As soon as you think you may be pregnant you should call your doctor to schedule an appointment. Prenatal care is the health care you get while you are pregnant. It includes medical care and counseling. The earlier you get pre-natal care, the better your chances are for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

If you do not have the money for prenatal care or a way to get to an office or clinic, there are groups at schools or in your community that will help you. Talk with a counselor or school nurse.

Visits With Your Doctor

At your first prenatal visit, your doctor or nurse will ask you many questions. You will be asked about the date of your last menstrual period. This will help to find out how many weeks pregnant you are and when your baby will be born (your due date). A pregnancy is measured in weeks. A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks.

You will have a complete physical exam, which may include a pelvic exam. If you have never had a pelvic exam before, ask your doctor to explain it to you. You also will have a urine test, some blood tests, and tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

As your pregnancy continues, you will visit your doctor more often. At your visits, your doctor can answer any questions you may have. He or she will give you tests to check on your health and the health of your baby. A pelvic exam is not needed at each visit.

Childbirth Classes

In childbirth classes, you can learn more about pregnancy, giving birth, breastfeeding, and being a parent. There may be special classes for pregnant teens. There are also classes that can help you learn how to take care of your baby. This includes how to feed, diaper, and bathe your baby. You also will learn how to keep your baby healthy and how to deal with his or her crying. You can ask other mothers, family members, or health care staff to teach you, too.

Changes You May Need to Make

For a healthy pregnancy, you may need to make some changes in your lifestyle. It is important to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest, and avoid things that could cause harm to your baby, such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs (including certain over-the-counter medications).

Eating Well

Eating the right foods can increase the chance that you and your baby will be healthy. You need extra nutrients while you are pregnant to support your growing body as well as your baby. The food pyramid developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (www.mypyramid.gov) can help you plan a balanced diet. It takes into account your age, sex, and your amount of daily exercise, and shows the number of servings you should have each day from each of these six food groups:

1. Grains
2. Vegetables
3. Fruit
4. Oils
5. Milk
6. Meat and beans

Making Healthy Food Choices You still can eat many of your favorite foods while you are pregnant. You just need to add a few items to make them healthy. Make sandwiches and hamburgers with lettuce, tomato, and other sliced vegetables and use low-fat or fat-free spreads. Use whole-grain breads and rolls, rather than white bread. Put vegetables on your pizza instead of pepperoni or sausage. Drink 100% fruit juice diluted with water or carbonated water or low-fat milk more often than sodas or coffee. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables without sauce or butter. Bake, grill, or broil meats, poultry, or fish instead of frying them. Eat low-fat yogurt, ice cream, or cottage cheese instead of the full-fat versions. Eat baked potatoes without butter or with low-fat sour cream instead of eating french fries or onion rings. Snack on fresh or dried fruits or vegetables instead of cookies, chips, or candy bars.

Although you may be worried about your weight and how your body looks, pregnancy is not the time to diet or try to lose weight. If you are concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor about a good eating plan that gives you the right amount of calories and nutrients.

Because pregnancy requires extra nutrients, your doctor may suggest that you take a prenatal vitamin. In addition to other vitamins and minerals, a prenatal vitamin contains iron because it is not easy to get enough iron from food. Because your bones are still growing, you also may need extra calcium and phosphorus.

It also is important to make sure you are getting enough folic acid each day (at least 0.4 mg). If taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy, folic acid helps prevent certain birth defects of the spine and skull (neural tube defects). In some cases, even if you are taking a prenatal vitamin, you may need to take a folic acid supplement.

Exercise

Exercise can help make you stronger for labor and delivery and help ease some of the discomforts of pregnancy. It also may give you more energy, help you sleep well, and make you feel better. Most girls should exercise 30 minutes or more on most, if not all, days of the week. The 30 minutes do not have to be all at one time—it can be a total of different exercise periods. If you did not exercise before you were pregnant, start with a few minutes each day and build up to 30 minutes or more. Walking, dancing, and swimming are good forms of exercise. Before you start any exercise program, talk with your doctor to make sure you do not have any health conditions that may limit your activity.

Rest

During early and late pregnancy, it is common to feel very tired. It is important to get plenty of rest while you are pregnant—your body needs 8–9 hours of sleep each night. During the day, take breaks and rest when you feel tired. Exercise and a healthy diet may help boost your energy.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, and Other Drugs

Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs can harm you and your baby. If you use any of these substances, now is a good time to quit. If you want to stop, but cannot, ask your doctor. He or she can help you find ways to quit.

