Congratulations! You’re pregnant!Women usually don’t realize they are pregnant until at least two weeks into the first trimester, when they miss their period. If this is your first pregnancy, you should know that new physical and emotional experiences occur that can be very pleasant, or these changes can make you think twice about the joys of pregnancy.

The good news.Pregnancy can and should be a happy time for expectant parents. It’s a time of excitement and anticipation as you inform family and friends of the baby-to-be. You may want to start a pregnancy journal or calendar to preserve some of these memories for you and your baby.

During those first three months, incredible changes take place in a woman’s body that help the baby to grow and develop normally or anticipate needs they will have later in pregnancy or delivery. Some moms feel nauseated occasionally (or frequently!) in early pregnancy. Hormones or blood sugar changes may be part of the cause. Small frequent snacks, eating food items containing ginger, and eating a few hours before bedtime are helpful ideas. Many mothers feel sleepy and tire easily during the first few weeks when the baby is growing rapidly. It is best to listen to your body during those times and rest more often. Getting exercise throughout the day may help you sleep better at night.

Some mothers report tender breasts in early pregnancy because they are already changing for the potential of breastfeeding. Wearing a sports bra day and night can provide firm support. If you have already decided to breastfeed, wearing a nursing bra is another option.

Life Transitions.Life transitions involve the human experience of moving from one phase of life to another. There is a sense of loss for the old ways, fear of the unknown, anxiety, and frustration with the new ways. There is often expectant joy and excitement. Attachment with your unborn baby begins as you move through the emotional phases of pregnancy.

Men’s reactions to becoming a father are numerous and diverse. How men react to fatherhood may depend on his childhood memories of his father, his culture, or his concerns over increasing financial responsibilities. Pregnancy can be an ideal time for a man to become aware of his own health, lifestyle and their potential effects on his growing family. Throughout the pregnancy it is essential to include the father in your prenatal care, education and delivery. Many couples experience ups and downs as they alternate between excitement and new concerns that pregnancy brings. Discussing your feelings with people close to you may help with the transition. Many couples experience a new intimacy in their physical and emotional relationships during pregnancy.

Those First Three Months!

A newsletter for parents and parents-to-be from The Family Care Birthing Center at Memorial

Special Delivery News

4500 MEMORIAL DRIVEBELLEVILLE. ILLINOIS 62226

Special Delivery News

For more than 50 years, Memorial’s approach to maternity care has made us one of this area’s leading maternity service providers. You, your baby and your family members are very important to us, and The Family Care Birthing Center is proud to be an integral part of over 1,500 births annually.

Right From the Start.Prenatal care helps to assure a healthy pregnancy. Regular contacts with a physician you can trust and talk to increases your self-confidence and your ability to obtain the information you need to make sound choices for you and your baby. Early prenatal care allows health care providers to screen for potential problems and offer treatment or support when needed.

Your baby will grow up in a different decade, but there’s no time like the present to be having a baby! Mothers today know to expect the very best in medical care. At The Family Care Birthing Center at Memorial, care is given by supportive nurses in comfortable surroundings.

The options available for families at The Family Care Birthing Center fit everyone’s needs!• Spacious labor, delivery and recovery rooms• Birth choices such as showers in every room and

a birthing ball for positioning assistance• Supportive nurses• Rooming in - 24 hours• Breastfeeding support with trained lactation

nurses

For more information about The Family Care Birthing Center at Memorial, visit www.memhosp.com/services/familycarebirthingcenter.

Education For Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting.There’s no doubt about it - parents are passionate when it comes to the subject of childbirth classes. They either love them or hate them, and there is usually no in between. Some couples swear by them, insisting they are every bit as important a part of having a baby as choosing a good caregiver and finding the right place to give birth. Others may view them as unnecessary. Classes can actually be fun and informative - provided you choose the right classes and have good instructors.

We hope to give you some good reasons for attending childbirth classes:

• Childbirth classes can help reduce your anxiety about giving birth by learning what to expect - whether you have a vaginal birth or cesarean section.

• They educate you about various birthing options so that you have the facts you need in order to plan for the birth you want.

• They give you the opportunity to make friends with other expectant couples.

These contacts can be valuable if you find yourself housebound with a colicky baby or in a difficult situation in the future.

• Certain classes can help you master breathing, relaxation, and coping techniques designed to reduce your perception of pain during labor. You will also learn about medications and anesthesia that you may choose to use for pain relief.

