Healthy Pregnancy Tips
Winter 2002
Pregnancy is an important time for both the
expecting mother and her developing baby. To
decrease the risk of pregnancy-related problems,
it is important to receive good prenatal care.
Research has shown that pregnant women who receive
adequate prenatal care are more likely to give
birth to healthy babies and experience fewer
complications during labor and recovery.
If you
are a patient who refuses blood or blood products,
you should speak with your doctor about additional
precautionary measures that may be necessary.
To ensure the best outcome for both you and your
baby, here are some tips to follow:
- Begin receiving prenatal care in the first
3 months of your pregnancy
- Tell your doctor that you will not accept
blood transfusions
- Know your risk factors, both maternal and
fetal
- Know your medical history and blood type
- Evaluate your lifestyle-is it healthy? Pregnant
women should:
- Exercise regularly
- Receive at least 8 hours of sleep a night
- Maintain a healthy, well balanced diet
- Stop smoking
- Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine
- Take prenatal vitamins
- Maintain adequate levels of folic acid,
calcium and iron, which are important to the
baby’s development
- Avoid exposure to cat litter
- Avoid undercooked or raw foods
- Check with your doctor before taking any
medication, even over the counter drugs
- Make sure your hemoglobin is kept at a normal
level
Most pregnancies will be uncomplicated if you
receive the necessary prenatal care. However,
as a bloodless patient, it is important to know
if your hospital will be able to handle an emergency
situation, if one should arise.
Discuss your
options with your doctor and find out his/her
feelings regarding your risk factors and the
outcome of your pregnancy. Meet with someone
from the Center for Bloodless Medicine & Surgery
at Pennsylvania Hospital to discuss counseling
and treatment options available, and to find
out more information.
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