fbpx

Key Pregnancy Questions You Should Ask To Put Your Mind At Ease

pregnancy questions

Finding out you’re pregnant is always an exciting time in life. Yet, with this excitement also comes a lot of questions. 

You’ll experience many different things during pregnancy, so it’s only natural to have questions about what you should expect.

Our team has been taking questions from expecting parents all over the country. 

We’ve picked out some of the top questions moms-to-be had for us to answer today. 

Read on to see if we can answer some of your pregnancy questions below.

pregnancy questions

Pregnancy Questions

Have you just found out you’re pregnant? Congratulations! 

We know you likely have a lot of questions on your mind. Our team has rounded up 10 of the most frequently asked questions pregnant women ask us.

1. What are the signs of early pregnancy?

Many women wonder if they will notice any pregnancy symptoms before taking a pregnancy test. One of the most obvious signs is a missed period. 

Other pregnancy symptoms include feelings of fatigue, more frequent urination, and tender breasts. 

You may also feel nauseous sometimes, especially when experiencing early morning sickness.

2. How often do you go to the doctor when pregnant?

Moms-to-be should book their first prenatal appointment when they are 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. During the first 28 weeks, you should visit the doctor once a month. 

From week 28 to week 36, it’s recommended to visit bi-weekly. If the pregnancy exceeds 40 weeks, you should see the doctor once or twice weekly until you give birth.

Now, keep in mind that these timeframes are suggested for low-risk pregnancies. 

If you have any complications or issues throughout the few weeks of your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may suggest more frequent appointments.

3. How early do pregnancy cravings start?

When it comes to pregnancy cravings, every woman has a different experience. Pregnancy cravings are typically strongest during the second trimester, but starting during the first trimester is common. 

A lot of women start to notice cravings begin around the 13 weeks mark.

4. Are there foods I should avoid?

The good news is most foods are safe to consume during pregnancy. 

However, you should only consume certain foods and beverages in moderation during this time. Do not consume any alcoholic beverages or take any high-dose vitamins.

Ensure all meat, poultry, and eggs in your diet have been thoroughly cooked. Avoid eating these products raw because they contain high levels of bacteria. 

Soft and unpasteurized cheeses should also be avoided because they contain bacteria.

While most fish is okay to eat now, you should avoid seafood with a high mercury count. 

It’s also important to limit your caffeine intake. Aim to drink less than 200 mg of caffeine daily.

5. What is a healthy pregnancy weight gain range?

Weight gain is something that all women will experience when they get pregnant. Many factors can contribute to how much weight a pregnant woman puts on. 

Most pregnant women at a healthy weight usually gain between 25 and 35 lbs. 

However, this is a discussion you should have with your healthcare provider for an accurate estimate of birth weight gain.

6. Is it safe to work out while pregnant?

Pregnant women should exercise regularly. However, there may be certain things that were once part of your workout routine that you shouldn’t do while pregnant. 

Try to avoid lifting weights and using machines with heavy weights. Instead, you should enjoy activities like:

  • Walking
  • Swimming
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Light aerobics

Moderate exercise could help women prepare for a smoother delivery. This is because exercise helps keep their muscles strong.

7. How do I prepare for breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is something that is 100% new to 1st-time moms. It never hurts to be too prepared when it comes to breastfeeding. 

One of the best ways to learn about it is through reading. We suggest grabbing a copy of a breastfeeding guidebook, such as The Breastfeeding Book by William Sears or Ina May’s Guide To Breastfeeding by Ina May Gaskin.

You can also find many great articles only to help yourself get prepared. 

We suggest reading about the best breastfeeding positions, common issues women face, how to extract milk, and other valuable tips.

8. What is the best sleeping position while pregnant?

The best position to sleep in while pregnant is on your side. If you don’t already sleep in this position, getting used to it as soon as possible is recommended. 

While women can get away with sleeping on their backs during the first trimester, this position won’t be comfortable later in the pregnancy. 

On your side will be the safest position as your stomach grows. By the third trimester, this is the only position you can sleep in.

9. Do I need to hire a birth professional?

Hiring a birth professional is a personal choice. After taking a pregnancy test, you must make your first doctor’s appointment for a prenatal visit. 

Some women seek help from midwives and doulas. A midwife is a medically trained healthcare provider that focuses on pregnancy. Doulas provide guidance and support to pregnant women.

Many women book appointments with midwives from the beginning of their pregnancies instead of using their regular healthcare provider. 

Whether you use a midwife or ob-gyn is up to you.

