre-pregnancy planning can help you have a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor helps you stop using birth control to restore your fertility. They also offer lifestyle advice to optimize your health for the best chances of conception and healthy pregnancy. If you have any medical issues that could interfere with your ability to get pregnant or increase your chances of having a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor can identify and treat them.

Prenatal care

You should see your OB/GYN regularly while you’re pregnant for prenatal care. Prenatal care includes monitoring the development and health of your baby, as well as your health.

In general, you should have prenatal appointments:

• Once a month for the first 28 weeks
• Every other week for weeks 28-36
• Weekly visits for the final weeks of pregnancy

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you might need more frequent prenatal appointments. A high-risk pregnancy isn’t necessarily something to worry about. 

A pregnancy is high-risk when the mother is aged 35 or older or has a health condition like high blood pressure or diabetes, which could cause complications. In most cases, high-risk pregnancies are perfectly healthy — you just have more frequent prenatal appointments, so your OB/GYN can monitor your health more closely.

How can I stay healthy while I’m pregnant?

The best way to stay healthy during pregnancy is to attend your prenatal appointments and follow your doctor’s advice. You should eat a nutritious diet and get regular exercise. Your doctor can provide customized information on safe exercise and your nutritional needs. 

Call Lucina Women's Health and Midwifery, or make an appointment online, for expert pregnancy care.