Pregnant women need approximately 400mcg of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects.
For most, sex is safe during pregnancy. However, if you are having complications you should avoid it. Spotting and some minor abdominal cramping can be expected after intercourse. Please contact your midwife/doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding, loss of fluid, or regular cramps/contractions.
After 20 weeks, it is recommended that mom not sleep or lay on her back. By doing so, you a putting pressure on major blood vessels that provide blood and oxygen to the baby. Sleeping or laying on your left side increases blood flow to the baby and reduce swelling in the legs.
Meconium (baby’s first bowel movement) is a thick tarry substance that is found in your baby’s intestines near birth. It is passed during the first days of baby’s life. The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid during labor may indicate fetal distress. If meconium is present during the labor process your labor team will invoke the necessary precautions for a safe labor and delivery.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding (no water, juice, solids, or other artificial milk) for 6 months.
The smell and taste of breastmilk can change depending on your diet. This may help develop good feeding habits in your baby.
The average mother burns 500 calories a day breastfeeding. That’s 1 pound a week!
Mothers should avoid giving infants cereal to help them sleep at night. Mothers should also avoid offering cereal to their infants in bottles.
Mothers who begin to breastfeed within 1 hour of delivery tend to nurse longer than those who do not.
Consuming large amounts of alcohol can prohibit the let-down reflex. Alcohol passes freely in breastmilk and can cause the infant to become drowsy. ‘Pumping and Dumping’ will not speed up the elimination of alcohol from breastmilk.
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