FAQs for First-Time Pregnancies

From baby bumps to what vitamins to take, we can answer all your pregnancy-related questions.

Finding out you’re pregnant for the very first time can be so incredibly exciting; however, our Hoffman Estates, IL, OB/GYNs know that it’s also a time when you might have lots of questions. We at Northwest Associates for Women's Healthcare are here to answer all of the questions you will most likely have at some point during your pregnancy. Here are some of the top questions we get from first-time parents:

When does morning sickness start?

Depending on how far along you are when you receive your positive pregnancy test, you may already be experiencing some symptoms. In fact, these symptoms may be the reason you tested in the first place. While some women may experience mood swings, headaches, sore breasts, and fatigue, most women don’t actually start to experience morning sickness until the 6th week; however, some women report feeling nauseous as early as the 4th week. Morning sickness will usually tamper off by the second trimester.

How much weight gain is normal during pregnancy?

This will vary from woman to woman; however, most women gain between 22 to 26 pounds throughout their pregnancy, with most of the weight gain occurring after the 20th week. If you are concerned about weight gain, feel free to discuss healthy food choices with your Hoffman Estates, IL, OBGYN to make sure that you and your baby are getting enough healthy, nutrient-dense foods.

How often should I visit my OBGYN?

This will depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy. The minute you receive a positive home pregnancy test you should schedule your first prenatal checkup. These checkups are important for monitoring the development of your baby and to ensure that there are no complications throughout your pregnancy.

It is recommended that women come in every four weeks until they reach the 26-week mark. Between 26 and 32 weeks, women should come in every three weeks. At 32 to 36 weeks you’ll visit biweekly and then once you reach 36 weeks you’ll come in every week until your delivery.

Can I continue to work out while pregnant?

Absolutely! Working out is especially important for staying healthy and preventing certain health problems such as gestational diabetes. Of course, not all workouts are safe, so talk with your doctor before jumping into a new workout routine. If you find that certain workouts that you once did no longer feel comfortable (e.g. feeling fatigued; winded easily) then you’ll need to cut back or modify them.

What foods should I avoid?

There are certain foods that you’ll want to avoid while pregnant to protect against certain bacteria that could harm your baby. These include:

• Unpasteurized dairy products
• Liver and liver products
• Undercooked or raw meat (including seafood)
• Soft cheese
• Shellfish and fish high in mercury (e.g. swordfish; shark)
• Alcohol
• Caffeine (limit to one cup a day; no more than 200mg)

Should I take supplements?

Most women will start taking a prenatal vitamin once they find out they are pregnant (if you were planning on becoming pregnant then you may have already been taking one). Prenatal vitamins can help provide the proper nutrients throughout your pregnancy that are important for the healthy development of your unborn child. Your Hoffman Estates OBGYN may also recommend other supplements such as iron (if you are dealing with anemia), magnesium, or folate.

If you just found out that you’re pregnant it’s important to schedule an appointment with your Hoffman Estates, IL, OBGYN as soon as possible. Call Northwest Associates for Women's Healthcare at (847) 884-1800 to schedule your first prenatal checkup.