Drinking any alcohol while you are pregnant can be harmful to the baby, even before you are pregnant.

It is important to eat a well-balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables when you are pregnant, including taking a multivitamin with folic acid.

It is important to stay healthy and active throughout your pregnancy. Exercise is an important part of this. Try to avoid activities that could lead to a fall or injury.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best guide when you are pregnant. Try to keep yourself healthy and avoid things that seem risky or would be harmful to you as they would also be harmful to your baby. There are a couple of specifics that should be kept in mind: Avoid changing the cat litter, harmful chemicals, metals and toxic substances, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs and even some prescription medications can be harmful to the baby. Always consult with your physician for their specific recommendations

Stay active, eat healthy, avoid harmful substances and take a multivitamin with folic acid.

It is never safe to smoke during pregnancy or to be around second hand smoke when you are pregnant. This can lead to pregnancy complications and harm the baby both before and after birth.

Sex can safely be enjoyed while you are pregnant. If you find it uncomfortable, try alternative positions that you may find more comfortable. Some high risk pregnancy conditions do restrict sex during pregnancy. Always follow your physician’s recommendations.

You should expect that you will gain weight when you are pregnant and the amount will vary by person. Eating healthy and remaining active is the best way to have a positive weight gain while you are pregnant. Your physician will give you specific guidelines based on your baseline weight and individual needs.

You will notice that newborns seem to sleep a lot during the day and not seem to sleep nearly enough at night. That is common and it will take some time for this to change. As your baby grows and has more time awake, you can begin to adjust to a more “normal” sleep pattern. This will develop over time.

There are several ways to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as:

• Always place baby on his or her back to sleep for naps and at night
• Breastfeed your baby for the first 6 months of life, or longer
• Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety approved crib covered by a fitted sheet
• Do not let baby sleep in your bed, keep baby’s sleep area separate
• Keep soft objects out of baby’s sleep area (stuffed animals, bumper pads, loose bedding, etc)
• Avoid second hand smoke
• Do not smoke during pregnancy
• Get regular healthcare when you are pregnant and avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs
• Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night
• Keep your baby at a comfortable temperature when sleeping
• Follow recommendations for baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups
• Give your baby plenty of tummy time when he or she is awake and when someone is watching to allow strengthening of muscles essential for position changes.

If you notice any of the following,:

• Blood in vomit or stool
• Trouble breathing, breathing really fast (more than 60 times a minute), or has a blue tint around nose, lips, fingernails, or skin
• Has a seizure (whole body or parts of his body move uncontrollably and may stop breathing)
• Has eaten something harmful, such as detergent, soap, bleach, bug killer, or other substance that causes vomiting, diarrhea or trouble breathing
• Is hard to wake up or unusually tired
• Has a rectal temperature above 100.4 F or below 97.8 F
• Is injured and doesn’t stop bleeding
• Has one or more episodes of apnea (when breathing stops for a short period of time)
• Has yellowish skin or eyes

You may call Peritech Home Health directly at 1-800-634-5670 and we will work with your doctor to provide services.

Most health insurance plans allow for home health during and after pregnancy.   You may call Peritech Home Health directly at 1-800-634-5670 and we will work with your health insurance to provide services.

A Registered Nurse will visit your home and assess the needs you have for your pregnancy. During the visit, she may check your vital signs, such as temperature, heart rate, respirations, blood pressure. She may also check the baby’s heart beat and the size of your pregnant abdomen. She will provide you with education based on where you are in your pregnancy and any education you may need that is specific to something in your pregnancy, such as preterm labor, hyperemesis, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, multiple gestation, etc.