Pregnancy 101: The Beginning And The End
(continued)
Important issues to discuss with your clinician
in the first trimester include:
Any of the above myths that you believe
Any toxic exposures early in pregnancy: drugs (illicit, prescription or
over-the-counter, vitamins, herbs), alcohol, lead, infections, x-rays, etc.
Are you at high risk? Do you need any special monitoring during pregnancy?
How often you will need to be seen.
Any special precautions you may have to take if you have pets (especially cats)
Work/usual activities: these are fine for most women to continue as with
before pregnancy, but you should discuss your individual situation with your
clinician in the event of notable exceptions (e.g. if your job involves exposure
to toxic substances or radiation or animals). In general, pregnant women are
advised to avoid heavy lifting or bending not because this can precipitate labor
or a miscarriage, but because the hormones of pregnancy make women's muscles and
ligaments more ax and thus more likely to be injured.
Are you a candidate for amniocentesis? If so, why? This invasive test is
done during the second trimester to evaluate the fetus' chromosomes, which can
tell if it has any genetic diseases, most commonly Downs' Syndrome or Trisomy 13.
Nutrition and exercise. Most pregnant women do best eating multiple small
meals per day (I recommend reading What to Eat When You're Expecting).
Morning sickness is a common problem in the first
trimester, but some women have severe vomiting that can lead to dehydration and
weight loss if precautions are not taken. While it is not abnormal to gain no
weight during the first trimester, weight loss during this period is undesirable
and should be discussed with your clinician. Travel: discuss any plans for
international travel and ask if there are special precautions you may need to
take. Recommendations for child-birth preparation classes. Most importantly,
discuss ANY questions you may have. Keep a notepad handy where you can jot down
questions as you think of them for your next visit.
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 Receiving early and consistent prenatal care increases the likelihood of a
healthy birth outcome. . .for mother and child. 
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