Pregnancy Help | Healthy Pregnancy – Lakes LifeCare Center, Forest Lake MN

Even if you are still in the shocked stage and considering abortion, it is important that you:

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See a doctor or health care provider in order to begin taking pre-natal vitamins.

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Eat right, this will keep you healthy as well as the baby growing inside you.

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Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water, fruit juice or milk every day.

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Stop drinking beer, wine, wine coolers, liquor or mixed drinks. Drinking any alcohol while you are pregnant can be harmful.

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Don’t take any drugs without the advice of a health care provider who knows you are pregnant. Even over the counter medications like aspirin or cough syrup can hurt your baby.

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Quit smoking. We know it’s hard to quit smoking, but when you’re pregnant it’s more important than ever to stop.

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Learn all you can about having a baby. Ask questions! The more you know, the more choices you will have and the better care you can take of yourself and your baby.

Making Healthy Food Choices

Chances are you will have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby if you:

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Gain 25 to 35 pounds during your pregnancy. Weight gain isn’t the same as “getting fat.” Gaining weight is a healthy sign that you are giving your baby what he or she needs to grow. If you don’t feel like eating much due to morning sickness, try eating dry crackers before getting out of bed.

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Too much caffeine (found in tea, coffee, soft drinks and chocolate) may not be safe for your baby.

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Choose foods you enjoy, but plan your meals around the five food groups in order to get the daily nutrients you and your unborn baby need. An easy way of doing this is to picture a dinner plate. A healthy meal consists of:

Grains (pasta, rice, bread, etc.)
Vegetables
Proteins (eggs, meat, fish, etc.)
Fruit
Milk and milk products

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Remember, even healthy meals may not contain enough folic acid. Take your pre-natal vitamins every day as directed by your physician.

Lakes Life Care Center | 840 West Broadway Ave. Suite 100 | Forest Lake, MN 55025 | (651) 464-4340