Some women need to take medicine during pregnancy for their health or for the health of the baby. If you are using, or thinking about using, any medications (over-the-counter or prescription), herbal remedies, vitamins, or minerals, talk to your doctor to find out if it is safe to use during pregnancy.

Risks of Problems

Pregnant teens are at more risk for certain health problems (such as high blood pressure or anemia) than pregnant women who are older. Pregnant teens also are more likely to go into labor too early. These risks are even greater for teens who are younger than age 15 years or those who do not get prenatal care.

Teens also are more likely to have STDs. You may have an STD and not be aware of it. Or, if you have sex during pregnancy, you could get an STD. Using a latex condom can help prevent getting or spreading some STDs.

Being A Mother

Having a baby means you have to get used to a new way of life. Your baby will need your care for much of the day and night. You will not have much time for the things you used to do. You may feel tired, lonely, and frustrated. If you expect these changes, it may be easier to adjust.

Caring for a baby can be very rewarding. It also is a lot of work and responsibility and takes a lot of time and money. You may need friends, family, or neighbors to call on when you need help and when you need some time for yourself. The baby will be a big part of your life now, but you still need to find some time for yourself.

You should plan for the costs of raising a baby. You and your baby will need a place to live and money for food, clothing, diapers, and medical care. You also may have other needs, such as a car seat, a stroller, or child care.

The baby's father can help support you during pregnancy, labor, and the birth of your baby. He can learn how to take care of the baby and share in child care, too. Not all fathers want to be involved with their babies, though. Also, not all teenaged mothers want the fathers to be involved.

Many teenaged couples are not ready to commit to a marriage. Even if you do not get married, the father is required by law to pay for child support.

Finding Support

You may have mixed feelings about being pregnant. You may be happy and at the same time scared about the future. It can be helpful to talk to someone you trust who can help you while you think about your choices and decide what you want to do.

Resources For help finding low or no cost health insurance for you and your child contact: Medicaid www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp State Children's Health Insurance Program 877-KIDS-NOW (877-543-7669) www.insurekidsnow.gov If you need help obtaining healthy food and health care for you and your child contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Stamps Program www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/ Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

Your parents may be able to support you and help you. If you feel you cannot tell your parents that you are pregnant, it can be helpful to talk with some other adult you trust. If you feel that someone may harm you, or if you want to harm yourself because you are pregnant, talk to a doctor or nurse, a school counselor, or another trusted adult. There are also groups in your community that can provide support and help.

Planning for Your Future

You can help make the future bright for you and your baby. Arrange to see your doctor 4–6 weeks after the baby is born (postpartum) to make sure you are healthy and to talk about your future health needs. You also may want to think about continuing your education.

The Postpartum Visit

During your postpartum visit your doctor will do a complete exam to be sure that you are healing. This is a good time to ask questions about your future health, breastfeeding, birth control, weight loss, sex, or your emotions. To help you remember everything to talk about, jot down any questions you have and bring them with you to this visit.

Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is the best way to feed newborns and infants. Breast milk helps the baby resist disease and allergies. Breastfeeding also is cheaper than bottle-feeding and may help you return to your prepregnancy weight more quickly. Do not be surprised if nursing is not easy right away. Both you and the baby need to get comfortable. If the baby calms down after nursing, makes urine, and is growing, he or she is getting enough milk. Even breastfeeding only for a few weeks has health benefits for the baby. Studies have shown that babies who are breastfed get fewer ear infections and have less intestinal infections than babies who are not breastfed.

Birth Control

Use birth control, such as condoms, to protect yourself against STDs and another pregnancy. There are many options for birth control after you have a baby. Talk to your doctor about what is the best method of birth control for you and when you should start taking it.

School

Planning for your future also involves finishing school. Even if you are not feeling well or are confused or afraid, try to continue going to school. Finishing your education will help you get a better job, earn more money, and make a better life for you and your baby.

You may need help to stay in school. Ask a counselor about community programs that offer rides to school, child care, or tutoring at home. If you cannot finish high school you can take a test for a general equivalency diploma (GED).

Finally...

Having a baby means facing many new changes and challenges. You have a lot to learn in a very short time and will need extra help and support. Prenatal care and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay healthy and have a healthy baby. Being prepared for your baby and planning for your future can make a big difference in your baby's life.

Glossary

Anemia: Low levels of iron in the blood. Birth Control: Methods to prevent pregnancy.

Neural Tube Defect: A birth defect that results from improper development of the brain, spinal cord, or their coverings.

Pelvic Exam: An examination of a woman's sexual organs (both inside and outside) using hands and sometimes a speculum (a metal or plastic instrument used to see inside the vagina).