Discovering that you’re pregnant is an exciting and joyous time, filled with planning and anticipation for your baby’s future. It can also be a time filled with questions and concerns. It’s important to stay healthy and work with your physician to find what works best for your individual pregnancy.
The Three Trimesters
First Trimester
Second Trimester
Third Trimester
From Our Experts
Preventing and Treating Birth Defects: What You Need to Know
If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant or are currently expecting, it’s important to understand the risk for birth defects.
Advanced Maternal Age
Many couples over age 35 who are trying to conceive will experience issues with fertility and, once they become pregnant, are at a higher risk for certain complications. Hear from a fertility expert about pregnancy planning and risk factors at advanced maternal ages.
Antidepressants and Pregnancy: Tips from an Expert
Women can — and should — balance their mental health needs with a healthy pregnancy.
Adrenal Disease During Pregnancy
Hormone imbalances due to problems with adrenal glands are rare during pregnancy, but when they happen, they can place the mother’s and unborn baby’s health at risk.
Preparing for Childbirth
Understanding Labor
Delivery Considerations
Staying Healthy
5 Snack Foods to Eat While Pregnant
It’s important to choose nutritious snacks to get the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy. Find out what foods to stock in your kitchen.
Exercise During Pregnancy
If you exercised before pregnancy, you can safely continue exercising. If you were inactive or you have medical complications, talk with your healthcare provider before beginning to exercise.
First Trimester Fatigue
For many women, the extreme tiredness of the first trimester is quite a surprise. And it’s an especially hard transition for those who are normally go-getters with lots of energy.
Headaches in Early Pregnancy
Managing headaches is especially tricky in the first trimester when you should avoid many medicines.
Vaccines and Medications
Allowed: It’s okay to take medicine in many instances when you feel sick while pregnant. Check with your provider for details about appropriate medications for you. It is also safe to get shots for the flu, whooping cough, COVID-19, hepatitis, pneumonia and certain types of meningitis during pregnancy. Three of these vaccines are recommended for all pregnant women:
- Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- Flu vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine
Not allowed: Certain vaccines should not be given during pregnancy because they contain live, attenuated viruses. Attenuated means that the virus has been weakened so that it cannot cause disease in a healthy person. The vaccines that women should not get during pregnancy include:
- Live, attenuated flu vaccine given as a nasal spray (but the flu shot is safe)
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Chickenpox vaccine
