Because mom’s health directly impacts baby’s health and vice versa, having good prenatal care is vital.Actually, Dr. Jeff Gunnells, an obstetrician with Henderson & Walton Women’s Center in Birmingham, likes to counsel with a woman before she and her husband conceive. During this consultation, any chronic health issues — such as obesity, diabetes or thyroid problems — could be discussed and the woman’s general state of health accessed. That would include being apprised of the medications being taken and looking at her family history for any genetic conditions.
Gunnells, who is chief of obstetrics at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham and a deacon at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood, also likes to find out from women where they are in their marriage experience, what child care arrangements they would make and whether their work hours would change. All of these become pertinent issues to the couple after the birth of a child.
Gunnells advises women to start using folic acid before conception. Folic acid has been proven to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
A regular exercise program should also be started before conception, not after, Gunnells said.
Exercise
Eva Arnold, a labor and delivery nurse at Brookwood Medical Center and a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Pell City, encourages pregnant women to continue exercising throughout the pregnancy.
Consistent and moderate aerobic exercise (such as water aerobics), coupled with a balanced diet that is absent of smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs, is recommended, she said.
Exercise, Arnold explained, increases endurance during the labor process, promotes sleep, benefits circulation, burns calories and helps to keep weight down. Plus, the women who exercise “are the best pushers. They don’t have to push long.”
Relaxation goes along with that, she said. Learning to relax during the pregnancy aids the woman in doing the same in the labor process.
Once the woman and her husband have conceived, the changes that come about can be enormous.
In the first few weeks of pregnancy, the mother-to-be may experience nausea and fatigue. These may cause the dad-to-be to realize that he needs to take more responsibility for household tasks.
Difficult period
The first trimester, Gunnells noted, is generally a tough time for couples.
The next stage, though, is a nice one. Between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation, nausea has ceased and the mother-to-be hasn’t yet grown so large that she is uncomfortable.
This, he said, is the ideal time to set up the nursery, discuss and line up child care and decide who will take off work when the baby is sick.
From 28-30 weeks is the best time to begin attending prenatal classes, said Arnold. Waiting until this time will mean the information is fresher when labor begins.
Finally, after what seems an eternity comes the third trimester. During this time, there may be some restrictions on exercise, such as activities that require being supine. Though sexual intimacy can continue — barring any pregnancy complications — it is a stage in which the woman doesn’t feel very attractive, said Gunnells.
When asked what a father-to-be can do during a pregnancy, Gunnells chuckled, then replied, “ ‘Yes, honey. What can I do for you?’ ”
Arnold suggested the husband reassure his wife about her attractiveness.
A foot rub or a back rub can go a long way in easing tension, she said. Drawing a bath or fixing dinner also are nice gestures.
If the father-to-be will read or sing to his wife’s tummy, the baby will grow to recognize his voice, Arnold continued. But also, this interaction creates intimacy between the couple.
“Reading is so important,” said Dan Sandifer-Stech, associate professor of human development and family studies at Samford University. Reading to a child, he explained, helps in developing language and cognitive skills and emotional closeness. He recommends beginning while the child is in the womb. “I don’t think you can start too early.”
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