Is there anything I shouldn’t eat while I’m pregnant?

Is there anything I shouldn’t eat while I’m pregnant?

Yes. Avoid the following foods which may
be contaminated by bacteria:
• Raw fi sh, especially shellfi sh such as
oysters and clams
• Undercooked meat, poultry and seafood
(for example, hot dogs, non-dried deli-meats,
refrigerated pâté, meat spreads and
refrigerated smoked seafood and fi sh)
• All foods made with raw or lightly cooked eggs
(for example, homemade Caesar vinaigrette)
• Unpasteurized milk products and foods made
from them, including soft and semi-soft cheeses
such as Brie or Camembert
• Unpasteurized juices, such as unpasteurized
apple cider
• Raw sprouts, especially alfalfa sprouts

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

Today, most mothers breastfeed their babies. Breast
milk is the best food you can offer your baby. For the
fi rst six months it is all the food and drink your baby
needs for optimal growth and development. Breast
milk is specifi cally designed for your baby and
constantly changes to meet your child’s needs. It is
easy for your baby to digest and can protect against
infections and disease—benefi ts that last a lifetime.
Breastfeeding has many benefi ts for the mother too and
nurtures a special relationship between mother and baby.

Breastfeeding is natural but may take time for both you
and your baby to learn. Talk to a doctor, nurse, midwife
or lactation consultant for help. Contact with other
breastfeeding mothers can also help build your
confi dence in breastfeeding.

Enjoy your baby and the special closeness that
breastfeeding brings.

Third Month of pregnancy

Third Month

• facial features are present,
the nose and outer ears are formed
• movement such as head turning
or sucking begins
• all internal organs are developing
• fetus is about 7.5 cm (3 inches) long
and weighs 30 g (1 ounce)

Caffeine

Too much caffeine isn’t good for you or your baby. For women of childbearing age the recommendation is
a maximum daily caffeine intake of no more than 300 mg—a little over two eight-ounce (237 ml) cups of
coffee. This total should include natural sources of caffeine, including herbs such as guarana and yerba mate.

Start trying to limit how much coffee, strong tea and soft drinks you consume. Water, pure fruit juice and
milk are good alternatives that will provide you with more of the nutrients your baby needs.

Warning! Some herbal teas, such as chamomile, aren’t good to drink when you’re pregnant. You’ll also want
to avoid teas with aloe, coltsfoot, juniper berry, pennyroyal, buckthorn bark, comfrey, labrador tea, sassafras,
duck root, lobelia and senna leaves. Other herbal teas, such as citrus peel, linden fl ower *, ginger, lemon balm,
orange peel and rose hip, are generally considered safe if taken in moderation (two to three cups per day).

* not recommended for persons with pre-existing cardiac conditions

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

In the end, all of the symptoms, the signs, and the pain are worth the end
result.
While each woman is different, this is a comprehensive guide of the things
that you might experience during your pregnancy and things that you might
want to do while you are pregnant.
You’ll probably have a healthy and event-free pregnancy, but with these tips,
you can only increase those chances.

WEEK FORTY

WEEK FORTY

You’re here!!

The development of baby

• Baby is born during three stages of labor: first, second and third.
• Babies that are not in the correct position can either be moved or will
need to be born by caesarean section.
• Babies that are in distress may need additional care after they are
born, or will be removed from the mom before actual labor pains
begin.

The development of mom

• Mom’s cervix will continue to dilate until it is fully open (about ten
centimeters) and she is able to push with the contractions.
• While it might seem like a good idea to push earlier, this can cause
tears and more pain than is necessary.
• If you want to have pain medications, sooner is better than later.
They can always be adjusted or taken away if they’re not working or
causing ill effects.
• Make sure to rest as much as you can between contractions so that
you have enough energy to push.
Specific concerns
• Realize that while labor is a difficult process, women have been doing
it for years and you can too.
• Babies born today have a nearly perfect chance of being born without
complications.
• If you are having any troubles, be sure to tell the doctor or the nurse
and they can help make labor easier for you.
• Pain is normal, but only ten percent of women report excruciating
pain, so your chances of not being in this group are pretty good.
• Labor will end – whether it seems like it will or not.
• The end result of labor is always worth the effort.
Congratulations and good luck with your new bundle of joy!

Special tip for dad/partner

• Make sure to bring flowers and other special gifts to mom – she’s done
a lot of work to produce this little person.

WEEK THIRTY-NINE

WEEK THIRTY-NINE

One more week…

The development of baby

• No major changes at this point

The development of mom

• No major changes at this point

What baby is feeling

• Baby is starting to understand that there are changes happening that
are indicating that they will be moving soon

What mom is feeling

• Mom is probably quite anxious at this point and unable to sleep.
However, you need all the rest that you can get before you go into
delivery, so you want to nap and relax as much as possible.
Specific needs for the week
• Start eating more carbohydrates (complex) in order to build up your
energy supplies for the process of delivery. Add in a peanut butter
sandwich or some oatmeal to your daily diet.
Specific concerns for the week
• Your main concern right now is being near a hospital or your chosen
birthing center.

Special tip for mom

• If you’re not sure whether you are ready to go to the hospital, ask
yourself how you feel. Funny enough, many moms report that when
they felt least like going to the hospital is generally when they needed
to go to the hospital. Others report that when their mood changed
dramatically, that was a sign that it was time to go and deliver their
baby.

WEEK THIRTY-EIGHT

WEEK THIRTY-EIGHT

Many babies are already born at this point, but if not, here’s what’s going on.

The development of baby

• Baby is still growing
• Baby’s body systems are still practicing

The development of mom

• Contractions are increasing
• More moodiness is possible

What baby is feeling

• Baby is happy and ready to get out into the new world that they’ve
worked so hard to be ready for.

What mom is feeling

• Mom is going to the doctor more often and might start thinking about
inducing the delivery if the baby has become too big.
Specific needs for the week
• Make an emergency plan if your delivery partner can not come with
you. Ask a trusted friend or a parent to help you until your partner
can be there.
Specific concerns for the week
• If you want to help your labor start earlier, make sure that you are
exercising regularly. Exercise stimulates the blood flow to your uterus
and can help bring on contractions.

Special tip for mom

• Talk about whether you want cameras or video cameras in the delivery
room. But make sure that everyone understands that you might
change your mind once the day arrives. You’re in charge that day, so
don’t be afraid to tell people about things that you might not like.