Week 9: Time to think about if you and your doctor or midwife are a good personality match. It's never too late to change.
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Ask your friends about their experiences with your maternity care provider. Find out what they liked and what they didn't like. You have plenty of time in your first trimester to find the care provider who is a perfect fit for you. Don't settle for a doctor or midwife you don't like.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn
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Try to relax your expectations about when your baby will arrive. As long as you complete 38 weeks of pregnancy and don't remain pregnant longer than 43 weeks, you'll have your baby during the healthiest time possible. The healthiest time for a baby to be born is between 39-42 weeks.
March of Dimes
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Finding a prenatal yoga class, water exercise, or walking group now will not only help you create a fit body for birth and parenthood, but will help you with mental health by connecting you socially with women who are going through the same feelings and physical experiences as you are. Check out your local pool, baby stores or community centers to find out what exercise classes are available for pregnant women.
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Now is the time to think about family finances for after baby is born. Will you go from two incomes to one? Where can you save money? What expenses might increase?
BabyCenter
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Many women crave protein during the first trimester and can't get enough fish, chicken, red meat and beans. Since your body is creating more red blood cells and getting ready to nourish and grow a baby, your needs for protein, iron and calcium are increasing.
The Mayo Clinic
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Eat your spinach, beans, asparagus, peanuts and oranges during pregnancy. These foods provide folate and folic acid, important B vitamins that help your baby grow the healthiest brain, spinal cord and nervous system.
The Mayo Clinic
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Feeling tired is a normal and natural way for your changing body to tell you to get more sleep. You'll feel better, look better, and think better as a result of getting more sleep. Find creative times to catch a 15 - 20 minute nap during the day. See if you have flexibility to nap during lunch or before your commute home from work.
Visible Human Embryo
BirthWatch Recommends:
Great Expectations: Your All-in-One Resource for Pregnancy & Childbirth
This book is comprehensive and certainly has that confidence-inspiring language that prevents anxiety from spinning out of control. Do yourself a favor and throw your old "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book on the barbeque and pick up Great Expectations. It's a better bet.