• They give your partner the chance to play an active role in your pregnancy while familiarizing them with the role during delivery - to be supportive, encouraging and to act as your advocate.

• They give you an opportunity to ask questions about pregnancy, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and baby care. These questions may also include the pros and cons of medication or epidurals, episiotomy, circumcision, and more.

A family-centered childbirth and parent education program emphasizes wellness, information for all family members, health enhancement, and family autonomy, which are all foundations of family-centered care.

The Family Care Birthing Center at Memorial offers classes designed to assist our parents-to-be in the journey through pregnancy and birth. Information on pregnancy changes, both physical and emotional, options for labor and delivery and after care for mom, coach and baby are included. Participation of both partners is encouraged and helps make the classes at Memorial beneficial and meaningful. Family-centered care is focused on throughout the class.

Expectant Parenting Classes:

• Prepared Childbirth• Baby Care and Parenting• Breastfeeding Support for

New Mothers• Sibling Class• Refresher and Cesarean Birth

education are available by appointment with the Special Delivery Nurse.

Call (618) 257-4826 to schedule your classes or (618) 257-6800 Extension 5853 to leave a message for the Special Delivery Nurse.

For a full listing of Childbirth Education classes offered at The Family Care Birthing Center at Memorial, visit www.memhosp.com/services/familycarebirthingcenter.

Good Reasoning? Things To Avoid During Pregnancy.Everything you eat, smoke, drink or otherwise ingest while pregnant affects not only your body but also the developing body of your baby. Do not assume that because you feel fine eating, drinking or smoking something that this is also healthy for your baby. Your baby’s developing body is far more fragile than yours.

Pregnant women should avoid certain foods and substances because of the negative way they affect your growing baby. The following list provides an overview of the types of things that can be dangerous during pregnancy. Depending on your particular pregnancy and history of complications or health concerns, however, there may be additional things that you need to avoid. Be sure to talk to your health care provider about what you should avoid so as to best keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Foods to avoid:• Raw fish, especially shellfish• Raw meat• Unprocessed, unpasteurized (raw) or aged cheese• Unprocessed, unpasteurized (raw) dairy products

These foods can be contaminated with infection-causing bacteria that can cause miscarriage. Pregnant women should also avoid consuming some ocean fish such as tuna, salmon, shark, swordfish, tilefish and mackerel. Although we know fish is a healthy food, whether raw or cooked these fish can be likely to contain dangerously high levels of mercury. This can be associated with neurological and brain defects in the fetus.• Caffeine. Caffeine stays in a pregnant woman’s

blood longer and in the baby’s up to 15 times longer. Most doctors agree that two caffeine drinks a day are safe, but can reduce the absorption of vitamins. Drink plenty of water

during your pregnancy, especially with those prenatal vitamins.• Cigarettes. Use of tobacco products decreases blood flow to the developing baby, decreasing the amount

of oxygen the baby receives. The toxic effects of tobacco smoke can lead to low birth weight, miscarriage or stillbirth, and increased risk cerebral palsy, mental retardation and other anomalies.

• Alcohol and Drugs. No amount is safe. Call your health care provider before using over-the-counter drugs.

Avoid toxoplasmosis by staying away from cat liter boxes. The infection comes from contact with cat feces.

Remember to always wear your seatbelt and stay healthy by avoiding people who are ill. Good hand washing skills can decrease your chances of becoming ill.

Obesity and Nutrition.Being overweight has become a major health epidemic for many people in the United States and this problem spills into the pregnant population. Keeping a healthy weight during pregnancy is good for you and your baby. When you become pregnant your physician will tell you how much weight you should gain. This weight gain will be based on your BMI (Body Mass Index) which will be measured by your physician at your first prenatal visit.

If you fall into the obese category (BMI over 30) you are at increased risk for complications during pregnancy and labor and delivery. You will be encouraged to gain less weight during pregnancy and will receive special care upon your admission to labor and delivery. Your physician will provide you with information to keep your weight gain under control and to assist you in maintaining a healthier lifestyle during your pregnancy. You may receive a consultation with a dietician who will provide education for healthier eating habits.

Testing... 1, 2, 3From that positive pregnancy test to delivery, there are many tests available to help you and your health care provider understand your pregnancy health status. Some of the tests done in early pregnancy include:

• Blood tests. Standard tests show your blood count and can reflect if you are anemic or have “iron poor blood.” Those blood cells that carry oxygen to your baby are important! Prenatal vitamins and iron can help build those cells.