10. When will morning sickness begin?

Morning sickness is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. It typically starts as early as the first week and intensifies after approximately 6+ weeks of pregnancy. 

While every pregnant woman will have a different experience, it’s common for morning sickness to be at its worst around nine weeks into the pregnancy.

Luckily, this isn’t something that most women deal with during their entire pregnancy. It’s common for nausea to settle down into the second trimester.

pregnancy questions

Questions To Ask First Prenatal Visit

Once you get your home pregnancy test results, it’s time to book your first prenatal appointment. 

During this time, you can learn more about what to expect throughout your pregnancy. 

We always suggest coming prepared with questions. This is a great way to learn about women’s health during pregnancy and what could lead to pregnancy complications.

Are you not sure what to ask your healthcare provider? 

Below are some top questions we suggest asking during your prenatal visit. Feel free to ask any other questions you have as well.

1. Do you recommend a childbirth preparation class? If so, from who or where?

Depending on where you live, there may be several childbirth preparation class options for you to choose from. Choosing between the different classes can be overwhelming, especially for first-time parents.

Before your first prenatal appointment, you and your partner should discuss childbirth preparation. Consider what you want to learn and what you expect to get out of these classes. 

Then, when you ask about class recommendations during your prenatal visit, you will know what you want. This will help your healthcare provider point you in the right direction.

If you’re not 100% what you want, that’s okay. Your healthcare provider should still be able to guide you toward the right class.

2. Who will deliver the baby when I go into labor?

It’s normal to wonder who will bring your child into the world. Many hospitals pride themselves on delivering their patients the best prenatal care possible. 

To help expecting parents plan accordingly, it’s common for hospitals to schedule labor doctors months in advance. This allows parents to become familiar with the doctor(s) scheduled around their due date.

3. Will the same healthcare provider care for me throughout the pregnancy?

You may be able to book all of your appointments with the same healthcare provider. But this isn’t always the case. 

What should you do in the case of an emergency? One doctor can’t be on-demand 24/7 whenever you need them. 

For this reason, it’s a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider about what type of care you can receive at the birth center or hospital if there is an emergency when your healthcare provider is not on the schedule.

4. Do you perform at-home births?

Before you book your first prenatal visit, it’s essential to think about what you want. 

If home birth is something you’re interested in, you should see early on if this is an option with your healthcare provider. If not, you may need to rethink your options.

5. Do I need prenatal vitamins?

You must get enough vitamins during your pregnancy. 

While most women can get most of their vitamins through a healthy diet, it is also recommended to take prenatal vitamins. 

Your diet will need nutrients like folic acid, vitamin D, calcium, and iodine.

To ensure you don’t suffer from a vitamin deficiency, you must speak to your healthcare provider about your diet and which prenatal vitamins you should take.

6. Is it safe to get vaccinated?

Always speak to your doctor about the safety and risks of vaccines during pregnancy. 

Getting the flu vaccine if you’re pregnant is strongly recommended, even if you don’t regularly get one. This is because pregnancy can weaken the immune system. 

It’s critical for your health and the baby’s health that you’re protected against the flu. 

We strongly recommend you talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines they recommend during pregnancy.

7. Are there options for pain control during labor?

Always find out what options you have for pain control before making your birth plan. 

Here’s the thing: even if you don’t plan to use pain control or other medications, an emergency could arise where you need them. It’s important to know your options in case the time comes.

Another thing we suggest asking about is the anesthesia options as well. Some hospitals have anesthesia care available 24/7. 

In the event of an emergency, the use of anesthesia may be necessary. This is why it’s essential to know beforehand if it will be available.

8. How can I avoid congenital disabilities?

Having a healthy pregnancy is a top priority for many mothers-to-be. 

Knowing that there’s the possibility of congenital disabilities has parents worried that they may not be making all the right choices. We urge you to speak with your doctor about ways to remain healthy and reduce the risk of congenital disabilities.

Making sure you see a healthcare provider regularly during pregnancy is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of complications. 

You should also practice healthy habits, such as eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly. Make sure you don’t smoke or drink alcohol. 

You should also try to maintain your body temperature and avoid overheating. 

Always contact your healthcare provider immediately if you’re running a fever. Also, ensure you get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily.

Final Words

While being pregnant is an exciting time, having many questions about what will happen next after taking a pregnancy test is completely normal. The more you know, the better prepared you will be throughout your journey.

We hope that we answered the questions you had today. 

If you have any pregnancy questions we didn’t cover, please ask them in the comments below.

You might Also like...

Subscribe to
receive your FREE
"58 Newborn Essentials"
Registry Guide