Once you've found out that you're going to have a baby, your first step should be to make an appointment with your doctor. Starting prenatal care early on and seeing your doctor regularly is the best way to have a trouble-free pregnancy and a healthy baby.

To make the most of the time you have with your doctor, go prepared with a list of questions. Even before your appointment, many doctors will give advice over the phone about such basics as prenatal vitamins, what medications to avoid, and where they stand on tobacco use and alcohol and caffeine consumption. Here are some questions you might want to include on your list:

1. What can I do to help my baby be healthy?

2. Do I need to take vitamins?

3. Are there specific vitamins that are necessary while I'm pregnant?

4. How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

5. Is it safe to exercise while I'm pregnant? Are there any exercises I should avoid?

6. What about diet? Are there any foods I should be sure to include or avoid?

7. Do I have to drink a lot of milk or otherwise consume a lot of calcium?

8. Do I need to be careful when I have sex?

9. Which medications -- both prescription and over-the-counter -- are okay to take?

10. How often will I need to schedule doctor visits?

11. Should I cut out caffeine?

12. What about eliminating alcohol?

13. Are there any precautions I should take around household pets?

14. How should I expect to feel during the first few months?

15. What are signs that I should call the doctor?

16. Are there any particular risks associated with my age?

17. Should I stop smoking?

18. Is secondhand smoke bad for my baby?

Questions Your Doctor May Ask You

1. Have you been pregnant before? If so, what was the experience like for you?

2. When was the first day of your last menstrual cycle?

3. How is your general health?

4. What medications, both prescription and over-the counter, do you take?

5. What vitamins do you currently take?

6. Do you smoke?

7. Do you use any recreational drugs?

8. How much alcohol do you drink per week?

9. Do you exercise regularly?

10. Do you have any dietary restrictions?

11. Is there a family history of twins or premature birth?

12. Are there any diseases that tend to run in your family, like sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, or hemophilia?

13. Have you or your partner ever had any sexually transmitted diseases?

-- Nancy Montgomery is a senior editor at Consumer Health Interactive.

References

First published September 25, 2003
Last updated February 27, 2008
Copyright © 2003 Consumer Health Interactive