How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy

January 30, 2012

For couples who are considering having a baby, Wesley Hodgson, M.D., OB/GYN, will present a lecture on preparing for a healthy pregnancy, addressing proper nutrition, fitness, and medication safety. He will also discuss methods for improving fertility.

Dr. Hodgson will elaborate on these and other suggestions for assuring a healthy pregnancy:

• Achieve a healthy weight.
• Eat balanced meals that include foods high in folate, such as orange juice, spinach and strawberries. Pregnant women also need extra iron. Red meat, oatmeal and beans are good sources. 
• Drink at least 10 cups of fluid daily, but avoid alcohol and limit caffeine.
• Restrict consumption of large deep sea fish like tuna to the equivalent of one can per week, and  always avoid uncooked fish during pregnancy.
• Stay away from soft cheeses, such as feta and Brie, and unpasteurized milk and juice, and avoid uncooked deli meats. 

• With a doctor’s OK, physically active women may be able to maintain the same exercise intensity throughout pregnancy and after the birth. Choose moderate activities with a low risk for injury like walking, swimming, water aerobics, yoga and stationary biking; avoid activities that strain the back. 
• Talk with your doctor about any over-the-counter, herbal, or prescription medications and any nutritional supplements you are taking. Women with chronic health problems like asthma or high blood pressure may need to change medications. Never start or stop a medication without checking with your doctor first.
• Take a daily multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid.
• Do not take ibuprofen and naproxen without talking to your doctor; Tylenol is a safer substitute.

The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 23 in Fauquier Hospital’s Sycamore Room

Please call 540-316-3588 or go to www.fauquierhealth.org to register.