When you are pregnant, it seems the world revolves around you and the baby. That’s as it should be; you are fostering a life. It’s a big job, so here is some ways to help keep you and baby well.

During Pregnancy

Get your prenatal care early. If you know you're pregnant, or think you might be, call your doctor to schedule a visit. Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies who do not get the proper prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those given care.
Make prenatal care regular. Your doctor will schedule you for many appointments over the course of your pregnancy. Don't miss any -- they are all important. Doctors can spot health problems early when they see mothers regularly. This allows doctors to treat them early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others. Regular health care is best for you and your baby.

• Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly (30 minutes per day most days of the week is best), and get enough rest and sleep. Talk to your doctor about what kinds of food and exercise are best for you.
• Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and x-rays.
• If you have a cat, ask your doctor about toxoplasmosis. This infection is caused by a parasite sometimes found in cat feces. When left untreated toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects. Your doctor may suggest avoiding cat litter and working in garden areas used by cats.
•  Don’t eat uncooked or undercooked meats or fish.
• Stay away from chemicals like insecticides, solvents (like some cleaners or paint thinners), lead, and mercury. Not all products have pregnancy warnings on their labels. If you're unsure if a product is safe, ask your doctor before using it.
• Avoid or control caffeine in your diet. Pregnant women should have no more than two servings of caffeine per day. Remember that teas, sodas, and chocolate may contain caffeine.

Before Pregnancy

If you can you should start taking care of yourself before getting pregnant. By staying active, eating right, and taking a multivitamin, you can help keep yourself and your baby healthy even before it is conceived. This will help you have a healthy pregnancy and lower your chances of having a baby born with a birth defect.

• Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid (one of the B vitamins) every day. The best way to do this is to take a daily multivitamin with this amount of folic acid which, taken during pregnancy, can help prevent certain birth defects. Many breakfast cereals and other grain products are enriched with folic acid. But only some products contain 400 mcg of folic acid per serving. Always check the labels to be sure you're getting your daily dose.
• Also before pregnancy, see your regular doctor for a complete check up. Make sure that you've had all your shots, especially for rubella (German measles). Rubella can cause serious birth defects. Chickenpox can also be dangerous during pregnancy. If you've had chickenpox and rubella in the past, you should be immune to them. If not, talk to your doctor about the vaccines.
• Stop smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs. Ask your doctor for help. Members of your faith community, counselors, or friends can also give support.

Steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy are simple and easy to follow. It’s all a matter of starting to think for two.

Information provided by the National Women's Health Information Center