Providence OB-GYN offers advice for a healthy pregnancy

[6 MIN READ]  

In this article:

• Prenatal care is critical to a healthy pregnancy. 

• A Providence OB-GYN covers topics ranging from first trimester symptoms to mental health concerns to help you prepare for your pregnancy journey.

• The most important takeaway is to give yourself grace during this exciting, but sometimes stressful, time of life and to prioritize your own health.

Providence OB-GYN offers advice for a healthy pregnancy

Prenatal care is a vital component of every pregnancy. Prioritizing your health during this critical period can help give your developing baby the best possible start in life — and help keep you strong and well, too.

If you’ve ever wondered if visits with your doctor can take place virtually (some can), which questions are off-limits during your appointments (the answer is none), or what to do if you don’t have health insurance (you immediately qualify for coverage if you’re pregnant in certain states like Washington), you’re not alone.

Emily Norland, M.D., an OB-GYN at the Polyclinic Madison Center in Seattle, recently joined the Providence Talk With A Doc podcast series to break down what you should know to ensure the health of both you and your baby as you start your pregnancy journey. Below, we captured some highlights from the two-part series: “Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy” and “Continuing the Prenatal Journey.”

What’s the first step you should take when you see a positive result on a pregnancy test?

Dr. Norland: The first thing you should do is take a deep breath. Then let it out slowly. There can be such a range of emotions that come with a positive pregnancy test. You may feel happy, sad, angry, confused, scared, surprised, terrified, joyful. The whole spectrum. Take it in. Breathe it out. And then share the news with someone close. Pretty soon after that, reach out to a health care professional you trust to establish care.

Getting connected with a trusted health care provider early on, even if it’s not the person who will ultimately end up caring for you during your pregnancy or helping you safely deliver your baby, is very important.

How often should you schedule prenatal appointments?

Dr. Norland: During the first trimester, patients are seen about once a month, although that can be adjusted based on a person’s individual situation and health needs. Once you reach 28 weeks, you’ll be seen every two weeks until 36 weeks. At that time, you’ll need to be seen weekly until you deliver.

Regular prenatal appointments are important. They help us make sure your baby is hitting the right milestones at the right time, and you’re staying healthy, too. Catching things early, like blood pressure that’s too high, can allow us to adapt and modify.

Can any of these visits be virtual?

Dr. Norland: While there’s no substitute for hands-on care during pregnancy, and the physical exams and heartbeat monitoring it requires, some of the educational and relationship-building appointments can be virtual. We try to use all the tools at our disposal to meet our patients where they are.

What questions should you prioritize at your first prenatal appointment?

Dr. Norland: No question is off-limits. Everything is fair game. You should really just let the questions that rise to the surface rise to the surface, then let it flow from there. It’s important to learn at the beginning whether your relationship with your doctor is going to be a good fit for you.

What should you expect during your first trimester?

Dr. Norland: While no pregnancy follows the same playbook, many women don’t feel all that great during the first trimester. You may feel nauseous or exhausted or uncomfortable. Home remedies like ginger tea or ginger ale can really help with nausea. There are also anti-nausea medications available. In addition to potentially not feeling well, there’s a lot of information coming at you. 

During your first trimester prenatal visits, you should expect a lot of tests, including ultrasounds and bloodwork. We look at a patient’s blood type, we look at screenings for anemia. We also screen for infections, like those affecting the bladder or urinary system.

The first trimester is also the time to consider genetic screening to look for an increased risk of chromosomal problems with the baby. That’s a personal choice that every obstetric care provider is eager and well-equipped to discuss with you, to ensure your choices align with your personal values.

What should you do if you don’t have health insurance?

Dr. Norland: Health care in the United States can be so expensive. Fortunately, where I am in the state of Washington, a pregnant person immediately qualifies for health insurance through the state. And it’s really amazing coverage. It covers all prenatal care, ultrasounds and lab tests. It also covers delivery at the hospital or the location of the patient’s choosing. It provides coverage for the newborn immediately and through the first six years of life, and, for the pregnant person, an additional 12 months of coverage after delivery. In addition, it covers maternal support services, which include access to nutritional advice, behavioral health care, transportation to and from appointments, postpartum support, social work support and childbirth education.

What should your daily nutritional intake look like?

Dr. Norland: Nutrition recommendations should really be tailored to each individual person, taking into account factors like their body mass index, or BMI, and current nutritional status. Some general recommendations, though, include being diligent about washing fruits and vegetables, thoroughly cooking meat, and avoiding processed foods and unpasteurized soft cheeses or raw milk. Also, make sure you’re cooking deli meat to steaming.

Just remember that a small slip-up, like accidentally drinking too much caffeine one day, is not going to do any harm to a pregnancy. Give yourself grace.

What supplements and over-the-counter medications are safe to take?

Dr. Norland: It’s important for anyone who’s considering pregnancy in the next year to start taking folic acid. That’s critical to the neural development of the baby. Fish oil is another one that’s very beneficial because DHA is important for the development of the baby’s brain and eyes.

When it comes to over-the-counter medications, most remedies for cold symptoms are safe to take. For the occasional headache, Tylenol is OK. Ibuprofen, though, is something we don’t recommend patients take routinely. We also recommend avoiding Pepto Bismol®.

Is exercising safe?

Dr. Norland: A lot of people are concerned about the safety of exercise during pregnancy. Thankfully, this is something we know a lot about. Exercise, even strenuous exercise, during pregnancy is safe. However, there are certain things to keep in mind. Our bodies are changing, including our centers of gravity. That can affect things like balance. That’s why I tell patients to move their bodies in a way that feels good to them. It’s OK to get sweaty and uncomfortable. It’s also important to work on strength to help with the physical demands of pregnancy and labor.

How common is depression during pregnancy?

Dr. Norland: Depression in pregnancy is really common. Up to 27% of women in the United States will struggle with a mental health condition during pregnancy. I don’t say that to scare anyone, but to let them know they’re not alone if they’re dealing with mental health challenges during pregnancy. And to reassure them that support is available.

Depression can look like many different things during pregnancy. You may feel low or sad or angry. Sometimes, your emotions may be all over the place. Some people may struggle to sleep at all while others may sleep too much. Depression can make it really hard for someone to accomplish their prenatal care. I encourage people to talk to their doctor about what they’re experiencing. There are things we can do to help that are very effective while still ensuring you have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

What’s the difference between a midwife and a doula?

Dr. Norland: Doulas and midwives are often grouped together, but they’re really different. They play different roles and provide different services.

A doula is a skilled, trained professional who provides physical, psychological, emotional and educational support throughout pregnancy, delivery and often throughout postpartum. A doula can also be a great sounding board. 

A midwife is an obstetric care provider. They can either be licensed midwives or certified nurse midwives. Either way, they provide obstetric care throughout pregnancy, as well as during delivery and after. A midwife also provides medical care for the mother after delivery.

A healthy baby starts with a healthy mother

Whether you choose a midwife, a family medicine physician, or an OB-GYN or maternal fetal medicine specialist to care for you during your pregnancy, remember that every provider wants the best for you during your pregnancy and is there to support you, Dr. Norland says.

“Give yourself some grace and take the best care of yourself that you can,” she adds. “The best thing for the baby is to have a healthy mother.”

Contributing caregiver

  
Emily Norland, M.D., is an OB-GYN at the Polyclinic Madison Center in Seattle.

Find a doctor

If you’re pregnant and looking for an experienced, caring provider to help you welcome your baby into the world, we can help. Providence offers maternity and prenatal care services. You can also search for an OB-GYN or midwife who’s right for you in our provider directory.

Download the Providence app

It’s all in the app: easily stay connected with Providence and your health. With the Providence app, you can schedule appointments, have virtual visits from the comfort of your own home, get health recommendations personalized for you, access your health records and so much more. Learn more and download the app.

Related resources

Your culture and your pregnancy: 5 tips for advocating for your ideal experience 

Providence midwives offer more than pregnancy support

Pregnancy: Everything you need to know for your journey

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.