• STD tests. Cultures or blood tests can rule out sexually transmitted diseases or infections that are harmful to both mom and baby. Tell your health care provider if you might be at risk for infection of any kind.

• Blood typing. It’s good to know your blood type, especially during pregnancy. If you are Rh negative you will need an antibody-screening test. If that test is negative, that is a good sign and you may be offered immune globulin to help keep it negative. It helps prevent your body from making antibodies later that react to the Rh-positive blood that your baby may have.

• Urine tests. Simple tests of your urine are often done at prenatal visits to check for sugar and protein in your urine. Their presence can alert

the doctor to observe for signs of toxemia or diabetes, which can be serious complications of pregnancy.

• Ultrasounds. Your healthcare provider may do one or a series of ultrasounds during your pregnancy. Information about the

growing baby and the placenta can be obtained from the ultrasound. It’s also fun to see the baby moving around and often makes the pregnancy seem more “real.”

• Cystic Fibrosis screening. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects breathing and digestion. CF carrier testing checks to see if parents-to-be have the abnormal gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis. The test is taken through a parent’s blood or saliva.

• Amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling. Amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are common prenatal tests used to diagnose chromosomal and genetic defects. CVS is done earlier in pregnancy (usually 10-12 weeks) and involves removing a tissue sample near the placenta site through the abdomen or cervix. Amniocentesis is a test of the amniotic fluid (water around the baby) drawn out of the uterus through a small needle. This test is done between 15 & 20 weeks. CVS and amniocentesis test for the same birth defects. The procedures differ slightly, however, in risk, timing and how soon results are available.

Complications and Miscarriage.Although most pregnancy symptoms present during the first trimester are benign and merely annoying, there are also a few symptoms to watch out for that will require medical attention.

Contact your health care provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:• Bloody or watery vaginal discharge—it may or

may not be accompanied by uterine cramping• Excessive vomiting• Swelling of the hands, feet, or face• Recurring headaches—may be accompanied by

blurred vision, dizziness• Decreased urination or painful urination• Fever

What’s Going On? A Peek Inside!During the first trimester, your growing baby is developing at an amazing rate. A baby starts out as a few cells called an embryo. After the eighth week of pregnancy, your baby is called a fetus. During this time, your baby will proceed to develop the basis for all of the mechanisms it will need in the first trimester. Development begins when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus in a process called implantation. If all goes well, the fetus will be approximately 6-7.5 centimeters in length and weigh a little over one ounce by the end of the first trimester.

Some important developments that occur during this stage include:

• The development of the placenta and umbilical cord. These structures are important for bringing nutrients from the mother and removing waste products from the fetus back to the mother.

• The development of the amniotic sac, a fluid-filled membrane that cushions the developing fetus.

• The development of all major organs. The heart begins to beat on or around the 25th day after conception.

• The development of the neural tube, which goes on to form the brain and spinal cord.

• The development of the limb buds, which are the

beginnings of the arms and legs.

• The development of fingers, toes, ears, ankles, wrists, and eyelids. By the end of the first trimester, the fetus will have fingernails and toenails and will have buds in its mouth area that will go on to become baby teeth.

Making Good Choices During Your Pregnancy.We hope to help you learn aspects of pregnancy that you may not have previously thought of and to make informed choices throughout your pregnancy.

Choosing who will help care for you during your pregnancy, labor and delivery is very important. There are several types of health care providers who can care for your needs during pregnancy and childbirth. Be sure to explore options and evaluate what is most important to you before making a decision.

Doctors and other specialized health care providers including nurses, dieticians, and midwives will be some important allies during your pregnancy. They are in the best position to guide you through the process and to make authoritative recommendations that will benefit your baby’s development and future health.

If you have already selected a health care provider, make an appointment early in your pregnancy. Share your questions and concerns about your pregnancy. The goal of prenatal

care is to monitor the progress of your pregnancy and identify problems before they become serious. Women who see a health care provider regularly have healthier babies and are less likely to deliver prematurely. Make sure you attend all of your prenatal appointments, even if you are feeling fine.

During prenatal visits, the healthcare provider:• Teaches you about pregnancy• Monitors any medical

conditions• Tests for problems with you

and the baby• Refers you to services such

as support groups, the WIC program and Childbirth Education Classes

Read up on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and baby care so you can feel comfortable with the choices you’ll be making. Remember, in addition to good prenatal care, be sure to have a dental check up early in your pregnancy to help your mouth remain healthy.