If you think you are pregnant, it is a good idea to purchase and use a home pregnancy test. They are easy to use, easy to read, and very accurate. If you receive a positive result, make an appointment with your gynecologist. If he or she is not also an obstetrician, seek a recommendation for one.

Do your best to attend every scheduled visit with the obstetrician. If you miss an appointment, it is best to reschedule. Make sure you tell the doctor everything about your medical history, especially any issues that could affect your pregnancy and the health of your baby.

You will undergo tests from time to time, but these are routine. If something goes beyond routine, the doctor will explain why it is necessary. You are always free to seek a second opinion, but you should trust your doctor. If you are uncomfortable with your obstetrician, find another one, since this is a very intimate relationship, in which you need to feel secure.

Your doctor will prescribe prenatal vitamins, which are specially formulated to insure that a pregnant woman and her baby receive the proper nutrients. Take your vitamins as directed. You might want to have a bite to eat before taking them, as they make some women feel nauseous when taken on an empty stomach.

Prenatal care is a very important part of your pregnancy. It allows your doctor to measure progress and make sure that your baby is developing properly and is healthy. You will see the obstetrician once per month at first, and once each week as you get closer to your due date. It is important to keep these appointments so your doctor knows what’s going on. This way, if something isn’t just right, your doctor can take action to help make sure you carry your baby to term and deliver a healthy baby.

If you experience morning sickness, which many women do in the first three months of pregnancy, try eating a healthy snack before going to bed or nibbling on crackers when you wake up in the morning.

Pregnancy is a very exciting time in life, but it also requires you to take very good care of yourself and ultimately your baby. With good prenatal care, vitamins, and good nutrition, your baby has a much better chance of being born strong and healthy.