Myra J. Wick - Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

Medical Editor

Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D.

Editorial Director

Paula M. Marlow Limbeck

Managing Editor

Anna L. Cavallo

Senior Product Manager

Christopher C. Frye

Illustration, Photography and Production

Jacqueline (Jackie) M. Carr, Michael A. King, Kent McDaniel, Matthew C. Meyer, Kevin J. Ness, Gunnar T. Soroos, Malgorzata (Gosha) B. Weivoda

Editorial Research Librarians

Abbie Y. Brown, Erika A. Riggin, Katherine (Katie) J. Warner

Proofreaders

Miranda M. Attlesey, Alison K. Baker, Julie M. Maas

Indexer

Steve Rath

Contributing Reviewers

Summer V. Allen, M.D.; Yvonne S. Butler Tobah, M.D.; Paula D. Chantigian, M.D.; Margaret L. Dow, M.D.; Laura L. Elliott, M.D.; Margaret C. Gill, M.D.; Thomas G. Howell Jr., M.D.; Melissa A. Kurke, R.N., I.B.C.L.C.; Julie A. Lamppa, APRN, CNM; Margaret E. Long, M.D.; Matthew R. Meunier, M.D.; Deborah Miller, APRN, C.N.P.; Rose J. Prissel, M.S., RDN; Rubin Raju, M.D., M.B.B.S.; Enid (Yvy) Y. Rivera-Chiauzzi, M.D.; Laura M. Rust, M.S., LCGC; Shana S. Salik, M.P.H., APRN; Susan M. Skinner, APRN, CNM; Hans P. Sviggum, M.D.; Daniel J. Swartz, M.D.; Cara N. Syth, M.D.; Mari Charisse (Charisse) Trinidad, M.D.

Published by Mayo Clinic

2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)

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The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. This book is intended only as an informative guide for those wishing to know more about health issues. It is not intended to replace, countermand or conflict with the advice given to you by your own physician. The ultimate decision concerning care should be made between you and your doctor. Information in this book is offered with no guarantees. The authors and publisher disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book. The names and identifying details of people associated with events described in the book have been changed. Any similarity to the actual person is coincidental.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2018943136

ISBN 978-1-893005-60-0

Second Edition

There are few events in anyones life that rival the significance and the joy of childbirth. This new person youre bringing into the world will become so important to you that youll do anything to nurture and protect him or her. Your interest in this book reflects your eagerness to form this unbreakable bond right from the start to do all you can to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and a wonderful beginning to your childs life.

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is an authoritative reference manual that you can trust. And in this second edition, youll find new and updated information to answer your questions about everything from the basics to newer trends, recommendations and technologies in prenatal care and childbirth.

This book is the work of a team of pregnancy experts who find nothing in medicine more exciting to experience than the development and birth of a child. Its our sincere wish that you find this book helpful and meaningful as you anticipate your new baby.

Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., is a specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Clinical Genomics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She is also an associate professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. As a mother of four children, Dr. Wick can relate to pregnancy from both a doctors and a mothers perspective.

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is a comprehensive how-to manual that provides answers and explanations to all of the questions and concerns of expectant parents. To help you easily find what youre looking for, the book is divided into six sections.

Part 1: Enjoying a healthy pregnancy

How to get pregnant, eating and exercise during your pregnancy, what you should know about medications this section covers it all. Here youll also find answers to many of the questions youve been wondering about.

Part 2: Pregnancy month by month

This section provides weekly and monthly insights into your babys development and your own physical and emotional changes. It also includes detailed information on labor and childbirth.

Part 3: Baby is finally here

For first-time parents, caring for a newborn can be nerve-racking. The information and advice in can help you get through those first couple of weeks.

Part 4: Important decisions of pregnancy

During pregnancy, you may be confronted with a number of decisions, big and small. is designed to help you determine the best option for you in your particular situation.

Part 5: Symptoms guide

Here youll find helpful self-care tips for backache, fatigue, heartburn, leg cramps, swelling and many more common concerns of pregnancy. The symptoms are listed alphabetically to help you easily find them.

Part 6: Complications of pregnancy and childbirth

Most pregnancies proceed smoothly, but sometimes problems can develop in mother or baby. The most common complications, and how theyre treated, are discussed here.

So you think you want to be a parent at least sometime in the near future. How exciting! Having a child is a wonderful experience that will enrich your life forever. But the decision to have a child shouldnt be taken lightly. Parenthood is a lot of work, and the best way to approach it is by preparing yourself so that youre as ready as possible for this big change.

Thinking ahead can give you and your baby the best possible beginning. If youre reading this book and are still in the planning stages before becoming pregnant, youre giving yourself a head start on the exhilarating, sometimes bewildering path toward parenthood. Taking steps to be healthy and informed now can help set you up to enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

This introductory chapter includes some key concepts and actions to take that can help make your transition to pregnancy as smooth as possible. If you already know youre pregnant, congratulations! You may want to page through this chapter and begin with .

When your friends with children tell you to say goodbye to lazy weekends and impromptu nights out, and hello to nighttime feedings and loads of baby laundry, theyre not kidding. Having a baby is life-changing. In most ways its wonderful, but life will never be the same. Although theres probably never a perfect time to have a baby, some phases of your life may be more conducive to pregnancy and new parenthood than others.

Questions to ask Here are some questions you might ask yourself in determining whether the time is right: