Pregnancy-Related Problems

It is important to make healthy lifestyle choices to lower your chance for serious problems during pregnancy. Learn about healthy lifestyle choices before, during, and after your pregnancy.

• Reference Have a healthy pregnancy. Eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest, avoid hot weather temperatures, and do not do activities that could lead to a fall or belly injury.
• Reference Pay attention to your nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy. Be sure to get the right amounts of Reference folic acid Opens New Window, iron, and Reference calcium Opens New Window. Try for slow, gradual weight gain.
• Reference Limit your use of caffeine.
• Reference Eat a nutritious diet. Get enough Reference protein Opens New Window, Reference vitamin B12 Opens New Window, Reference vitamin D Opens New Window, and zinc. These nutrients are vital to your baby's growth, development, and weight gain.
• Reference Exercise safely during pregnancy. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise on most, if not all, days of the week.
• Reference Do pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window to prevent urine control problems (incontinence) after childbirth.
• Discuss Reference immunizations with your doctor.

Things to avoid when you are pregnant

• Reference Alcohol and illegal drugs
• Reference Smoking or using tobacco
• Reference Misuse of medicines
• Reference Hot tubs and saunas
• Reference Uncooked food and other poisons. This includes raw meat, poultry, or seafood; unwashed fruits or vegetables; and cat feces or outdoor soil that cats commonly use.
• Unusual cravings, such as Reference pica Opens New Window, when a woman craves things that are not food.
• Reference Fish that may have mercury. This includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, more than 6 oz (0.2 kg) of white albacore tuna a week, or fish caught in local waters that have not tested as safe.
• Reference Hazardous chemicals, certain cosmetic products, or radiation

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.