Pregnancy
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
You're going to have a baby! It's an exciting time, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. You may have a lot of questions, including what you can do to give your baby a healthy start. Taking care of your health while you're pregnant will help your fetus develop into a healthy baby. To do that, it's important to:
- Have regular visits with your health care provider. During prenatal care visits your provider checks your health and carefully monitors your pregnancy until you deliver a healthy baby. And if there are any health problems, your provider can find them early. Getting treatment right away can cure many problems and prevent others.
- Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Good nutrition during pregnancy includes eating a variety of:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean meats or other protein sources
- Low-fat dairy products
- Take prenatal vitamins. During pregnancy, you need higher amounts of certain vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and iron.
- Be careful with medicines. Always check with your provider before you start or stop any medicine. This includes over-the-counter medicines and dietary or herbal supplements.
- Stay active. Physical activity can help you stay strong, feel and sleep better, and prepare your body for birth. Check with your provider about which types of activities are right for you.
- Avoid substances that could hurt your baby, including alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.
Your body will keep changing as your fetus develops until your baby is ready to be born. It can be hard to know whether a new symptom is normal or could be a sign of a problem. Check with your provider if something is bothering or worrying you.
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- At-Home Medical Tests · National Library of Medicine
- Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy · American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Pregnancy Test · National Library of Medicine
- Prenatal Testing: MedlinePlus Health Topic · National Library of Medicine
- Symptoms of Pregnancy: What Happens First · Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- What Are Some Common Signs of Pregnancy? · Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Questions for your care team
General prompts to help prepare for your appointment.
- How does this information apply to my situation?
- Which symptoms or results need evaluation?
- Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
- What care options, benefits, and risks should we discuss?
- When should I seek urgent help, and whom should I call?
- When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number.
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