Helping You Have A Great Pregnancy

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Virginia Beach

3720 Holland Road, Suite #101
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
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    Back to Prenatal Education

    Helping You Have A Great Pregnancy

    The goal of this practice is to offer you not only the very best obstetrical care, but also to help you and your family have a positive pregnancy experience. The following information is designed to assist you during your pregnancy, and, hopefully, to answer some of your questions.

    DIET: Eat healthy! Everything you eat and drink affects the growing baby. During pregnancy you will need 300-500 extra calories a day so the baby will grow and develop normally. This means healthy foods, not sweets or fast foods. You need to drink 2 quarts of water daily, as well as 1 quart of milk, to meet the recommended dosage of calcium you need during pregnancy (1500mg). Normal weight gain is 25-40 pounds during the entire pregnancy, so usually your gain should be ½ lb a week until you are 20 weeks, and then about 1lb per week until you are at term.

    EXERCISE: you will feel better and look better throughout your pregnancy if you get regular exercise. No high impact aerobics for you at this time, but walking and swimming are excellent activities for mom. Don’t overdo it, and start gradually, until you can go 3 to 4 times per week for at least 30 minutes.

    NAUSEA: In early pregnancy, nausea is quite common for many people. Avoid foods and odors that cause nausea and/or vomiting and remember, if you are having trouble keeping liquids down, stay away from solid foods. Weak, sweetened tea, flat coke, ginger-ale, sprite or 7-up will often settle your stomach, and once you can keep liquids down, then you may start bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

    CHANGES: You will most likely notice some body changes early in your pregnancy, like tender breasts. They will change in size, become tender, and the area around the nipple may darken. At some point in the 40 weeks, your nipples may leak and this is no cause for alarm, as these changes are a normal part of pregnancy.

    It is also normal to have an increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy. If the discharge becomes itchy or develops a foul odor, then you need to make an appointment to be seen by Dr. Hardy or the Nurse Practitioner. Please DO NOT use any over-the-counter products.

    You will be more emotional now and may cry more easily, due to the hormonal changes taking place. Some pregnant women become more absent minded at this time and seem a little distracted, but this is all considered normal and is no cause for alarm.

    ACTIVITY: Working during pregnancy is fine, but be careful not to become over-tired, as you really do need more rest. A 40 hour work week is adequate. No lifting over 25lbs and no climbing on ladders. Sex is okay, as long as there is no vaginal bleeding, no contractions, and the bag of water is intact. Any doubts, check with Dr. Hardy or the Nurse Practitioner.

    Call Us Today

    Atlantic Gynecology offers online appointment scheduling so you can book your appointment at your convenience. You can also call the office to schedule.

    (757) 463-1234
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